The gig economy offers more opportunities than ever for those seeking flexible jobs they can start right away.
While standbys like delivering meals, driving for rideshare services, or running errands can provide good pay, there’s quite a bit more out there, in specific niches and areas, that can give you a chance to earn a higher wage.
This article takes a quantitative approach to the highest-paying gig jobs, looking at hourly wages reported by gig workers, reviews from gig workers working for the company (when available), and the amount of work available.
We’ll start with quick-start opportunities since they’re most accessible, then progress through more specialized gig jobs later on in the list. Sections includes detailed platform breakdowns and strategies for maximizing earnings, when available.
Note: Hourly wages are averages taken from third-party sites, primarily Indeed, GlassDoor, and Salary.com. App reviews are included only when a brand has a standalone gig app for workers. Review counts have been rounded for readability. The data below is current as of January 29, 2025.
13 Highest Paying Manual Labor Gig Economy Jobs
These roles offer immediate income with minimal requirements. While not the highest-paying gig work, they provide flexible scheduling and consistent demand. Most require basic equipment like a smartphone and reliable transportation.
#1. DoorDash
Summary: DoorDash lets you earn money as a delivery driver by picking up takeout orders from local restaurants and bringing them to the customer’s doorstep. In addition to restaurant orders, DoorDash drivers can now deliver groceries and convenience store items from DashMart, a virtual grocery store operated by DoorDash.
Estimated hourly wage: Earnings depend on location and demand, with peak hours around lunch and dinner, when Dashers typically make $17 to $24 per hour. Your per-hour rate can be better if you work when plenty of orders are coming in and in areas with more high-end offerings. Earnings are primarily from tips. Unique to DoorDash is Earn by Time mode, which guarantees Dashers in select U.S. and Canadian cities a minimum active hourly rate for time spent on deliveries (while they still keep 100% of customer tips).
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 2.44 million | 4.4/5 | 423,000 |
Requirements: A smartphone and means of transport. A clean driving record is needed if you’re going to use a motor vehicle, as the company runs a background check for driving faults (as well as criminal activity).
DoorDash drivers must be at least 18 years old (19 in some states). One perk of working as a Dasher is that unlike some of the other options, the company provides you with commercial vehicle insurance while making deliveries. There are no minimum hours necessary to qualify to become a Dasher.
Learn more in our DoorDash delivery driver review.
#2. UberEats Delivery Driver
Summary: With UberEats, you work as an independent delivery driver, picking up customers’ food orders from local restaurants.
You can work whenever you want (whether that’s just one delivery or a full workday). Plus, the instant-payout option makes this a same day pay job; you can withdraw your earnings immediately for a small fee (instead of waiting for a weekly deposit).
Estimated hourly wage: Your earnings depend on time of day, weather, and more. Keep in mind that you’ll also cover gas and other vehicle expenses. User reports show an average of about $15 per hour, but this ranges drastically by location. Drivers earn through base pay, trip supplements (extra pay for long distances, high demand, or wait times), promotions and tips, with base pay depending on time, distance and delivery difficulty. Drivers keep 100% of their tips.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.5/5 | 623,000 | 4.5/5 | 4.64 million |
Requirements: If you plan on delivering by car, you’ll need a vehicle that meets the company’s standards. If you plan to deliver by bicycle or foot, you need to be at least 18 years old. And if you plan to deliver by scooter, you need to be at least 19 years old. Additionally, you must have a smartphone that can run the Uber Driver app.
To sign up, you’ll need to provide your driver’s license and Social Security number (which is used for running a background check).
Related: Since you can work on your own schedule, delivering with Uber Eats can be one of the best overnight jobs.
#3. Instacart
Summary: Instacart offers two main roles: Full-Service Shoppers, who shop for and deliver groceries, and In-Store Shoppers, who pack orders at grocery stores.
As a Full-Service Shopper, you have more control over the entire process compared to services like Uber and DoorDash, potentially leading to higher tips due to better service quality. Instacart has expanded beyond groceries to include deliveries from convenience stores, alcohol retailers (where legal), and some retail stores.
Demand is typically highest on weekends during the day, offering more earning opportunities. Additionally, demand increases during bad weather, as people are less likely to want to go out for groceries. Full-Service Shoppers earn a minimum of $4 per order, with the potential for over $10 per order plus tips, depending on complexity.
Estimated hourly wage: $13 to $18 per hour.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.8/5 | 1.26 million | 4.2/5 | 161,000 |
Requirements: If working as a driver, you’ll need reliable access to a suitable vehicle. Both drivers and shoppers need a relatively up-to-date smartphone, as well as the ability to lift 40 pounds of groceries.
#4. Amazon Flex
Summary: Created to meet the delivery needs of Amazon’s Prime Now program, Amazon Flex is a gig job delivering packages for the online retail giant.
This gig is ideal for those in urban or densely populated areas who prefer to work independently without the interaction involved in ride-sharing or food delivery, but drivers should be mindful of the variable earnings and the lack of control over delivery routes. For those who can capitalize on surge pricing during peak times, Amazon Flex can be a solid part-time option, though it’s not the best long-term side hustle due to fluctuating availability.
Estimated hourly wage: $18 to $25 per hour before expenses.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 274,000 | 4.6 | 36,000 |
Requirements: You need a smartphone capable of running the app, a qualifying vehicle that meets Amazon’s delivery standards (usually a 4-door sedan or larger), a valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and you must be at least 21 years old. Additionally, you’ll need to pass a background check before starting work.
Learn More: Read our Amazon Flex guide for beginners, which goes over everything you need to know about getting started on the platform.
#5. Uber Driver
Summary: The world’s most famous side gig, Uber lets you work as a driver, taking people where they need to go using your own car. Effectively an on-demand taxi service, Uber is treated as one in many jurisdictions.
Estimated hourly wage: As with being a driver for UberEats, your Uber earnings will vary based on location, demand and other factors. User reports indicate an average earning of around $19 per hour. In certain states, such as New York, Seattle, Massachusetts, Minnesota and California, drivers are guaranteed to earn at least the minimum wage while driving.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.5/5 | 623,000 | 4.5/5 | 4.6 million |
Requirements: You’ll need a car that meets the company’s standards. You’ll also need a phone that can operate the Uber app. Uber requires you have your own insurance, but they provide you with additional liability insurance (the amounts vary by state).
To sign up, you’ll need to provide your driver’s license, proof of suitable insurance, and a headshot. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may also need to provide or apply for a local “private hire” license.
#6. Lyft
Summary: Lyft, the second-largest rideshare service, fills a niche similar to Uber. Notable differences between the platforms are the earnings potential and pay structures.
Uber generally offers higher and more consistent income due to better surge pricing and promotions. Meanwhile, Lyft is often perceived as more driver-friendly, with potentially better passenger interactions but fewer ride requests and lower overall pay. Similar to Uber, Lyft drivers can now earn with food delivery, grocery delivery, and convenience store item delivery.
Lyft’s earnings commitment program ensures that drivers receive at least 70% of what passengers pay for their rides, after deducting external fees like taxes and tolls, providing a guaranteed minimum share of the fare for drivers.
Estimated hourly wage: $17 to $20 per hour.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.3/5 | 101,000 | 4.5/5 | 162,000 |
Requirements: As with Uber, a decent car and a smartphone are essential (because you need to run the Lyft mobile app), as are proof of insurance, a photo of yourself, and a driver’s license that’s at least one year old.
You’ll also need to be at least 21 years old and pass the company’s background check to work as a Lyft driver.
#7. Grubhub
Summary: Grubhub is a food delivery service similar to DoorDash. While it started out as just restaurants, they now offer groceries, convenience store items, and alcohol delivery. One unique aspect of Grubhub is that drivers can earn more by advancing through driver levels, which unlock rewards, flexible scheduling and higher earning opportunities based on their delivery stats (such as offer commitment rate, on-time arrival at merchants, and schedule commitment rate).
Estimated hourly wage: Estimates suggest an average of $14.00 to $18.00 per hour. In some markets, there’s a minimum guaranteed hourly rate for scheduled blocks.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 128,000 | 4.4/5 | 64,000 |
Requirements: A relatively modern smartphone to run the company’s app, and either a car, bike or scooter to make deliveries.
If you’re driving a motor vehicle, you’ll need to have a driver’s license and insurance. If you’re cycling, you’ll need to provide a state ID as part of your application.
#8. Roadie
Summary: Roadie is a UPS-owned package delivery platform that allows independent contractors to work on-demand using their own vehicles. Drivers can deliver a wide range of items, from small packages to large furniture, with upfront transparency regarding pay and delivery details. While job selection is influenced by an algorithm that considers various factors, drivers can also bid on available gigs, which adds an element of competition.
Work availability can be inconsistent, with some areas experiencing higher demand than others; drivers may even be placed on a waitlist in oversaturated markets. This makes Roadie best suited as part of a multi-app strategy rather than a primary income source.
Estimated hourly wage: Earnings typically range from $15 to $20 per hour before expenses, but can vary widely, with some reporting under $10 and others earning up to $25.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 78,000 | 4.0/5 | 18,000 |
Requirements: You must be 18 with a valid driver’s license and insurance. Otherwise, one of the great things about Roadie is the lack of requirements. There are no vehicle restrictions, and no stated lifting requirements (such as “must be able to lift 50 pounds”). That said, using a small vehicle and not being able to lift heavy objects may limit your earning potential.
Learn more about the platform, how it works, and how much you can realistically expect to earn in our Roadie driver review.
#9. Shipt
Summary: Shop from and deliver groceries, home products and electronics for a company owned by Target.
Estimated hourly wage: $16 to $20 per hour.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 188,011 | 4.3/5 | 35,000 |
Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and insurance, have the ability to lift 40 pounds, and have knowledge of the produce section (many Shipt orders are for fresh groceries).
A reliable vehicle made after 1997 and a relatively modern smartphone are also needed.
Learn more: See our complete list of the best food delivery jobs and apps for making money.
#10. Taskrabbit
Summary: Taskrabbit is a way to get paid for all sorts of one-off tasks, from cleaning to lawn care to running errands.
It’s owned by IKEA, so assembling boxed furniture is a common task. Have you ever seen IKEA’s “we’ll assemble it for you for a small fee” offer? That work is completed by Taskers.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies depending on the task, but typically in the range of $15 to $40 per hour. While it’s one of the highest available per-hour rates, there’s not always tasks available. So, it’s great for one-off jobs, but not as a full-time role.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 3.3/5 | 3,600 | 3.9/5 | 14,800 |
Requirements: The tools and skills you need will vary, but the requirements to get started are minimal. You’ll need a computer or smartphone to register and find work on the site, and you’ll need to participate in an info session to verify your ID before you can get started.
#11. Rover
Summary: A gig economy job for animal lovers. With Rover, you can get paid to provide dog walking and other general pet care services for owners at work or out of town. Pet sitters willing to look after pups in their own homes can earn even more by providing daycare and overnight stays.
Estimated hourly wage: $17 per hour after Rover’s commission fee of 20% to 25% on your earnings from each booking.
App Reviews: No dedicated app for gig workers.
Requirements: Must love dogs. Additionally, you’ll need to pass a background check that Rover conducts through a third-party service (Checkr). The background check will review your driving record and criminal history, but your credit history and score are not considered.
Related reading: The 17 best apps that pay you to walk.
#12. Bacon
Summary: Bacon is a gig economy app that connects workers with on-demand shifts across various industries, including warehousing, catering, events and manufacturing. It stands out for its flexibility, allowing workers to choose their own shifts and build a reputation through a unique “Bacon Score” system. This system helps workers increase their earning potential and attract more job opportunities by tracking their reliability, performance and consistency across different gigs.
Estimated hourly wage: $15 to $22 per hour.
App reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.3/5 | 2,800 | 4.4/5 | 2,300 |
Requirements: A smartphone, a driver’s license, transportation to and from jobs, and a willingness to lift heavy furniture. Drivers on jobs earn extra, and for this you need a suitable truck, van or trailer. Must be at least 18 years old to work as a Hand and at least 21 years old to work as a Helper (who drives).
#13. Dolly
Summary: Dolly helpers carry out deliveries big and small, from store pickups to house moves. It’s best for those with a larger vehicle, like a truck or van (mini or cargo), which allows you to take on higher-paying jobs requiring transportation. While you can also work as a moving helper, the availability for these gigs is inconsistent.
Estimated hourly wage: $20 per hour.
App reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.7/5 | 4,200 | 2.5/5 | 153 |
Requirements: A smartphone, a driver’s license, transportation to and from jobs, and a willingness to lift heavy furniture. Drivers on jobs earn extra, and for this you need a suitable truck, van or trailer. Must be at least 18 years old to work as a Hand and at least 21 years old to work as a Helper (who drives).
Other Manual Labor Apps
These apps are more specialized and may require unique skills. They are often only available in certain areas as well, but they can offer high pay in the right situations.
- GoPuff. GoPuff delivers convenience store items, snacks, and household essentials directly to customers’ doors. It operates primarily in urban areas with centralized fulfillment centers, making it ideal for quick deliveries.
- Jobble. Jobble connects workers with flexible, on-demand jobs across various industries such as event staffing and warehouse work. It works best in urban and suburban areas where there is a high demand for temporary labor.
- PeopleReady (JobStack). PeopleReady offers temporary labor jobs in sectors like construction, hospitality and warehousing. It operates well in cities with a strong job market for manual labor and seasonal work.
- Lugg. Provides moving and delivery services for furniture and large items. It is best in metropolitan areas.
High-Paying Gig Economy Jobs for Skilled Workers
While the most famous parts of the gig economy are low-skill work such as deliveries, some parts require more specific skill sets and deeper expertise.
From freelance writing to graphic design to caring for the elderly, these gig jobs have more stringent requirements than many of the options in the list above.
As such, they’re a chance for professionals to earn a little more, or to carry on in their existing jobs without being tied to a single company.
#14. Upwork
Summary: Upwork is a marketplace for all kinds of independent work that can be carried out over the internet. This includes freelance writing, design, IT, marketing, translation, legal, admin, virtual assistance and more.
If you can do it on a computer with an internet connection, you can probably get paid for it through Upwork.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies widely depending on the job.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.6/5 | 3,900 | 3.9/5 | 179,000 |
Requirements: A computer, an internet connection, and the skills and experience for the sorts of projects you want to bid on. Samples of your work aren’t technically required, but they’ll be a huge help in winning the bidding process for jobs.
You can learn more about how to get started in our Upwork beginner’s guide, and get specific tips for winning jobs on the platform in the video below.
#15. Fiverr
Summary: Another broad-ranging gig platform, Fiverr is filled with everything from odd jobs to highly-paid freelance work. The primary difference between Fiverr and Upwork is that on Fiverr, you advertise services and customers come to you; on Upwork, you have to browse job listings and bid on projects.
Also, Upwork tends to host more corporate and enterprise clients, whereas Fiverr tends to have more individual clients. This can make for better earnings on Upwork, but those jobs tend to be more competitive.
Estimated hourly wage: $5 and up. When Fiverr started, everything was $5. Today, you can price your services at any rate you’d like (in $5 increments).
Requirements: No specific requirements, beyond having a device through which you can access the site. The specialized tools and knowledge needed will depend on the services you’re providing.
Learn how to get started in our guide to making money on Fiverr.
#16. Education First
Summary: Education First is an online portal through which English language tutors around the world teach pupils.
Estimated hourly wage: $20 per hour.
Requirements: All tutors must have at least a bachelors’ degree. You also need some type of teaching experience, although it doesn’t have to be of the formal classroom variety (think coaching, Sunday School, etc.).
And since lessons are conducted online via video, you’ll need a suitably up-to-date computer with a camera and microphone headset, as well as a reliable internet connection.
Other options: The best online tutoring jobs.
#17. HelloTech
Summary: The tech support desk of the gig economy, HelloTech contractors provide outsourced tech support to people at their homes and businesses.
Estimated hourly wage: $50 per hour.
Requirements: Appropriate technical skills, experience and qualifications, which will be checked using online tests and an interview. A smartphone to run the app (which is required to manage your gigs).
#18. 99 Designs
Summary: A company that provides graphic design services, ranging from book covers to company logos.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies with the job.
Requirements: A computer, the necessary software, and talent as a graphic designer. These are no qualification requirements, so you’ll prove your worth through the samples and competition entries you put up on the site.
Learn more: Check out our guide to getting started as a freelance graphic designer.
#19. Angi
Summary: Angi provides both general and specialist contractors to do cleaning, decorating, home installation and handyman work.
Estimated hourly wage: $16 per hour.
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 3.9/5 | 34,700 | 3.4/5 | 20,000 |
Requirements: Paid experience as either a cleaner or a handyman, depending upon what sort of work you’re planning to do. Excellent customer service skills.
#20. Care.com
Summary: Primarily a place to find work in child or pet care, Care.com also offers a number of popular under-the-table jobs, such as gigs for housekeepers, gardeners, tutors, and those caring for the elderly.
Estimated hourly wage: $16 per hour.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.6/5 | 98,900 | 4.0/5 | 12,000 |
Requirements: Qualifications vary with the sort of work you’re looking to do.
#21. Soothe
Summary: Gig work for massage therapists, including deep tissue, sports, and couples massage work. You’ll go to the client’s residence and provide them with the massage they want in the comfort of their own home.
Estimated hourly wage: $60 to $65 per hour.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 3.8/5 | 161 | 2.9/5 | 413 |
Requirements: A professional massage qualification and license to work in your specialty in your state or region. You’ll need your own massage table, sheets, oils, and suitable music to enhance the experience, as well as a way to transport it all.
#22. Guru
Summary: Another gig economy platform aimed at freelance professionals, Guru covers everything from writing to marketing to legal advice. Like Upwork, it allows you to work for people all around the world without moving from your desk.
We listed it below Upwork and Fiverr because there are usually fewer jobs available on the site.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies widely depending on the job.
Requirements: A computer, an internet connection, and the skills and experience for the sorts of projects you want to bid on. Samples of your work will be a huge help in winning the bidding process for jobs.
#23. Thumbtack
Summary: Thumbtack connects professionals to gig economy customers in their specific area. Examples of some of the services covered include home improvement, wellness, pet care, photography and transcription — in other words, almost everything under the sun.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies with the type of job.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.4/5 | 52,314 | 3.0/5 | 21,900 |
Requirements: Access to the website and possession of the tools of your particular trade.
#24. Freelancer.com
Summary: Like Upwork and Fiverr, Freelancer.com provides virtual workers in all professions with access to a global client base. However, like Guru there aren’t always a huge number of jobs on the site.
Estimated hourly wage: Varies widely depending on the job.
Requirements: A computer, an internet connection, and the skills and experience for the sorts of projects you want to bid on. Samples of your work can help you stand out.
Rental Gig Economy Jobs
Rental jobs form a different category from the rest. Here, what matters isn’t your skills, but your possessions. If you have a car, a boat or a spare room that you’re willing to rent out to strangers, then you can put your assets to work for you.
#25. Neighbor
Summary: With Neighbor, you’re not hosting people but other people’s stuff. The app allows you to rent out your unused space, including basements, garages, parking spots and backyard sheds. Contracts are month-to-month.
Estimated earnings: It depends on your location, with more populated areas having more earning potential. As an example, a 10×20 garage in Boston can generate $150 to $275 per month.
Requirements: Unused space (ideally in well-populated areas).
Learn more: Read our guide to making money with Neighbor Storage.
#26. Airbnb
Summary: Airbnb lets you rent space in your home to guests, which are usually tourists visiting the area where you live. It matches you with potential renters, lets you interview them and set the rules for their stay, and provides insurance in case something goes wrong.
Estimated earnings: As with all rentals, hosting an Airbnb takes less time than many other jobs listed here, but it’s hard to estimate an hourly wage. That said, there have been studies on how much Airbnbs make, and nearly half of hosts earn $500 or more per month.
Requirements: You can rent almost any space on Airbnb, whether that’s a couch in your living room, an air mattress in your basement, a spare room or an entire home. And you don’t have to own property to leverage the platform.
#27. Turo
Summary: Turo provides the gig economy equivalent of rental cars. Put your car up on the site and lend it out for a fee.
Estimated earnings: This varies widely depending on your car and the local market. Use Turo’s calculator to estimate your potential earnings.
Requirements: A legally-registered car not more than 12 years old with fewer than 130,000 miles on the odometer.
#28. VRBO
Summary: Similar to Airbnb but with a narrower focus, VRBO is a place where you can rent out your property as a vacation home.
Estimated earnings: Because it’s not as widely used, earnings are harder to estimate than for Airbnb. However, VRBO targets a higher-priced market (full-home vacation rentals), so it’s likely that it will generate more with an appropriate property.
App Reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.6/5 | 143,000 | 4.4/5 | 24,900 |
Requirements: A property that you own and are willing to rent out for vacationers.
#29. RVShare
Summary: A site that lets you rent out your RV.
Estimated earnings: Depends upon the type of vehicle you have and how often you can rent it out. The site recommends daily fees ranging from $75 to $300+.
Requirements: Ownership of a suitable vehicle in good condition.
#30. Boatsetter
Summary: If you own a boat, then Boatsetter lets you rent it out — either with or without a captain.
Estimated earnings: Varies widely depending upon the boat, where it’s located, and whether you also act as captain.
App reviews:
| iOS Rating | iOS Review Count | Android Rating | Android Vote Count |
| 4.8/5 | 1,870 | 4.7/5 | 348 |
Requirements: Ownership of a boat.
3 Tips For Choosing The Right Gig Economy Job
Tip #1: Always Calculate Your Net Profit
Opportunities like AmazonFlex and its $18-25 per hour rate, which is one of the highest on this list, may sound enticing at first.
However, it’s important to consider what your real expenses are and subtract them from the income you’d likely receive.
For driving-related expenses, AAA lists what it costs you to drive per mile when you include just gas and maintenance on the top five selling 2023 models.
| Small Sedan | Medium Sedan | Subcompact SUV | Compact SUV (FWD) |
| 20.29¢ | 23.37¢ | 22.68¢ | 23.14¢ |
Each opportunity may have different expenses involved. It’s important to know what these expenses are, as well as whether they’re tax-deductible, and how that impacts your net profit.
Because there are many factors that will influence your expenses — such as how densely-packed your deliveries are — it’s hard to estimate what your costs will be before you start. So it’s important to have an expense-tracking plan in place from the beginning.
That can be as simple as keeping a journal in your phone’s notes app, where you record your odometer at the start and end of each day.
Just multiply your number of miles driven times the appropriate figure above, and subtract it from that day’s earnings to get your net income.
An app called Everlance (read our Everlance Review to learn more) can help you track this data and save more on your taxes.
Tip #2: Working Peak Times Is Important for Maximizing Your Earning Ability
If you can only work the morning shift, an opportunity such as DoorDash or Grubhub, where the majority of orders are either for lunch or dinner, will lower what you can expect to earn each day.
Some apps will even compensate you for a higher base rate for working during peak hours. Uber is well known for its surge pricing, where drivers can earn more money. Instacart has “Peak Times” which up the base rate for their shoppers and drivers.
Tip #3: Connect With Other Gig Economy Workers
There are some very strong gig worker communities on both Reddit and Facebook that you can and should get involved in.
Once you start working, look for a particular community that’s devoted to the type of gig work you’re involved in.
It’s here that you’ll learn best practices that will maximize your earnings for a particular job, as well as stay up-to-date on the latest news about your platform of choice.
Most importantly, you’ll connect with others who are doing similar work.
Gig Jobs FAQ
As a general rule, the answer is “no” — gig jobs do not offer any of the benefits you’d receive via traditional employment, such as health insurance and paid sick leave. That’s primarily because gig economy workers are typically classified as an “independent contractor,” even if they work the same amount of hours as a full-time employee.
Some gig economy companies provide access to similar benefits through partnerships with providers. For example, you may be able to get a discount on a health insurance plan through a gig platform. However, this discounted plan will almost certainly cost more than what you’d pay by getting insurance through a traditional employment relationship.
Because gig workers are technically considered freelance workers, gig economy companies are not required to pay the federal minimum wage. However, many states have minimum wage laws that are stricter than federal regulations, and companies are usually required to comply with those rules.
The term “contingent worker” is a technical way to refer to freelance workers and independent contractors. In practice, it’s most often used when referring to highly-skilled independent workers who are experts in their field, such as consultants. However, your gig platform’s terms of service may refer to you as a contingent worker.
Best Gig Economy Jobs: Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to make money on the side via part time or short term work, or are searching for a career shift or a full time job that allows you to make your own schedule, these freelancing and gig economy jobs provide an array of quality options.
The hourly rate earned by gig workers will vary widely based on a variety of factors, but it’s not unreasonable to aim for $20 per hour right out of the gate — and a lot more if you bring in-demand skills to the table.
If you’re interested in making your own schedule but are looking for something a bit more stable and scalable than gig work, you should also check out this list of the hottest small business ideas you can start from home.
Many of them make use of similar skills to the jobs listed here, but provide ways to transition from a laborer to an owner/manager.
Average in Kansas City, MO and Northland for Doordash is 20$. Average Grubhub is 25-30$ with highs around 40 and lows around 20. Postmates >20
Thanks for the info! You highlight a good point here, which is that some platforms are busier and/or pay better than other in certain areas, depending on how much market share each one has in that location.
Great info, I also have been looking at Recyclops as a driver and gig working chance.