Gig Economy Index

The property industry offers the highest average hourly rate, with people earning approximately $81 per hour and a median monthly income of $500. However, at the top end of the scale, it is possible to make up to $7,000 a month.

There is a range of real estate apps available, such as Arrived Homes, CrowdStreet and RealtyMogul, which make it easy for both accredited and non-accredited investors to invest in real estate.

Lyft drivers earn the second highest hourly rate, earning an average of $33 per hour and a median monthly income of $5,688. However, this can vary depending on how many lifts you take and whether you work during rush hour.

With a 28% market share, Lyft is the second-largest ridesharing company in the US, after Uber.

Fitness coaches earn an average hourly rate of $20 and a median monthly income of $200, however, this can increase up to $3,000, depending on the number of hours worked and the number of clients.

Many fitness coaches grow their businesses by utilizing social media apps, such as Instagram and TikTok, while generating additional revenue with health and wellness affiliate programs and influencer partnerships.

Freelance workers also earn an average hourly rate of $20 and a monthly income of up to $4,000.

Forrest McCall, a freelance marketer and blogger for Don’t Work Another Day, from Louisville, Kentucky, has worked in the gig economy for a total of three years. After resigning from his full-time job, Forrest is now able to work fewer hours for a similar amount of money.

“For me, it was all about flexibility. I originally took on many freelance gigs in addition to my full-time employment, but quickly realised it was too much. Eventually, my freelance work became the majority of my income, and that’s when I decided to go full-time in the gig economy.”

“The main positive is the freedom that you gain. Being able to work as much or as little as I’d like is a massive benefit to me. I enjoy spending the day how I please and avoiding unnecessary meetings and conversations. I’ve found that I enjoy working at my own pace, instead of having daily objectives.”

“The main negative is the unknown when it comes to freelancing. Because you can never be sure that more work will come your way, this can lead to more financial stress than a traditional job.”

“I don’t think I will return to a traditional form of employment, unless the circumstances are right. Sitting in an office all day for 40 hours each week sounds miserable and the lack of freedom would be crushing.”

The US city offering the highest annual income to Uber and Lyft drivers is San Jose, California. 

Drivers within this city earn an average hourly rate of $23 and a median monthly income of $3,934. This leads to a median annual income of over $47,200.

San Francisco, California offers the second highest annual income to Uber and Lyft drivers, with them earning over $47,100 a year, on average.

Drivers within this city earn an average hourly rate of $23 and a median monthly income of $3,925.

New York is the city offering the third highest annual income to Uber and Lyft drivers.

Drivers within this city earn an average hourly rate of $22 and a median monthly income of $3,775. This amounts to a median annual income of over $45,300.

In the US, you can earn between $15 and $35 per hour for car washing. 

In areas such as Cleveland, El Paso and Milwaukee, you can earn the lowest rate of $15 per hour and you can earn the highest rate of $35 per hour in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For cleaning tasks, the rate varies massively from just $22, all the way up to $62.

You can earn the lowest rate of $22 in New Orleans and Norfolk, and the highest rate of $62, again, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

You can also get paid to help people move home, with rates varying from $28 to $63.

In Oklahoma City, you can earn the lowest rate of $28 and in Los Angeles and Orange County, you can earn the highest rate of $63.

For minor home repairs, you can earn an hourly rate of between $30 and $69.

Nashville offers the lowest hourly rate of $30 and, for the third time, San Francisco Bay Area offers the highest hourly rate of $69.

For snow removal, you can get paid anywhere between $17 and $48.

Due to the lack of snowfall, you can earn the lowest rate of $17 in Los Angeles and Orange County. You can earn the highest rate of $48 per hour in Boston.

In the UK, you can earn between £17 and £43 for providing electrical help.

In areas such as Belfast, Norwich and Swansea, you can earn the lowest rate of £17 per hour and you can earn the highest rate of £43 per hour in London. The second highest rate of £28 can be earned in the city of Manchester.

For assembling flat-pack furniture, the rate varies from just £11 to £28.

You can earn the lowest rate of £11 in cities such as Carlisle, Lincoln and Perth, and the highest rate of £28, again, in London. You can earn the second highest rate of £22 in Edinburgh, Exeter and Reading.

You can also get paid to assist with garden work, with rates varying from just £10 to £24.

In cities such as Cambridge, Inverness and Shrewsbury, you can earn the lowest rate of £10 and, for the third time, you can earn the highest rate of £24 in London. In Manchester, you can earn the second highest rate of £20.

For minor home repairs, you can earn an hourly rate of between £14 and £39.

Chelmsford, Maidstone and York offer the lowest hourly rate of £14 and as expected, London offers the highest hourly rate of £39. Manchester, again, offers the second highest rate of £24.

For providing plumbing help, you can get paid anywhere between £22 and £48.

You can earn the lowest rate of £22 in locations such as Aberdeen, Llandudno and Truro and the highest rate of £48, of course, in London. You can earn the second highest rate of £27 in Birmingham.

The country with the highest average annual host earnings is the USA. Airbnb hosts in the US earn, on average, $44,235 per year.

There were over 2.2 million Airbnb listings in 2020 in the USA alone, with some of the most popular cities being Kissimmee, New York and Los Angeles.

Australia has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $27,988 per year.

There are approximately 100,000 Airbnb listings in Australia, with Melbourne, Surfers Paradise and Point Nepean having the most listings.

The third highest average annual host earnings is generated in the United Kingdom, with $22,196 per year.

In 2021, there were over 560,000 Airbnb listings in the United Kingdom, with some of the most popular locations being Brighton, Bath and London.

The US state with the highest average annual host earnings is Hawaii. Airbnb hosts in Hawaii earn, on average, $73,247 per year.

There are plenty of unique and stunning Airbnbs in Hawaii, including the Dreamy Tropical Tree House in Fern Forest, the Aloha Nature Lovers cabin with a private waterfall in Pãpa’aloa and the Aolani House with an infinity pool in Holualoa.

Tennessee has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $67,510 per year.

There is a range of amazing Airbnb listings in Tennessee, including a lakefront mansion in Gallatin, a luxury tiny house in Franklin and a rustic log cabin in Pigeon Forge.

The third highest average annual host earnings are generated in Arizona, with $60,448 per year.

There are a variety of beautiful Airbnb rentals in Arizona, including a mostly underground home in Cave Creek, a forest mountain retreat in Walker and a geodesic dome house in West Sedona.

The US city with the highest average annual host earnings is San Diego, California. Airbnb hosts in San Diego earn, on average, $77,990 per year.

There are a variety of stunning Airbnb properties in San Diego, including a premium loft in Gaslamp Quarter, a modern beach home in Ocean Beach and a secret garden guesthouse in Kensington.

Austin, Texas has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $72,241 per year.

There is a range of amazing Airbnbs in Austin, including a signature cottage in East Austin, a remodelled trailer in Ford Oaks and a quirky townhouse in Zilker.

The third highest average annual host earnings are generated in Kissimmee, Florida, with $70,539 per year.

There is a variety of beautiful Airbnb retreats in Kissimmee, including an apartment with access to a hot tub, lazy river and games room, a Disney-themed townhouse with access to water slides and a stylish bungalow close to the lakefront.

The UK city with the highest average annual host earnings is York, North Yorkshire, with $37,109 per year.

There is a range of stunning Airbnb rentals in York, including riverside studios and apartments, a 300-year old cottage and modern flats.

Bath, Somerset has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $36,342 per year.

There is a variety of beautiful Airbnb properties in Bath, including a Georgian apartment, a contemporary newly built cottage and a cosy annexe.

The third highest average annual host earnings are generated in Brighton, East Sussex, with $26,373 per year.

There are plenty of amazing Airbnb listings in Brighton, including a modern warehouse apartment, a sunny garden flat and a cosy unique cottage.

The Canadian city with the highest average annual host earnings is Whistler, British Columbia, with $52,762 per year.

There is an array of beautiful Airbnb rentals in Whistler, including a modern village penthouse, a newly renovated townhouse and a cosy condo.

Les Laurentides, Quebec has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $35,770 per year.

There is a range of stunning Airbnb properties in Les Laurentides, including a Swiss chalet, a cosy cabin and a docked boathouse.

The third highest average annual host earnings are generated in Kelowna, British Columbia, with $20,266 per year.

There is a variety of amazing Airbnb listings in Kelowna, including a self-contained studio near Lake Okanagan, a garden suite in Lower Mission and a mountain view guesthouse.

The Australian city with the highest average annual host earnings is Noosa Heads, Queensland, with $56,182 per year.

There are a variety of amazing Airbnb rentals in Noosa Heads, including a boutique studio, a bright cove-style unit and a tree-top eco retreat.

Byron Bay, New South Wales has the second highest average annual host earnings, with $55,368 per year.

There is a range of stunning Airbnb properties in Byron Bay, including a modern treehouse with ocean views, a stunning villa with a swimming pool and a spacious bungalow.

The third highest average annual host earnings are generated in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, with $47,666 per year.

There are plenty of beautiful Airbnb listings in Surfers Paradise, including a vibrant house in Broadbeach, a central studio with ocean views and a recently renovated waterfront home.