Flexible Side Gigs You Can Do for Extra Cash

A large number of Americans are now engaged in side jobs from home to ease off their financial pressure amidst the rising cost of living and a tight job market. A Bankrate survey found that 39% of Americans have a side hustle, and 44% believe they will always need one.  

The demand for side hustlers and gig workers is also on the rise. Here is all you need to know if you want an additional revenue stream to supplement your regular income. 

Online Side Jobs 

Freelancing

In 2023, 38% of American workers turned to freelance jobs, according to an Upwork study. A Harvard Business Review Analytics Services survey states that the reliance on freelancers has increased among U.S. organizations.  

You can pick up freelance work online based on your skills, interests, or hobbies. The most in-demand freelancing services in 2024 are:

• SEO experts
• Content writers
• Editors and proofreaders
• Social media marketing
• Graphic designers 
• Illustrators
• Web and mobile app developers
• Virtual assistants
• Data analysts
• Video production
• Photographers

Some popular websites that post freelance jobs are:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Behance
• Freelancer

Time Until You Can Start: Landing your first side hustle can take a few days. 

Setup Process: 24-48 hours. You need a computer, internet access, and a phone.  

Age Threshold: The minimum age is 16-18 years and varies by freelancing job websites.                                                                            

How Fast Does It Generate Income: You can find a client and get paid in a week, month, or 100% advance.

Income Expectations: It depends on your experience, skills, education, and scope of work. However, making $500-1000 is possible for all.                                                                  

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

This gig requires you to teach non-native speakers to understand, read, speak, and write in English. U.S. Census Data shows that nearly 68 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home, and 29.6 million have limited English proficiency. The demand for ESL teachers is higher in states home to many immigrants, expats, and refugees.

A few legit platforms to apply for the position of an ESL teacher are:

• Kaplan International
• Oxford International Education
• E.C. Language Centers
• Dave’s ESL Cafe
• Tesol

Alternatively, consider teaching English online as a private tutor or part-time with academic institutions and language institutes.

Time Until You Can Start: Landing the position can take a few days.

Setup Process: You must be a native English speaker, hold a university degree, a valid state teaching license if required, and have English language certification (CELTA, TEFL, TESOL).                                                                            

Age Threshold: 21 years and above 

How Fast Does It Generate Income: You can earn cash after landing the position.

Income Expectations: Average $18 an hour  

Audiobook Recording

Do you have a good voice or talent for storytelling? Audiobook narration could be your calling as a side hustler. Love for reading books, background in acting, clear diction, the ability for solid characterization, breath control, and physical endurance (speaking for long hours) are essential skill requirements for this job. You can also lend your voice to animations, video games, maps, voice-assisted devices, podcasts, and documentaries.

The global audiobook market is expected to become $39.1 billion by 2032, opening up rewarding opportunities for audiobook narrators and voice-over artists. You can explore audiobook recording gigs on these platforms:

• Amazon’s Audiobook Creative Exchange (ACX)
• Backstage
• Voice 123
• Voices
• Brilliance Audio

Time Until You Can Start: Securing the gig can take a few weeks.

Setup Process: You need a computer, voice recording software, a microphone, an audio interface, headphones, and a home or professional recording studio. 

Age Threshold: 18 years and above

How Fast Does It Generate Income: As per the contractual agreement with voice platform

Income Expectations: $75–$200 per hour

Blogging 

Blogging as a side hustle can bring steady income with patience and the right monetization strategy. Your blog should have a professional design and SEO-driven content. Most bloggers earn through Google AdSense, affiliate marketing, sponsored reviews, and selling their products and courses online.

A challenge you may face is whether to start a new blog from scratch or buy a decently built blog. The former option is good when you are a beginner, have a low budget, and need control over what you create. However, getting organic traffic and increasing your domain authority can take years.

Buying an established blog makes sense if you want to fast-track the process of growing traffic and audience. However, it comes with the disadvantage of investing money upfront and rehashing the old content and design to create the look and feel of your brand.

Time Until You Can Start: It can take a while to draw traffic to the website.

Setup Process: Sign up at WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Tumblr, or other blogging sites and start creating content.                                    

Age Threshold: No age bar                                

How Fast Does It Generate Income: At least six months to one year after you start the blog

Income Expectations: A few hundred to thousand dollars 

Offline Side Jobs 

Dog Walking

More than 16,000 people in the United States work as dog walkers. If you enjoy the company of furry friends, this is one of the best side jobs from home. You can sign up yourself as a dog walker with apps such as:

• Wag!
• Rover
• Scout
• Fetch!
• Pet Care
• Holidog
• Barkley Pets

Time Until You Can Start: As soon as the dog owner contacts you

Setup Process: Dog walking apps may take a few days to approve your sign-up

Age Threshold: 18 years and above

How Fast Does It Generate Income: 48 hours to a week

Income Expectations: Average $15.95 per hour     

Drive for Uber or Lyft

Becoming a driver for rideshare giants Uber and Lyft is another lucrative offline job from home. Your driving experience and history, background screening, and the car’s good working condition are essential requirements. 

You have the flexibility to choose driving hours. It is advisable to do a cost-benefit analysis before you sign up. You will incur expenses such as vehicle wear and tear, insurance premiums, phone bills, fuel costs, maintenance, and taxes.

Time Until You Can Start: As soon as the rideshare service approves your request

Setup Process: A few weeks

Age Threshold: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city and have 1-3 years of licensed driving experience

How Fast Does It Generate Income: Get paid instantly or within a week

Income Expectations: Average $22-$40 per hour

Mystery Shopper

You can become a mystery or secret shopper for retailers and market research organizations. The job description requires you to try products and services as a customer and give honest feedback on your shopping experience. Please beware of the scam companies that charge you to work for them. 

A few legitimate mystery shopping companies to apply for are:

• Sinclair Customer Metrics
• Secret Shopper
• Service Evaluation Concepts
• Bestmark
• Second to None

Time Until You Can Start: Varies by mystery shopping company

Setup Process: Application and approval can take a few weeks. You also need transportation and internet access.

Age Threshold: Usually 18+

How Fast Does It Generate Income: Varies by mystery shopping company.

Income Expectations: Varies by mystery shopping company. Income could be reimbursement for expenses, a free meal or movie ticket, consent to keep the product, etc.

House Sitter

The demand for professional house sitters is high among people who want a trusted person to care for their home in their absence. Your responsibilities as a house sitter can entail taking care of pets, gardens, and vehicles, doing household chores, etc. 

You can find house sitter gigs on these websites:

• House Sitters America
• Trusted Housesitters
• Housesit Match

Time Until You Can Start: Landing the gig or referral can take a few days.

Setup Process: Application and approval on the website can take a few hours to days.

Age Threshold: 18+                                            

How Fast Does It Generate Income: Varies by website, usually at the end of the gig.

Income Expectations: Average $16 per hour

Passive Side Jobs From Home 

Rent Out Assets

You can rent your room, apartment, pool, garage, storage space, bikes, car, boat, land, parking, clothes, outdoor gear, bounce houses, toys, and more. Keep your assets in proper and hygienic condition to fetch better rent.

You can put up your assets on rent on the following marketplaces:

• Airbnb
• Equipmentshare
• Boatsetter
• Turo
• Outdoorsy

Time Until You Can Start: Immediate

Setup Process: Application and approval on the listing website

Age Threshold: 18+                                            

How Fast Does It Generate Income: As per your rental terms and conditions

Income Expectations: Varies by the type of asset and duration of rent

Sell Your Photography and Videos

Selling original or AI-generated photographs and videos is a well-paid side hustle. You can sell them as prints on products such as mugs, licenses or downloads, and rights or royalties. 

You can even pitch them to media and publishing houses for travel guides, magazines, books, documentaries, etc. 

A few marketplaces where you can monetize your creativity are:

• Shutterstock 
• iStock
• Alamy
• Getty Images
• Pond5

Time Until You Can Start: Immediate if you have a collection ready to upload; finding buyers can take time.

Setup Process: Application and approval on the listing website

Age Threshold: No bar                                

How Fast Does It Generate Income: Varies by marketplace

Income Expectations: Varies by marketplace

Ready To Take on a Side Job?

Most side jobs from home require zero or minimum upfront costs to start. You can start as soon as you put your mind to earning extra money.