The Art of the Hustle: Gig Work and Economic Outcomes for U.S. Artists (2010-2024)

Abstract

This research analyzes the relationship between platform mediated labor and artistic gig work in the United States using American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS) data from 2010-2024. Defining gig workers as unincorporated self-employed individuals and artists using core and extended occupational definitions, it estimates gig participation with linear probability and logistic (logit) models and estimates labor supply and income outcomes with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) under multiple fixed effects specifications. The findings show that older and female artists are more likely to engage in gig work, while race, marital status, and education also shape participation patterns. Across both artist samples, gig participation is associated with roughly 6.5 fewer weekly hours worked and approximately 50% lower total income. These results suggest that although artistic gig work may expand labor-market access, it is also strongly associated with economic insecurity and unequal outcomes.