India has entered a new era of economic growth — one where the gig sector plays a telling role. Organisations are also realising the flexibility of hiring skilled professionals on a contractual basis, leading to a significant demand for freelancers, consultants, and temporary workers.

While freshers have numerous opportunities in the gig economy, can mid-career professionals also have a similar experience in this sector? Individuals in both categories should know the skills and roles in demand, the pay structure and the challenges before going down this path.

Benefits of entering the gig landscape: A mid-career edition

The gig economy highly values the skills and the depth in them an individual has. This makes gig a great option for mid-career professionals as their experience gives them an edge, says Karthik Sridharan, Co-founder and CEO, Flexiple.

Referring to the benefits in particular, he says the sense of freedom that comes with remote work (common in many gig projects) is something a lot of mid-career professionals would crave for. Portfolio expansion is another advantage an individual gets to explore; the chances of this are comparatively lower in traditional employment setups. Plus, gig work can also offer an added source of income if pursued along with full-time work. If the work is for overseas clients, particularly US ones, the income is also much higher, he explains.

While anyone can join the gig sector, mid-career professionals have a unique opportunity to leverage their accumulated skills and experience a more flexible and rewarding career, says Yeshab Giri, Chief Commercial Officer, Operational Talent Solutions, Randstad India, a talent company.

On the benefits, he says the level of autonomy that accompanies project-based or freelance work helps them have a better work-life balance. This can be fruitful as mid-career professionals would be a demanding phase of their lives — for example, taking care of children or parents. In addition, they can easily choose assignments that align with their interests. In terms of pay, these professionals can command higher prices because of their expertise, rather than complying with rigid salary scales and yearly hikes, he adds.

In-demand roles and associated pay expectations

Before diving into the gig market, interested mid-career professionals must know the roles that are seeing significant demand and the kind of pay they can generate by pursuing them. According to Sridharan, there is a lot of demand across all types of tech verticals, mostly because US companies are able to hire Indian developers at a much lower cost. This price arbitrage works greatly in favour of such professionals.

Hinting at the pay structure, he says the range is fairly large. One can earn anything from Rs 50,000 a month to Rs 8-9 lakh a month depending on the skills, experience and ability to market themselves.

IT-specific gig roles such as coders, data analysts and consultants, along with AI experts, content creators and UX designers, continue to witness a surge in demand at the mid-career level, says Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services.

Though the pay structures vary for gig workers, it is not uncommon for a mid-level gig professional to make Rs 10-20 lakh per annum, he adds.

Giri finds that app developers with expertise in popular frameworks such as Java and Python are highly sought after for freelance projects. Besides, as companies continue to incorporate AI and data analytics into their operations, there is a notable demand for AI/ML engineers, data scientists, and data engineers with 3-7 years of experience. Digital marketers, business consultants, graphic designers and public relations specialists are also thriving in the gig space.

He clarifies that the monthly incomes for gig professionals can vary considerably — from Rs 15,000 to as high as Rs 80,000 or more. “While some gigs may offer relatively modest pay, others can command premium rates, particularly for mid-career professionals with niche expertise and proven track records,” he adds.

Skill sets that can help land better opportunities

Individuals should focus on building and refining skills and also keep evolving with time, says Sridharan. For instance, 2017-18 registered high demand for tech skills such as React Native and Flutter for building cross-platform apps. In 2019, the focus shifted to blockchain, and for the past year, employers have been on a hunt for experts equipped with AL/ML skills.

Alug says that tech skills in the domains of data analytics, coding, UX designing and artificial intelligence are valuable for mid-professionals seeking quality work. Giri says while web development, app development, data analytics, machine learning and cloud computing are in demand for technical spaces, the contribution of non-technical skills cannot be overstated. Excellent communication, project management, and time management abilities are crucial for seamless collaboration with clients and meeting deadlines, and skills like negotiation, personal branding and networking assist in effectively marketing their services, he adds.

Possible challenges along the way and strategies to navigate

At a mid-career level, a transition of any kind is not easy, let alone leaving one’s full-time job and embracing gig space. However, experts say the key here is to prepare yourself for the potential challenges and craft a few effective strategies to navigate through.

To begin with, the lack of a reliable source of income is a massive challenge. However, financial stability can be achieved by working with top platforms. At the same time, earning clients’ trust isn’t easy, which makes it necessary to manage expectations and clearly communicate the value one brings to the table.

They also cite unpredictable work conditions, lack of legal protection and lack of employee benefits as major concerns that may make the journey to gig work difficult for some. A remedy for successfully overcoming these challenges is constant upskilling. Fostering a strong network and staying active in the professional community can also help massively.

As professionals are accustomed to employer-provided financial benefits, it’s important to explore independent insurance options and implement disciplined retirement savings plans to create a sense of financial security. For maintaining a healthy work-life balance, time management and social engagement are crucial, add experts.