Working Odd Jobs

 Does trying new roles every week sound good?

If so, working odd jobs can be the perfect side hustle for you.

Whether you’re looking to gain experience or break the monotony, you can use your full skill range to make money in today’s gig economy.

An Overview of Working Odd Jobs

When people say that they do “odd jobs” for money, they could mean anything from mowing people’s lawns to providing pet care services.

The common tasks require physical labor, such as:

• Yard work
• Cleaning gutters
• Dog-walking
• Distributing flyers
• Moving/assembling furniture

It’s also possible to do online tasks, from being a virtual assistant to doing temporary clerical work.

Either way, odds jobs can help supplement your primary salary or provide cash flow when you’re in between jobs.

How Much Can Working Odd Jobs Earn You?

Since people lump a variety of tasks under the term “odd jobs,” it’s hard to estimate an average salary.

Some sources put the hourly rate at $14/hr or $16.66/hour. However, it’s not unheard of to find home organization or furniture assembly work with an hourly earning as high as $90 or $100.

To get a close estimate of the earnings, search by task category and location (pay changes from one city to the other).

Use odd job apps and websites to gauge how much extra cash you’ll make in different categories.

For instance, you can charge around $46/hour for minor home repairs in Houston. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the price goes up to $68/hour.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Working Odd Jobs?

The upfront investment for odd jobs varies.

Some tasks don’t require special equipment. Other times, the client will provide the tools (mowers, ladders, etc.) needed for the job.

That means the initial investment is minimal, but you have to factor in side expenses (gas to drive to the client, buying work clothes, etc.).

For handyman and home maintenance work, a basic tool kit will do. Expect to spend $50 or $150 on it, depending on the size and quality.

Since you’ll jump from one odd task to another, it’s better to keep your expenses as low as possible. There’s no point investing in a pro-level tool kit if you don’t plan on taking on more handyman jobs.

Where Can You Find Odd Job Gigs?

Finding odd job postings is easy, and you can do it independently or via online platforms that cater to the task industry. The key is to pick the tasks that you like (and are good at) out of the piles.

Where to Independently Find Odd Jobs

To find odd jobs in your area, start thinking about the type of jobs you want to do. Then, ask yourself where the potential clients are.

For instance, you can spread the word around your neighborhood that you do home maintenance work. Ask local businesses if they need someone to distribute flyers, too.

If you’re still not certain what type of tasks you want to do, look at your local community bulletin boards.

Then, join Facebook For-Hire Groups to explore your options, from virtual assistant roles to food delivery services and grocery shopping.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Odd Jobs

Hunting down odd jobs independently every weekend can be time-consuming. Instead, you can take your job search to online gig platforms.

Takl is a popular, user-friendly choice. On the app home page, you’ll find jobs ranging from lawn mowing to hauling junk from someone’s backyard.

You could also sign up to TaskRabbit. The platform is an IKEA partner, which means that you can find furniture assembly jobs easily. However, there are other project categories (running errands, personal assistant tasks, pet care, handyman work, etc.) to consider.

If you’d rather not work for homeowners and individual clients, check out Gigwalk. Companies use this odd jobs app for quality-check purposes. They’ll pay for a range of tasks, such as walking into a store and taking pictures of retail displays or reviewing an online app.

Craigslist and Nextdoor can also help you find local clients for your side hustle.

Why You Should Consider Working Odd Jobs As a Side Hustle

Regardless of the type of tasks you decide to take, odd jobs can help (both now and in the long term). Here are the top perks to expect:

• Same-Day Pay: The side hustle can provide quick cash. Some clients and odd job apps will pay you in direct deposit or gift cards if that’s what you prefer.
• Character Building: While odd jobs don’t require a college degree, they teach valuable skills. They’re ideal for college students looking to prepare for their careers.
• Breaking Monotony: Odd jobs can be a way to break the routine that comes with traditional nine-to-five roles without compromising your income.

Problems With Working Odd Jobs for Money

While the extra cash and flexibility are tempting, working odd jobs for money isn’t a perfect long-term solution. Here are a few of the hustle’s drawbacks:

• Sporadic Pay: One day, you’ll find competitive pay rates, but the other, you’ll have to deal with haggling clients. It’s also possible to go weeks without finding a suitable job.
• Manual Labor: Some listings call for manual labor around the house, which can be exhausting in the long term.
• Career Throttling: If you do one odd job or service long enough, it could be harder to switch interests or go back to your primary profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you start doing odd jobs, check out these common questions:

What is the Most Common Odd Job?

Handling general home upkeep tasks is a common odd job. The responsibilities include fixing insulation problems, cleaning gutters, repairing walkways, etc.

It’s possible to do the upkeep for the current homeowners regularly or take a one-time job to prepare a house for sale.

Is Doing Odd Jobs a Good Side Hustle?

Yes, doing odd jobs can help you make extra money in your spare time. Some tasks can be challenging but fulfilling. Take the ones that involve elder care, for instance.

If you don’t like the typical maintenance and care work, consider other uncommon side hustles.