The headline isn’t that creator economy jobs are down. The real story is that creator-focused business models are growing up. What started as a “vibe economy” fueled by charisma, virality, and raw energy is transforming into a structured, optimized, and monetized business ecosystem.
And now we’ve got the data to prove it.
The brand new Creator Economy Q3 2025 Hiring Trends Report makes it crystal clear: while total job listings are down—3% quarter-over-quarter and 35% year-over-year—the industry isn’t retreating. It’s reorganizing. Companies aren’t abandoning the creator economy. They’re professionalizing it.
If you’re a business leader working on your 2026 playbook, this is your wake-up call. Stop thinking of creators as just marketing channels. Start thinking of them as partners, as products, and in some cases—as platforms in their own right.
Beneath the surface of the hiring shift is a strategic signal. Talent Management roles surged by 93%, Support roles climbed 22%, and Creator Partnerships rose 20%. These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” These are the roles that drive scalable, sustainable growth. This is about building systems, bringing in managers, and investing in infrastructure that turns influence into revenue.
One stat that jumped out: Mid-level roles were the only segment that grew, up 5% quarter-over-quarter. Director-level stayed flat. Everything else fell. Companies are telling us exactly what they want: proven operators. People who can manage creators, build funnels, and turn audience engagement into business results.
And it’s not just happening in the U.S., even though it still leads the way with 62.2% of open roles and NYC holding the top spot for the third quarter in a row. Global markets are heating up fast: Singapore hiring jumped 75%, the UK is up 43.8%, and Australia grew 30%. The creator economy is no longer a side bet. It’s a primary growth engine for global business.
What’s more, companies aren’t scaling with bloated org charts. They’re building lean. Part-time roles and internships are increasing, while full-time hiring contracts. That’s not retreat, it’s adaptation. It's a smart workforce strategy in a space that’s moving fast and evolving constantly.
Now, zoom out.
The creator economy is projected to hit $161 billion in 2025, with long-term forecasts pegging it at $203 billion. That explosive growth won’t come from just adding more creators. It will come from infrastructure, from investing in creator-facing roles, monetization platforms, talent strategy, and brand-owned IP.
This is what professionalization looks like.
We’re not just selling through creators anymore. We’re building real businesses with them.
👉 Download the full Q3 2025 Creator Economy Hiring Trends Report to explore all the data, insights, and forecasts. It’s a must-read for any marketer, founder, or investor planning for 2026 and beyond.