How The Global Pandemic Transformed The Gig Economy

7 March, 2022

In 2020, the gig economy grew 33% — expanding 8.25X faster than the U.S. economy as a whole

Gig Work By The Numbers

In the last 6 years, the gig economy has doubled in size
- Over 1.1 billion gig workers worldwide — 55 million in the U.S.
- In 2020, 2 million Americans tried gig work for the first time
By 2027, almost half of the US population will have engaged in gig work
The Monumental Effects Of COVID-19
- During the pandemic, unemployment rose to 14.8%
  - 12% of the US workforce picked up gig work for the first time

59% of freelancers saw a dip in income
- 17% saw no payments from clients or contractors
COVID-19 spurred the growing gig economy

The Growing Demand For Delivery Service
- Delivery is one of the fastest-growing gig verticals
  - Expected to reach a total value of $200 billion by 2025
    - Growing at a rate of 10.3% each year
  - Full-time drivers make almost $50,000 a year
Why Delivery Services Became Popular

Country-wide lockdowns prevented travel
Concerns about the outbreak kept people indoors
Restaurants limited capacity or completely shut down
Gig Work Offers More Than Food Delivery

Ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft)
Food & groceries (DoorDash)
Retail products (Instacart)
Running errands (TaskRabbit)

34% of American workers are involved in the gig economy

Can The Gig Economy Provide A Living Wage?

The Nature Of Gig Work
What It Isn’t
- Full-time employment
- Obligatory labor
- Industry-specific

What It Is
- Flexible employment
- Project-based work
- Open to anyone at all times
The Benefits Of Gigs

Better Quality Of Life: 58% of gig workers work less than 30 hours a week
Higher Pay: Freelancers earn 70% more than traditionally-employed peers
Flexible Work Hours: 74% of freelancers chose gig work for greater flexibility
Available To All: High school grads earn as much as those with degrees

73% of American hiring managers are expecting to hire more gig workers post-pandemic

The Future Of Gig Work

4 in 5 U.S. companies are planning to increase their use of gig workers
- 50% of all organizations have already done so
70% of gig workers find work through digital platforms
- 65% believe a diverse clientele provides more job security than a full time job
Gig Work Is Here To Stay

Gig work produces almost 6% of the American GDP
- At least seven major categories
  - Home Services
    - Construction
    - Repair
    - Moving
  - Personal Services
    - Babysitting
    - Hair & Makeup
    - Personal Training
  - Computer Services
    - Data Entry
    - Phone Repair
    - Remote Work
  - Animal Care
    - Dog Walking
    - Pet Sitting
    - Bathing & Grooming
  - Event & Entertainment
    - Music & DJs
    - Bartending
    - Photography & Videography
  - Automotive
    - Detailing
    - Delivery
    - Repair
  - General Labor
    - Yard Work
    - Maintenance
    - Other Tasks
Freelance will play an enormous role in post-pandemic recovery

By 2027, more than 86.5 million Americans will enter the gig economy

How To Break Into The Gig Economy

Look For Openings
Ask friends which services are popular in your area
Check online job boards that specialize in gigs
- Search the App Store or Google Play for the right app
Build Your Profile
- Create a short bio with a professional photo
- Provide details about your work experience
- Verify your identity with certificate and authentication
Do Your Best
- Go the extra mile in all your work
- Be warm and friendly with your gig clients
- Dress professionally, arrive clean and tidy
Ask For Reviews
- 92% of people trust word-of-mouth more than ads
- Good ratings and reviews will help you find more gigs
- Post photos of your work and completed projects
Earn A Living Wage

Beware of each gig platform’s fees and take rates
Research platform policies before taking a gig

“A lot of really great people are increasingly looking for flexibility in their work, and a lot of them are finding it via the gig economy.” – Branden Beneschott, Cofounder & COO of Toptal

Wageapp Is An Easy Way To Try Out The Gig World

Call Out: Digital solutions for gig workers and those looking to hire

Pick up positions and services on demand
- Wageapp offers trust-building features
  - ID verification
  - Reviews & star ratings
  - In-app chat
  - And more
Safe, easy, and fun work — Grow your skills in a low-risk environment
- Try out a gig in our largest industries
  - Home Services
  - Personal Services
  - Business & Remote Work
  - Animal Care
  - Events & Entertainment
  - Automotive
  - General Labor