Compare common side gigs
Ten common ways people earn extra money, compared on what it takes to start, how flexible they are, how pay works and what to watch out for. We don't list pay figures, because they vary so much by place and platform. Use the true hourly pay calculator on your own numbers instead.
| Side gig | Startup cost | Flexibility | How pay works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food and grocery delivery | Low (car or bike, phone) | High | Per delivery plus tips | Unpaid waiting time, fuel and car wear |
| Rideshare driving | Medium (eligible car, insurance) | High | Per ride, varies with demand | Car requirements, insurance gaps, wear |
| Task and handy apps | Low to medium (tools) | High | Per task or hourly | Platform fees, travel between jobs |
| Pet sitting and dog walking | Low | Medium | Per visit or night | Liability; check insurance |
| Babysitting and tutoring | Low | Medium | Hourly | Background checks; local rules |
| Freelance writing, design, bookkeeping | Low (computer, software) | High | Per project or hourly | Finding clients; unpaid admin |
| Cleaning and organizing | Low (supplies) | Medium | Per job or hourly | Physical work; liability |
| Selling things you own | None | High | Per sale | Buyer scams; overpayment tricks |
| Reselling (flipping) | Medium (inventory) | High | Profit per item | Unsold stock; taxes on profit |
| Seasonal or part-time job | None | Low to medium | Hourly wage, tax withheld | Fixed schedules |
Not on this list, on purpose
We don't include multi-level marketing, "work from home" offers that ask you to pay first, package reshipping, or anything that pays you to deposit checks. See side-gig scams to watch for.