A new subset of workers exists who have not yet participated in business-based gigs but have the free time and motivation to do so, according to the 2018 Profile of a Gig Worker Report released by on-demand staffing platform Shiftgig: well-educated, working part-time or full-time jobs but still highly motivated to pick up a side hustle. 

According to the report, these potential gig workers are not necessarily interested in being an Uber or Lyft driver and instead would prefer working a business-based gig. Three-quarters of this group reported having other jobs but still being interested in picking up business-based gig work on the side. Respondents also averaged around 20 free hours per week, which aligns well with available business-based gig work.

Almost half of survey respondents, 47%, would consider picking up business-based gig work.

“These findings reveal a massive, untapped opportunity in the gig economy for people to have more flexible, hourly work options with businesses,” said Shiftgig CEO Wade Burgess. “The people looking to pick up this work have the soft skills like strong customer service orientation, active listening and social perceptiveness that will benefit businesses looking to fill hourly labor needs.”

Shiftgig surveyed more than 2,000 US residents finding that 34% of them are a good fit for hourly, business-based gig work. Students comprised the highest percentage of those who have worked business-based gigs at 44%, followed by retirees at 40% and then full-and part-time workers at 37% and 36% respectively.

Workers were also found to be well-educated, with 45% having a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Shiftgig partnered with third-party research firm, Survata, to conduct the study. It surveyed more than 2,000 US residents between December 2017 and January 2018. It then examined a select group of those respondents, 696 people, who met its criteria to be a good fit for business-based gig work.