Self-Employment in Wales Is Booming
Over 176,000 people are now working for themselves across the country, from city-based consultants to rural tradespeople. But not everyone stepping into self-employment is starting their own business. More and more workers are choosing a self-employed route through an organisation, keeping the freedom and flexibility while still enjoying the support and structure of consistent work.
At Rhino Recruitment, we’ve seen first-hand how this modern model is transforming lives. Whether you're looking for flexibility, higher earning potential, or simply want to break away from the 9 to 5, this guide will help you understand what self-employment really looks like in 2025 and how you can make it work in Wales.
What Does Being Self-Employed Really Mean?
Self-employment means you are responsible for your own tax, invoicing, and working schedule, but it doesn’t mean you’re on your own.
In today’s job market, many self-employed people work with established organisations. That might be as a:
- Freelance consultant delivering services on contract
- Self-employed sales advisor working with a national brand
- Independent tradesperson subcontracted to a larger firm
- Customer service associate handling remote shifts for a third party
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This structure gives you the best of both worlds. You keep your independence and flexibility, but you also benefit from regular work, a defined role, and the support of a larger operation behind the scenes.
Why Wales?
Wales is fast becoming one of the UK’s self-employment hotspots.
Recent figures show that 1 in 5 new jobs in Wales involve self-employment. Rural counties like Powys lead the way, while cities like Cardiff and Swansea are growing contract job markets in tech, services, and more.
Wales offers:
✅ A lower cost of living compared to major UK cities
✅ Strong demand for contract and freelance work
✅ Reliable infrastructure for hybrid and remote work
✅ Welsh Government support for self-employed professionals
What Are the Pros and Cons?
Here’s what candidates tell us at Rhino when weighing up the move to self-employment.
Pros
✅ Flexibility: Work to your schedule and priorities
✅ Higher earning potential: Especially in commission-based roles
✅ Autonomy: Make decisions without bureaucracy
✅ Variety: Every day (and project) is different
✅ Location freedom: Many roles are remote-friendly
Considerations
⚠️ No traditional benefits like sick pay or holiday leave
⚠️ You’ll manage your own tax and admin
⚠️ Performance-driven roles require discipline
⚠️ Income may fluctuate month to month
For more on performance-led earnings, see The Real Reason Top Earners Choose Commission-Only Jobs.
Real Stories from Real People
“I wanted flexibility, not chaos.”
Elin, 42 – Wellness Advisor
Elin left the NHS and found a self-employed wellness role. She works from home, earns a full-time wage, and still picks up her kids from school.
“I make more now than I did full-time.”
Jordan, 28 – Field Sales
After redundancy, Jordan moved into a commission-based self-employed sales role and now earns double his old salary.
“I finally feel like a professional again.”
Aled, 36 – Customer Service
Aled left shift work for a remote self-employed advisor role. He’s grown more in 6 months than in the last 6 years.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
- UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) from HMRC
- A phone, laptop, and reliable internet
- Strong organisational skills
- Comfort with working independently
- A willingness to learn new processes
Is Self-Employment Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- Do I want more control over my working life?
- Am I self-motivated and comfortable managing my schedule?
- Would I feel rewarded by results-based earnings?
- Am I looking for work that fits around my life?
Ready to Explore Self-Employed Jobs in Wales?
We’ve helped hundreds across Wales step into self-employment with confidence — from sales and service to advisory and technical roles.
🔗 Browse Self-Employed Roles with Rhino Recruitment
Whether you're aiming to increase your income, gain freedom, or simply change how you work — we're here to help.
Need more advice?
Contact our team and we’ll help you find a role that fits — on your terms.