Think of the gig economy as jobs with short term contracts that you choose to work. These types of gigs vary from delivery and rideshare to design and home care. As of February 2020, there were 6 million more gig economy workers than in the previous decade. And, while COVID-19 has negatively affected some gigs, others, like Instacart, increased hiring.
Here are some of the gig jobs that can help you make bank—even during a pandemic.
Food Delivery
Food delivery services are one of the original gig economy jobs. They are still a great way to make some extra cash. This thought is especially true in the wake of COVID-19, where many still prefer to stay out of restaurants. Additionally, food delivery jobs are easier to get than other types of gig work. They don’t require any specific skills, just an insured vehicle or a bicycle.
1. Postmates
Income potential: $8 to $15 per hour; $174 per month on average
Skills needed: None
Requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Access to an insured vehicle or bicycle
- Ability to pass a background check
- Smartphone
Learn more: To start delivering with Postmates, join the fleet
2. Grubhub
Income potential: Approximately $12 per hour
Skills needed: No previous delivery experience required
Requirements:
- At least 19 years of age
- Car or bike, depending on your location
- Valid driver’s license and auto insurance, if you’ll be driving
- Valid state ID or driver’s license, if you’ll deliver on bike
- Smartphone (iPhone with iOS 11 or later or Android with 5.0 or later)
Learn more: Visit Grubhub’s website to sign up as a driver
3. Instacart
(Source: Instacart)
Income potential: $20+ per hour
Skills needed: None
Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. without accommodation
- Smartphone that can download and run the Instacart app
- Regular access to a reliable car, if you’ll be shopping and delivering
Learn more: Click here to become a shopper
General Delivery
Now that many Americans are opting for online shopping over brick and mortar stores, general delivery services are more critical than ever. Hourly pay is also reportedly between about $18 and $25 per hour for many delivery services—higher than for restaurant or grocery-specific delivery apps.
However, keep in mind that you may have to meet additional requirements like lifting a certain amount of weight for a general delivery gig.
4. Amazon Flex
Income potential: $18 to $25 per hour
Skills needed: None
Requirements:
- Live in a city where Amazon Flex operates
- At least 21 years of age
- Valid US driver’s license and Social Security number
- Mid-sized vehicle or larger
- iPhone or Android smartphone to run the Amazon Flex app
Learn more: If you’re ready to start delivering with Amazon Flex, download the app
5. Shipt
(Source: Shipt)
Income potential: $22+ per hour
Skills needed: Knowledge of produce selection
Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- Valid US driver’s license and auto insurance
- A reliable vehicle, 1997 or newer
- Ability to lift 40 pounds
- iPhone (iOS 10 or newer) or Android (5.1 or newer) smartphone
- Pass a video interview
Learn more: Start the application process to become a shopper
Home Care and Support
If you feel comfortable with gig jobs that require spending time in someone else’s home, consider options like Care.com, Babysits, or Soothe. Depending on the platform—and your skills—you may be able to earn $50 or more per hour.
However, gig jobs like home care, babysitting, and massage therapy require more extensive skills and certifications. So, while there is a higher barrier to entry, home care gig economy jobs can be extremely lucrative.
6. Care.com
Income potential: $10 to $20 per hour
Skills needed: Depends on the gig (child care, senior care, housekeeping, etc.)
Requirements:
- Completed caregiver profile
- Approved profile photo
- Verified phone number
- Care.com reportedly does not require background checks for providers
Learn more: Get started by joining Care.com as an individual service provider or adding your business to the Care.com directory
7. Babysits
Income potential: Babysitters set their own rates and can negotiate with clients
Skills needed: Basic child care skills
Requirements:
- Completed babysitter profile
- Government ID required for a verified account
- Babysitters must honestly and accurately represent themselves, their certifications, and their qualifications
- Parents are responsible for screening, interviewing, and choosing a babysitter to hire
Learn more: Sign up for Babysits to start searching for babysitting jobs
8. Soothe
(Source: Soothe)
Income potential: $50 per hour
Skills needed: Cosmetology, esthetics, or massage therapy
Requirements:
- Driver’s license, state ID, or US passport
- Social Security number
- Certified Massage Therapist license or certificate
- Proof of professional liability insurance
- Mobile massage kit
- Submit a video interview
- Pass a criminal background check
Learn more: Apply to join the Soothe network and start scheduling appointments
Pet Services
If you’re an animal lover who wants to earn some extra cash, pet service apps like Rover and Wag! are an easy way to join the gig economy. Depending on the platform and your skills, you can sign up as a dog walker and for drop-in visits. But gig workers can earn the most by house sitting—up to $1,250 on sites like Wag!
9. Rover
Income potential: Up to $1,000 per month (dog boarding is the most lucrative service)
Skills needed: Experience caring for animals
Requirements:
- Pass a basic background check
- Provide a detailed profile and personal information
- Approval by Rover’s team of sitter specialists
- Ongoing pet care education
Learn more: Sign up as a sitter to get started with Rover
10. Wag!
(Source: Wag)
Income potential: About $15 per hour for dog walkers; $1,250 per month for pet sitters
Skills needed: Experience with dogs and other animal care
Requirements:
- Demonstrated understanding of dog safety, collars/harnesses, and how to handle various situations
- Pet caregiver profile
- Professional and personal references
- Dog training assessment (optional)
Learn more: Apply with Wag! to get started as a dog walker and sitter
Household Tasks
Making money in the gig economy isn’t restricted to workers with specific skills or licenses. You can earn between $25 and $60 per hour doing one-off tasks like building furniture, moving boxes, and doing yard work. Plus, with job apps like TaskRabbit, you can search for a wide range of tasks, making it easier to earn.
11. TaskRabbit
(Source: TaskRabbit)
Income potential: $25 to $60 per hour; $380 per month on average but varies depending on location and skill level
Skills needed: Depends on the task
Requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Available to work in an active service area
- Pass an ID check
- Checking account with a financial institution to receive payments
- Smartphone capable of running the Tasker app
- Valid US Social Security number
- Some cities: Pay a non-refundable $25 registration fee
- California: Submit a business license showing you’re a sole proprietor
Learn more: Start earning money with TaskRabbit by registering as a Tasker today
Driving and Car Rental
For aspiring gig workers with access to an insured vehicle, apps like Uber and Lyft can be a great way to earn extra money. Drivers for these ridesharing platforms can earn between $364 and $377 per month on average. Additionally, both platforms are taking steps to protect drivers and riders from the threat of COVID-19.
12. Uber
Income potential: $364 per month on average
Skills needed: Must have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US (three years if you’re under 23 years old)
Requirements:
- Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
- Valid US driver’s license
- Eligible 4-door vehicle and proof of vehicle insurance
- Proof of residency in your city, state, or province
- Driver profile photo
- Pass a driver screening
- Smartphone
Learn more: To start driving for Uber, sign up here
13. Lyft
Income potential: $377 per month on average, with some drivers earning up to $2,500 or more
Skills needed: Depending on your state, you may need at least one year of licensed driving experience
Requirements:
- Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
- Valid US driver’s license
- Eligible 4-door vehicle and proof of vehicle insurance and registration
- If you don’t have a car, you can rent one with Lyft Express Drive
- Pass a criminal background check and driving record check
- Smartphone
Learn more: Fill out an online application to become a Lyft driver
14. Turo
(Source: Turo)
Income potential: $706 per month on average
Skills needed: None; ability to hand over keys
Vehicle requirements:
- Be an eligible type of passenger vehicle
- Fewer than 130,000 miles
- Clean title (not “branded” or “salvage”)
- Never been declared a total loss
- Meet insurance requirements
- Have a fair market value of up to $150,000
- Be no more than 12 years old (unless a specialty or classic vehicle)
Learn more: Visit Turo’s website to list your car today
Auto Repair
If you’re an experienced auto mechanic, you can take advantage of apps like YourMechanic that set you up with local clients on your own schedule. This type of gig work requires a more robust skill set than other more general jobs—like delivering takeout. Mechanics must also have their own set of tools.
15. YourMechanic
(Source: YourMechanic)
Income potential: $40 to $60 per hour
Skills needed: Ability to complete simple auto repairs
Requirements:
- Pass an online and phone interview
- Have the necessary tools
- Live in a service area where YourMechanic is hiring
Learn more: Submit an application if you’re ready to flex your mechanic skills in the gig economy
Tech and Design
Tech and graphic design jobs are particularly well-suited to the gig economy because they’re already computer-based. While these jobs often require extensive design or coding skills, there are many excellent job platforms that qualified designers can use to find clients. If you’d like to have your own business, these gigs are a great way to experiment before you choose your business to start in tech and design.
16. 99Designs
Income potential: Varies by job
Skills needed: Graphic design
Requirements:
- Apply and get verified
- Create a designer profile
Learn more: Apply for verification on 99designs to get started
17. Fiverr
(Source: Fiverr)
Income potential: $5 to $10,000 per job, depending on the skill level and complexity; $103 per month on average
Skills needed: Varies, depending on the job
Requirements:
- Sign up for an account
- Create gigs describing your services
- Set prices—gig workers get 80% of earnings
Learn more: Sign up for Fiverr to start selling today
Bottom Line
For many people, gig economy jobs are an excellent way to earn extra cash. For others, it’s an experiment as their first step in starting a business. Remember to be patient—success with any new gig takes time. Once you build up your review rating and become more efficient with your tasks, the gig will become easier and more lucrative.
