The State of Solopreneurship in 2025 (10 Statistics)

🚀 TL;DR

About 20% of solopreneurs earn between $100K and $300K annually without hiring employees.
Only ~3.6% of U.S. solopreneurs hit $1M+ in revenue.
More than 75% of solopreneurs reach profitability in their first year.
Time management is one of the top operational challenges (≈ 41% report it).
Many solopreneurs self-fund their start (84% use their own capital), and around half begin with under $5,000 in capital.

The narrative around building businesses has changed dramatically.

I've watched the solopreneur economy evolve since 2005 when I built my first remote business with no employees.

What seemed impossible then is becoming the preferred path for millions today.

If you’re curious about what the state of solopreneurship looks like, here are 10 solopreneur statistics to understand it:

1. Nearly 10 million Americans are self-employed professionals

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows approximately 9.82 million self-employed professionals in the United States. It's a significant shift in how people approach their careers and build their livelihoods.

I've been saying this for years: solopreneurship isn't a fallback option or a stepping stone. It's a deliberate choice. When you approach it with the right systems and mindset, working for yourself provides unmatched control over your time, work methods, and income potential.

What's encouraging is that you're not alone on this path. Millions of others have already proven this model works, creating abundant opportunities to learn from their experiences and connect with like-minded professionals who understand exactly what you're going through.

2. Over half of solopreneurs have a bachelor's degree or higher

According to Leapmesh's research, 53.2% of solopreneurs have at least a bachelor's degree. This means these solo business owners have specialized knowledge and skills to build successful ventures.

53.2% of solopreneurs have a Bachelor's degree — Source: Leapmesh

But here's what I find even more interesting—nearly half of successful solopreneurs have built thriving businesses without a four-year degree. This reality confirms what I've seen in my own experience. You need structured systems and focus, and it matters more than credentials.

If you don't have a degree but want to pursue solopreneurship, focus on developing specific expertise through targeted learning. Build systems that create leverage.

Also, your education doesn't need to be formal. It can come through practical experience, mentorship, and self-directed study centered on solving specific problems for specific clients.

3. About half of solopreneurs work from home

The modern workspace has transformed dramatically, with Leapmesh reporting that 51.6% of solopreneurs operate from home.

More than 50% of solopreneurs work from home — Source: Leapmesh

I've been remote since 2005, and I can tell you the home-based model offers great benefits. You reduce overhead, create personalized work environments, and eliminate long commutes.

But it also doesn’t mean working in isolation. You can use a hybrid approach where you work from home and supplement this space with co-working spaces, coffee shops, or occasional travel. This balance creates an ideal environment for high-value work while maintaining human connection.

4. More women are becoming solopreneurs than men

According to Leapmesh and confirmed by the World Economic Forum, women now make up 54.4% of solopreneurs, outnumbering men in this business category.

Majority of solopreneurs are female — Source: Leapmesh

It could be because more women are getting educated or preferring more flexible lifestyles. Other than that, access to the internet and the ability to work from home has only fueled this trend. According to the World Economic Forum, here are a few reasons why women choose to become solopreneurs:

Women choose to become solopreneurs to make a difference, build wealth, due to job scarcity, or due to family tradition — Source: World Economic Forum

I see this as an indicator that solopreneurship creates more inclusive economic opportunities.

When we eliminate traditional corporate barriers and emphasize outcomes over face time, more people can succeed based on the value they create.

5. Most solopreneurs choose self-employment to be their own boss

The driving force behind solopreneurship isn't primarily financial—it's about autonomy.

QuickBooks research shows that 52% of solopreneurs chose self-employment because they wanted to be their own boss. They want control over their work more than the money they earn.

This matches what I've observed through years of mentoring solopreneurs. I’ve always said that passion powers profits because everyone desires to do more meaningful work.

Bar chart showing reasons why people became self-employed, based on a survey of 1,370 US adults. Top reason is "Self-determination, I love working for myself and being my own boss" (52%). Other notable reasons include: lack of other opportunities (36%), desire to push oneself further (33%), employers not paying enough (33%), and seeking fulfillment compared to previous jobs (32%). Additional reasons include job loss (22%), high housing costs (20%), credit card debt (17%), and student loan debt (8%). 4% selected "None of the above." Source: Intuit QuickBooks "Entrepreneurship in 2024" Report. — Source: Quickbooks

Many solopreneurs maintain day jobs while building independent businesses, especially in the early stages. The same QuickBooks study found that 82% of those who maintain employment while running a side business do so for the stability of a regular paycheck. It's a great way to test the waters before committing fully.

6. Solopreneurs work fewer hours but experience higher stress levels

Despite the freedom of self-employment, QuickBooks research reveals an interesting paradox. Solopreneurs work fewer hours (averaging 40 hours weekly compared to 45 for employers) and take more vacation days (15 days versus 14). However, they report significantly higher stress levels than business owners with employees.

Infographic showing differences in stress and satisfaction levels between solopreneurs and business owners with employees. Left side: 35% of solopreneurs rate their stress level as "high", compared to 26% of business owners with employees. Right side: 35% of solopreneurs rate their satisfaction as "high", compared to 44% of business owners with employees. Headline reads: "Solopreneurs report higher stress and lower satisfaction than business owners with employees." Source: Intuit QuickBooks “Entrepreneurship in 2024” Report, based on a survey of 2,087 US adults (18+) who are self-employed. — Source: Quickbooks

While having complete ownership creates freedom, it also means carrying the full weight of responsibility alone.

In my experience, this stress often stems from lacking proper systems and boundaries. Solopreneurs prefer doing everything themselves, but without the right processes, it can become challenging to do so. You can delegate, automate, or at least eliminate low-value tasks.

7. Solopreneurs need to earn $219,000 in 2024 to feel financially successful

According to QuickBooks' survey, solopreneurs report needing to earn an average of $219,000 annually to feel financially successful. This shows they're ambitious but realistic about how much they need to take home and live comfortably.

Bar chart titled “What does success look like to you in 2024 for your business? Which of the following is your primary goal?” based on a survey of self-employed U.S. adults. 42% chose “Increasing revenue” as their primary goal 15% chose “Maintaining current revenue” 13% chose “Getting financing to unlock growth” 10% chose “Launching a new product, service, or location” 10% chose “Getting the business acquired” 6% chose “Paying off debts to reduce costs” 4% selected “None of the above” Source: Intuit QuickBooks “Entrepreneurship in 2024” Report, based on a survey of 2,087 U.S. adults (18+) who are self-employed, conducted in December 2023. — Source: Quickbooks

Also, over half (53%) believe they need to earn at least $100,000 to feel successful, yet 65% estimate their current net worth at less than that amount. Honestly, how much you need to earn depends on your lifestyle, cost of living, and general needs.

If you want to ensure you hit your goals, focus on profits, leverage, and lifestyle design over raw income numbers.

A $150,000 business with minimal overhead, strategic systems, and excellent work-life balance often creates more real value than a $300,000 business that requires constant attention and generates stress.

8. One out of five solopreneurs earns between $100K to $300K annually without help

Leapmesh research shows that 20% of solopreneurs—one in five—earn between $100,000 and $300,000 annually without hiring employees or contractors. It goes to show what’s possible with the solopreneur business model.

20% of US solopreneurs earn $100K to $300K without staff — Source: Leapmesh

The highest-earning solopreneurs have typically developed deep specialization, clear positioning, and systemized operations that allow them to command premium rates for their work.

Interestingly, the research also reveals that solopreneurs earning more than $1 million annually typically employ at least one freelancer or part-timer. A hybrid approach works when you're outsourcing only what you need to.

9. Only a small percentage of solopreneurs earn more than $1 million per year

While substantial six-figure incomes are achievable for many solopreneurs, Leapmesh research shows that only 3.6% generate more than $1 million in annual revenue.

The rarity of seven-figure solopreneurs doesn't diminish the viability of this business approach.

Even at “just” $300,000-$500,000 in annual revenue, a well-structured solo business can provide exceptional income, freedom, and impact.

3 out of 100 solopreneurs have an average revenue of more than $83,000 per month — Source: Leapmesh

If you're determined to break the million-dollar barrier as a solopreneur, focus on creating leverage. This could include intellectual property (IP) or better offers.

10. Businesses-of-one are set to embrace AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the core technologies in the business world—and solopreneurs are already taking advantage of it.

According to research from Collective, 78% of solopreneurs expect AI to change their operations, with 68% believing it will benefit their businesses.

Pie chart showing responses to the question about how people think AI tools will affect their business. 53.3% say AI will make them more productive and profitable 21.9% don’t anticipate any changes to their business 14.3% say AI will allow them to focus on their primary functions and passions 6.7% are worried AI will take business from them 3.8% say AI will make their work harder because they have to adapt to it Each response is represented by a different color slice of the pie chart. — Source: Collective

I've been watching this trend closely, and it makes perfect sense. As a solopreneur, your time is literally money. When you're handling everything yourself, you need tools that can multiply your impact without multiplying your effort. AI is perfectly positioned to provide that leverage.

That’s why you need to view it as an opportunity, not a threat.

💡

Here's a list of tools I recommend every solopreneur should use to streamline their business.

The future of solopreneurship is bright

One thing is clear—solopreneurship is slowly becoming a mainstream career path for many employed folks. The numbers validate it and show us the potential of it.

If you're considering the solopreneur path or looking to optimize your existing solo business, now’s the time to make that leap. And if you’re doing so, here’s a free blueprint to help you get started:

FAQs

What exactly is a solopreneur?

A solopreneur is someone who builds and runs a business entirely on their own without co-founders or employees. They handle all aspects of the business, from marketing to service delivery, though they may use contractors or automation to lighten the load.

How many solopreneurs exist (or how common is this model)?

Solopreneurship is very common, especially in the U.S., where tens of millions of non-employer businesses operate. Collectively, they generate more than a trillion dollars in revenue each year, showing how significant this model has become.

What is the income potential for solopreneurs?

Most solopreneurs earn under $100,000 per year, though about one in five make between $100,000 and $300,000 while still working solo. A smaller group, just a few percent, cross the million-dollar revenue mark.

How soon do solopreneurs become profitable?

Many solopreneurs reach profitability surprisingly quickly. In fact, over three-quarters report making a profit within their first year of operations.

What are the biggest challenges solopreneurs face?

The most common struggles include managing time, dealing with loneliness, and coping with unpredictable income. Solopreneurs also frequently mention the difficulty of balancing service delivery with marketing and sales, as well as the mental fatigue that comes from making every decision alone.

What resources or tools help solopreneurs succeed?

To manage their workload, solopreneurs often turn to tools like project management apps, automation platforms, and templates. Many also hire contractors for non-core work and join communities or masterminds to overcome isolation and get feedback.

Can a solopreneur scale a business without hiring employees?

Yes, many do. They focus on building systems, packaging services, and outsourcing specific tasks to contractors rather than taking on permanent staff. By leaning on technology and repeatable processes, solopreneurs can scale revenue without necessarily growing a team.

What differentiates solopreneurs who make six or seven figures from the rest?

High-earning solopreneurs often specialize deeply in a niche, systematize their operations, and market consistently. They are disciplined about tracking results and refining their offers, which helps them grow beyond the plateau many others hit.

How should a new solopreneur begin in terms of funding and planning?

Most start small, often with less than $5,000, and nearly all use their own capital rather than seeking outside funding. New solopreneurs are best off by defining their niche and core offer early, setting up lean systems, and tracking key metrics from the beginning.

How realistic is it to go from solopreneur to a business with employees?

Some solopreneurs make that leap by first working with contractors and later formalizing into a team, but many choose not to. Instead, they scale revenue by creating products, using technology, or streamlining services, allowing them to grow without losing independence.

The State of Solopreneurship in 2025 (10 Data Points)