2025 Gig Driver Report: Drivers Brace for Economic Strain, Prioritize Flexibility and Faster Pay
Everee's 2025 Gig Driver Report reveals how financial stress, delayed earnings, and platform loyalty are shaping the modern gig workforce
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Everee, a leading payroll software built for staffing and gig work, today released its 2025 Gig Driver Report, offering a detailed look into the realities of today's gig workforce. Based on a nationwide survey of over 400 rideshare and delivery drivers, the report examines what motivates drivers, where they work, and how delayed payments affect their financial stability.
While flexibility remains a top reason drivers enter the gig economy, the report shows that most are using earnings to stay afloat.
"Gig drivers are powering essential parts of our economy: food delivery, rideshare, same-day logistics, yet too many are operating under financial uncertainty," said Brett Barlow, CEO of Everee. "For many, gig work covers the essentials, not the extras, and delays in pay can mean delayed rent, bills, or groceries. If platforms want to keep their workforce, they need to treat payout speed and onboarding efficiency as strategic priorities, not secondary features."
Gig Work Is Paying the Bills, Not Padding Savings
For many drivers, gig work is far from a side hustle. It's a primary source of income that supports essential needs. According to the report:
- 27% say gig driving is a full-time gig, while 59% say it's at least half their income
- 66% plan to use their gig earnings in the next year to cover everyday bills and living expenses
- 34% are using earnings to pay down debt
- 28% hope to build emergency savings
- 22% plan to invest, and 18% are saving for a specific project
Delayed Pay Is Driving Financial Strain
With continued uncertainty in the broader economy, many gig drivers are preparing to rely even more heavily on platform earnings: 54% say they would increase their driving hours if economic conditions worsen in 2025. Yet despite this growing dependence, fast access to pay remains inconsistent, and for drivers, waiting is coming at cost:
- 65% have had to borrow money (via payday loans, credit card advances, or from friends/family) while waiting for gig earnings to arrive
- 53% have delayed a bill or essential purchase, such as gas, groceries, or rent
- 30% say losing access to same-day payments would cause serious financial hardship
- Another 48% say it would be difficult but manageable
Drivers Want Flexibility and Faster Pay
Despite these challenges, most drivers aren't seeking full-time employment — they want flexibility on their own terms: 77% prefer to remain independent contractors, while only 19% would opt for full-time employment with fixed shifts and benefits
Many are also diversifying their options. Well over half (68%) of all drivers work on two or more gig platforms per month, and 57% say fast access to earnings is extremely important when deciding which platform to work for.
"Driver loyalty today hinges on more than just flexible hours. It's about trust, transparency, and reducing friction," said Chris Heffernan, Founder & CEO of dlivrd. "We've learned that even small changes in how we support drivers on the dlivrd platform, including clearer earnings visibility, faster pay and better communication, can make a meaningful difference in satisfaction and retention."
The findings from Everee's 2025 Gig Driver Report offer actionable insights for any organization leveraging gig labor. As the industry matures, aligning platform operations with the needs of the workforce, especially around earnings access and financial flexibility, will be a defining factor in workforce performance and retention.
To view and download the full report, visit everee.com/gig-report.
About Everee
Everee is payroll software built for staffing and gig work that allows companies to pay both W-2 workers and 1099 contractors as often as daily. With Everee's Flex Suite, managing payroll across multiple locations and rates is easy, even in the trickiest compliance situations. Companies can quickly integrate Everee with their own existing apps using Everee's REST APIs, webhooks, and embeddable components. Everee offers usage-based pricing, a pay card option, and payroll financing to help businesses save money and improve cash flow. For more information, visitwww.everee.com.
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SOURCE Everee