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Workers take on side jobs to combat stagnant salaries and insecurity about employment

Published Nov 13, 2025, reporters found workers engaging in side jobs to supplement income and create backup plans using gig platforms like Uber and Instacart.
Facing frozen salaries and rising costs, many workers supplement income and build safety nets, as Alexandrea Ravenelle, sociologist and gig economy researcher at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said workers distrust single employers and turn to platforms like Uber and Grubhub.
A Patagonia visual merchandiser manages influencer accounts 10 to 15 hours weekly, runs an Etsy shop selling paintings and ushers at concerts, while Elaine Chen said side gigs build practical skills.
Tom Ritter, workforce management specialist from Syracuse, New York, used Instacart and Spark deliveries to pay bills after losing his day job, while borrowers rely on extra earnings to manage student loans and living costs.
Be skeptical: experts warn online influencers promote schemes that benefit sellers more than participants, and platforms can alter algorithms reducing side hustle pay, which often requires upfront investment and time.

Insights by Ground AI