26 Side Hustles That Actually Work

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Side hustles are a great way to generate additional income and explore your passions. Here are 26 side hustles that can be profitable:

Side hustles are odd jobs and part-time business interests that add extra income, sometimes a large amount of income is generated in just your spare hours away from your chosen career. The best and easiest side hustles are ones that put your passion to work for a profit. Think of your niche as that one thing that if you could make money doing it the rest of your life you would be happy and look for products and services around that.

Table of Contents

Here is our Master list of 26 Side Hustles That Actually Work both online and offline listed.

26 Side hustles That Work Main Image

1. Freelance writing: Offer your writing skills to individuals or businesses. 

Freelance writing is a type of writing where you work as an independent contractor for different clients. You are not an employee of any one company, and you are responsible for finding your own work and managing your own time.

2. Virtual assistant: Provide administrative support remotely. 

A virtual assistant (VA) is a self-employed worker who specializes in offering administrative services to clients from a remote location, usually a home office. Typical tasks a virtual assistant might perform include:

  • Scheduling appointments
  • Making phone calls
  • Making travel arrangements
  • Managing email accounts
  • Data entry
  • Customer service
  • Administrative tasks
  • Social media management
  • Content writing
  • Graphic design
  • Bookkeeping
  • Marketing
  • And more!

3. Social media management: Manage social media accounts for businesses.

The average pay for a Social Media Manager in the United States is $57,182 per year. The salary range typically fallsSocial Media Manager Side Hustle between $44,790 and $73,275. The average salary for a Social Media Manager in New York, NY is $58,750.

The salary for a Social Media Manager can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the company, the industry, the location, and the level of experience. Social Media Managers with more experience and skills can command higher salaries.

Here are some of the factors that can affect the salary of a Social Media Manager:

  • Company size: Social Media Managers in larger companies typically earn more than those in smaller companies.
  • Industry: Social Media Managers in certain industries, such as technology and healthcare, tend to earn more than those in other industries.
  • Location: Social Media Managers in major cities, such as New York and San Francisco, typically earn more than those in smaller cities.
  • Level of experience: Social Media Managers with more experience typically earn more than those with less experience.

4. Graphic design: Create logos, banners, and other visual assets. 

Here are 5 graphic design jobs you can do in Canva:

  1. Create social media graphics. Canva is a great tool for creating eye-catching social media graphics that will help you stand out from the crowd. You can use Canva to create graphics for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and more.
  2. Design marketing materials. Canva can also be used to design marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, presentations, and infographics. These materials can be used to promote your business, products, or services.
  3. Create logos and branding materials. Canva is a great tool for creating logos and other branding materials. You can use Canva to create a logo that reflects your brand’s personality and values.
  4. Design print materials. Canva can also be used to design print materials such as business cards, flyers, and posters. These materials can be used to promote your business or event.
  5. Create presentations. Canva can also be used to create presentations. You can use Canva to create presentations that are visually appealing and easy to understand.

These are just a few of the many graphic design jobs you can do in Canva. With Canva’s easy-to-use interface and vast library of templates, you can create professional-looking graphics without any prior design experience.

Adobe Creative Suite for the Graphic Designer

Here are some additional tips for finding graphic design jobs in Canva:

  • Look for remote jobs. Many graphic design jobs in Canva are remote, which means you can work from anywhere in the world.
  • Network with other designers. Get involved in online design communities and connect with other designers who use Canva. This is a great way to find job opportunities and learn from other designers.
  • Build your portfolio. Create a portfolio of your best Canva designs. This will help you showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.
  • Be patient. It may take some time to find the right graphic design job in Canva. Don’t give up and keep applying for jobs. With your hard work and dedication, you will eventually find the perfect job for you.

5. Tutoring: Teach subjects you excel in.

Here are 10 things that you can tutor others in:

  1. Academic subjects: This could include math, science, English, history, or any other subject that you are knowledgeable in.
  2. Languages: If you are fluent in another language, you could tutor others in their language learning journey.
  3. Computer skills: This could include anything from basic computer literacy to more advanced topics like coding or web development.
  4. Music: If you are a musician, you could tutor others in playing an instrument, singing, or music theory.
  5. Art: If you are an artist, you could tutor others in drawing, painting, or other art forms.
  6. Life skills: This could include anything from cooking to financial literacy to time management.
  7. Sports: If you are an athlete, you could tutor others in a particular sport or help them with their overall fitness.
  8. Test prep: If you are good at taking tests, you could tutor others in how to prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.
  9. Study skills: If you are a good student, you could tutor others in how to study effectively.
  10. Problem-solving: If you are good at solving problems, you could tutor others in how to approach and solve difficult problems.

Tutoring is a great side hustle for an expert in anything

These are just a few ideas to get you started. If you have a particular skill or interest that you are passionate about, you could tutor others in that area. Tutoring can be a rewarding experience for both the tutor and the student, so I encourage you to consider it if you are interested in helping others learn.


Here are some additional tips for tutoring others:

  • Be patient and understanding.
  • Be clear and concise in your explanations.
  • Be able to adapt your teaching style to the individual student’s needs.
  • Be positive and encouraging.
  • Be organized and prepared for each tutoring session.

6. Airbnb hosting: Rent out a spare room or property.

What Is Airbnb? Airbnb (ABNB) is an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodations in specific locales.

 Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/032814/pros-and-cons-using-airbnb.asp

7. Pet sitting or dog walking: Care for pets while their owners areDog Walking Number 7 on the 26 Side hustles That Actually Work away.

How much does a Dog Walker make in Phoenix, AZ? The average Dog Walker salary in Phoenix, AZ is $32,656 as of June 26, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $26,673 and $40,754.

Source: Dog Walker Salary in Phoenix, Arizona

8. Photography: Offer your photography services for events or stock photos.

Dreamstime is a popular stock photo site with a large collection of images. Dreamstime pays photographers 25-50% of the sale price of each image, depending on the level of membership.

9. Personal training: Help others achieve their fitness goals.

Personal trainers are fitness professionals who help people achieve their fitness goals. They work with clients of all ages and fitness levels, and their job duties can vary depending on the client’s needs.

Here are some of the jobs a Personal Trainer does.

  • Conducting fitness assessments: Personal trainers assess their clients’ current fitness levels and abilities in order to create safe and effective exercise programs. This may involve measuring body composition, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
  • Developing exercise programs: Personal trainers create customized exercise programs for their clients based on their individual goals, needs, and abilities. These programs may include a variety of activities, such as cardio, strength training, flexibility, and balance exercises.
  • Providing instruction: Personal trainers provide instruction to their clients on how to perform exercises safely and effectively. They may also provide tips on nutrition, hydration, and recovery.
  • Motivating and encouraging: Personal trainers motivate and encourage their clients to reach their fitness goals. They may do this by providing positive reinforcement, setting challenging but achievable goals, and helping clients overcome obstacles.
  • Monitoring progress: Personal trainers monitor their clients’ progress over time to make sure that they are on track to achieve their goals. They may do this by tracking weight loss, body composition, strength gains, and other fitness metrics.

Finess Trainer Is a Great Side Hustle For Active People

In addition to these common job duties, personal trainers may also:

  • Lead group fitness classes
  • Teach fitness workshops
  • Write fitness articles or books
  • Work as a fitness consultant for businesses or organizations

Personal trainers can work in a variety of settings, including gyms, fitness studios, hospitals, and corporate wellness programs. They may also work as independent contractors or own their own fitness businesses.

The job outlook for personal trainers is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of personal trainers will grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to the increasing popularity of fitness and wellness among all age groups.

If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, you need to complete a personal training certification program. There are many different certification programs available, so you can choose one that fits your needs and interests. Once you have your certification, you need to build your client base. You can do this by networking with other fitness professionals, marketing your services, and offering free or discounted introductory sessions.

Becoming a personal trainer is a great way to help people improve their health and fitness. If you are passionate about fitness and have a desire to help others, then this could be the perfect side hustle career for you.

10. Website design: Create websites for individuals or small businesses.

Codecademy is a popular website that offers free web development courses. Codecademy’s courses are interactive and gamified, which makes learning fun and engaging. Codecademy also offers a paid subscription that gives you access to additional features, such as offline learning and graded projects.

11. Online course creation: Share your expertise through online courses.

The 9 best online course platforms

  • Udemy for launching your first course
  • Skillshare for teaching creative skills
  • Teachable for creating an online school with advanced marketing
  • Podia for selling digital products and memberships
  • Thinkific for building a course from scratch
  • Kajabi for marketing a course on autopilot
  • Mighty Networks for building a paid community
  • Simplero for managing your business
  • TrainerCentral for a simple online course platform

Source: https://zapier.com/blog/online-course-platforms/

Open an e-Commerce Store

12. E-commerce: Sell products online through platforms like Etsy or Amazon.

E-commerce used to mean big costs upfront for inventory, packaging, storage, and an expensive and cumbersome website. Now people are using Drop-Shipping suppliers to handle all of the expensive stuff and hosting on sites like Etsy for under $100 a month. With a little education in SEO or Search Engine Optimization and a modest budget for Advertising and you can be a retail rockstar;

13. Language translation: Translate documents or provide interpretation services.

My wife’s Uncle was getting paid over $7,000 for single contracts translated from Japanese before his death. His skills were in high demand and in the 9 years since his passing, the rates for good translation have skyrocketed.

14. Handmade crafts: Create and sell unique crafts or handmade items.

This is another one I have personal experience with. My whole family has for years made hand-crafts like beadwork and sketch drawings, and hand-made jewelry for swap meets and now you can sell yours online by the piece or via auction on e-Bay and Amazon.

15. Event planning: Organize and coordinate events for clients.

According to HoneyBook, the average rate for an event planner is between $20hr for private party planners to $30hr for Corporate Planners. Hours are flexible, and these averages are not upper-income limits. Event planning can be fun as well as rewarding and informative as well.

16. Car washing and detailing: Offer car washing and detailing services.

Wash on Site Mobile power Wash Side hustle

Mobile Power Wash services are in high demand and are a cost-controlled small business you can operate from your driveway. Some mobile power wash services earn 6 figure incomes from a single mobile unit. The best side hustle ever if you really love cars and trucks as services offering full detailing are often used extensively during local car shows.

17. Personal chef: Cook meals for busy individuals or families.

Calling all foodies. Professional chefs are in high demand both inside and outside the restaurant industry. Home Chefs are able to get personal and provide a wide range of timely dietary planning and make a pretty good bank in the process. I have known several home chefs who made in excess of $25hr applying their skills to well-off families. Imagine the luxurious lifestyle of a professional home chef who often travels with their employer.

18. Home organizing: Help people declutter and organize their spaces.

From the simple spring cleaning task to whole home organization systems you can imagine the number of busy families in deep need of help reclaiming sanity in their home. As a result, the crafty organizer can combine organizational savvy with a tough of elbow grease and make a decent sum helping people organize their life.

19. Music lessons: Teach an instrument or provide vocal lessons.

Music Lessons image of Saxaphone Player Resting

With a range between $120 and $180 per month per student for weekly 30-minute music lessons, a great Music Teacher can work part-time and pay for everything from vacations to college for the kids. If you love music and are talented you can pay forward your skills and artistry to future generations.

20. Gardening and landscaping: Offer gardening and landscaping services.

Professional gardening services work a few hours a day x as many days as they choose to help beautify sometimes entire neighborhoods of business centers. From moving to full landscaping this is a great way to put a green thumb to work and enjoy outdoor work that is fulfilling as well as rewarding financially. Skills range from minimal, (ability to push a mower and operate a rake) to small to mid-sized equipment operation.

21. App development: Develop mobile apps for clients or create your own.

Udemy has a wide variety of free app development courses. You can find courses on topics such as Android development, iOS development, and Flutter development. Apps for mobile sites and gaming are the rave and some single apps can earn a 7-figure return off in-app advertising and subscription services.

22. Consulting: Provide expertise in a specific field.

From business consultants to high-ticket affiliate coaches, personal development coaches, and even counselors for behavioral issues or divorce, there is always someone in need of professional guidance in your field. You can take your knowledge and experience and guide someone’s tomorrow with minimal credentials and licensing.

23. Podcasting: Start a podcast and monetize it through sponsorships or ads.

Become a podcaster

Opinions matter and interviewers are needed to feed the fame of influencers in any niche. If you are not shy behind a mic, (camera optional) you can start a Podcast for a very low cost for equipment and initial advertising outlay on just about any subject.

24. Errand running: Assist busy individuals with their errands.

Not a ton to say here, from Uber Eats to Personal Shoppers we have all seen people who run some form of side hustle currier service. This is a business you can start with your current transportation and the cost of a few hundred business cards and flyers or sign on to a company as a private contractor and be the next Deal Dash professional.

25. Rental property management: Manage rental properties for landlords.

Check the laws in your state but many places do not need a real estate license of any type to be a property manager. My parents managed an RV park with 190 spaces and received a salary plus residence and bonuses based on income growth and cost controls.

26. Affiliate Marketing: 

From bloggers to Youtubers, Facebook mavens, and more, nearly every piece of content on the internet is monetized and the most popular and sometimes most profitable way is through affiliate marketing. 

Remember, the success of a side hustle often depends on factors like market demand, your skills, and your dedication. Choose a side hustle that aligns with your interests and expertise for the best chance of success. If you are interested in joining me in Affiliate Marketing there are 2 major steps to success you need to follow. The first is to join the training center at Wealthy Affiliate Universityand the second is to subscribe to our newsletter in the right sidebar.


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18 thoughts on “26 Side Hustles That Actually Work”

  1. Thank you for sharing this list of side hustles that can be profitable. I think these are all great ideas for people who are looking for ways to make some extra money.

    I especially like the idea of tutoring, as I think it would be a great way to use my skills and knowledge to help others. I also think that pet sitting or dog walking would be a fun and rewarding side hustle.

    I think the most important thing to consider when choosing a side hustle is to find something that you are passionate about and that you enjoy doing. If you are passionate about your side hustle, you will be more likely to stick with it and to be successful.

    Reply
    • Thank you. It is largely an offline list but has some huge online zones as well. What’s cool is some of these people with physical and mental disabilities can still make into passion businesses. I do affiliate marketing despite living with Bipolar and Social Anxiety Disorder for example.

      Reply
  2. I recently had the opportunity to delve into the article on “26 Side Hustles That Actually Work” from Income Legion, and I must say it left me impressed. The author’s compilation of 26 legitimate side hustle options showcases their dedication to providing valuable resources for individuals seeking to supplement their income. What stood out to me was the diversity of opportunities presented, ranging from creative pursuits to online business ventures. Each side hustle is accompanied by insightful tips and advice, which further adds value to the article. Income Legion has done an excellent job of curating a list that not only highlights effective side hustles but also instills a sense of inspiration and possibility. Thank you for your wonderful article!

    Reply
    • Thank you Steve. I get tired of posts that have an outline with no meat. Glad it seems we hit the spot with this post.

      Reply
  3. Wow, you have a wealth of information here! I drive truck over the road, and always have my eye out on alternatives that might work if I want to be home more – and you have a gold mine of ideas here, with lots of options to explore! I would say with 26 different ideas – many of them quite good – your list could qualify as a “master list!”

    I’m doing one of them – blogging and affiliate marketing – myself…

    Nice to see the 9 online course creation platforms – I didn’t realize there were that many! It’s something I’ve thought of, but haven’t yet pursued.

    Reply
    • There are a few dozen course creation sites plus several tools including plugins for WordPress that can help. As to trucking my grandfather and an uncle bot drove OTR my dad was a sign painter and at age 14 I started my first business buffing tanks and wheels. Truckers make America run.

      Reply
  4. I like your conclusion on side hustles – your success will depend on your skills, market demand and dedication. Many marketers paint this hustle as you can make money doing nothing. But you must be committed and skilful. Building skills take time. It will not happen overnight. It will take discipline and commitment.

    Reply
    • I could hype up the top success stories in the community but the fact is people knowing these things saves them time and money if they need a 2nd job instead of being ready to start a business.

      Reply
  5. Hi, Very good on this list. I think Dreamstime I would like to try selling photos on there. I do a bit of travelling and always thought this would be cool to try sell my photos to help recover some of my expenses. Will look into I think at moment I am doing eBay, mystery shipping, Amazon KDP [ebooks] and affiliate marketing. I think Respondent.com looks like a good survey site maybe I’ll do that next. I think it is easier said than done a lot of things but definitely plenty to think about here.

    Reply
    • Best advice is don’t waste time on Survey’s, most pay crap for the time involved and you need a separate email because they sell you as a lead to dozens of companies at around $20-$40 a pop as pre-qualified. Imagine they pay you under $6 while knowing they will make up to $800 off your survey answers.

      Reply
  6. Hey,

    This is such an informative and helpful article for people as with the way of the world and the cost of living crisis, people may need to start looking more into side hustles.

    I am one of those people and I am very pleased that the one I am pursuing is on your list of 26 🙂

    So far it is going quite well, but there is a lot more to do if I am going to make it my full time career.

    Thank you for sharing such a great article, I appreciate it.

    All the best,

    Tom

    Reply
    • Thaniks Tom, what is fun is looking at just how many of these I have actually done at one time or another and could either make a business out of or use a fodder for another blog.

      Reply
  7. Side hustles are ways that you can earn extra income in addition to your current job. You can earn money just by devoting a few hours of your day to these activities, and this amount can be even very high. If you have questions about what kind of work they are, be sure to read this article to learn about 26 different models of side hustles. I do freelance writing myself and I recommend it.

    Reply
    • As a full time blogger and social media network owner I love doing occasional guest posting gigs for added exposure and cash.

      Reply
  8. This is a good list and I’ve done plenty of these over the years. Social media manager looks like an interesting one, for those that are gifted in that area, I can imagine plenty of companies and freelancers could use one. I used to charge £20 an hour to walk dogs and take my own at the same time! Excellent side hustle, a pleasure to do and a quick way to make money. Some other really creative suggestions here too.

    Reply

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