Feeling the pinch of financial stress? Want a bit more cash for bills or savings? If a full-time job is too big a step or you’re too busy, think about side jobs and gigs. These jobs let you work as much or as little as you want. You can set your own hours and even learn new skills to boost your resume.
Side jobs range from pet sitting to driving for rideshare services, offering many choices. They’re perfect for students, caregivers, or those with full-time jobs wanting extra income without changing their life too much.
Key Takeaways
- Side jobs offer a flexible way to earn extra income without committing to a permanent part-time position.
- Many side gigs feature scheduling options that cater to students, caregivers, and full-time workers.
- Side job opportunities span a wide range, from driving and delivery services to freelance work and online retail.
- Exploring side hustles can help you develop new skills and diversify your income streams.
- Carefully consider your goals, available time, and desired skills when choosing a side job.
What are Side Jobs?
Side jobs, or side hustles, let you make extra money outside your main job. These jobs are flexible and can give you a boost to your income. They help you reach your financial goals, like paying off debt or saving for something big. Side jobs are a way to earn supplemental income and gain financial freedom.
Definition and Benefits of Side Hustles
A side hustle is a part-time job or freelance work you do besides your main job. These extra income opportunities have many benefits, including:
- Flexibility to work on your own schedule
- Ability to explore new skills and business ideas with low risk
- Potential to earn significantly more than your primary job
- Opportunity to gain valuable experience and diversify your income streams
Types of Side Gigs
There are many types of side gigs, both in-person and online. Some popular ones are freelancing (like writing, graphic design, web development), gig-based work (such as rideshare driving, delivery services), and flexible online jobs (like virtual assistant, customer service roles). No matter your skills or interests, there’s probably a side job that fits your life and helps you meet your financial goals.
| Side Hustle Type | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Lawn Care Professional | $55 |
| TaskRabbit Handyman | Variable (set your own rate) |
| Frequent Flyer Specialist | $80 to $150 per project |
| Bookkeeper | $24 |
“Side hustles are a great way to boost your income, plus they let you explore potential business ideas with little upfront costs or major time commitments.”
Freelancing Opportunities
Freelancing is a great way to make extra cash. Skilled freelancers are in high demand for tasks like freelance writing, graphic design, and web development. You can work on a project-by-project basis, fitting it into your spare time.
To start, share your skills with your network or use freelancer sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com to find clients.
Finding Freelance Work
Many platforms and job boards make finding freelance work easy. Freelancer portals like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com connect you with clients and manage projects and payments. You can also promote your services on your own website, making invoicing and payments easy.
Networking with friends and colleagues is another way to find freelance work.
“Freelancing provides the flexibility to work on your own terms and earn extra income on the side.”
If you’re good at writing, designing, or web development, freelancing can help you earn more and gain financial freedom. Use your skills and build a portfolio of happy clients. This way, you can turn your passion into a profitable side job.
Gig Economy Jobs
The rise of the gig economy has opened up many ways for people to make extra cash. You can work on-demand, choosing flexible side jobs that fit your life. Jobs like driving for a rideshare, delivering groceries or packages, or offering home services are great options. They usually don’t need special training or experience, making them easy for many to start.
Now, over a third of American adults have a side job, and almost 40% use that money for daily living costs. The average side hustle brings in $686 a month, but most people earn less than $200. Good reviews are key in the gig economy, as one bad review can hurt your business.
- About 44% of gig economy workers say their side job is their main income source.
- In 2018, the gig economy was a big deal, with 36% of U.S. workers joining in. This meant 57 million Americans were part of a global gig economy worth up to 350 billion dollars.
- Some gig workers, like ride-share drivers, make more than $1,000 a month.
- Apps like Shipt, Instacart, and DoorDash have seen a rise in demand for gig workers during the pandemic for tasks like shopping for others.
- Platforms like Freelancer and Fiverr offer jobs for freelancers in areas like website design, graphic design, and virtual help.
- Companies such as eBay and Amazon let people start online stores, giving them an alternative to traditional shops.
- Fitness-related gigs like personal training are becoming more popular as people focus on health.
- Data entry and resume writing gigs are in demand, with real opportunities on platforms like Indeed.
- Apps like Tidy offer gig work in home cleaning, giving workers control over their work and pay.
- Platforms like Rover connect pet lovers with jobs like dog walking or pet sitting.
The gig economy offers many flexible side jobs for extra income. Whether you’re into driving, delivering, freelancing, or other on-demand work, the gig economy is a great way to make more money.
Driving and Delivery Services
If you have a reliable vehicle and know your way around town, there are jobs for you. Companies like Uber and Lyft let you use your car for rideshare services. This way, you can work when you want and earn cash with your vehicle.
Another option is to deliver packages or food for companies like Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, OnTrac, and Roadie. These delivery jobs also let you work on your own schedule and use your car to make extra money.
Rideshare Driving
Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a great side job. You can earn between $15 to $25 per hour. Plus, you get to set your own hours and use your car.
The demand for rideshare drivers is growing. This means there are many opportunities in cities all over the country.
Food and Package Delivery
The gig economy has created many jobs in food and package delivery. Amazon Flex pays $18 to $25 per hour for delivering packages. Instacart shoppers can earn up to $37 per hour delivering groceries.
Other companies like DoorDash, Grubhub, OnTrac, and Roadie also offer flexible ways to earn. They are looking for people with reliable vehicles who want to work on their own time.
| Gig Job | Hourly Pay Range | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| Uber/Lyft | $15 – $25 | Flexible schedule, use own vehicle |
| Amazon Flex | $18 – $25 | Package delivery, set own hours |
| Instacart | Up to $37 | Grocery delivery, potential for high earnings |
| DoorDash/Grubhub | $15 – $20 | Food delivery, flexible schedule |
Whether you pick rideshare driving or delivering packages and food, there are many side job options. These jobs offer flexible schedules, the chance to use your own vehicle, and good pay. They’re a great way to make extra money on your own terms.
Handyman and Home Services
If you’re handy or enjoy cleaning and organizing, you can offer your services online. Use Taskrabbit, Angi Services, and Amazon Professional Services to connect with clients. You can also advertise on Craigslist and ask friends for work.
Taskrabbit and Angi Jobs
As a handyman, you can deduct tools, fuel, vehicle maintenance, ads, and special licenses or insurance. Self-employment taxes are 15.3%. But, you can earn over $100 an hour for some jobs.
In 2020, people wanted help with small repairs, yard work, and mounting TVs and fans. Ariel Rothbard from Taskrabbit said these were top requests. Allan Lee from The Handyman Journey suggests focusing on plumbing and electrical work.
Robert Weisberg from Home Medic Handyman suggests offering a variety of services. This keeps you busy and brings in money. Dan Perry from Handyman Startup recommends setting your rates by adding up your costs and dividing by the hours you work.
| Service | Comfort Level | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | 45% | High |
| Electrical | 20% | Moderate |
| Plumbing | 30% | High |
To market your handyman business, use online sites like Craigslist, TaskRabbit, Angie’s List, and Yelp. Ask friends for referrals and pass out flyers in your area. Great service to your first clients can lead to more work and positive word-of-mouth.
“The average income from handyman work has gone up by 25% in a year because people really need these services.”
Caregiving and Pet Care
Looking to make extra money with flexible side jobs? The caregiving and pet care fields have many opportunities. You can choose from working with people or animals.
Babysitting and Elder Care
Babysitting is a classic side job with a steady demand for trustworthy caregivers. You can join Care.com or find jobs through friends and family. Elder care is also growing fast, offering flexible jobs for caregivers.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you love pets, pet sitting and dog walking are great side jobs. You can work at a doggy daycare or boarding facility, or start your own business. Sites like Wag and Rover help you advertise your services. Sniffspot lets you earn by hosting dogs in your yard.
The caregiving and pet care fields offer many side job options. With some research and hard work, you can find a job that fits your skills and schedule. This way, you can increase your income and follow your passions.
side jobs to earn extra money
There are many ways to make extra money with flexible side hustles. Look for jobs that match your skills, time, and goals. This could be freelancing, gig work, online jobs, or seasonal jobs. Taking a side job can increase your income, open new career doors, and give you valuable skills. You can do this while keeping your main job secure.
Consider online tutoring or podcasting for supplemental income opportunities. Use your creativity and skills to make money with print-on-demand t-shirt businesses, pet sitting and dog walking, or food delivery services. Even renting out a room on Airbnb can give you a steady income.
| Side Hustle | Potential Income |
|---|---|
| Online Tutoring | $1 to $10+ per hour |
| Watching Videos | $1 to $10+ per hour |
| Paid Online Surveys | $1 to $10+ per hour |
| Affiliate Marketing | $500 to $1,000+ per month |
| Selling Feet Pics | $100 to $1,000+ per month |
If you want to boost your savings, pay off debts, or just have more money, flexible side hustles are the way to go. Check out what you’re interested in, use your skills, and start moving towards financial freedom and supplemental income.
“The key to financial freedom is to earn more, save more, and invest more.” – Dave Ramsey
Online Customer Service and Virtual Assistant Roles
Want to make more money? Check out online customer service jobs and virtual assistant roles. These jobs let you work from home and set your own hours. They’re perfect for adding to your main income.
There are many online customer service jobs, both for working online and in person. You can work evenings and weekends, fitting it into your life. You’ll help customers by phone, email, or live chat. Tasks include taking orders, fixing technical issues, and answering questions.
Or, you could be a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants do tasks like setting up meetings, checking emails, and entering data. These jobs let you work whenever you want, making them great for busy people.
| Side Hustle | Potential Earnings |
|---|---|
| Online Tutoring | Up to $80,000 per year |
| Freelance Writing | Up to $80,000 per year |
| Social Media Management | Up to $80,000 per year |
| Virtual Assistance | Up to $80,000 per year |
| Web Development | Up to $80,000 per year |
Choosing online customer service or virtual assistant work can help you earn more. These flexible remote work jobs can help you meet your financial goals.
“Building a helpful website for oneself can have low startup costs, great long-term earning power, and the ability to sell the business down the road, pointing to the viability of this side hustle option.”
Blogging and Affiliate Marketing
If you love writing and sharing info, think about starting a blog in a niche you’re into, like travel, food, beauty, or fashion. As your blog gets more visitors, you can make money with ads or affiliate sales. Ads pay when people view or click on them, and affiliate sales pay you for promoting products or services. This can be a great way to earn, but it takes some work to get your blog going.
Starting a Niche Blog
Focus on a specific niche when starting a blog to stand out. Look for topics and keywords that are popular and in demand. Keep posting quality articles that help your readers. Use social media to promote your blog and grow your audience.
Affiliate Programs and Monetization
Affiliate marketing is a great way for bloggers to make money. By promoting products or services through affiliate programs, you can earn a commission on sales from your links. This can create passive income streams that keep earning even when you’re not working. Choosing the right affiliate partners and promoting your content well is important for success.
| Monetization Method | Potential Income |
|---|---|
| Display Ads | $0.10 – $5.00 per 1,000 page views |
| Affiliate Marketing | 10-30% commission on sales |
| Sponsored Content | $50 – $1,000+ per post |
| Digital Products | $10 – $100+ per sale |
“Consistent blogging and strategic affiliate partnerships can turn your blog into a lucrative passive income stream.”
Selling and Renting Out Possessions
If you have clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories you don’t need anymore, you can make extra cash. You can sell them online on sites like eBay, Poshmark, or Vinted. Or, you can rent out unused space, like a spare room or garage, on Airbnb, FlipKey, Neighbor, Stow It, or Vrbo. This is a simple way to earn more money.
You can also make money by renting out a car you don’t use often on Getaround and Turo. If you’re good at reading and writing, you can work as a proofreader on Upwork. Renting out parking spots can also be profitable, especially in cities where parking is hard to find.
Airbnb rentals are easy to manage and can make you money, especially in places where people want to stay. You can also make money by running niche blogs. Just put ads and sponsored content on them. Real estate investing, getting a real estate license, or using crowdfunding for property can also bring in a lot of money over time.
| Side Hustle | Potential Earnings |
|---|---|
| Rideshare driving | Lucrative during peak hours, typically in the evenings when demand is high |
| Food and grocery delivery | Not highly profitable, but can provide extra income for a few hours of work |
| Renting parking spaces | More profitable in densely populated cities with limited parking availability |
| Online blogging | Profit based on audience engagement and monetization strategies |
| Real estate investing | Substantial returns over time with proper investment strategies |
“Monetizing your underutilized possessions and spaces can be a simple way to supplement your income.”
Micro Jobs and Small Tasks
If you want to make some extra cash quickly and easily, consider micro jobs and small tasks. These are short tasks that pay a little but can add up. Fiverr is a great place to find these gigs, starting at just $5.
Micro jobs cover many areas, like online surveys, data entry, and creative tasks like writing and graphic design. Some gigs pay as little as 10 cents, while others can pay up to $20. It’s important to think strategically about these jobs, as the small payments can add up.
Micro jobs offer great flexibility. You can do them in your free time, without a regular job. This is perfect for those wanting to earn extra or try new skills. Sites like Upwork and TaskRabbit have many micro job options, so you can find tasks that fit your skills and interests.
Micro jobs are great for students, stay-at-home parents, or anyone wanting extra cash. By using these flexible jobs, you can take control of your money and increase your income in a steady way.
| Platform | Micro Job Earnings | Fees/Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | $5 to $10,000 per gig | 20% platform fee |
| Upwork | Potential for thousands per month | N/A |
| TaskRabbit | N/A | $25 registration fee for taskers |
| ClickWorker | 10 cents to $20 per task | Instant payouts at €5 for PayPal or €10 for bank account |
| Amazon Mechanical Turk | Less than $5 per hour on average | 10-day waiting period for new workers to receive earnings |
| PeoplePerHour | N/A | 3.5% to 20% service fees based on earnings |
| Freelancer | N/A | Bid-based platform, users need to stand out to win jobs |
Micro jobs and small tasks won’t make you rich on their own. But, they can be a big help to your income. By trying these out, you can move closer to your financial goals in a flexible way.
Research Studies and Focus Groups
Want to make some extra money? Try joining paid research studies and online focus groups. You can share your thoughts and earn cash. There are many options, from in-person to online studies.
In-person studies might mean visiting a research center or testing products. You can earn $75 to $150 per hour. For instance, someone made $150 for a 1.5-hour talk about their travel habits.
Online studies and focus groups are flexible. Sites like User Interviews, Respondent, and Rare Patient Voice offer remote studies. You can earn $50 to $750 per hour. For example, one person got $395 from Respondent for a study.
You can make a good amount of money. Survey Junkie users can earn up to $40 a month with surveys. Focus groups on the site can pay up to $75. Product Report Card offers tests at home or online, paying $75-$150 per hour.
Looking for a one-time job or a side hustle? Research studies and focus groups are great options. With the right ones, you can make hundreds in just a few hours.
| Platform | Typical Pay Range | Notable Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| User Interviews | $50 – $150 per hour | $105 for 1.5-hour study |
| Respondent | $75 per project on average | $395 earned so far |
| Rare Patient Voice | $120 per hour for medical research | N/A |
| Survey Junkie | Up to $75 for focus groups | Up to $40 per month on regular surveys |
| Product Report Card | $75 – $150 per hour | N/A |
So, if you want to boost your income, watch for research studies and online focus groups in your area or online. These gigs offer a flexible way to make extra money.
Event Staffing and Seasonal Gigs
Looking to make some extra cash or find flexible jobs? Event staffing and seasonal gigs are a great choice. These jobs often involve working for catering companies, farmers’ markets, fairs, and festivals. You get to earn money and enjoy the fun atmosphere of these events.
Industry reports show that 40% of event staffing jobs are seasonal. This number spikes in summer with festivals, concerts, and sports events. The pay for these jobs is between $11 and $16 an hour, based on the job and your role.
Catering companies often hire for event staff on a flexible basis. This includes jobs like serving, bartending, and more. In places with regular farmers’ markets and fairs, you might even get free entry to the event while earning extra cash.
Seasonal jobs aren’t just about event staffing. You can find work in pet care, lawn maintenance, and freelance writing. Summer brings a 25% increase in pet sitting and dog walking jobs. Lawn care sees a 15% jump in bookings too.
Event staffing and seasonal jobs are great for making extra money or trying new things. They offer a flexible and rewarding way to enjoy your community’s lively events.
“Seasonal work is a great way to earn extra cash and try out different types of jobs. From catering events to caring for pets, the opportunities are endless.” – Jane Doe, Freelance Writer
Conclusion
This article has shown many ways to make extra money and improve your finances. You can choose from freelancing, gig work, or online jobs. Each option helps you earn more and reach your financial goals.
Freelancing lets you work in areas like personal finance and cryptocurrency. There’s also a big need for UX copywriting and resume writing. Plus, virtual assistance, social media management, and online tutoring are growing fields.
The gig economy is booming with companies like Uber, DoorDash, and Airbnb. These platforms let you use your time and things to make money.
Finding the right side job is key to success. It should match your interests, skills, and schedule. By trying different side jobs, you can earn more, learn new things, and keep a good balance between work and life.
Whether you want to pay off debt, save for something big, or increase your savings, a good side job can help. It’s a great way to achieve your goals in summary of side jobs, earning extra income, and supplemental income opportunities.