As inflation squeezes budgets, gig workers across the U.S. are hustling harder than ever. Zety, a resume templates service, has released the findings of its 2025 State of Gig Work Report, uncovering the financial pressures and vulnerabilities shaping the lives of gig workers nationwide.
In a June 2025 survey of more than 900 U.S. gig workers, 88% said they have taken on more work to combat rising prices, and nearly half (47%) cited the lack of benefits like health insurance and retirement plans as their biggest concern.
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Key Findings
- Workload surge to survive: 88% have taken on more gigs because of inflation and rising living costs.
- Heavy dependence on gig income: 55% rely on gig work for more than half their total earnings.
- Benefits gap leaves workers exposed: 47% fear lack of health insurance and retirement plans, while 24% say they can’t always cover basic living expenses.
- Platform instability is rampant: 91% report being deactivated, penalized, or shadowbanned without explanation.
- Algorithm manipulation is a survival tactic: 95% say they “game” platform systems to secure better pay or more jobs.
- Burnout risk is real: 33% cite physical or mental burnout as a major concern.
The Most Popular Types of Gig Work
While gig roles span multiple industries, a few dominate the landscape:
- 32% – Labor & task-based platforms (e.g., Uber, Amazon delivery, DoorDash)
- 33% – Digital & creative freelancing (e.g., writing, graphic design, video editing)
- 25% – Online marketplaces & selling (e.g., Etsy, eBay)
- 6% – Content & Platform-Based Work (e.g., influencer, livestreaming)
- 4% – Professional & Knowledge Services (e.g., coaching, accounting, tutoring)
What Gig Workers Worry About Most
The gig economy’s flexibility comes with trade-offs. Many workers worry about inconsistent income, absence of protections, and the threat of deactivation by platforms.
Their biggest fears include:
- 47% – Lack of benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans
- 35% – Getting deactivated or banned by a platform
- 33% – Physical or mental burnout
- 24% – Not earning enough to cover basic living expenses
- 21% – No job security or consistent income
- 12% – Lack of legal protections or worker rights
Financial Stability in the Gig Economy
55% rely on gig work for more than half their total earnings:
- 5% earn 0–25% of their income from gig work
- 40% earn between 26–50%
- 46% earn between 51–75%
- 9% rely on gig work for 76–100% of their income
Gig Platforms Challenges
91% report being deactivated, penalized, or shadow banned without clear explanations. Many say they still need to “game” the system to get better jobs or pay:
- 57% do so frequently
- 38% do so occasionally
- 5% never “game” the system
“Our research shows that gig workers aren’t just fighting rising costs, they’re navigating an unstable system that can cut off their income without warning,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “That kind of uncertainty forces people to game the algorithms, work longer hours, and accept constant risk just to make ends meet.”
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Tags: Benefits, gig workers, Payroll, survey, workload
