Tom NathanielBy definition, the term “gig economy” stands for a popular term in which freelancers/independent contractors take on what are known as “on-demand” jobs, often coming in the form of short-term, sometimes long-term work. Essentially, these jobs allow you to work multiple jobs, or gigs as most put it, at your leisure. And best of all, you can work as many as you wish, as long as you qualify, of course. In the end, you’re the boss.
I have mentioned many of these gig economy jobs before, but I figured it was time to create a massive list since some of these jobs, often confused with side hustling jobs, can pay quite well. All of the jobs I’m about to mention mostly require a phone/computer and usually a clean background/driving record. While some may require some experience, most of the time it isn’t necessary. I will be sure to explain the requirements within the sections, however.
So, if you like the idea of working whenever you want, “on demand,” then these gig economy jobs may be for you.
As in all my guides, I only recommend what I feel is legit and will pay you a decent wage. You will never find me promoting something I wouldn’t use personally. With that out of the way, let’s jump in and take a gander at the many gig economy jobs available to you today.
What Are Gig Economy Jobs?
Before any of these apps I’m about to mention or the internet was ever a thing, the gig economy existed. Yes, it goes well beyond the apps you see on the Google Play Store or iTunes.
Essentially, the gig economy works as just that — a “gig.” It’s different than your traditional 9-5 job and is catered toward a job seeker who’s looking for a temporary, short-term, or even an independent gig. Generally, as long you’re not working for an employer, per se, you’re working a gig. Picture a musician looking for his/her next gig at a bar or a programmer looking for his/her next project to help program.
No matter which industry you work in, if you’re making up the rules and accepting the job, then you can consider yourself as a gig worker.
The gig economy is relatively simple to understand, but just let it known that it’s more than just the Instacart and Ubers of the world. There’s much more than that, the reason I’m creating this guide.
So, below, you will find the many gig economy jobs out there. If you feel you have the skills/interest to performing the job, then feel free to follow through via the links provided to read more about that opportunity.
Best Highest-Paying Gig Economy Jobs
Uber and Lyft
Potential part-time earnings: $500/mo
When one says Uber or Lyft, most immediately think of the gig economy. I’m sure you have heard of these companies by now, but if you haven’t, let me explain.
In short, it’s your job to pick up a passenger and then take them to their destination, according to the app. You get to pick out the jobs that come to your phone and you get to work whenever you want. All you need to do is turn on your app and you can get to work.
Depending on where you live, you can make anywhere from as little as $10 to more than $30+ per hour. This will greatly depend on where you live and when you work. Once you learn your market, it can make you a very nice part-time income, sometimes more than that. Start with my how to make more money with Uber post to see how you can potentially increase your earnings by more than 50%.
Food Delivery
Potential part-time earnings: $500/mo
Much like Uber and Lyft, food delivery apps work in the same way, only that you’re toting around food rather than people.
Now, with food, your money often comes during the lunch and dinner hours, so it could make for a great alternative when you’re not driving passengers at the time.
Like Uber and Lyft, how much you make depends on where you work and which apps you work. The same can be said about when you work. Plan on making anywhere from $10 to $25+ per hour gross. Sometimes, much more if you learn how your market works.
All of these apps have a learning curve, so don’t get discouraged if you’re not making a lot of money at first. I promise you that more money will come in the future as you play around with the app.
I did write about the many food delivery apps in my second job ideas to make cash and 37+ side hustle apps, but I will mention them here as well. These apps include the very popular DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub and Postmates. Most of these apps are available throughout the world and only take minutes to join.
Amazon Flex
Potential part-time earnings: $650/mo
I feel Amazon Flex deserves its own section as it’s a pretty popular gig economy job.
In short, Amazon Flex allows you to deliver packages from a local Amazon warehouse at your own leisure. Like the many I already mentioned, you turn the app whenever you please, accept a schedule you want to work and then show up to receive your packages.
The only downfall, at least to me, is that you have to schedule three or four-hour blocks. In comparison to the other apps, when you can kind of turn them on and off as you please, Amazon Flex doesn’t allow you to do this.
In most markets Amazon pays about $54 to $72~ per 3-4 hour block and offers block times throughout the entire day, meaning you can make much more than the one-block page.
- Website: Amazon Flex
Grocery Shopping
Potential part-time earnings: $450/mo
Instacart and Shipt are two of the bigger names that let you grocery shop for others.
It works much like the food delivery apps, only that more work is involved. Oftentimes, you have to grocery shop in the store and then deliver these groceries to the customer’s home. It does take more work, but you’re usually compensated more for your time.
Plan on making anywhere from $10 to $22+ per hour, but it could be more or less, all dependent on where you live and how you work the app. Again, there’s a learning curve, but once you learn your market, it’s hard not to thrive.
Freelance Writer
Potential part-time earnings: $680/mo
No matter what your skillset is, you can make money as a freelance writer, even if you feel you’re a beginner.
From writing simple content to resumes and ad copies, the jobs are endless. I will link to my 17+ companies that hire entry-level writers below but do know that there are many more options you can use to find writing work, such as FlexJobs, ProBlogger Job Board, LinkedIn as well as Upwork.
Some opportunities can earn you money immediately as they already have the clients, whereas other options require you to go out there and sell yourself.
- Websites: 17+ entry level writing jobs and Flex Jobs
Fiverr
Potential part-time earnings: ???
Fiverr is a very popular marketplace that allows you to sell just about any service, from writing to video editing and so much more. Unlike the many apps above, which find you work right away, you will have to treat Fiverr as your own business essentially. Think of it more like a classified service where you have to sell yourself. Unfortunately, the money won’t come easy.
Whether you’re looking to make a few dollars on the side or want to turn it into a full-time venture, anything is possible. Honestly, it’s an ideal platform for any freelancer, regardless of your experience.
Succeeding on Fiverr can take some work, but it is possible. If someone else is doing it, why can’t you?
To start and succeed yourself, I recommend you check out the very popular book, The Fiverr Master Class.
- Website: Fiverr
Handyman
Potential part-time earnings: $900/mo
As long as you have some sort of handyman experience, becoming a handyman in the gig economy is easier than ever. Now, I must warn you. If you plan on becoming a handyman, I do highly recommend you become licensed as well as registered in your state. It also doesn’t hurt to look at the local state laws to ensure you’re following them as you should be.
If you’re interested in fixing anything of sorts, turn to the very popular apps such as TaskRabbit, Thumbtack or Handy. All of these apps allow you to find jobs in your local area as well as promote your services.
Much like the few I mentioned above, you can work at your own pace, whenever you want, only selecting the jobs that make sense to you.
- Websites: TaskRabbit, Thumbtack or Handy
Babysitting
Potential part-time earnings: $200+/mo
Whether it’s watching someone’s kid on the weekend or becoming a full-time nanny, babysitting is as old school as it gets.
If you want to find work as a nanny/babysitter, there are so many options to consider, such as Care.com, SitterCity and UrbanSitter.com, to name a few.
If considering this route, be sure to become CPR certified as well as purchase a background check so that families know what they are getting themselves into. This small investment can make you that much more marketable on the platforms.
- Websites: Care.com, SitterCity and UrbanSitter
Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
Potential part-time earnings: $150+/mo
Instead of children, consider watching someone’s pet. From walking to staying overnight, yes, there are resources to help you find this kind of work as well.
Some of my favorites include Rover and Care, but you can use other resources as well, in which I cover in my dog sitting post. I will link them below if it sounds like something interesting to you.
As a dog walker, plan on making about $10 to $25 per 25-minute walk or up to $75+ a night dog sitting.
- Websites: Care, Rover, 11+ dog sitting websites
Cleaner
Potential part-time earnings: $450+/mo
From cleaning someone’s house bi-weekly to corporate buildings every single day, thousands of people/companies need a cleaner to keep everything in tip-top shape.
The great thing about becoming a cleaner is that it doesn’t require much experience and/or knowledge. Just print off a cleaning checklist online and ensure that you get in between every crack so that the customers keep coming back.
Care.com, Thumbtack and Handy.com are all great options to start out with if you want to see who’s looking for a cleaner in your area.
AirBnB
Potential part-time earnings: $500+/mo
To some, AirBnB may not seem like a gig economy job, but to me, it’s one of the best ones out there! Why?
For starters, you don’t have to do much, with the exception of managing bookings and cleaning your home after. Plus, you can make much more than a lot of the apps/websites I already mentioned. In some cases, you could make upwards of $200+ a night for your house, especially if you live in a touristy town.
Whether you want to rent out your room, your entire house or even consider buying a home for investment purposes, AirBnB has made it very easy to make money using its platform.
- Website: AirBnB
Freelancer.com and Upwork.com
Potential part-time earnings: $500+/mo
Freelancer.com and Upwork.com all work in the same way. You can either apply to jobs companies/individuals post and/or you can create your own profile just like Fiverr, in hopes that someone finds you and wants to hire you based on your skills.
The thing about these websites is that they offer jobs for just about every skill, from writing to programming, graphic design and so much more. There are way too many to list, so I recommend you check out the many categories listed here. There has to be something you’re interested in and/or have knowledge of.
The cool thing about this option is that, essentially, you are your own boss. You get to set your rates, accept/bid on jobs that you want to work, and best of all, you get to work whenever you want.
Of course, this option can take some work, but it’s all about what you put into it. Like any business, you can’t expect to make a full-time living on day one.
- Websites: Freelancer.com and Upwork.com
Software Development
Potential part-time earnings: $1,500+/mo
Software developers are responsible for designing/testing software that runs apps, computer software or even games.
It’s one that requires skill, of course, but you can always learn if it’s something of interest. Just keep in mind that you will more than likely need a portfolio of sorts to be considered.
If you want to work as a freelance programmer, there are a variety of freelance job opportunities out there, including the two mentioned prior, Freelancer and Upwork, as well as a few more such as Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and 99 Designs.
- Websites: Fiverr, 99Designs, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer.com and Upwork.com
Graphic Design
Potential part-time earnings: $400/mo
Businesses always need branding of sorts. Whether it’s designing a flyer, creating letterhead, or even helping with their website, there are a ton of options out there.
In the graphic design world, there are many websites that can help you find work, such as 99Designs, Upwork and Fiverr.
It’s best to have a portfolio if considering as well as referrals to help increase your chances at landing a gig.
Accounting and Finance
Potential part-time earnings: $1,500+/mo
Another field that requires a degree of sorts.
Jobs range from handling account payables to tax return preparation. There’s a lot out these jobs out there; you just need to know where to look.
Start looking for gigs on Upwork, Indeed, Fiverr and Freelancer.com.
- Websites: Fiverr, Freelancer.com , Indeed and Upwork.com
Photography
Potential part-time earnings: $200+/mo
From selling your photos via an app to booking family picture gigs, the world of photography offers a lot of options.
Whether you want to do it on the side or pursue it as a full-time career, it is possible. But, like the many options I list, it can take quite some time before your hard work pays off.
Take a look at a few of the resources I have already created below to see if any of those make sense to you.
Education
Potential part-time earnings: $700+/mo
In the education world, there are so many opportunities that allow you to work at your own leisure.
From tutoring students to teaching Chinese children overseas, I have written on multiple topics, some of which I will link to below. You can also use the search function above to find even more options.
If interested, you will usually need a bachelor’s degree as well as some experience. In the case of tutoring, knowledge, of course, is necessary as well.
- Websites: 20+ job options for teachers, best ESL jobs and 20+ best tutoring jobs
Fitness Trainer/Coaching
Potential part-time earnings: $400+/mo
You will more than likely need to become certified in order to land gigs, but becoming a fitness trainer can be a lucrative gig economy job to consider.
Consider posting a profile on Thumbtack or consider a more niche-based site like FindMyTrainer.com if you don’t mind working person. After you get certified, you can show up in the ACE Fitness portal as well.
As for virtual visits, it is possible through virtual training sites such as FitnessTrainer.com.
- Websites: Thumbtack, FindMyTrainer, ACE Fitness, FitnessTrainer.com
Mystery Shopping
Potential part-time earnings: $200+/mo
Mystery shopping is one I have mentioned many times, such as in my online work at home jobs without a registration fee and test drive new cars for money posts. And, no, it’s not a scam, either.
In short, it will be your duty to shop “undercover,” hence, the word mystery. You will be asked to look out for things ahead of time and then answer them once you complete your job. Companies do this so that they know their locations are operating as they should. For example, are the bathrooms clean? Did the employee greet you?
There are so many mystery shopping companies out there, so I will link to a directory I created in the past. Sign up for some of the more popular ones and see how much you can earn in your area. Plan on making about $5 to $11~ per gig.
- Website: 75+ best mystery shopping companies
Resell/Flip Items Online
Potential part-time earnings: $100+/mo
This is more of a non-traditional job that may require more work on your part, but hey, it’s a gig, nonetheless.
The goal here is to find an item that can sell for much more online, etc. For example, if you found a video game on clearance for $2 and it’s selling for $10 on eBay, then there’s profit to be made. Of course, there’s an art to finding these deals, and it’s the main reason I recommend you study the thousands of flipping videos online as well as browse the Flipping subreddit. There’s a lot of information out there that won’t cost you a cent.
It can take some effort at first, but it could pay off once you have a system in place.
Other Gig Economy Jobs to Consider
I feel there are so many gig economy-like jobs out there, but they don’t really deserve its own description, seeing it’s very specific. I don’t want to leave these options out, however. So, below, I found many other gig economy jobs you may be interested in and/or qualify for. If something does sound of interest, search out the term to find out what it’s about.
- Amazon Web Services
- Affiliate Marketing
- Cryptocurrency (integrating automated payment tools using cryptocurrency)
- Deep Learning/Artificial Intelligence (used to create self-teaching systems)
- Ethical Hacking (paid to find vulnerabilities)
- Facebook Ad Management
- Instagram Marketer
- Robotics (designing/modeling robotic mechanisms)
- Translator
- Virtual Reality (designing apps, etc)
Final Thoughts
The gig economy is filled with a ton of jobs, not just the popular apps you’re used to hearing about.
If you want to work at your own pace, whenever you want, then there’s a lot to consider, as you can see.
Take a gander at the list and pick out a few of your favorites. Then, follow the links for more information. In doing so, I can only hope you succeed in finding something that works for you.
Now, as always, I leave the microphone to you.
Do you have a favorite gig economy job?
Am I missing any?
Feel free to shout out in the comments below!
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