Side hustles let people earn extra cash around a full-time job, but results hinge on realistic effort, skills, and demand. The strongest options deliver solid pay with flexible hours and modest startup barriers. Which side hustle would you rank highest? Vote below.
What counts: Best balances realistic monthly earnings, low weekly hours, minimal startup cost, moderate difficulty, and scalability. Figures are approximate averages drawn from public reports and forums.
Freelance Writing▲ Rising
Writers who started pitching on Upwork and LinkedIn quickly landed steady clients and scaled to full-time rates within a year. The 2020 remote boom turned this into a reliable six-figure path for skilled copywriters. It earns the top spot for combining high hourly pay with zero inventory.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $4,500Hours/Week: 15 hrsStartup Cost: $50Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Virtual Assistant▲ Rising
Organized professionals who offered email and calendar management to busy entrepreneurs quickly filled recurring retainers. The rise of remote teams increased demand for reliable VAs. Steady client relationships drive its placement.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,600Hours/Week: 15 hrsStartup Cost: $50Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJRvirtual assistant
Dropshipping Store▲ Rising
Entrepreneurs who tested Facebook ads and Shopify stores saw orders roll in during the pandemic e-commerce surge. A few hit consistent five-figure months after refining product selection and ad creatives. It ranks high for scalability despite ad costs.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,800Hours/Week: 20 hrsStartup Cost: $500Difficulty: 7/10Scalability: 9/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
YouTube Channel▲ Rising
Creators who posted weekly tutorials and reviews hit monetization thresholds and ad revenue within 12-18 months. Niche channels in tech and finance scaled fastest. Long-term passive potential earns it a strong spot.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,500Hours/Week: 22 hrsStartup Cost: $400Difficulty: 7/10Scalability: 9/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJRYouTube channel
Podcast Production▲ Rising
Hosts who niched into business and true crime grew audiences and sponsorship deals within two years. Consistent weekly episodes built loyal listeners and ad revenue. Audio format's low barrier aids ranking.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $1,900Hours/Week: 12 hrsStartup Cost: $350Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Handyman Services
Skilled tradespeople who listed on Angi and TaskRabbit filled gaps left by busy homeowners. Small repair jobs stacked into full days quickly. Practical skills command premium hourly rates.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,200Hours/Week: 20 hrsStartup Cost: $600Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Stock Photography▲ Rising
Photographers who uploaded thousands of images to Shutterstock and Adobe Stock built passive income streams over several years. Evergreen travel and lifestyle shots continue to sell years later. Passive nature boosts its ranking.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $1,500Hours/Week: 8 hrsStartup Cost: $800Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJRstock photography
Food Delivery▲ Rising
Gig workers who optimized multi-app strategies during dinner rushes earned solid tips on top of base pay. The 2020 delivery boom made this a go-to for quick cash. It stays relevant for its low barrier to entry.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,400Hours/Week: 20 hrsStartup Cost: $0Difficulty: 3/10Scalability: 4/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJRFood Delivery
Etsy Handmade Shop
Crafters who focused on personalized gifts and seasonal items saw sales spike during holidays and grew to full-time revenue. Consistent SEO and social proof turned hobby shops into businesses. Strong margins keep it competitive.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,200Hours/Week: 18 hrsStartup Cost: $300Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Rideshare Driving
Drivers who focused on airport runs and event nights maximized earnings during surge pricing periods. Many cleared $3k+ monthly before gas and maintenance. High demand keeps it popular despite vehicle wear.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,800Hours/Week: 25 hrsStartup Cost: $0Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 5/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Affiliate Marketing Blog
Bloggers who ranked for buying-intent keywords earned commissions from Amazon and software referrals for years. SEO focus turned hobby sites into automated income. Evergreen ranking power supports its ranking.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,900Hours/Week: 14 hrsStartup Cost: $150Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Graphic Design Freelance▲ Rising
Designers who built Fiverr and 99designs portfolios landed corporate logo and branding gigs that paid premium rates. Portfolio quality and niche specialization drove repeat work. High skill ceiling justifies placement.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $4,000Hours/Week: 16 hrsStartup Cost: $300Difficulty: 7/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Teachers who joined VIPKid and Tutor.com during lockdowns built full schedules teaching English and math. Repeat bookings and referrals turned many into steady earners within months. Strong demand and flexible hours place it near the top.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,200Hours/Week: 12 hrsStartup Cost: $100Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJRonline tutoring
Flipping Thrift Items
Resellers who learned eBay and Facebook Marketplace sourcing turned weekend thrift runs into consistent profit. Sneaker and vintage clothing flips delivered the highest margins. Hands-on nature appeals to many.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $1,800Hours/Week: 12 hrsStartup Cost: $200Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Social Media Management
Marketers who managed Instagram and TikTok accounts for small businesses secured monthly retainers after proving ROI. Content calendars and analytics reports became the signature offering. Growing business demand supports ranking.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,700Hours/Week: 15 hrsStartup Cost: $100Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 8/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Fitness Training Online
Trainers who shifted to Zoom and app-based coaching during gym closures retained clients with custom programs. Subscription models and challenges created recurring revenue. Health trend supports placement.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,400Hours/Week: 14 hrsStartup Cost: $200Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Landscaping and Lawn Care▲ Rising
Operators who started with basic mower and trimmer setups won seasonal contracts from homeowners and HOAs. Repeat weekly mowing created predictable summer revenue. Physical but profitable local business.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,300Hours/Week: 22 hrsStartup Cost: $1,200Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Animal lovers who built Rover and Wag profiles earned steady bookings from repeat neighborhood clients. Holiday and vacation seasons brought premium rates. Local trust keeps this option reliable.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $1,600Hours/Week: 10 hrsStartup Cost: $100Difficulty: 3/10Scalability: 5/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJRpet sitting
Seasonal Holiday Work
Workers who took Amazon warehouse or retail holiday shifts earned extra cash during peak months. Temporary nature limits long-term ranking but provides quick boosts. Low barrier appeals for short bursts.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,200Hours/Week: 30 hrsStartup Cost: $0Difficulty: 3/10Scalability: 3/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Car Detailing
Detailers who offered mobile ceramic coating and interior packages charged premium prices at client homes and offices. Weekend and evening appointments filled fast. High perceived value drives earnings.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,500Hours/Week: 16 hrsStartup Cost: $800Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
App and Web Development
Developers who took freelance gigs on Upwork and Toptal built portfolios that led to retainers and productized services. SaaS side projects added passive income later. High skill ceiling delivers top earnings.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $5,500Hours/Week: 18 hrsStartup Cost: $200Difficulty: 8/10Scalability: 9/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Babysitting and Nanny
Caregivers who built profiles on Care.com and local parent groups secured recurring after-school and date-night bookings. Background checks and references helped win trust. Steady local demand keeps it steady.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $1,700Hours/Week: 15 hrsStartup Cost: $50Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 4/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Operators who bought basic equipment and targeted driveways and house exteriors booked jobs through local ads and referrals. High per-job prices and quick turnaround made it lucrative. Equipment investment pays off fast.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,800Hours/Week: 15 hrsStartup Cost: $1,500Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJRpressure washing
Online Course Creation
Experts who packaged their knowledge into Teachable and Udemy courses earned passive sales after initial recording. Evergreen topics like Excel and photography performed best. High scalability places it strongly.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,100Hours/Week: 10 hrsStartup Cost: $250Difficulty: 7/10Scalability: 9/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Survey and Microtask Sites
Users who combined Swagbucks, MTurk, and UserTesting filled spare time for small but consistent payouts. Low effort made this an easy entry point. Minimal earnings keep it near the bottom.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $300Hours/Week: 10 hrsStartup Cost: $0Difficulty: 2/10Scalability: 2/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Print-on-Demand Merch
Designers who uploaded graphics to Teespring and Redbubble earned royalties when designs sold. Niche humor and hobby designs performed best. Low effort passive model supports mid-tier ranking.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $900Hours/Week: 6 hrsStartup Cost: $50Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Language Translation
Bilingual professionals who offered document and website translation on specialized platforms built steady client lists. Legal and medical niches paid premium rates. Niche expertise drives earnings.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $3,300Hours/Week: 14 hrsStartup Cost: $100Difficulty: 6/10Scalability: 7/10Remote Friendly: ✓
added by IJR
Junk Removal▼ Falling
Teams who started with a trailer and Craigslist ads cleared garages and estates for cash payments. Repeat property manager contracts provided stability. Physical but high-margin local service.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,600Hours/Week: 18 hrsStartup Cost: $2,000Difficulty: 5/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
House Cleaning Service▼ Falling
Cleaners who offered recurring weekly bookings through local Facebook groups and Nextdoor built loyal client bases quickly. Add-on services like organizing increased ticket size. Steady local demand keeps it viable.
Avg Monthly Earnings: $2,100Hours/Week: 18 hrsStartup Cost: $150Difficulty: 4/10Scalability: 6/10Remote Friendly: —
added by IJR
Free account · your comment posts right after signup
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.
Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.
Wild that Freelance Writing is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
Freelance Writing at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.