There is remarkably little evidence to support the claim that independent contracting is expanding-almost all evidence on this subject is anecdotal or piecemeal. Because of the lack of data, analysts have used self-employment or employment in the business services industry as a proxy for independent contracting, although neither are entirely satisfactory measures. Self-employment is the superior measure, but it includes more than just independent contractors, e.g. , restaurant owners and shopkeepers. Although often cited as evidence of growth in independent contracting, the business services 2 industry is not an appropriate measure because it counts jobs within firms. In contrast, independent contractors are almost all self-employed.
Independent contractors are demographically different from workers with traditional jobs.
Nearly three quarters of all independent contractors are married, with most of their spouses in the traditional labor force. Although relatively few independent contractors are women, many choose part-time schedules enabling them to combine family and work responsibilities. Less than 10 percent say they would prefer a traditional job. Only about 4 percent say that independent contracting is the only type of work they could find, and less than 1 percent cite child care problems for choosing independent contracting. Less than one half of one percent say they were laid off but rehired by their employer as an independent contractor.