What is the difference between a freelancer and employee?
Sarah Duran
Published May 16, 2026
Freelancers and contractors are self-employed, while an employee works for the company. The number of clients. Freelancers take on more than one client at a time, while contractors usually have one client at a time, and employees work for a single company.
Which generation is most likely to freelance?
Freelance participation in the United States as of 2020, by generation
| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Gen Z (18-22 years old) | 50% |
| Millennial (23-38 years old) | 44% |
| Gen X (39-54 years old) | 30% |
| Baby Boomers (55+ years old) | 26% |
What are the pros and cons of working freelance?
Pro: Freelancers can get creative and pivot more easily. Pro: You can be REALLY proud of your freelance successes and business. Con: Freelance taxes can be rather complicated and challenging. Con: There’s no paid time off, so you have to build vacation into your annual income.
What is the difference between Millennials and Gen Z?
A Millennial is anyone born between 1980 and 1995. In the U.S., there are roughly 80 million Millennials. A member of Gen Z is anyone born between 1996 and the early-mid 2000s (end date can vary depending on source). In the U.S., there are approximately 90 million members of Gen Z, or “Gen Zers.”
What is the youngest generation in the workforce?
Gen Z
This includes Gen Z, the youngest members of the workforce and those currently in secondary school or college.
What could be the disadvantages of freelancing?
Cons of freelancing
- Feeling isolated.
- Hustling 24/7 for new gigs.
- Inconsistent work and cash flow.
- Juggling multiple clients.
- Instead of having one boss, you have several clients to answer to.
- No paid time off, no maternity/paternity leave.
- No company-sponsored health benefits, 401(k), etc.
