The number of freelancers as a percent of the total US workforce rose to an all-time high of 39% in 2022, according to the “2022 Freelance Forward” report released by talent platform Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK).

Freelancing has grown since 2014 — the first year Upwork began measuring this metric — when 34% of US workers did independent work.

Upwork reported that a total of 60 million Americans did at least some freelance work in 2022.

“Freelancing continues to gain popularity among skilled professionals as more people evaluate their priorities and values around work,” said Margaret Lilani, VP of talent solutions at Upwork.

Top reasons for freelancing included financial gain, flexibility and control, according to the report. Earning extra money was cited by 83% of freelancers, while schedule flexibility was cited by 73%. In addition, “to be in control of my own financial future” was cited by 72%.

Along with their growing ranks, freelancers’ annual earnings rose to $1.35 trillion in 2022 from $1.30 trillion in 2021, according to the report.

Other findings included:

• More than half of freelancers provide knowledge services: 51% of all freelancers, or nearly 31 million professionals, provided knowledge services such as computer programming, marketing, IT and business consulting in 2022.
• Diversified workers have become more common: 17% of US workers are now diversified, meaning they seek multiple sources of income from a mix of traditional employment and freelance work, up three percentage points from 2021.
• Freelancing continues to grow among the most educated: 26% of all US freelancers hold a postgraduate degree, up from 20% in 2021.

Upwork’s survey included 3,000 US working adults and took place between Sept. 1 and Oct. 7. Of those taking part, 1,164 were freelancers and 1,836 were nonfreelancers.