Side hustles, also recognized as side gigs, are paid tasks performed in addition to your primary job. They can be a great way to pay off debt or supplement your income.
They can also be used to develop previously unused skills and to pursue your interests. And, if you’re feeling particularly daring, you can use a unique side hustle as a proving ground for a business idea.
Are you looking for a ready-to-go side hustle? Or perhaps a creative gig that will allow you to carve out a niche for yourself outside of your day job? In any case, you’ve arrived at the correct location. We compiled a list of the best side-hustle ideas we could find.
- How Much Can You Earn With Side Jobs?
- 1. Ride-Share Driver
- 2. Food Delivery Driver
- 3. Delivery Driver for Groceries
- 4. Package Delivery Driver
- 5. General Freelancer
- 6. Freelance Writer
- 7. Graphic Designer
- 8. Virtual Assistant
- 9. Freelance Social Media Manager
- 10. Social Media and Search Engine Rater
- 11. Pet Sitter
- 12. Babysitter
- 13. Airbnb Host
- 14. Airbnb Experiences Host
- 15. Notary Public
- 16. Wedding Officiant
- 17. Online Tutor
- 18. Online English Teacher
- 19. Crafts Seller
- 20. At-Home Clothes Cleaner
- 21. Goods Flipper
- 22. Online Course Creator
- 23. Competitive Gamer
- 24. T-Shirt Designer
- 25. Audio or Caption Transcriptionist
How Much Can You Earn With Side Jobs?
The simple answer is that it depends.
For starters, it is important to consider whether you want to earn a little extra money, work a part-time job, or completely replace your full-time income.
Each side hustle suggestion is accompanied by our best tips and other resources to assist you in getting started. We’ve also included an earnings estimate based on interviews with side hustlers, industry reports, wage estimates, and a healthy dose of reality. (Just because an app claims you can make up to $30 per hour doesn’t mean it’s true.)
You can “right-size” the amount of freelance work you take on based on how much money you want to make in your spare time.
The 25 Most Profitable Side Hustle Ideas
These side hustles can be done outside of your 9-to-5 and are mostly available year-round, nationwide. Some side hustles are simple to set up, while others require some planning and setup but provide passive income, and still others provide opportunities to hone specialized skills.
They are all tried and true. And we have the tools to get you started on your side hustle journey.
Here are our picks for the best side hustles, some of which you can start right away and make a few extra bucks (and then some).
1. Ride-Share Driver
Use your car and smartphone to chauffeur people around your city and earn some extra money. The most popular ride-sharing companies, Uber and Lyft, are always looking for drivers.
You must be at least 21 years old, have a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of car insurance and vehicle registration, a four-door vehicle that seats five people, and be able to pass criminal and driving background checks to qualify. (If you’re under 25, you must have at least three years of driving experience for Uber.)
The pay is based on ride-by-ride plus tips, which can add up to a nice hourly wage once you get the hang of it. Tips and the number of rides completed per hour determine your earnings significantly.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: 30 cents to $2 per word.
2. Food Delivery Driver
It’s not for everyone to drive strangers around. Instead, try meal delivery. The majority of food delivery apps and services operate in the same way: a customer places a food order with a local restaurant, you drive to the restaurant, pick up the order, and deliver it to the customer. You are paid per order plus tips.
Services for gig delivery DoorDash and Uber Eats dominate the national market, and they are widely regarded as the best because they are the most consistent. Smaller delivery options, such as Postmates, Bitesquad, Caviar, and others, may be available in your area. The car requirements are less stringent when compared to ride-sharing driving. A valid driver’s license, insurance, and the ability to pass background checks are still required.
Earnings are largely determined by tips and the number of deliveries completed per hour.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $15 an hour or more including tips.
3. Delivery Driver for Groceries
Because some people dislike going to the supermarket, grocery delivery services are becoming more popular. Not to mention that the pandemic increased demand for these services.
The two biggest players are Instacart and Shipt. They hire armies of freelancers to go shopping, select requested items, and deliver them to customers’ homes. DoorDash also provides limited grocery delivery services in some areas.
When it comes to tips, you may have a higher earning potential as a grocery delivery driver. However, the work is more difficult than other driving-related side hustles.
Earnings are largely determined by tips and the number of deliveries completed per hour.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $15 an hour or more including tips.
Whatever the reason you’re looking for home cleaning help, Handy has you covered!
4. Package Delivery Driver
If you don’t want your car to smell like your gig, you can also deliver packages on-demand. Amazon Flex is the most popular package-delivery gig service. You can also find package-delivery jobs through Postmates or TaskRabbit, but those two apps also offer a variety of other services.
Amazon Flex differs from many other app-based side hustles in that most drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour, according to Amazon (depending on location, tips, etc.). You can sign up for “blocks” or shifts for a specific amount of time to better estimate your daily earnings.
If you don’t want your car to smell like your gig, you can also deliver packages on-demand. Amazon Flex is the most popular package-delivery gig service. You can also find package-delivery jobs through Postmates or TaskRabbit, but those two apps also offer a variety of other services.
Amazon Flex differs from many other app-based side hustles in that most drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour, according to Amazon (depending on location, tips, etc.). You can sign up for “blocks” or shifts for a specific amount of time to better estimate your daily earnings.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $18 and $25 an Hour
5. General Freelancer
Join a freelance network if you have specialized skills and want to use them to earn some extra cash. It’s a good idea to try out freelancing on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. You can connect with clients and find gigs using the websites.
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to choose your clients and the fee you will charge for your services. Marketing, customer service, virtual assistant work, administrative support, web and software development, and writing are the most popular categories of freelancing in online marketplaces.
Popular gigs you can do in person or online include makeup tutorials and personal training. By being an affiliate marketer or running your own online store, you can make more money if you have a name or a large following, which you can then possibly leverage into more lucrative endeavors.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $20 an Hour
6. Freelance Writer
Freelancing is sometimes used interchangeably with freelance writing. Yes, general freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr, Upwork, and content mills are good places to start. However, successful writers quickly move away from them and begin pitching directly to the publications and websites for which they want to write.
Once you’ve amassed a collection of clips, it’s a good idea to specialize in a niche topic that interests you. Generally, the higher your rate, the more focused your topic and the deeper your expertise. Rates vary according to the industry (journalism, fiction, marketing, etc.) and the prestige of the publication or website.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: 30 cents to $2 per word.
7. Graphic Designer
It takes time to become a successful graphic designer. However, if you have an artistic eye, creativity, people skills, and Adobe Creative Suite, designing can be a lucrative career.
There are numerous opportunities to design. Other freelancers require logos, small businesses require brochure templates, websites require appealing graphics, and restaurants require menus. The list goes on, and there is a lot of room for expansion.
Starting out, you might earn around $20 per hour for small-scale projects. However, as you hone your artistic abilities, you will be able to be more selective with your side projects. Skilled designers can expect to earn well over $100 per hour.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $20 to $150 per hour
8. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants frequently handle administrative tasks such as workflow organization, meeting scheduling, and document filing. However, as this remote side hustle becomes more popular, higher-level tasks are frequently included.
Virtual assistants now frequently offer graphic design, copywriting, bookkeeping, translation, and other services. Almost a master of all trades. If you can offer these additional skills, you can raise your hourly rate.
These jobs can be found on Upwork, Fiverr, and VA-specific job boards.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $20 an hour
9. Freelance Social Media Manager
Small and medium-sized businesses need an online presence now more than ever. However, many business owners simply do not have the time to maintain their company pages on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. And it’s obvious.
You can take advantage of this. Which businesses have abandoned their social media accounts can be easily identified. Customers are irritated. But what about you? It’s an opportunity to connect with businesses, offer your services, and earn money by utilizing your social media skills.
You can provide businesses with a mix of branding and customer service assistance at significantly lower costs than an agency.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $20 an hour
10. Social Media and Search Engine Rater
You’re already online. You should be able to make money doing it.
Several companies are willing to pay to get your feedback on advertisements and other content, primarily on social media and search engine websites.
You only need to spend a few hours per week scrolling through search results or social media feeds. Sometimes on your phone. On occasion, your computer. These popular micro-jobs are typically available at Lionbridge, Sutherland Global, and Sykes.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $10-$19 an hour
11. Pet Sitter
If you enjoy animals, pet sitting is an excellent side hustle. The work is adaptable and ubiquitous, and you get to interact with some adorable pets. What more could you ask for?
One method for gaining clients is the old-fashioned method of socializing at dog parks and pinning up bulletin board ads.
If you want to get started right away, try Rover or Wag, two of the most popular pet-sitting apps. They function similarly to many other gig apps. You sign up, create a profile, and are matched with people in your area who require pet care. You can also choose which services you want to provide: just walks, pet and house sitting, or pet boarding. It’s a solid way to establish a consistent source of income.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $12-$20 an hour
12. Babysitter
Babysitting is a tried-and-true side hustle that may have been the first time some of us made our own money. It’s not just for teenagers (though it certainly can be).
Obviously, word-of-mouth recommendations and personal contacts are a great place to start looking for side gigs. Care.com and SitterCity are two popular online options. Both websites provide free and paid accounts to help you find gigs in your area. You can also use the sites to display any relevant credentials and competencies, such as a CPR certificate or American Red Cross coursework.
Such experience is an excellent way to gain an advantage over competitors while also putting parents’ minds at ease.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $15 an hour
13. Airbnb Host
Do you have a spare room? You might as well try to make some extra money by listing it on Airbnb.
You could add hundreds — even thousands — of dollars to your bank account each month if you’re a good host with a desirable dream home. Cleanliness and proximity to nightlife or tourist attractions are what make a space desirable.
It takes some time and effort to curate a private space, establish rules, and list your listing, but once that’s done, all that’s left is to assist interested travelers and clean up after they leave. You have complete control over how much you charge per night as well as which nights the space is available. Airbnb takes a cut of each confirmed booking — typically 3% but up to 20% depending on the area and type of listing.
Many successful Airbnb hosts use their side hustle earnings to partially or entirely offset the cost of their mortgage or other bills. Without a doubt, the coronavirus has slowed travel-related activities. So don’t expect your earnings to immediately cover your mortgage payments.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $50-$250 a night
14. Airbnb Experiences Host
Airbnb is well-known for its on-demand rentals. In 2016, the company launched Experiences, a separate service that allows locals to list interesting activities for groups of people, typically tourists, to participate in. For charismatic and interesting locals, experiences are a great side hustle option.
You could host a walking tour if you know your area well — all the good eats, breweries, and a bit of history. If you want to get really creative, you could organize date nights for visiting couples. During the pandemic, safety is critical, and you’ll want to detail the precautions you’re taking to keep everyone healthy.
You can add an Experience to an existing Airbnb rental account or create a new account solely for hosting an activity. You are free to charge whatever you want, and Airbnb charges a 20% fee.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Varies by Duration + Group size
15. Notary Public
A Notary Public is a government-issued designation. The “Commission” (or term) usually lasts four years, and it’s a worthwhile side hustle to consider.
As a notary, you can supplement your income by signing legal documents such as wills and power of attorney forms, as well as school and sports forms. You must be 18 years old and submit the appropriate application to your state. Only a few dozen states require some kind of training or examination.
We strongly advise you to find a specialization in order to increase your earnings and eliminate competition from banks and UPS branches that provide notary services. For example, you could carve out a niche in real estate as a Notary Signing Agent and charge more for your services, potentially earning hundreds of dollars per document packet.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: 50 cents to $10 per signature — up to $200 per signing
16. Wedding Officiant
You get paid to celebrate with people who are experiencing one of the most memorable events of their lives as a wedding officiant, also known as a marriage officiant. Furthermore, you will play an active role in assisting people in tying the knot, leading the ceremony and eliciting the vows and “I do”s. Many officials find the extra work extremely rewarding.
This is a legitimate side hustle. Due to the limited number of weddings, it has little chance of infiltrating your daily routine (and Saturdays).
The requirements for becoming an officiant differ by state and, in some cases, by county. In most cases, you must be ordained. However, you can obtain those credentials quickly and easily online through the Universal Life Church Monastery. Just make sure your local government recognizes them first.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $250 to $500 per ceremony.
17. Online Tutor
Tutoring was a side hustle long before we called them that. With so many websites to choose from, finding students and making money is easier than ever. Most tutoring websites operate similarly to marketplaces: You create a profile that includes information about your subject expertise, education, experience, and hourly rates. Then you can approach students or vice versa. A few websites will match you based on a predetermined schedule.
However, not every online tutoring service operates in this manner. Some more formal companies, similar to on-site tutoring jobs, may conduct interviews and administer screening tests.
Core K-12 subjects (math, English, science, reading, and social studies), as well as SAT/ACT prep and college-level courses, are common tutoring topics.
As you become more comfortable tutoring online, we recommend shifting your side hustle away from tutoring platforms. Try to build your own student base by hosting sessions on video-conferencing platforms like Skype and Zoom on your own.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $10-$25 an hour
18. Online English Teacher
Teaching English online is quickly becoming a popular virtual side hustle. If you’re a grade-school teacher by day, this is one of the best side hustle ideas because your skills and credentials are a natural fit.
Most employers will require a bachelor’s degree as well as TEFL/TESOL certification. (The acronyms for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages mean the same thing.)
Groupons for teaching certificates should be avoided: Online TEFL or TESOL programs are not all the same. Those credentials aren’t always required; it all depends on the company. Take note of any location restrictions as well (for instance, California residents may not be eligible to teach for some companies due to local government limitations).
Aside from the requirements, most gigs work in the same way: you’ll be teaching English to one or more students, usually in China.
Because of the distance, peak hours are usually in the early mornings or late evenings. When you first begin teaching, you can expect to earn around $16 per hour, with bonuses that can quickly add up to $24 or more.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $16-$24 an hour
19. Crafts Seller
Not all side hustles are related to providing a service.
Consider selling your artwork, crafts, and other handcrafted items online. You have several options for selling your creations thanks to Amazon Handmade, Etsy, eBay, and other e-commerce platforms.
Each website has advantages and disadvantages, but you should test them all to find the right customers. Whatever option you choose, make sure to include seller fees, material costs, and shipping costs in your sales price.
You can also answer questions and sell more products by hosting free tutorials on YouTube or social media channels. Alternatively, start a niche blog and become an affiliate marketer.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Based on product sales. Possibility of growing into a business.
20. At-Home Clothes Cleaner
Laundry is at the top of most people’s list of things they despise. That’s where your clothes-cleaning prowess comes in to save the day.
People in apartment complexes, in particular, may lack access to washers and dryers. Driving to a coin laundry is not only time consuming but also exhausting. The pitch is straightforward: come pick up their clothes and return them clean and folded.
To begin taking on clients, all you’ll need is your own car, a washer and dryer, and a place to fold the clothes neatly. If you already have that, this is one of the best side hustles that doesn’t require a lot of money or specialized skills to get started.
Care.com, Laundry Care, and TaskRabbit are all good places to start your side hustle. We always recommend gaining clients outside of third-party websites, which you can do by advertising your services near coin laundries and apartment communities without washers and dryers.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $20 an hour
21. Goods Flipper
You’ve probably considered selling goods on the side at some point. Maybe you found a scuff-free pair of Doc Martens for $15 at Goodwill. You could make a lot of money reselling them.
It turns out that many people make a living doing just that. Thrift stores and garage sales can be gold mines for those with a keen eye for a bargain. Local retail stores may also have good deals for you. Retail arbitrage is another term for flipping new items. Same premise, different name.
In any case, if you find a good deal, there are plenty of websites that can help you profit from it. Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, thredUP, Instagram, eBay, and Etsy are all excellent places to start your flipping side hustle — or simply sell one-time items. Even better if you can restore, enhance, or upscale the item in some way.
Simply match the product to the best website. Those Doc Martens might not sell well on eBay, but they could do very well on Poshmark.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Based on product sales. Potential for growth in a business.
22. Online Course Creator
Consider creating an online program if you are an expert in a subject, topic, or skill and want to earn some passive side income. Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, offered by companies such as Udemy and Teachable enable teachers and professionals to instruct students looking to improve their skills.
Professional and homesteading skills are welcome in addition to academic subjects. Put your one-of-a-kind skill set to work for your company!
You, as an instructor, can design courses that include audio, video, a PowerPoint-style presentation, practice assignments, and exams. You charge an enrollment fee. The higher the pay, the longer the course. Your earnings will vary depending on how students sign up. (Did they sign up through your registration link? Or did they use the search function on the website?)
Online course creation isn’t for everyone, but for those who have the skills, it can be a lucrative side hustle.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Based on course length and enrollment.
23. Competitive Gamer
In recent years, the video game industry has boomed, and more people than ever are playing video games. You can turn your hobby into a profitable side hustle if you have developed some serious skills in popular titles.
Real-money gaming competitions are becoming increasingly popular, much like video games themselves. Websites like GamerSaloon, GameBattles, and WorldGaming Network provide opportunities for amateurs to earn money on the side by crushing your opponents in online tournaments. These sites’ prize pools can range from $1 to $500.
Dota 2, the FIFA series, the Call of Duty series, Madden, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends are all popular competitive games. After a few wins, you may be eligible for esports competitions, which are typically held by the developers of popular competitive games. The prize money for these tournaments can reach seven figures.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Online competitions range from $1 to $500 per match, while professional esports tournaments can cost up to $35,000 or more.
24. T-Shirt Designer
You have clever slogans and eye-catching graphics in mind. Why not make them into a T-shirt?
Print-on-demand services like Merch by Amazon, Printful, and Redbubble enable people to upload their designs and sell products without having to deal with inventory or shipping. Each shirt is custom-made, and the designer receives a percentage of the proceeds.
This side hustle requires no graphic design skills. They couldn’t hurt, after all.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: Item sales generate passive income. Possibility of growing into a business.
25. Audio or Caption Transcriptionist
For some people looking to make a little extra money online, a transcription side hustle can be a good low-barrier fit. All you’ll need is lightning-fast typing speed and accuracy.
Transcribers are frequently recruited by Allegis Transcription, TranscribeMe, Rev, Net Transcripts, and Lionbridge to work on-demand and on a flexible schedule.
Transcription jobs for insurance claims or court cases are common. However, if you have second-language skills, you can find a side hustle transcribing song lyrics and movie captions.
TMH Estimated Earnings Potential: $15 to $25 per audio hour.
What the Most Successful Side Hustles Have in Common (Besides Bringing in Extra Cash)
We’ve spoken with dozens of people who have side jobs and discovered commonalities in successful gigs. Here are a few elements we believe should be included in your next side hustle.
1. Schedule Flexibility
Don’t let your side hustle get in the way of your day job. In fact, some employers have policies in place that prohibit you from taking on additional work.
Make sure you have permission to start a side hustle and that the hours work with your main job schedule. Also, try not to overdo it. In the excitement of getting things up and running, you may be tempted to take on a lot of work on the side, only to discover that it’s too much to handle in the long run. Set aside some time to get started, and then ramp up once you’ve gotten a handle on the business.
2. Pleasurability
Whatever you decide to do as a side hustle, you should enjoy it on some level. Find the best side hustle for your personality and interests because it will consume a significant amount of your free time. Otherwise, it may be difficult to justify the extra money — and you may risk burning yourself out.
3. Low Entry Cost
When deciding on a side hustle, it’s critical to consider how much it will cost to get it started. Some part-time side hustles, such as app-based ones, can be started right away, whereas others, such as selling goods online, may require more time and money upfront. If the project is ambitious, start slowly. Don’t put yourself in a financial bind before you even begin.
4. Satisfies a High Demand
This is significant. It’s easier to get started with a side hustle that you don’t have to hard sell to anyone.
For example, if you live in a pet-friendly apartment complex full of busy young professionals, you could start a dog walking business. You won’t have to travel far to find clients (you can advertise online in your resident portal or Facebook group), you’ll make extra money, and you’ll get plenty of fresh air and exercise. (Being a dog walker also means lots of puppy cuddles.)
Consider a service that people require — and, more importantly, will pay for — that you could provide. Your brilliant idea could result in quick money.
5. A Pathway to a Professional or Personal Goal
The best side hustles do more than just make you more money. They also assist you in achieving your objectives.
Paying off student loans or learning new skills to help you get a better full-time job are both excellent reasons to start a side business. However, if you don’t set boundaries, side hustles can lead to endless work and burnout. That’s why you should have a clear end point or at least a pause point where you can re-evaluate why you started your gig and see if you need to change course — or even scale it up to full time.
What Skills Do Side Hustlers Require?
Finding or developing a great side hustle is critical, but it is only half of the equation. To be successful, every side hustler must possess a set of characteristics.
Self-Motivation
To be successful with your side hustle, you must be self-motivated. It is your responsibility as the sole employee to create your own workflow and stay motivated so that your products or assignments are completed on time.
Perspective
It will take some time for your side hustle to ramp up to full speed and, hopefully, start making you a lot of money. Money does not always start flowing right away. And remember that if your side hustle fails, you can always restart and try something else.
Willingness to Learn
It is never too late or too late to learn something new. Even if you already know the skills or subject matter of your potential side hustle, starting one is a learning experience in and of itself. And if you want to try something completely new, you’ll need to put in the time to practice. Your side hustle experience can help you advance your career even if you don’t scale your idea into a business.
Self-Forgiveness
You’ll be better off knowing ahead of time that you’ll make mistakes. This could be your first attempt at side hustling while working a full-time job and maintaining a personal life. There will be late nights and a lot of trial and (hopefully) error. If your side hustle isn’t working out, the sooner you forgive yourself and cut your losses, the better.
Are You Ready to Start Your Side Hustle?
It can be empowering to develop a recurring income stream, whether you pursue your side gig as a part-time job or as a freelance endeavor. And who knows what else? It could be the impetus for you to start your own business on your own terms.
Of course, your second gig does not have to turn into a second job.
Whether you want to work a few minutes a day to earn extra money (online surveys or focus groups) or work a few jobs (writing resumes and dog walking) to pay off your student loans, you can make your own schedule.
You can manage your own time and earnings if you so desire. Begin selling, supplement your income, and then retool as needed.