If you have dreams of becoming a content creator, there’s no better moment to dive in — the job market is thriving.

Creator positions are currently the fastest-expanding category within the digital economy. A recent report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), created in partnership with Harvard Business School professor emeritus John Deighton and first highlighted by Axios, shows that jobs within the creator economy have surged 7.5 times over the last four years. In 2020, there were about 200,000 creator roles. By 2024, that figure had soared to 1.5 million. At present, creators represent one out of every ten full-time jobs that depend on the internet.

So, what precisely defines a creator? As per the IAB, a creator is “an individual who generates original content, frequently focusing on a particular skill, passion, or area of expertise. Their worth is derived from what they provide — be it knowledge, creativity, or entertainment. They cultivate devoted audiences by consistently offering high-quality, engaging content that delivers genuine value.”

The study attributes this remarkable growth to three key factors:

1. A significant reallocation of advertising budgets toward digital platforms, streaming services, and online publishers.
2. The growing availability of tools for creating and disseminating digital content.
3. The rise of a more professionalized and structured creator economy.

Moreover, the momentum shows no signs of abating. The IAB indicates that the digital economy is not only expanding swiftly but is also the main engine driving U.S. GDP growth — presently valued at $4.9 trillion.

Leora Kornfeld, principal research consultant and co-author of the study, informed Axios that much of this expansion is propelled by the internet and social media, which have granted consumers unprecedented choices.

This boom in creator roles corresponds with an increasing interest in influencer careers. A 2023 Morning Consult survey revealed that 57% of young individuals aim to become influencers. Even among adults, 41% indicated a desire to explore influencing as a profession.

With demand increasing and opportunities proliferating, the creator economy has transcended niche status — it’s become a significant force in today’s workforce.