Gig work is any job that pays you by the ride, order, task or project instead of a salary. About 11.9 million Americans, or 7.4% of all workers, were independent contractors on their main job in the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics survey of contingent work. The trade is simple. You pick your own hours, and you also cover your own gas, gear, taxes and slow weeks.
Three questions sort these 30 gigs fast. Do you have a car, a skill, or just a phone? Do you need money this week, or can you wait for a client to pay? And is the pay number real? Every figure below comes from the company’s own site or from government wage data, and where a company does not publish one, we say so. Start with the quick comparison, then jump to the group that fits you.
Highest Paying Gig Economy Jobs
Here are eight of the strongest options side by side. The full list of 30 is grouped by type of work, and you can compare more app-based options in our guide to the best gig apps.
| Gig | What it pays | What you need | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | $2 to $10+ base pay per offer, plus promotions and 100% of tips (DoorDash) | Age 18+, a car, scooter or bike, and a background check | Start with DoorDash |
| Ride-sharing | $18.25 an hour median for taxi, shuttle and chauffeur drivers (BLS) | An eligible 4-door car and at least 1 year of licensed driving | Drive with Uber |
| Rover | You set your prices and keep 80% of each booking (Rover) | Time, a profile and a love of dogs or cats | Join Rover |
| Turo | $10,489 a year per car on average, before ownership costs (Turo) | A car you can spare for days at a time | See the details |
| Computer repair | $30.24 an hour median for computer support specialists (BLS) | Troubleshooting skills and basic tools | See the details |
| Tutoring | $20.84 an hour median for tutors (BLS) | A subject you know well | See the details |
| Carvertise | $100 to $1,500 a month (Carvertise) | A 2015 or newer car in good condition | See the details |
| Survey Junkie | Points worth $1 per 100, with cash out from $5 (Survey Junkie) | Age 18+ and a phone or computer | Join Survey Junkie |
A note on the numbers. For job types like tutoring or landscaping, the pay figure is the median hourly wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 wage data). Half of workers in that job earn more and half earn less, so treat it as a benchmark for what to charge, not a promise. Inside each group, the gigs with a government pay figure are ranked from the highest median to the lowest, and the app-based gigs follow.
Gigs Where You Sell Something
These gigs pay you a profit or a commission instead of an hourly rate. The upside has no cap, and neither does the risk, because you can put in money and time and sell nothing.
1. Buying and Selling Websites
You buy a small website that already earns money, improve it, and sell it for more than you paid. Marketplaces like Flippa list sites, online stores and apps for sale and handle the listing and the handoff.
| What it pays | No standard figure. Your profit is the sale price minus what you paid for the site and what you spent improving it. Flippa does not publish a typical seller profit. |
| What you need | Cash to buy a site, plus the skills to grow its traffic or income. To sell, Flippa’s pricing page lists self-service listing packages from $29 and a 10% success fee. |
| How fast it pays | Only when a sale closes, which can take months. Until then you collect whatever the site earns. |
| Downside | If the site’s traffic or income drops after you buy it, you can lose most of the purchase price. |
First step: Read our guide to buying and selling websites before you bid on anything.
2. Selling or Renting Property
You earn a commission as a licensed real estate agent each time a sale closes, or you collect rent on a property you own. Both can start as weekend work.
| What it pays | $52,830 a year median for real estate sales agents and $73,220 for brokers (BLS). Rental income depends on your property and your market. |
| What you need | A real estate license to sell. BLS notes that all states require one, which means prelicensing courses and an exam. |
| How fast it pays | Commissions are paid at closing. Rent comes in monthly. |
| Downside | Most agents are paid on commission only, so a month with no closing is a month with no pay. |
First step: See the best real estate apps to find the angle that fits you. If you do not have time to get your hands dirty, there are also real estate investing options for everyday investors.
My personal favorite platform is Fundrise because it is beginner friendly, and it gives your gig income a place to go to work.
- Earn passive income with real estate investing starting at just $10
- Easy-to-use app for seamless access to crowd-funded real estate deals
- Perfect for those who want their money to work for them
3. E-commerce or Drop Shipping
E-commerce means selling goods online through your own store or a marketplace. With drop shipping, a supplier ships each order for you, so you never hold inventory. Shopify is one of the most popular ways to build the store.
| What it pays | No typical figure. You keep the margin between your price and your costs for product, shipping, ads and software. |
| What you need | A store and a product. Shopify’s pricing page lists the Basic plan at $39 a month, or $29 a month billed yearly, and currently advertises 3 days free and then $1 a month for 3 months. |
| How fast it pays | After each sale, on the schedule your payment processor sets. |
| Downside | You pay for the subscription and any ads whether or not anything sells. |
First step: Learn the habits that lead to ecommerce success, then test one product before you spend on ads.
- Start your store for free, no credit card headaches
- Just $1/month to keep building after your trial
- Earn up to $10,000+ in credits as you sell
- AI tools write your product descriptions and edit your photos for you
- Launch a real business, not just another website
4. Reselling Items Online
You buy items for less than they are worth and resell them on marketplaces like eBay or Amazon. Phones, clothing, books and furniture are common places to start.
| What it pays | No published figure. Profit is your sale price minus what you paid, the marketplace fees and shipping. |
| What you need | A little starting cash, a phone camera and space to store inventory. |
| How fast it pays | After the item sells and the marketplace releases your payout. |
| Downside | Anything that does not sell is cash sitting on a shelf. |
First step: Start with one category you know. Our guide to flipping phones walks through how one flip works.
5. Direct Sales
Direct sales companies pay you a commission for selling their products to people you know and to customers you find. Avon and Mary Kay are two of the best known names.
| What it pays | A commission on what you sell. The rate is set by each company’s compensation plan, and we could not confirm a current figure on Avon’s site, so ask for the plan in writing. |
| What you need | A way to reach customers. Ask what you have to buy up front before you sign anything. |
| How fast it pays | On the schedule in the company’s compensation plan. |
| Downside | It is easy to spend more on product and samples than you earn in commissions. |
First step: Read how it works in our guide on how to sell Avon.
Skilled Service Gigs
If you have a skill people pay for, these gigs have the highest hourly benchmarks on the list. You set your own rate, and you find your own clients.
6. Music or Dance Performance
You get booked to play or perform at weddings, parties, restaurants and corporate events. Booking sites like GigSalad and The Bash (formerly GigMasters) let clients find and hire you.
| What it pays | $47.80 an hour median for musicians and singers (BLS). |
| What you need | A polished act, your own gear and a video sample clients can watch. |
| How fast it pays | Per booking, on the terms you agree with the client or the booking site. |
| Downside | Paid hours are few. Rehearsal, travel and setup time are not paid. |
First step: Record a two minute sample video and build a profile on one booking site.
7. Computer Repair
You fix slow laptops, remove malware, set up home networks and recover files for people and small businesses near you.
| What it pays | $30.24 an hour median for computer support specialists (BLS). |
| What you need | Solid troubleshooting skills and basic tools. |
| How fast it pays | When the job is done, if you collect payment on the spot. |
| Downside | You are responsible for a customer’s device and data while it is in your hands. |
First step: List your service on TaskRabbit or on sites like Craigslist with a flat price for the most common fixes.
8. Fitness Training or Coaching
You train clients one on one or lead group classes, in person or online. It is a strong fit if you already live in the gym.
| What it pays | $22.67 an hour median for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (BLS). |
| What you need | A high school diploma is the typical entry point, and BLS notes employers usually prefer a professional certification. |
| How fast it pays | Per session or per monthly package, when the client pays you. |
| Downside | Clients cancel and drop off, so income swings from month to month. |
First step: Get certified, then grow your business on Instagram to find your first clients.
9. Photography or Videography
You shoot portraits, events, real estate listings or product photos for paying clients. Thumbtack is one place to find them, and it says there is no charge to join as a pro.
| What it pays | $21.47 an hour median for photographers (BLS). |
| What you need | A good camera, editing software and a portfolio. |
| How fast it pays | Per job, when the client pays. Many photographers take a deposit up front. |
| Downside | Gear is expensive, and editing time usually goes unpaid. |
First step: Shoot three free sessions for friends to build a portfolio, then post your first paid listing.
10. Tutoring or Teaching
You help students with a subject you know well, in person or online. Tutor.com is one of the larger online platforms and takes tutor applications on its site.
| What it pays | $20.84 an hour median for tutors (BLS). |
| What you need | Strong knowledge of your subject. Platforms screen applicants, so expect a subject test or proof of experience. |
| How fast it pays | On the platform’s pay schedule, or right after the session with private clients. |
| Downside | Demand follows the school year, so summers are slow. |
First step: Pick one subject and one grade level, then apply to a platform or post locally.
11. Freelance Work or Consulting
You sell a professional skill by the project or by the hour. Writing, graphic design, web design and copywriting are the most common, and Upwork and Fiverr are the most popular places to find clients.
| What it pays | No single figure. You set your own rate. Upwork says its freelancer service fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract, so price that in. |
| What you need | A skill, a portfolio and a profile on a freelance site. |
| How fast it pays | After the client approves the work, on the platform’s payment schedule. |
| Downside | Pitching for work is unpaid, and the platform takes a cut of what you earn. |
First step: Read how to become a freelance writer if writing is your skill. To look established, try starting your own blog or website with Bluehost.
Home and Care Gigs
These are local gigs. You need reliable transportation and good reviews more than you need a degree.
12. Housecleaning or Repairs
You clean homes or handle small repair jobs like patching drywall, hanging shelves and fixing leaky faucets. Thumbtack and Angi (formerly Angie’s List) connect you with homeowners.
| What it pays | $23.84 an hour median for general maintenance and repair workers and $17.71 an hour for janitors and cleaners (BLS). |
| What you need | Your own supplies or tools and a way to get to jobs. |
| How fast it pays | When the job is done, or on the platform’s payout schedule. |
| Downside | It is physical work, and you buy your own supplies. |
First step: Set a flat rate for a standard job and ask your first three clients for reviews.
13. Landscaping or Gardening
You mow, trim, plant and clean up yards for homeowners and small businesses.
| What it pays | $19.27 an hour median for grounds maintenance workers (BLS). |
| What you need | A mower and basic equipment, plus a vehicle to move it. |
| How fast it pays | Per visit, or monthly if you sign clients to a regular schedule. |
| Downside | The work is seasonal in most of the country. |
First step: Offer a recurring weekly or biweekly plan to five neighbors instead of chasing one-off jobs.
14. Babysitting, Nannying or Caretaking
You care for children, older adults or pets for families near you. Sites like Care.com and Sittercity let families find and contact you.
| What it pays | $16.82 an hour median for childcare workers (BLS). |
| What you need | References and experience. Expect families to ask for a background check. |
| How fast it pays | Per job, when the family pays you. |
| Downside | Hours are irregular, and last-minute cancellations are common. |
First step: Build a profile with two references and your exact availability.
Gigs On Wheels
If you have a car then you are set to make money in the gig economy. These gigs pay the fastest on the list, but you cover gas, insurance and wear on your car.
15. Delivery or Courier
You deliver groceries, takeout and packages in your own car. The most popular delivery gigs are Instacart, where you shop for and deliver groceries, and DoorDash, where you deliver takeout.
| What it pays | $21.13 an hour median for delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers (BLS). On the apps, Instacart says shoppers keep 100% of customer tips. |
| What you need | For Instacart: age 18+, authorization to work in the U.S., regular access to a car, a smartphone, and the ability to lift 40 pounds. |
| How fast it pays | Instacart says shoppers can cash out in as little as 2 hours. |
| Downside | What you earn per order depends on its size, distance and effort, so pay varies a lot. |
First step: Compare the food delivery apps that operate in your city and sign up for two.
- Work whenever you want, no set shifts
- Cash out earnings daily with Fast Pay
- Unlike rideshare, no dealing with riders
- Keep 100% of customer tips
16. Ride-sharing
You drive passengers around your city with an app like Uber or Lyft, on your own schedule.
| What it pays | $18.25 an hour median for taxi drivers, shuttle drivers and chauffeurs (BLS). Uber does not publish an earnings figure and says earnings differ by city. You keep 100% of tips. |
| What you need | For Uber: at least 1 year of licensed driving in the U.S. (3 years if you are under 25), an eligible 4-door vehicle, insurance, and a screening of your driving record and criminal history. |
| How fast it pays | Uber deposits weekly, or you can use Instant Pay up to 6 times a day for a small fee. |
| Downside | Gas, insurance, maintenance and the miles on your car come out of what you earn. |
First step: Check the driving apps to make money in your city, then start the application.
- Start earning this week with just your car and phone
- Cash out instantly whenever you need money
- No interviews, no waiting, sign up and drive
- Make extra cash on your schedule, even nights and weekends
17. DoorDash
With DoorDash you deliver breakfast, lunch, dinner and more from local restaurants to people’s doors.
| What it pays | DoorDash says base pay ranges from $2 to $10+ per offer, based on time, distance and desirability. Promotions like Peak Pay are added on top, and you keep 100% of tips. |
| What you need | Age 18+ (21 in California), a car, or a scooter or bicycle in select cities, a driver’s license or ID, and a Social Security number for the background check. |
| How fast it pays | Weekly direct deposit that usually lands by Wednesday night, or daily cash out with Fast Pay for a fee. |
| Downside | Base pay can be as low as $2 an offer, and gas comes out of your pocket. |
First step: Give DoorDash your info and pass the background check, then read our DoorDash driver review to see what to expect.
- Work whenever you want, no set shifts
- Cash out earnings daily with Fast Pay
- Unlike rideshare, no dealing with riders
- Keep 100% of customer tips
18. Lyft and Uber
Many drivers run both apps at once and take whichever ride comes first. If you are free nights and weekends, it is a simple way to fill your downtime.
| What it pays | Neither company publishes a typical earnings figure. Both say drivers keep 100% of tips. |
| What you need | Lyft’s requirements page says you need to be 25 or older, with a valid license, a 4-door vehicle, and a background and driving record check. Uber’s rules are listed in the ride-sharing entry above. |
| How fast it pays | Uber pays weekly or through Instant Pay. Check the Lyft Driver app for its payout options. |
| Downside | Running two apps means two sets of rules to follow, and your car costs do not change. |
First step: Apply to Uber first, then add Lyft once you know your busy hours.
19. Para and ParaWorks
Para is a tool for drivers who already work for the big apps. It shows offers from Uber, Uber Eats, Lyft and Grubhub in one place with the pay per mile and per hour, and it can decline low paying trips for you. ParaWorks is its job board for scheduled and on-demand delivery work, including food, package and medical delivery.
| What it pays | Para does not publish a pay rate on its site. It says ParaWorks jobs pay more per hour on average than platform work. |
| What you need | An active account with at least one of the gig apps Para supports. |
| How fast it pays | It depends on the job. Check the listing in ParaWorks. |
| Downside | It only helps if you already drive, and ParaWorks jobs are not in every city. |
First step: Sign up with ParaWorks and see which jobs are open near you.
20. Turo
Turo lets you rent out your car when you are not using it. You list the car, set your availability, and guests book it through the app.
| What it pays | Turo says U.S. hosts earned $10,489 per car in 2025 on average, about $874 a month, with cars booked 15 days a month. That is before ownership costs like maintenance and insurance. |
| What you need | A car that qualifies. Turo includes up to $750,000 in third-party liability insurance from Travelers and has three earnings plans with different levels of damage reimbursement. |
| How fast it pays | Per trip. Check Turo’s host help pages for the payout schedule. |
| Downside | Extra miles and wear, and you cannot use the car while it is booked. Hosts in California and Oregon face state rules that limit car sharing income in some cases. |
First step: Price it out against other passive income ideas, then list one car.
21. Carvertise
Carvertise pays you to drive your normal routes with an ad wrapped on your car. The company covers installation and removal.
| What it pays | Carvertise says $100 to $1,500 a month, and that most drivers make between $450 and $1,500 a month. |
| What you need | A 2015 or newer car in good condition. Some vehicles are excluded, and acceptance varies by campaign. |
| How fast it pays | Monthly. Campaigns usually run three to twelve months. |
| Downside | You only get paid when a campaign in your area picks you, so there can be a wait. |
First step: Apply on the Carvertise site with your car details and your usual driving area.
Pet Care and Home Sharing
If you love dogs or have a spare room to share with guests, then these side gigs are for you.
22. Airbnb Host
You rent out a spare room or a whole home to travelers by the night. You set the price and the house rules, and Airbnb handles booking and payment.
| What it pays | Your nightly rate minus Airbnb’s fee. Airbnb says most hosts pay a 3% service fee under its split-fee setup, or 15.5% under its single-fee setup. |
| What you need | A space you are allowed to rent out. AirCover for Hosts includes up to $3 million in damage protection and $1 million in liability insurance. |
| How fast it pays | Per stay. Your payout schedule is shown in your host dashboard. |
| Downside | Local short-term rental rules, cleaning between guests and empty nights all cut into what you keep. |
First step: Check your city’s rental rules, then read our Airbnb Hosting Guide.
23. Rover
This one is for all the animal lovers out there. Rover connects you with pet owners who need dog walking, drop-in visits, boarding or house sitting.
| What it pays | You set your own prices and take home 80% of each booking after Rover’s 20% service fee (fees differ in California). Rover says sitters who offer boarding can make up to 2x more than those who do not. |
| What you need | An approved profile and time for the pets. The Rover Guarantee includes up to $25,000 in vet care reimbursement. |
| How fast it pays | Payments are ready for withdrawal two days after you complete a service. |
| Downside | The 20% fee is taken from every booking, and new sitters need reviews before requests pick up. |
First step: Build your profile and offer more than one service so you show up in more searches.
- Get paid to spend time with dogs and cats instead of grinding traditional gig apps
- Set your own schedule and accept only the bookings you want
- Rover handles payments and support so you never chase clients
Online Gigs for Money
All of these you can do from home with a phone or a laptop. They are a lot easier than the gigs above, but the payout is lower.
24. Survey-taking
Market research companies pay for your opinions. You answer online surveys on sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks or InboxDollars and cash out once you reach the minimum.
| What it pays | Small amounts per survey. Survey Junkie puts it plainly on its own site: you will not get rich taking surveys. |
| What you need | A phone or computer and a few spare minutes at a time. |
| How fast it pays | Once you hit the site’s cash out minimum. |
| Downside | You will get screened out of some surveys after you have already started. |
First step: Join two or three sites so there is always a survey available.
- Earn points by taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online
- Redeem rewards like PayPal cash or gift cards to top brands
- Join millions who’ve earned over $706 million with Swagbucks
- $10 welcome bonus when you activate it and spend $25 in the Swagbucks shop within 30 days
25. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie pays you in points for taking surveys on different products and services. The point value and the estimated time are shown on each survey before you start.
| What it pays | 100 points equals $1. Survey Junkie does not publish a per-survey rate. |
| What you need | You must be at least 18 and live in the U.S., Canada, Australia or the UK. |
| How fast it pays | You can cash out starting at $5 (500 points) through PayPal, bank transfer or gift cards. |
| Downside | It is pocket money, not a paycheck. |
First step: Fill out your profile fully so you match with more surveys.
- Share your opinion to help brands deliver better products and services
- Fast payouts, legit, and our favorite survey site
- Has paid out more than $25 million to its members
26. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
This is the most passive gig on the list. Nielsen has you register your computer, phone or tablet and install its app, which runs in the background and collects anonymous data on how you use your devices.
| What it pays | Nielsen says up to $60 in reward points per year, plus instant win games with a $500 monthly top prize. |
| What you need | A qualifying device and a few minutes to register and install the app. |
| How fast it pays | Points are redeemable through PayPal and gift cards. |
| Downside | The app tracks your device usage, and the payout is small. |
First step: Register every device you qualify for.
- Collects anonymous phone and internet usage data to help Nielsen study consumer trends
- Runs quietly in the background after you install the app on your phone
- Pays users in gift cards or cash-equivalent rewards, usually around $60 per year
27. Swagbucks
If you browse the internet a lot, this could turn your pastime into a little money. Swagbucks rewards you for shopping online, playing games and answering surveys.
| What it pays | Swagbucks does not publish a typical earning rate. Its sign-up page currently shows a $10 bonus, and it says it has paid more than $706 million to members. |
| What you need | A free account. |
| How fast it pays | Redeem your points for gift cards from stores like Amazon and Walmart, or for cash through PayPal. |
| Downside | Many tasks pay very little for the time they take. |
First step: Sign up, then stick to surveys and shopping offers you would use anyway.
- Earn points by taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online
- Redeem rewards like PayPal cash or gift cards to top brands
- Join millions who’ve earned over $706 million with Swagbucks
- $10 welcome bonus when you activate it and spend $25 in the Swagbucks shop within 30 days
28. InboxDollars
InboxDollars pays real cash, not points, for taking surveys, reading emails, playing games and trying offers. It has been paying members since 2000.
| What it pays | InboxDollars does not publish a typical earning rate. Its sign-up page currently shows a $5 bonus. |
| What you need | A free account and an email address. |
| How fast it pays | Rewards come as PayPal cash or gift cards. Check the Rewards page for the current cash out minimum. |
| Downside | Earnings per task are small, so it takes a while to reach a payout. |
First step: Claim the sign-up bonus and confirm your email.
- InboxDollars is a legitimate way to make extra money online
- Operating since 2000
- Has paid its members millions in cash rewards
- Free $5 welcome bonus
Make Your Gig Money Go Further
The last two are not gigs. They are tools for the money you have already earned, because what you keep matters as much as what you make.
29. Arrived
Gig income is uneven, so it helps to move part of a good month into something built for the long run. Arrived is one option for that. It sells shares of rental homes, and you are not the landlord. Arrived signs the tenants, collects rent, and covers the maintenance and repair work.
| What it pays | Your share of the rental income, paid as dividends. Arrived’s site describes them as monthly. There is no fixed rate. |
| What you need | $100, which is the minimum investment on every Arrived offering. |
| How fast it pays | Not fast. This is a place for money you have already earned, not a gig that pays this week. Plan on leaving the cash invested for years. |
| Downside | Rents and home values can drop, shares can be hard to sell, and you can lose money. |
First step: Browse the open properties and read the offering details before you put in your first $100.
- Invest in rental homes with as little as $100
- Earn passive income from rent payments
- No landlord duties, Arrived manages everything
- Diversify with properties across the U.S.
- Easy sign-up and no accreditation required
30. Rocket Money
Rocket Money is a money app that tracks your spending, finds subscriptions you forgot about, and can negotiate bills like cable, internet and phone for you.
| What it pays | Nothing. It saves money instead. Rocket Money is free to download and use, with an optional Premium plan. |
| What you need | A linked bank account or card. Premium pricing is a sliding scale you choose at sign-up, with a 7-day free trial. |
| How fast it pays | Savings show up on your next bill if a negotiation works. |
| Downside | A successful bill negotiation costs a one-time fee of 35% to 60% of your first year’s savings. |
First step: Link your main account and cancel one subscription you do not use.
- Lower your internet, phone, and cable bills automatically
- Trusted by 10 million+ members to cut monthly expenses
- Contacts providers to find discounts and hidden savings
- Saves users an average of $300 per year
Jobs in the Gig Economy: How to Manage the Money
Picking a gig is the easy part. Living on income that changes every week takes a plan, and these three habits do most of the work.
Proper Budgeting
Budgeting is tough when your income comes in bursts. Start with what you can control, like utilities, food and entertainment, and keep that number as low as you can until the work is steady. Then build your budget around your lowest earning month, not your best one.
Flexible Financial Goals
Gig work can be temperamental. A steady client can ask for a round of revisions, a payment can run late, or a slow week can show up out of nowhere. Set goals that can flex with that, and keep a cash buffer so one late payment does not wreck your month.
Plan for the Endgame
You can’t work endlessly, and no gig comes with a retirement plan. Cover your basic expenses first, pay down debt, add to your emergency fund, and send the rest toward retirement. If you want more ways to bring money in while you build that cushion, see our list of the best side hustle ideas.
Gig Economy Jobs FAQ
Driving and delivery apps pay the fastest. DoorDash deposits weekly and offers daily cash out with Fast Pay for a fee. Uber pays weekly or lets you use Instant Pay up to 6 times a day for a small fee, and Instacart says shoppers can cash out in as little as 2 hours. Skilled gigs like freelancing pay more per hour, but you wait for the client to pay.
By hourly benchmark, performing music tops this list at a $47.80 median hourly wage for musicians and singers, followed by computer repair at $30.24 for computer support specialists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gigs like buying and selling websites or real estate can pay more, but the income is uneven and you can lose money.
Yes. The IRS says you must report gig income on your tax return even if you never receive a Form 1099. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, you also owe self-employment tax, which is 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare). You may need to make estimated tax payments each quarter, so set money aside from every payout.
It depends on the gig. Driving apps want a qualifying car, a valid license and a background check. Skilled gigs want a portfolio or proof of experience. Online gigs like Survey Junkie only need a phone or computer, and you must be at least 18.
Yes. Pet sitting and dog walking on Rover, tutoring, freelancing and online surveys do not require a car. DoorDash also lets you deliver by scooter or bicycle in select cities.
The Gig Economy is Alive and Well
You do not have to pick 30 gigs. Pick one. If you need money this week, start with a delivery or driving app. If you have a skill, set a rate near the benchmark above and find your first client. If all you have is a phone and a spare hour, start with a survey site and work up from there.
