Almost everyone has some acquaintances in the gig economy these days. And for good cause, too! Whether you work as a freelancer full-time or in addition to a conventional full-time employment, gig economy gigs are a terrific way to generate money fast.
In fact, 36% of American workers identify as independent contractors, up from 27% in 2016, according to McKinsey & Company. And it is anticipated that number will only rise.
However, what is the gig economy really, and what are the finest occupations available in this sector?
The phrase “gig economy” refers to the way the labor market is evolving and includes a wide range of employment opportunities, such as side gigs, independent contractors, freelance work, on-demand app services, side projects, short-term placements, and more.
The gig economy can be pursued for a million different reasons, such as job transition, extra income, or flexibility.
There are many options to take a piece of the gig economy, regardless of your motivation for wanting to participate. However, not every opportunity is the same as the rest.
But you should focus on your best possibilities if you need to make money quickly. These are the top gig economy occupations for fast financial gain.
The Greatest Gig Economy Jobs for Quick Money
Applications for Ridesharing
1. Uber
Uber is the most popular ridesharing app, and it lets its drivers earn money by taking passengers around town. Both big and small cities have the app available. When using Instant Pay, drivers can rapidly get paid for their work and choose their own timetable.
You must be at least 21 years old, possess a dependable and safe 4-door car, have a current driver’s license, and have no moving violations in order to be an Uber driver. Your driver’s license application may take up to a week to be accepted, however most are approved in a few days. You’re then prepared to start driving! With Instant Pay, you can start accepting riders and decide whether to receive payment once a week or up to six times a day for a $0.85 cost.
2. Uber
Lyft drivers earn money by driving customers to the locations they specify on the app, just like Uber drivers do. Lyft drivers have to be 25 years of age or older, operate a 4-door car, and have insurance and a valid license.
Applications for drivers are typically approved by Lyft within a few days. You can start driving as soon as your application and car are accepted, and you can use Express Pay to get paid weekly or daily for a $0.85 cost.
3. SkipSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is a child-transporting ridesharing app that functions similarly to Uber and Lyft. Consequently, there are a few more stringent driving regulations. You must be at least 23 years old, have provided care for at least five years, and own a vehicle that is less than ten years old in order to be employed as a HopSkipDrive “CareDriver.” Additionally, you’ll have to pass a thorough background investigation and car inspection.
But the extra effort is worthwhile! CareDrivers can choose their own hours and make as much as $50 per hour. Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. are the current states where HopSkipDrive is accessible.
Apps for Food Delivery
4. Eats Uber
Uber Eats, the meal delivery equivalent of Uber, pays drivers to transport food from nearly any restaurant to any address. The rules for Uber Eats food delivery are a little less strict than those for Uber drivers. Uber Eats drivers can deliver using a car or a scooter, but they must be 19 years old. Additionally, 18-year-olds can distribute for the app on foot or by bicycle.
Similar to Uber, delivery drivers for Uber Eats receive automatic weekly payments; however, they have the option to receive payments up to five times a day in advance for an extra cost.
5. DoorDash
Another on-demand app that offers meal delivery services is DoorDash. Drivers with DoorDash, often known as “Dashers,” can transport food from eateries or things they buy at grocery, convenience, or retail stores.
You must be at least eighteen years old, in possession of a driver’s license, and insured in order to work as a Dasher. Any vehicle, including a bike, scooter, or motorbike, can be used for delivery. The approval process for your application can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
6. Instant Cart
An on-demand grocery app is called Instacart. Working as a shopper in-store or as a “full-service shopper,” which offers both shopping and delivery services, are your options. In order to work as a grocery delivery person, you must be at least eighteen, be able to drive, and own a smartphone.
Most customer applications are approved by Instacart in a few of days. Once you begin working, you may choose to get weekly payments or use Instant Cashout to cash out your profits the same day for a $0.50 fee.
7. Pleasure
Favor is a one-stop app for delivery of everything. You may transport anything with Favor as a delivery driver, including dry cleaning and restaurant meals. You must be at least 18 years old, have access to a car, a spotless driving record, and a smartphone in order to work as a Favor “Runner.”
Applications for runners are usually accepted in a few days. You will be paid weekly by direct transfer if your first delivery is successfully completed, or you can cash out right away for a $0.99 fee.
8. GrubHub
A well-known app that delivers meals from restaurants is called GrubHub. You must be at least 18 years old, possess a current ID, and have a smartphone in order to work as a driver for GrubHub. You can use a bicycle, scooter, or automobile to accept deliveries. Drivers must possess both insurance and a driver’s license.
Most driver applications are approved by GrubHub in less than a day. For a $0.50 fee, you can use Instant Cashout to get paid for your deliveries in as little as fifteen minutes.
Additional Delivery Apps
9. Amazon Flexible
You may use your own car to transport packages for Amazon to clients and get compensated for it by using Amazon Flex. You must have a 4-door car, a current driver’s license, insurance, and be at least 21 years old in order to operate as an Amazon Flex driver.
The approval process for your Amazon Flex driver application may take several days or weeks. However, Amazon pays between $18 and $25 per hour after that, which is somewhat more than other gig economy jobs. On weekdays, you can get paid as soon as once a day or once a week.
10. Shipment
Another on-demand app that offers food and package delivery services is called Shipt. Similar to other applications, Shipt’s grocery delivery service involves drivers shopping for and delivering goods along with other items. Deliveries of packages, however, originate from one location: Target! Target orders are picked up by Shipt package delivery drivers from a central location in their city and delivered to clients’ residences.
Drivers must be at least eighteen years old, possess a smartphone, a four-door car, a current driver’s license, and auto insurance in order to be considered for either position. Depending on your location, the approval process for driver’s license applications can take several days to several weeks. You have the option to receive money automatically once a week or cash out once a day.
Apps for Pet Sitting & Dog Walking
11. Go wag!
Walking dogs with an app like Wag! is a great way to earn money in the gig economy if you’re a dog lover. Wag! links pet parents nationwide who require dog walkers and pet caregivers.
You must be at least eighteen years old and able to pass a background check in order to work as a dog walker for Wag!. Most dog walker applications are approved by Wag! in less than two weeks. Weekly payments are handled, but for an additional 3%, you can choose to cash out right away.
12. The Rover
Another on-demand app for pet care and dog walking is called Rover. With the app, you may provide a variety of pet services, such as home sitting, dog walking, dog boarding, drop-in visits, and more.
Similar qualifications apply to work with Rover: you must be at least 18 years old and be able to pass a background check. Most applications are approved by Rover within 5 to 10 days. Rover pays you automatically through direct payment into your bank account, often five days after the job is finished.
Applications Based on Tasks
Taskrabbit, 13.
An software called Taskrabbit provides a range of task-based side jobs. You can do anything using Taskrabbit, including running errands, finishing handyman jobs, and building Ikea furniture.
Taskrabbit Taskers must be able to pass a background check, have a U.S. Social Security Number, and be at least eighteen years old. Typically, the approval process to work with Taskrabbit takes several days to a week. Within a few days of doing your first work, Stripe will immediately transfer the payment.
14. Dolly
By assisting clients with their moves using Dolly, you can earn money if you own a truck, cargo van, or other large vehicle. Even without a car, you can still earn money by helping others. Helpers typically make about $35 per hour, compared to $50 for drivers.
You must be at least eighteen years old, in possession of a current driver’s license and insurance, and able to pass a background check in order to drive with Dolly. Usually, applications are accepted in seven to ten days. You can then begin obtaining gigs! PayPal is used to pay out earnings twice a week.
15. Gigwalk
With the help of the task-based software Gigwalk, you may earn money by doing tiny “gigs” for businesses, most of which are retail establishments seeking for reviews on their merchandise and displays. Following the completion of a gig, you might be required to submit a report or respond to a few questions.
PayPal pays you after your responses are approved, generally in a few days. To use Gigwalk, you must have a PayPal account and be at least eighteen years old.
Other Resources for Gig Economy Employment
Though a lot of gig economy jobs these days center around apps, you don’t have to choose that path! Many gig workers operate with agencies, locate their own independent clients, or take on other kinds of jobs. These are some additional locations where gig economy jobs can be found.
Marketplaces for Freelancers
For short-term contracts and gig work, freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr or Upwork are excellent resources. Fiverr is an online marketplace where independent contractors can offer their services and add more for typically a nominal price. Although Fiverr was once just a site to post quick jobs for $5, it has now expanded, allowing freelancers to provide far more than $5 for a wide range of services, including copywriting, social media management, and graphic design.
Upwork is an online marketplace where freelancing jobs are listed by both small and major organizations. Once a freelancer submits their portfolio and places a bid on a gig they want, the employer will select which freelancer to hire.
Employment Organizations
Just because you are a freelancer doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Many remote employment firms deploy experts in contract positions and freelance work. For people searching for quick extra cash or temporary work, this can be a great choice. A wide range of industries seen in more traditional employment are also represented by staffing firms, including IT, engineering, human resources, accounting, and much more.
The Pros and Cons of Gig Economy Employment
Flexibility is the gig economy’s main advantage. Having the freedom to choose when, where, and with whom to work is something that many gig workers find enjoyable. Because they can work more or less as needed, gig workers might also have more influence over their earning potential.
Gig workers are, however, typically independent contractors, which means they bear the individual responsibility for their own taxes, costs, and health insurance.
Because of this, it’s imperative to conduct some study before diving into the gig economy. However, you too may profit from gig economy work if you put in a little amount of thought and preparation.