Fifty-seven percent of freelancers surveyed by online employment platform Elance reported their 2012 income was up from the previous year with an average increase of 47 percent.

The survey also found that 67 percent of freelancers expect their income to increase in 2013 with the average freelancer expecting to earn 43 percent more next year.

The survey included more than 3,000 workers who use the Elance platform.

In addition, the survey found that 70 percent are happier working as freelancers and 79 percent said they are more productive.

The survey also asked which jobs freelancers expected to grow the most in 2013. Those jobs included:

1. Web programming
2. Mobile apps
3. Graphic & Web design
4. Online marketing
5. Content writing