Digital nomads now represent 11% of the US workforce, or 18.1 million workers, though their employers may not know it, according to a report released Aug. 20 by MBO Partners.

Digital nomads are those who work while traveling, and their US number rose by 4.7% this year compared to 2023, MBO Partners reported. That compares to an explosive growth in the number of digital nomads during the pandemic. The number of digital nomads is up 147% since 2019.

Being a digital nomad has moved from niche to normal, according to the report.

“Today, leading organizations know they must attract top talent to survive, including allowing workers to operate when and where they want,” Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, said in a press release. “Implementing formal policies to track and engage with remote and nomadic workers should be considered standard practice.”

MBO Partners research also found that while the number of digital nomads has risen, a greater percentage are independent workers while a smaller share hold traditional jobs. This year, 44% of digital nomads were independent workers and 56% had traditional jobs. That’s changed from 2023, when 38% were independent and 62% held traditional jobs. Return-to-office policies appear to be behind the decrease.

However, not all digital nomads with traditional jobs report their status to employers. MBO Partners’ survey found that 14% of digital nomads with traditional jobs say their employers do not know they are digital nomads. An additional 22% say their company does not have a digital nomad policy but their boss has given them the go-ahead.

Other findings in the report:

• Generations. A majority of digital nomads, 64%, are Gen Z or millennials. Only 25% of Gen X are members, and the number drops to 11% for baby boomers. The median age for digital nomads is 37, and 56% are married or living with a partner.
• By gender. Men represented 55% of digital nomads, compared to 40% of women and 1% nonbinary.
• By race. The racial makeup of digital nomads is 67% white, 21% Black, 11% Hispanic, 6% Asian and 1% from another background (respondents could provide multiple answers to this question).
• Job satisfaction. Digital nomads were more satisfied with their work, with 79% saying they were highly satisfied. That compares to 64% of all workers.
• Income. While 17% of digital nomads report their household income is less than $25,000 annually, 46% say it is $75,000 or more. MBO Partners noted that 64% of digital nomads are full-time workers and 36% are part time. Digital nomads from high-cost areas, including higher-wage countries, are known to travel to areas with relatively low costs of living to stretch their income.
• Challenges. Top challenges for digital nomads are financial stress, cited by 27%; being away from family and friends, 26%; personal safety, 24%; time zone differences making work difficult, 23%; and travel burnout, 21%.
• In the US. Forty percent of digital nomads report they plan to spend more time in the US next year.
• Professions. The main professions for digital nomads are IT, 19%; creative services, 14%; education and training, 9%; sales, marketing and PR, 9%; finance and accounting, 8%; and consulting, coaching and research, 7%.

MBO Partners’ research is based on an online panel survey in June. It included 6,526 residents of the US ages 18 and up, including 1,055 current digital nomads. Survey results are weighted to reflect the demographics of the US population.