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Contract worker vs self-employed

The differences between contract workers and self-employeds can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a contract worker and a self-employed. Additionally, a contract worker has an average salary of $70,825, which is higher than the $34,734 average annual salary of a self-employed.

The top three skills for a contract worker include financial statements, SQL and payroll. The most important skills for a self-employed are windows, mowing, and customer service.

Contract worker vs self-employed overview

Contract WorkerSelf-Employed
Yearly salary$70,825$34,734
Hourly rate$34.05$16.70
Growth rate-8%8%
Number of jobs36,8536,215
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4841
Years of experience66

What does a contract worker do?

A contract worker is an independent contractor who only works at companies for a limited amount of time, according to agreed-upon contract terms. When it comes to employment, a contract worker may find opportunities in different industries, depending upon their set of skills and abilities. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their company or industry of employment, it typically includes performing basic tasks, maintaining an active communication line with co-workers, and adhering to company policies and regulations.

What does a self-employed do?

A self-employed person works without the supervision of a specific employer. Self-employed entrepreneurs decide their business plans to increase profitability and get involved with the current market trends. They also attend business orientations to improve their skills and strategies on driving their business' growth. A self-employed person must display exceptional decision-making and organizational skills to implement strategies, provide the best customer service with the clients, address their needs, manage complaints, and respond to the customer's inquiries.

Contract worker vs self-employed salary

Contract workers and self-employeds have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract WorkerSelf-Employed
Average salary$70,825$34,734
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $95,000Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between contract worker and self-employed education

There are a few differences between a contract worker and a self-employed in terms of educational background:

Contract WorkerSelf-Employed
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Contract worker vs self-employed demographics

Here are the differences between contract workers' and self-employeds' demographics:

Contract WorkerSelf-Employed
Average age4841
Gender ratioMale, 59.2% Female, 40.8%Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between contract worker and self-employed duties and responsibilities

Contract worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist management in facilitating start-up QSR accounts while effectively managing GPO accounts.
  • Procure common hardware, plumbing and MRO materials.
  • Network within the community to find potential members that are recipients of Medicare/ Medicaid benefits.
  • Work on multiple accounts providing payroll advice and walking through setup and process of running payroll online.
  • Supervise a staff of ten HVAC installers and technicians, providing ongoing field training and troubleshooting support.
  • Follow QA prints to determine the location and layout of various size brackets for various size SCBA bottles.
  • Show more

Self-employed example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage the in-store informational PowerPoint presentations that run on multiple televisions to answer questions and provide information to customers.
  • Generate monthly, quarterly and yearly sales reports, correspondence, & PowerPoint presentations.
  • Complete jobs (lawn mowing, lawn cleaning, edging, trimmings bushes and trees) any aspect of lawn care.
  • Work with traditional video cameras and DSLR cameras.
  • Develop a website and Facebook page to increase networking.
  • Equip with a full-frame Nikon D600 and multiple lenses.
  • Show more

Contract worker vs self-employed skills

Common contract worker skills
  • Financial Statements, 17%
  • SQL, 15%
  • Payroll, 10%
  • Computer System, 10%
  • Assembly Line, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
Common self-employed skills
  • Windows, 15%
  • Mowing, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Financial Statements, 13%
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Real Estate, 7%

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