If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re looking for ways to earn more or you want to pursue your passion, we created a list of side jobs you can start from the comfort of your own home. You might want to design websites, tutor students, or manage social media accounts.
Business owners like Adam Hill bought a vending machine route and now make thousands a month working part time. That’s just one of the examples of a great side hustle.
We’ll explore 27 side jobs from home to help you find one that’s right for you. Keep reading or click any of the links below to jump to the part that interests you:
Let’s get started on your journey to financial freedom!
What is a side job?
A side job is a second job that someone takes on to supplement the income from their primary job. Side jobs are often done on a remote, on-call, or seasonal basis, and they may be referred to as a “side gig” or “side hustle.”
The difference between a side hustle and a part-time job is the ability to control when you work, what you do, and how much time you spend doing it.
You might want to get a side job to:
- Learn new skills
- Gain experience in a different field
- Pursue a passion
- Save for a specific goal
- Test-drive a career change
- Try a business idea
What is the highest-paying side job?

The most lucrative side hustles largely align with the most lucrative careers.
For example, businesses are always in the market for freelance web designers, developers, and other tech experts. People in these fields can make six-figure incomes on the side.
The Top At-Home Side Jobs in 2024
#1. Vending Machines
Vending machines in good locations can make over $2,000 per month. As a vending machine owner, you’ll earn most of your money without having to leave home. All you need to do is buy machines, place them, then fill them on nights or weekends.
Learn more in our interview with vending machine entrepreneur Adam Hill:
Check out our vending machine bootcamp with the UpFlip Academy. You’ll learn about selecting vending machines, finding locations, and developing other key business skills.
#2. Equipment Rentals
One of the best ways to make money is to rent items that people need occasionally but not all the time. Think chairs for weddings, sound equipment for dances, or even scuba scuba gear.
Check out how wedding DJ Josh Pather created a $6M-per-year business with a similar model:
Ways to Make Money Online
#3. Search Engine Optimization
You can make extra income by offering search engine optimization (SEO) services to clients. There are several areas of focus in this field, including:
- Keyword research: This involves finding keywords that help businesses reach their target markets online.
- Backlink building: Performing email outreach, creating press releases, and writing guest blogs are all ways to get authoritative sites to link to your client.
- Content creation: Creating blogs and videos that position a business as a subject matter expert (which search engines tend to value) is a great online side job.
- Technical SEO: Developers and other technically savvy people make extra money by reducing load time and making it easier for web crawlers to understand a website.
Learn more about making extra money with SEO and marketing below:
#4. Stock Image Photography
Another way to make extra money is selling your photos on stock image sites such as Getty Images and iStock. It can take some time for this side hustle to pay off, but once you develop a reputation, it can be highly profitable.
Before you get going, read these stock photography tips from Format.
#5. Online Tutoring
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a tutor is $20.22, with most making between $14.42 and $24.04 per hour. This online side job makes it easy to earn some extra money and share your knowledge while controlling your schedule.
Pro Tip: Check out our blog about how two entrepreneurs created a successful tutoring app.
#6. Social Media Management
Do you love communicating with people on social media? Do you get a rush out from your popular posts? If so, a side job as a social media manager might be a good side hustle.
Freelance social media managers make between $22.84 and $36.78. Learn how to make money from home with social media marketing:
#7. Customer Service
Providing customer support from home can make you between $15.38 to $20.91 per hour.
Note that customer service side jobs may require specific hours. Plus, you’ll normally need to go through a period of training, which may not be paid if you’re an independent contractor.
#8. Data Entry
Data entry side jobs focus on inputting information into systems for businesses. According to Indeed, you can make an average of $19.49 for this work-from-home job.
#9. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant jobs pay between $20.43 and $27.40 in the United States. The competition might be fierce, however, as many companies hire virtual assistants in other countries (and pay them lower wages).
#10. Job Search Assistant
A side hustle working as a job search assistant will make you between $20.50 and $30.50 per hour. If you’re acting as a recruiter, you might even get a commission based on the annual pay if the candidate you find accepts a regular job in a high-paying field.
#11. Human Resources

Automatic Data Processing notes that 70% of small businesses operate without an official human resources professional. You can take online side jobs as an HR consultant if you have experience in the field.
This side hustle job can pay between $27.50 and $59 per hour.
#12. Web Design
Web designers create websites by paying close attention to the layout and overall user experience. Most designers have a strong background in graphic design, coding, and the creative arts.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect to make $38.81 hourly and the demand for graphic designers will increase by 16%.
#13. Health Coaching
A health coach helps people identify what they want and how they can achieve those goals within the constraints of their daily lives. Reputable health coaches attain certifications through organizations like the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching.
A certified health coach may earn $31 to $51 per hour and may be eligible to bill insurance with a doctor’s referral.
#14. Affiliate Marketing

People often pursue an online side hustle discussing what they are passionate about, then make money referring people to products they love. This online side gig can be done in your free time and doesn’t require you to find clients, unlike most freelance work.
Some of the top side hustle ideas in affiliate marketing are:
- SaaS and marketing software
- Finance
- Dating and romance
- Technology
- Pets
- Beauty and cosmetics
- Gaming
Find out how Matt Diggity does affiliate marketing in our interview below:
#15. Freelance Writing
Writing side hustles can bring in great money. You can take as many or as few jobs as you want when you work this side gig. It might even turn into a full-time job.
Writers typically make between $20 and $85 per hour, but many writers also charge by the word or by project. You’ll earn higher rates as you get more experience over time.
If you’re new, consider joining platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. Once you set up a profile, you can start searching for your first gigs.
#16. Copy Editing
Editors usually get paid as much as writers, but a lot depends on their skill set and experience level. Most editors find work through freelancing sites, advertising, and word of mouth.
While it helps to have a degree in a related field, attention to detail and a strong understanding of the English language are more important. Learning a style such as Chicago or AP will also help you find new clients.
#17. YouTube
Start a side hustle from home by making videos that interest you. As you get more followers on YouTube, you can earn extra cash from ads or affiliate marketing.
It will take some time for this side gig to make good money, but with drive and luck, people have made millions on YouTube. Find out how to start a YouTube Channel.
More Side Hustles From Home

#18. Selling Stuff Online
Selling your stuff is quick, it’s easy, and it gets unwanted things out of your home. You can sell stuff online on sites such as Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
Alternatively, you can run garage sales out of your home or take your stuff to a pawn shop to meet your money goals quickly. Either way, share what you’re doing on social media to help spread the word.
The money you’ll make will depend on the quality of the products you sell and where you sell them. You’ll normally make more money if you have time to wait for higher offers.
Check out how to make money online reselling sneakers below:
#19. Running Errands
Lots of people work side hustles delivering food, groceries, or packages to make money. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a car, but you can make $15 to $45 per hour. Most of the extra money isn’t taxable because you get to deduct the IRS mileage rate from your earnings.
#20. Working With Pets

Animal lovers need people to help them take care of their pets. Dog sitting or dog walking services are some of the best side hustles if you like to work with animals. Check out sites like Rover or Wag to find jobs.
#21. Teach Money Management
Anyone who has figured out how to attain financial independence has a story to tell about how they improved their bank account. You can create a side hustle sharing the strategies you used to make more money, manage your time, and rise above challenges.
#22. Poop Scooping Business
Going to people’s homes and picking up dog poop can be a lucrative side hustle. All you really need is a vehicle, a rake, and a dustpan.
E.J. McCoy started Scoop Soldiers with less than $5,000. Today, he’s making $1.25M a year.
Want to learn more about poop scooping? Check out our pooper scooper course in the UpFlip Academy.
More Online Side Jobs

#23. Become a Brand Ambassador
A brand ambassador promotes a company and its products to their network. Brand ambassadors are also called influencers.
Brand ambassadors promote a company’s products and educate customers about benefits through social media, online reviews, and public appearances. This side hustle normally pays between $15 and $40 per hour, with most influencers earning around $25 per hour.
#24. Teach the English Language
Anyone with an internet connection and a native (or fluent) understanding of English can run a side hustle teaching the language online.
Many employers require a bachelor’s degree but pay more if you have a master’s, a doctorate, or additional certifications. Pay can range from $10 to $40 per hour.
#25. Print-on-Demand Business
A print-on-demand business is the perfect side hustle to start making money if you enjoy designing things like t-shirts, mugs, or bags.
In your spare time, you can focus on designing clothes and marketing. You don’t have to worry about manufacturing or shipping because sites like Printful and other platforms will manage all that for you.
#26. Customer Service Representative
Many companies need a customer service representative and allow them to work from home. When looking for remote side hustles, you’ll need to find active listings that don’t require full-time hours.
Many sites like Indeed have job listings for customer representatives to earn between $10 to $30 per hour.
#27. Video Editing
Editing videos can be a lucrative side hustle, but you need prior experience in most scenarios. The earning potential is tremendous once you’ve developed a reputation.
The average pay for a freelance video editor is $32 per hour with a range of $11.30 to $57.69.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you make at a side job without paying taxes?
You can make $400 in profit at a side job before you have to start paying taxes. However, if you’re making money as an employee, you will be required to pay regular income taxes on all amounts.
Remember that just because you have to report earnings doesn’t mean you have to pay taxes on the full amount. You still have expenses you can deduct from your earnings.
How can I make $15 an hour online?

Many ways of making money online pay more than $15 per hour. Look at sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to find online side jobs that pay more than $15 hourly.
Can I make an extra $1,000 a month?
Yes, you can make an extra $1,000 monthly from a side job. It just might take some time to build to that level.
When you accept traditional side gigs like working as a virtual assistant, you might get paid every one to two weeks. Meanwhile, side hustles like furniture flipping or online stores can take longer to build a client base.
What are the seven streams of income?
There are seven basic ways to make extra money. Consider using a combination of these seven ways to build a consistent stream of extra income:
- Earned income: You’ll earn this from any jobs where you are an employee.
- Rental income: Buying and renting assets creates a good stream of passive rental income.
- Interest income: Earn interest from saving or lending money. Higher interest rates tend to go with higher risk.
- Royalty income: Copyright and patent owners can earn royalties by licensing materials.
- Business income: Start and run a business to earn business income and profit.
- Dividend income: Invest in real estate investment trusts or stocks that pay dividends to earn passive income.
- Capital gains income: Sell assets such as property, stocks, or crypto for more than the purchase price to earn capital gains income.
While it might be slow at first, with more of these income streams available, you’ll have greater financial security if your primary job suddenly becomes unavailable.
How can I build my savings?
First, you need to create a budget and establish that your income is more than your expenses. Then you need to figure how much you have to spend to survive and how much you have left after each paycheck.
Find a high-interest savings account and start sending 8% to 20% of your paychecks to it.
Next, increase your skill set, earn extra income, and keep saving 20% of the extra money. Once you’ve saved up enough for three months of expenses as an emergency fund, you can start expanding into more profitable and higher-risk ways of making money.
What is the 50-30-20 rule?
The 50-30-20 rule is a budgeting method where 50% of your pay goes to needs, 30% to non-essentials like concerts or vacations, and 20% to savings and investments.
It might be hard for people making under $100K to follow these perfectly given that many locations require $75K or more in income to afford a three-bedroom home.
The table below gives you the breakdown for values to attribute to each category based on incomes between $10K and $1M:
Annual Income | 50% Bills | 30% Fun | 20% Savings |
$10,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
$20,000 | $10,000 | $6,000 | $4,000 |
$30,000 | $15,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 |
$40,000 | $20,000 | $12,000 | $8,000 |
$50,000 | $25,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 |
$60,000 | $30,000 | $18,000 | $12,000 |
$70,000 | $35,000 | $21,000 | $14,000 |
$80,000 | $40,000 | $24,000 | $16,000 |
$90,000 | $45,000 | $27,000 | $18,000 |
$100,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 |
$150,000 | $75,000 | $45,000 | $30,000 |
$200,000 | $100,000 | $60,000 | $40,000 |
$250,000 | $125,000 | $75,000 | $50,000 |
$300,000 | $150,000 | $90,000 | $60,000 |
$350,000 | $175,000 | $105,000 | $70,000 |
$400,000 | $200,000 | $120,000 | $80,000 |
$450,000 | $225,000 | $135,000 | $90,000 |
$500,000 | $250,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 |
$750,000 | $375,000 | $225,000 | $150,000 |
$1,000,000 | $500,000 | $300,000 | $200,000 |
How can I earn money online easily?
Selling used stuff online is easy and can make you money quickly. You might also consider passive income strategies like affiliate marketing or running an online rental company.
How can I make money fast at home?
The fastest ways to make money from home include selling electronics or used clothes, running a daycare, and renting out extra rooms.
How can I make money right now?
It’s hard to find ethical money-making activities on the spot, but it’s possible. It’s easiest to find quick side gigs and odd jobs in the service industry. Consider food delivery, moving furniture, or painting fences.
Learn Easy Ways to Make Money
Want some help getting into the best side jobs from home? We create courses with successful service providers to help you learn how to earn money fast.
Check out our business courses on UpFlip Academy to learn more about legitimate side jobs you can start from home.
Conclusion
Many people have a tough time keeping up with bills and routine expenses. Finding a side job can help you become more financially stable.
Now that you’ve done more research, you can narrow down your list of potential side jobs. Options range from freelance writing to working in customer service. Ultimately, the best side hustle is one you’ll enjoy.
Have you ever worked a remote job? Which side jobs from home are you considering?