The Value Of Age

Average daily rates increased for the oldest and youngest contractors in 2026, while other groups experienced decreases. Age continues to command a clear premium, and the 2026 data shows increased pressure on mid-career rates compared with 2025.

Contractors aged 60 and over saw average daily rates increase from €657 to €705. Daily rates also increased for those aged 29 and below, from €359 to €380. In contrast, mid-career daily rates all decreased. The largest decline was among those aged 40–49, where rates dropped from €587 to €539.

This is particularly significant as this cohort represents the largest segment of contractors, at 28% in both 2025 and 2026. Rates for those aged 30–39 decreased from €480 to €467, while the 50–59 group saw a smaller reduction from €618 to €611.

Overall, the age-experience premium remains strong. In 2026, contractors aged 50 and over earned an average daily rate of around €649, compared with approximately €496 for those aged 49 and below. This represents a 31% premium for older contractors, highlighting the ongoing value placed on their experience.

Older contractors report the highest and most consistent levels of job satisfaction in 2026. Contractors aged 60 and over record the highest satisfaction across all the criteria. 93% are satisfied with the success they have achieved in their career, 87% with progress toward their career goals, 89% with their rate of pay, 94% with the location of their job, 93% with the flexibility of their hours, 82% with remote working options, 86% with their work–life balance, and 92% with their life in general. This reflects a cohort that is well aligned with the contracting model, benefiting from experience, autonomy, and the ability to select roles that suit their priorities.

Older contractors emerge as the strongest performing group from a wellbeing perspective in 2026. Contractors aged 60 and over report the lowest levels of loneliness and burnout across all age groups. Loneliness declined from 19% in 2025 to 14% in 2026, while burnout, although slightly higher than last year, remains low at 12%.

In contrast, wellbeing challenges are far more pronounced among mid-career contractors. Reported loneliness increased sharply among those aged 30–39, rising from 22% to 60%, and among 40–49, increasing from 19% to 50%. A similar pattern is seen for 50–59, where loneliness increased from 24% to 50%. Burnout followed the same trend. Burnout rates increased substantially for 30–39 (from 12% to 51%), 40–49 (from 16% to 71%), and 50–59 (from 13% to 45%), indicating strain during the busiest and most pressured career stages.

Younger contractors show a more stable picture. Those aged 29 and below reported a slight reduction in loneliness, from 27% to 25%, while burnout increased marginally from 19% to 21%, remaining well below the levels seen in mid-career groups.

Overall, the 2026 wellbeing findings highlight a clear difference based on age. Older contractors appear more resilient and settled, while mid-career professionals face significantly higher wellbeing pressures.