A side hustle can give you the extra income you need to pay off debt, build up savings, or reach financial goals. You can turn a passion, skill, or talent into a money-making opportunity—mostly on your own terms. This means you can start your business from home in your free time, without having to leave the house much to maintain and profit from it.
Still, it can be tricky for beginners to come up with ideas, and some questions may come up during this process. Can you work two jobs? Is it OK to have a full-time job and part-time side gig? Here, you'll find your answers, plus 17 side hustle ideas for some extra cash.
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Can employed people run a side hustle?
Before investing time and money to start a side hustle, it's wise to understand the potential implications of running one while holding a full-time job. According to employment attorney and workplace legal expert Peter Rahbar, there's no legal prohibition. However, some companies have policies against side hustles.
“Make sure that your company’s own policies do not prohibit a side hustle,” Rahbar says. “If the side hustle does not compete, conflict or interfere with your main job, it most likely will not be an issue.”
Part-time jobs could also be vetoed by contract. “Employers can, and often do, institute policies or contract terms that would either limit or prohibit other employment,” Rahbar says. “This is very common for senior executives, but is also often imposed company-wide.
On the bright side, some employers have more flexible policies. “Some companies require notice and the employer’s consent,” he says, “leaving room for employees to engage in other work or activities that would not interfere with their primary job.”
17 side hustle ideas for extra cash
Here are our ideas for side hustles for you—some are perfect for earning extra income quickly and consistently, while others are ideal if you're looking for something you can do from home.
1. Pet sitting or dog walking
If you enjoy spending time around animals, pet sitting is a great way to earn extra cash doing something enjoyable. Pet sitters typically care for animals when their owners have to leave them alone for extended periods. Your main responsibility would be ensuring the pets are alive, fed, and happy while their “parents” are away. Sometimes that can mean sleeping in the pet owner’s home, and other times it might mean visiting a few times a day to care for the animal.
If you're a dog person, dog walking is another pleasant option. Your job would be taking dogs for a walk and looking after them when their owners are unavailable. You can find clients using apps and platforms like Rover, Wag!, and PetBacker.
2. Become an assistant
Busy professionals often need a hand with daily tasks—and they hire personal or virtual assistants to help. A personal assistant tackles in-person tasks like grocery shopping and closet organizing, while a virtual assistant handles things like travel booking, scheduling, data entry, emails, and such.
A personal assistant needs to be agile and great at getting things done. On the other hand, a virtual assistant should be tech-savvy, comfortable with spreadsheets, different email servers, and multiple software programs. To find clients, check out reputable platforms like Chatterboss (specific for assistants), Fiverr, and Upwork—they're good places to get started.
3. Car washing and detailing
Car washing and detailing is a popular side hustle and full-time business for many. (If you need any proof, just search “car detailing” on TikTok!) This side hustle involves going to people's homes to clean their vehicles. To get started, you'll need to invest in the right cleaning supplies and brush up on your car care skills if you're not already familiar. Popular platforms to find clients include Spiffy and MobileWash.
4. Deliver packages
The demand for delivery drives is higher than ever, especially now that people shop online for everything from clothes to groceries. If you have a full-time job and want flexibility, this is a great side hustle. Many companies let drivers choose their working hours and only accept orders when they're available. For instance, Amazon Flex allows you to schedule your deliveries around your week.
5. Become a rideshare driver
Speaking of driving, becoming a rideshare driver is another flexible side hustle opportunity. You can work for companies like Uber and Lyft, as well as Wingz, which focuses on airport pickups. One downside to think about is the safety risk of driving around town with strangers—especially for women and queer people.
6. Sell baked goods
If you're looking for side hustle business ideas and enjoy cooking, selling baked goods could be perfect for you. Start small by selling to neighbors, friends, or coworkers. If it goes well, you can gradually grow your customer base. Take advantage of social media—like Instagram, Facebook, and/or TikTok—to promote your products with high-quality photos and videos of your recipes.
7. Work as a makeup artist
Salon services aren't typically the top pick for side hustles because some states require specific licenses for cosmetic services. But makeup typically doesn't fall under these regulations. So, if you've spent hours watching hair and makeup tutorials on YouTube and have a knack for creating amazing looks, check your state's laws and think about offering makeup services on weekends.
8. Clean houses
Like personal assistants, professional cleaners are hired by busy people who need help keeping up with their household chores. This side hustle demands a lot of time and effort, both mentally and physically, especially for properties that take long hours to get cleaned. On top of that, you'll need to figure out how much to charge considering the costs for cleaning supplies and transportation.
9. Babysitting
Babysitting is a classic side hustle that's always in demand. Like most ideas in this list, it lets you work around your schedule, taking clients during your spare time on weekdays or weekends. If you enjoy being with kids and can handle the responsibility of caring for little humans, this could be a great side gig for you.
Side hustle ideas from home
This part of the list is all about side hustle ideas online—like business and products you can run and sell entirely from home.
10. Become an online tutor
If you've got something you can teach, why not share your knowledge as an online tutor? The internet offers plenty of opportunities, especially for languages like English, Spanish, and French. Platforms like Cambly, italki, and Preply show how popular tutoring can be—you can earn up to $12 per hour on Cambly, according to their site.
Languages not your forte? Look at platforms like TutorOcean, where you can teach math, physics, computer science, and other subjects. Most of these platforms don't require degrees or teaching experience, just solid knowledge of your subject.
11. Sell digital products
Selling digital products is perfect for introverts who don't like the idea of interacting with potential customers or clients. A digital product is anything intangible that exists in digital format, like:
- Ebooks
- Stock photography
- Stock music
- Stock videos
- Cover letter and resume templates
- Budget worksheets
- Presentation templates
- Online courses
- Digital art
- Apps
The only catch is that creating these products takes time and effort, and there's no guarantee of profit. But if things work out, digital products can certainly become a source of passive income. Need inspiration? Scroll through websites like Etsy, Shutterstock, and Udemy to see what others are selling and get some ideas.
12. Translation and transcribing
Do you have a good ear, quick fingers, and solid English skills? If so, becoming a translator or transcriber is a good side hustle idea to consider. Your job will involve translating or transcribing files like videos and audio notes. Rev, TranscribeMe!, and Go Transcript are some reputable platforms to find clientele.
13. Become a freelance writer
One of the best ways to make extra money is by leveraging skills you already have and turning them into a business. If you're a skilled writer with impeccable grammar, consider freelancing as a writer.
You can explore gigs like resume and cover letter writing, copywriting, and ghostwriting. If you haven't worked in these areas before, starting a blog or newsletter can help build a portfolio to showcase your writing skills. (You can find freelance writing jobs here on The Muse!)
This might also help: How Anyone (and We Mean Anyone) Can Become a Freelance Writer
14. Work as a freelance designer
Graphic designers can also use their skills to freelance in their free time. Sure, AI has become a strong competitor these days, but there are still plenty of companies and business owners out there willing to pay highly skilled professionals to create logos, illustrations, and visual identities for their brands. Aside from traditional freelance portals, designers can check out Toptal, a platform that specializes in high quality technology and marketing services.
15. Dropshipping and POD stores
If you've got a demanding day job, hands-on side hustle ideas can be challenging. So, consider starting an online drop shipping or print-on-demand (POD) store. They're low-risk because you don't need inventory and they don't eat up much time.
Dropshipping involves setting up a store and passing orders to a supplier who handles packing and shipping. Print-on-demand lets you create custom designs for things like t-shirts and eco bags. You set up an online shop and send orders to a POD company that prints, packs, and ships them. Your main costs are suppliers and website server fees.
Bonus side hustle ideas
Here, we've gathered side hustle ideas that might not bring in cash right away, either because the income is inconsistent or because profitability comes after a long-term investment of time and effort.
16. Create content
Being a content creator can be a profitable side hustle. Creators with an established audience earn money through monetization programs on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, Google Ads, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts. There are multiple content formats to explore, including:
- Videos for YouTube and TikTok
- Blogging
- Writing a newsletter
- Podcasting
There's no secret formula for success, but nearly every creator in the business started by exploring a skill, passion, or interest. For instance, you could focus on content around fashion, music, pop culture, travel tips, cooking advice, makeup tutorials, games, lifestyle—the possibilities are endless. The downside is that gaining traction and followers can take an indefinite amount of time.
17. Become an apps and website tester
User experience can seriously make or break a business these days. That's why companies often pay regular consumers to try out their apps and websites before they go live. If you're hunting for an easy online side hustle, this gig could be your thing. UserTest, Userlytic, uTest, and UserCrowd are popular platforms with competitive compensations. Just remember, what you earn might vary based on stuff like the type of test, how many they need, and how long it takes.
How to choose a side hustle
It's tempting to jump on the first chance to earn extra cash. But not every side hustle fits everyone. Choosing a gig that's not right for you can be unsustainable in the long term. Here are some key factors to consider when picking a side hustle:
- Financial viability: Some side hustles require an initial investment in equipment, supplies, ingredients, or domains and may take time to start generating revenue. If you're not in a good place financially, consider options that require little to no upfront costs.
- Availability: Most side gigs demand time, with some needing more than others. Be realistic about how much time you can spare, considering your main job, commute, and personal life activities.
- Effort required: If you find yourself with little energy left, side hustles ideas that require a hands-on approach may not be the best fit for you. Instead, prefer the ones that are more hands-off and low effort.
- Affinity with the business: Unless you have a high tolerance for tasks you dislike, it's best to choose something you actually enjoy. Working on something you love not only brings more pleasure but also often leads to better, more enthusiastic work.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can a person have two full-time jobs in the U.S?
Legally, yes. “An employee has a general duty of loyalty to their employer, but there is no legal prohibition on someone having two full-time jobs in the U.S.,” Rahbar says. However, companies can enforce policies against it.
“It has been a long-time practice, particularly for employees in lower-paying jobs. We also see it frequently in the media and the entertainment industry. Any prohibition on other employment would arise from a company’s own policy prohibiting other employment,” he says.
2. What are some problems of working two jobs?
A side hustle that turns into part-time employment can cause a couple of issues. “If either—or both—employers have a policy prohibiting other work, an employee could be facing termination for holding another undisclosed job,” Rahbar says. “Working for a competing company could be a breach of an employee’s duty of loyalty to their employer, and a violation of a non-compete restriction—if they have one.”
“Another issue could arise if an employee uses equipment or information from one job to perform their other job, potentially violating agreements that protect confidential or proprietary information,” he adds.
3. Employers have to be notified about a side hustle?
Generally, no. “An employee would only be required to tell their employers about another job or side hustle if required by contract, company policy or in certain regulated industries where all employment must be disclosed,” Rahbar says. “However, It is prudent to disclose outside work to your employer, and to only take other work that does not violate your company’s policies or your specific employment terms.”
Bottom line
As long as your company doesn't have strict policies against side hustles or part-time jobs, you're free to start a business or take a side gig to earn extra income. Freelancers and creators should be extra cautious when choosing clients and partnerships to avoid conflict of interest if their main employers.
Most of the side hustle ideas on this list have the potential to be profitable and can even become your primary source of income. Be patient and disciplined, and you'll get there!