The rise of Gen X freelancers: seasoned talent is having a moment

It’s not uncommon for professionals to feel that career opportunities shrink with age, even though they shouldn’t. Interestingly, Gen X freelancers might be bucking this trend — data from our State of Freelance Work 2025 report points to 45% of companies reporting an increase in hiring workers aged 55 and older, with many seeing them as strong assets. 

Experience is proving to be a valuable asset in the gig space, and seasoned professionals are clearly seizing the opportunity.

The experience advantage

According to the same report, 43% of companies say they prefer hiring freelancers aged 55 and older, due to their perceived reliability, professionalism, and extensive knowledge. This trend reflects a growing appreciation for seasoned expertise in industries that require strategic oversight and technical depth.

Though it could also be seen as unfair to younger freelancers, as well as stereotypical in nature, if it’s assumed that they automatically don’t have these valued traits, or are less likely to.

With decades of industry knowledge, Gen X freelancers are well-equipped for consulting, project management, and advisory roles. They often require less oversight, bring strategic insights, and can mentor younger team members.

In contrast, some employers express concerns about hiring younger freelancers, citing professionalism and work ethic issues in Remote’s recent State of Freelance Work 2025 report. This raises important questions about bias, how businesses assess talent, and balance experience with emerging skills.

As companies continue to operate flexibly to some degree, with hybrid and remote work models, experienced freelancers bring another advantage: adaptability. Our Contractor Management Report also highlights that 72% of companies believe working with specialist freelancers helps their teams develop new skills. They went on to highlight the broader impact of their expertise too.

Many Gen X freelancers and contractors have navigated multiple career shifts and industry changes, making them well-equipped to succeed fast in new environments. Their ability to quickly integrate into teams and projects is another reason why businesses seek their expertise.

A global shift: why experienced freelancers are in demand everywhere

Remote’s data shows that 45% of employers report an increase in freelancers aged 55 and older. This trend is visible across regions:

• North America: Older freelancers dominate consulting and advisory roles, with many re-entering the workforce post-retirement. The U.S. also sees a rise in freelancers contributing to academia as adjunct professors and researchers.

• Europe: Countries like Germany and the UK have seen a surge in older freelancers in technical fields and creative sectors. Sustainability consulting and policy advice are key areas of growth.

• Asia-Pacific: Japan’s aging workforce has led to an increase in older professionals embracing freelancing as a flexible way to remain active. In Australia, older freelancers lead in project management and executive coaching.

The rise of experienced freelancers is a global phenomenon, with regional differences shaping how and where companies hire them, influenced by economic shifts, industry needs, and technological advancements.

The mentorship factor

One significant advantage of experienced freelancers is their ability to mentor younger professionals. Companies increasingly rely on senior freelancers to train teams and bridge knowledge gaps. This is especially valuable in industries undergoing big tech infrastructure changes, where traditional employees may lack updated expertise.

Take the wider tech industry — while younger workers may be skilled at new programming languages and trends, seasoned professionals bring systems thinking, risk management, and a strategic approach that improves long-term business outcomes.

Beyond industry expertise, mentorship is great steady, long-term business growth. Companies that invest in knowledge-sharing initiatives see improved employee retention and skill development. Experienced freelancers play a key role in passing on specialized skills, from technical know-how to leadership strategies, helping businesses build agile, sustainable expertise across their workforce.

The state of freelance work: 2025

Niche skills, classification issues and payment frustrations loom. But the freelancer economy is still booming. So, where are freelancers most in demand? Plus, what skills are most sought after?

See the report

How shifting demand is shaping freelance hiring

Our Contractor Management Report data shows that over half of businesses are turning to freelancers more frequently than ever, with 52% of companies reporting an increase in freelance hiring over the past three years. This shift is markedly common in IT and engineering, where 37% of companies rely on freelancers.

While experienced freelancers are increasingly in demand, younger freelancers face different hurdles when establishing themselves in the industry, often needing to make extra networking and skill-building efforts to compete effectively.

Plus, companies are also adjusting how they evaluate freelancers too. Some businesses are implementing competency-based hiring models, focusing on tangible skills rather than resumés or years of experience alone. This shift means that experienced professionals who continuously upskill — through certifications, industry courses, or hands-on learning — may be at a slight advantage. 

Why more professionals are choosing freelance careers later 

The shift toward freelancing is driven by a mix of necessity, career evolution, and the pursuit of greater flexibility.

For many, freelancing provides the opportunity to continue working without the constraints of a 9-to-5 schedule, office politics, or location limitations. Some professionals who faced redundancy later in their careers have turned to freelancing as a way to remain engaged in their industries on their own terms.

Freelancing also allows professionals to diversify their work. Instead of relying on a single employer, they manage multiple clients, reducing the risk of sudden job loss. With the rise of digital platforms and remote work, freelancers now have more opportunities to connect with global clients and build sustainable careers in a different way.

Plus, many experienced workers are leveraging freelance work to transition into semi-retirement. Fifty eight percent of freelancers cite flexible scheduling as the main benefit of freelancing, making it an appealing choice for those looking to scale back without fully leaving the workforce.

In summary, insights from Remote’s State of Freelance Work 2025 report found that Gen X workers who made the shift into freelancing did so because (in part): 

• 58% of freelancers cite flexible scheduling as the biggest advantage of freelancing​.

• 25% of freelancers say they can earn more freelancing than they did in traditional employment​.

• 27% of freelancers wanted to develop a new skill set unrelated to their previous job​.

Rather than stepping away from their careers entirely, they choose consulting and project-based roles that can mean steady income with lots of flexibility. This growing trend reflects the broader shift toward longer, more varied career paths.

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Freelancing after 45: a new pace of work

Ahead, the demand for freelancers with years of expertise is unlikely to slow down. With skills shortages in key industries, businesses are increasingly looking to experienced freelancers to fill critical gaps and drive innovation.

At the same time, technology is reshaping freelance work. Some platforms use AI-assisted matching to connect businesses with freelancers based on niche expertise.

But freelancing for Gen X-ers is not without challenges. The swift integration of AI  into many sectors has raised concerns about job displacement. Creative professionals, like photographers and translators, have reported declines in work because of AI-generated content which — although sometimes inferior — is often more cost-effective and faster to produce . 

Plus remote workers face increasing competition from AI models capable of performing tasks like programming and graphic design.

Either way, the freelance market continues to grow. The global freelance workforce has expanded significantly, now encompassing approximately 1.57 billion people. In the U.S. alone, freelancers contribute $455 billion to the economy annually. This growth highlights a valuable and evolving market, with freelancers playing a pivotal role in the modern economy.

For Gen X professionals, freelancing often represents a smart transition as they seek flexibility or semi-retirement. Many are using their extensive experience to start  "second careers" in entirely new fields, driven by a need for more fulfilling work, and better money options.