15 Side Jobs to Make Extra Money

A side job is work that you pursue alongside another, usually more structured or stable, job or degree programme. Side jobs can vary greatly, from gig economy work that provides cash when you need to cover an emergency expense to remote jobs with flexible hours. Taking on a side job is, well, extra work, so it requires plenty of motivation and time management skills. 

People who want a side job tend to find motivation by earning extra money. They may feel that they aren’t earning enough in their day job. Others may want to pay off student loans or credit card debt more quickly, save up for a house or another big purchase, or have extra funds to travel frequently. More ambitious individuals may want to strengthen a skill in hopes of turning it into a side hustle or even starting a small business.

Discover 15 side jobs to help you make extra money. Whether you want to start today or make a plan to monetise a hobby, you have plenty of options to consider. 

Choosing the right side job

When it comes to choosing the right job for you, think about why you want (or need) to work. Your reason, as well as your availability in terms of time, resources, and skill set, can help you decide what to pursue. Discover three types of side jobs to choose from:

• Gig economy work is performing a series of tasks, usually through an app or website, in which you create your own hours. Just sign up for the app, log in, and request a task.

• Part-time work is completing shifts assigned weekly or with a fixed schedule, typically less than 40 hours per week. This may also involve transforming a hobby into a service or form of entertainment.

• Remote freelance work is providing a service for a client that tends to include industry-specific skills. This type of work tends to be on a freelance or contractual basis. These side jobs are typically remote so that you may do them from home or anywhere with an internet connection.

These categories may help determine what kind of side job suits your current needs. You may decide that you’d like to develop additional skills to achieve your goals.

Side job vs side hustle

Side jobs and side hustles are similar and are sometimes used interchangeably.

You can pursue a side job alongside a stable job or whilst attending school, out of financial need or creative desire, or to fill up time productively.

A side hustle is a small business that you start in addition to continuing a more secure job. Side hustlers might intend to quit their day jobs to run their small businesses in the future.

Gig economy side jobs

According to the International Labour Organisation, the number of gig and platform workers could reach 23.5 million globally by 2029-2030 [1]. The gig economy includes transportation-based services, professional services (micro-versions of design, coding, and other administrative tasks), handmade goods or household services, and asset-sharing services such as Airbnb. Due to the growing need for such services, gig economy work can be quite lucrative. Explore a few examples of popular gig economy jobs:

1. Rideshare driver

Average hourly IN salary (Indeed): ₹63.15 [2] Requirements: Valid driver’s licence, insurance, and vehicle registration

As a rideshare driver for apps like Ola and Uber, you offer a tailored transportation service for customers. The only requirement is that you must have a valid driver’s licence and proper documentation for your vehicle. If you don’t mind driving, this may be a profitable side gig for you.

2. Food delivery driver

Average hourly IN salary (Indeed): ₹74.50 [3]

Requirements: Valid driver’s licence, insurance, and Android phone

Similar to ridesharing, another option is to deliver food and essentials. Typically, you can sign up as a driver and begin fulfilling orders immediately. Consider joining popular food delivery service apps such as Zomato.

3. Babysitting or pet sitter

Average hourly IN salary (Indeed): ₹96 [4] Requirements: No training or degree required

If you enjoy taking care of children or pets, you may choose to take on the role of babysitter or pet sitter on the weekends and in the evenings. When parents go to work, their children and pets need care. Look at different childcare sites, such as Prenu and Bromees, or pet-sitting sites, such as PetBacker, and filter locations near you to find potential clients.

4. Cleaner

Average hourly IN salary (Indeed): ₹80.49 [5] Requirements: No experience or degree required

For those with a green thumb or an affinity for neatness, consider a side job in lawn care or cleaning houses. These types of jobs might have you mowing lawns, pruning trees, gardening, wiping down surfaces, and doing laundry. As with babysitting, people tend to prefer hiring the same cleaner or lawnmower, so you’ll only need a few regular clients to build a steady schedule. 

5. Tutor

Average hourly IN salary (Indeed): ₹117 [6] Requirements: Education requirements may vary based on who you work for

 If teaching others interests you, consider tutoring as a side job. You may choose to tutor in person or sign up for online tutoring. You can earn money by teaching from home and creating your own hours.

Passive income as a side job

Other ways to make money on the side might look less like jobs and more like passive income. This means you’re providing a service with something you already own or creating a product or service to sell that requires some upfront work but produces ongoing or repeat returns based on that initial effort. Passive income ideas include:

• Renting out your home through Airbnb

• Reselling gems found at thrift and vintage stores on platforms like Depop, Etsy, and Instagram

• Creating an e-book, app, or online class, investing in dividends, stocks, or cryptocurrency (if you are risk-tolerant)

Part-time side jobs

Before the rise of the gig economy, part-time work was a popular side job. You typically secure this type of work in shifts rather than by task, which can feel more stable and steady than gig work. Most of these require you to interact with people and be on your feet, so it can be a welcome break from working at a desk job or studying.

6. Server or bartender

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹70.61 [7] Requirements: No educational requirements; should have strong communication skills

Working as a server or bartender can be a well-paid job, especially if you factor in earning tips. You might enjoy mixing or serving drinks and chatting with customers. Both require standing or walking for long hours, which can be appealing if you stare at the computer or textbook during the week. 

7. Referee

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹176 [8] Requirements: Complete association licensing requirements, meet age requirements

If you are a sports fan, you might enjoy becoming a referee. To land this job, you must pass a physical examination, a written test, an oral exam, and a practical test. If you love being around sporting events and want to share your expertise, refereeing may be the perfect side gig for you. 

8. Nursing assistant

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹103 [9] Requirements: Earn your Certificate in Nursing Assistant (CNA)

For those who find working in healthcare rewarding, you may consider a side job as a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants may work in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and even in patients’ homes as home health aides. They are in charge of monitoring patients’ vital signs and helping them eat, bathe, and perform other daily needs.

9. Yoga or fitness instructor

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹108 [10] Requirements: For more employment opportunities, consider pursuing your Fitness Trainer Certification

Teaching yoga or other fitness classes can be an enjoyable side gig, especially if you have been a practitioner for a long time. Aspiring yoga teachers can earn a certification that teaches you the fundamentals of yoga poses, anatomy, and more. 

10. Disc jockey

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹240.00 [11] Requirements: Knowledge of music equipment

If you are musically inclined and prefer to enhance the mood of a crowd, you may want to try your hand at becoming a disk jockey (DJ). As a DJ, you can play at weddings and sponsored events or have a residency in clubs and festivals—and have more power to choose whether to mix hip-hop, electronic, or other genres. 

Remote freelance side jobs

Similar to gig economy jobs, taking on freelance work can mean creating your own hours around your work or school schedule. For freelance jobs, you may complete work on an ongoing (ad hoc) basis or on a contract that has a deadline. You can often do these types of jobs remotely, too.

11. App developer

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹432 [12] Requirements: Knowledge of programming and coding languages

If you enjoy creating apps that can potentially sell for a lot of money, consider exploring freelance work as an app developer. Some companies may negotiate a full project rate to earn upon completion. Check out the Full Stack Cloud Developer professional certificate from IBM to launch your freelance career in app development:

12. Writer

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹113 [13] Requirements: Employers may prefer you to have a portfolio showcasing your experience and skills

As a freelancer, writing as a side job can take different forms: copywriting, journalism, academia, technical writing, search engine optimisation (SEO) and content writing, curriculum development, grant proposals, and more. Rates vary due to the wide range of possibilities. This side job is ideal if you can write with clarity, empathy, and discipline.

13. Bookkeeper

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹144 [14] Requirements: Employers typically require some type of educational training, such as an associate degree or bachelor’s degree

As a contracted bookkeeper, you are responsible for behind-the-scenes accounting tasks, such as managing payroll, accounts, and account reconcilliations. You would act as a company’s in-house accountant, delivering financial status reports. If you are detail-oriented and organised, this side job can be a good fit. 

14. Social media specialist

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹107 [15] Requirements: Knowledge of social media channels and experience in marketing

Social media is a high-performing marketing strategy for many companies today. As a social media marketer, you specialise in using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X to promote your products and services to new and existing customers. 

15. Photographer

Average annual IN salary (Indeed): ₹104 [16] Requirements: Knowledge of camera equipment and editing software; a portfolio showcasing your work

Whether you choose to become an artistic or professional photographer, turning a hobby into a side job can be a great way to earn extra income. You can take photos whilst travelling and sell them to stock photography sites. Many companies and non-profit organisations hire photographers for events or marketing purposes on a contract or ongoing freelance basis.

Invest in your future

You may pursue a side job in many different industries, including working a part-time restaurant and food service gig or earning money working online as a content writer or tutor.

Consider boosting your job skills in app development, bookkeeping, and social media marketing from top industry companies like IBM, Intuit, and Meta. Or turn your side gig into a career with a specialisation in Building Your Freelancing Career from the California Institute of the Arts. You can complete the course entirely online within six months.