Side hustles are more than just a fun way to make some extra cash. They can be an additional stream of income that helps you pay off bills, save up for a vacation, or even add to your retirement savings. Keep reading for a list of side hustles and jobs that pay well.
They are also an excellent way to get your feet wet in the world of entrepreneurship. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business but aren’t sure where to start, or if it’s right for you, side hustles can be a great way to test out a few different ideas without making any significant commitments or risking too much money.
Best Side Hustle Ideas That Pay Well
When it comes to side hustles, almost anything can become a source of income. From providing a service like delivering groceries to helping someone create a resume, there are endless possibilities for earning quick and easy money. Here is a list of side hustles anyone can do.
1. Driving for Uber or Lyft
Who wouldn’t love to get paid for something they do every day anyway? With Uber, you signup to be a driver and work your own hours. If you are a student and want a part-time gig, Uber can fit the bill for you.
Uber drivers earn between $8.55 and $11.77 per hour. According to their website, if you drive just 20 hours per week, you can make up to $483 per week. That is not bad for a few hours a week. You can work as little or as much as you like. If you increase your hours, your weekly pay will increase as well. Plus, drivers keep 100% of their tips.
2. Deliver Food for DoorDash, GrubHub, or Uber Eats
If you have a car or a bicycle, money can be made as a driver for DoorDash or GrubHub. The companies pay per delivery, and you can choose your own hours, making this a great option if you’re looking for something part-time or seasonal.
DoorDash drivers make $13.11, and GrubHub drivers make $18.46 per hour. If you’re looking for a way to make cash without relying on someone else’s schedule, consider signing up for DoorDash or GrubHub.
Uber Eats is a food delivery service that allows you to deliver food from local restaurants using your car or bike. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one through the app and get paid for it.
3. Bicycle Courier
If you have a bicycle and some time to spare, you can be a bicycle courier. Though it’s often seen as a more dangerous job, most couriers can make almost $20 an hour because of the slower-paced city life! Whether or not this will be worth it for you depends on what city you live in, how many hours you want to work, and your current income, but if the numbers work out, being a courier could be an excellent side hustle.
4. Be a Mystery Shopper
If you have great people skills and enjoy helping others, being a mystery shopper could be a great side hustle for you. Mystery shoppers are paid to go into stores and rate the quality of customer service they receive. The more accurately you can describe your experience, the better it will be for you and the company that hired you.
You must apply to several companies to find your ideal job. Still, once accepted, most companies pay anywhere from $15-$50 per assignment depending on how long it takes (usually between 30-45 minutes), which means that if you take on just one or two per week, this side hustle alone could quickly bring in over $1k per month!
5. Be a Shopper for Instacart
If you’re looking for a flexible job that can also be an exciting experience, consider applying to be a shopper for Instacart. Instacart is a delivery service that allows customers in certain areas to shop at multiple grocery stores (including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods) and deliver the items to their homes.
Instacart has two ways to earn; one is delivering grocery orders to customers, and the other is shopping for the customer’s orders.
Pay will vary from one state to another, but in-store personal shoppers earn $11 an hour or $27,000 per year. Delivery drivers make $55,000 per year, according to their website.
6. Be a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
If you love animals and have some free time on your hands, this is an excellent option for making money. You can find pet owners that will pay you $20 per visit to walk their dog—a win-win as the dog gets exercise and attention! Usually, pet sitters/walkers charge between $15-$25 an hour, depending on where you live. Check your local classified for people needing dog walkers or sign up on Rover.com.
7. Rent Out a Room on Airbnb
Renting out a room on Airbnb is a beautiful way to make money from something you might not have considered income-generating property. It’s free to sign up, and you can start accepting guests immediately if you like. You’ll need to provide a place for your guest to sleep, so this will only work if you have a spare bedroom or are willing to let someone sleep on the couch.
Airbnb is a website that allows people to rent out a room in their house or apartment to strangers. If you’re looking for a temporary place to stay while traveling, renting a room on Airbnb can be less expensive than booking a hotel. And if you have an extra room in your house, you can make some extra cash by renting it out.
8. Child Care – Babysitting
If you’re a college student or parent who needs a little extra cash, babysitting is a great way to bring in money without picking up a second job.
A babysitting service or nanny agency might have clients looking for a nanny or babysitter regularly. If you can get hired at one of these places and take care of just one or two kids, your income alone could pay for most of your monthly expenses.
You can also offer services through local student/parent/childcare groups such as Facebook or Craigslist.
9. House Cleaner
House cleaning is another great side hustle you can do on the weekends or after work. The key to making this a profitable venture is finding customers who are willing to pay well and providing consistent business.
If you have a car, consider driving around your neighborhood with flyers advertising your services. Laundromats and dry cleaners are good places to advertise, as well.
If you can get 2 – 3 regular clients, you can earn a steady income.
Online Money-Making Ideas
10. Try Online Tutoring
Have you ever thought about tutoring online as a side hustle? The demand is there—many people know they could do better in school and want to get ahead but aren’t sure how to do it.
If you have any kind of background in education or have been studying something that could be useful to someone else, try signing up for one of the many websites (like Chegg Tutors or Tutor.com) that connect tutors with students. You can set your own rate, schedule, and availability, so it’s easy to fit around your life without taking on too much at once.
11. Be a Social Media Manager
Ever heard of a social media manager? These people work for brands, helping them spread their message through all the different social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
They focus on things like building a brand’s identity, creating engaging content, and finding people who will be interested in what you’re doing.
If you’ve got a background in writing and know how to use social media, there’s a good chance this can be a great way to supplement your income—even if you’re not a professional writer!
12. Start a Blog
An old saying goes, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” In this case, it’s true. If you’re looking for more money, look no further than your own interests and expertise.
If you already have a blog, you have the skills necessary to build a second one. Even if you don’t have a blog yet, it’s easier than ever to start one, and there are many ways to monetize it once it’s off the ground.
13. Start a YouTube Channel
According to an article from The Wall Street Journal, in 2013, the number of channels that earned $1 million or more in revenue grew by 35%—which is only continuing to grow. As of 2015, the average YouTube channel brings in $6.80 per thousand views, which means it’s possible to make a pretty substantial income by capitalizing on our growing obsession with online video.
Pew Research shows that 67% of Americans use the internet for entertainment purposes, making it easy to see why YouTube would be a great place to start a business.
If you have a strong passion for creating content and aren’t afraid of being in front of the camera, you could give this a go!
14. Sell Your Stock Photos
The stock photography market can be a lucrative side income for photographers of all skill levels. If you’re new to it, you could be tempted to start by dipping your toe in the water with free sites like Unsplash or Flickr Commons—but you could benefit from a more professional channel like Shutterstock.
First, sign up for a free portfolio account at a stock photography website like Shutterstock. This will enable you to upload your photos for free and create a profile with your name, bio, social media links, and contact information.
You might also choose to upgrade to a premier or creative account later on, but these have additional fees and features you may not need immediately.
Once your account is set up, you can browse the site’s categories and tags to find images similar to yours that are already selling well. This will show you what kinds of pictures are popular in general and which ones they’re looking for specifically.
Final Thoughts on Side Hustles That Pay Well
These jobs are available in many cities and countries around the world. It’s also ideal for students looking to make extra cash on the side!
You may not have a lot of time to spare, but there’s always something that you can do to earn a little extra cash. If you’re looking for a way to supplement your income while focusing on more pressing concerns, side hustles are a great way to give yourself some extra financial security.
So, if you’re looking for some help towards the end of the month, don’t be afraid to think outside the box for side hustles and jobs that pay well.
