The way that people are working is changing. More and more, we hear the phrase ‘gig economy.’ People are making big shifts to their working habits to give themselves more freedom and to be their own bosses.
The gig economy, to some, is a handy sideline, while for others, it is a career that provides significant earning opportunities.
But what is the gig economy, and how can you earn big in this new and exciting job market?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top payers of all of today’s gig economy jobs.
What Is the Gig Economy?
The gig economy is a system where temporary and flexible jobs are on offer to independent workers. The phrase ‘gig’ comes from the music industry.
Some examples of the types of workers involved in the gig economy include freelancers, project-based workers, independent contractors, and part-time or temporary employees.
There are several factors driving the popularity of the gig economy. The digital age has allowed the workforce to become more mobile. Work can be done from anywhere in the world. As a result, location plays little significance in the recruitment process for many modern jobs.
The lack of geographical restraints means that companies can hire the best talent and have a wider pool of potential workers to choose from.
Another factor that has led to this flexible workforce has been a generational change. As millennials entered the labor market, they’ve helped to evolve the current status quo, which is that people tend to change jobs several times throughout their careers.
Freelancing
One of the most popular areas of the gig economy is freelancing. There are lots of different freelance opportunities. Freelancing can be done from anywhere in the world, meaning workers can get jobs from anywhere.
Many freelancers will find work from sites such as Fiverr or Upwork. There are a wide variety of different skill areas that you could choose to work in including:
- Graphic designer
- Content and copywriting
- Web design
- Social media marketer
Depending on the path that you follow, you could find work in almost any digital field. The amount you earn will vary depending on your skills and expertise levels and how well you market yourself.
If you want to succeed in the freelance sector, you need to continually strive to update your skills so that you can outshine your competitors.
As a freelancer, you’ll be responsible for managing your taxes. You may not have the same job security as you might in regular employment. However, you’ll definitely have more freedom.
Driver or Deliverer
Another very popular job area which can be very lucrative for many in the gig economy is driving or delivering.
Ride-sharing apps such as Lyft and Uber make it possible for drivers to find passengers and vice versa. Drivers can set their own hours. Those that are prepared to work during peak hours will manage to earn the most from taking as many fares as possible.
In addition to ride-sharing, you can also earn money as a delivery driver. DoorDash is one of the major players in the delivery industry.
With both of these options, you’ll need to have your own car and pay for the upkeep.
Robotics Engineer
If you have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and you’re proficient in 3D modeling, Photoview 360, eDrawing, and CAD, you could earn over $70 per hour as a robotics engineer.
The job includes creating the designs and concepts of the robotic mechanism.
With robotics finding its way into many different sectors, you’ll be designing technology for a wide range of purposes.
You can find this type of work on LinkedIn, and you may be able to find work with some pretty big names in technology such as Toyota or Apple.
Upwork and Flexjobs may also be a great place to find work as a robotics engineer.
Blockchain Architect
A blockchain architect is responsible for creating the infrastructure upon which users connect to exchange cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
With the continued growth in popularity of cryptocurrencies comes a greater demand for professional blockchain architects. Hourly pay rates are high, but you’ll need to be an expert in Python, Java, Solidarity, and C++.
You can find long-term gigs in this field on sites like Toptal.
Ethical Hacker
An ethical hacker cracks encryptions for a living. They spend their time passing through firewalls to get at sensitive information. They’re not doing this to steal the information; they’re doing it to look for vulnerabilities that criminal hackers may exploit.
Sometimes referred to as a ‘penetration tester,’ an ethical hacker can find work on sites like FlexJobs, Gigster, or Upwork.
Artificial Intelligence Developer
One of the highest-paid gigs out there that can net you over $100 per hour is the job of artificial intelligence or deep learning developers. There is a great demand for developers working in this field.
Deep learning is aimed at creating systems that can teach themselves and that use voice and image recognition. To be able to work in this field, you’d need a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in Computer Science, along with experience of working with Java and C++.
LinkedIn is the place to find this type of work. Alternatively, you could browse sites such as Gigster or FlexJobs to find listings that suit.
Finding Your Place in the Gig Economy
With jobs in the gig economy opening up across a wide range of sectors, there has never been a better time to be an independent worker.
Find your niche, study and develop your skills, learn how to promote yourself, and you may be able to enjoy some of the perks of the gig economy such as high pay and freedom.
While you find your feet in your chosen line of work, you may need to take out a loan while you’re between jobs.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how our loans can help you when you’re finding your feet.
