9+ Best Top Side Hustles: Ranked & Reviewed [2023]

Imagine getting your latest paycheck only to find it barely covers your bills.

You don’t want to stress about money, so you decide to look into some top side hustles.

A side hustle can be a way to make more money.

If you choose the right one, you can use your skills to make money or even outearn your regular job income.

Read on to learn about the best side hustles to try.

At a Glance/Short Answer/Our Top Picks:

• Become a Freelance Writer: Our Pick
• Transcribe Recordings & Text: Runner-Up
• Delivery of Food & Passengers: Also Great
• Rent Your Home & Vehicles: Easy Money
• Tutor Students & Teach Online: Make a Difference (and Money)
• Sell Physical & Digital Goods: Create Something Unique
• Create a Blog: Get Paid to Share Free Tips
• Become an Influencer: Leverage Your Audience
• Give Tours & Other Experiences: Explore the World Around You

An Overview of Top Side Hustles

If you want to make an extra income or expand your skills, you should consider some of these top side hustles.

You can choose from many gigs and income streams based on your current schedule and preferences.

Consider the following details to choose the ideal side hustle for you.

What Is a Side Hustle?

The definition of a side hustle is that it’s something that allows you to earn extra money outside of your primary job or income stream.

You can work on your side hustle before or after your traditional work hours and on your days off.

Why Are Top Side Hustles Important?

Top side hustles are important because they’re either easy to get started with and/or can make you a decent amount of money once you get going.

Not all side hustles are ideal for all people, so the variety means you get to choose what makes sense for you.

The Best Top Side Hustles at a Glance

Whether you want to try common or uncommon side hustles, you should consider the best options.

That way, you’ll have a better chance of making a good income outside of your regular job, and you can choose something you like.

Criteria To Look for in Top Side Hustles

When comparing the top side hustles, you may find they all sound appealing.

However, the best choice for you may not be the same as for someone else.

Consider the following aspects when choosing your ideal side hustle.

1. Flexibility

First, you should consider when, where, and how you’ll do the work for your side hustle.

Some gigs require a set schedule, such as tutoring, while others are more flexible, such as blogging.

If you have a lot going on, you may need to start with a more flexible gig.

2. Costs

You also need to think about how much it will cost to start and maintain your side hustle.

Some expenses you might incur include gas and car maintenance, website hosting, or product inventory.

3. Income Potential

Of course, your income potential is also an important factor to look at.

Consider the average salary for side hustlers.

You should also think about how quickly you can expect to get paid since some paths, like blogging and influencing, don’t pay at all for a few months.

4. Your Skills and Interests

Don’t forget to determine what you’re good at and what you like doing.

Knowing those things is particularly important before you start a blog since you’ll have to do a lot of work for free.

Even if you want to tutor, you should know what subjects you’re best at and can help others with.

5. Future Goals

Finally, you might want to think about whether your side hustle will remain a side gig.

If you want to turn it into a full-time business, you’ll need to choose something that can scale.

Then, you’ll be able to meet your future income and lifestyle goals, or you can choose a better side hustle.

Best Top Side Hustles: Our Top 3 Options [Ranked & Reviewed]

As you compare the best side hustles, you should consider a few top choices.

Every side hustle and every hustler is a bit different.

However, the following gigs are fantastic for people who want to start making an extra income.

Become a Freelance Writer – Our Pick

Working as a freelance writer can be an amazing side hustle.

If you’re good at writing, this gig is relatively easy, and you can do it on your own time.

Companies That Offer Freelance Writer Work

If you can go through a few companies to help you get your first few projects.

• Upwork: On Upwork, you can find writing gigs and send proposals to the gigs that interest you. If a client wants to hire you, they’ll send a message, and you can communicate, negotiate pay and deadlines, and submit your work through the portal.
• Fiverr: Fiverr lets freelancers list their services. You can optimize your gig listing to show up in search results so that clients decide to buy from you. If you get into Fiverr Pro, you can charge more for your services.
• Freelancer: Another freelance platform for writers is Freelancer, and it works similarly to Upwork. You can apply to gigs that suit your interests and skills.

Pros of Becoming a Freelance Writer

• Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages is that you have a flexible schedule. As long as you meet your deadlines, you can work in the morning, evening, or at night, so it’s easy to fit into your busy schedule.
• Project-Based Pay: Many freelance writing gigs pay per word or project. As you gain experience, you can become more efficient and earn more without having to work more.
• Multiple Types of Writing: You can specialize in writing blog posts, copy, or other types of written content.

Cons of Becoming a Freelance Writer

• Inconsistent Income: You may not always have work coming in, which means you may not earn money regularly. That can make it hard to rely on your side hustle income as part of your budget.
• Low-Paying Projects: Some clients pay a penny per word or even less. At that rate, even the most efficient writer can’t expect to make a ton of money per hour.
• Not Passive: Freelance writing requires you to continue to write for clients to keep getting paid. That also makes it hard to scale your income without raising your rates and finding clients who are willing to pay more.

How Much You Can Make With Freelance Writing?

The average freelance writer can expect to make anywhere from $15 to $40 per hour.

Your exact rate depends on the type of writing you do and how much research is involved.

Conclusion: Should You Choose To Become a Freelance Writer?

You should become a freelance writer if you enjoy writing and are already good at it.

While you can learn, you may not make much money per hour if you’re slow.

Transcribe Recordings & Text – Runner-Up

If you’re good at listening, you may want to find some transcription jobs.

This side hustle can be very lucrative, especially as you get faster.

Companies That Offer Transcription Work

Consider the following companies to become a transcriber.

• ScribeAmerica: Get a remote job transcribing medical information and data. You can help doctors take and record notes for each of their patients.
• SpeakWrite: If you’re interested in the legal field, you can become a legal transcriptionist. This company also offers work in the fields of finance and insurance.
• TranscribeMe: You can transcribe audio from meetings, interviews, and other encounters. If you speak another language, you can also translate.

Pros of Transcribing Recordings & Text

• Variety: You can work for multiple companies to transcribe different types of audio. That way, every recording is different.
• Flexible: This gig allows you to work at your own pace and on your schedule. You can fit it into your current schedule.
• Learn New Things: As you listen to recordings, you may learn new things about the medical or legal world.

Cons of Transcribing Recordings & Text

• Requires Quiet: You need a distraction-free, quiet space so that you can listen to the audio and transcribe it accordingly.
• May Involve Repetition: Especially as a beginner, you can expect to listen over and over to ensure you accurately transcribe the file. That can increase the amount of time a project takes.
• Difficult Terminology: Medical and legal transcription may require you to transcribe terms that are difficult to spell. You should have some dictionaries on hand to find the right spelling.

How Much You Can Make Transcribing Recordings & Text

Beginner transcriptionists can expect to make about $15 to $25 per hour.

As you gain experience, you could earn an hourly rate of $30.

If you charge per minute of audio, you could make even more if you’re fast at transcribing.

Conclusion: Should You Choose Transcribing Recordings & Text?

You should go into transcription if you’re good at listening.

It also helps to have a quiet space to do your work.

Delivery of Food & Passengers – Also Great

If you want to do a side hustle that involves getting out of the house, consider food delivery or ridesharing.

You can deliver food and passengers to their destination, and you can explore your city.

Companies That Offer Delivery to Food & Passengers

The easiest way to start delivering food or driving passengers is with an app or two.

You can even combine apps to increase your earning potential.

• Uber/Uber Eats: Uber lets you drive people from place to place, but you can deliver food with Uber Eats. You’ll need a car in good condition, a license, and to meet other requirements.
• DoorDash: DoorDash is probably the most popular food delivery app. When you join, you can schedule your shifts. You’ll earn a base rate for each delivery and any tips customers give.
• Lyft: Lyft is another rideshare app that lets you pick up passengers. You can drive people to work, school, or the airport.

Pros of Delivering Food & Passengers

• Explore the City: You can learn about restaurants and neighborhoods you never knew existed. Then, you can try those places on your own time.
• Meet New People: If you’re an extrovert, you can chat with your passengers on the drive. You can learn about their lives and even make new friends.
• Make Good Tips: As a driver, you could make a good amount from tips. That can help increase your earning potential.

Cons of Delivering Food & Passengers

• Evenings and Weekends: The best time to drive to make a higher hourly rate is in the evenings and on weekends. If you want that time off, driving isn’t the best side hustle.
• Car Maintenance: You’ll need to spend more on gas and car maintenance. While you can write those off as expenses, they can still cut into your profits.
• Wait Time: You may waste a lot of time waiting at restaurants or in traffic, which can decrease your hourly rate.

How Much You Can Make Delivering Food & Passengers

The average hourly rate for delivery drivers is about $23 to $24 per hour.

Of course, earnings can vary based on the time of day you work, any tips you get, and where you live and work.

Conclusion: Should You Choose to Deliver Food & Passengers?

You should deliver food and passengers if you like getting out of the house.

It’s a good option if you like interacting with other people and exploring new parts of your city.

Notable Mentions: Notable Mentions: Other Top Side Hustles To Check Out

If none of the previous side hustle ideas appeal to you, there are more options.

You can choose a side hustle that’s cheap to start and easy to scale.

On the other hand, you can also invest more money into a potentially more lucrative gig.

Consider the following gigs and businesses you can start outside of work.

Rent Your Home & Vehicles

Renting a house or your car can be an excellent way to make extra cash.

You can use your current assets or invest in new ones to rent out, depending on how much money you currently have.

Why Is Renting Your Home & Vehicles a Great Option?

Renting your house is worth it because you can make some money when you head out of town.

You can also make sure your house is occupied to help ward off thieves.

If you rarely use your car, you can rent it out to help pay for gas, maintenance, and insurance.

Drawbacks to Renting Your Home & Vehicles

The most significant drawback to renting your home or car is the renter damaging it.

In the case of a car, they could also steal it and refuse to return it.

You also may need to pay for more insurance coverage, and you could have months with zero bookings.

How Much You Can Make Renting Your Home & Vehicles

If you rent your home through Airbnb, you can expect to make about $13,800 per year.

Your earnings will depend on where you live, how much you charge, and how many days or nights your home or vehicle is booked out.

Tutor Students & Teach Online

If you enjoy teaching, you can tutor students and teach online.

You can use platforms such as Outschool to find students, or you can connect with local parents and teachers to find clients.

Another great tool is word of mouth, so you can get clients to refer more students to you.

Why Is Tutoring Students & Teaching Online a Great Option?

Tutoring and teaching online is an excellent option because you can work wherever.

As long as you have an internet connection, you can use a video chat tool.

You can also offer private or small group sessions based on what you teach, which could help increase your earnings.

Drawbacks to Tutoring Students & Teaching Online

Probably the most obvious drawback to teaching online is that technology can fail.

You or your students could have a poor internet connection, which makes it hard to teach or learn.

If you teach young kids, you can also struggle to keep them engaged over video chat.

How Much You Can Make With Tutoring Students & Teaching Online

The average tutor makes about $23.50 per hour.

Your exact earning potential depends on where you live, what you teach, and your credentials.

It also depends on if you teach private students or small groups because you can make more teaching a few people at once.

If you use a tutoring platform, you’ll need to consider any fees they take out.

Sell Physical & Digital Goods

Another amazing way to make some extra money is to sell physical and digital goods.

Physical products include things like clothing, books, and technology.

Digital goods cover things like eBooks, courses, and other downloads.

Why Is Selling Physical & Digital Goods a Great Option?

Selling products is an excellent way to make money because you have a flexible schedule.

If you sell digital items, it can become passive.

All you do is make the product once, and you can sell it over and over.

Drawbacks to Selling Physical & Digital Goods

You have to choose and produce the right product before you make any money.

That means you need plenty of time and cash to get this sort of side hustle up and running.

If you choose physical products, you also need to have space for inventory and time to ship the items.

How Much You Can Make With Selling Physical & Digital Goods

The average profit margin for physical product sales is about 10%.

However, you can make much more from digital products, sometimes as much as hundreds or thousands of dollars per sale.

As long as you choose the right product to sell, your income potential is unlimited.

Create a Blog

If you enjoy writing but don’t want to do it for clients, you can create a blog.

Choose a topic you enjoy but that you can also use to make money from ads, affiliate marketing, and your products.

You can also charge for sponsored posts and work with content brands.

Why Is Creating a Blog a Great Option?

Starting a blog is an amazing side hustle because you get to control what content you create.

You can choose a profitable niche and start posting articles regularly.

Once you start getting traffic, you can monetize with ads and affiliate links, so it can become very passive.

Drawbacks to Creating a Blog

Creating a blog that you use to make money isn’t free, so you need to pay for a domain and hosting.

You also need to be willing to work on your blog for at least a year before you make any money from it.

Once you start making money, you might not make that much, so you need to be patient.

How Much You Can Make by Creating a Blog

Some bloggers make nothing or very little from their blogs.

However, others can make six or seven figures a year.

On average, bloggers make about $50,000 per year.

Your income potential depends on how much traffic you get, your blog topic, and how you monetize it.

Become an Influencer

If you like creating written and video content, you may want to become an influencer.

You can build a following on social media or your website.

Then, you’ll use your following to generate income.

Why Is Becoming an Influencer a Great Option?

Being an influencer is an excellent choice because you can be creative with your content.

Plus, your income will usually increase along with the size and engagement of your audience.

You can choose a topic you enjoy, and you can start creating content in that niche for free.

Drawbacks to Becoming an Influencer

Similar to starting a blog, you can’t expect to make much money as a new influencer.

You need to spend months or years growing an audience.

Even then, you need to post new content consistently to maintain your following and income.

You also have to stay on top of trends and algorithm updates to make sure your content is engaging.

How Much You Can Make With Becoming an Influencer

Sponsored posts are going to pay the most, and you can make about $1 for every 100 followers you have.

That means an influencer with 10,000 followers will make about $100 per post.

But you can also make money from affiliate links, ads, and merch.

Give Tours & Other Experiences

Plenty of the top side hustles don’t require an audience.

You can give tours and other experiences to tourists when they visit your city.

It’s a great way to get out of your house and interact with your community.

Why Is Giving Tours & Other Experiences a Great Option?

Giving tours allows you to show visitors what there is to do where you live.

It can be a particularly good choice for people in areas with a lot of tourists.

However, you can also give tours to new residents, college students, and locals.

Drawbacks to Giving Tours & Other Experiences

Giving tours and other experiences requires you to work on a set schedule.

You can’t just decide you want to work when you have extra time.

You’ll probably need to work evenings, weekends, and perhaps on major holidays.

How Much You Can Make by Giving Tours & Other Experiences

Tour guides make about $22 per hour on average.

Your income will depend on where you live, how long the tour is, and if you work for a company or start your own tour guide business.

Of course, your income will also vary based on how many hours you work.

Other Jobs Relevant to Top Side Hustles

As you look at the top side hustles, you may wonder what other options you have.

If you don’t want to start your own thing, you may look at side jobs.

Many side jobs are different from side hustles but offer similar benefits.

Consider the following gigs.

• Same Day Pay Jobs: If you need money immediately, look for jobs with same-day pay. Then, you won’t have to wait weeks or months to earn your first dollar outside of work.
• Best Gig Jobs: The best gig jobs offer just as much flexibility as a side hustle. However, they may provide more consistent work and income, and they pay per task rather than per hour.
• Freelance Jobs: Some people only work freelance jobs and earn a full-time income doing it. You can freelance as a side hustle as well, and you generally have more control over when and where you do your work.

Frequently Asked Questions

The top side hustles can help you increase your income to pay bills or save for the future.

If you still have questions about these hustles, here’s what you should know.

Do side hustles pay weekly?

Some side hustles pay weekly, but it depends on the platform or company you go through.

For example, freelance writing platforms pay as soon as the client approves your work.

However, bloggers and influencers can expect to wait as long as two months to get paid.

How can I make an extra $3,000 per month?

If you want to make an extra $3,000 per month, you’ll need to do a lot of hustling.

Be sure to consider higher-paying or scalable side hustles.

Writing, influencing, and blogging can get you there if you’re patient and willing to look for high-paying clients.

Wrapping Up

Choosing from the top side hustles is crucial if you need to make extra money.

You can find a side hustle that works for your schedule and uses your skills.

Be sure to consider hustles like freelance writing and transcription.

That way, you can get some money in your pocket right away.

However, it doesn’t hurt to start a blog or become an influencer so that you can make more in the future.

Either way, try a few side hustles to see which suits you best. Use this list to narrow your choices and get started.