18 High-Paying Side Hustles That Pay Well (Up to $200)

Earning extra income outside of a traditional job has become increasingly popular, with side hustles offering a practical way to boost your finances.

These opportunities not only provide a supplementary income stream but can also be a strategic tool to achieve financial goals like saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building a nest egg.

Whether you’re interested in online side gigs or local opportunities, there’s a diverse range of side jobs available that align with various skills and interests. Some of these side hustles can be particularly lucrative, offering a significant payout without requiring a full-time commitment.

Let’s dive into some of the best-paying side hustles that pay well to quickly increase your earnings.

18 Side Hustles That Pay Well To Earn Big

People think with side hustles they can’t earn much money but this is not totally right. There are some side hustles that pay well. With these side hustles, you can earn big with your 9 to 5 job. Here are the high-paying side hustles.

1. Stock Trading

Average Earnings: $1,000–$10,000+ per month

Stock trading as a side hustle can be highly profitable, but it also comes with significant risk. The idea is to buy stocks or other financial instruments at a lower price and sell them at a higher price to make a profit.

This hustle requires a good understanding of the stock market, analytical skills, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

There are different approaches to stock trading:

• Day Trading
  • Buy and sell stocks within the same day
  • Aim to capitalize on short-term market fluctuations
• Swing Trading
  • Hold stocks for days or weeks
  • Profit from longer-term trends
• Long-term Investing
  • Focus on companies with strong growth potential
  • Hold stocks for an extended period to benefit from long-term growth

You’ll need to open a brokerage account and possibly educate yourself through books, courses, or mentorship. Many traders also use technical analysis tools to help predict market movements.

2. Graphic Design

Average Earnings: $25–$150+ per hour

Are you artistically inclined and have a knack for visual storytelling? If so, graphic design might be the perfect side hustle for you to earn big.

With the rise of digital media, businesses are constantly seeking fresh and eye-catching content to stand out in the market. By offering graphic design services, you can tap into this demand and earn a good income while flexing your creative muscles.

One of the best things about graphic design is the ability to specialize in a niche that suits your skills and interests. You can focus on branding for small businesses, web design, or create reusable templates that can be sold online.

With the help of tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva, you can produce professional-grade work even if you’re just starting out.

3. Freelance Writing

Average Earnings: $50–$500+ per article

Freelance writing is a highly paid-side hustle that can generate substantial income. By offering your writing services to clients, you can tap into a wide range of opportunities, from blogging and copywriting to technical writing and ghostwriting.

Specializing in high-demand areas like SEO content, long-form articles, and technical writing can significantly boost your earning potential. As you build your portfolio and gain experience, you can increase your rates and attract higher-paying clients.

Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide a great starting point for showcasing your skills and pitching your services to potential clients.

Freelance writing offers a fulfilling way to share your knowledge and express your creativity, making it an excellent side hustle for those who enjoy writing.

4. Web Development

Average Earnings: $50–$150+ per hour

With the rise of digital transformation, businesses are eager to invest in a professional online presence, and that’s where web development becomes helpful.

Whether you’re a front-end specialist, crafting visually stunning websites, or a back-end expert, handling the technical backend, your expertise is in high demand.

This side hustle not only offers financial rewards but also the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. You can start by learning the basics of coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through online resources.

The best part about web development is the freedom to choose projects that genuinely interest you. You might help a local business establish an online presence or build a personal portfolio site that showcases your skills.

5. Social Media Management

Average Earnings: $20–$100+ per hour

Are you a social media enthusiast who scrolls through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter in your free time? Why not turn that hobby into a profitable side hustle that pay well? Becoming a social media manager is an excellent way to earn money doing something you already enjoy.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs often need help managing their online presence, and that’s where your skills can shine. You can offer your services to help them build and grow their brand on social media, increasing engagement and driving sales.

As you dive into social media management, you’ll find numerous opportunities to specialize and grow. You might explore social media advertising to boost your clients’ reach or even collaborate with influencers for impactful partnerships.

6. Online Tutoring

Average Earnings: $20–$80+ per hour

Online tutoring is a fantastic way to share your expertise and help others succeed while earning extra income. Whether you excel in math, grammar, or languages, there’s a high demand for online tutors in various subjects.

One of the biggest advantages of online tutoring is its flexibility. You can set your own hours, work from home, and make it an ideal side hustle for students, stay-at-home parents, or anyone with a busy schedule.

Platforms like Tutor.com or VIPKid simplify the process of finding clients and connecting tutors with students.

Not only does tutoring provide financial gain, but it also offers a sense of fulfillment as you help students overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals. You can work with different age groups, from young students to adult learners.

7. Virtual Assistant

Average Earnings: $15–$75+ per hour

If you’re super organized and great at multitasking, this could be the ideal side hustle for you.

As a VA, you might find yourself managing emails, calendars, customer service, or even social media accounts for your clients. The demand for VAs is definitely on the rise. Many businesses, especially those operating online, are opting to hire freelancers for specific tasks instead of full-time employees.

The earning potential for VAs is quite attractive. With experience and the right clients, you can command higher rates.

8. Affiliate Marketing

Average Earnings: $100–$10,000+ per month

Affiliate marketing offers a rewarding opportunity as a side hustle that can lead to a steady stream of passive income.

The process is straightforward: by promoting products or services on platforms like a blog, website, or social media, you can earn commissions whenever someone makes a purchase through your unique affiliate link.

This side hustle stands out because you don’t need to create your own products or manage customer service; your main role is to connect buyers with sellers.

Success in affiliate marketing depends on selecting products or services that resonate with your niche and audience. For instance, if you operate a fitness blog, promoting workout gear or health supplements would naturally align with your content.

9. Photography

Average Earnings: $50–$300+ per hour

Turning a passion for photography into a profitable side hustle is not only possible but also highly rewarding. Whether you specialize in portraits, events, or product photography, there’s always a demand for skilled photographers.

The initial investment in good equipment—a quality camera, lenses, and lighting—can be significant, but it pays off quickly as you start booking gigs.

Many photographers begin by offering their services for free or at a discount to build a portfolio, but as your skills and reputation grow, so can your rates.

Networking is crucial in this industry; word-of-mouth referrals often lead to new clients. You can also showcase your work on social media platforms like Instagram or create a professional website to attract more business.

Another avenue is selling your photos as stock images on websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, providing a source of passive income. It’s a side hustle that combines creativity with entrepreneurship, offering endless opportunities for growth.

10. Real Estate Flipping

Average Earnings: $20,000–$100,000+ per flip

Real estate flipping is one of those side hustles that can lead to massive profits, but it requires significant upfront investment and risk management.

The idea is to buy properties at a lower price, renovate them, and sell them at a profit. This side hustle is perfect for those who have a good eye for real estate opportunities and don’t mind getting their hands dirty with some renovation work.

The potential for high returns is real, but so is the potential for loss if the market shifts or renovation costs spiral out of control. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the real estate market, a reliable team of contractors, and a well-thought-out budget.

You also need to be patient, as flipping a property isn’t something that happens overnight. However, when done right, the profits can be substantial, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars per property.

This side hustle isn’t for everyone, but for those with the right skills and mindset, it can be an exciting and lucrative way to grow your wealth.

11. Dropshipping

Average Earnings: $500–$10,000+ per month

Dropshipping offers an appealing entry point into the world of e-commerce without the need to hold inventory or manage shipping logistics. In dropshipping, you act as the middleman between the customer and the supplier.

One of the most attractive aspects of dropshipping is the low startup cost. All you need is a website or an online storefront, which can be set up relatively easily using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.

Your focus will be on marketing and customer service, driving traffic to your store through social media ads, SEO, or email marketing.

Success in dropshipping requires constant attention to trends, customer feedback, and supplier relationships.

12. Consulting

Average Earnings: $50–$300+ per hour

Consulting is a side hustle that pay well by leveraging your existing expertise to help businesses or individuals solve problems, improve processes, or achieve their goals. If you have significant experience in a particular field—be it marketing, finance, operations, or technology—consulting could be a lucrative avenue.

Initially, you might start by offering your services at a lower rate to build a portfolio of case studies and testimonials. Over time, as your experience and client base grow, you can command higher fees.

13. Copywriting

Average Earnings: $50–$200+ per hour

Copywriting is a highly sought-after skill in the world of marketing and advertising, making it an excellent side hustle for those with a way of words.

As a copywriter, you’ll create compelling, persuasive content designed to drive sales, attract leads, or build brand awareness. This could include writing website copy, advertisements, email campaigns, product descriptions, and more.

The key to successful copywriting lies in understanding the target audience and crafting messages that resonate with them.

14. E-commerce

Average Earnings: $1,000–$10,000+ per month

E-commerce is an expansive side hustle that has transformed the way people buy and sell products. By starting an online store, you can reach a global audience and sell just about anything—from handmade crafts to digital products, from clothing to electronics.

With platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon making it easy to set up an online store, anyone can start selling without the need for a physical storefront.

What makes e-commerce an attractive side hustle is its potential for scalability. While it may start small, a successful e-commerce business can grow into a full-time operation, generating significant income. Additionally, e-commerce offers opportunities for passive income through automated processes like dropshipping and digital product sales.

15. App Development

Average Earnings: $50–$150+ per hour

App development is a side hustle that combines technical skills with creativity, offering the potential for high earnings and significant impact.

If you have programming skills, particularly in languages like Swift for iOS or Java for Android, app development could be a perfect fit. Even if you’re starting from scratch, there are plenty of online resources and courses available to learn the necessary coding skills.

One route is to develop apps for clients, which can provide a steady income stream as businesses are often willing to pay well for custom app solutions. Alternatively, you can develop your own apps and monetize them through in-app purchases, ads, or a premium purchase model.

16. SEO Consulting

Average Earnings: $75–$200+ per hour

If you know your way around search engines and have a passion for helping businesses succeed online, then SEO consulting is a fantastic side hustle to consider.

As an SEO consultant, your work is to help websites rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more people will find the website organically, without the website owner having to pay for ads.

The great thing about SEO consulting as a side hustle is that it’s results-driven. When you help a client’s website climb up the search engine rankings, they see real, tangible benefits.

This could be in the form of increased website traffic, higher sales, or improved brand visibility. And because your work delivers measurable value, it’s a highly valued and well-paid service.

17. Course Creation

Average Earnings: $500–$10,000+ per course

Course creation is a side hustle that allows you to share your expertise and earn passive income.

Anyone with knowledge in a particular field can create and sell courses on Udemy, Coursera, and Teachable to a global audience.

The process of creating an online course involves several steps:

1. Identify a Topic
   • Choose a topic you’re knowledgeable about
   • Ensure it has demand in the market
2. Outline Course Content
   • Break down content into digestible modules or lessons
3. Record High-Quality Video Lessons
   • Engage students with clear and concise video content
4. Create Supplementary Materials
   • Quizzes to test knowledge
   • Assignments to apply learning
   • Downloadable resources for further study

18. YouTube Channel

Average Earnings: $500–$10,000+ per month

Starting a YouTube channel is a creative and potentially lucrative side hustle that allows you to share your passions, knowledge, or entertainment with a global audience. Whether you’re into cooking, gaming, tech reviews, or travel vlogs, YouTube offers a platform to reach millions of viewers.

Getting Started on YouTube:

1. Choose a Niche:
   • Select a topic you’re passionate about
   • Ensure it has a sizable audience
2. Consistency is Key:
   • Regularly upload content
   • Engage with your viewers
3. Invest in Quality Equipment:
   • Good camera
   • Good microphone
   • Enhance production value
   • Make videos more appealing to viewers

FAQs About Side Gigs That Pay Well Money

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a side hustle that pays well, there are plenty of good options to consider. The key is to find something that matches your skills and fits into your schedule.

Start by exploring different opportunities, and don’t be afraid to try a few before settling on the one that works best for you. Remember, consistency and dedication can turn a side hustle into a reliable source of extra income. Just make sure to balance it with your main responsibilities to avoid burnout.