There’s an option for every skill level. From surveys and cashback apps to freelancing and investing, you can start earning online with little more than a smartphone or computer.
Quick wins pay small. Surveys, bank sign-up bonuses and selling your stuff put cash in your pocket fastest, while blogs, YouTube channels and online businesses take months to build but can pay far more.
Watch out for scams. Stick to well-known platforms, never pay an upfront fee to join and remember that money you make online is generally taxable.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors or omissions.
Are you looking to earn some extra cash or maybe even contemplating a career change? There are many ways to make money online in the US, and while some will only help you get a little extra pocket money, others have the potential to be quite lucrative.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to make money online in the US and what you need to do to get started.
Online surveys are often the first port of call for ways to earn money online. There are a host of sites and apps in the US where you can earn cash or points by completing online surveys and questionnaires. Popular options include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Branded Surveys and InboxDollars. Sites like Swagbucks offer options to make money beyond completing surveys; you can also play games to earn money, earn cash back on online purchases and more.
The best part is that it’s easy to get started and earn straight away. If the site pays cash, you can withdraw funds to your bank account once you’ve earned a specified minimum. If the site pays in points, they’re usually redeemable for gift cards and other rewards.
Details
How much it pays: Typically $0.50–$5 per survey
How much time it takes: Flexible. Most surveys range from a couple of minutes to half an hour.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Be realistic. Don’t look at filling out surveys as a way to earn lots of money, it’s an easy way to earn a little extra income, but it’s not going to make you a millionaire.
Check the fine print. Check the minimum limit you must reach before you can cash out or redeem your points. It might take much longer than expected to end up with any cash or gift cards in your hands.
Make sure it’s legit. Do your research to make sure you only ever sign up to legitimate websites and apps. Scammers use fake survey sites as a way to trick you into handing over your personal information.
Many banks in the US offer cash bonuses or promotional interest rates when you sign up for a new account. In the case of a cash bonus, banks will essentially give you money, sometimes hundreds of dollars, for opening an account with them.
To qualify for these types of offers, you typically have to open an account (which you can do online in a few minutes), set up direct deposits for a set amount of time and the cash bonus will be automatically deposited into your account. It’s often as simple as that.
Details
How much it pays: Typically $100–$600 if all account-opening conditions are met.
How much time it takes: A few minutes to sign up for an account, and then typically several months to meet the conditions.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Compare offers. Almost all banks in the US offer sign-up bonuses, so it’s worth carefully comparing offers before getting started. The biggest cash bonus offers typically come with more requirements to qualify. Only sign up for an account offer that you can complete all of the requirements for.
Understand the requirements. The most complicated types of bank offers sometimes require you to open multiple accounts and hold a specific amount of funds in the account for a certain length of time to get access to the full amount. Read through the offer details carefully to make sure you’re following all of the required steps.
Watch for bank account churning rules. Opening too many bank accounts in a short period to chase bonuses can raise red flags with banks and lead to consequences, so pace yourself.
Switching bank accounts isn’t your only way to earn a bonus. Financial comparison sites, including us at Finder, offer cash rewards for taking specific actions, including signing up for a new credit card, applying to a lender or signing up with a get-paid-to platform. This is in addition to any welcome bonuses the provider might offer.
Details
How much it pays: Between $25 and $250 per transaction.
How much time it takes: A few minutes to apply, several weeks to actually receive your cash.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Check the terms and conditions. For example, the name you use for the reward needs to match the name you use for your bank account.
Be aware of end dates. Rewards may not be ongoing, so make sure you’re aware of the last day you can lock in a bonus.
4. Sell your possessions
If you’ve got some unused items lying around the house that you no longer need, make some extra cash by selling them on an online marketplace. Sporting equipment, jewelry, gaming consoles, furniture, board games, books — the list of stuff you can sell online is just about endless.
Facebook Marketplace, eBay, OfferUp, Poshmark and Craigslist are just some of your options, and it’s easy to post listings via mobile apps or online.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on what you’re selling.
How much time it takes: It takes about 10 minutes to photograph your item and write a listing. How long it takes to find a buyer and negotiate a price varies.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: Items to sell, a smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes — if the buyer pays electronically and you mail them the item. However, many sales will require you to meet with the buyer in person so they can physically inspect the item before purchasing.
Tips to succeed
Post professional ads. Take the time to write detailed listings and take high-quality photos for your ads. This will help your items stand out on crowded marketplaces.
Price your item high. Decide how much you’d be willing to accept for your item, then price it a little higher than that. You can usually expect a bit of negotiating when selling stuff online.
Be honest. If the item has any damage or imperfections, mention them in the listing and display them in photographs. If a buyer shows up and the item isn’t as described, you’ll be wasting your own time as well as theirs.
5. Sell your car
That’s right, you don’t have to visit a dealership in person and worry about haggling with a salesman to sell your car. These days, online dealers like Carvana and CarMax make it easy to sell vehicles online. All you have to do is provide your vehicle details online to get an offer to buy your car, and if you’re happy with the price, you can drive it to a nearby drop-off location or arrange a pickup to complete the sale.
Alternatively, you can list your car for sale on classifieds sites like AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Selling privately may help you get a better price for your car, but it’s less convenient and you’ll need to deal with lowballers.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on the vehicle.
How much time it takes: Less than 48 hours if selling to an online dealer. Time varies if selling privately.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A car, a smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: No. If you’re selling to a dealer, you’ll need to drop off your car or arrange a pickup from your home. If you’re selling to a private buyer, you’ll need to negotiate with buyers in person.
Tips to succeed
Compare offers. Online dealers make it easy to get an offer for your vehicle without leaving home, so compare offers from multiple dealers to get the highest price.
Stay on top of maintenance. Make sure all routine vehicle maintenance tasks (like oil changes) are up to date. Get any minor repairs done if needed, and get your car serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals to help you get a better sales price.
Know your vehicle’s worth. Before selling your car, make sure you know what represents a fair price for your car. Sites like Kelley Blue Book and CARFAX offer online valuation tools to help you decide how to price your vehicle.
6. Sell handmade items
If you’re a crafty person, you can put your skills to work to help you make money online. Sites like Etsy make it easy to sell handmade items like jewelry, home decor, personalized gifts and clothes online. Alternatively, you can try connecting with buyers on other platforms like Instagram and Facebook Marketplace.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on what you’re selling and in what quantity.
How much time it takes: The time it takes to craft items depends on what you make. You can list an item in under 10 minutes, and then it’s a matter of waiting for a buyer to come along.
Skills or experience needed: Some sort of talent for creating handmade items.
What you’ll need to get started: Craft supplies/materials for whatever you make.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes (aside from the time you spend making each item).
Tips to succeed
Create detailed listings. Take high-quality photos of your items and create detailed listings with all the info a prospective buyer would need to know.
Be prompt. Respond quickly and helpfully whenever a customer contacts you with a question about an item you’re selling.
Understand fees. When pricing your items, make sure you will still make a profit after taking into account any platform fees that apply. For example, Etsy charges a listing fee, a transaction fee and a payment processing fee.
7. Sell custom items using print-on-demand websites
Print-on-demand websites like Redbubble, Printful and Printify allow you to get your own custom artwork on clothing, cushions, tote bags, mugs and more. You create your product designs and upload them to your own store or an online marketplace. When a buyer purchases one of your items, the print-on-demand service will then take care of printing and shipping it to them.
Details
How much it pays: Varies.
How much time it takes: Requires an ongoing commitment to running your business.
Skills or experience needed: Some sort of artistic flair or a creative design idea.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Take care when setting prices. Unlike a more traditional business model, you won’t be buying items in bulk and then selling them. This means items are priced higher and there are tighter profit margins.
Test the quality. Before choosing a print-on-demand service to bring your designs to life, order a sample product so you can check the quality the provider offers and see how your finished product looks in the real world.
Pick a specific target audience. Finding a niche audience will help generate customer demand for your products. Have a clear idea of who you’re designing for before you get started.
8. Dropshipping
Selling print-on-demand items is a form of dropshipping. With this approach, you set up an online store to sell your products, you could sell clothing, pet supplies, home decor, baby products or just about anything, but you don’t hold any inventory or ship products. That side of the business is taken care of by the manufacturer, who ships items directly to buyers.
Details
How much it pays: Sources vary, but most put the average dropshipping profit margin somewhere between 10% and 30%.
How much time it takes: It could take weeks or months to set up your online store, while the time taken to manage your store each week will vary.
Skills or experience needed: No specific skills required, but web design and SEO experience will help.
What you’ll need to get started: You’ll need a computer and you’ll have to source a supplier.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Choose your supplier carefully. Thoroughly research any supplier before deciding if it’s a good fit for your online store. Check out product quality by ordering samples, compare shipping times and check the responsiveness of their customer support.
Marketing matters. You can’t just set up an online store and expect customers to stumble across it organically. From SEO techniques to Google and Facebook ads, you’ll need to use a combination of tools to boost the visibility of your brand.
9. Create and sell printables
From greeting cards to diaries and planners, printables are digital products designed to be purchased and then physically printed out. Use design software like Canva to create your own unique range of custom designs, then sell them on a platform like Etsy or through your own online store.
Details
How much it pays: Prices start at around $1 per printable but can vary depending on the niche and the complexity of your products.
How much time it takes: Varies — some printables take an hour or two to create, but more complex items can take days.
Skills or experience needed: Graphic design skills are a must, while prior experience with design software will also help.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer or mobile device and a range of design ideas.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Up your social game. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest are great for sharing your designs with potential customers. Use video and images to show why your products are useful and how they can help people in their day-to-day lives.
Make connections. If you sell printables in a specific niche, such as to gardening enthusiasts or new parents, become a regular contributor on popular forums dedicated to that niche. By offering tips and suggestions, not just aggressively selling your products, you’ll establish connections with like-minded people who might one day want to buy your products.
Offer free samples. Offering free previews to potential customers helps to build trust, encourages loyalty and gives buyers the chance to review the quality of your products before spending any of their hard-earned money.
10. Start a blog
Got a head full of opinions and ideas you need to share with the world? You could turn your musings into money by starting a blog. All you have to do is find your niche, choose a blogging platform and hosting platform, design your blog and start posting.
Details
How much it pays: You could make anywhere from nothing to thousands of dollars per month.
How much time it takes: Expect it to take months or even years to build a loyal following of readers and potentially subscribers.
Skills or experience needed: You’ll need to be an engaging writer with excellent grammar and punctuation. SEO skills are also helpful.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer and a niche subject/field to write about.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Embrace AI tools. From brainstorming ideas and creating content schedules to SEO optimization and image generation, there’s a raft of AI tools out there that can help you take your blog to the next level.
Look for multiple ways to monetize. From exclusive subscription content to affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and even selling your own merch, try to find as many ways as possible to make money from your blog.
Use analytics. Use Google Analytics and your blogging platform’s own analytics tools to do a deep dive on all of your posts. Check metrics like time spent on page, social media shares, return visitor stats and conversion rates for tips on how to improve your content.
11. Write books or ebooks
From a romance novel or suspense thriller to a cookbook or a health and fitness instructional, put your passion for the written word into action and write a book. You can then pitch it to publishers or use a self-publishing service, then market it to your target audience to generate sales.
Details
How much it pays: Varies widely depending on the type of book and the price you set.
How much time it takes: It could take a week or potentially months to write an ebook, depending on its length, while a novel could take anywhere from a few months to years to write.
Skills or experience needed: Writing and editing skills.
What you’ll need to get started: An idea, strong writing skills and a computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes, provided you’ve got the necessary writing skills.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Make a plan. If you’re writing a how-to or educational ebook, start by putting together a detailed outline — what topics will you cover and in what order? This will help ensure that your content flows seamlessly and leads the reader through the learning process logically. As for writing a novel, some authors like to plan out every chapter and plot development in advance, while others start with an idea or a single sentence and then just see where it leads them.
Be ruthless. Your first draft should never be your final draft. While it’s easy to get attached to the words you’ve written, focus on stripping your content back to its bare bones to maximize readability. This is where hiring an independent editor can be a big help.
12. Create content with AI
You might be surprised by the sheer range and quality of AI content creation tools now available. From brainstorming ideas for marketing campaigns to generating social media graphics, creating images, editing videos and writing copy, AI tools open up a world of creative possibilities. This in turn lets you access a range of money-making opportunities.
Details
How much it pays: Varies widely depending on the content you create.
How much time it takes: Varies depending on what you’re creating.
Skills or experience needed: None, but experience with AI content creation tools is a plus.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, AI content creation tools (there are free tools available, but others require a subscription).
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Proofread. Always review AI-generated content carefully before publishing or sending it to a client, accuracy and a natural voice still matter.
Experiment. Depending on the AI model or tool you’re using, the same prompt can produce vastly different results. Experiment with different prompts and varying levels of detail to explore the creative possibilities available to you.
13. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting another company’s products or services in return for a commission. Essentially, you create your own website to direct customers to the company’s website or marketplace product listings, where they will hopefully make a purchase. You might be paid every time a customer clicks on the link to the provider’s website, or you may only be paid if they make a purchase.
Details
How much it pays: According to Authority Hacker’s affiliate marketing survey, the average affiliate marketer earns roughly $8,038 per month — but the average monthly income for people with less than a year of experience is closer to $636.
How much time it takes: It could take several months to start earning consistent income.
Skills or experience needed: Copywriting, web design and SEO skills can all improve your chance of success.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Be selective. While diversifying the range of products and services you promote can help boost your income, you should only ever promote products that you actually recommend. This will help build trust with your audience.
Learn SEO. Search engine optimization is crucial to help your affiliate website stand out in a crowded market. Learn the ins and outs of SEO to help your site rank higher in Google search results and attract more eyeballs.
14. Livestream
Playing video games, cooking, broadcasting sports events or showcasing your daily life — livestreaming provides a unique and interactive experience to share with your audience. Deliver regular, high-quality content to build a loyal following in your chosen niche, and then you may be able to turn it into a money-making opportunity through donations from viewers, partnering with brands, selling subscriptions for exclusive content and more.
Details
How much it pays: Earnings can range from nothing to potentially thousands of dollars per month.
How much time it takes: It could take months or even years to build your audience, and you’ll need to stream regularly to keep growing your fanbase.
Skills or experience needed: Experience with streaming software is a plus, while you’ll also need to be an entertaining and engaging communicator.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, a webcam, a microphone and streaming software.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Watch your content. Take the time to watch your stream recordings back with a critical eye. Take note of any periods where you lapsed into silence for too long, any overused words or phrases, too many umms and ahhs, and basically anything else about your video that could be improved.
Interact with your community. Reddit users comment that building a community of loyal followers is crucial to becoming a successful livestreamer. That’s why you need to put the effort into engaging with viewers in the chat, encourage interaction, and make your viewers feel like they’re an important part of something bigger.
Avoid oversaturated topics. Let’s say you’re just starting out as a gaming streamer and a new Call of Duty game has just been released. There will be tons of other far more popular content creators streaming CoD videos, so it’ll be hugely difficult for you to stand out. Choosing a less mainstream (but still popular) game for your content could make it easier to find your audience.
15. Become an online fitness instructor
Whether you’re an experienced personal trainer or just someone who loves staying in shape, you could offer personal training classes online. You can offer tailored fitness classes to clients in the privacy of their own home, and you can also create and sell your own workout plans and fitness courses online.
Details
How much it pays: Rates commonly start at $40 per hour.
How much time it takes: It could take months to build your client base.
Skills or experience needed: While a formal qualification isn’t required, it will help you understand the ins and outs of getting fit and staying in shape. Interpersonal and motivational skills are also a must.
What you’ll need to get started: A camera, microphone, space to work out, some basic equipment such as a yoga mat and dumbbells.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes, but you’ll need to do plenty of real-world activity to lead classes or demonstrate different exercises for your clients.
Tips to succeed
Get qualified. You don’t need an accredited certification to work as a personal trainer, but having a relevant qualification to your name will help you attract customers.
Tailor workout plans. Each individual has specific fitness and weight loss goals, so speak to each client about what they hope to achieve before you start training. You can then tailor a workout program to suit their needs.
Use social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are perfect for sharing short workout tips and specific exercises to build your following. Give people a taste of what they can expect in your classes, and you’ll increase the chance of them signing up.
16. Make YouTube videos
Got a special skill or insight that others might be interested in learning or hearing about? You might be surprised by what people are willing to watch on YouTube. You could film yourself tackling competitive eating challenges, playing Minecraft, sharing fitness tips, showing people how to do common DIY jobs around the house or just about anything else you can imagine.
If your videos get enough views, you can earn money from advertising revenue, sell merch to your subscribers and monetize your channel in a handful of other ways.
Details
How much it pays: Sources vary, but data from Influencer Marketing Hub reveals that the average YouTuber earns roughly 1.8 cents per view.
How much time it takes: It varies depending on the length of each video, your production quality, how many cameras you use and how often you upload.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications are required, but skills in fields like narrating and presenting, video production and editing can all increase your chance of success.
What you’ll need to get started: An idea for a channel and a smartphone or video camera.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: It can be — it all depends what your videos are about.
Tips to succeed
Be realistic. The eye-watering amounts earned by some world-famous YouTubers might have you licking your lips, but finding success as a content creator is far from easy. It seems like every young kid wants to be a YouTuber these days, so you’re entering into a crowded market where it’s difficult to stand out.
Post regularly. Consistency is key, so create a content schedule and release your videos on the same day and at the same time each week. This way, your audience will know when they can expect to see new videos from you.
Create great thumbnails. Make your videos stand out from the competition by creating eye-catching thumbnails that encourage more views. Check out the creative designs that some of the world’s most popular YouTubers use for inspiration.
17. Narrate audiobooks
If you’re blessed with an excellent voice and the sort of acting chops required to inject life into content you read, audiobook narration could be your perfect side hustle. Once you’ve built a portfolio of work, you can look for narration jobs on platforms like ACX, Audible, Voquent and Voices.
Details
How much it pays: Pay rates generally start around $50 per finished hour of audio.
How much time it takes: According to ACX, new narrators take five to seven hours to record one hour of an audiobook.
Skills or experience needed: A great voice, acting and reading skills. Prior acting experience can be beneficial.
What you’ll need to get started: A high-quality microphone and headphones, a recording space, a pop filter and audio editing software.
Beginner-friendly: No.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
The green apple trick. Many experienced voice narrators will tell you that the best way to solve the clicking noise of a dry mouth is to eat a Granny Smith apple to reduce mucus.
Listen to other narrators. Find an audiobook narrator you love, then download and listen to as much of their content as you can. What tricks and techniques do they use to make their books so engaging?
Preparation makes perfect. While it may not always be possible with some jobs, if you get the chance, read any audiobook at least once before you start recording. Immerse yourself in the story, get to know the different characters, and make detailed notes for yourself about voices, pacing and intonation at different points.
18. Start a podcast
Sports, true crime, children’s stories, money management tips, parenting, you name it — browse Spotify or Apple Podcasts and you’ll find podcasts covering just about every topic under the sun. So, if you have a special passion in life or specialist knowledge you’d like to share, why not start your own podcast?
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on the size of your audience.
How much time it takes: Varies depending on the research required and how often you record new episodes. Individual episode lengths commonly vary, lasting anywhere from five minutes to one hour.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications required, but you’ll need to be a confident and engaging speaker.
What you’ll need to get started: Microphone and recording software.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Listen to your recordings. Could your tone of voice be more engaging? Could your intros be catchier? Is the back-and-forth between you and your podcast guests a little too stilted? Listen back to your podcast after each episode to find ways of improving your product.
Upload episodes regularly. You’re not going to become anyone’s favorite podcast if you don’t post new episodes regularly, so create a content calendar and stick to it.
Plan each episode. Create a schedule for each episode and plan out all your talking points in detail. While you don’t want your content to sound overly scripted, having a plan in front of you will help you stay on track and cover all the key points.
19. Become a social media influencer
If your social media game is strong, why not use your skills to earn income as an “influencer”? Influencer marketing is where you build a large following among a niche audience, which could be anything from beauty and self-care to improving your golf game, until brands want to pay you to promote their products. From Instagram and TikTok to YouTube, Twitch and a host of other platforms, there are many different ways to engage with your audience.
Details
How much it pays: According to Shopify, influencers with less than 10,000 followers can earn $10 to $100 per sponsored Instagram post. The potential income goes up as your following does.
How much time it takes: You’ll need an ongoing commitment to build a large audience.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications are needed, but you’ll need to be a great communicator and have specialist knowledge or passion about a particular topic.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone and computer. A high-quality camera, tripod and lighting equipment can also help you create much more professional-looking content.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes — but you’ll need to spend plenty of time in the real world creating videos and other content.
Tips to succeed
Get ready for the long haul. You won’t have any success as an influencer if you only post occasionally. Building a loyal audience of followers requires a long-term commitment, so you’ll need to post fun, informative and interesting content daily.
Be authentic. Build trust with your audience by being your authentic self. Let your sense of humor shine through, and only promote products that you trust or recommend — your followers can spot a fake a mile away.
20. Provide transcription services
Transcribers take audio or video content and convert it into text, and they’re in high demand in legal, medical and media industries. If you’re a fast and accurate typist — aim for at least 50 words per minute — working as a transcriptionist could be a lucrative side hustle. Check out sites like Rev and TranscribeMe to get started.
Details
How much it pays: As a general guide, pay rates fall between around $0.25 and $2.50 per minute of audio.
How much time it takes: You can sign up on a transcription platform in as little as a day or two, and it takes around four hours to transcribe one hour of audio.
Skills or experience needed: Excellent typing skills as well as a firm grasp of grammar and punctuation.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer and high-quality earphones or a headset. A foot pedal can help you keep your hands free for typing when playing audio, while transcription software can also boost productivity.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Choose a specialist field. If you can gain experience or additional qualifications working in a specific field, such as the legal or medical industries, it should help your resume stand out from the competition.
Use AI tools. AI hasn’t completely taken over the role of the transcriptionist, but it has changed it. A human touch is still needed to ensure accuracy and reliability, but tools like Otter.ai and Sonix can help streamline your work.
21. Become an Amazon Mechanical Turk worker
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is an online marketplace where people and businesses can outsource various jobs. Sign up as an MTurk worker and you can complete tasks like analyzing images, processing data, answering surveys, transcribing audio content and a whole lot more.
Details
How much it pays: As a general guide, expect to earn $1–$6 per hour.
How much time it takes: Many tasks only take a few minutes, but longer jobs are also available.
Skills or experience needed: No special skills or qualifications required.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer or mobile device.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Treat it as a side hustle only. The pay rate on MTurk is quite low, so chances are you won’t earn a full-time income. Instead, by devoting an hour or two a day to completing jobs, you can make a little extra pocket money on the side.
Hit up Reddit. Sign up for the HITsWorthTurkingFor subreddit to find Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) on MTurk that are profitable and worth your time.
Get your HIT count up. When you’re starting out, focus on completing quick HITs that may only pay a small amount. Many requesters set a minimum threshold of 100 or more successfully completed HITs, so getting your numbers up will help you qualify for more tasks.
22. Work as a freelancer
Want to work from home and be your own boss? Sites like Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer let you make money online in the US by helping you connect with people and companies who need professional services.
You can freelance full-time or as a side hustle to earn some extra cash. There’s work out there for writers, graphic designers, translators, voiceover artists, web designers, programmers, SEO specialists, bookkeepers and a range of other professionals, so search for work opportunities based on your skill set.
Details
How much it pays: You could get paid a fixed price per job or get an hourly rate. Price varies depending on the type of work you offer and the size and complexity of the project.
How much time it takes: Varies.
Skills or experience needed: Varies depending on your line of work, but professional qualifications and experience relevant to your industry can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer.
Beginner-friendly: Sort of. It’s easy to sign up to freelancer platforms and offer your services, but many jobs require prior experience or qualifications.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Read job ads carefully. Don’t just skim the details of a job ad that sounds OK and then fire off a quick application. As a way of weeding out unsuitable applicants and bots, many job ads will request specific wording or information in your application to immediately tell whether you’ve read the job ad thoroughly.
Diversify. It’s never a good idea to rely too heavily on one client. If a company goes through a tough period, the freelance budget might be one of the first things to get cut, so you can protect yourself by earning income from multiple clients. This can take some juggling and may mean you have to sometimes turn down work, but it’s worth it.
Be disciplined. Freelancing offers freedom and flexibility, but it’s easy to get caught up in the perks of working from home. Setting yourself goals and targets, like working a certain number of hours each day, can help you stay on track.
23. Become a social media consultant
Terrific at TikTok? In demand on Insta? Use your savvy social media skills to segue into a lucrative side hustle or potentially a new career. There are plenty of businesses and individuals out there that need a lot of help upping their social game, increasing user engagement and generating more sales. And that’s where a social media consultant like you can make money by sharing skills and expertise.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on your prior experience and skills, but you could earn $50 per hour or more.
How much time it takes: It could take months or years to build a big enough social media profile to be able to offer your services as a consultant.
Skills or experience needed: Social media marketing skills are a must. There are no mandatory formal qualifications, but completing a social media or digital marketing course could help.
What you’ll need to get started: A strong social media profile.
Beginner-friendly: No.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Show your skills on your socials. Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create educational content for your followers. Brief snippets and tips on how businesses can boost their social media engagement and generate sales are a simple way to showcase your consulting skills.
Perfect your pitch. Once you’re established, businesses will come to you for help. But when you’re first starting out, you’ll need to get comfortable pitching your consulting services to clients. Work on developing a pitch template that can be easily tailored to show how you can help different businesses find social media success.
24. Work as a virtual assistant
In the same vein as becoming a freelancer, working remotely as a virtual assistant allows you to make money online in the US. It’s free to offer your services on sites like Upwork, and you can get paid to help clients with jobs like office admin, social media management, responding to emails, scheduling appointments and much more.
Details
How much it pays: According to Indeed, the average salary for a virtual assistant in the US is $25.75 per hour.
How much time it takes: It depends on the needs of your clients, but it can be full-time (40 hours a week or more).
Skills or experience needed: Communication and time management skills are crucial. Prior experience isn’t essential but will help you stand out from the competition.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone, a computer and various software programs (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, etc.).
Beginner-friendly: No — you’ll need a certain set of skills and proficiency in a range of programs to get started.
Completely online: Yes, although answering and making phone calls may be one of your jobs.
Tips to succeed
Network. Experienced VAs commonly point to the benefits of networking and building relationships with other VAs. This will give you people to turn to for advice as you continue to develop your skills, and it could also lead to work getting referred your way.
Define your role. When you’re starting out, it’s important that you clearly define for clients what roles you can perform. And if you’re asked to do something that’s not part of your job description, don’t be afraid to say no.
25. Teach English
Sites like Cambly, SkimaTalk and Preply make it easy to connect with students around the world who want to learn English. In some cases, you don’t even need to be an accredited language teacher, just a native English speaker. The idea is to teach your students English simply by engaging them in conversation.
Details
How much it pays: You can earn around $0.17/min ($10.20/hour) on Cambly and $0.20/min ($12/hour) on Cambly Kids.
How much time it takes: You can sign up and get approved as a teacher in a few days. Lessons typically range from 15 minutes to one hour.
Skills or experience needed: A firm grasp of the English language and good communication skills.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer with a webcam and a strong internet connection.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Use multiple platforms. Create accounts on multiple language teaching platforms to connect with students all over the world and maximize your earning potential.
Take on weekend work. Many students can only attend lessons on nights and weekends, so offering your services at these times is a simple way to make more money.
Smile. No one likes a grumpy teacher who looks like they don’t want to be there. Keep a smile on your face and be friendly and genuine with your students. This will help make the learning experience more approachable and enjoyable for your students.
26. Create online courses
Are you an expert in your field? Do you have specialist knowledge about a specific niche, like photography, digital marketing, starting a business or playing guitar? If so, you could design, create and sell your own courses online. Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, Thinkific and Kajabi offer the tools you need to share your educational materials with a wide audience.
Details
How much it pays: Varies.
How much time it takes: Varies depending on the length and complexity of the course. It could take a few hours, weeks or even months.
Skills or experience needed: You’ll need plenty of experience and knowledge in your chosen field. Having relevant formal qualifications will also lend legitimacy to your course, while video editing skills can help too.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer. Depending on how your course content will be delivered, a microphone, webcam, lighting gear and other equipment may also be required.
Beginner-friendly: Reasonably easy, provided you already have the specialist knowledge you need.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Build your social media profile. Create helpful social media content like tips and how-tos to give your target market a taste of what they can expect from your course. You can also offer promo codes to your social media followers to help boost sales.
Focus on engagement. In the competitive world of online study, you’ll need to make your course as engaging as possible for students. Use videos, interactive elements and engaging lesson styles to make your course both fun and informative.
27. Become an online tutor
Maybe you’re a mathematics or English teacher looking for some extra income? Perhaps you’re an experienced guitarist who wants to go down the teaching route? Whatever the case may be, you can make money online by offering your services as a tutor. Whether on sites like Upwork and Fiverr or on specific tutoring platforms, offering your expert services provides a flexible way to earn extra income.
Details
How much it pays: Your hourly rate varies depending on the subject. Check platforms for average rates for online tutors in your area of expertise.
How much time it takes: Flexible. Each tutoring session is typically 30 minutes to an hour, but how many students you take on is up to you.
Skills or experience needed: Knowledge of a specific subject and good communication skills.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, a microphone or headset.
Beginner-friendly: No, you need specialist knowledge to become a tutor.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Increase availability. It will be difficult to grow your online tutoring business if you’re only available for an hour or two every second day. Make yourself available as often as possible when starting out to help build your client base.
Develop your skills. No matter how good a teacher you are, there are always ways to improve your skills. Whether that means working on your communication skills, learning different teaching techniques or even staying abreast of the latest developments in your field, professional development can help make you a more sought-after online tutor.
28. Start a subscription box business
Would you love to receive a box of specially curated goodies each month? It could be luxe skincare items, artisan coffee, pet toys and treats or maybe handpicked novels from your favorite genre. If you’ve got an idea that will stand out from the crowd, create your own monthly (or maybe bi-monthly or quarterly) gift box package and start selling subscriptions. Platforms like Cratejoy make it easier to set up billing, shipping and customer management for a subscription box business.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on the type of boxes you sell. Various online sources recommend aiming for a profit margin of anywhere between 30% and 70%.
How much time it takes: Expect it to take at least one to three months to get your business up and running.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications required, but prior experience at things like sourcing and shipping products, building an ecommerce business and attracting customers will be helpful.
What you’ll need to get started: An idea, inventory (and somewhere to store it), packing materials and your own online store.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Choose your niche carefully. Finding a subscription box idea that is novel but also profitable is the biggest challenge you’ll face when starting out. Do extensive market research and detailed budget calculations to work out whether your idea has the potential to succeed.
Build an audience before launching. One way to increase your chances of success is to develop a loyal customer base before you even start selling boxes. So if you create popular health and beauty content on TikTok, or maybe run a growing pet care blog, use your existing platforms to build a mailing list for your soon-to-be-launched subscription box business.
29. Develop a mobile app
Have you got an idea for an app that could help make people’s lives easier or better in some way? Maybe it’s an app to guide people on a weight loss journey, to help them manage their weekly budget, or to connect with others in the local community. You don’t need to be a genius developer to create your own app, promote it and make it available to download on the App Store and Google Play.
Details
How much it pays: Varies widely depending on the demand for your app and how you monetize it.
How much time it takes: It could take weeks or months.
Skills or experience needed: Coding experience will be a big help, but there are no-code app builders available.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, a mobile device and app development software.
Beginner-friendly: No.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Perfect your idea. Before you can get started, you need more than just a rough idea of what you want to create. You need to have a clear vision of what problem your app will solve and develop a detailed user flow before you can actually build it.
Test before launch. You might be happy with your app, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Before launching it to the rest of the world, invite friends and family to thoroughly test out just how user-friendly the app is. You can also find testers on platforms like Reddit, or use Google Play Console or TestFlight to find more testers.
30. Become a video game tester
If you’re a keen gamer, this might sound like your dream job. There are several legit platforms out there that will pay you for testing PC and mobile games before they’re released and providing feedback to the developers. Platforms like PlaytestCloud and Antidote are worth checking out.
Details
How much it pays: PlaytestCloud’s own tester FAQ says a standard 15-minute playtest and survey pays $5–$9.
How much time it takes: Varies depending on the game and the test requirements. Some will take less than an hour, while others could take days or longer.
Skills or experience needed: No formal qualifications required, but prior gaming experience is often important.
What you’ll need to get started: Typically, a PC or an Android or iOS mobile device.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Work on your writing skills. To be a successful game tester, effective communication is a must. Focus on honing your writing skills so you can provide clear and concise feedback to game developers.
Sign up on multiple platforms. From game-specific sites to more general sites for user testing, sign up on multiple platforms to maximize your money-making opportunities.
31. Rent out your home
Airbnb is one of those sites that needs no introduction, providing a way to make money online in the US by renting out a space to guests looking for somewhere to stay. It’s free to list your space on Airbnb, allowing you to earn extra cash using an asset you already own.
Alternatively, you could rent out your home (or a part of your home) for use as a private event space or for film and photo shoots using sites like Tagvenue, Giggster and Peerspace.
Details
How much it pays: Varies — check listing prices for similar homes in your city.
How much time it takes: Answering inquiries, managing the property and cleaning tasks can be more time consuming than some people realize.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A spare room or space to rent out.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: No. You’ll need to clean and maintain the property and help guests check in and out.
Tips to succeed
Create a great listing. Take high-quality photos of your space and provide detailed information in your property listing about the features it offers. This makes it much easier for people to work out if your home is a good fit.
Keep it clean. Hiring professional cleaners increases your overheads, but it can also save you a lot of time and ensure that your property is always in excellent condition.
Create templates. Communicating with guests and potential guests can take up a lot of your time. Putting together templates for things like welcome emails, check-in instructions and common queries can help you save time in the long run.
32. Rent out your parking space
In major cities like New York, San Francisco and Chicago, parking is at a premium. So, if you live in a popular area close to downtown and you have a parking space you don’t use, you can earn a little extra income by renting it out on sites like SpotHero, Neighbor.com and Spacer. It’s quick and easy to do, requiring minimal time or effort on your part.
Details
How much it pays: Approximately $100–$500 per month, depending on where you live.
How much time it takes: You can list your spot in a matter of minutes.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A vacant car space that you are legally allowed to rent out.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Check local rates. Do some research to find out how much drivers are paying for parking spots in your area. This will help you decide how to price your spot.
Get approval. Check with your landlord or your homeowners’ association to make sure you’re allowed to rent out your space.
33. Sell domain names
The concept behind “flipping” domain names is to buy a domain name at a low price and sell it for a much higher price. The trick is, of course, to be able to recognize domains that will be highly sought-after and that you could potentially sell for a profit.
Details
How much it pays: It depends on the domain name. Some sell for a few bucks, while others can sell for thousands of dollars. There are also many famous examples of domain names selling for millions.
How much time it takes: Minimal time investment required.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications are required other than the ability to identify domain names that might one day be in high demand.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer or smartphone.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Watch out for domain sniping. Domain snipers will wait for your domain name registration to expire and then register it in their own name, with the aim of selling it back to you (or another buyer) at a higher price. The easiest way to avoid this is to prevent the domain name from expiring.
Think local. One strategy worth considering is targeting local domain names that include specific cities or regions. These can have the potential to be sold for a decent profit, but you may not face the same high level of competition from other buyers.
34. Enter competitions
Have you ever heard of “sweepers”? These serial sweepstakes and competition participants devote a whole lot of time to entering competitions online, and some of them have a surprising amount of success. It’s free to do and can take up as much or as little time as you want.
Details
How much it pays: Prizes vary.
How much time it takes: It only takes a couple of minutes to enter a single competition, but how many you enter is up to you.
Skills or experience needed: No specific qualifications are needed, but the ability to craft creative entries is a useful skill.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Set up a dedicated email address. Entering competitions means providing your email address to a whole lot of different companies. To avoid your personal email account getting spammed with dozens of marketing emails a day, it’s well worth setting up a special account for all your sweepstakes efforts.
Do your research. There’s plenty of information online from experienced sweepers about how to improve your chance of winning. Online forums dedicated to sweepstakes are a great place to start.
35. Shop on cashback websites
Cashback apps and websites like Rakuten, Ibotta and TopCashback offer a simple way to get more money in your bank account. By doing your regular shopping through these platforms at partner retailers, you can earn a certain percentage of cash back on all your purchases. Examples of retailers include Best Buy, Sephora and Target.
Details
How much it pays: The cashback rate is commonly between 1% and 10% but can be more in some cases.
How much time it takes: The same time it takes you to shop for whatever products you’re buying.
Skills or experience needed: None.
What you’ll need to get started: A smartphone or computer.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Only purchase what you need. Don’t get sucked into the temptation to make unnecessary purchases just to earn extra cash back. Only use cashback apps and websites to do the regular shopping you always do.
Keep an eye out for special offers. Check your email and log in to your account regularly for details of any special offers that will allow you to earn extra cash back.
36. Work as a remote customer service rep
Put your people skills into action by working as a remote customer service rep. You might be surprised by the number of companies that offer jobs for personable people who can answer calls and manage online chats, all from home. You might also be able to increase your chance of getting work if you’re bilingual.
Companies advertise jobs directly on sites like Indeed. Or, you could look for work on freelancer sites like Upwork or specialist platforms like We Work Remotely.
Details
How much it pays: According to Glassdoor, the estimated average salary for a remote customer service representative in the US is $46,211 per year, or around $22 per hour.
How much time it takes: Can be full-time.
Skills or experience needed: Prior customer service experience will improve your chance of getting work.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, smartphone and headset. You may also require specific customer service software.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Online and over the phone. Some roles also require you to liaise with customers via video chat.
Tips to succeed
Check your internet. A reliable internet connection is a must for any remote customer service rep. So, if your connection is patchy or a little on the slow side, you might want to consider switching providers.
Be willing to learn. Prior knowledge of the company you’re applying to and its products will help you stand out from other candidates. But it’s not always a prerequisite, so you’ll need to be willing to do some research and learn what the company offers as part of your training.
37. Become a search engine evaluator
Search engine evaluators check the quality and accuracy of search engine results. Sites like Appen, TELUS International and Clickworker are a good starting point when searching for jobs. Each task will come with specific instructions about what you need to do and the sort of feedback required to help search engines improve their algorithms and deliver a better user experience.
Details
How much it pays: An hourly rate of around $15 is commonly mentioned by online sources.
How much time it takes: Training could take weeks or months. Task length varies depending on the project.
Skills or experience needed: Research and computer skills required.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer, smartphone and internet connection.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Check the evaluation guidelines closely. Don’t just rush into an evaluation job headfirst. Take your time to read the evaluation guidelines closely so you know the exact framework you are using as the basis for your assessment.
Provide detailed feedback. The quality of the feedback you provide is crucial to your success. You’ll need to compile detailed evaluations and communicate your thoughts clearly to keep getting more work.
38. Become a dog walker or pet sitter
Turn your love of animals into a way to earn extra income by becoming a part-time or full-time dog walker. Sites and apps like Rover and Wag make it easy for you to advertise your walking services to dog owners in your area. You can also offer your services as a pet sitter, either in the pet owner’s home or by hosting pets in your own home.
Details
How much it pays: According to Indeed, the average salary for a dog walker in the US is $19.89 per hour, while the average salary for a pet sitter is $18.32 per hour.
How much time it takes: Dog walks start at 20–30 minutes. Pet sitting could be anything from regular daily visits to overnight or even multiple-day stays.
Skills or experience needed: None required, but qualifications like completing a pet first aid course will help you get work.
What you’ll need to get started: You’ll need to feel comfortable handling dogs and/or other pets.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: No.
Tips to succeed
Keep owners updated. Many pet owners absolutely adore their fur-babies, so keep them updated with photos and emails of their pet enjoying a walk or overnight stay. They will appreciate you going the extra mile to let them know what their pet is up to.
Upskill. Completing a pet first aid or dog training course can help reassure prospective customers that their pet will be in safe hands.
Get to know your four-legged clients. Ask pet owners for details about their pet’s temperament, their likes and dislikes, and any other little quirks that will help you provide them with top-quality care.
39. Sell your photos
If you’re a keen photographer and you’d like to potentially consider photography as an alternative career, you might be able to make money online by selling your images to stock photo services. Sites like Dreamstime, iStock, 500px, Shutterstock and Alamy are just some of the popular stock image platforms where you might like to try your luck.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on the platform.
How much time it takes: Photography and editing can take several hours, but it’s impossible to predict how long it takes for your images to get noticed and downloaded (if at all).
Skills or experience needed: Photography or filmmaking skills.
What you’ll need to get started: A camera and editing software.
Beginner-friendly: No.
Completely online: No, you’ll need to spend a lot of time capturing high-quality images and videos.
Tips to succeed
Know your rights. Take your time to read the terms and conditions carefully before uploading your photos to any stock image platform. This will help you understand how platforms can use your images and how they’ll compensate you.
Shoot what’s in demand. Lifestyle, business and technology images tend to be in high demand on stock photo sites, so consider building a portfolio around popular themes as well as your own personal interests.
Keyword carefully. Detailed, accurate keywords and captions help buyers find your images, so take the time to tag your photos properly rather than rushing through uploads.
40. Sell your music online
If you’re a musician, you don’t need a record label to get your music out into the world and start earning from it. Distribution services like DistroKid and TuneCore let you upload your tracks to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and dozens of other streaming platforms, and you keep the royalties every time someone streams or downloads your music. You can also sell merch, offer fan subscriptions and pitch your tracks for playlist consideration through tools like Spotify’s playlist pitching feature.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on streams, sales and how many income streams you combine.
How much time it takes: Distributing a track takes minutes, but building an audience that generates meaningful streaming income can take months or years.
Skills or experience needed: Musical talent and recording skills; some knowledge of music marketing helps.
What you’ll need to get started: Recording equipment or access to a studio, and a distribution service account.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Mostly, though live performances and merch fulfillment involve real-world elements.
Tips to succeed
Diversify your income. Streaming royalties alone rarely add up to much, so combine them with merch sales, sync licensing and fan subscriptions.
Pitch your music. Take advantage of features like Spotify’s playlist pitching to get your tracks considered for curated playlists by Spotify’s editors.
Build a website. Selling music and merch directly from your own artist website avoids third-party platform fees and lets you keep in closer touch with your fans.
41. Sell your art online
Painting, drawing, sculpture and more — there are many types of art you can sell online. You might like to set up your own online gallery or use a platform like Etsy or Saatchi Art to sell individual physical works or digital downloads. Alternatively, you could use a print-on-demand service to sell prints of your work or get your designs featured on t-shirts, mugs, posters and much more.
Details
How much it pays: Varies.
How much time it takes: Listing your artworks online is relatively quick and easy, but creating them could be a lengthy process.
Skills or experience needed: Artistic talent and flair are essential.
What you’ll need to get started: Whatever materials you need to create the type of art you love.
Beginner-friendly: Yes.
Completely online: Yes for listing and selling, though creating the art itself is typically an offline process.
Tips to succeed
Consider using AI tools. Got a great idea but just don’t have the artistic talent to bring it to life? Check out the best AI image and content-generation tools to help you create your masterpiece. Make sure to confirm whether there are any copyright or IP restrictions you need to be aware of before selling your work.
Set up a social media shop. Set up an Instagram Shop to connect directly with your audience on social media. Facebook Marketplace can also be useful to help you connect with art enthusiasts who want to find work from local artists.
42. Invest
Last but not least, it’s also possible to make money online by investing. The rise of online stock brokers and trading apps means that it’s easier than ever before to trade stocks and ETFs on US markets as well as exchanges around the world. Brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard and Robinhood all offer online investing platforms. Compare online stock brokers to find the best investing platform for your needs.
Details
How much it pays: Varies depending on your investment strategy, amount invested and market performance. Investing carries risk, including the risk of loss.
How much time it takes: Opening a brokerage account takes minutes, but building a portfolio and researching investments is an ongoing commitment.
Skills or experience needed: Basic financial literacy helps, though many platforms are designed for beginners.
What you’ll need to get started: A computer or smartphone and money to invest.
Beginner-friendly: Yes, though it’s worth learning the basics before you start.
Completely online: Yes.
Tips to succeed
Diversify your portfolio. Diversifying your investment portfolio is a common strategy designed to help reduce risk and protect you against market volatility.
Consider ETFs. One simple way you might like to diversify is to consider investing in an ETF that tracks the performance of a benchmark index, such as the S&P 500.
Only invest what you can afford to lose. Investing isn’t a guaranteed way to make money online, and markets can go down as well as up.
What are the best ways to make money online?
There’s no single, one-size-fits-all best way to make money online. The best option for you depends on the skills and tools at your disposal. For example, renting out a spare room on Airbnb can be a reasonably simple way to supplement your income. Or, if you have the skills needed to work as a freelancer, whether as a copywriter, a web designer or anything else, you could turn your online money-making adventure into a full-time gig. But if you don’t have anything to sell or rent, and if you don’t have any special skills or expertise, perhaps the easiest way to make money online is to complete online surveys.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Plenty of the methods on this list — from paid surveys to freelancing to renting out a spare room — are legitimate ways to earn extra income. That said, the space also attracts scams, so stick to well-known platforms, avoid any opportunity that asks you to pay upfront fees and be wary of offers that promise unrealistic pay for minimal effort.
Most of the options on this list don't cost anything to get started. Filling out surveys, selling your own possessions, freelancing on sites like Upwork and Fiverr and shopping through cashback websites all require no upfront investment beyond a smartphone or computer and an internet connection.
Selling items you already own tends to be the fastest way to generate cash, since a listing can go live within minutes and some marketplaces let you complete a sale the same day. Survey sites and cashback apps also pay out relatively quickly, though usually in smaller amounts.
Generally, yes. The IRS treats income earned online, whether from freelancing, selling goods, affiliate marketing or gig work, as taxable income, and you may need to report it even if you don't receive a 1099 form. If you're earning a meaningful side income, it's worth speaking with a tax professional about your reporting and any estimated tax payment obligations. This isn't tax advice; check with a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder.
Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics.
Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company.
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