by Brandon Boushy
“I need some money fast. What are some good side hustles?”
I see this question on social media every day, so we decided to dig in and create a list of the best side hustle ideas. We have a list of side hustles to consider if you want to:
- Start your own business on the side
- Make some extra income before a special occasion
- Fill your spare time
We’ll analyze which side hustles make the most money, which are the easiest to get started with, and which you can do from the comfort of your home.
We’ll answer questions about side hustles like these (Click a heading below to jump to that section):
What Are Side Hustles?
Side hustles are ways to make extra money during time away from your full-time job. A survey from Insuranks found that 93% of Americans had a side hustle in 2022. The most common side hustle jobs were:
- Taking online surveys
- Selling items online
- Freelancing
- Selling used clothes
- Working a part-time job
That doesn’t mean these are the best side jobs, but they are what most people end up doing. Let’s look at these first.
#1 Side Hustle: Online Surveys
Online surveys can be anywhere from a couple of minutes per survey to several hours if you participate in an online focus group. Some of the top sites for online surveys include:
- Inbox Dollars: This site pays money directly for each survey, while the others pay in points so you’ll know whether it’s actually good money.
- Swag Bucks: In addition to surveys, you can also use coupons, sell gift cards, and perform other tasks to earn money.
- Life Points: Answer surveys and get your share of quick cash. Last year they paid out $22 million.
- Survey Junkie: This site wants more than your opinion, you also earn cash (rewarded as points) for sharing your browsing history.
Survey Junkie claims you can make about $40 per month by taking three daily surveys. Others aren’t as disclosive. While they might be popular, they might not make as much money as some other ways to earn extra income.
#2 Side Hustle: Sell Items Online
Start selling online if you are interested in the second most common side hustle. The hustle income can either be a profit or a loss. If you’re selling items, the profit is the cost minus the sales price. Used items will normally be at a loss if you paid full retail. That means you can deduct it from your taxes (this is not legal advice).
If you start reselling, it can help make a great living. Find out about the best things to resell online.
#3 Side Hustle: Freelancing
This side hustle includes a broad range of skills that are in high demand. Side hustlers love becoming freelancers because they will normally make more hourly than they do at their full-time job. You’ll spend your own time:
- Finding clients
- Performing popular online jobs like:
- Freelance Writer
- Graphic Designer
- Online Tutor
- Data Analyst
- Developer
- Affiliate Marketer
- Virtual Assistant
- Getting paid for each project
Guess what the best part of freelancing is? Forty-four percent make more total income from their side hustle than from their main job. Get started on Upwork.
#4 Side Hustle: Sell Your Used Clothing
Both adults and kids tend to outgrow clothing. As long as it’s in good condition, you can find someone to buy it from you. You can start your own online store on eBay or Etsy and make some extra money for the clothes you don’t need.
Want to learn more about creating an online store?
Check out one of these blogs:
NOTE: Are you looking to start a small business? Find out the six business ideas competitors don’t want you to know about because they never fail (well, rarely). And 23 most profitable yet overlooked businesses anyone can start today here.
#5 Side Hustle: Get a Part-Time Job
I really discourage this. One of the benefits of starting a side hustle is you get to keep the profits. This particular side hustle won’t earn you a profit. Your full-time income already takes the profit and gives it to the owners. Why do you want to take on a second job that devalues your contribution?
On top of that someone else conducts your schedule. If you’re looking for side hustles that pay well, this isn’t it.
Purchase and Place a Vending Machine Route Instead
Vending machines can make $2,000+ per month for each vending machine. You can buy a couple of machines or a whole route. Find out how Adam Hill started his vending machine business and makes $600K after quitting his day job. We’ve partnered with him to create a course to help you get started in the vending industry. Sign up to be one of the first to take our Free Vending Bootcamp.
Our podcast gives a sneak peak of the information we’ll be sharing.
If the top five ways to make extra money didn’t give you an idea for a side hustle, find out how to make extra money with the following ideas.
What Are the Best Side Hustles for 2023?
I promised we’d talk about freelance work later and now is the time. Many people in the U.S. do freelance work. If you’re missing out on the growth in this industry, might regret it because Upwork and Zippia show:
- $1.35 trillion of the U.S. economy goes to freelancers (UpFlip).
- 57% of freelancers are happy with their earnings compared to 42% of employees (UpFlip).
- $28 an hour is the average billable rate (Zippia).
- 30% of Fortune 500 Businesses hire freelancers (Zippia).
- 70% of small businesses hire freelancers (Zippia).
- The total addressable market could be as high as $5 trillion.
The statistics in the following subheadings are pulled from an Upwork search of jobs and using the search “Upwork best (Job)” where “job” is in the subheading.
Here are some of the high-demand freelancing gigs to consider:
Freelance Writing
If you have a way with words, Upwork has over 25,000 writing jobs and freelancers charge up to $150 per hour for their services. I count myself amongst the freelancers who have turned a side gig into a career. Maybe you’ll be one of them too!
Graphic Designer
Upwork also has over 25,000 graphic design openings and freelance designers charge up to $125 an hour. If you have design skills, you should definitely check out this opportunity.
Virtual Assistant
There are nearly 14,000 people looking for assistants to help them with various administrative tasks. VAs on Upwork charge between $10 and $65 per hour. This field is heavily dominated by overseas employees in lower-cost-of-living countries, but there is a demand for highly skilled VAs.
Audio Transcriptionist
There are nearly 1,800 transcription jobs, but these jobs are being eliminated by AI. However, you might find better success if you speak multiple languages and can proofread translations. Transcriptionists make up to $80 per hour.
Digital Marketing
There are over 50,000 marketing openings on Upwork and the top digital marketers make up to $350 hourly. If you have any marketing skills and aren’t already on Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr you need to get on there. It’s a great way to make some extra cash.
Developer
Nearly 45,000 development postings are available. Unlike many freelance positions, developers make similar to what they do in their main jobs, but they still make up to $125 per hour. If you are a tech consultant, you can make up to $300 hourly.
How to Make Money? Side Hustles!
There are many ways to make money, but you probably don’t want to take on another full-time job. That’s where side hustles come in!
You can spend as much or as little time and money as you want to meet your financial goals. One of the best ways to see which side hustle makes the most sense is to look at what people advertise online. This can provide great hints about current opportunities. For instance, social media displays online business ventures and other endeavors for creative types around the world.
You might also notice specific people showing up consistently in ads. If you do, start researching what these people do.
They are known as… Side Hustle Legends
Legends have mastered the art of the side hustle. Most of these side hustlers have a variety of ways they make money including:
Next, let’s look at things to consider before looking at more of the best side hustles in 2023.
Things to Consider Before Starting a Side Hustle
With almost any skill you have there’s a way to make extra cash. You’ll need to consider how the side hustle will fit into your life if you have a full-time job. You’ll want to ask yourself:
- How much spare time do I have?
- How much extra money do I want to make?
- How fast do I need the extra cash?
- What skills do I have?
- What assets do I have?
- How much in start up costs will I accept to create passive income?
- Do I want a fun side hustle or just to make some cash?
- Do I want to work from home or travel?
- Do I want the side hustle to become my own business down the road?
Not all side hustles are created equal, and the key is to choose one that fits into your spare time so you can make a few extra bucks.
Come Up with Side Hustle Ideas
Next, you’ll want to come up with side hustle ideas. We’ve got you covered. Go through the following ideas to find a side hustle that works for you. Once you choose one, just click one of the links to get started. Before you know it, you’ll be making extra money in your spare time!
What side hustles make the most money fast?
If you want to make a lot of money fast, you’ve got a few options. Let’s look at some of the quickest ways to make some money.
Sell Your Unwanted Stuff
If you have things you don’t want or need:
- Take pictures of the items.
- Post them on Facebook Marketplace.
- Respond to offers.
- Accept offers as they come.
- Get extra cash.
Items like old iPhones, clothes, and furniture can do really well if you go to Marketplace.
Clean Homes
People will gladly pay for help cleaning their homes. You won’t make as much as a professional housekeeper, but you can easily make $10 to $25 per hour cleaning homes, depending on your location. You never know what happens from there. Christobal Mondragon started Queen Bee Cleaning Service and is making over $1.5 million per year. Within three months he quit his job. He even worked with us to help you recreate his success.
Wash People’s Clothes
Go to people’s houses and wash and fold their clothes, or let them drop clothes off with you as they go to work and pick them up after they get off. TaskRabbit says you can expect to make the following rates depending on your area:
- $30 to $40 per hour
- $20 to $50 per laundry bag
- $0.90 and $3.00 per pound
Not too shabby if you’re just trying to make some extra money in your spare time. Find out how much people in your area charge on TaskRabbit.
Wash Cars
Another good side hustle to make extra money fast is to wash and detail cars. Washing cars can make $10 to $125 per car if they come to you. If you run a mobile detailer, you can charge up to $500 per car. Check out our interview with a mobile detailer who started with just $500:
What side hustles make the most money?
According to IBIS World, eCommerce makes the most money out of legit side hustles. Selling online is a $934 Billion industry and it’s still growing. Tech makes the most profit as an industry, but if you want the highest profit percentage, you’ll want to go with real estate or consulting.
What are the most profitable side hustles?
Many of the most profitable side hustles are in the tech field, but you can also consider any of the side hustle ideas to make money online. Check out some of the most profitable side hustles below. They might not be the fastest methods to make money, but they definitely have the potential to turn a side gig into a day job.
Keep reading for the most lucrative side hustles that make money.
Find Bug Bounties
Have a knack for software development? Companies pay up to $1 million to people who find and correct issues in their software. Geekflare has a list of major company bug bounties. If you want to make a great living by fixing code, this is one of the most profitable side hustles you can find.
Graphic Design
Another side hustle that you do is graphic design. Today websites like Canva make it easy to use your creative skills to help people who need designers for freelance work. Freelance designers on Upwork make $15 to $100 per hour.
Launch a Crypto or NFT Project
Another very lucrative side hustle can be creating NFT or crypto projects. For those who don’t know what NFTs are, they are primarily used as a way to start selling art online. You may also see them used for video gaming, proof of title, and loyalty programs. The crypto space is complex, but the amount of money people spend on OpenSea (the largest NFT platform) is insane. To give you an idea, the top 200 projects have each made around $10,000 in the last 24 hours (as of this writing).
Become a Social Media Influencer
Every social media platform has influencers that make millions per year from their channels. YouTube tends to be the most profitable social media. Learn about creating a YouTube channel and become a social media influencer on your favorite subject. Alternatively, watch our interview with Reyes the Entrepreneur below:
What are easy side hustles ?
Consider the gig economy if you want to make money and create your own hours. These side hustles normally take a while to get approved, but once you are approved, you can get paid daily.
Rideshare
Rideshare drivers drive for companies like Uber and Lyft and get paid for driving people to where they need to go. Uber estimates that drivers make $233 to $1,188 each week before expenses. You’ll get paid based on trip fees and tips, so it helps to be a people person if you start this side hustle idea. It can be a fun way to make more money and meet new people, but for most drivers, it is a cash-flow business only and difficult to turn into a full-time job. If you have a criminal background, they may not allow you to work.
Food Delivery
Another side hustle idea that makes extra income on your days off is food delivery. You can apply for food delivery apps like:
Learn more about apps where you deliver food on Millenial Money Man or find out how to create your own delivery app below:
Grocery Delivery
Grocery delivery is another side gig with which you can make great money if you are good at grocery shopping. Two of the biggest players in this gig economy are:
NineHertz lists 20 grocery delivery companies that you might not have considered.
Courier
A courier, or package handler is another way to make extra money. These side jobs will be busiest during normal business hours, but Amazon Flex has couriers that deliver up until 10 pm and on weekends. Drivers make $18 to $25 on average. You can still make money and keep your full-time job.
Pet Sitting
If you love animals, this one’s for you because people pay for pet sitting and dog walking. You have two options when you book jobs through Rover:
- Pet sitting: You can either stay at someone’s house and pet sit, check on the animals, or run a pet daycare service.
- Dog walkers: Go to pet owners’ homes and walk their dogs. You get paid less than full service, but even someone who walks dogs can make some extra money.
Anyone who wants to work on Rover as a sitter or dog walking service goes through a background check.
Walk dogs, get fresh air, and exercise. What a great way to make some money!
Babysit
Babysitters watch kids when their parents aren’t available. You can do it for a few hours, as a day job, or as a career. The options are endless. Sitters get paid $15 to $25 for watching kids through Care.com. When you work independently, you can normally charge an extra $5 per kid for each hour.
Mow Lawns
Lawn mowing can be a great way to make some extra income. Mike Andes started Augusta Lawn Care Services while he was in school, paid his way through college and turned his profitable side hustle into one of the fastest-growing franchises in the United States! Find out how:
Notary Public
A notary public is a person who can sign that they legally witnessed a contract. The fees range from $2 to $15 per signature, plus a travel fee if you are a mobile notary. It’s fairly simple to become a notary. Just go to the link in the first step below to learn how to become a notary authorized to perform loan signings.
- Get commissioned as a Notary Public in your state (required).
- Take a loan signing training course.
- Pass an SPW-compliant exam and background screening.
- Buy Signing Agent supplies.
- Purchase a minimum of $25,000 E&O insurance policy.
- Start working as a Notary Signing Agent.
- Promote your business
The extra steps to notarize loan signings can be highly beneficial because a mortgage can have 15 plus signatures.
Competitive Gaming
If you love gaming, you can make some extra income with competitive gaming. According to Statista, there was over $168 million in prizes paid out by the top 10 esports gaming tournaments.
Tour Guide
Visitors love to have someone who knows the area show them around. Whether you’re in a rural area or a huge city, there might be a way to make more money if you know the area and love showing people the sites. Tour guides make between $25 and $200 per hour, depending on the type of tour.
What are some side hustles in Real Estate?
Real estate is one of the top wealth-generating machines in the country. Earn passive income—plus most real estate appreciates in value. We have five of the best side hustle ideas to help you make more money in real estate.
Build Passive Income with Real Estate
Buy single or multi-family homes and rent them out. You can hire a property management company to manage the rentals or you can manage them yourself if you prefer a more active role. Mike Andes told us:
Monetize Your Property on Airbnb
You can rent out a spare room on Airbnb. People pay an average of $120 per night for a room on Airbnb in the U.S. If you can book your spare room for three weeks a month, that’s an extra $2,520 per month. That’s pretty good if you’re looking for extra spending cash.
Lease Out Garages or Yard Space for Storage
You can rent out extra space for storage too! Check out sites like StoreAtMyHouse or Neighbor.com. StoreAtMyHouse is looking for someone to buy it, so if you’d like to take this side hustle to a whole other level, reach out to them to negotiate terms.
Wholesale Real Estate
Another good money side hustle is wholesaling real estate. The idea behind wholesaling real estate is to find homes that aren’t on the market, negotiate a contract to sell them for a certain price, and then make a profit when someone else buys them. It can make decent cash. Want to find out how? Check out our interview with Santino Filipelli below:
What are some side hustles to make extra money?
In this section, we’ll discuss side hustles for money that involve selling goods or services.
Rent Out Your Car
You can rent out your car for an average of $876.33 on Turo. Jeeps, Teslas, and Subarus do particularly well on the site. This side hustle even includes commercial vehicle insurance through Travelers. As you make money, you can reinvest it to buy more cars and turn the side hustle into a full-scale car rental company. Learn more about starting car rental companies.
Sell Custom-Made Food
If you love cooking, consider a side hustle from home like selling baked goods. I have a friend that makes custom pies and cakes for people in her spare time.
Become a Wedding Officiant
If you love weddings, this one’s for you! You can become a wedding officiant with a fairly simple course. You’ll earn between $200 to $1,000 per wedding, depending on your area and the services you offer. Check out this blog on how to become an officiant.
Referee Kids Sports
Kids sports need referees in almost every city. Have fun, exercise, and get paid up to $40 per hour, depending on where you live.
What Are Some Good Side Hustles to Make Money Online?
Online side hustles are the fastest kind because people can do them from home and have little to no start-up costs. Consider some of these side hustles that work.
Become an Online Coach
An online coach helps people meet their goals by teaching them and encouraging them on their path. This might be through one-on-one online tutoring or creating an online course. Either way, the goal is to provide online training. It’s a huge industry too! Forbes estimates this industry will be a $350 Billion industry by 2025.
Find out how Jacques Hopkins turned a piano into a $ 40,000-per-month business:
Start a YouTube Channel
YouTube is one of the best social media sites to make extra money. The average user spends 30 minutes a day on Youtube. When you start a channel and reach YouTube Partner status, you can earn extra money from numerous streams including:
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsorships
- Paid ads
- Online shop
In fact, some of the top channels are making up to $30 per 1,000 views. Find out how!
Sell a Product Online
Whether you sell a physical product or a digital product, you can make some extra money online. You could start a volume photography business or sell digital products like keyword lists. You could even start a dropshipping or print-on-demand business to make it so you don’t have to do most of the work.
Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing is one of the best side hustles to make money. It makes up about 15% of marketing revenue, and you can do it all on your own. It can be done in almost any medium, including freelance writing, video, or online shops. Find out how Matt Diggity turned an affiliate marketing business into a nearly $5 million income:
Curate a Popular Playlist
If you curate a music playlist, you can make money on sites like Submithub and Playlist Push. Find out how one side hustler makes over $1,000 per month reviewing music and creating playlists.
Focus Groups
If you have the chance to do a focus group, consider doing so because they are fun. They normally consist of five to 20 people who are discussing a specific subject. They can be online or in-person and can make $20 to $100 per hour. I’ve gotten to do ones for casinos (testing new slots), IHOP (testing new food), and beer companies (we had to have a designated driver for this one).
You can apply for focus groups on FocusGroups.org.
What are Easy Side Hustles From Home?
If you’re looking for easy side hustles from home consider some of the following options:
- Taking online surveys
- Selling items online
- Selling used clothes
- Becoming a Virtual Assistant
- Providing audio transcription
- Pet sitting
- Babysitting
- Witnessing signatures
- Competitive gaming
- Creating a playlist
- Participating in online focus groups
What are the Highest Paying Side Hustles?
We compared 41 side hustles and The highest-paying side hustles are:
- Influencers: Up to $2.4 million per sponsored post
- Digital Product Creation: Up to $8,000 per hour when you sell your own digital products.
- Car Washing: Up to $500 per car
- Marketing: $20 to $350 hourly
- Developer: Up to $300 hourly
- Vending Machine Route Operator: Up to $300 hourly (Before Costs)
- Online Coach: Up to $250 hourly
- Tour Guides: Up to $200 hourly
- YouTube Channel Owner: Up to $200 hourly (based on our interviews)
- Writer: Up to $150 hourly
- Designer: Up to $125 hourly
- Online Focus Groups: Up to $100 hourly
- Transcriptionist: Up to $80 hourly
- Virtual Assistant: Up to $60 hourly
- Wash Clothing: Up to $40 hourly
- Rideshare Driving: Up to $40 hourly
- Referee: Up to $40 hourly
- Food Delivery: Up to $35 hourly
- Cleaning Homes: Up to $25 hourly
We have plenty more side hustles that make good money, but these are the best ones. Read the full blog for more information.
Make Extra Money
Once you’ve chosen a side hustle, you just have to start making money. Most will let you connect it directly to your bank account or Paypal. It’s as simple as that to start a side hustle.
Which side hustle has made you the most money?
