15 million people were self-employed in 2015, or 10.1 percent of all U.S. workers

Self-employment continues to be an important source of jobs in the United States. According to the U.S.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 (the most current figure available), 15.0 million people, or 10.1 percent of total U.S. employment, were self-employed, including those who had incorporated their businesses and those who had not. Of all the self-employed, 9.5 million, or about 6 in 10, were unincorporated; the remaining 5.5 million were incorporated. People who are self-employed typically incorporate their businesses in order to receive traditional benefits of the corporate structure, including limited liability, tax considerations, and enhanced opportunity to raise capital through the sale of stocks and bonds.