Remote work arrangements have led millions in the U.S. to become digital nomads.
A recent study by MBO Partners reveals 11% of the U.S. workforce, or 18.1 million workers, are now classified as digital nomads.
Since the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the portion of workers adopting a digital nomadic lifestyle has experienced fast growth. The study found that over the past year, the number of U.S. digital nomads increased 4.7%.
Since 2019 this figure has grown by 147%, moving far beyond a mere trend to a significant labor force phenomenon influencing the future of work.
“Today, leading organizations know they must attract top talent to survive, including allowing workers to operate when and where they want,” said Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners.
The study also highlights challenges with the rise of digital nomads. A notable 14% of digital nomads in traditional office jobs hide their lifestyle from their employers, and 22% report a lack of formal digital nomad policies within their companies. The data suggests companies need to address flexible work policies to help accommodate their remote workforce.
When analyzing demographics, the study found that digital nomads are primarily young professionals — with over half (64%) belonging to Gen Z or millennial generations. The median age of these workers is 37, and they are predominantly male (55%). Additionally, the racial demographics show a majority of digital nomads are white (67%) workers, followed by Black (21%), Hispanic (11%), and Asian (6%) individuals.
When it comes to what job sectors allow digital nomads, IT leads with 19%, followed by creative services at 14%, education and training at 9%, and other fields like sales, marketing, and PR (9%), finance and accounting (8%), and consulting, coaching and research (7%). These trends show digital nomadism and remote work increasingly favors industries that can easily adapt to remote and flexible arrangements, driving demand for digital skills and creative expertise.
Job satisfaction was also found to be high among digital nomads. The data reveals 79% of respondents report being very satisfied with their work, compared to 64% of the general workforce. However, financial disparities do exist.
While 46% said they earn $75,000 or more, a notable 17% report earning less than $25,000 annually. These lower earners often travel to areas with lower costs of living to stretch their annual income further.
The fast rise of digital nomads suggests the growing need for companies to develop policies supporting this lifestyle. Formalizing these policies could ensure a sustainable and productive future for this burgeoning segment of the workforce.
