Canadian freelancers now charge an average of $56 per hour, a 45 per cent increase over four years, according to a study released Oct. 7 by freelance.ca, a platform that connects freelancers with businesses.
The study, titled “How Freelancers Work in Canada,” surveyed freelancers on the platform about income, work practices and technology adoption.
Gender pay gap persists
Women freelancers earn 11 per cent less than men on average, according to the study.
The platform connects more than 40,000 freelancers with 3,000 companies, the company said.
AI adoption widespread
Ninety-three per cent of freelancers use artificial intelligence tools, primarily for research, brainstorming and optimization, according to freelance.ca.
Sixty-eight per cent of freelancers work entirely remotely and 59 per cent manage multiple clients, the study found.
Flexibility drives choice
Sixty-one per cent of freelancers cite flexibility and work-life balance as their primary motivation for choosing independent work, according to the study.
Fifty-eight per cent believe freelancing will improve over the next five years, the company said.
Challenges remain
Freelancers identified three main challenges in the study: economic uncertainty, cited by 50 per cent of respondents; lack of political support, with 66 per cent calling for stronger government backing; and outdated corporate culture limiting collaboration, noted by 47 per cent.
“This study highlights not only the resilience and agility of independent work, but also its growing role in Canada’s economy,” said Simon Gravel, chief executive officer of freelance.ca, in the release.
