Why I'll Always Be a Gig Worker at Heart
Juggling 5+ jobs has become a way of life
Greetings.
Most of you know me as Ilyce, the syndicated columnist of Real Estate Matters. Or, Ilyce, radio talk show host. Some of you know me as the (now former) CEO of Best Money Moves, or the current CEO of Think Glink Media. Or the former on-air reporter for WGN-TV. But I’m also the Pay Dirt Columnist for Slate (you can see some past columns here), and I’m a contributor, past host and sometimes fill-in host for WGN radio. Some of you know me just from Substack.
I’ll grant you, it’s a bit confusing and, at times, overwhelming. Working any of these jobs would be difficult to do well. It’s even harder to keep it straight when you’re doing 5+ jobs at the same time.
Welcome to the life of a gig worker. Which is actually what I’ve been for most of my career.
Gig Work Stats
The number of people taking on gig work is large and growing quickly, representing billions of dollars of economic output. Here are some of the latest stats based on 2025 data:
There are more than 70.4 million Americans working freelance in 2025, with the latest projections seeing this number growing to 86.5 million by 2027, meaning that in the next two years, more than half of the total US workforce will be freelancing, side hustling, and gig working
The gig economy is expanding 3x faster than the total US workforce
More than one-third of the U.S. workforce is now engaged in some form of gig work, projected to rise to half by 2025
At 40% of organizations, one in four workers on payroll is technically a gig worker
The majority of U.S. gig workers (38%) are aged 18-34, which means Gen Z is the gig working generation
46% of freelancers in the United States are Millennials
Next comes the 35-54 age group (25%), and only 11% of gig workers are 55+ years old
51% of gig workers in the United States have a postgraduate degree of some kind
35% have a bachelor's degree while another 35% have some college experience or an associates degree
The average hourly rate for a freelance worker in the North America is currently $47.71 in 2025
The majority of gig workers, or 38%, earn $10 to $14.99/hour
57% of contracting workers work more than 40 hours per week
56% of gig economy workers say they take gig jobs to earn money on top of their main source of income
25.7% of independent workers use gig work "out of a necessity to support basic family needs"
Just 1% of gig workers felt dissatisfied with their job
76% of gig workers say they are very satisfied with their choice
65% of gig workers report earning more as freelancers than they did with their traditional jobs
Just 40% of independent workers have access to employer-sponsored medical insurance, while 25% have dental insurance, 20% have life insurance, and only 5% have access to short-term disability insurance
58% of global gig economy revenue comes from ride-sharing or transportation services like Uber or Lyft
The highest-paying gig job is a massage therapist, who earns $27.84/hour
(Sources for these gig economy statistics include Fortunly's comprehensive 2025 gig economy report which provides extensive current data on freelancer numbers and projections. Velocity Global's 2024 analysis offers insights into global market trends and growth patterns. TeamStage's demographic study breaks down worker age groups and satisfaction levels in detail. Blogging Wizard's January 2025 compilation provides recent survey data on earnings and work arrangements. The Pew Research Center's 2021 comprehensive study remains a foundational source for understanding gig work participation rates. Statista's ongoing gig economy tracking offers official statistics and projections through 2028. Zety's updated 2024 analysis provides international comparisons and workforce trends. FinanceBuzz's financial focus report examines the economic realities facing gig workers. ResumeNerd's 2025 statistics compilation offers current workforce participation data. Finally, TechTarget's regulatory and trend analysis provides context on the evolving regulatory landscape affecting gig workers.)
What’s the Gig Worker Life Like?
It’s wonderful. And, terrifying. Freeing and yet with some work, you may be chained to your phone or computer. But, some side hustles allow you to work remote. Others require you to show up in an office for the contract term.
But at the end of the day, you decide what you’re going to do. You’re your own boss. For better or worse, richer or poorer. And, for a whole lot of people all over the globe, it’s the only way to go.
I’ve decided to start writing about life as a gig worker. There’s a sea change happening around the world where almost everyone I talk to could use a few extra bucks. Whether you’re part of the more than 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck (including 25% of those earning over $250,000 per year), your kids are getting older, eating more, and needing more, or you’ve got aging parents who need specialized (and expensive services), you might be considering taking on a second job, starting a side hustle, or just gigging.
If you want to make more than $1,000 over the course of a year, you’ll need some help and some inspiration. That’s where this column comes into play. I’ll feature success stories, statistics, and profiles of new and interesting side hustles. I’ll showcase tools that will help you make the most of your existing relationships and show you how to build new ones.
I’ll also showcase people who have learned difficult lessons they want to pass on so you can avoid their mistakes.
I’ll also take your questions, comments, and experiences and try to help connect the dots for you and others as we all navigate this new and uncertain economy.
My life, my stories, sure. Those will be woven in, which is especially ironic now that I’m actually a full-time employee (for the first time in my career) with The Anchor Group. But, as you can see, I’m still gigging: For Slate Magazine, for my syndicated column, for WGN radio, for the advisory boards I serve on, and, finally, here.
All In on All Forms of Media
This column will take advantage of all forms of media, so watch for podcasts and video in addition to the written word. My team is also working on an interactive survey you’ll be able to take to help you identify the best type of gig work you might want to try.
Here’s hoping you will - and that you’ll pass this along to friends and family members who are open to trying something new, who want to make the most of the relationships they already have, or who just need a little extra juice in their wallet each week.
More to come.
Ilyce