In today’s economy, having a “side hustle” is very popular. It’s a way to earn more with your hobbies and skills. You might be surprised at how much you can make. Doing things like online surveys or delivering food can really boost your earnings. Plus, blogging and using Pinterest can also help you make more money. Side hustles, especially digital ones, can fit anyone’s journey towards more income.
Zapier’s recent survey found that 34% of Americans do a side job. If you spend about 12 hours a week on it, you could make $1,122 monthly. The U.S. side hustle market is huge, worth over $2.58 trillion. Nearly everyone will try some kind of side work by 2027. What’s more, 83 out of 100 who hustle, love it. Seeing how popular and enjoyable side hustles are, more and more Americans are joining in. Even more, 61.6 million Americans are looking to start a side hustle soon.
Earnings Potential in Side Hustles
Bankrate states that people who work 12 hours a week on their side hustle can make more than $13,000 yearly. The side gig world offers chances to earn with little effort, boost what you earn from freelancing, and add more money streams. However, how much you make can be different based on the side hustle type.
Average Monthly Side Hustle Income
From the Side Hustle Nation survey with 1,722 people, interesting insights were uncovered. Around 5% earn over $10,000 monthly. Meanwhile, 31.2% get between $1,000 and $5,000 each month. But most, 36.7%, earn less than $500 from their side job per month.
Top-Earning Side Hustles
Netcredit found high-earning side hustles like marketing strategy (with an average of $178.08), mobile app developer ($164.15), and presentation design ($163.62). Also on the list are website designer ($162.18) and songwriter ($158.14). These creative and skill-focused side jobs highlight the potential for earning more in the side hustle economy for those who can sell their talents and skills.
The Rise of the Side Hustle Economy
Today, many Americans are joining the side hustle economy. A third already have a side gig, and two-thirds began in the last three years. Zapier shows these people want to earn extra cash (50%), meet living costs (30%), and explore new income sources (33%).
Side Hustle Statistics: Growth and Popularity
A big 61.6M Americans are looking for a second income. This shows the increase in turning hobbies into a job. Over half would like to make money from their hobbies. Plus, 41% started so they could do what they love more.
Why People Start Side Hustles
Many join the side hustle scene for money or fulfillment. Half need extra cash, and 30% are looking to meet their living costs. A good number (33%) want to add more income streams. This shows Americans want more financial security and enjoy their work more.
Common Side Hustles and Gig Work
The side hustle scene is wide and varied, offering many different paths for everyone’s taste and abilities. According to the Vistaprint survey, a big chunk of people, about 16.6%, find their side gigs through online blogging and handling social media. Driving for companies like Uber or doing deliveries is another popular way, equally chosen by 13.4% of people. The same percentage also do freelancing and sell things online.
Online and Digital Side Hustles
The world going digital has opened up endless opportunities for making extra money. A study from NetCredit shows that among the best-paid gigs are creating marketing strategies (earning on average $178.08 a job), developing mobile apps ($164.15), designing presentations ($163.62), making websites ($162.18), and writing songs ($158.14). These jobs let people use their digital skills to make good money, sometimes over $148 a day.
Freelancing and Skilled Services
Working online as a freelancer or offering specific services has become quite the trend. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Toptal connect skilled people with those who need their services. It’s not just about graphic design or content creation but also about programming, giving advice, and more. The gig economy has really broadened the horizon for those wanting to share their knowledge and skills for extra cash.
Blogging and Pinterest: Profitable Side Hustles
Online side hustles like blogging and managing social media are very popular. They make up 16.6% of all the side jobs people do. According to a study by Dollar Sprout, more than half (60.5%) of those with a side hustle started it as a hobby. Then they turned it into a money-making venture. Blogging and Pinterest are great side hustles. They don’t need a lot of money to start and can make money through ads, marketing, and selling products.
Leah found success as a Pinterest consultant over two years. She helped famous travel bloggers grow their audience and get lots of monthly views. At one point, Pinterest consulting was her main income. She says she could get more clients easily to make more money.
Leah now offers services to manage Pinterest accounts and consults with bloggers and brands to help them get seen on the platform. She gets new clients every month because of good word of mouth and the reputation she’s built. Writing a detailed Pinterest guide for Travel Bloggers helped her show her skills and attract more clients.
Leah thinks getting your first client as a freelancer is key. After that, it gets easier to find more clients. Word of mouth and meeting people in-person helped Leah get more clients for her Pinterest services.
Side Hustle Income by Age Group
Millennials are leading the way in side hustles, says Bankrate. They make about $925.95 a month. Gigs help them pay off their debts, according to the report. Only 31% of them, however, use this money to save. This is different for Gen Z and baby boomers.
Experian’s study shows that 50% of millennials have a side job. This is less than 70% of Gen Z, though.
Millennials and Side Hustles
The idea of making money passively or from freelance work appeals to millennials. They are tapping into supplemental income sources to boost their earnings. They use this to support their part-time jobs or small businesses. What’s more, millennials are really good at turning their hobbies into money-makers.
| Age Group | Side Hustle Participation | Average Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Millennials | 50% | $925.95 |
| Gen Z | 70% | $764.23 |
| Baby Boomers | 18% | $537.11 |
Time Commitment for Side Hustles
The side hustle economy is booming. Many wonder how much time is best for a second income.
A study by Dollar Sprout shows 32% of side hustlers put in 5 to 10 hours a week. On the other hand, those spending over 15 hours a week have gone up to 27% in 2021 from 12% in 2020.
Balancing a Side Gig with a Full-Time Job
A Vistaprint survey unveiled insights. It showed 59% work on their side gig at night from 5 to 9 pm. This time was chosen to not conflict with their main job. Additionally, 27% find time in the mornings.
Nearly all side hustlers give up something. They have less time for friends or family and fewer fun activities to make room for their side gig.
Working 80 hours or more can boost your income but it isn’t healthy long term. Experts say 10–20 hours a week is just right. It helps increase your extra income without hurting your health.
The happiest side hustlers are those working 5–15 hours a week. On the contrary, those who work 15–34 hours feel more stress and pressure. Staying under 20 hours helps keep your energy high and your life balanced.
Starting a Side Hustle with Low Costs
LuisaZhou.com found that 81% of successful small business owners began while working 9-5 jobs. Starting a side hustle is possible even with your regular job. Options like blogging and Pinterest are great. They have low costs and can make extra side gig income.
Risk-Free Business Model
The Dollar Sprout study showed that 14% of side hustlers had money issues. Blogging or Pinterest start with minimal risks. This lets you avoid big financial hurdles. It lets you use your skills and hobbies to make money. You can test your ideas without spending a lot at the start.
Blogging and Pinterest turn your interests into money. You can start with little money and create content for your audience. Then, find ways to make money like ads or selling products. This way, you can grow your side hustle with little risk. And you can still rely on your usual job.
Building a Side Hustle Stack
Did you know, over half of us dream of making money from our hobbies? It’s true, a Vistaprint survey says so. Creating a ‘side hustle stack’ involves mixing different money-making ways. For example, doing blogging and Pinterest together can boost how much you earn from your side jobs.
This method opens up new income doors. You get to use all your skills and interests to make money. A study by LuisaZhou.com reveals that a third of successful small business owners aim for a greater impact and fulfillment. Turning pastimes into profitable gigs fits this trend.
| Side Hustle Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Gig Workers Involved in the US in 2020 | Over 57 million |
| Gig Workers Who Reported Increased Monthly Income from a Side Hustle Stack | 73% |
| Freelancers Citing Flexibility as the Primary Reason for Multiple Side Hustles | 45% |
| Additional Income Earned by Gig Workers Who Stack Side Hustles | 22% more than those with a single gig |
| Daily Earnings Potential for Bloggers and YouTubers | $500 to $1,500 |
Diversifying your side hustle stack means you combine different ways to earn money. This includes getting income from passive ways, doing freelance jobs, and running your small business. Such diversity not only makes you money from your hobbies but also stands by as an extra income, especially when things are tough.
Side Hustle Earnings for Women vs Men
The Motley Fool did a survey which showed a big gap in how much men and women make from side hustles. Men make about $989 every month from their side gigs. On the other hand, women earn just $361 monthly on average. This difference might be because men and women choose different types of side hustles.
Men often opt for more physically demanding side jobs like working on the yard or fixing homes. These jobs pay more per hour. On the flip side, women choose side hustles like selling things online, making crafts, and watching kids. These activities might not pay as much. Also, the survey shows men are starting side jobs more often than women.
Women should consider trying a variety of side gig options, especially those in digital and freelance work. This move can help them make more from their extra sources of income. By exploring different and higher-paying passive income opportunities, women could reach their full earnings potential in the gig economy.
Turning a Hobby into a Profitable Side Gig
In today’s gig economy, many folks are looking for ways to boost their income. They do this by working on hobbies outside of their regular jobs. A Vistaprint survey shows over half of people aim to make money from their passions. About 41% started a side gig just so they could spend more time doing what they love. The Dollar Sprout study mentions that 60.5% of side hustlers began their venture as a hobby, then turned it into a business.
Blogging and Pinterest work really well for this. They have small starting costs and can bring in money even when you’re not working, called passive income. By using these platforms, people can start earning from what they already know and love. They don’t need a lot of money upfront, which makes it appealing for those wanting to mix their passion with earnings.
Having more than one source of income, like blogging and Pinterest, can really boost your income. It allows you to use all your different skills and interests to make money. This safety net of income streams means you can follow your dreams while still making extra money. So, it’s a great way to add to your income and have a more flexible, secure lifestyle.
Supplementing Income with Side Hustles
The cost of living is going up, causing many Americans to feel financial pressure. More and more people are looking for ways to make extra money. Side hustles are a great option, allowing people to supplement their main income and find extra financial security.
Financial Necessity vs Personal Fulfillment
About half of Americans start a side hustle for extra money. Many do it to cover basic living costs. Some start because they enjoy it, or to add variety to their income. The Vistaprint survey found over half dream of making money from their passion. This means that for a lot of side hustlers, making money is just as important as finding personal satisfaction.
The gig economy offers a lot of chances to make extra money. There’s freelance work, on-demand delivery, and more. Plus, there are now options to earn passive income through blogging and Pinterest. This gives people the chance to make money from what they love by monetizing their hobbies.
Choosing a side hustle is often about finding a balance between making money and personal satisfaction. Many find that right mix of extra income streams and self-expression through their side gigs.
The Future of the Gig Economy
Projections and Industry Growth
More and more people in the U.S. are taking up side jobs. Right now, 36% of workers are in the “gig economy.” This number is set to rise above 50%. About 26 million more Americans will start a side job in the coming years.
The pandemic has changed how some see work. A big 87% of full-time independent workers say they are happier working this way. 78% feel they are in better health. The gig economy is growing. Soon, more Americans will use side hustles to make extra money and get passive income.
There are many side hustles that people can do. These range from digital skills to hands-on services. The need for specific freelance work earnings has jumped by 75%. People in these high-demand side hustles earn 35% more than in regular jobs. But, 45% of those in the gig economy worry about stability and benefits. They know it’s smart to have a plan and to not rely on just one side hustle.
The gig economy is getting bigger, making side hustles a popular choice to earn on the side. It’s not just about making extra money but also growing part-time job profits and small business revenues. As the side hustle economy booms, it offers chances and problems. It means people need to be smart in how they use monetizing hobbies and making a living.
Finding the Right Side Hustle for You
Looking for a way to make extra money on the side? There are tons of choices out there. You could use your online skills, like making websites or managing social media. Or maybe you prefer hands-on work, such as taking care of pets or mowing lawns. There’s something for everyone. The trick is to pick what matches your talents, interests, and time.
Platforms like Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork are great for finding freelance jobs. If you’re good at things like marketing, coding, or writing, these sites help you find paid work. Or try things like blogging or making money from your Pinterest to earn without much risk. This way, you can make money doing what you love, enjoying passive income and extra cash.
Having several income sources, like freelancing and selling handmade goods, is smart. It helps you make more money and feel more secure. The secret is to choose activities that fit well with you and your goals. With some hard work and creativity, your side work can become a significant money-maker or even a real business.