By
Justin Heller
From surging inflation to the influence of social media, we’re all under pressure to bring in more money. It’s no wonder the vast majority of Americans — nine out of 10 working Americans, in some studies — are pursuing side hustles to earn extra cash on top of their primary incomes.
The problem is that not all side hustles are equal, and some are not worth the time and effort required. Central to our mission at Steady is getting people on track with an income situation that works best for them, playing to their strengths, and earning proper compensation.
Now, let’s cut to the chase and pinpoint the highest-paying side hustles available, ranging from remote work opportunities to hands-on work in the real world.
People have various reasons for starting a great side hustle, from boosting savings to paying down debt to simply enjoying luxury goods. Here are the most lucrative ways to make money on the side in 2022.
Education remains one of the world’s largest industries, and people will pay top dollar for your expertise online or in person. Teaching English is the entry-level option here, and plenty of web-based companies will connect you with both domestic and abroad students.
The highest-paid educators narrow their teachings to a specialized niche and capitalize on in-person training, coaching, or digital courses with infinite scalability.
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Some of the best features of online teaching include:
Pay
Teachers aren’t known for huge incomes, but online education is different. Online tutors and coaches can make anywhere from $25 to $50 for a session and work from home.
Bottom Line
There will always be a place for educators, tutors, and trainers in this recession-proof industry. Take what you’ve learned from your career and teach it to others for profit.
High-performing entrepreneurs and businesspeople need assistants to organize their schedules and handle daily tasks precisely. Virtual assistants are paid well to stay organized and be available to take calls, complete forms, and coordinate tasks.
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Virtual assistant jobs offer you:
Pay
Entry-level VAs may earn between $10-$15 depending on references and experience. Remember you’re competing with overseas workers willing to accept lower wages. If you can differentiate yourself with attentive, personalized services, you can earn upward of $20/hr.
Bottom Line
Patience and organization will pay off as a virtual assistant. Don’t expect big payouts at first, but this can transform into a high-paying side gig with continued effort and networking.
Much of the B2C economy is now powered by social media, and knowledge of powerful platforms can earn you cash with a suitable business model. Demonstrate expertise and gain clients, boosting follow counts, user engagement, and conversions.
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When it comes to social media management, you can enjoy:
Pay
This side hustle is fully scalable, and you’ll be paid accordingly. When getting started, you can charge $50 per month per client, then work your way up. Top social media managers can make thousands per month and even start agencies, hiring others for limitless growth.
Bottom Line
You probably spend your spare time on social media anyways, so why not get paid? Plus, you will develop content creation, branding, and PR skills that can cross over into a day job in countless other fields.
The digital economy has come full circle, and we’re back to square one: reselling physical products. Sell what you own (clothes, electronics, collectibles), then start buying in bulk to sell at a profit. What begins as a side hustle can become a full-time business.
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Selling and flipping products can be a great way to make some extra cash, especially considering that:
Pay
Most casual sellers only earn a few hundred dollars per month, but there’s unlimited growth potential for those who apply the time and effort. Top sellers on eBay and Etsy make thousands per month, and there are plenty of eCommerce millionaires in today’s world.
Bottom Line
This is business in its purest form — find a product, make it available/accessible, and sell at a profit. Start small and execute effectively to take this side hustle to new heights.
Every homeowner or renter needs a hand from time to time, whether it’s cleaning, organizing, repairing, refurbishing, or assembling furniture. Use a combination of skills and strength to help people with their everyday projects and earn a nice sum for your efforts.
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Housecare and repair tasks give you the chance to:
Pay
Every task will pay out differently — the more unique and challenging, the better the pay. Cleaners can expect to earn around $14 an hour, while repairs and skilled labor can go for upwards of $30 to start.
Bottom Line
Master these skills and network correctly, and you’ll never be out of work. You can rise to the top of your field with good customer service and a pristine reputation.
Now that more than 50% of Americans own pets, this wide-reaching industry continues to grow. You can start a lucrative side hustle with some essential experience and networking as a dog walker, groomer, sitter, or combination thereof.
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If you start working in pet care and services, you can:
Pay
Dog walking or pet sitting can earn you $15+ ASAP, while specialized groomers and caretakers can earn more based on experience and reviews. A pet care business has no ceiling if you can build a client base and scale effectively, offering comprehensive services and consistency.
Bottom Line
If you love pets, this one is a no-brainer. Treat it like a business, and you can turn a simple side hustle into a full-time income before long.
In residential neighborhoods, trust is everything. Build that trust with a client base, and you can earn good money as a babysitter, nanny, housesitter, or above.
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Housesitting or babysitting jobs can introduce you to:
Pay
The average house sitting rate is around $25 and $50 for overnights. Add in children and pets, and you can easily earn more than $40 per hour. Families are also willing to pay more for short-notice service, so flexibility and consistency pay off here.
Bottom Line
This job is typically for younger people without family obligations, but it’s a great way to enter the workforce and learn the basics of business while making solid cash.
Freelancers are found across all industries, from freelance writing and proofreading to graphic design, video editing, voiceover work, computer programming, and much more. Take the skills you’ve mastered and work as a freelancer to maximize your side hustle income.
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With freelance work, you can:
Pay
First-time freelancers will likely need to accept low rates — under $15/hour in most cases — to get a foot in the door. But with consistent results, strong referrals, and a broad portfolio, you can earn beyond $30/hr within a year of work. From there, the opportunities are endless.
Bottom Line
The freelance economy is booming, and the flexibility and earnings potential makes this one of the best side hustles available. Pick your niche, double down, and turn your skills into extra income.
Are you tired of sorting through side hustles that don’t seem to fit? Download Steady and get personalized income recommendations from the app according to your preferences, lifestyle, skill set, and schedules.
Simply create an account, complete your profile, answer some questions, and Steady will provide the best side jobs in your area (or remote) based on your information. From there, you can track your income progress through Steady and earn extra cash for making smart money moves.
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Here are just a few of the best aspects of Steady:
Pay
Every opportunity offered through Steady pays differently, depending on the job itself. Income Boosters range from $5 to $70 or more, so explore all your options. Steady also offers referral bonuses, emergency cash grants, and sweepstakes to help you earn cash quickly.
Bottom Line
Few apps offer this much value for free, all in one place. Download the app, get your profile up and running, and connect with the side hustles that fit you best without the wasted time.
There are infinite ways to get started with a side hustle, and you should expect some trial and error. However, guides like this and features from Steady can put you on track to side hustle success in a far shorter timeframe.
Sources:
44 Profitable Ideas to Make Extra Money on the Side | Entrepreneur
9 in 10 Working Americans Have a Side Hustle | GoBankingRates
