Elance revealed the findings of their Quarterly Online Employment Report after analysing over 105,000 job postings.

The top emerging trends from their analysis include:

• The fourth quarter is traditionally a slow quarter but 2010 saw job postings increase by 38% compared to the fourth quarter in 2009.

• Online workers earned more than $340M on the platform in the fourth quarter.

• Hybrid organisations are expected to trend upwards in 2011 as companies adopt new staffing models to include a combination of onsite and online workers.

• IT Professionals are responsible for 59% of the fourth quarter earnings.

• Demand for mobile programming continues to climb with the demand iPad and iPhone programmers growing steadily but the demand for Android developers rising 20% quarter over quarter.

• WordPress demand rose 15% quarter over quarter, moving up three spots to number two in Elance’s top 100 skills list, trailing behind PHP programmers. Elance has reported this is the first time a content management system has moved into the top three skills in demand.

• Online marketing increased up 74% year over year, while Social Media Marketing grew 20% and moved into number 26 on their top 100 skills list as heavy investments in online branding and media continues.

• The demand for Facebook programmers grew by 23% in Q4, moving up to number 11 in their top 100.

• HTML5 programmers grew 48% quarter over quarter while Flash continues to hold steady.

“Small businesses are embracing online employment as a high value strategy that allows them to respond quickly to market conditions,” said Ellen Pack, Elance Vice President of Marketing. “Now small businesses anywhere can build online teams, which include professionals in high demand like Android programmers, HTML5 programmers and Social Media marketers to fuel growth and innovation.”

Elance has reported the Q4 surge is in alignment with recent findings by the Aberdeen Group who show indications for contingent workers to grow to 25% of the workforce in 2011 as employers and individuals seek greater flexibility.