Whether you have a full-time job, a part-time job, or even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, a great way to supplement your income is to find a legitimate side hustle. An online side hustle, also known as a side hustle, is any type of paid work that you complete.
Most online side hustles offer more freedom than having a second job because they’re flexible and you usually get paid as an independent contractor. Plus, all you need is a computer, internet service, and often a cell phone.
The only problem you may encounter when looking for a side hustle online is finding a legitimate job. The internet is full of spam and scam sites, especially when it comes to finding paid work. Many sites promise high pay but the work you receive is not what is stated on the site.
For example, I came across a lot of kickback processing jobs that sound easy and are incredibly high paying. All of these jobs I looked at were about selling a service, getting people to sign up, and making money. You never actually process the kickbacks. These are the kinds of jobs you need to be careful of when looking for a side hustle online.
After searching for a good online side hustle, I found a few that are legitimate.
Below you’ll find a list of 32 legitimate online side hustles and where you can find open positions.
1. Freelance writer
Writers are in high demand: many website and blog owners don’t have the resources to create new content and therefore have to outsource it to freelancers.
If you are an expert in a particular field or have good writing skills, you can check out the following sites and start applying for jobs.
For a huge list of paid freelance writing jobs, check out this post.
2. Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants perform a variety of administrative tasks for small business owners. Duties can include scheduling, social media management, administrative tasks, bookkeeping, etc. Depending on your schedule, many virtual assistant jobs can be part-time or full-time and done when it suits your schedule.
Virtual assistant jobs have a wide range of potential hires. To find work, you can search blogs, check job sites, LinkedIn, and Facebook groups.
Here are some companies that hire freelance virtual assistants:
3. Graphic Designer
For the following side hustle ideas, you’ll definitely need the right skills to complete graphic design jobs, but many middle and high schools teach kids how to use programs like Photoshop. If you’re looking to tap into your creative side, starting a web design side hustle is a great way to get into the industry.
Here are some of the best places to look for graphic designer jobs online.
4. Customer Service Representatives
This online side hustle typically involves answering questions, helping customers with problems or complaints, and providing general product information. Most customer service representatives who work from home are required to work set hours and shifts. This side hustle doesn’t offer much flexibility, but you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Customer support jobs can be found on major job boards, LinkedIn, and company websites.
Here are some companies offering remote customer service positions:
5. Data Entry Clerk
Data entry work is a tricky area, as not only are there fraudulent data entry companies out there, but there are also many that will only pay you a few cents per document.
But it’s not all bad news: there are legitimate companies looking for people to enter data into their software systems. The best thing about these jobs is that they are easy to do and don’t require a lot of experience to get hired.
If you’re looking for data entry jobs you can do from home, consider these companies:
6. Complete short tasks
Short tasks are exactly what they sound like: small, one-off tasks that you complete to earn some cash. The micro jobs you can take on all depend on your skills and expertise, but they can include side hustles such as transcription, research, verifying information, content moderation, proofreading, translation, and more.
To apply for a short-term job, see below.
7. Transcription
If you have good typing and listening skills, transcribing audio clips into written documents is a great online side hustle you can do from home. As long as you’re fast and accurate at typing and can meet deadlines, transcription can be done anywhere, anytime. To transcribe, you’ll need a transcription foot pedal, headphones, transcription software, and a computer with an internet connection. According to ZipRecruiter, the average transcriptionist makes $20 an hour.
To find transcription jobs, see below.
8. Website Tester
If you’re tech savvy and love testing, applying for a website testing job is an easy and fast way to make money online. Many of these online side hustles require you to record and share your computer screen, so you’ll need a laptop with a built-in camera. The average pay for a website tester is $10 for a 5-20 minute test, but you’ll find some sites paying much more.
Does website testing sound like a fun side hustle? Then check out these sites:
9. Online Surveys
Surveys are one of the more unpopular side hustles because some take too much time for the amount you’ll be paid. But if you use reputable survey sites and only complete the surveys that are worth your time, you can make a little extra cash. In fact, one of the platforms Holly uses, Gauge Research, made $70 in one month from 7 surveys that took less than 10 minutes each to complete.
Want to make money taking surveys? Check out these legitimate companies:
10. Online tutoring
If you are a college student, a teacher, or have extensive knowledge of a particular subject, you can earn money through online tutoring. Many of these tutoring platforms allow you to log in whenever you want and work as much as you want. You just need to prove your educational background and expertise, and you need to enjoy working with students.
Here are some tutoring platforms that can help you make some extra money on the side.
11. Focus Group Participants
Focus groups are an easy way to make money on the side by giving your opinion on products, services, music, commercials, and more. On average, you can make $50-150 per hour participating in a focus group study. These market research studies come in many forms, including short surveys, one-on-one interviews, group studies, phone surveys, dairy surveys, and online surveys. Generally, the longer the study, the more money you can make.
Here are some focus groups to check out:
12. Translators
Are you fluent in multiple languages? Do you have excellent written and verbal communication skills? If so, put your knowledge to good use with a bilingual side hustle! Many companies need you to translate documents from one language to another and will pay you well. Alternatively, you can work as a phone interpreter. According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate for a freelance translator is $28!
Here are some companies to consider:
13. Start a print-on-demand business
If you’ve got a creative talent and want to make money selling products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, wall decor, and more online, there are lots of ways to get started. Best of all, many print-on-demand (POD) selling platforms let you set up your shop for free. Decide which POD selling platform you want to use, create your designs, price your shirts, and start promoting them online. One person who’s had success with this online side hustle is Jessica Roop of I Love Print on Demand. She makes an extra $500-1,500 each month selling POD products.
Want to make money selling t-shirts? Check out these platforms:
14. Teach English online
If you’re a native English speaker with good communication skills, you can make money tutoring other (non-native English speakers) online. Some companies require a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL or TESOL certification, while companies like Cambly don’t require any experience at all. Pay for this side hustle varies widely, but can range from $10 to $26 per hour.
To make money as an ESL teacher, check out these legitimate employment companies:
15. Proofreading and editing
If you have a good grasp of English and an eye for spotting spelling and grammar errors, proofreading and editing could be the perfect online side hustle for you.
Many companies that hire editors and proofreaders require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and often have to pass a timed proofreading exam before they can accept the job.
To find proofreading jobs, you can look on freelancing sites like Upwork and Guru, or browse popular staffing agencies like Kelly Services and Robert Half.
Here are some other places you can find proofreading and editing side jobs:
16. Closed Captioner
Closed captioning jobs are very similar to transcriptionist jobs in that you watch videos, TV shows, and movies and transcribe the audio into subtitles for the hearing impaired. Like transcription, you need to be proficient in the language you’re creating the subtitles in and be able to type quickly and accurately. You can find these jobs on freelancing sites and major career boards like FlexJobs and Indeed.
Here are some companies that regularly hire closed captioners:
17. Test graders
Although computers can tally the results of many tests, there are some tests that computers cannot grade, such as essays. If you’re looking for a side job to make some extra cash and have a college degree, try grading tests online. According to this site, test graders can earn an average of $10 to $20 an hour. Often, these remote positions are location-dependent, requiring on-site training.
Does this sound like an appealing side hustle? Check out these companies that are hiring:
18. Use your photography skills
Are you good with a camera? If so, you can make money online by selling photos to stock image sites. You’ll usually have to submit a few images to each site to demonstrate your abilities, but once approved, you can earn a commission for each photo you sell. Some platforms require you to sign exclusivity agreements, so be sure to read all the terms before joining.
Here are some reputable places to sell stock images online:
19. Online Teachers
If you have a teaching license or are an expert in a particular subject, you can make money teaching others a skill, profession, or topic online. Online teaching positions for grades K-12 require a degree and a teaching license, while other platforms, such as Outschool, don’t require formal teaching qualifications.
Read on to find out how you can earn extra money by teaching.
20. Become a mystery shopper
Does undercover shopping sound fun? That’s exactly what you can do as a mystery shopper! Your job may involve calling businesses and asking a series of questions or visiting the establishment in person and writing a review about your experience. Mystery shopping jobs vary greatly in compensation depending on how the job is completed (over the phone, through an app like Mobee, or in person). Often, part of the compensation is free goods, services, tickets, or meals out.
If mystery shopping sounds like a fun side hustle, apply below.
21. Sell products online
When was the last time you cleaned out your closet and took out the things you no longer wear? Dresses, jeans, shoes, shirts, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry – these items can be sold online for some extra cash. Some people even make it a full-time side hustle by finding cool vintage and designer items at thrift stores and garage sales, then reselling them online for quick cash.
If selling clothes and other products online sounds like your dream job, check out the following.
22. Become a mock juror
Do you love watching Law & Order? Then becoming a mock juror might be the perfect side hustle for you! Lawyers sometimes use mock jurors to test their arguments and different points of view before going to trial. Sessions usually take 20-60 minutes to complete and pay around $20-60.
To begin serving as a mock juror, apply by:
23. Social Media Manager
If you’re an avid social media user, you can make a decent income by managing, creating, and moderating social media accounts for business owners. As a social media manager, you can create content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, and more.
Want to earn some extra cash managing social media accounts? Check out these companies:
24. Search Engine Evaluator
Search engines like Google are constantly testing and adjusting their search results to ensure the best content appears when users search. To do this, they use search engine evaluators to evaluate search results. These roles don’t require formal experience, but they do require tech savvy, current affairs awareness, and attention to detail. The average hourly wage for this role is $17, and the hours are flexible.
To apply for these side jobs, see below:
25. Pet Sitter
If you’re an animal lover, you can earn some extra cash by offering pet sitting or dog walking services to dog owners. On-demand apps make it easier than ever to connect with pet owners who need your services. According to the Wag website, you can make an extra $500 a month by sitting dogs three times a week.
Here are some places to find pet sitting jobs:
26. Online stylist
Are you passionate about fashion? If so, you could work part-time from home as an online stylist. As an online stylist, you handpick clothing items for people who are too busy to go shopping for themselves. Most of these jobs don’t require a degree, just good customer service skills and a love of style and trends.
Here are some places that are hiring virtual stylists:
27. Content Creator
If you love creating content for sites like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and even Amazon, you can make a good side income as a content creator. Competition between these social media platforms is so fierce that most social media sites now have creator funds to incentivize creators and influencers to create high-quality content for their platforms.
Each platform has different criteria for joining the Creator Fund: TikTok, for example, requires you to be a resident of the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, or Italy, and have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the past 30 days.
The amount of money you can make also varies greatly. For example, if you’re on TikTok or Amazon, you can earn creator rewards or affiliate income from their shop features. Of course, you can also add sponsorships, ads, and selling your own products to make even more money as a content creator.
28. Rent online
Airbnb’s popularity has led other companies to follow suit with their rental business model. You can now rent out almost anything for a profit, from cars and spare rooms to sports equipment, swimming pools, pickleball courts, campers, RVs, and tools.
Wondering how much you can make with this online side hustle? It really depends on what you rent, how long you rent it for, and the total number of items you rent. This entrepreneur owns 61 rental properties and makes $431,000 a year traveling in a van. If you rent out pools, you can make over $5,000 a month with Swimply.
Check out this article to learn more about earning passive income through rentals.
29. SEO Specialist
SEO, also known as search engine optimization, is the practice of making online content popular in search engine results. This is done in a variety of ways, including keyword research, building backlinks, creating high-quality content, making your website load faster, and measuring results. If you know a lot about SEO, there are plenty of companies looking for your expertise. You can find online side jobs on sites like Study.com, MarketerHire, and Legiit.
This article provides detailed information on how to become an SEO specialist.
30. Earn money by driving
If you don’t mind getting out of the house, you can make some nice money working as a driver on the side!
These gigs involve delivering groceries, alcohol, pet supplies, people, and takeout food from restaurants. To earn money as a delivery driver, download the appropriate app, fill out an application, and wait for approval.
To qualify for these positions, you must pass a criminal background check, have an accident-free driving record, a valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance.As a rideshare driver, you can set your own schedule and quickly make a little (or a lot) of extra money.
If you’re interested in this type of online side hustle, here are some companies to check out:
31. Start a podcast
Podcasting can be a very lucrative side hustle. Take, for example, Alex Cooper of the Call Her Daddy Podcast, who signed a three-year, $125 million deal with SiriusXM. Of course, this is a super success story, but depending on how popular your podcast is, you could make some serious money from this online side hustle.
Starting a podcast requires in-depth knowledge of scripting, guest scheduling, interviewing skills, recording and editing skills, and of course, publishing and promoting your podcast on various platforms. If you’re not sure where to start or if this is the right online side hustle for you, check out Kristen Meinzer’s book, So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen. Kristin has hosted three different successful podcasts, and her book offers practical tips on taking your podcast from idea to production.
Just like bloggers, you can talk about a variety of topics and subjects and make money in a variety of ways, including affiliate marketing, selling your own products, sponsorships, advertising, and streaming deals.
32. Training AI tools
AI training jobs are very popular and plentiful right now. And best of all, you don’t need a lot of experience to get started. These flexible jobs require you to be tech savvy, detail oriented, and have good writing and research skills. These online jobs require you to take an initial assessment to determine if you have the skills required for the position. The short test can be difficult, so take your time, think through your answers, and give 100% of your attention to the job at hand. Companies like DataAnnoation Tech pay starting rates of $20 or more per hour for special projects. These are typically independent contract jobs where you can create your own schedule.
Earn extra income with online side jobs
As you can see, there are a lot of legitimate online side hustles. When you find a side hustle that interests you, take the time to properly research the company before revealing any personal information or accepting the job. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. There are a lot of scams online, but there are also a lot of legitimate online side hustles that you can do in your spare time.
One final thing to mention about these side hustle ideas is that most of them are independent contractor roles, so you’ll be responsible for self-employment taxes. Consulting with a tax or accounting professional can help you determine your financial responsibility as a 1099 worker.
What online side hustles have you done in the past? Leave a comment below and I’d love to hear how you make money online!
Originally published on December 30, 2014. Content updated August 2024.
