Thanks to the recession, among other factors, contingent workers are on the rise.

People have struggled to get or keep their jobs over the last few years and have turned to other means for income. Freelance or consulting work is rapidly increasing among Americans who are thinking of new ways to support themselves.

This infographic from Mavenlink outlines the projection that in 2012 we will see the contingent workforce grow to 43.9 million, up 4.3 million from the 39.6 million in 1995. Technology is enabling more and more people to work from home or pursue other fields they would have otherwise not had access to.