Gig Economy

A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. The term "gig" is a slang word meaning "a job for a specified period of time" and is typically used in referring to musicians. Temporary work or temporary employment refers to an employment situation where the working arrangement is limited to a certain period of time based on the needs of the employing organization.

(source: whatis.techtarget.com)

Gig Economy
One-Third of Millennials Now Rely on Gig Payments and Tips as Primary Income
February 27, 2026

Nearly one-third of millennials depend on transactional payouts from gig work and tips as their main source of income, replacing traditional paychecks with a piecemeal approach to earning that demands instant access to money. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Gig Economy
Pay Flexibility Rises as More Workers Earn Variable Income
February 04, 2026

As inflation, layoffs and uneven wage growth continue to strain household budgets, millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck are relying on side hustles and gig income to stay afloat, even as those earnings introduce new volatility into already fragile finances. Get the Full Story...

Gig Economy
Gen Z Redefines Work as Flexible Pay Gains Ground
November 25, 2025

With inflation and changing government policies prompting widespread uncertainty, 6 in 10 American workers are facing pocketbook challenges while lacking the steadiness and predictability of a salaried job.   Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Gig Economy
Upwork Says AI Projects Drive Growth in Otherwise Sluggish Labor Market
November 03, 2025

The labor market remained sluggish in the third quarter, but demand for freelance talent in areas related to artificial intelligence (AI) helped drive 2% year-over-year growth in gross services volume (GSV) at work marketplace Upwork. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this...

Gig Economy
Gen Z Turns Side Gigs Into 57% of Total Income
October 16, 2025

What was once a stopgap for hard times is fast becoming a fixture of American financial planning. According to a new PYMNTS Intelligence report, “Do the (Side) Hustle: Four in 10 U.S. Consumers Seize the Opportunity to Earn More Income,” side hustles now make up nearly half...

Gig Economy
Fiverr Lays Off 250 Employees and Pivots to ‘AI-Focused Infrastructure’
September 15, 2025

Freelancer platform Fiverr is laying off 250 employees across different departments as part of a restructuring plan that aims to make the company artificial intelligence (AI)-focused “from the ground up.” Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free...

Gig Economy
Thunes and Ontop Team to Streamline Freelancer Payments
August 11, 2025

Money movement platform Thunes launched a partnership with payroll company Ontop. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing...

Gig Economy
Taskrabbit Scores Points on PYMNTS Gig Economy App Rankings
July 21, 2025

Summertime. Time for heat, humidity, vacations, beaches and a lot of kids as well as adults looking for part-time work. It inspired a look at the gig economy apps in our app provider rankings, where we found a few surprises. Get the Full Story Complete...

Gig Economy
Banks Caught Flat-Footed as Global Payroll Rides Innovation Wave
June 03, 2025

Borderless work requires borderless payments. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive...