The workforce of today is dramatically different from what it was in the past. There are many people who don’t have 9-5 jobs, or they may have one or more side hustles to earn extra income along with their day jobs.
The gig economy is a great way to earn extra income and can provide a worthwhile full-time job for some. In this article, you’ll know the best options you have in the Gig industry to earn a decent amount of money.
Best Gig Economy Jobs in Canada
| Gig Economy Job | Description | Skills Required | How Much You Can Earn (Approximate) |
| Proofreading | Check written content for grammatical errors and improve the original text. | Be fluent in English with strong grammar and language skills. | $25-$50 per hour |
| Freelance Writing | Produce written text for clients as a generalist or a specialist in a niche. | Strong writing skills; ability to work with different clients. | Average $22 per hour |
| DoorDash Driver | Deliver food orders on the DoorDash app during your preferred working hours. | Have one year of driving experience and a valid driver’s license. | $2 to $10 per delivery, plus tips |
| Graphic Design | Create designs for logos, apparel, and websites at your own schedule. | Basic to intermediate design skills with the help of design tools and programs. | $20-$50 per hour |
| Digital Marketing | Promote clients’ brands through digital forms and complete various tasks in digital marketing. | Training and experience in promoting brands through email, social media, and search engine marketing. | $35 per hour |
| Virtual Assisting | Perform administrative services remotely and manage tasks like calls, scheduling, email, and social media. | Administrative skills (no formal training required). | $20 per hour |
| Fiverr Freelancer | Offer various digital services on Fiverr and set your own prices. | Have a profitable and in-demand skill that others may need. | $5 to $20,000 (pricing varies) |
| Upwork Freelancer | Find freelance work online across various categories and bid on jobs posted by clients. | Depends on the job you want to apply for | Varies (depends on the job and skills) |
| Web Development | Create and maintain websites through your coding skills and knowledge of web development. | Web development skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Build a portfolio to showcase your experience. | Average $64,000 per year |
| Photography | Be a freelance photographer who sets their own schedule and rates. | Decent photography and editing skills. | $20 per hour |
Below are 33 of the best gig economy jobs.
1. Proofreading
If you are fluent in English and have amazing grammar and language skills, proofreading may be one of the most flexible and easiest gig economy jobs.
A proofreader checks written content such as articles, blog posts, website content, and more to ensure that it does not have any grammatical errors like spelling, formatting, and syntax.
In short, they improve the original text and make sure it reads as a native English speaker wrote it.
You can find proofreading jobs on freelance websites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. Proofreading freelancers make anywhere between $25-$50 per hour, depending on experience.
A course that has been highly recommended for getting started in this field of work is Caitlyn’s Proofread Anywhere Course.
2. Freelance Writing
If you like to write and consider yourself good at it, freelance writing can be a great side gig that can become a full-time job.
As a freelance writer, you have either one main client with steady work or a few different clients for whom you produce written text.
You can either be a generalist, writing in many different niches, or a specialist, where you specialize in one area. Specialists usually find more work and earn more than general writers.
You can find freelance writing jobs on websites like Upwork and Fiverr or reach out directly to people you want to work for.
Freelance writers make an average of $22 per hour in Canada but can also set their own rates, depending on experience.
3. DoorDash Driver
If you have a car and some extra time on your hands, DoorDash is a great gig economy company to consider.
As a DoorDash delivery driver, you accept food delivery orders placed near you, drive to the restaurant, collect the order, and deliver it to the customer.
You can work as many or as few hours as you like, and you get paid about $2 to $10 for each delivery, plus tips.
To sign up, you must be 18 years or older, have a smartphone, own a vehicle, and have a valid driver’s license with at least one year of driving experience.
See our full DoorDash Driver review here.
Become a Delivery Driver With Uber Eats
Uber Eats is one of the best food delivery platforms available in thousands of cities worldwide.
You can sign up to become a delivery driver with Uber Eats if you have a valid driver’s license, a 2- or 4-door car less than 20 years old, proof of vehicle insurance, and are at least 21 years old. You will also need to pass a background check.
You can deliver as many or as few hours as you want on your schedule and cash out earnings easily. You also keep 100% of the tips you get. This side gig is a great way to bring in extra income.
4. Graphic Design
Freelance graphic design is a very flexible gig economy job, as you can work on your own schedule.
You can choose from many specialties and opportunities and design logos, apparel, websites, and more.
You can use gig economy platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find freelance graphic design gigs or look on specialty sites like 99Designs or DesignCrowd.
There is a wide range of opportunities for all experience levels on those sites, ranging from beginner to advanced.
To be a graphic designer, you should have basic to intermediate design skills, learn key tools and programs, and have a portfolio to showcase to potential clients.
How much you can make as a graphic designer depends on your experience level. On average, freelance graphic designers make about $20-$50 per hour.
5. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is becoming one of the most lucrative side gigs as more businesses need to market their services.
As a digital marketer, you promote clients’ brands through various digital forms, such as email, social media, and search engine marketing.
You may do different types of marketing, such as creating ads, writing website copy, or writing content to promote the brand.
It isn’t that hard to become a digital marketer. All you need to do is obtain the relevant training and experience, and luckily, there are a lot of online resources and courses to do so.
You can use websites like Upwork and Freelancer to find jobs or create your own website and reach out to clients directly.
Freelance digital marketers make about $35 per hour, depending on experience.
6. Virtual Assisting
The demand for virtual assistants has grown in recent years, as more people are looking to outsource work to freelancers that they don’t necessarily want to do.
Virtual assistants are often self-employed and perform administrative services to clients remotely. On an average day, a virtual assistant may make phone calls, schedule meetings and appointments, manage email accounts and social media, and file documents.
You don’t need formal training or education to become a virtual assistant. If you’ve ever booked appointments, taken phone calls, or made travel arrangements, you have the skills required.
You can find jobs on freelance websites like Upwork and job boards like Indeed. Virtual assistants make an average of $20 per hour.
7. Fiverr Freelancer
Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services, with many people pricing their services starting at $5.
On Fiverr, you can offer any kind of digital service that will be delivered within a specific time frame. Some of these gigs can include designing a logo, creating a mobile app, writing a blog article, or building a website.
Fiverr is great for beginners as it’s quite easy to get started and the options for what you can sell are almost limitless, but there is a huge competition for almost any category of work.
It may take a while to land your first client, but it can be a great side hustle after you become established on the platform.
You don’t need any formal training or education to sell your services on Fiverr. However, you should have a solid portfolio for potential clients to see. You can price your services starting from $5 up to $20,000.
8. Upwork Freelancer
Upwork is one of the largest and best gig economy apps to find freelance work online. As a freelancer, you can find almost any job on the platform, ranging from web development, digital marketing, writing, virtual assisting, and more.
There are over 2,500 skill categories on the site, so you are very likely to find a category that interests you.
On Upwork, clients post a job along with the description, requirements, and pay, and freelancers “bid” on the job by sending them a proposal. If chosen, the freelancer will work with the client to complete the job and get paid on the site.
Like Fiverr, Upwork is also competitive, so it may take a while to become established on the platform. Once you have worked with a client and get a review on your profile, it is pretty easy to land more jobs and be on your way to having a successful freelance business.
Read our detailed Upwork review.
9. Web Development
Web developers are one of the most in-demand freelancers. There is huge potential in this industry, and if you are good at what you do, there will be no shortage of jobs.
As a web developer, you create and maintain websites. You should know basic web development skills, such as coding in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, search engine optimization, and virtual design.
Some web developer jobs require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, but most companies don’t require it. You can take online courses to learn all the skills you’ll need.
To get a job as a web developer, you should have a portfolio to show to potential clients. You can apply for remote jobs through LinkedIn or Indeed or do freelance web development work through gig economy websites like Upwork or Fiverr.
Freelance web developers make an average of $64,000 a year in Canada. Once you become established, there is almost no limit to the amount you can earn.
10. Photography
If you like taking photos and have an eye for detail, becoming a freelance photographer is a great way to make money on the side. You can work on your own schedule, photographing what you want.
You can start by offering sessions for family members, friends, and local businesses. After a few sessions, create a portfolio, then you can start reaching out to clients you want to work with.
You set your own rate for each client, but freelance photographers make $20 per hour on average.
11. Blogging
If you like writing and want to share your thoughts, stories, or informational articles with the world, blogging can be a profitable side hustle.
Startup costs are quite low, and it can be easy to monetize your blog through affiliate links, ads, sponsored posts, and more. It can take some time for people to find your blog, but once you are established, you can make some good money.
On average, bloggers make thousands of dollars per year, but it depends on how long they have been blogging, what they write about, their traffic, and their audience.
Here’s a guide on how to start a successful blog.
12. Personal Shopper
Being a personal shopper is one of the best gig economy jobs you can have to earn extra money in your spare time.
As a personal shopper, you essentially shop for other people. You can shop for groceries, furniture, clothing, accessories, and more. Some shoppers work for clients or personal stylists, while others work for stores that offer personal shopping services.
One of the most widely known personal shopper apps is Instacart. As a shopper, you pick up customers’ items in store and deliver to them for a fee.
You can either be a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. Personal shoppers make on average $15-$20 per hour, depending on the client or app they work for.
13. Airbnb Host
If you own a property you don’t live in, have a free room, or are going on vacation for a few months, you can make some extra money as an Airbnb host. You rent out your space to people looking for accommodations in your area and get compensated for it.
To get started as a host, you’ll need to create an account on Airbnb, then list your space.
You’ll include details like the location, how many rooms are included, photos, and other details. You’ll also set the price and check-in details. Once approved, you’ll be good to go!
To make the most money on Airbnb, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning service in between stays, have stellar communication, and aim to go above and beyond with your service and become a Superhost.
Airbnb hosts make about $924 a month, but the more listings you have, the more you can make.
14. Online Survey Taker
Taking surveys online is one of the most popular side hustles out there. Although it is not very profitable, it is accessible, and almost anyone can do it.
On websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Pinecone Research, you can take many surveys on different topics whenever you have free time. Taking surveys doesn’t require any specific skills or knowledge.
Surveys take about 10 to 30 minutes each, and depending on the website; you can earn anywhere from 50 cents to $10.
Answering surveys is not a very profitable side gig, so you won’t make a real income from it. However, if you have extra time on your hands, it’s worth trying out.
15. Transcriber
If you have excellent typing and listening skills, consider becoming a transcriber. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and attention to detail.
As a transcriptionist, you listen to audio files and type them word-for-word into documents. You need to type fast and have precise attention to detail.
This is a flexible side gig as most transcription work is done online, and you can work from home.
You can find transcription jobs on websites like Upwork or Fiverr. Beginners can make anywhere from $3 to $11 per hour, and experienced transcribers can earn around $20 per hour.
Ultimately, it depends on the pay per audio minute and how long it takes you to transcribe that minute.
If you are serious about working as a transcriber, consider taking this Transcription Course.
16. Babysitter
Babysitting is a great side gig if you love being around kids and want a flexible way to earn some extra cash.
It can be high-paying, depending on how many clients you have and how much they pay you.
To become a babysitter, reach out to friends, family, and people in your network. You can find clients through word of mouth, posting on local Facebook groups, or printing out flyers and posting them around your neighbourhood.
You can set your rate, but the average babysitter makes around $15-$18 per hour.
17. House Sitting
If you love pets or want to travel somewhere with free accommodation, you might consider house-sitting. It is becoming more popular nowadays with websites like housesitter.com.
As a house sitter, you would live in the owner’s home, take care of any pets, and follow any instructions they give you.
People generally want you to house-sit if they have pets and are going on vacation for an extended period.
To become a house sitter, all you need to do is provide references and reviews from other people you house sat for and sign up to house sitting websites like Trusted House Sitters or housesitter.com.
Pet-sitting websites like Rover also have a feature where you can take care of pets while living in the owner’s home.
On average, house sitters make $16 per hour, depending on the gig and app.
18. Online Tutoring
If you’re an expert in math, English, science, or any other subject, you can become an online tutor. You can offer tutoring in person, but online tutoring is becoming more popular as you can reach a lot more people.
English is the most popular tutoring subject, but you can tutor students on just about any subject.
There are many tutoring platforms, like Chegg, Superprof, and Canada Online Tutoring. Some require teaching experience or certification, and some don’t.
You can find online tutoring jobs through tutoring platforms, websites like Upwork and Indeed, or conduct your own tutoring sessions.
The pay varies depending on the subject, your experience, and several other factors, but generally, online tutors make about $11-$20 per hour.
19. Uber or UberEats Driver
If you have a car and don’t mind driving people around or delivering food, you might want to consider becoming an Uber or Uber Eats driver.
It is a great way to make extra income on the side, and you can work as much or as little as you want.
To become an Uber driver, sign up online, share the required documents like your driver’s license and vehicle information, and once approved, you can start earning.
On average, Uber drivers in Canada make $22 per hour, depending on when, where, and how often they drive.
For Uber Eats, you can deliver on your bike, electric scooter, or car. Uber Eats drivers make an average of $17 per hour.
20. Car Renter
If you have a car you don’t drive often; you may want to consider renting it out to make some extra cash. Websites like Turo let you list your car and make it available to rent for a daily price.
Turo is a peer-to-peer online car rental company where you can make some extra money from your car when it’s not in use.
When you list your car, you set the daily price and rules for whoever will be renting your car. When the car is returned, you get paid 70% of the trip price within three days after each trip.
To list your car on Turo, you’ll need to ensure it meets the requirements. According to Turo’s official website, you could earn up to $1,365 per month.
Learn more in this Turo review.
21. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn passive income if you have a blog or a somewhat sizeable social media following.
Affiliate marketing is when you earn a commission for marketing a company’s products or services, often from a click-through link. When the customer clicks on the link and makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of the sale.
All you need to do is insert the link in your blog or social media once, then wait for the money to come in. It can take some time, but if you have a big enough following, this can be a great way to make some passive income.
Top affiliates and influencers make over $100,000 per month, and middle-class affiliates make between $1,000 and $10,000 per month.
22. Podcaster
If you have an idea for a podcast or already have a decent following, podcasting can be a great way to make extra money.
There are a few different ways you can monetize a podcast, including affiliate marketing, sponsorships, advertising, crowdfunding, and donations.
To start a podcast, you’ll need the proper recording equipment, be able to edit the episode and publish it on podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
There may be a bit of a learning curve, but once you are posting on a regular schedule with sponsors and affiliate marketing, it can be a good way to get some extra cash in your pocket.
23. Vlogger
You’ve probably seen popular vloggers on YouTube, like Casey Neistat and Shane Dawson. Vlogging can be a lucrative side gig and is a full-time job for many.
If you like filming, editing, and uploading videos (and have an interesting personality), you may want to consider vlogging.
This is a side hustle that will take some time to earn money, as you will earn very little before you have an audience.
Most vloggers make money through advertisements on their videos, paid partnerships, and sponsors. Some also have exclusive paid content on sites like Patreon.
It can take some time to build an audience, but you can earn quite a bit once you do. For YouTube ads, you can earn between $3-$5 per 1000 video views and more for sponsorships and paid partnerships.
24. Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is a very flexible side hustle and can be enjoyable for those who are good at it. Every company will need a bookkeeper at some point, which means there will always be a need for them.
As a bookkeeper, you keep track of a company’s financial transactions, keep them up-to-date, and verify financial records for accuracy. You can find small, medium, and large-scale clients on your own or through freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr.
On average, bookkeepers make $23 per hour.
25. Handyman or Handywoman
You can become a handyman or handywoman if you have tools and handiwork experience. There is usually no shortage of jobs available, as people are always looking for handyman services.
To find work, you can talk to people in your neighbourhood, post flyers, or use an app like Taskrabbit, an on-demand handyman app.
As a handyman, you set your own rates. On average, you can expect to earn between $30 and $40 per hour.
26. Event Manager
If you are good at planning events and have prior experience doing so, managing events may be the perfect side hustle.
Event managers plan and organize business, promotional, and social events. They run various events, ensuring the target audience is engaged, and the message is marketed correctly.
Most event managers have a bachelor’s degree and skills relating to event sales and sponsorships. While a degree is not necessary, it is a good asset to have.
As long as you have experience running events, you can start a side hustle as an event planner. On average, event managers in Canada make about $28 per hour.
27. Social Media Manager
Many businesses are looking for someone to run their social media and promote their services. Social media is a huge part of business strategy nowadays, but many companies are too busy to take on that task themselves.
Social media managers represent a business through multiple social channels as the “voice” of the brand. They post ads, run campaigns, and interact with customers online.
To become a social media manager, you need good written, research, and communication skills, as well as SEO knowledge and social media expertise. You can find social media manager jobs on sites like Upwork or Indeed.
The average salary of a social media manager is $52,000 per year.
28. Video Editor
If you have experience editing videos and enjoy it, this side hustle may be for you.
Every minute, 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube, and many content creators don’t have the time to edit videos themselves. They often hire independent contractors and freelancers, and that could be you!
You can learn video editing by watching tutorials and trying it out yourself. You don’t need a degree or any special certification to be hired – jobs are always available.
You can find video editing jobs on websites like Upwork and Fiverr, or you can reach out to content creators directly and ask if they need any video editing.
You can make about $20-$25 per hour as a video editor.
29. Hairdresser
If you can cut hair and do it well, consider hairstyling as a side gig. Check whether you need a license to operate, as some cities require it.
You can transform your home into a salon and have clients come to get their haircut, or you can bring all the tools and cut their hair in their home.
To find clients, you’ll need to market yourself well. You can spread the word through word-of-mouth, put up flyers, post in local Facebook groups, and more.
As a home hairdresser, you set your own rate. You could earn an average of $20 per hour or more.
30. Petsitter or Dog Walker
Dog walking or pet sitting is one of the best side hustles for people who love animals. If you have experience walking dogs or taking care of pets, you can try this one out.
You can find gigs by posting flyers, through word-of-mouth, or through apps like Rover. You can sign up to have pets stay in your home overnight, house sit, walk dogs, or do drop-in visits to see your clients’ pets.
It’s easy to get started with Rover. All you need to do is sign up, get a couple of reviews on your profile, and enter some basic information.
When someone is looking for a pet sitter, they might choose you if you’re nearby. Once you complete a few gigs, more people will find your profile, and the more gigs you can get in the future.
You can earn up to $1,000 a month with Rover, but it all depends on how many jobs you complete in a month.
Here’s a detailed Rover review with more information.
31. Voice Actor
Due to the popularity of online videos, TV shows, and movies, there is a high demand for voice actors. Did you know you could be a voice actor in the comfort of your own home?
To become a voice actor, you’ll need a quality microphone and editing software. If you don’t have experience, you could take a voice acting class or get some training. You can find gigs on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or voices.com.
A freelance voice actor’s salary ranges depending on the job. On average, an entry-level voice actor earns about $18,000 per year.
32. Personal Trainer
If you love working out and spending time in the gym, you could become a personal trainer. You could either work with a gym as an independent contractor or train people one-on-one outside of the gym.
You may need a certification, so check before you get started. Being a personal trainer is very flexible, as you can choose your hours and the clients you work with.
Many experienced personal trainers make between $50 and $100 per session.
33. Landscaper
Plenty of people will pay to keep their yards maintained, especially in the summer. Many people are too busy to cut their grass or trim the weeds and will hire someone to do it for them.
This is a very physical job. The work you’ll be doing can include mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, weeding, planting, cleaning gutters, and shovelling snow in the winter.
You can find clients through word of mouth, posting flyers around your neighbourhood, or online job boards.
As a self-employed landscaper, you set your own rates. The majority earn between $30,000 to $80,000 a year.
The Gig Economy Explained
The gig economy consists of temporary, flexible, and freelance jobs. Businesses can hire freelancers for short-term gig work instead of onboarding them for full-time work.
In the gig economy, people usually get individual gigs using an online platform or mobile app to connect with customers and businesses.
Some of the most popular companies for this type of work are Airbnb, UberEats, Rover, DoorDash, and Instacart.
Whether you use an app or website for gigs or find clients on your own, there are many different gig economy jobs you can do in Canada.
Best Gig Economy Job Sites
Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are great for finding online freelance work.
You can find all kinds of jobs in categories such as writing, translation, web development, customer service, marketing, and more.
These websites are the easiest way to get experience and entry-level freelance jobs, then slowly build your clientele.
If you are selling or promoting your services that are not done online, such as babysitting, landscaping, or dog walking, you can put up flyers in your neighbourhood, spread your business through word-of-mouth, and advertise on social media platforms.
You may also want to promote your services on sites like Kijiji, Craigslist, or Facebook.
Pros of Gig Economy Jobs
There are many pros of gig economy jobs, including:
- The flexibility to work the hours you desire on your own schedule
- You can take on a wide variety of jobs and have a few different clients
- You have more independence rather than if you were to work for a company
- You get paid for the hours you work and can set your own rates
Cons of Gig Economy Jobs
There are also a few cons of gig economy jobs, including:
- You need to pay your own taxes, as they won’t be deducted from your paycheck
- You don’t get insurance benefits
- You only get paid if you’re actively working (for most gig economy jobs)
- It can be stressful to find your next gig, as some jobs are not as secure as others
How To Choose a Gig Economy Job
Choose a gig economy job based on your skills and what you like to do. After all, you don’t want to be stuck with a job you don’t like.
If you like working with others and pets in person, you could consider being a dog walker, babysitter, house sitter, or event manager.
If you want to work from home, the opportunities are pretty much endless. You could become an online freelancer, affiliate marketer, virtual assistant, or blogger.
You could also rent out a room, your entire home, or even your car to earn extra income.
Are Gig Economy Jobs Worth It?
Gig economy jobs can be worth it once you make a decent income. It is definitely worth it if you build up clients and have a steady stream of work.
Some of these jobs, like blogging and affiliate marketing, are almost entirely passive income streams, which means you make money as you sleep.
There are some downsides to these kinds of jobs, though. Work is not always guaranteed, it can be stressful, and most of these jobs take some time to get started and build up your clientele.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which, if any, of these gig economy jobs are worth pursuing. It won’t hurt to give a few of them a try!
Gig Economy Job FAQs
A gig worker is an independent contractor or freelancer who provides services to a company or clients of their own. They work for themselves, on their own schedule, and often set their own rates.
Yes, many gig workers make a living. Gig economy jobs are a great alternative to the 9-5 lifestyle, and many gig workers make more than minimum wage – some even make a six-figure salary.
On this list, the gig jobs that pay the most are digital marketers, web developers, and freelancers working in many different niches. If you work hard, get clients, and are good at what you do, any of the above gig jobs can be profitable.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to make extra money on the side or want to take on one of these gigs to ditch your 9-5 job, these gig economy jobs provide great opportunities and huge earning potential.
If you’re skilled at any of the above jobs, why not try it out as a side hustle and see if you can make some extra cash?
