Measuring the Digital Economy in the U.S. and California

This report details the findings of the 2025 edition of IAB’s quadrennial study, which is led by Harvard Business School Professor Emeritus John Deighton. It outlines the significant impact of the digital economy on the U.S. economy, revealing that it now contributes $4.9 trillion, accounting for 18% of the U.S. GDP and supporting approximately 28.4 million jobs. The report highlights that 70% of recent job growth is attributed to independent creators, e-commerce entrepreneurs, platform workers, and large integrated tech companies. Additionally, the report provides specific data on California, noting that the state has seen a growth in internet-dependent jobs from 200,000 in 2020 to an estimated 1.5 million in 2024. The report also includes detailed statistics on internet-dependent jobs across various congressional districts in California, illustrating the digital economy's reach and influence on local job markets.