Upwork Monthly Hiring Report: High-Value Work Grew 31% Among Large Businesses as AI Amplifies Demand for Human Skills
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) released its inaugural Monthly Hiring Report, revealing significant growth in freelance economy hiring trends. The analysis shows high-value work among large businesses increased by 31%, while demand for AI and machine learning skills among SMBs surged 40% in August 2025.
Key findings include a 15% growth in Content Writing and a remarkable 162% increase in Language Tutoring & Interpretation. The report highlights that 15% of jobs on Upwork now come from content creator demand, with AI-related jobs showing twice the presence compared to non-technical positions. The freelance economy currently generates an estimated $1.5 trillion in earnings annually.
The data suggests AI is amplifying rather than replacing human talent, with increased demand for human-centric skills like fact-checking and video editing, particularly in categories previously considered vulnerable to AI disruption.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) ha pubblicato il suo primo Monthly Hiring Report, evidenziando una crescita significativa nelle tendenze di assunzione dell'economia freelance. L'analisi mostra che il lavoro ad alto valore per le grandi aziende è aumentato del 31%, mentre la domanda di competenze in AI e machine learning tra le PMI è cresciuta del 40% nell'agosto 2025.
I risultati chiave includono una crescita del 15% nella Content Writing e un notevole +162% per Language Tutoring & Interpretation. Il report segnala che il 15% delle offerte di lavoro su Upwork deriva ora dalla domanda di content creator, con le posizioni legate all'AI presenti il doppio rispetto ai ruoli non tecnici. L'economia freelance genera attualmente un valore stimato di $1,5 trilioni di guadagni annui.
I dati suggeriscono che l'AI sta amplificando, più che sostituire, il talento umano, con una maggiore richiesta di competenze a misura d'uomo come fact-checking e montaggio video, soprattutto in categorie finora considerate vulnerabili alla disruption dell'AI.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) publicó su primer Monthly Hiring Report, revelando un crecimiento significativo en las tendencias de contratación de la economía freelance. El análisis muestra que el trabajo de alto valor entre grandes empresas aumentó un 31%, mientras que la demanda de habilidades en IA y machine learning entre las pymes se disparó un 40% en agosto de 2025.
Entre los hallazgos clave se incluye un crecimiento del 15% en Content Writing y un notable incremento del 162% en Language Tutoring & Interpretation. El informe destaca que el 15% de los empleos en Upwork proviene ahora de la demanda de creadores de contenido, con trabajos relacionados con IA mostrando el doble de presencia que los puestos no técnicos. La economía freelance genera actualmente un estimado de $1,5 billones en ganancias anuales.
Los datos sugieren que la IA está amplificando más que reemplazando al talento humano, con una mayor demanda de habilidades centradas en las personas como verificación de hechos y edición de vídeo, especialmente en categorías anteriormente consideradas vulnerables a la disrupción por IA.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK)가 첫 번째 Monthly Hiring Report를 발표하며 프리랜서 경제의 채용 동향에서 의미 있는 성장을 드러냈습니다. 분석에 따르면 대기업의 고부가가치 업무가 31% 증가했으며, 중소기업(SMB)에서의 AI·머신러닝 기술 수요는 2025년 8월에 40% 급증했습니다.
주요 발견으로는 콘텐츠 라이팅 15% 성장과 눈에 띄는 언어 튜터링 및 통역 162% 증가가 있습니다. 보고서는 현재 Upwork의 일자리 중 15%가 콘텐츠 제작자 수요에서 발생하며, AI 관련 일자리는 비기술 직군보다 두 배 가량 더 존재한다고 지적합니다. 프리랜서 경제는 현재 연간 약 $1.5조 달러의 수익을 창출하는 것으로 추정됩니다.
데이터는 AI가 인간의 재능을 대체하기보다 증폭시키고 있음을 시사하며, 사실 확인과 비디오 편집 같은 인간 중심 기술에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있다고 강조합니다. 이러한 경향은 특히 AI에 의해 취약하다고 여겨졌던 분야에서 두드러집니다.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) a publié son premier Monthly Hiring Report, révélant une croissance marquée des tendances d'embauche dans l'économie freelance. L'analyse montre que le travail à forte valeur ajoutée chez les grandes entreprises a augmenté de 31%, tandis que la demande de compétences en IA et apprentissage automatique chez les PME a bondi de 40% en août 2025.
Parmi les constats clés figurent une croissance de 15% du Content Writing et une hausse remarquable de 162% pour Language Tutoring & Interpretation. Le rapport souligne que 15% des offres d'emploi sur Upwork proviennent désormais de la demande de créateurs de contenu, les postes liés à l'IA étant deux fois plus nombreux que les postes non techniques. L'économie freelance génère actuellement environ 1,5 trillion de dollars de revenus annuels.
Les données suggèrent que l'IA amplifie plutôt qu'elle ne remplace les talents humains, avec une demande accrue pour des compétences centrées sur l'humain comme la vérification des faits et le montage vidéo, notamment dans des catégories auparavant considérées comme vulnérables à la disruption par l'IA.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) veröffentlichte seinen ersten Monthly Hiring Report und zeigt damit ein deutliches Wachstum bei den Einstellungs-trends der Freelance-Ökonomie. Die Analyse belegt, dass hochwertige Arbeit bei großen Unternehmen um 31% zugenommen hat, während die Nachfrage nach KI- und Machine-Learning-Fähigkeiten bei KMU im August 2025 um 40% stieg.
Wesentliche Erkenntnisse sind ein 15%iges Wachstum im Bereich Content Writing und ein bemerkenswerter 162%iger Anstieg bei Language Tutoring & Interpretation. Der Bericht hebt hervor, dass 15% der Jobs auf Upwork inzwischen aus der Nachfrage nach Content-Erstellern stammen, wobei KI-bezogene Stellen doppelt so häufig sind wie nicht-technische Positionen. Die Freelance-Ökonomie generiert derzeit geschätzte $1,5 Billionen an Jahres-einnahmen.
Die Daten deuten darauf hin, dass KI menschliche Talente eher verstärkt als ersetzt, mit steigender Nachfrage nach menschenzentrierten Fähigkeiten wie Faktenprüfung und Videobearbeitung, insbesondere in Kategorien, die zuvor als besonders anfällig für KI-Disruption galten.
- High-value work (contracts >$1,000) among large businesses grew 31%
- SMB demand for AI and Machine Learning skills increased 40%
- Content creator demand reached historic high of 15% of total jobs
- Language Tutoring & Interpretation skills grew 162%
- Freelance economy generates $1.5 trillion in annual earnings
- Overall labor market showing softness
- Business leaders cite ongoing challenges in talent acquisition and retention
Insights
Upwork's data reveals robust 31% growth in high-value contracts and 40% surge in AI skills demand, signaling strong business momentum.
Upwork's inaugural monthly hiring report reveals compelling growth metrics that demonstrate the company's strengthening market position. The 31% growth in high-value work (contracts over
Particularly noteworthy is the
The report counters the narrative that AI threatens creative professions, instead showing that categories once considered vulnerable to AI disruption are evolving and growing. The
The emergence of fact-checking in the top 10 in-demand AI-related skills reveals a developing revenue stream in content verification services—a natural extension of the AI content creation boom. Additionally, with
These metrics collectively suggest Upwork is executing effectively on its AI-human marketplace strategy, driving higher-value contracts while expanding its addressable market through new AI-adjacent skills categories.
Inaugural monthly analysis of the freelance economy provides an early signal of U.S. labor market shifts, revealing how businesses are engaging flexible talent
August analysis shows demand for human-centric skills like fact-checking and video editing is on the rise
PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced a new monthly analysis of hiring trends in the freelance economy, revealing demand for the specific skills driving business growth. The report illuminates real-time trends signaling how business leaders are hiring and aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of hiring in the U.S. labor market by focusing on the freelance economy – a vibrant sector of the workforce that generates an estimated
“Traditional data sources often show us where the labor market has been, but they overlook the part of the economy that shows us where it's going,” said Dr. Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute. “The freelance economy is a leading indicator for the broader labor market because it’s where businesses turn first to innovate and adapt. Our new Upwork Monthly Hiring Report taps directly into this real-time signal, providing a forward-looking, comprehensive view of how companies are using flexible talent to succeed in the age of AI.”
Top 3 Hiring Insights: August 2025
High-value work among large businesses grew
Despite a softer overall labor market, companies are strategically leveraging flexible talent to address temporary gaps in the workforce, access advanced technical skills, and scale resources.3 This is most evident among large businesses, which saw
Demand for AI and machine learning skills is up
While broader economic reports point to a cooling job market, demand among SMBs for skills in AI and Machine Learning saw a notable
AI is amplifying human talent, with categories vulnerable to disruption like Writing growing, and content creation seeing record demand.5
AI is amplifying human talent by creating demand for expertise in new, higher-value work. This is most notable across the Creative & Design, Writing, and Translation categories, where demand for skills like Content Writing and Language Tutoring & Interpretation grew
The rise of the creator economy is also evident, with a historical high of
Top 10 Most In-Demand AI-Related Skills in August 20254:
- Machine learning
- Python
- English
- ChatGPT
- Data labeling
- Graphic design
- Data annotation
- Fact-checking
- Image annotation
- Video editing
“The top AI skills we’re seeing businesses hire for, such as fact-checking and video editing, show that the future of work is not about replacing humans with AI; it’s about human-AI collaboration,” said Dr. Teng Liu, economist for the Upwork Research Institute. “AI is reshaping projects, but human expertise remains the most critical component, driving strategic outcomes that prioritize uniquely human skills like quality control and creativity.”
The Upwork Monthly Hiring Report will be released monthly before the Employment Situation from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is published.
For more insights from the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, visit upwork.com/research.
About The Upwork Monthly Hiring Report
The Upwork Monthly Hiring Report is designed to provide an early signal of broader shifts in how business leaders are hiring in real-time and aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of hiring trends in the U.S. labor market with a focus on the freelance economy – a vibrant sector of the workforce that generates
Methodology and Sources
1Upwork Future Workforce Index, April 2025.
2Upwork platform data reflecting month-over-month (MoM) changes based on new contract activity in the U.S. from August 1-25, 2025 compared to July 1-25, 2025. High-value work is defined as a contract of at least
3August Business Pulse Survey from the Upwork Research Institute.
4Upwork platform data reflecting top freelance skills hired for based on new contract activity in the U.S. from August 1-25, 2025.
5Upwork platform data reflecting job posts in the U.S. from August 1-25, 2025.
About Upwork Inc.
Upwork Inc. is the parent company of the Upwork Marketplace and Lifted, its enterprise-focused subsidiary. Through its family of businesses, Upwork Inc. connects companies with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work model.
The Upwork Marketplace is the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled, AI-enabled independent talent from across the globe. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, companies rely on the trusted Upwork Marketplace platform and its mindful AI companion, Uma™, to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With on-demand access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork Marketplace enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, with more than
Contact
press@upwork.com
FAQ
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