Seattle rideshare driver: 'Flexible hours and driving for Uber gets me out of the house and helps me make money'

Future of Work
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Fifty-nine percent of male gig workers and 74% of female freelancers say they enjoy working independently because of the flexibility. | Unsplash/Paul Hanaoka

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Sponsored Content – Many Uber drivers and other gig workers highlight flexibility and making extra income as top benefits of participating in the gig economy.

Seattle Uber driver Paul Tomicich told Washington Business Daily that the flexibility of driving for Uber allows him to get out of the house and make some extra money to visit grandkids. 

"I am retired. So Uber allows me to work when I feel like it," Tomicich said. "The good thing about retirement is that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Flexible hours and driving for Uber gets me out of the house and helps me make money so I can visit my grandkids in St. Louis."

According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, 49% of current or recent gig workers cited flexibility and the ability to control their own schedule as a major reason for participating in the gig economy. Approximately 52% cited the need to cover a change or gap in income, while 56% reported that "wanting to save up extra money" was a major factor in choosing to do gig work. Other top reasons included "wanting to be their own boss," working for fun or as a hobby, and not having many job opportunities available in their area.

According to MBO Partners, 59% of male gig workers and 74% of female freelancers say they enjoy working independently because of the flexibility this type of work offers. Freelance statistics show that the majority of independent workers aim to stay independent. Approximately 54% of men and 43% of women earn more money working as freelancers.

Uber is ranked No. 4 on The Ways to Wealth's "32 Highest Paying Gig Economy Jobs for 2021," with an average pay rate of $18 per hour. This hourly rate is an estimate, as the hourly pay for an Uber driver depends on the driver's location and the demand for services. The pay rate also does not reflect out-of-pocket costs such as gas, vehicle maintenance and other upkeep.

The number of customers who use Uber increased from 93 million in 2020 to 118 million in 2021, according to Business of Apps. Uber drivers completed more than 6 billion trips in 2021, for an average of more than 17 million trips per day. More than 5 million people across the globe worked as Uber drivers in 2021.

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