Survey reveals US contractors are no longer just chasing flexibility. They want more
HireArt’s contractor workforce survey challenges the long-standing freelancer industry narrative that workers choose contract roles primarily for flexibility
The US-based contractor platform’s survey findings reveal that for professionals in long-term assignments, contract work is generally viewed as a “stepping stone” toward permanent employment, rather than a preferred end state.
The hardest part is making sure you’re not treated like a second-class employee compared to FTEs
–Conractor/HireArt’s 2025 Contractor Workforce Survey
Contract work isn’t a preferred lifestyle choice
Of those contractors surveyed, 89% reported they were open to contract work but did not seek it out. Only 11% intentionally pursued contract roles.
This data challenges the narrative pushed by gig platforms and the staffing industry—that contract work is a preferred lifestyle choice. In reality, most workers view contract work as a hopeful bridge to something longer-term.
–Insights from HireArt’s 2025 Contractor
Workforce Survey
The majority prefer permanent opportunities for their next job:
- 62% said their next role must be permanent
- 24% prefer permanent roles (though they are open to contract)
- Only 14% were open to ongoing contract work
Professional development is a priority
Contractors highly value opportunities for training and skill-building, seeing them as a direct path to securing permanent roles.
Some 30% of assignment-based workers named professional development as their top priority. It was highly rated among the top 10 priorities set out in the survey.
Communication is as critical as core benefits
While all benefit-related factors scored highly, strong communication from US employers ranked as highly as compensation and health insurance.
“The hardest part is making sure you’re not treated like a second-class employee compared to FTEs” says one of the contractors surveyed, relating to professional development and overall treatment.
Freelancers and clients alike need to align their turnaround expectations and their chosen form of communication. One contractor explains, “Email communication has been solid, but I’d love faster turnaround when urgent issues pop up,” highlighting the expectation for responsive communication.
This shows that communication isn’t just a “soft” perk—it’s a baseline expectation, as critical as compensation and health coverage to many US contractors.
Flexibility is no longer the top priority for freelancers
The data indicate contractors are not pursuing flexibility at any cost; they are seeking stability, development, and respect.
Contractors from the survey suggested that the flexibility mantra of freelancing became a way for clients and recruiters to take advantage of self-employed and fixed-term contract workers.
Flexibility should not lead clients to disrespect them, whether in the form of non-payment, lack of communication or last-minute requests.
The report advises staffing firms and employers to stop leaning on the flexibility narrative to “justify poor treatment” and instead prioritise professional development, benefits, and strong communication to drive engagement and retention.
Read the full HireArt report here.
