Tom NathanielSometimes, your full-time (or part-time) job may not be enough.
Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash and/or to pay down some debt, whatever your reasoning may be, let it be known that there are a ton of ways to make some cash with a second job.
In this guide, I wanted to talk about the many flexible jobs you can apply for that can make you some decent money on the side. That’s right, almost 99% of the jobs I’m about to mention allow you to work at your own pace, simply meaning you don’t have to put your full-time job in jeopardy. And, the best part is that most don’t even require experience. Most are designed for all.
Don’t expect to get rich with these ideas; rather, picture it as a way to add $100+ to your weekly paycheck. If you’re looking to get rich, this isn’t the guide to consider, sorry!
If you want a second job, then here are more than 40+ ideas you may want to consider…
42+ Second Job Ideas for Full-Time Workers
TIP: Most of the jobs I mention below allow you to work at your own pace, simply meaning you turn on an app and start working according to the hours you want. However, this isn’t always the case. If so, be sure to check out the guidelines with both your company as well as the second job option to see if it can work nicely together. The last thing that you would want to have to happen is get fired due to your second job pickup.
Work With Research Companies
This option won’t make you rich. In fact, it won’t even come close to your full-time income, but I just want to mention it here as it is a great way to make $100 to $300+ per month, sometimes much more. It really depends on how often you work and who you work with.
If you don’t mind answering questions and getting rewarded for doing so, then you could start in as little as five minutes. Yes, it’s as simple as it sounds and you can start working almost now. Most approve you almost immediately.
Below, I mention a few companies I have talked about so many times before.
These companies are 100% legit, can sometimes pay more than $20+ per survey, sometimes much more. I use a good chunk of these and can easily make $300 a month.
Granted, these are just a few of the many research companies online. There are a ton of them, many of which I posted in my 80+ research companies to consider.
If you want to make money right now and don’t mind sitting at your computer answering some simple questions, then it’s something to at least consider. Play around with a few of the companies mentioned and see which ones work best for you as they all vary. And, yes, you can sign up with as many as you like!
Uber or Lyft Driver
Turn your car into a taxi with Uber and/or Lyft. Yes, you can work with both if you so choose.
As long as you don’t mind driving strangers around in your car and love driving, it could be a gig for you.
All you need to do is turn on your app, accept the jobs as they come in and get paid as you complete them. You get to work when you want.
As time goes on, you can learn about strategies to maximize your income. For example, you may find it more lucrative to sit outside a stadium when an event gets out. Some may find it best to avoid the college towns and so forth. This topic can be left for another day. Depending on where you live, you could gross upwards of $25+ an hour, sometimes much more during a popular event.
To be eligible, you must be 21+ years old, pass a background check and own a car that meets the requirement, usually not being older than 10+ years.
Deliver Food on Demand
Don’t like the idea of strangers sitting in your car?
That’s fine as you can deliver food around town and make as much as Uber/Lyft in some cases. This, however, depends on where you live and when you work. If you were to work during the dinner rush and you lived in a busy city, then it wouldn’t be hard to make $20+ an hour gross.
Like Uber and Lyft, the companies I mention below work in a similar way. Some require you schedule yourself, usually in small one-three hour blocks, whereas some apps allow you to turn on as you please. Nonetheless, they all let you work at your own pace as you can always drop your blocks if you can’t make it.
If you like the idea of delivering food, consider the following companies as they are available in most cities nationwide:
Most of these apps require that you’re at least 18-21+ years old and pass a background check to get started.
NOTE: Don’t want to deliver on demand? Consider delivering for a local pizza joint. This can guarantee you hours and pay you just as much as the apps, sometimes much more.
Deliver Groceries
Yes, aside from food and people, you can also deliver groceries if you so choose.
Like delivering food, there’s no need to worry about people inside your car as the only interaction you will have is when you drop off the groceries. All you need to do is accept the job, shop for the food at the designated grocery store and then deliver it.
Instacart and Shipt are two of the bigger options, most of which are located across the United States, but there are other apps that work like Instacart, too. Depending on where you live and when you work, it appears the average shopper makes $18 to $25 an hour.
TaskRabbit
The massive website/app, TaskRabbit, deserves its own subsection as it’s a great option to do just about anything on the side.
From assembling furniture for someone to picking up some items at the store, it’s something to consider if you don’t mind doing odd jobs for someone else. There’s a lot to do!
How does it work?
You can browse the most recent job postings and apply to the ones you feel you’re qualified for. From there, if the requester is interested in your services, they can chat with you, similar to that of a text message. Keep in mind that some do require a skill, such as carpentry, painting, etc, so you may not qualify for all. Even if you do apply and have no experience, you will find most requester will reject your proposal.
You get to pick out the jobs and set your rate. You even get to let them know when you can show up, making for a very flexible gig.
Again, depending on where you live and what kind of job you complete, you can easily earn $20 to $50+ per hour in your free time.
Become a Freelance Writer
If you want to work from home and at your own pace, consider becoming a freelance writer. And, no, you don’t need experience nor do you need to be the best at spelling and grammar. I mean, look at my writing. It’s not the best, but I have made money as a freelance writer in the past.
Whether you want to work on demand and write what someone tells you to or you want to find the clients yourself, I have written a few guides in the past, all of which I link below:
Take a gander at these lists as there are a ton of places that want to hire you right now, no matter what kind of experience you have.
Even as a rookie, you can still make $10+ per hour and get started as early as tomorrow. As long as you can put your thoughts into words and create a legible piece, someone will want to hire you, I promise you that!
Transcription
Similar to that of writing, transcription can be much easier to some as you just type what you hear. The only difference is that you will need to type at least 45+ words per minute to be considered as a candidate for most companies. Speed is the name of the game and can greatly influence your hourly rate. The faster you type, the more you can make.
I researched this very topic in the past and found more than 100 companies that are hiring transcriptionists right now. Many are in the medical field, but you can find other industries as well such as transcribing TV captions or lawyer notes, to name a few.
The great thing about this job is that you can work whenever you want, and since you’re considered an independent contractor, you can work as many hours as you please. If you’re thinking about doing this but feel you don’t have the experience, there are a ton of free transcription training courses out there.
Customer Service Rep
Do you like to talk on the phone? Do you like to help people?
Do you want to work from home?
If you’re answering yes, then let it be known that there are so many companies that are hiring at-home customer service reps right now. From the powerhouses like LiveOps to even Apple, I talked about more than 50+ companies that want to hire you.
Some require that you stick to a schedule, whereas a lot of these options let you work at your own pace, seeing they classify you as an independent contractor.
Most positions pay $9-$15+ per hour and even offer bonuses in some cases. Refer to my massive list to see who’s hiring right now.
Data Entry
Don’t want to talk over the phone, but you want to work at home?
Well, you’re in luck as there are even more opportunities, such as data entry gigs. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of work, it involves taking data from one source and typing it into a program. For example, you may have to type in what’s on a postcard into a database.
It’s yet another topic I wrote about, so if you’re interested, I talked about multiple companies that may want to hire you.
Data entry work doesn’t pay a ton, but it shouldn’t be too hard to earn at least $10~ per hour with the right company.
Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping is a very fun gig you can do any time you please. In fact, it could make for a wonderful opportunity as you’re heading home from work since you often have to do jobs at local retailers/restaurants. If you pick out the companies along your route, it’s a great way to maximize your time.
It’s a topic I have mentioned a ton of times. In fact, I researched more than 75+ mystery shopping companies hiring right now. I even talked about telephone mystery jobs and ways to test drive cars for cash as well.
In short, as a mystery shopper, you will shop undercover, answering questions while doing so. Companies use mystery shoppers to help improve their customer service as well as make sure employees are doing as they are told.
The cool thing about it is that you often get reimbursed for your purchases and paid for doing it. Most jobs can pay anywhere from $5 to $50+ each, with reimbursements as high as $100!
If you like to shop and even eat out, then consider it as a way to make some money on the side outside of your full-time job.
Freelance
Freelance is a broad term, I know, but there has to be something that you’re good at. Whether it’s writing, graphic arts or even becoming a virtual assistant, I know there’s something you can offer to make some cash online. Whenever I mention freelancing, I like to post this graphic as it gives you insight as to how many types of jobs are out there…
Even if you don’t know where to start, you can use many of the popular freelance platforms out there, such as Upwork, to help your clients who need your expertise. It will be your job to bid on the job aggressively and let them know what you can do for their project. Aside from bidding on jobs, you can even create a profile so that potential clients can contact you as well.
Freelancing can take some time at first to get your first job, but over time, as you prove yourself and gain ratings, you can start to see a steady income pour in. Depending on what skills you offer, it’s not unheard of to earn $10 to more than $100+ per hour for your time.
Freelancing deserves its own post, so for now, I recommend one of my favorite books, The Freelancer’s Bible. It’s a fantastic low-cost resource that teaches you the ropes to succeed.
Sell Gigs on Fiverr
This kind of ties in with freelancing, but I wanted to mention it here since the platform is huge.
If you’re unfamiliar with Fiverr, it’s basically a platform where you can sell just about anything (as long as it’s legal, of course!). It could take some work before you see your first order, but once you gain ratings and move up the ranks in the search results, you could make a nice side income.
Take a look at the website and see what kind of services are being provided right now. If you feel you can offer something better, consider at least setting up a listing to see if you get any bites.
Download The Fiverr Master Class to learn the secrets of the six-figure sellers.
Teach English
If you have a bachelor’s degree and a knack for teaching, then you may want to consider teaching the English language to Chinese children overseas. The average tutor makes $16 to $25 per hour and these companies do the dirty work for you, helping connect you with students who need your help.
Some of your bigger options include VIPKid and QKids, but there are more, most of which I cover in my 31+ best online ESL jobs. Be sure to check it out if you like the idea of teaching online.
All of these companies work in the same way, wherein you can work whenever you please. The only downfall, however, is that you will have to work on China time, which means either very early and/or late hours. This depends on where you live.
You just need a laptop/desktop, microphone and some teaching experience to get approved.
Tutor
Don’t want to teach English to the Chinese?
That’s fine as there are multiple platforms that work much like the ESL options mentioned prior. The only difference is that you’re teaching a subject you love, such as math, science, etc.
Of course, you will need experience, a degree (most of the time) as well as the ability to pass a skills test, but there are many platforms you can take advantage of, most of which you can view in my 20+ best online tutoring companies guide.
Depending on where you teach and which platform you use, you can earn anywhere from $20 to $30+ per hour.
Test Proctor
If you have the weekends free, consider applying as a test proctor. This job won’t be flexible, but it could be steady weekend/night-time work. Plan on making $14~ an hour if choosing this line of work as a second job.
As a test proctor, it will be your duty to match the IDs with the test takers as well as keep track of time. You will also watch over the room to ensure no one is cheating. Picture yourself as the teacher your remember in high school.
To find this job, I recommend using Indeed and just use the term “test proctor” to see what comes up. Depending on where you live, you may find a few opportunities.
Create an Online Course
Like the idea of teaching, but don’t want to tutor or commit to a schedule?
If you feel you have a skill you can teach to others, consider creating a course on Udemy and/or Teachable. Set a price and then market it appropriately.
It could take some time to see some revenue come in, but like the many options I mentioned on here, it could pay off dividends once it takes off.
Take a look at the sites mentioned and see which courses people are teaching. If you can feel you can add something of value, consider creating a course!
Write an Ebook
Today, it’s easier than ever to create your very own eBook.
The Kindle Direct Publishing platform, for example, gets your book on Amazon within 24 to 48 hours and no publisher is required. Just write as you would, format it and then publish it.
You get to control the prices and write as you wish, but like anything, there needs to be demand and you need to market it appropriately.
TIP: Produce an audiobook as well to increase your earnings.
Translator
Know more than one language?
If so, you may want to consider translating written documents or even helping someone translate a conversation.
Yes, it’s another topic I covered as I have written about more than 38+ companies hiring online translators right now.
Depending on the language you know, it’s not too hard to earn more than $25+ per hour.
Proofreader
Rather read and find errors than write?
If you know English grammar and consider yourself to be a great speller, then becoming a proofreader may be something to consider.
This job often requires a lot of experience and education in some cases, but let it be known that online proofreading jobs are available.
To learn more about what companies are hiring proofreaders as well as how you can become one, I did write about more than 60+ companies that are often hiring online.
Search Engine Evaluator
A search engine evaluator is another very popular job that can be done from home, all in your spare time.
As an evaluator, it will be your job to research search results and assess the accuracy in answering very simple yes/no questions.
Appen and Lionbridge are two of the major companies almost always hiring. To learn more about these two companies work as well as the job in itself, you can view my search engine evaluator guide to see how you can make $14+ an hour in your spare time.
Walk Dogs
I talked about this very topic in the past and found that there are quite a few ways to walk dogs and make some cash in the meantime.
Rover is one of the larger options, but the biggest difference, in comparison to the other options mentioned here, is that you will need to create your own profile and sell yourself. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to turn on an app and then work as you please. Instead, you will have to treat it like a side business.
Depending on where you live and how good of a worker you are, I have read that the average part-time dog walker can earn $100 to $150+ a week, sometimes much more.
If you love dogs and want to walk some before and/or after work, it’s an option to consider.
Pet Sitting
Staying on the pets topic, you can also consider opening up your home to other pet owners. In some cases, you can stay at their house as well.
Depending on how many pets you watch, it’s not to hard to make $50+ for the night, sometimes more if other work is involved.
If you love pets and don’t mind “babysitting” them, check out these 11 websites that can help you find someone who needs a pet sitter right now.
Babysitting
If you love kids, consider nannying or babysitting in your free time as many parents often need someone while they go out on a date night, etc. This is a very popular second job opportunity.
There are plenty of platforms you can use to find parents who need your help right now, such as Sittercity, Care.com and Urban Sitter. Some of these websites allow you to apply to jobs, whereas others may ask you to create a profile, in which local parents can search
Depending on where you live, some babysitters can make north of $15-$20 per hour.
Rent out Your Car
Turn your car into a cash machine when it’s not being used.
Yes, just like a car rental agency, you can list your car on popular websites, such as Turo and Getaround, to help rent out your car to others for up to $50+ per day.
I know the idea can sound scary, but I can offer a few tips to hopefully ease your mind.
For one, these companies offer a hefty liability policy in case something goes wrong. And, secondly, you get to meet the person who’s going to rent your car, which means they can put a face to the car. When they drive it around, they know they are driving a personal car rather than a corporate-owned vehicle. This makes people drive a lot differently.
It’s a great way to make money while doing nothing and put up to $2,000+ in your pocket for the year.
Craigslist Gigs
I have mentioned this tip a few times, such as in my creative ways to pay off student loans and movie extra jobs posts.
On Craigslist, look for the “Gigs” section. It will look something like this…
In this section, you can find a wide variety of jobs for the day, from moving to even helping a special event for the day. You never know what you can find.
While you will have to get hired for the job, there could be a ton you can at least apply to, but this will depend on where you live.
Temp Work Agency
This work sort of like the Craigslist Gigs option, but it’s a pinch different as you will work with an agency.
What’s known as a “temp agency,” these companies can help you find both temporary or full-time work, generally based on your skills and availability. Just let them know what you can do and they will see what they have in their network.
Check out some of the bigger name agencies, such as Manpower and Kelly Services, but you can find many more local to your zip code. Just search Google to see what’s available.
If interested in a temporary gig in your area of expertise, contact a few agencies to see what they can do for you.
Amazon Mechanical Turk
If you want to work at your own pace from home, whenever you wish, then you should at least take a look at Amazon Mechanical Turk, commonly referred to as MTurk in the online money-making communities.
In short, as a “Turker,” you will make your money by completing small tasks, which pay anywhere from $0.01 to $0.25+. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but as you get good at using the platform, you can easily complete 50+ an hour, sometimes many more.
From reading a receipt to answering surveys, there are always thousands of jobs available. You get to choose which jobs you want to complete and can work whenever you want.
Don’t expect to get rich using this platform, but I don’t see why you can’t make at least $200 to $500 a month if you work part time.
Sell Handcrafted Goods on Etsy
If you’re the crafty type, you may want to think about opening an Etsy storefront. As long as you’re making something “handmade,” then you should have no problem selling it.
Today, Etsy is one of the largest resources for selling handmade goods, but there are many Etsy alternatives I have written about in the past as well.
Rent out Your Room on Airbnb
If you don’t mind strangers coming into your home, consider renting out a room on Airbnb.
It’s not much of a job, per se, with the exception of managing bookings and cleaning up afterward, but it could net you $20-$50+ a night.
Airbnb pays out 24 hours after a guest checks in, putting your mind at ease to know you’re not getting scammed by someone staying in your home.
Answer Questions on JustAnswer
JustAnswer pays you to answer questions incoming from their visitors.
You will need to prove your expertise before you’re able to do so, but it could be something to consider.
Right now, some of the most popular topics include medical, law and information technology, but there are many more to consider as well.
Restaurant Server
This one won’t be as flexible as the many listed here, but it could provide consistent hours and a lot of cash, especially if you work the nights and weekends.
No matter where you live, restaurants are always looking for servers, usually for the night and weekend shifts. Even if you don’t have the experience, some restaurants may be willing to give you a shot as long as you have some sort of customer service experience.
According to PayScale, the average waiter makes $6.32 an hour, but this doesn’t include your tips, which can soar your hourly rate to more than $25+ on a busy night.
To find a server gig, I highly recommend checking out Craigslist or even Indeed to see what’s available in your area.
Bartender
Like a restaurant server, I wanted to include the bartender option as well as this could be the perfect second job gig, especially if you work a 9-5.
As most demand is needed at night, just working the weekends alone can yield $300 to $600 easily. And, as long as you don’t mind working late night hours and can mix a drink, you will find quite a few jobs in your area.
And, no, not all restaurants require that you have a certification; rather, they just want you to know how to mix the most popular drinks. You can easily teach yourself with a cheap book found on Amazon.
To find a bartender gig, much like the server option, I highly recommend checking out Craigslist or even Indeed to see what’s available.
Become a Catering Server
Catering companies often work odd hours, so it’s hard for them to have a staff. Instead, they often have servers on demand whenever a party pops up.
Like a restaurant server, it will be your job to serve the food, clean up the tables and help the guests in any way you can.
You won’t get a schedule, but 99% of your jobs will be during the nights and usually on the weekends.
To find a caterer to put your name on the list as a potential employee, search Indeed or even consider reaching out to local catering companies.
Fitness Instructor
A lot of times, your local gyms are always on the lookout for gym instructors to help teach a class. Some may pay you by the hour, whereas some will give you a cut of who signs up for your class. It depends on the gym you’re applying to.
The nice thing about being an instructor is that you can work any hours throughout the week, usually being able to choose when you want to work throughout the week. Keep in mind, however, that some may require you to be certified.
As long as you feel you have the experience and confidence to teach a class, reach out to some local gyms and/or check out Indeed to see who’s hiring in your area.
House Cleaner
Working as a freelance house cleaner could help pad your bank account.
Even if you don’t know where to find clients, you can always start with Care.com, where plenty of people often ask for help. You can also post ads on Craigslist or even the Nextdoor app to see if anyone is interested.
Yes, cleaning houses is hard work, but once you prove yourself, people love to brag about their cleaner, which could mean more work for you.
Simple Landscaping Work
From mowing lawns to shoveling snow in the winter (if you get snow), this could make you some nice cash on the side. It’s one of the many options I mentioned in my cash-paying only jobs guide.
I know it sounds like a job you would recommend to a kid, but there’s money in it for an adult as well.
Post ads on Craigslist, let neighbors know you’re available for hire on a local Facebook group or even create a small business.
People have lawns, and they need them maintained. Use it to your advantage to make as much as you can.
Become a Photographer and/or Sell Your Photos
Whether you want to sell your photos or take photos for others, becoming a photographer on the side is a very popular side hustle.
The great thing about photography is that you don’t need a four-year degree. You just need to know the basics and have an eye for a great shot. The hard part is marketing yourself.
But, like anything, the minute you gain some happy clients, the word should spread and you will soon find yourself with more work than you could imagine.
Start a Blog and Earn Endless Cash
This one can take some time, but you could work at it anytime you have the time to do so.
Talking about blogging would take me tens of thousands of words, but in short, here’s the gist of it. Find a topic, research the keywords that are not competitive and then write on the said topic. In these posts, link out to affiliate offers and implement ads such as Google Adsense. There’s more to it, of course, but hopefully, it gives you an idea.
I must warn you, though, that if you go this route, it could take you 12-18 months before you even see $100 a month. It’s a slow game, but it could pay off huge in the future.
For now, I don’t have much about blogging on this website, but I plan to add guides in the future. For now, check out some of my favorite FREE resources such as Authority Hacker, the Ahrefs blog, QuickSprout and the guys over at Income School. You can find a ton of information as to how to get started in this field for next to nothing.
Create Videos on YouTube
YouTube has just as much potential as blogging, maybe even more.
If you don’t want to write, consider creating videos on a topic you’re interested in and start a channel. Hey, you can even combine these YouTube videos with a blog as well.
Like blogging, it can take some time to see success, but it can come with the right topic, personality and perseverance.
To learn more about how to succeed, I would browse YouTube itself as there are hundreds of videos to help you edit, market and succeed.
Flip Items
No, I’m not talking about the act of flipping something over; rather, it’s the act of finding something cheap and then selling it for a profit.
What’s known as “flipping,” it will be your job to head to a local retailer or even a thrift store to see what you can find. It can take some work at first, but once you get to know what sells well and where you can find it, it’s a fun way to earn a few hundred dollars in your spare time.
I have talked about the act of flipping briefly, such as in my how to flip cars for a profit, but I didn’t talk about items much. For now, check out the many highly rated YouTube videos or even the flipping subreddit on Reddit. These free resources can teach you the ropes and help you start making a few dollars on the side.
Get a Part-Time Job
It’s obvious, but hey, I want to include every option imaginable.
Use Indeed to your advantage, but make sure you select “part-time” jobs only. Browse through the options in your area and see if any fit your needs.
No matter where you live, you should be able to find at least a few options you can apply to.
Final Thoughts
If you want a second job, there’s no excuse as to no being able to find one. As you can see, there are so many ways to make money on the side.
While a lot of these options won’t match your full-time income, some may be able to over time, such as freelancing or even starting your own blog. I can’t stress it enough; it depends on how hard you work at it!
For now, take a look at the many options and research them more depth. I have already covered many of these options, so at least check out the guides I have created to help get you started in that field.
In the meantime, if I’m missing any options (which I’m sure I am), you’re always welcome to comment below.
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