Gig workers worked more but earned less in 2024: study

Headline numbers and “average” vs reality

• Commenters note the study’s ~$513/week and slight increase in hours translates to roughly $13/hour before expenses, contradicting platform claims of “$30/hour on average.”
• There is extended criticism of using averages in highly skewed, power‑law distributions; median or bottom‑decile metrics are seen as more honest.
• Several argue platforms use creative accounting (e.g., counting only “active” time) to inflate hourly earnings.

Net earnings after costs

• Many emphasize that gross earnings ignore fuel, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and self‑employment taxes; some estimate net as low as ~$10/hour or worse.
• Examples from the US and Norway suggest that, after costs, full‑time gig work can land well below local median wages and near or below minimum wage.
• Some say it only makes sense as “beer money,” not as a sustainable livelihood.

Flexibility vs pay and worker classification

• A recurring theme: flexibility (choosing when/where to work) is the main appeal; some drivers report being happy with autonomy despite low pay.
• Others counter that “make your own hours” is overstated, as real earnings cluster around peak demand times dictated by the platform/market.
• Debate over whether gig workers are truly independent contractors if they can’t set prices; some see them stuck with the worst of both worlds (no benefits, no rate control).

Broader economic and policy context

• Some blame legislation like Prop 22 for cementing low‑protection status; others point to stagnant minimum wage, rising living costs, and inequality.
• There is discussion of CPI understating real inflation (housing, food), further eroding gig incomes.
• One thread argues gig work may suppress pressure to raise minimum wage.

Automation, immigration, and platform dynamics

• In SF, riders report switching to robotaxis and expect human drivers to “fight over scraps” as automation spreads.
• Several claim large shares of delivery drivers may be undocumented or using borrowed accounts, potentially increasing labor supply and pushing down wages; others challenge the evidence and assumptions.
• Some see gig apps as part of a “sinkhole” in the labor market, externalizing risk onto workers while platforms and investors capture value, even if many platforms have historically run at a loss.

Normative takeaways

• Viewpoints range from “don’t be a gig worker” to “it fills a useful niche for those prioritizing flexibility.”
• Many agree the core problem is less the existence of gig work and more inadequate social safety nets, high costs, and weak protections for low‑wage workers.