Since the start of the COVD-19 pandemic, the demand for gig jobs (and workers) has increased exponentially. With the integration of apps like Uber and Instacart, gig work has become a great way to earn extra money for millions of U.S. citizens and what’s more, it is with the help of such apps that many Americans have had the ability to consider alternatives to standard 9-5 jobs.

That said, Pew Research conducted a study in 2021 regarding the relationships between gig workers and the apps they work for; here are some of their top findings.

Who’s doing gig work in America?

According to their studies, Americans with lower incomes are more likely than those with middle or upper incomes to have ever earned money through gig working sites. Further, the age of those conducting work through such apps is weighted towards younger generations.

“Three-in-ten 18- to 29-year-olds have ever earned money through an online gig platform, but that share drops to 18% among those ages 30 to 49 and even smaller for those ages 50 and up.”

How often do people do gig work?

The study also noted that rather than making gig work a primary income source, most of those surveyed choose to take it on as a side hustle–reporting clocking less than 30 hours of gig work during a typical week.

Pew Research explained that 31 percent of current or recent gig workers say it has been their main job over the past 12 months, alternatively, 42 percent of current or recent gig workers who have lower incomes say it has been their main job.

What’s the motivation? 

“Motivations vary between those who rely heavily on the money they earn through these platforms and those who do not. Current or recent gig workers who describe this money as essential or important are more likely than those who are less financially reliant on these jobs to cite covering gaps or changes in their income (61% vs. 38%), wanting to be their own boss (44% vs. 22%) or not having other job opportunities in their area (34% vs. 21%) as major reasons for doing this work in the past 12 months.”

What’s the outlook on gig work?

All things considered, gig work continues to rise in popularity. According to Forbes, in 2020 up to 35 percent of the United States workforce were classified as gig workers–a number expected to rise to over 50 percent by 2023.