These gigs are perfect for freelancers.
As a freelance SEO content writer, I understand the need for good side hustles that can help freelancers and gig economy workers supplement their primary income when it isn’t enough to cover all of their living expenses.
However, even if you aren’t a freelancer and you work a full-time job, chances are, given the spiraling costs of everything, you, too, could use the extra income from a side gig.
Here are some of my favorite highly lucrative side hustles, some of which can pay up to $3,500 a month.
- Transcribing audio messages: My very first ‘make money online’ gig was transcribing audio files on transcription sites like Transcribe Me and Rev. If you are a fast, accurate typist, and you have some basic medical or legal knowledge, you can earn $20+ an hour transcribing short audio files. The most experienced transcribers who are willing to make it a full-time job can earn around $3,000 a month.
- Renting your car to strangers: You are likely familiar with ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber that enable drivers to earn money by driving passengers around in their car. However, if you don’t want to have to drive strangers, you can still earn good money by renting out your car to strangers. It’s kind of like renting out your house on Airbnb. Check out sites like Getaround and Turo. One car owner reportedly made over $3,500 a month.
- Participating in marketing research studies: Consumer research is big business. And as a consumer, you can make big bucks by participating in product testing and market research studies. For example, product testers can earn anywhere from $3 to $300 testing news products for brands. Focus group participants can earn over $150 an hour.
- Starting a junk hauling service: Did you know that you can earn an average of $35 an hour by hauling off junk for other people? You will need a truck or trailer to haul away big items for clients. Then, you will need to find a dump to take the junk too.
- Writing resumes: Do your friends and family come to you for help with writing their resumes and cover letters? If so, then you might be able to make money online as a freelance resume writer. One way to start out is by posting your resume writing services on freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
- Become a user experience (UX) tester: Another lucrative way to earn money online is by testing digital products — websites, apps, and software programs. UX testers can earn up to $60 an hour by registering with sites like UserTesting, UserZoom, and Respondent. Typically, you will be asked to test a digital product and then record your responses either by completing a survey or by speaking your thoughts into a microphone as you perform a given task.
- Selling stock photos: If you love photography and have a knack for taking great photos, then you might be able to sell your images on a number of stock photo platforms. For example, sites like Shutterstock, Adobe, and Getty Images will pay you royalties each time a user purchases the licensing rights to one of your photos. Many people average between $200 to $500 a month selling their stock photos.
- Babysitting, pet-sitting, or house-sitting: If you have a lot of available free time, then you might be able to fill your time with one or more of these lucrative side hustles. For instance, babysitters can earn an average of $20 an hour, while pet-sitters can earn nearly as much. Furthermore, you can earn up to $100 a day house-sitting.
- Become a mystery shopper: Do you like to shop till you drop? If so, then you would probably enjoy getting paid to shop as a paid secret shopper. Mystery shoppers reportedly earn up to $23 an hour on sites like Market Force, CXS, and Elite.
- Sell your unwanted stuff: If you have a ton of old appliances, collectibles, and furniture that you no longer want, then you can turn your unwanted stuff into cash by selling it on eBay and OfferUp. You can also become a broker, selling other people’s unwanted stuff and earning a commission.