Unlock Your Earning Potential: The Best Side Hustle Jobs in 2024

May 17, 2024

First, there was the job: how you made money to pay the bills and support your lifestyle. Then came the second job, or the part-time job, or moonlighting. Now the popular handle for that activity is the side hustle job, but many just call it the side hustle.

Then came the concept of gig work, specifically gig driving: rideshare, food delivery, and parcel delivery. All of these center around online platforms accessible through an app. But why stop at gig driving? There are side hustle apps for all sorts of money-making ventures. Many people have a group of side hustles they’ve assembled that provide them with a respectable income. An individual with a collection of side hustles has a side hustle stack (sort of like a pride of lions, a murder of crows, or a flamboyance of flamingos).

One thing remains constant, though. The Gridwise app helps you manage your side hustle stack. You can keep track of mileage, expenses, earnings, and more. Gridwise designed features to assist you in making more money, controlling expenses, and maximizing tax deductions. Every dollar you save in taxes is money in your pocket.

If you haven’t already, download the Gridwise app and learn how to be more profitable with your side hustles.

The goal of any side hustle is the same: to make ends meet or afford the extras. It could be a new house, a new car, or a nice vacation. For many, however, the side hustle stack means an end to regular employment. Side hustles are a ticket to the freedom and flexibility to choose how and when you work, giving you more control over your financial situation.

The other advantage of a side hustle stack is that it creates multiple streams of income. If one side hustle dries up for some reason, you still have income from the other hustles.

What’s a good side hustle?

The answer is whatever works for you. Millions of people make money as gig drivers in rideshare, food delivery, or parcel delivery. But some people don’t have a car, or they don’t like to drive. They might be interested in a side hustle online, such as blogging or operating an affiliate website. You can also make money walking dogs or frequenting yard sales and thrift stores for collectibles which you can sell at a profit.

An entire category of people earn money renting (both short- and long-term) the things they own, such as a spare room in their house or an extra car.

Some people combine hustles. Type “rideshare tips” into YouTube, and you will find any number of drivers who have started YouTube channels (or blogs) on how to be better rideshare or food delivery drivers. Many have attracted enough viewers or readers that they can monetize their side hustle online.

There are easy side hustles and others that require diligence, patience, and often hours of hard work with very little to show until that magic moment. There are many at-home side hustles and other side hustle remote jobs that you can do from a cabana on a beach in Brazil. There are side hustle ideas that people have yet to think about, but they will soon.

Lots of people ask about how to start a side hustle. It’s not complicated. Where apps are involved, we have them listed below. This makes your job much easier. You simply go through the app to find work. Other side hustles require you to do marketing, build a website, or generate word-of-mouth awareness.

Whatever side hustle you arrive at, remember it’s a business. You need to be both strategic and tactical. You need to control costs. The Gridwise app is an excellent way to monitor your side hustles, record your mileage and earnings, and track expenses and tax deductions. Download it today.

Different types of side hustles

These pursuits are all generally considered contract work, which means you alone are responsible for income taxes and any other business requirements mandated by local ordinances.

The following side hustles are not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the major ones.

Delivery and rideshare gigs

Rideshare

Rideshare was one of the original app-based gig jobs, quickly becoming popular with drivers and passengers. Uber started it all, and Lyft promptly followed. Today, the two firms serve virtually every city in the US, and Uber also has an international presence on six of the seven continents, covering more than 10,000 cities.

Requirements: Drivers need a driver’s license and a late-model, four-door car (rentals are available in many markets). Drivers also need a clean driving record and must pass a background test.
Earning potential: According to the 2024 Gridwise Gig Mobility Report, Uber drivers average more than $25 an hour. Lyft drivers average almost $23.50. Drivers earn more in larger metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas, claiming to earn as much as $30 to $40 an hour in select markets.
Apps: Uber, Lyft, and some smaller companies.

For more information: How to make $1000 a week with Uber and Lyft.

Food delivery

According to the 2024 Gridwise Gig Mobility Report, food delivery dominated in driver preference over rideshare and grocery delivery, probably because of the growth potential and the sheer volume of orders. DoorDash, dominating over 78% of the market, saw trips increase by 34% from January 2022 to September 2023. More than 76% of all gig drivers have delivered food.

Requirements: Most markets require a driver’s license, though some drivers in densely populated areas use bicycles and scooters. Drivers also need to have a clean driving record. Some companies may require a background check.
Earning potential: According to the 2024 Gridwise Gig Mobility Report, DoorDash drivers averaged just over $14 an hour. Anecdotally, however, some drivers reveal earning as much as $30 an hour in certain markets.
Apps: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and some smaller companies.

For more information: How much do DoorDash drivers make per hour?, How to make $1000 a week with Uber Eats.

Grocery delivery

Grocery delivery, like prepared food delivery, skyrocketed in demand during the pandemic, and now consumers love it. The 2024 Gridwise Gig Mobility Report reveals that 43% of grocery delivery drivers are women, the highest percentage among all gig driving jobs. Count on doing the shopping and the delivery. Some of the app platforms have in-store shoppers, but you can’t always rely on them.

Requirements: Car ownership or access to a car, although the late model requirement is not as strict as for rideshare. Drivers need a clean driving record. Some companies might also require a background check.
Earning potential: According to the 2024 Gridwise Gig Mobility Report, Instacart drivers averaged $16.84 an hour. Some drivers claim to earn as much as $30 an hour in some markets.
Apps: Instacart, Shipt, Walmart Spark (proprietary only to Walmart), Gopuff.

For more information: How to make $1000 a week with Instacart.

Parcel delivery

Amazon Flex is the dominant player in this market, keeping lots of drivers busy. Amazon, of course, is concerned with getting parcels and packages delivered that same day. Roadie is another service that uses drivers to deliver everything from industrial parts, airport baggage, and anything else, although deliveries are not always as time-sensitive.

Requirements: Drivers must have access to a car (a truck might earn you more with Roadie) and a clean driving record. Some companies may also require a background check.
Earning potential: It’s possible to make $1,000 a week on Amazon Flex consistently. Some drivers claim they make more.
Apps: Amazon Flex, Roadie.

For more information: How to make $1,000 a week with Amazon Flex, The ultimate guide to being a Roadie Driver.

Renting out assets

This collection of app-driven side hustles is used by many for passive income.

ROOM, HOME, RV short-term rentals

People are renting out everything, from extra rooms in their homes, guest houses in the backyard, condominiums, entire houses, and even RVs. The majority of them are for short-term stays, less than four weeks. Homes near resort towns such as Palm Springs, CA, and Disney World in Florida are in demand and draw top dollar.

Another option is renting a room to a traveling nurse. Some nurses specialize in this type of work, and part of their challenge is finding a place to live for an extended period.

Requirements: The home needs to meet certain standards, as indicated by the app, and must be cleaned after each use.
Earning potential: It varies from market to market, depending on location, nearby attractions, and time of year.
Apps: Airbnb, Vrbo, Outdoorsy (RVs). Also, check out Travel Nurse Housing.

Vehicle short-term rental

Do you have an extra car that you wouldn’t mind renting out on a short-term basis? Better yet, how about a classic car like a new Mustang Mach 1? Apps like Turo and Getaround help you do this. Park the car at a predetermined location and send the renting party a code that opens the car and provides access to the keys, or you can meet the driver.

Requirements: Late model cars. There are odometer restrictions. The vehicle must be insured and in good working order. Some cars may require an inspection.
Earning potential: It varies from market to market, depending on the type of car, location, time of year, etc.
Apps: Turo, Getaround.

Remember: Any side hustle that makes you money requires that you pay taxes. All your mileage and any other expenses related to your side hustle are tax deductible. Download the Gridwise app and learn how to be more profitable with your side hustles.

Moving and hauling services, buying and selling collectibles

Moving

For someone willing to do a lot of heavy lifting, this might be the job for you. Moving or cleaning out a home is a major task, and many people are willing to pay money for help with the job.

Requirements: Other than physical stamina and a strong back, you may be asked to submit to a background check.
Earning potential: It varies and depends on what others in your same area are asking. This Reddit string has movers in New York City starting at $50 an hour. Some services are lower but also offer various levels and pay, depending on experience and seniority. Others pay more if you have a truck.
Apps: TaskRabbit, Bellhops, HireAHelper.

Buying and selling collectibles

Do you have an eye for collectibles? A recent story on CNN.com tells of a woman in a thrift store who spotted a colorful bottle. She looked at the bottom, thought the name sounded familiar, and purchased it for $3.99. The bottle was hand-blown Murano glass from Italy. She later sold it for more than $100,000. There are people who specialize in roaming thrift stores and garage sales, looking for collectibles, china, glassware, paintings, and more. Most finds don’t resell for $100,000, but you can still make good money listing items on sites such as OfferUp and eBay.

Requirements: You need to get up early Saturday mornings and drive around yard sales where much of this stuff waits to be discovered. You might also need a storage unit where you can store and categorize your goods for preparation and resale.
Earning potential: You likely won’t make much at first. Unless you have some specialized knowledge, this is a learn-as-you-go job. It’s good to have some familiarity with collectibles and with websites where you can research and sell items.

Online or remote gig work

There are many side hustle jobs that you can do from the confines of your home office. Others can be done while you’re on the road.

Freelance writing

This is another one of those side hustle ideas you can dovetail with your current side hustle stack. Making a living through side hustles is unique enough that you can become an expert. Everyone wants to know how it’s done. Start blogging about side hustle pro tips, or explain how DoorDash is a good hustle. Or perhaps you’re one of those people who’s good at research. Lots of businesses need content on their blog, white papers, e-books, and more. Check out some online platforms, including Upwork and Fiverr.

Requirements: You need the ability to write. Specialized knowledge of a particular topic is helpful, or at least the ability to research information.
Earning potential: Freelance writing is another side hustle pursuit with earnings at all levels. It’s a rewarding activity for someone who likes to write, and it’s always thrilling to see your byline.
Websites: Upwork, Fiverr.

Online Surveys

Companies and product developers often use surveys to gather information about what consumers want in a product. Check out Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Look for the topics you know something about or have an opinion on. This is great for something to do between passengers as a rideshare driver or during commercials while watching TV. Some surveys take a few minutes, and others take some time. Typically, the more complicated the survey, the more it pays.

Requirements: Generally, you can do these surveys on a smartphone or laptop.
Earning potential: According to the Swagbucks website, logging into their app for 15 to 25 minutes a day will net you anywhere between $100 and $200 a month.
Apps: Swagbucks, Survey Junkie.

Focus groups

A Los Angeles gig driver tells how he has participated in several focus groups related to cars (he subscribes to a couple of car magazines and websites). For 90 minutes he drove three different electric vehicles, answered some questions, and walked away with $150 in cash. Another focus group required him to go to a local hotel and spend 30 minutes taking a survey on a computer. He made $50.

Requirements: An opinion and a little bit of time.
Earning potential: This is an easy way to make up to several hundred dollars a month.
Websites and apps: FocusGroup.com, Grapedata, and others.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT. Independent business people, entrepreneurs, and many others need virtual assistants to help them accomplish tasks. You might make or receive phone calls, schedule appointments, get estimates, write a contract, or do basic Internet research. The list is endless. You don’t need to go into an office. You can accomplish most of the work from your home.

Requirements: Virtual assistant jobs typically require someone who is detail-oriented, highly organized, and flexible with their time. It’s good to be proficient in programs like Excel and Google Suites, and also have excellent customer service skills. You might specialize in a specific area, such as real estate agents, home services (plumbers, electricians, etc.), or accounting.
Earning potential: Being a virtual assistant typically tops out at $20 to $25 an hour. If you specialize, you can command more.
Websites: Belay Solutions, FancyHands, Upwork.

Virtual book keeper

Are you handy with QuickBooks or another accounting program? Do you like numbers? You can do the books for independent businesspeople like home plumbers, electricians, pest businesses, appliance repair, or anything else. Most of these people are happiest when working and making money, and they’re eager to get someone else to do the books.

Requirements: You need to be good with money and numbers, and proficient with a bookkeeping program.
Earning potential: Research and determine the going rate for a virtual bookkeeper in your area, although because this is a virtual position, clients don’t need to be local. You can do this full time or have a few other side hustles to build your income.

Tax preparation

This is a true side hustle because it’s a very seasonal job, but if you can make sense of IRS rules (there are those who can), then you can make some money computing taxes for other people. As more and more people start earning their living through side hustles, tax preparers will need to understand that lifestyle, and help people maximize their tax deductions.

Requirements: A thorough knowledge and understanding of the tax system, keeping abreast of recent developments.
Earning potential: If you’re dedicated, you can make thousands of dollars during tax time. It’s a lot of work, but there is typically an annual tax season of about three months during which you’ll be busy.

Tutor online

If you’re a parent, you know the frustration of trying to help your child with a difficult homework assignment or project. Becoming a virtual tutor on Zoom or other video conferencing tool is an excellent side hustle to make extra money.

Requirements: This is a great side hustle job for college students, recent graduates, substitute teachers, and similar professions. You’ll need a computer, a subscription to Zoom or a similar service, the ability to teach online, and obviously specialized subject knowledge.
Earning potential: According to Zippia, the national average for tutors is about $19 an hour. This also depends on where you live, where you establish a market of customers, and the subjects you can tutor. A chemistry tutor, for example, can command more money than someone who teaches English.
Websites: Tutor.com, Chegg.com, others.

Other freelance services

If you are a writer, have some graphic design experience, build websites, or know how to code, there are businesspeople who need your services. Experts in social media and SEO are also in high demand. Like every other side hustle job we’ve discussed in this article, you can work out of your home office to complete these tasks.

Requirements: Some specialized knowledge and the proper tools.
Earning potential: Depending on your area of specialty, you can name your price, but it’s also a function of what the market will bear.
Websites: Upwork, Fiverr.

Proofreading

If you have a sharp eye for detail, knowledge of proper grammar, and are familiar with The Chicago Manual of Style, then you need to be a proofreader. This is another side hustle you can do in your home office.

Requirements: You need a thorough knowledge of the English language and proficiency in at least one style guide.
Earning potential: Freelance editors can charge $50–$60 an hour; proofreaders are more like $25–$40 an hour, or whatever the market will bear.
Websites: Upwork.

Social media influencers

n his book The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited: Real-Life Lessons in Word-of-Mouth Marketing, author Emmanuel Rosen writes that one in ten people tells the others what to watch on TV, what to wear, where to go on vacation, and more. Today, we call these people social media influencers. They communicate through Instagram, TikTok, and the occasional blog. They tell us how to live, and many of us follow them. A few social media influencers make a living at it.

Requirements: You can do this job with a smartphone and a budget for clothing and traveling.
Earning potential: Some social media influencers get free or discounted clothing and vacations. Others have sponsorship agreements. It takes work to get to that level, but you can have fun doing it.

Blogging

Do you have a special interest? Lots of folks do. Whether it’s the collectibles we referred to in an earlier entry, electric cars, maintaining your credit, or anything else, people are looking for information. If you can generate a following, you can monetize that blog and make some money. Check out Amazon for the latest books on monetizing blogs and other online activities. What’s nice is that this is one of those side hustles you can do from anywhere, maybe sitting on a beach or backpacking across Europe.

Requirements: You need the ability to write. Your readers aren’t expecting Pulitzer prize-winning prose. You just need to communicate. You also need to be diligent in posting regularly and offering reliable, solid information.
Earning potential: Again, this is one of those side hustles where you may make a little, but the sky’s the limit in other instances.
Resource to read: How to monetize a blog in 2024 in 7 effective steps.

Affiliate marketing

Take your blog one step further with affiliate marketing, where you contract with various companies to promote their products on the blog or website you design and maintain. For instance, you can start a blog about at-home electric car chargers, discussing the pros and cons of various chargers. Many companies have affiliate programs and agreements with bloggers to pay them a fee on every hit to their website traced back to their blog, and even bigger commissions when that hit turns into a sale. Amazon has an affiliate program that can be very profitable. This kind of side hustle takes some up-front computer work and regular posting. You will also have to reach out to companies and enroll and be accepted as part of their affiliate program.

Requirements: You’ll need some technical knowledge, most of which you can master if you’re computer savvy. There are many books and online sources for information on affiliate marketing. You’ll have to register a URL for your site, build the site, and maintain it. You’ll also need to reach out to companies, enroll, and be accepted as part of their affiliate program.
Earning potential: Some affiliate bloggers earn six figures a year while others scratch a nickel-and-dime income. Many affiliate marketers maintain several sites on different topics so that if the market for one product or service turns weak, they still have other blogs generating leads.
Websites: Amazon Affiliate Program, Shopify, ClickBank

Youtube channel

There are countless YouTube channels about all sorts of subjects, from how to use the features on your Galaxy 6 digital watch, changing the engine mounts in your 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, and virtually any other topic you might need information on. You can monetize these channels if you can get enough subscribers and views. There is an entire genre in which high-school and college-age girls roam through a toy store or cosmetics department and review items on the shelves, capturing everything on their phone’s video camera. The creators edit and post these videos on YouTube. These are examples of videos that can be monetized.

Requirements: You need a smartphone with a video camera and some knowledge about editing videos. You must also know your way around YouTube, which is not difficult.
Earning potential: Some creators make three or four figures a month doing this, but that is an exception, and it takes dedication. For others, it’s a source of trickle income.
Websites: YouTube.

Self published books

Taking the blog idea further, you can write e-books on various topics. Some may be just a dozen pages; others are longer. What do you know about collectibles, video game hacks, or how to be a better rideshare or food delivery driver? People are looking for knowledge. You can format these books yourself and make them downloadable from your website. If you want to invest some money, you can publish through Amazon.

Requirements: You need to be able to write and research in-demand topics.
Earning potential: This could be a trickle, or it could be a lot of money. It hinges on what you write and how you market it. Don’t stop at how-to ebooks, either. Remember the movie The Martian with Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain? It was based on a best-selling novel that started as a self-published book. You have the potential to score big time. You only need unique ideas and some imagination when it comes to marketing.
Website: Amazon Publishing.

The key to any side hustle is to track your expenses and make sure you claim all legitimate deductions, including mileage. Download the Gridwise app today and learn how to be more profitable with your side hustles.

In-person services

There are also in-person services that connect you with jobs through an app.

House cleaning

Many people LOVE cleaning, and they are great at it! If you’re one of those people, you can work as a house cleaner and earn money by cleaning for a group of regular customers or specializing in deep-cleaning projects.

Requirements: Not everyone likes housecleaning, but if you do, this is the job for you. Time management, cleaning skills and organizational know how are also key.
Earning potential: This is another gig in which you can charge what the market will bear. You can charge by the hour or a flat fee.
Apps: Handy, TaskRabbit, others.

Dog walker

Lots of people like to own dogs, but they might be concerned about getting the dog walked midday. They might also find themselves working late, or they need a dog cared for while they’re away on business or vacation. This is fortunate for you because dog walking is an organized side hustle with several apps for finding work. Overnight pet sitting is another popular option, especially during the holidays.

Requirements: A love of animals and the willingness to be out in all sorts of weather, not to mention cleaning up after the pup does their business.
Earning potential: There have been reports of people earning as much as $1,000 a month walking dogs. You’ll have to amass a few customers; this isn’t all from one client.
Apps: Rover, Wag.

Baking

Cooking is fun, and some find it relaxing. Your customers are people holding a dinner party or have committed to their church’s bake sale, and they don’t have an afternoon to spend in the kitchen making good on their promise. You can make money fulfilling these commitments for them and doing what you enjoy.

Requirements: You must know your way around a kitchen and a recipe book.
Earning potential: Most apps list a specific need and how much the customer will pay. You can pick and choose your projects.
Apps: Bakesy, Castiron.

Babysitting

Understandably, people are hesitant to leave their children with strangers, but there are often extenuating circumstances whereby they need someone to watch them. This is a good side hustle if you like children.

Requirements: Some cities and municipalities have certification classes for childcare. It’s always good to have a current CPR card, and most CPR training includes administering to young children.
Earning potential: Rates start at $20 an hour.
Apps or websites: Care, UrbanSitters.

Senior care and companionship

Many families must care for an older relative with dementia. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are at record highs. In 2020, there were over 55 million people globally with dementia, according to the website of Alzheimer’s Disease International. Experts expect that number to double every 20 years. Families caring for these older relatives often need a break. If you like caring for older adults, there is job potential here. Sometimes dementia is not involved. Some seniors give up driving and need someone to transport them and keep them company.

Requirements: There is a selection of courses related to caring for seniors that you can access online—free or for a nominal fee. Some cities and municipalities also offer training.
Earning potential: Rates start at $20 an hour.
Apps or websites: Care.

Odd handyman jobs

Do you know how to install a toilet, a chandelier, or a new smart television? People need these tasks completed all the time. Are you good with a hammer and saw? This might be the job for you.

Requirements: You should be handy and have your own tools.
Earning potential: You can name your price, depending on what the market will bear.
Apps: Thumbtack, TaskRabbit.

Property inspections

Homes and commercial buildings are bought and sold all the time, often requiring a property inspection.

Requirements: There are apps for this side hustle that walk you through the inspection process. It’s even better if you know a little about construction and other home features.
Earning potential: If you schedule enough inspections, you can earn as much as $200 to $300 daily.
Apps: Ivueit.

Tailoring and alterations

Are you handy with a needle and thread or a sewing machine? Not that many people are. You can advertise alterations, such as sewing a button, making a buttonhole, hemming dresses and pants, or taking in a waist. You can also contract with three or four dry cleaners to guarantee a steady flow of work.

Requirements: Know your way around a sewing machine.
Earning potential: This is usually piece work, and charges are based on what the market will bear.

Use Gridwise to run your side hustle like a business

If you’re into earning an income through side hustles, or even if you do it in addition to a regular nine-to-five job, the best way to maximize your earnings is with Gridwise. Gridwise allows you to keep tabs on which side hustles earn you the most. You can see trends and opportunities and record expenses and mileage.

The Gridwise mileage tracker is part of the Gridwise app. The installation process is simple, and once installed, it passively tracks your mileage. That’s especially handy considering the standard IRS mileage deduction in 2024 is 67 cents a mile for business use.

How Gridwise works

Download for free

Connect your gig services

Track, optimize, and maximize!

The Gridwise expense tracker allows you to photograph receipts and enter a few words about the purpose of the expense. Both mileage and expense records can be downloaded easily into a file and manipulated with Excel or other software. Your tax-related chores now go from an all-day project to just a few minutes.