12 Best Side Hustles to Start While Working a 9-5 Job

In today’s evolving economy, supplementing your primary income with a side hustle has become increasingly common. According to Bankrate survey, nearly 45% of Americans report having a side hustle alongside their full-time employment. This trend reflects both economic necessity and the growing desire for financial freedom.

Side hustles offer more than just additional income. They provide opportunities to explore passions, develop new skills, and create pathways to potential entrepreneurial ventures. With the rise of digital platforms and flexible work arrangements, starting a side gig while maintaining your day job has never been more accessible.

This comprehensive guide explores 12 practical side hustles that complement a traditional work schedule, requiring minimal startup costs while offering substantial earning potential.

Why Start a Side Hustle?

Before diving into specific side hustle options, let’s examine why they’ve become so popular:

According to research from the Federal Reserve, approximately 30% of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense. Side hustles provide financial security through diversified income streams.

A study by McKinsey found that 70% of side hustlers cite skills development as a primary motivation, beyond just earning extra money.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that independent workers have higher job satisfaction rates than traditional employees, highlighting the psychological benefits of diversified work.

Building emergency savings can be challenging without a system. Consider adopting simple strategies like the 50/30/20 approach to budgeting to help structure your finances and create room for side hustle savings.

With these advantages in mind, let’s explore the best side hustles compatible with a full-time job.

1. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing remains one of the most flexible and lucrative side hustles for professionals with strong communication skills.

Earning Potential: $25-$100+ per hour, depending on specialization and experience

Time Commitment: Fully flexible, projects can range from 1-20 hours per week

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently connect writers with clients seeking content creation services. Subject matter experts can command premium rates in specialized fields such as technology, finance, health, and legal writing.

A report by Payoneer found that freelance writers with industry expertise earn 50-200% more than general writers, with average hourly rates increasing from $15/hour for beginners to $50+/hour for experienced specialists.

Getting started requires minimal investment—just a computer and internet connection. Begin by creating a portfolio showcasing your writing style and expertise.

Many successful freelancers start with modest projects before establishing regular client relationships that provide consistent monthly income. Not sure how to present yourself professionally? Start by learning how to write a resume that gets noticed and tailor it toward freelance opportunities.

2. Online Tutoring and Teaching

The global e-learning market has exploded in recent years, with Grand View Research valuing it at $388.23 billion in 2023 and projecting growth to $1 trillion by 2028.

Earning Potential: $15-$100+ per hour

Time Commitment: 5-15 hours per week, mostly evenings and weekends

Platforms like VIPKid, Chegg, and Wyzant connect tutors with students, while Udemy and Teachable enable course creation. Subject matter experts in STEM fields, languages, and test preparation often command the highest rates.

Research from the Educational Resource Information Center shows that experienced online tutors specializing in advanced subjects like calculus, physics, or SAT prep can earn $50-100 per hour, compared to $15-25 for elementary subjects.

One significant advantage of online tutoring is the ability to teach from anywhere with an internet connection. Evening and weekend availability aligns perfectly with full-time workers, as most tutoring sessions occur outside traditional work hours.

3. Digital Product Creation

Creating and selling digital products—ebooks, templates, printables, stock photos, or online courses—represents a scalable side hustle with significant passive income potential.

Earning Potential: Highly variable, from $500-$10,000+ monthly with established products

Time Commitment: Heavy upfront investment (20-100 hours), minimal ongoing maintenance

Platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad make it easy to sell digital products without handling physical inventory or shipping.

While creating high-quality digital products requires substantial upfront work, they can generate income indefinitely once published. Success stories include sellers earning six figures annually from relatively simple products like wedding planning templates, meal planning printables, or industry-specific spreadsheet templates.

4. Consulting and Coaching

Leveraging professional expertise through consulting offers higher hourly rates than many other side hustles.

Earning Potential: $50-$300+ per hour

Time Commitment: 5-15 hours per week, flexible scheduling

Nearly every professional field has consulting opportunities, from marketing and IT to human resources and project management. LinkedIn data shows that 26% of consultants started their practices as side hustles while maintaining full-time employment.

Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that 85% of independent consultants report being satisfied with their work, compared to 67% of full-time employees. Many cite flexibility and autonomy as key benefits.

Begin by identifying your core expertise and the specific problems you can solve. Then create a basic website outlining your services and use LinkedIn and professional networks to find initial clients. Many consultants start with 1-2 clients before expanding their practice.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning commissions on resulting sales—an excellent fit for those interested in digital marketing.

Earning Potential: $500-$10,000+ monthly for established affiliates

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week for content creation and promotion

According to Statista, affiliate marketing spending in the U.S. is expected to reach $13 billion by 2025, up from $8.2 billion in 2022, representing significant growth opportunities.

Successful affiliate marketers typically combine content creation (blogs, YouTube videos, social media) with strategic promotion of relevant products. Research by the Affiliate Marketing Platform shows that niche websites with focused content convert at 3-5 times the rate of general interest sites.

While building traffic takes time, established affiliate marketers can generate substantial passive income. The most profitable niches include personal finance, health and fitness, technology, and lifestyle products.

If you’re new to the concept, here’s a helpful beginner’s guide to affiliate marketing that breaks down how it works and how to get started.

6. Virtual Assistance

Virtual assistants provide administrative, technical, or creative support to businesses remotely—ideal for organized professionals with diverse skill sets.

Earning Potential: $15-$50+ per hour

Time Commitment: Flexible, typically 10-20 hours per week

The virtual assistant industry has grown exponentially, with Time etc reporting a 41% increase in demand from 2019 to 2023. Services range from email management and scheduling to social media, bookkeeping, and customer support.

Specialized VAs with technical skills like website management, graphic design, or marketing automation command higher rates, often 50-100% above general administrative support.

Starting requires minimal investment beyond a reliable computer and internet connection. Many VAs begin with a single client relationship before expanding their client roster.

7. E-commerce and Online Reselling

Online reselling encompasses various business models, from dropshipping to retail arbitrage, offering flexible inventory management approaches.

Earning Potential: $500-$5,000+ monthly

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week

Platforms like Shopify, eBay, and Amazon provide accessible entry points for e-commerce side hustles. According to eMarketer, global e-commerce sales reached $6.3 trillion in 2023 and are projected to hit $8.1 trillion by 2026.

Retail arbitrage—buying discounted items locally and reselling them online—requires relatively little startup capital. Data from the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) platform indicates that 37% of sellers earn between $1,000-$5,000 monthly working part-time hours.

While e-commerce requires more active management than some digital side hustles, automation tools and fulfillment services can significantly reduce time investment.

8. Photography and Videography

Visual content creation offers creative fulfillment alongside income potential for those with equipment and technical skills.

Earning Potential: $50-$250+ per hour for client work; $500-$3,000+ monthly from stock photography

Time Commitment: Weekend shoots (8-10 hours); editing during weeknights (5-10 hours)

The digital content market continues expanding, with Technavio research projecting the global stock image market to grow by $1.82 billion from 2022-2026, representing a CAGR of 8.3%.

Wedding photography remains particularly lucrative, with the national average for wedding packages at $2,000-$4,000, according to The Knot’s industry report. Event photography, family portraits, and commercial work offer additional revenue streams.

Stock photography and videography provide more passive income opportunities. According to Shutterstock contributor data, top-earning photographers generate $500-$3,000 monthly through volume licensing.

9. Podcast Production and Editing

As podcast consumption continues rising, demand for production services creates opportunities for audio-savvy side hustlers.

Earning Potential: $30-$100+ per produced hour of content

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week, flexible scheduling

Edison Research’s Infinite Dial study reports that 62% of Americans (approximately 177 million people) now listen to podcasts. This growing audience has spurred massive industry expansion.

Services like audio editing, show notes creation, episode publication, and promotion are increasingly outsourced by podcast hosts. According to Upwork’s skills index, podcast production skills rank among the fastest-growing freelance categories, with 71% annual growth in demand.

Entry requires basic audio equipment and editing software knowledge, with many producers handling 3-5 regular clients for consistent monthly income.

10. App and Website Testing

User testing offers flexibility and minimal commitment for tech-comfortable individuals seeking occasional extra income.

Earning Potential: $10-$60 per test (15-45 minutes each)

Time Commitment: 5-10 hours per week, completely flexible

Platforms like UserTesting, TryMyUI, and TestBirds connect testers with companies seeking feedback on digital products. Nielsen Norman Group research indicates that companies receive $100 in return for every $1 invested in usability testing, driving continued growth.

Testers typically record their screens while completing assigned tasks and providing verbal feedback. The UserTesting Annual Report states that active testers complete an average of 5-7 tests weekly, earning $60-$200 in supplemental income.

This side hustle requires virtually no startup costs beyond a computer with internet access and sometimes a webcam. The completely flexible scheduling makes it compatible with even the most demanding full-time jobs.

11. Handmade Crafts and Products

Creating and selling handmade items combines creative expression with income potential.

Earning Potential: $500-$3,000+ monthly

Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week for production and marketing

The global handicrafts market was valued at $647.57 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% through 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Platforms like Etsy, which reported $13.3 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2022, provide ready-made marketplaces for creators. According to Etsy’s seller survey, 37% of sellers operate their shops as side businesses alongside employment.

Popular categories include jewelry, home decor, personalized gifts, and clothing. While production requires significant time investment, many creators find the work relaxing and fulfilling compared to their primary jobs. If you’re unsure where your strengths lie or how to market them, check out this guide on turning your passion into a profitable path.

12. Real Estate Rental and Management

Real estate represents a higher-investment side hustle with substantial long-term income potential.

Earning Potential: Highly variable, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars monthly in net income

Time Commitment: 5-10 hours monthly for established properties

While traditional rental properties require substantial capital, alternatives like room rentals and vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb offer lower-barrier entry points. According to AirDNA research, the average Airbnb host earns approximately $13,800 annually, with over 35% of hosts using the platform to supplement their primary income.

The growing popularity of “house hacking”—purchasing multi-unit properties to live in one unit while renting others—represents another approach compatible with full-time employment. Freddie Mac research indicates that 28% of first-time homebuyers now pursue multi-unit properties with this strategy in mind.

Property management can be outsourced to reduce time commitment, though this reduces profit margins.

Getting Started: Practical Considerations

When selecting a side hustle, consider these factors:

1. Skills assessment: Inventory your existing skills and experience to identify natural starting points.
2. Time availability: Realistically evaluate your schedule to determine sustainable time commitments.
3. Financial resources: Consider startup costs and potential returns when comparing options.
4. Scalability potential: Assess whether the side hustle could eventually replace your primary income.
5. Passion alignment: Choose activities you genuinely enjoy to prevent burnout.

According to a Side Hustle Nation survey of 1,200 side hustlers, those who aligned their ventures with existing skills reported reaching profitability 60% faster than those learning entirely new skills. You might also explore which careers and skills are expected to thrive in the next decade to future-proof your side hustle.

Legal and Tax Considerations

Before launching any side hustle, understand these important considerations:

1. Employment contracts: Review your current employment agreement for non-compete clauses or outside employment restrictions.
2. Business structure: Determine whether operating as a sole proprietor or forming an LLC makes sense for your situation.
3. Tax obligations: Understand self-employment tax requirements and potential deductions. According to the National Association of Tax Professionals, side hustlers overlook an average of $1,250 in eligible tax deductions during their first year of operation.
4. Separate accounts: Maintain distinct financial records for side business activities to simplify tax reporting and business analysis.

Conclusion

The gig economy has transformed how Americans approach work and income. A recent MetLife study found that 93% of employers now believe that workers will need multiple income streams to maintain their desired lifestyle in the future.

The side hustles outlined here represent accessible starting points for professionals seeking to diversify their income while maintaining full-time employment. Each option offers unique advantages in terms of flexibility, startup costs, and earning potential.

By thoughtfully selecting and developing a side hustle aligned with your skills and interests, you can build additional income streams that provide financial security, creative fulfillment, and potential pathways to entrepreneurial independence.

Remember that sustainable growth often begins with modest steps. Many successful entrepreneurs began with side projects that eventually evolved into thriving businesses. The key is getting started and consistently developing your secondary venture alongside your primary employment.