Living in the countryside can be challenging when it comes to making a living. Although the cost of living is lower, there aren’t as many regular job opportunities as in a bustling city.
But don’t worry. There are still lots of side hustles that are perfect for rural areas and can help you earn some cash.
One fact stands out: crafters in rural communities find success selling unique furniture and homemade crafts at local markets or even online through places like Amazon and Etsy.
Understanding Rural Demographics and Opportunities
Rural areas are home to about 21% of the US population. They have a slower bounce back from financial hard times than cities do.
But there is a bright side! Rural areas and small towns offer unique ways to make cash. You can tap into local resources or use your talents for services that people in your community need.
Think about what makes your area unique! Maybe it has excellent outdoor activities like hiking or fishing. Perhaps you’ve got rich farming lands around you that yield veggies and eggs, or folks will pay for help with farm work like plowing snow or caring for pets while they’re out of town.
Take stock of these opportunities – they could be your ticket to earning some income!
32 Side Hustles in Rural Areas
Living in a rural area doesn’t limit your earning potential, as there are plenty of side hustles to explore, such as house cleaning, barn cleaning, painting jobs, working as an electrician, and many more.
1. House/Garage/Barn Cleaning
Cleaning houses, garages, and barns is an excellent way to make money in rural areas. Many people do not like to clean or don’t have time for it. That’s where you come in! You will need some cleaning tools and supplies, but start small with what you already have at home.
Every project can be different, so always ask what they want done. This type of work pays well and can be fun because each job is unique.
2. Painting Jobs
Painting jobs are a great way to make money in rural areas. Many homes, barns, and fences need fresh paint now and then. It’s easy to start; you only need brushes, ladders, and paint.
Plus, it’s good exercise! With every painting job you do, you hone your skills. Soon, people will be calling you for all their painting needs! This side hustle lets you earn money while making your town look brighter and more colorful.
3. Electrician
This side hustle can take on various forms, from performing minor electrical repairs and installations for friends and family to taking on freelance projects in the local community.
With the demand for electrical work constantly increasing, side hustle electricians can find a steady stream of customers looking for their expertise, especially in home improvements, renovations, and general maintenance.
Electricians often command a respectable hourly rate, making it a lucrative choice for those with the necessary skills and qualifications.
4. School Bus Driver
Driving a school bus is an excellent job in the country. You can make cash doing this work. Many schools need drivers to take kids to and from school. Plus, when you’re not driving, you can also try other ways to make money.
So, being a bus driver is excellent for earning more while helping your community!
5. Snow Plowing
Snow plowing is a good way to make money. You can do it when there’s snow in your town. It needs some things to start with. It would help if you had a substantial truck and a snow plow tool.
Also, you might need lessons on how to use these tools. But after that, you can begin this work! People always want clear driveways and roads during winter. It’s very cold for them to do it by themselves! This job could be challenging but fun if you like working outdoors in the cold weather!
6. Pet Care
Taking care of pets can make you money in the country. People need someone to watch their animals when they’re away. Services can include grooming pets or looking after them for a few days.
You might find many people needing these services because there may be few choices. If you are good with pets and treat them well, people will want your help again. It’s also a good idea to use social media to talk about your work so that more people know about it.
7. Dog Walking/Pet Sitting
You can make money by taking care of pets in your town. Many people have dogs and cats but are busy with work or school. They need help walking their pets and looking after them on trips.
It’s easy to get started! Tell your friends, family, and neighbors you offer pet care services. Soon, everyone will know you’re the person to call when their pet needs care.
Plus, it’s fun to spend time with animals!
8. Yard Work
You can make money in your area with yard work. Many people don’t have time to keep their yards neat. They might pay you to mow the grass, rake leaves, or plant flowers. It would help if you had a lawnmower and some simple tools for this job.
It’s not hard, and you get paid to be outside in the fresh air!
9. Flea Market Flipping
Flea market flipping is a fun way to make money. You buy things at low prices from flea markets and sell them for more. It’s like a treasure hunt! You find excellent items, clean them up, and maybe fix them.
Selling the items is the next step. You can sell online on websites or apps. You set the price higher than you bought it for. In this way, you earn cash in your pocket! It’s simple to do and doesn’t need much to start with besides time and a keen eye for bargains.
10. Flipping Furniture
Flipping furniture can be a fun way to make money. You buy old or used items at low prices, then use your creativity and basic DIY skills to fix them up—make them look new and fresh again! Then, you sell these items for a higher price.
This is great if you love interior design and home decor. It can also work well for people who have some time on their hands. Plus, it’s a neat side hustle or even a full-time business if you want it to be!
11. Childcare Services
Taking care of kids can make you money in rural areas. It’s a job that needs love for children and the right skills. Working parents often find it hard to get someone to watch their children.
That is why your help can be so valuable. You may look after babies or older kids who go to school. If you have space at home, you don’t need another place to do this job! People will trust you more as your name gets known for good childcare around town.
12. Handyman/Handywoman Services
You can make good money as a handyman or handywoman. People in your town might need help with small jobs. They may want you to fix a leaky faucet, repair a fence, or install some shelves.
This could be your job if you like working with your hands and having some tools. You can set your hours and pick the jobs you want to do. Plus, it’s nice to help other people and see them smile when the work is done right!
13. Lawncare/Landscaping
You can make money by taking care of lawns. This is called lawn care and landscaping. You cut grass, trim bushes, and plant flowers. People pay you to make their yards look good.
Rural areas have lots of yards. These big spaces need work to stay neat and clean. Some folks don’t have time for this job, but they will gladly pay you for your help! So, grab your tools and start a business in lawn care today! It is a great way to earn pocket money while keeping the environment green.
14. Local Guide Services
You can earn money by being a local guide in your town. Show people the best spots and share fun facts about the area. This job is great if you know a lot about nature, history, or other cool things nearby.
Maybe you’re good at finding birds or picking out tasty wine. You could do tours for those, too! To get your business started, talk to people and use social media. You may also need permits to take groups on hikes or other outings.
Being a local guide can be exciting work where no two days are the same!
15. Retail Arbitrage
In retail arbitrage, you buy cheap stuff from stores and sell it for more money. For example, if a toy is on sale at your local store, you can buy it. Then, you go online and sell that toy for a higher price.
Some people make good money doing this in rural areas. You have to be smart about what items will sell well, though!
16. Rideshare Driver or Grocery Deliverer
You can earn money as a rideshare driver or grocery delivery person in rural areas. It’s easy if you have a car! Apps like Uber and Lyft let you drive people to places. It can be fun meeting new people.
You might even learn more about your town this way! You can also make money by delivering groceries. Use apps like Instacart or Shipt for this job. Some folks can’t go out or are too busy to shop for food.
They will thank you for bringing it right to their door! Both jobs give you work when you want, which is great if the school keeps you busy during certain hours.
17. Local Photography
Taking pictures can make you money. The beauty of your town is a great thing to capture with a camera. You can take photos of nature, animals, or fun events in the area. These pretty pictures could be sold for cash!
You don’t just have to sell prints of your photos. Some local businesses might want to use them! Shops and tourist groups often need lovely images for their ads or websites. Use social media like Instagram or Facebook to show off your work and find buyers.
18. Farm Hand Help
A farm handoff is a job that keeps you busy in the country. You take care of animals, keep machines in good shape, and help with crops when it’s time to pick them. It can be hard work, but it will give you steady money.
You also get to be outside a lot and learn about farming. This job is excellent for people who like hands-on tasks and don’t mind dirt!
19. Agriculture and Gardening Services
You can make good money with farm and garden jobs. People always need fresh foods like fruits, veggies, and herbs. Start a garden at home or help on a big farm. You might plant seeds, water plants, or pick ripe food.
It’s fun work in the open air. You can sell what you grow at markets or to your neighbors or help others start their gardens! This job is great for rural areas with much land and fewer stores.
20. Local Event Planning (Such as Weddings)
Planning events is a fun way to earn money. In rural areas, you can plan local events such as weddings. A wedding needs many things. You help pick the place, food, music, and more! People will pay for your help to make their day special.
It’s good work if you like planning and helping people. This job uses your talents and networks in a small-town setting. Also, word spreads fast in a small town, so happy clients can bring you more business!
21. Selling Home-Grown Veggies
Planting your veggies at home is fun. It can also make money if you have to sell. You can sell them to your friends, family, and neighbors. Even people in town might want fresh food straight from the farm.
Farmers’ markets are an excellent place to sell, too. You set up a stand and put out your best veggies. People come by and buy what they like. It’s easy, and you get cash on the spot! Plus, it’s nice knowing your hard work goes towards feeding people healthy foods in your community.
22. Raising/Selling Chickens and Eggs
Chickens can make you money in a rural area. You feed them, and they lay eggs. You can sell the eggs to people who live nearby. Chickens are also good if you need to eat or sell meat.
It takes work, but it’s not too hard and pays off after some time.
23. Firewood Supplier
Firewood suppliers keep homes warm in rural areas. They cut and deliver cordwood needed for heating and cooking. Their work is not just about chopping wood; they manage forests to ensure healthy tree growth.
Suppliers often help farmers by providing wood for equipment repair and building things like chicken coops or barns.
These workers know how to clear land and remove trees safely, making more space on a farm or fixing storm damage.
If you need someone to care for your firewood needs, look for a local supplier.
Online Opportunities to Earn in Rural Areas
With the internet breaking down geographic boundaries, you can tap into various online opportunities from your rural home. You could explore becoming a virtual assistant, handling administrative tasks for clients remotely, etc.
24. Virtual Assistant
You can be a virtual assistant from home in a rural area or small town. As a virtual assistant, you help people with tasks such as sending emails, scheduling meetings, and managing social media pages.
You use your computer to do the work. It’s like being an office helper but doing it all online! The best part is that you can’t travel anywhere to make money. Many people need this type of help and are willing to pay for it.
25. Data Entry
Data entry is a job you can do from home. You need a computer and good typing skills. It’s simple work where you enter information into a database or document. Many companies look for people to help with this task.
You don’t have to travel far to do data entry jobs. They are online, so you can also earn money in rural areas! Freelance data entry jobs are common, easy to find, and fit well with your school schedule.
26. Transcription Work
Transcription work is another excellent way to earn money online. You can do it from your home, whenever that suits you. All you need to do is type out what’s being said in audio files.
It could be lectures, meetings, or interviews. If you have good typing skills and pay close attention to detail, this job is for you!
27. Marketer
A marketer can also make more money in rural areas. The internet opens doors for this job. Rural places may not have many people, but many buy things online. As a marketer, you can help businesses sell their goods or services online.
You show off products and attract customers worldwide using social media, email, and websites like Amazon or eBay. You do not need any special tools; you only need a laptop and an internet connection!
28. Artist
If you love drawing or painting, being an artist can help you earn money. You can use the Internet to show your art to people worldwide, and there are many websites where you can sell your work directly.
If you want, you can also create digital prints of your artwork and sell them online. This way, more people will be able to buy your art. By joining art forums on the web, you can meet other artists like yourself and learn new things from them!
29. Writer
Being a writer is a fantastic way to make money in small towns. You can write about food, travel, or animals. People all over the world need writers for their websites and blogs.
Writing does not need you to be in a big city. All you need is your computer and good internet service. Becoming a writer can be fun if you love reading books or telling stories!
30. Web Design
Web design is an excellent way to make money from home. It lets you use your creativity and computer skills. This job could be for you if you can make websites look good! Many small businesses in rural areas need help setting up their online sites.
You can make things look nice on the Internet and help these firms! If done well, this can turn into a good home-based business.
31. Blogging
You can make money by blogging. Do you love to write? Start a blog! Share stories about your town or your farm life. Blogs earn cash from ads, sponsored posts, and product sales. It works even in rural areas.
You need an internet connection. Blogging can be fun and profitable at the same time!
32. Tutoring
You can make money by tutoring online. It’s easy to do from home, and you can help others learn subjects like math, science, or English.
This job lets you pick your hours and days to work. Tutoring is an excellent way to earn more money if you live in a rural area.
How to Market Your Rural Business
Finding success in your rural business involves strategic marketing. Harness the power of word-of-mouth through local referrals, as these can be a valuable source of clients. Please take advantage of tourist seasons, ensuring your products or services are visible to them and capture their interest.
Maximize social media platforms—they’re a cost-effective way to reach potential customers, build relationships, and showcase your offerings.
Leveraging Local Referrals
Using local referrals is good for your business. You build bonds with local people, and they bring you more customers. This helps your business grow in rural areas. It can also make you stand out from other businesses! People discussing how great your service or product is can draw a crowd.
But your offer must be top-notch to start this kind of talk. Plus, how you treat your customers matters greatly, as it gets them to say nice things about your business to others around town.
Finding Ways to Tap into Tourists
Tourists can bring lots of money to your town. You need great ideas to get them to spend it on you. One good way is to turn your skills into a local tourist guide. People like new things and places, so show them around! They will give you money for the fun they have with you.
If a festival or holiday is near, plan an event that tourists will like. It should showcase your town’s best features and what its residents do well. This could include cooking, making art, dancing—anything that makes your place unique! Lastly, don’t forget social media! Post all these cool happenings online so tourists can see them in real-time.
Using Social Media Platforms
You can use social media to help your rural business grow. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow you to reach many people quickly. Show off what you’re selling or the work you do! Post photos of fresh veggies from your garden or snapshots of a freshly painted barn.
Are you crafty? Share pictures of your latest piece of art or furniture flip. These platforms aren’t just for fun; they can also bring in money through remote jobs like writing and designing web pages.
So, start posting on social media today and tell everyone about your excellent rural business!
The Bottom Line
There are many ways to make money in rural areas. Think about what you enjoy and what people need. Then, match those two things together for a job or side hustle. You can win at work no matter where you live!
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