EmInfo Reader:  My colleagues and I are witnessing a growing interest in the workforce of individuals who would like the independence of self-employment and entrepreneurism. Is this a growing trend?

Dr. Burtnett: Your pulse-taking is accurate. A recent Pew Research Center study is reporting that more than six in ten self-employed workers stating they are extremely or very satisfied with their job and work, as compared with just half of their not self-employed counterparts. As this message is received by others, a growing number of individuals appear ready to face the risks of business ownership and either engage in a start-up or purchase an existing business.

Entrepreneurs have always been key players across the American economy, using their knowledge and skills set to contribute to the delivery of services and products on a smaller scale than the larger businesses and companies that once employed them. 

Other findings of the Pew Study included:

1) Nearly half (48%) of self-employer workers report their contributions at work are valued a great deal, compared to a quarter of those who are self-employed.

2) Sixty percent of self-employed workers say their work can be performed home or remotely, compared with 32% who are not self-employed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor estimates that 15 million U.S. workers are self-employed, making up about 10% of the U.S. workforce. Given these recent Pew findings, the number of workers wanting to be their own boss are likely to climb.

Learn more...

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/30/self-employed-people-in-the-us-are-more-likely-than-other-workers-to-be-highly-satisfied-with-their-jobs/