Financial Wellness
Emerging Gig Jobs
While consumers have grown accustomed to on-demand services, like ridesharing and food delivery, they are also increasingly open to participating in the gig economy as workers—in fact, more than half of U.S. adults now earn money working for one or more gig platforms, according to TransUnion research.
What was once considered a "side hustle" has now become a primary source of income for many, especially among younger adults. Across multiple generations, over one-third of people reported gig work as a primary source of income. Millennials lead this group with more than half leveraging gig work as their primary employment and income source.
"The gig economy has earned a strong reputation among workers as a reliable source of income that allows for unparalleled flexibility," said Tracey Lazos, senior director of TransUnion's gig economy business. "Our research indicates that this trend is likely to continue as more seek a primary or supplementary income from gig work."
Remote Tech Support
Gig workers are providing on-demand technical support for individuals and businesses. This trend has grown due to the increased reliance on technology for remote work and the need for flexible, scalable IT support.
Virtual Event Planning and Management
With the rise of online events and hybrid conferences, gig workers skilled in digital event planning and management are in high demand. They help organizations transition from traditional in-person events to engaging virtual experiences.
E-commerce and Digital Marketing Specialists
As businesses continue to strengthen their online presence, gig workers with expertise in e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, and digital advertising are sought after to help companies reach their target audiences effectively.
Content Creation and Influencer Marketing
The growth of social media and content marketing has led to increased opportunities for freelance content creators, writers, and influencers. Freelancing has gained significant traction with many opting for flexible work arrangements that allow them to manage multiple projects across various industries. Freelancers operate as independent contractors, providing specific services to clients without the commitment of full-time employment.
Telemedicine and Remote Health Services
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, creating opportunities for healthcare professionals and office staff to offer remote consultations and services.
Online Tutoring and Education
With the shift to online learning, there's a growing demand for gig workers who can provide tutoring services, create educational content, or teach specialized skills through digital platforms.
"The sense of acceptance from one's social circle is also important to how people feel about themselves as professionals," said Lazos. "That the report found a quarter of gig workers started because it was recommended by friends or family members indicates that gig work has a growing sense of legitimacy as a profession."
Over 60% of gig workers are working to supplement their income, and two-thirds report earnings under $2,500 per month. However, 36% of Millennials and 21% of Gen Z workers—those most likely to use gig economy work as a primary source of income—report earnings of more than $5,000 per month.
Millennials were close behind, with 31% saying they plan to do the same.
Only 8% of earners plan to stop working and acquire a full-time job, an indication that factors such as convenience and skillset alignment are driving more individuals to treat the gig economy as their primary workplace instead of traditional employment.
The possibility of gig platforms gaining a larger share of the workforce means they will soon need to consider services and incentives to attract and retain workers. The survey found the most desirable options were identity protection, financial education, and supplementary insurance coverage.
Seasonality is also important. While 45% of earners say they work year-round, younger respondents reported a much higher likelihood of taking on gig work during specific seasons—such as summer and winter—indicating a spike in gig work outside of the school year. Older earners, by contrast, are much more likely to work on an as-needed basis for extra income.
What was once considered a "side hustle" has now become a primary source of income for many, especially among younger adults. Across multiple generations, over one-third of people reported gig work as a primary source of income. Millennials lead this group with more than half leveraging gig work as their primary employment and income source.
"The gig economy has earned a strong reputation among workers as a reliable source of income that allows for unparalleled flexibility," said Tracey Lazos, senior director of TransUnion's gig economy business. "Our research indicates that this trend is likely to continue as more seek a primary or supplementary income from gig work."
Diverse Opportunities
The gig economy has continued to evolve, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with new opportunities emerging and existing roles adapting to changing market demands. Here are examples of jobs or skills that gig workers are increasingly engaged in:Remote Tech Support
Gig workers are providing on-demand technical support for individuals and businesses. This trend has grown due to the increased reliance on technology for remote work and the need for flexible, scalable IT support.
Virtual Event Planning and Management
With the rise of online events and hybrid conferences, gig workers skilled in digital event planning and management are in high demand. They help organizations transition from traditional in-person events to engaging virtual experiences.
E-commerce and Digital Marketing Specialists
As businesses continue to strengthen their online presence, gig workers with expertise in e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, and digital advertising are sought after to help companies reach their target audiences effectively.
Content Creation and Influencer Marketing
The growth of social media and content marketing has led to increased opportunities for freelance content creators, writers, and influencers. Freelancing has gained significant traction with many opting for flexible work arrangements that allow them to manage multiple projects across various industries. Freelancers operate as independent contractors, providing specific services to clients without the commitment of full-time employment.
Telemedicine and Remote Health Services
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, creating opportunities for healthcare professionals and office staff to offer remote consultations and services.
Online Tutoring and Education
With the shift to online learning, there's a growing demand for gig workers who can provide tutoring services, create educational content, or teach specialized skills through digital platforms.
Gig work benefits
Here are some of the top-listed benefits by gig economy workers:- Improved quality of life
- Improved household finances
- High work satisfaction
Key factors in choosing gig work
When deciding what type of work to engage in, flexibility (47%) and skillset match (39%) were the leading factors. The top three types of gig work were driving for a ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft (23%), freelancing for a digital or online service (19%), and driving for a restaurant delivery service like DoorDash or GrubHub (19%)."The sense of acceptance from one's social circle is also important to how people feel about themselves as professionals," said Lazos. "That the report found a quarter of gig workers started because it was recommended by friends or family members indicates that gig work has a growing sense of legitimacy as a profession."
Over 60% of gig workers are working to supplement their income, and two-thirds report earnings under $2,500 per month. However, 36% of Millennials and 21% of Gen Z workers—those most likely to use gig economy work as a primary source of income—report earnings of more than $5,000 per month.
Competing for workers
The TransUnion report also found most gig earners plan to either maintain or increase their involvement in the gig economy. More than one-third of Gen Z workers indicated a plan to increase their work levels on gig platforms, either through increased hours or engaging with a greater number of platforms.Millennials were close behind, with 31% saying they plan to do the same.
Only 8% of earners plan to stop working and acquire a full-time job, an indication that factors such as convenience and skillset alignment are driving more individuals to treat the gig economy as their primary workplace instead of traditional employment.
The possibility of gig platforms gaining a larger share of the workforce means they will soon need to consider services and incentives to attract and retain workers. The survey found the most desirable options were identity protection, financial education, and supplementary insurance coverage.
Seasonality is also important. While 45% of earners say they work year-round, younger respondents reported a much higher likelihood of taking on gig work during specific seasons—such as summer and winter—indicating a spike in gig work outside of the school year. Older earners, by contrast, are much more likely to work on an as-needed basis for extra income.
Beware of Fraudulent Job Posts
In the world of side jobs and gig work, it's essential to stay vigilant against fraudulent job postings. If you come across an opportunity that offers an unusually high payment for a simple task—like data entry or online surveys—it should raise a red flag. Scammers often lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of easy money, only to exploit them for personal information or upfront fees. Always research the company, trust your instincts, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Conclusion
The gig economy is evolving. As businesses adapt to new realities, gig workers are stepping up by using their unique skills to offer flexible, on-demand services across a range of industries. It's exciting to see how they're not just keeping up but actively shaping the future of work. Whether it's tech support, content creation, or virtual event planning, gig workers are playing a vital role in this ongoing transformation, making it a dynamic time for workers as well as businesses.Resources: TransUnion, Stock Titan
