A FlexJobs survey found that nearly one in three workers have a side job. Over 11% even have more than one. And, 38% are on the hunt for a side job. This means over two-thirds (69%) of workers either have a side gig or are looking for one.
With more remote jobs available, there are plenty of chances to earn extra money. These side jobs can also help you learn new skills. Plus, they let you follow your passion or check out a new career path.
Key Takeaways
- More than two-thirds of employed professionals either have a side job or want one.
- Side jobs can provide extra income, new skills, and help explore career opportunities.
- Remote work has increased the availability of flexible, lucrative side gigs.
- Freelancing, pet sitting, and digital product sales are popular side hustle ideas.
- Platforms like Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, and Care.com can help find and manage side jobs.
What Are Side Jobs?
A side job is work you do to earn extra money outside your main job. These jobs are often freelance or gig-based and let you work on your own schedule. They’re great for people who are busy but want to make more money.
Definition and Benefits of Side Hustles
Side hustles can give you extra cash, teach you new skills, and help you switch careers. With living costs rising, many Americans have had to ask family for money help. Over half of Gen Z worries about money due to inflation. Side jobs offer flexible work that fits your life.
- Earn supplemental income to support your lifestyle and savings goals
- Develop new skills and explore different career paths
- Enjoy the flexibility to work on your own schedule
“Side hustles can provide a valuable source of supplemental income, help you learn new skills, and even serve as a stepping stone for a career change.”
Looking to make more money, gain new experiences, or follow a passion? Side jobs have many benefits for your needs and goals. By learning about side hustles, you can find the right opportunity for your life and finances.
Popular Side Jobs from Home
In today’s digital age, there are more remote side hustles than ever. You can make extra money, try a new hobby, or get valuable experience from home. The comfort of your own home is perfect for many side jobs. You can choose from freelance work to gig-based roles, offering a wide range of flexible side gigs.
Freelance work is a top choice for many. It lets you use your skills in writing, graphic design, or web development. You can pick your projects and set your rates. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com help freelancers find clients and show off their skills.
Gig-based jobs like pet sitting, dog walking, or tech support are also popular. They offer flexible schedules and the chance to work on your terms. Platforms like Rover, TaskRabbit, and Geek Squad make it easy to find and manage these work-from-home jobs.
Companies also offer flexible side gigs for bookkeepers, chat support agents, and virtual assistants. These roles provide a steady income and let you balance work and life. They also let you explore your interests.
| Side Hustle | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Virtual Assistant | $18 |
| Bookkeeper | $20 |
| Customer Service Representative | $16 |
| Accountant | $23 |
| Technical Writer | $26 |
| Social Media Specialist | $19 |
| Video Editor | $22 |
Remote side hustles are great because they mix flexibility with good pay. They’re perfect if you want to make extra money or try a new career path. The options for side jobs from home are many and varied.
“I started my virtual assistant side hustle a few years ago, and it has been a game-changer. The flexible schedule and the ability to work from home have been incredibly valuable to me.” – Emma, 32, Virtual Assistant
Freelance Writing Opportunities
Freelance writing is a great way to earn extra money from home. You can choose from many types of writing, like blog posts, articles, and technical writing. You set your own hours. Freelancers usually earn about $23 per hour, based on their experience and the project’s needs.
To succeed in freelance writing, you need a strong portfolio. It should show off your writing skills and how you can adapt to different styles. It’s important to work with various clients and not rely on just one. This helps you make a steady income in the freelance world.
Recent studies show that 42% of freelance writers and copywriters make between $2,000 to $5,000 per month. Most freelance writers work part-time, putting in 10 hours a week. The best freelance writing gigs have no more than 3 clients, charge up to $300 per post, and can make $2,500 a month.
By working 2-3 hours daily, Monday to Friday, you can earn more. You can write shorter content for higher pay, aiming for up to $5,000 a month.
Freelancers can earn between $0.05-0.35 per word, which is about $50-$350 for a 1000-word article. Writing tutors can charge $20-60 per hour and earn up to $1000 a week. Online teachers can make up to $10,000 a month by teaching group classes online on platforms like Outschool.
Freelance writing is a flexible and potentially profitable side job. With a diverse portfolio and the right strategies, you can make the most of this opportunity.
Web Development: High Earning Potential
If you know how to code, web development can be a great way to make extra money. You can work on websites, apps, and online platforms. You can use front-end, back-end, or full-stack development. On average, you can earn about $45 per hour.
You can find work on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com, or by contacting companies directly. These platforms offer a chance to show off your skills and get paid well for them.
Front-end, Back-end, and Full-stack Development
To succeed, learn about coding languages and frameworks well. Always talk clearly with clients and keep a portfolio of your work. In 2017, web developers made about $70,000 a year on average. This job is expected to grow by 15% from now until 2026, which is faster than most jobs.
On Upwork, web developers earn an average of $75 per hour. Web designers make about $74 per hour, showing they’re in demand too. SEO consultants earn $66 per hour, proving there’s a strong need for these skills.
| Freelance Role | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Web Developer | $75 |
| Web Designer | $74 |
| SEO Consultant | $66 |
| Copywriter | $69 |
| Social Media Manager | $32 |
| Tech Support Specialist | $37 |
Using your web development, front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development skills can lead to a profitable side job. This can significantly increase your earnings.
Data Analysis and Insights
In today’s business world, knowing how to analyze data is a big plus for side hustlers. As a freelance data analyst, you can use your skills in tools like Excel, SQL, Python, and data visualization software. This helps you find important insights for companies. By looking at trends, making detailed reports, and turning complex info into easy-to-understand advice, you add great value to businesses.
Freelance data analysis can pay about $33 an hour, making it a good way to earn extra. To do well, you need to be detail-oriented, good at understanding complex data, and able to explain your findings clearly. With more companies wanting data-driven insights, freelance data analysis is a great way to increase your income and show off your skills.
There are many places to find freelance data analysis work, like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Toptal. These platforms offer projects in market research, financial analysis, and web scraping. It’s important to have a strong portfolio that shows your skills and past successes to get high-paying jobs.
But you don’t have to just freelance. You can also make money by teaching online courses on sites like Udemy and Coursera. Or, use your data visualization skills to create reports and dashboards for clients with tools like Tableau and Power BI.
Freelance data analysts can also look into blogging, product development, and consulting. By posting insightful articles on Medium and Google AdSense, you can grow your brand and make money from ads or affiliate marketing. Finding market needs and creating data-driven products, like predictive analytics tools or custom visualizations, can also be profitable. Plus, offering services like financial planning or data science for sports teams can lead to high earnings.
“Data is the new oil. It’s valuable, but if unrefined it cannot really be used. It has to be changed into gas, plastic, chemicals, etc. to create a valuable entity that drives profitable activity; so must data be broken down, analyzed for it to have value.”
— Clive Humby, Mathematician
side jobs from home
Opportunities and Platforms
Remote work has opened up many chances for people to earn extra money from home. You can find remote side jobs, work-from-home side hustles, and online side gigs easily. Freelance writing, web development, data analysis, graphic design, and programming are some top choices.
Many platforms help you find, manage, and get paid for these jobs. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and Toptal offer lots of options. They let you show off your skills, meet clients, and easily find projects that match your schedule and skills.
| Side Hustle | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Freelance Writing | $29 |
| Graphic Design | $45 |
| Social Media Management | $26 |
| Video Editing | $50 |
| Web Design | $39 |
There are many more ways to make money from home, too. You can try tutoring, virtual assistance, data analysis, or programming. The chances to earn extra income from home are greater than ever.
“The rise in remote work has created a wealth of opportunities for people to find lucrative side jobs they can do from the comfort of their own homes.”
Graphic Design and Visual Creativity
Graphic design is a side hustle that can make you a lot of money today. Entrepreneurs and companies always need designs that catch the eye. This could be anything from logos to full brand makeovers. As a freelance graphic designer, you might earn about $35 an hour. This depends on your skills and the project’s complexity.
To do well in this field, you need a great eye for color, composition, and design. You should also know how to use software like Adobe Photoshop well. It’s important to manage what clients expect and handle any changes they might want.
Freelance graphic design offers many ways to make money. You can sell stock photos, Lightroom presets, digital planners, website templates, and custom illustrations. This means there are lots of chances for visual designers to make money with their skills.
| Income Stream | Description |
|---|---|
| Stock Photography | Earn royalties by selling high-resolution images on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStockPhoto. |
| Lightroom Presets | Create and sell custom Lightroom presets to enhance photographs for small businesses and social media influencers. |
| Digital Planners and Trackers | Design and sell digital planners, calendars, and trackers that cater to the growing demand for productivity and organization tools. |
| Website Templates | Develop and sell website templates to other designers or website owners seeking ready-made themes. |
| Illustrations and Artwork | Create custom illustrations and artwork, then sell them on print-on-demand (POD) sites or directly to clients. |
By using your graphic design skills and looking into different ways to make money, you can turn your love for visual design into a successful freelance career. And you can do it all from home.
Programming and Software Development
In today’s digital world, programming and software development are great side jobs. They let you use your tech skills to make, keep up, and improve digital solutions for many clients. If you know Python, Java, or C++, you can earn a good hourly rate of about $40.
Creating Digital Solutions
There’s a big need for skilled programmers and software developers. You can find freelance work on sites like Freelancer.com, Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork. Here, you can show off your skills and work on projects from apps to complex software. To do well, you need the right tech skills, manage what clients expect, and keep learning and growing your portfolio.
There are more ways to make money with programming skills too. Selling online courses on Udemy is a good way to share your knowledge and earn money. Also, having your own programming blog can help you build a brand, draw in clients, and make money from ads, affiliate marketing, and selling products.
- Leverage your programming skills to create digital solutions for clients across a wide range of industries.
- Explore freelance opportunities on platforms like Freelancer.com, Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork.
- Develop and sell online courses to share your expertise and generate passive income.
- Build a programming blog to establish your personal brand and explore monetization opportunities.
Programming and software development as a side hustle offer flexibility and good pay. They let you grow your income and fulfill your professional goals. Don’t miss this chance to turn your tech skills into a successful side business that fits your main job or lifestyle.
Copy Editing and Content Polishing
If you have a keen eye for details, copy editing could be a great side job. As a freelance copy editor, you’ll make sure the content is perfect in grammar, style, and clarity. You’ll work on books, articles, and marketing stuff, making sure everything is ready for readers.
Being good at this job means you pay attention to every little thing. You should know about different writing styles and work fast when needed. These skills are essential for making a mark in this field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says there were over 106,000 copy editor jobs in 2022. They expect this number to grow by 8.4% in the next ten years. This shows there’s a big need for people who are good at content polishing. If you love writing or marketing, or just enjoy fixing grammar, copy editing and proofreading could be a great side job.
“As a freelance copy editor, you have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, from best-selling novels to innovative marketing campaigns. It’s a fulfilling way to utilize your attention to detail and language expertise while earning extra income.”
To start, look for online platforms that connect editors with clients. Or, you can contact companies and publications yourself. With the right skills and dedication, copy editing can be a great way to make money from home.
Project Management: Overseeing Deliverables
As a freelance project manager, you can make good money by managing projects from start to finish. You’ll earn about $46 per hour on average. Your job is to lead teams, manage resources, and make sure projects are done on time and within budget.
Project managers are needed in many fields like IT, marketing, and event planning. To do well, you’ll need skills in problem-solving, multitasking, and clear communication. You should also be good at explaining complex ideas to others.
Knowing about project management methods like Scrum or Agile is helpful too. These skills can make you stand out.
| Job Title | Location | Salary Range | Job Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Management Office Specialist | Washington, DC | N/A | 100% Remote |
| AVP, Technical Project Management Manager | Radnor, PA | $120,600 – $220,100 | Full-Time |
| Business Partner, Project Management | San Juan, PR | N/A | Hybrid Remote |
| Director Global Project Management | New York, NY | $123,800 – $165,000 | Full-Time |
| Specialist, Project Management | Columbia, SC | $100,000 – $120,000 | Full-Time |
| FRTB Project Management Support | New York, NY | $100.00 – $107.00/hr | Freelance |
| Enterprise Project Management Office Program Manager | Newport News, VA | $7,425 – $12,100/mo | Full-Time |
There’s a growing need for project managers, offering both full-time and freelance remote jobs. By sharing your project management skills, you can increase your earnings as a side hustle.
Conclusion
Side jobs and side hustles offer many chances to make more money and learn new things. With remote work becoming more common, there are now more flexible and profitable side gigs than ever. These include freelance writing, web development, data analysis, and project management.
When picking a side hustle, think about your goals, how much time you have, and your skills. This helps you find the perfect fit.
Using your skills in a side job can help you make extra money, get new experiences, and even set you up for a career change. You might want to earn more, try a new career, or just enjoy a hobby you love. The side job world has many chances to improve your finances and personal growth.
If you want to boost your income and explore new opportunities, get into side jobs and side hustles. With hard work, creativity, and a positive attitude, you can find a flexible income and professional satisfaction.
FAQ
What are side jobs and side hustles?
Side jobs, also known as side hustles or gigs, let you earn extra money outside your main job. They can be freelance, flexible, or gig-based in many fields. Unlike regular jobs, side jobs offer more control over your schedule.
What are the benefits of having a side job?
Side jobs can boost your income, teach you new skills, and help you switch careers. With more remote jobs available, there are plenty of flexible side gigs to choose from.
What are some popular side job options?
Popular side jobs include freelance work, gig-based jobs, and online roles. These can be freelance writing, web development, data analysis, graphic design, or programming.
How much can you earn from freelance writing as a side job?
Freelance writers usually earn about per hour. But, rates can change a lot based on the industry, your experience, and the project’s complexity.
What skills are needed for a successful web development side hustle?
For web development, you need to know coding languages and frameworks well. It’s also key to set clear expectations with clients and have a diverse portfolio to show your skills. Web developers earn about per hour on average.
What skills are required for a data analysis side job?
For data analysis, you need to be detail-oriented and good at understanding complex info. You should also be able to explain data insights clearly to others. Data analysts earn about per hour.
Where can you find side job opportunities?
You can find side jobs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and Toptal. These sites offer a wide range of gigs across different industries and skill levels. They make it easy to find, manage, and get paid for side jobs that fit your schedule and skills.
What skills are needed for a successful freelance graphic design side hustle?
For graphic design, you need an eye for color, composition, and design. Being good with design software like Adobe Photoshop is also crucial. Managing client expectations and revisions is important too. Graphic designers earn about per hour on average.
What skills are required for a programming or software development side job?
In programming or software development, having the right technical skills is key. You also need to manage client expectations and keep improving your skills and portfolio. Programmers and software developers earn about per hour on average.
What skills are needed for a copy editing side hustle?
For copy editing, you need a keen eye for detail and knowledge of writing styles. Being able to work fast and meet deadlines is also important. Copy editors earn about per hour on average.
What skills are needed for a successful freelance project management side job?
For project management, you should be good at solving problems, handling multiple tasks, and communicating clearly. Knowing about project management methods like Scrum or Agile is also helpful. Freelance project managers earn about per hour on average.