Sponsored content – Many Uber drivers and other gig workers cite having more control over the terms of their employment as a huge incentive for participating in the gig economy.

Uber driver Isaac King III told California Business Daily that he prefers driving for Uber over other jobs he's had, because he can decide how many hours to work, giving him more control over his income. 

"My daytime job doesn't end at the same time of day. So my hours were kind of abbreviated many times, so I couldn't really control the hours that I was working and I couldn't control how much income I could bring in. So by comparison, doing Uber is much better," King said. "It's been more consistent for me, in the sense that I've been driving for over six years now. The amount of income I've been able to create by driving again is more consistent and actually greater than what I was able to earn on a part-time gig. And then aside from that, there's all kinds of perks that come along with driving with Uber, too. So I'm getting additional perks as well just by being on the platform."

Soothe CEO John Ellis explained in a podcast last fall that flexibility, autonomy and control over earnings don't just attract Uber drivers, but workers across other areas of the flexible economy, as well. 

"I think the biggest thing really that draws people to Soothe and to this industry is they get to be their own boss," Ellis said in an episode of Building the Independent Economy. "I think that's probably the most attractive thing about being an independent contractor. And so, you know, they get to set their own schedule. They get to really kind of control their own destiny in terms of how they maximize their income and have that flexibility that they have."

A 2021 report from Harvard's Business School found that 76% of the 808 respondents to a survey said that flexibility was extremely important to them, while 69% highly valued the opportunity to bring in extra income. Approximately 10% of respondents said that losing flexibility would be the equivalent of taking a 15% pay cut, according to the report.

A list of the "32 Highest Paying Gig Economy Jobs for 2021" from The Ways to Wealth ranked Uber at No. 4 as it has the average pay 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 necessary upkeep.