For the past few years, millions of Americans have started a side hustle to earn money on top of their primary salary. According to Zippia, nearly 45% of people work at a side hustle and put in an average of 13 hours per week at their part-time gig.
Starting a side hustle has multiple benefits, from earning extra cash to starting you on the path to a new, more flexible career. Discover several ideas for starting your own side gig, like a carpet cleaning business, and how you can boost your income with a successful side hustle.
What is the Meaning of a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is a second job or business you do in addition to your primary job. It is a way to earn extra income or pursue a passion outside your current career. Side hustles range from starting a part-time business to delivering groceries through an online app.
While you might refer to your side hustle as a job, it isn’t quite the same as an official part-time position. Side hustles are less formal than part-time jobs, which often require you to travel to your workplace, clock in and out, and abide by the company’s rules.
A side gig is typically a business you start on your own or a freelance-type position where you can set your hours and choose when and how much to work. You can often work a side hustle from home and receive your income by billing your clients rather than getting a paycheck.
According to a 2023 Side Hustle Nation survey, the average monthly income from a side hustle is $1,122. However, the median income side hustlers made per month was significantly lower, at approximately $200.
Side Hustle Ideas
If you want to start a side hustle, it’s helpful to explore side gig ideas to understand the skills and time commitment required and how much you can earn. Consider a few of the following side hustles based on your interests and skills:
Dog Walking
Dog walking is a popular side job for many people who love animals and enjoy being outdoors. It is a flexible and relatively easy way to earn extra money, and you can do it part-time or as needed.
Dog walkers typically charge by the hour or by the number of dogs they walk and can make a decent hourly rate. According to Care.com, dog walkers make an average of $17.00 per hour in Los Angeles, $13.50 in Chicago, and $12.00 in Atlanta.
Starting a dog walking business is simple since you don’t need special permits or training. However, you will need supplies like a high-quality leash, harness, poop bags, and a collapsible water bowl. You should also have a marketing plan to get the word out about your services.
RideShare Driving
Being a rideshare driver is a popular side job option for people looking to earn extra money. Nearly 3.5 million people drive for Uber, and Lyft has about 2 million drivers.
Driving for a rideshare company typically involves using your personal vehicle to pick up and transport passengers to their desired destination through a rideshare app. It is a flexible job that you can do on a part-time or full-time basis; you can set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want.
You can earn a fairly high amount as a rideshare driver, depending on your hours and rides completed. For example, you can make about $15 to $22 per hour with Uber. If you put in about 20 hours per week, that would be $370 in your pocket.
Grocery or Food Delivery
Delivering groceries or food part-time is a great way to earn extra money while helping people get the food they need. It involves using your car to pick up groceries or food from a store or restaurant and delivering them to customers’ homes or businesses.
This side hustle allows you to work as much or as little as you want, and you can typically select jobs as they come up and when you are available. Earning potential varies for this side gig based on the company and location. Drivers are typically paid per delivery, and you may earn additional bonuses for completing many deliveries.
According to Door Dash, you can get paid about $25 per hour, including tips. As a Shipt Shopper through the grocery delivery app Shipt, you can earn around $35 per hour, depending on the jobs you take and where you live.
Cleaning Business
A cleaning business can be a great side hustle for those looking to earn extra income. You can start a side hustle cleaning company that offers carpet or duct cleaning services to homes and businesses. You can also consider a general or window cleaning side hustle.
Start-up costs for a house cleaning side hustle can be low, as you may only need a few basic supplies and equipment. If you plan to start a carpet cleaning side hustle and require a little more capital, you can work with an affiliate program like DryMaster Solutions.
This opportunity lets you start a side hustle cleaning business for as little as $3,790, much less than the traditional investment needed. You also gain access to a convenient carpet cleaning package, including marketing materials and state-of-the-art cleaning equipment, so you can earn side hustle money immediately.
Working about 23 to 30 hours per week as a side hustle, you can make a good income from a carpet cleaning business. If you decide to grow your side hustle, you can make anywhere from $75,000 to $200,000 per year.
Start a Side Hustle to Boost Your Income
Starting your own side hustle business or joining a popular side gig app can give you extra income for just a few extra hours per month. Consider your interests, such as driving or cleaning, and choose a side hustle that aligns with your existing skill set and preferred time commitment. Set your own schedule and start earning to boost your income.
