While inflation may be slowing, prices haven’t dropped, and the cost of living feels high everywhere, from grocery stores to apartment rentals and home prices. As a result, it’s no surprise that more Americans are starting side hustles to make extra money. According to a Bankrate survey, over one-third of Americans are working jobs outside their main income source to bring in additional cash. On average, they earn around $891 each month through these side jobs. A 2023 survey by LendingClub and PYMNTS also found that 53% of people with side hustles are in the middle- to high-income bracket.
“The trend of earning additional income is here to stay,” said Alia Dudum, a money expert at LendingClub, in an interview with Kiplinger. “With job instability increasing—especially in the tech industry—more people are looking for ways to secure their futures and find stable income sources in case of unexpected changes.”
Before starting a side hustle, it’s important to consider how much extra time and energy you have, so you avoid burnout and make the most out of your efforts. It’s also helpful if you enjoy your side job, but balancing enjoyment with earning potential can be tricky. For instance, if you love making handmade crafts but only sell one item per month, it might not be worth it as a source of income. Retirees taking on part-time work should also consider the balance between enjoyment and the amount of effort they’re willing to put in.
Finally, be mindful of tax and legal matters, such as taxes on hobby income, and make sure your side work does not conflict with your main employer’s policies.
To begin your search, look for part-time or remote jobs on job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed. Starting your own small business is another option, though it may take longer to see profits. Here are seven online side hustle ideas to consider:
1. Online Tutoring
Share your knowledge and help others learn. You can sign up with tutoring platforms like TutorMe, where the pay is $16 per hour, or Preply, where English tutors usually charge between $15 to $25 per hour. You can also find jobs posted by individual organizations on sites like ZipRecruiter. Recently, a part-time ESL tutor position advertised $16 per hour with room for increases based on experience, along with flexible scheduling.
2. Freelance Specialist Writer
General writers may struggle to find well-paid freelance work, so consider specializing in a field or subject you know well. For example, a freelance tech writing job in the San Francisco area offered $55 to $65 per hour to cover news about Silicon Valley and employee stories for a tech company’s internal site. This job required 20 to 25 hours per week. Marketing writing is another option. For instance, one remote content writer job found on No Gigiddy required SEO and copywriting skills and paid $20 to $30 per hour. Part-time jobs are also available in technical writing and training AI systems. Just be cautious of potential scams.
3. Freelance Designer
If you have artistic skills, you can look for part-time design roles on platforms like Fiverr, as well as job postings from specific companies. For instance, a company in Los Angeles recently offered $30 per hour for a production artist to work 15 to 20 hours a week.
4. Turn Hobbies Into a Side Hustle
For a break from your main job, consider turning a hobby into an income stream. Popular options include creating and selling handmade soaps, candles, jewelry, handbags, and other crafts. Platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to reach customers. You could also sell used designer clothing on sites like Poshmark, ThredUp, or Vestiaire Collective. If you’re into photography, try selling your images to stock photo companies like Getty Images, Shutterstock, or Adobe Stock. Musicians can sell beats (short music clips) on websites like Beatstars and Airbit, where artists buy clips to create their own mixes.
5. Online Data Rater
As AI technology advances, jobs are opening up for data raters who review and tag data for AI training. Companies like Telus International hire internet raters to analyze and provide feedback on data for search engines. Telus states that their team of annotators and linguists help companies test and refine machine learning models. These jobs typically pay between $12 and $14 per hour and offer up to 25 flexible hours per week. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, English fluency, computer experience, and a smartphone with internet access.
6. Online Customer Service or Chat Support
With U.S. companies serving customers globally, there’s a constant need for remote customer service and live chat agents. These positions allow you to work from home with flexible hours. They usually have minimal requirements, and training is often provided. If you enjoy helping people, look for jobs with companies in areas you like. For example, some banks offer remote customer service jobs with 20-hour work weeks, and travel agencies sometimes have remote customer support jobs with training and discounts on travel.
7. Part-Time Bookkeeping
Many small businesses don’t have a full-time accounting team, so they hire part-time bookkeepers. Some companies even offer remote positions for these roles. According to Upwork, part-time bookkeepers can earn between $11 and $25 per hour or more.
Whatever side job you choose, make sure it’s a good balance of effort, earnings, and personal satisfaction. A side hustle should add value to your life, not take it over.
