Roughly one in four US adults now have a side hustle, according to Bankrate’s most recent Side Hustles Survey. Most bring in a few hundred dollars a month tackling gig work, freelancing or selling stuff online, but the top earners treat their side hustle more like a small business than a hobby.
We sort out 26 legit side hustles into seven categories — selling, gig and delivery work, renting what you already own, freelancing, rewards and cashback, teaching and AI work — so you can find one that matches your skills, schedule and how much you’re willing to spend to get started.
If you’re specifically after get-paid-to apps, making money online or paid surveys, look into money-making apps, ways to make money online and high-paying surveys. This page focuses on side hustles with real earning ceilings.
| Side hustle | Category | Typical earning potential | Startup cost | Remote or local |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look for reward and cashback sites | Rewards | $25–$400+ per completed offer (Finder Rewards’ offers) | None | Online |
| Earn through surveys, games and user testing | Rewards | A few cents to a few dollars per completed task | None | Online |
| Resell secondhand clothes | Sell | No single published average — varies by volume and sourcing | Low | Local (sourcing) + online (selling) |
| Flip items for profit | Sell | No single published average — varies by item and market | Low | Local + online |
| Sell handmade or digital goods | Sell | No single published average — varies by niche and traffic | Low to medium | Online |
| Run a print-on-demand store | Sell | No single published average — varies by design sales | Low | Online |
| Food delivery driver | Gig | ~$12–$25/hour before expenses | Low (car/bike) | Local |
| Rideshare driver | Gig | ~$21/hour median before expenses | Medium (car) | Local |
| Deliver packages | Gig | $18–$25/hour | Low (car) | Local |
| Grocery shopping and delivery | Gig | ~$12/hour median before expenses | Low (car) | Local |
| Rent out a room or your home | Rent | Varies by market | Low | Local |
| Rent out your car | Rent | ~$874/month average per car | None (use existing car) | Local |
| Rent out storage space | Rent | $50–$600/month (varies by space and location) | None | Local |
| Co-host short-term rentals | Rent | No single published average — typically a % of booking revenue | None | Local |
| Freelance writing or editing | Freelance | ~$7–$33/hour | Minimal | Online |
| Freelance graphic or web design | Freelance | ~$15–$132/hour | Minimal | Online |
| Virtual assistant work | Freelance | ~$12–$24/hour | Minimal | Online |
| Bookkeeping | Freelance | ~$24/hour median | Low (software/certification) | Online |
| Handyman and TaskRabbit tasks | Freelance | No official platform-wide figure — third-party estimates vary widely | Medium (tools) | Local |
| Online tutoring | Teach | No single published average — set by individual tutors | Minimal | Online |
| Create and sell an online course | Teach | No single published average — varies by course and audience | Low | Online |
| Personal training | Teach | ~$22/hour median as an employee (BLS); independent per-session rates vary | Low to medium | Local |
| Pet sitting and dog walking | Local services | $15–$30 per 30-min walk, $40–$75/night sitting | Minimal | Local |
| House cleaning | Local services | ~$17–$18/hour median as an employee (BLS); independent rates vary | Low (supplies) | Local |
| Junk removal and yard work | Local services | ~$17–$28/hour | Medium (truck/tools) | Local |
| AI training and data annotation | AI/tech | $10–$50/hour | None | Online |
Earning potential: Verified current and recent Finder Rewards offers range from $25 for a referral bonus up to $150–$200 for opening an eligible bank account, and as high as $400 for certain business account offers, on top of whatever bonus the underlying provider is already advertising. Other reward and cashback sites vary in payout depending on the offer.
How it works: A number of comparison and cashback sites pay you an extra reward for signing up to a financial product, store or service through their link, separate from any bonus the provider itself offers.
These generally fall into a few types: reward-stacking sites like Finder Rewards, which add a cash bonus on top of a bank or investing platform’s own sign-up offer; cashback shopping portals, which pay you a percentage back on purchases made through their link; and credit card and bank bonus trackers, which round up the best current offers in one place so you don’t have to hunt for them individually.
Startup cost: None. Most reward and cashback sites are free to join.
Best platforms: Finder Rewards (available to US residents), plus general cashback shopping portals
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: GPT (get-paid-to) apps that combine games and app testing tend to pay more per session than standard surveys. Scrambly’s own site states users average $17+ in daily rewards, though this varies by time and effort. Standard surveys pay far less, typically well under $5 each, while user testing pays the most per task, with platforms showing the exact payout before you commit.
How it works: GPT platforms like Scrambly reward you with points for playing mobile games, trying new apps and completing offers, cashed out via PayPal or gift cards. Survey sites pay for short questionnaires; user-testing platforms pay you to talk through your experience with a product on camera.
Startup cost: None, just a smartphone or computer and internet.
Best platforms: Scrambly, Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, UserTesting and more
Pros
Cons
Play Games & Take Surveys
Testing Apps & Games
Paid Surveys & Shopping
Earning potential: There’s no single reliable published average for resale income — it depends entirely on how much you source, list and sell, and figures cited online range from a side-project’s worth of pocket money to a full income for high-volume sellers. Treat any specific number you see elsewhere with skepticism unless it names its source.
How it works: Buy clothing at thrift stores, estate sales or clearance racks, then relist it at a markup on a resale marketplace. Poshmark and Mercari let you list and ship items yourself, while ThredUp handles photography, listing and shipping for you in exchange for a lower payout percentage.
Startup cost: Minimal — a phone camera, a scale and shipping supplies are usually enough to start.
Best platforms: Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, ThredUp, Depop
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Highly variable and driven entirely by what you find and how well you price it — there’s no published industry average, since profit depends on a single item’s resale value rather than an hourly or monthly rate.
How it works: Buy underpriced furniture, electronics or collectibles at garage sales, estate sales or clearance sections, then resell them for a profit on a local marketplace. This differs from clothing reselling because it spans any category and often involves larger, harder-to-ship items sold locally.
Startup cost: Low, though bulkier flips (furniture, appliances) may require a vehicle to transport them.
Best platforms: Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, eBay
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average exists — Etsy shop income depends heavily on niche, pricing and marketing, and ranges from a few sales a month to a meaningful income for established sellers.
How it works: List physical items you make (jewelry, art, home goods) or digital downloads (planners, printables, templates) on Etsy. Digital products sell without any shipping or inventory since Etsy delivers the file automatically after purchase.
Startup cost: Low for digital goods (design software, a computer); higher for physical crafts depending on materials.
Best platforms: Etsy, Canva (for design), Facebook Marketplace (for local pickup items)
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average — income depends on how many designs you list, how much you spend on marketing and how competitive your niche is.
How it works: Design custom graphics for products like t-shirts, mugs or tote bags. When a customer orders, a third-party provider prints and ships the item — you never touch inventory.
Startup cost: Low — most print-on-demand providers are free to connect to a store, though you’ll want basic design software.
Best platforms: Printful, Printify, Redbubble
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: DoorDash and Uber Eats don’t publish a company-wide hourly figure. Third-party driver-earnings trackers report a wide range: Gridwise’s 2025 driver data put average DoorDash pay around $12 an hour including downtime, while other estimates from sites like Glassdoor and Everlance cluster closer to $17–$25 an hour. Your actual rate depends heavily on the market, time of day and how efficiently you accept orders.
How it works: Deliver restaurant or grocery orders through an on-demand delivery app. You accept delivery requests through the app, pick up the order and drop it off, earning a base pay plus tips per delivery.
Startup cost: Low if you already own a reliable car, bike or scooter — you’ll still need to budget for gas and vehicle maintenance.
Best platforms: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Grubhub
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Uber doesn’t publish a company-wide hourly rate — its own site says pay depends on “what, where, when and how often you drive.” A 2025 Gridwise study of nearly 67,000 tracked drivers found a median of $21.18 an hour in trip pay, rising to $21.92 including bonuses and tips, with the top 10% of drivers clearing $29.28 an hour.
How it works: Drive passengers to their destinations through a rideshare app. You need to meet the platform’s vehicle age and condition requirements and pass a background check before you can start accepting rides.
Startup cost: Medium — you need a qualifying vehicle, plus rideshare-specific insurance in most states.
Best platforms: Uber, Lyft
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Amazon Flex’s own site states most drivers earn $18–$25 an hour, before accounting for gas and vehicle wear.
How it works: Reserve a delivery block through the Amazon Flex app based on your availability, pick up a batch of packages from an Amazon warehouse or delivery station and deliver them within your assigned window.
Startup cost: Low if you already have a car — Amazon Flex requires a midsize or larger vehicle, a smartphone and a background check.
Best platforms: Amazon Flex
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Instacart doesn’t display a set earning figure on its own site. A 2025 Gridwise study of more than 20,000 tracked shoppers found a median of $12.21 an hour in trip pay ($12.51 including tips and promotions), though other estimates range up to $25 an hour depending on tips and batch size.
How it works: Accept a batch of grocery orders through the app, shop for the items in-store, then deliver them to the customer. Some markets also offer in-store-only shopping roles that don’t require driving.
Startup cost: Low if you already own a car for full-service delivery shopping.
Best platforms: Instacart, Shipt
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average — pricing depends entirely on your local market, so check comparable listings in your area for a realistic estimate.
How it works: List a spare room, guesthouse or your entire home for short-term stays. Guests book directly through the platform, and you set your own availability, house rules and pricing.
Startup cost: Low if the space is already furnished — you may want to budget for cleaning supplies and basic guest amenities.
Best platforms: Airbnb, Vrbo
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: According to Turo’s own hosting page, US hosts earn an average of $10,489 per year per car, or about $874 a month, though this varies significantly by vehicle type and location — Turo’s own “Carculator” tool gives a personalized estimate for your specific car and zip code.
How it works: List your car on a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform. Renters book your car for anywhere from a few hours to several days, and the platform handles payment and provides host protection coverage.
Startup cost: None if you already own a qualifying vehicle — cars generally need to meet age and mileage requirements.
Best platforms: Turo
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Independent reviews of Neighbor’s own host data put typical earnings around $50 to a few hundred dollars a month depending on space size and location, with Neighbor’s own leadership citing an average of roughly $2,000 a year per host and higher totals for hosts renting out multiple spaces or vehicle storage.
How it works: List unused space in your garage, basement, driveway or yard on a peer-to-peer storage marketplace. Renters pay monthly to store belongings, vehicles or RVs on your property.
Startup cost: None — you’re monetizing space you already have.
Best platforms: Neighbor
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average — co-hosts typically negotiate a percentage of booking revenue directly with the property owner, and rates vary by market and scope of work.
How it works: Property owners who don’t have time to manage their own Airbnb or Vrbo listings hire a co-host to handle guest messaging, check-ins, cleaning coordination and listing upkeep in exchange for a cut of each booking.
Startup cost: None to get started — reputation and reliability matter more than equipment.
Best platforms: Airbnb’s co-hosting directory, local property manager networks
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: According to ZipRecruiter’s August 2026 salary data, freelance writers in the US average $23.27 an hour, with most falling between $7.45 and $32.93 an hour depending on experience and niche. Specialized or in-demand writers can charge well above this range.
How it works: Offer your writing or editing services to businesses and publications through a freelance marketplace or by pitching clients directly. Work ranges from blog posts and website copy to technical documentation and manuscript editing.
Startup cost: Minimal — a laptop and portfolio samples are usually enough.
Best platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Contra
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: ZipRecruiter’s data on freelance designers shows a wide spread, averaging around $47.71 an hour with a typical range of roughly $15–$132 an hour depending on specialization and experience. Rates vary significantly by project type and client budget.
How it works: Take on design projects for small businesses and individuals through a freelance platform. Common jobs include logo design, website builds, social media graphics and brand style guides.
Startup cost: Minimal if you already have design software and a portfolio.
Best platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, 99designs
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: ZipRecruiter’s data on freelance virtual assistants shows an average of around $11.54 to $24.40 an hour depending on how ZipRecruiter categorizes the role, with most falling in the $12–$24 range.
How it works: Handle administrative tasks remotely for business owners or executives, such as email management, scheduling, travel booking and basic bookkeeping.
Startup cost: Minimal — a computer, reliable internet and organizational tools are usually enough.
Best platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Belay
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $23.66 an hour for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks as of May 2024, with the top 10% earning more than $72,660 a year. Independent freelance bookkeepers may charge above or below this employee benchmark depending on client volume and certification.
How it works: Manage financial records, reconcile accounts and prepare basic reports for small business clients using accounting software. A bookkeeping certification isn’t legally required but can help you land higher-paying clients.
Startup cost: Low — mainly the cost of learning or certifying in accounting software like QuickBooks.
Best platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, QuickBooks ProAdvisor directory
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: TaskRabbit doesn’t publish an official platform-wide pay range — Taskers set their own hourly rate by category. Third-party estimates vary widely: ZipRecruiter’s broad salary data puts the average around $17.53 an hour, while reviews of the platform report experienced Taskers in skilled categories charging $60–$75 or more per hour in some markets. Treat any specific figure as a rough estimate rather than a platform-verified rate.
How it works: List your skills on a local task marketplace and get matched with people who need help with furniture assembly, mounting, minor repairs, moving help or other odd jobs.
Startup cost: Medium — basic tools (drill, wrench set, ladder) are typically required, and some tasks call for more specialized equipment.
Best platforms: TaskRabbit, Handy
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average — tutors set their own hourly rate, and it depends heavily on subject, grade level and your own qualifications.
How it works: Tutor students in academic subjects, test prep or languages through a video-call tutoring platform. You set your own rate and availability, and the platform handles scheduling and payment.
Startup cost: Minimal — a computer, webcam and stable internet connection.
Best platforms: Wyzant, Preply, Varsity Tutors
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: No single published average — course income depends entirely on how many people buy it, and ranges from a handful of sales to a meaningful secondary income for courses that gain real traction.
How it works: Package your expertise in a subject into a structured video course and sell it through a course-hosting platform. Once created, a course can generate income with minimal ongoing effort per sale.
Startup cost: Low — recording equipment can be as simple as a laptop webcam and microphone, plus a course platform subscription.
Best platforms: Udemy, Teachable, Thinkific
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 wage estimates put the median hourly wage for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors at about $22.67 an hour, with a mean of $25.20 an hour across roughly 323,000 workers nationally. This reflects employed trainers rather than independent per-session rates, which aren’t tracked in a single published source and vary by market and credentials.
How it works: Coach clients through workouts, either in person at a gym or park, or virtually through video calls. A fitness certification isn’t always legally required but is typically expected by clients and gyms.
Startup cost: Low to medium — certification programs are the main cost if you pursue one; equipment needs are minimal for bodyweight-focused training.
Best platforms: Local gyms that allow independent trainers, Trainerize (for virtual coaching), word-of-mouth referrals
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Rover’s own published data puts the national average dog walking rate at $21.45 for a 30-minute walk, with typical rates ranging $15–$30 depending on your area. Rover’s own dog-sitting rates page lists overnight house sitting averaging $40–$75 a night. Since Rover sitters and walkers set their own rates, actual pay depends on your local market and services offered.
How it works: Care for pets in their owner’s home or your own, ranging from short walks and drop-in visits to overnight boarding. You set your own rates and availability through the platform.
Startup cost: Minimal — no special equipment required for most services.
Best platforms: Rover
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean wage of about $17.83 an hour for maids and housekeeping cleaners in its May 2025 wage estimates. Independent house cleaners who set their own rates directly with clients, without an employer’s cut, often charge more than this employee benchmark, though there’s no single published figure for freelance rates.
How it works: Offer residential cleaning services in your local area, either independently or through a task marketplace that connects you with clients.
Startup cost: Low — basic cleaning supplies and equipment, typically a few hundred dollars to start.
Best platforms: TaskRabbit, Care.com, local Facebook groups
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: ZipRecruiter’s data on junk removal work shows an average of around $17.52 an hour for W-2 positions, with independent contractor and per-job platform rates sometimes running higher on a per-job basis. Rates vary by market, job size and whether you work for a franchise, a gig platform or independently.
How it works: Help homeowners get rid of unwanted furniture, appliances, construction debris or overgrown yard waste, hauling it away and disposing of it properly.
Startup cost: Medium to high — a truck or trailer is typically required, plus basic tools like shovels, tarps and safety gear.
Best platforms: TaskRabbit, local classifieds, community Facebook groups
Pros
Cons
Earning potential: Outlier’s own site states hourly pay ranges from $10–$50 depending on skill level, task type and location. DataAnnotation doesn’t publish an official platform-wide rate, and third-party estimates cluster around $15–$45 an hour depending on the task. Prolific, which is more of a research-participation platform than an AI-training platform specifically, enforces its own published minimum of $8 an hour and recommends researchers pay at least $12 an hour.
How it works: Help train AI models by tagging images, annotating text, evaluating chatbot responses or completing writing and coding tasks that AI companies use to improve their models. Most platforms require you to pass a qualification test before accepting paid tasks.
Startup cost: None — a computer and internet connection are all you need.
Best platforms: Outlier, DataAnnotation, Prolific
Pros
Cons
Every side hustle on this list is available to US residents, requires no specialized license to start and has a real, verifiable earning mechanism rather than a vague promise of “easy money.” We prioritized variety across skill levels, startup costs and time commitments so there’s an option whether you have five spare hours a week or want to build toward a full income replacement. We excluded MLM-style opportunities and anything requiring you to pay for a “starter kit” before you can earn. We include reward and cashback sites because they meet the same bar — a real, verifiable payout for a specific, low-effort action — even though they work differently from gig work or freelancing.
Not every side hustle fits every schedule or budget. Before committing your time, weigh these factors against each other.
A side hustle is any way of earning extra income outside your main job, whether that’s driving for a delivery app a few hours a week, freelancing on evenings and weekends or running a small online shop alongside full-time work. Unlike a second part-time job with a fixed schedule, most side hustles let you set your own hours and scale your time investment up or down as needed.
Side hustles fall into a few broad buckets: gig work through an app, selling physical or digital products, freelancing a skill, renting out something you own and teaching or coaching. Some offer quick, flexible cash, while others function more like a small business that grows over time.
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