8 Most Popular Side Gigs with Younger Generations and How Much They Make
Over half (55%) of Gen Z and Millennial adults work a side hustle, according to a study by LendingTree.
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You may be surprised to learn that higher earners are more likely to work a side gig. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of young adults earning six figures have a side hustle, compared to 50% of those earning less than $35,000.
Hard work pays, no matter what the cynics on social media say. Of course, most side gigs pay based on the skill level of the work. As you consider adding a side hustle, keep the following ideas in mind.
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1. Babysitting
Even the youngest members of Gen Z can babysit outside of school hours.
It’s a tried and true side gig, and it’s easier than ever to find clients with apps like Bambino. As a marketplace, it adds transparency through two-way reviews, much like Airbnb or Turo.
Babysitters can earn $12-25 per hour on the platform — a nice haul for young people who love kids.
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2. Pet- and House-Sitting
Pet-sitting ranges from feeding and walking pooches to boarding them with you to staying at the owner’s home while they travel. Some homeowners don’t have pets at all but want someone to stay at their home while they travel, watering the garden, and picking up the mail.
Several online marketplaces, including TrustedHousesitters.com and Rover.com, help connect sitters with owners. Sitters often charge between $35-150 per night.
Some sitters use house-sitting to score free accommodations when they travel. Check out Nora Dunn’s blog, The Professional Hobo, about her experiences as a digital nomad, often staying for free in upscale accommodations.
3. Seasonal Adventure Jobs
Whether you dream of being a ski bum, a park ranger, or an adventure camp counselor, there are plenty of seasonal jobs that offer a healthy dose of fun.
Most just don’t pay well.
Check out CoolWorks or XanterraJobs to get a sense of what’s out there before you settle down to a nine-to-five.
4. Sell Class Notes
College students have to go to class and take notes anyway — why not get paid for it?
Platforms like Stuvia and StudySoup let you sell class notes, flashcards, exam prep, and the like for cold, hard cash. Stuvia claims its average sellers earn $76 a month, which won’t make you rich, but it also doesn’t cost you anything. Many sellers say the greatest benefit is higher grades because it forces them to up their note-taking game.
5. Tutor
An oldie-but-goodie, you can always tutor students to earn extra money.
Platforms like Wyzant connect students with tutors, who, according to ZipRecruiter, earn an average of $35 per hour. The best-qualified tutors who have advanced degrees or niche knowledge can earn several times that.
6. Moving Muscle
The young and fit can earn good money with their muscles by working as a mover.
Platforms like LaborJack and Dolly help people hire movers to haul boxes and furniture. As the person doing the literal heavy lifting, you can earn $30 or more per hour — and maybe even skip that expensive gym membership.
6. Daycare
Parents with young children often feel like they’re running a daycare already. Why not add a few more bodies and get paid to watch your kids?
Check out the WonderSchool platform to get help with everything from licensing to finding clients. Some daycare providers charge up to $1,500 per month for infant care, less for toddlers, and far less for after-school care.
7. Coaching or Refereeing
Some young adults would rather coach kids on the playing field. If you love both sports and kids, consider becoming a coach.
Don’t expect high pay, but you get to spend time outside doing what you love. Check out CoachUP to get started.
8. Website & Sales System Setup
Many online entrepreneurs have no idea how to create a WordPress site on their own. Or set up a Kajabi or ClickFunnels marketing funnel, or track conversions on per-per-click ads, or create social media accounts and marketing campaigns.
Hop on Upwork or Fiverr to help these small business owners set up their online ecosystem and earn up to $75 per hour or more.
Final Thoughts
These ideas should mark your starting point for brainstorming, not the finish line.
As a young person, you can earn extra with side hustles ranging from graphic design to freelance writing or editing to volunteering for clinical trials. Get creative with it, and most of all, have fun with it so you don’t get burnt out.
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