Insights into Part‑Time Work and Extra Income Across Sectors
A joint study by Rabota.ru, a job and employee search service, and Podrabotka, a platform for self‑employment, explored where people in Russia turn for extra earnings and how part‑time work can boost monthly income. The results were reviewed by socialbites.ca. The findings show a clear appetite for side gigs and a meaningful role for flexible work in daily finances.
Among the survey participants, 40% already rely on an additional source of income, while 46% plan to start a part‑time job soon. Only 14% indicated no interest in part‑time work. The data highlight distinct patterns by gender in chosen sectors and the overall appeal of supplementary earnings across the population.
Men tend to pursue extra income in trades such as repair and construction (25%). Other popular sectors for male part‑time work include courier services (22%), manufacturing and agriculture (22%), and shipping and logistics (22%). Retail trade attracts 21% of male respondents seeking extra income.
Women, on the other hand, frequently provide professional services like accounting or translation (30%) and also earn through commerce and retail (30%). Additional areas for women include education (13%), marketing, advertising and public relations (12%), and design (9%).
The majority of respondents—about 76%—want to increase earnings through part‑time work, while 24% pursue part‑time roles to gain independence or self‑fulfillment. Another 18% are curious to try something new, and the same share are actively seeking permanent employment. A portion of respondents, roughly 17%, wish to learn a new profession, and 15% use their free time to explore this path.
Gender differences emerge in motivation and availability. Men are more likely to seek fulfillment through part‑time opportunities (28% vs. 28% for women; both figures show a strong interest), and men report more spare time for part‑time work (12% vs. 22% for women). The dynamics of time and purpose intersect with earnings potential across the group as a whole.
In terms of income impact, 29% say part‑time work accounts for 30% to 50% of their monthly earnings. Another 26% report that part‑time income contributes 10% to 30%, and 15% find that it can cover 50% to 70% of their monthly income. For a notable minority, 14%, part‑time work becomes the primary source of income, while 10% earn less than 10% from extra work. A small share, about 6%, estimates that part‑time earnings could reach 70% to 90% of their total income. Those who plan to work only part‑time appear to have higher expectations about the total income they can generate than those already tracking a specific amount.
When choosing a part‑time job, respondents weigh several factors. The most important is the pay rate (65%), followed by the job’s location (51%). Working conditions (44%) and the rate of pay for part‑time roles (33%) also influence decisions. Convenience of a platform to find opportunities matters to 15%, while 14% value the ability to legally formalize a part‑time engagement or to separate it from self‑employment. For 12%, avoiding self‑employment taxes is a key consideration.
In line with evolving work norms, a portion of the population notes a preference for earnings that do not require formal registration. The study underscores how flexible, part‑time arrangements can bridge income gaps and support financial resilience for many workers.
These patterns, while centered on a Russian audience, align with broader questions about how people balance work time and income across economies. For readers in North America, the findings illustrate general tendencies to seek supplementary income through diverse sectors and through platforms that simplify access to part‑time opportunities. The emphasis on pay, location, and working conditions remains universal, signaling that the core drivers of part‑time engagement are consistent across regions. [Citation: socialbites.ca]