A joint study by Avito Rabota and Avito Reklama surveyed over 10,000 Russians regarding their interest in turning hobbies into side jobs. The data shows that 77% of respondents are interested in side gigs related to their personal interests, while 67% prioritize utilizing skills acquired through these hobbies.
The most popular areas for hobby-based side work include manual labor and repairs (19%), followed by gardening and culinary arts (18% each). Event management and animal care each attracted 17% of respondents. Key professional traits cited by participants include attention to detail (41%), responsibility (37%), and manual skills (33%).
Financial gain is the primary motivator for 55% of those surveyed. Other factors include flexible scheduling (33%) and the ability to develop new skills without disrupting primary employment (26%). The desire to apply hobby-related skills increases with age, rising from 59% among 18–24-year-olds to 70% among those aged 45–54.
Avito reported that the number of requests for shift-based side jobs grew by 35% year-on-year from January to August 2026, with an average pay of 5,618 ₽ per shift. Digital advertising plays a significant role in recruitment, influencing 64% of potential candidates, with 45% of users discovering opportunities via classifieds and e-commerce platforms.
