We’ve all been there – sometimes the full-time job just ain’t cutting it.

Fortunately, the Internet has opened up new avenues for making money outside your nine-to-five workday. Thanks to the increasing popularity of side gigs, it’s now easier than ever to enjoy an additional income stream.

However, there are so many side hustles available these days that it’s hard to determine which ones will bring you the most profits. With that, here are seven different side gigs that will earn you more than $100,000. I’ll start with mine…

1. Photographer

I am a portrait photographer based in Las Vegas. I shoot primarily headshots and portraits, but being a popular vacation destination, I also shoot a lot of expos, conferences and events.

It doesn’t require a degree, and has a relatively low barrier to entry (basically anyone who buys a camera), but the market is extremely saturated. However, if you’re skilled and talented (and know how to run a business), it’s certainly can be a lucrative business – and a fun one too! If you’re interested, you can start with this post on the 27-Things You Need to Do to Start a Photography Business.

2. Graphic Designer

When the topic of side gigs comes up, the first thing that people usually think of is graphic design. This field is in high demand and is also relatively straightforward to learn, given the large number of courses that can be easily found online. We’ve went over the best things to outsource, and graphic design is certainly something a business would rather find a contractor for than hiring in-house.

Many find graphic design an appealing side hustle because of its huge earning potential. For instance, Morgan Overholt began freelancing on Upwork in 2017 and now earns nearly $200,000 per year. She has since made over half a million dollars on the platform, allowing her to quit her full-time job and launch her own independent design agency as an additional income stream.

Finding clients is easy, too, because all businesses need graphic designers, no matter their industry or size. In the United States alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were more than 280,000 graphic designer jobs in 2019. This number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years since more and more companies are beginning to see the value of having well-designed websites and marketing materials.

Getting started, and to prove your talent, it might be a good idea to start a crowdsourcing marketplace such as DesignCrowd or 99designs (or other alternatives).

3. Merchandise Seller – Merch by Amazon

Many people are making $100k+ a year selling their designs on Amazon, and Amazon does most of the work!

You can take your design skills here, or heck, even hire a graphic designer to create the designs for you while you handle the admin and marketing. 

The dramatic growth of the e-commerce industry has resulted in many side hustle opportunities. Amazon, in particular, has developed several programs that make it easy for people to have an additional income stream.

For example, in 2015, they launched Merch by Amazon, which allows users to create their own products and reach millions of customers without spending money on either overhead or inventory. With this platform, Elaine Heney, a corporate employee from Ireland, was able to launch her own side business selling shirts that she designed herself. In the first ten months of her side hustle, her sales totaled nearly $130,000, and it has only grown since then.

Selling merchandise on Amazon makes for a great side gig because you gain instant access to both their world-class facilities and a global audience. Besides minimizing your customer acquisition costs, this also enables you to save money on operating expenses since the platform itself is responsible for stocking your products and shipping them off to buyers.

4. Online Course Creator

A favorite option among professionals, designing an online course may not be an easy feat, but successfully pulling it off means that you can enjoy a sustainable passive income stream for years to come. This side gig isn’t that expensive, too, thanks to platforms like Udemy and Teachable, both of which make it easy to reach your audience.

For example, Shaunta Grimes, an education district employee, created a guide to novel writing and earned $700 within two hours of publishing it online. Realizing how popular it was, she expanded it into a full-blown community of independent authors and now rakes in more than $100,000.

However, becoming an online course creator isn’t a path for everyone. For one thing, it requires you to have an in-depth understanding of a particular subject or field. You’ll also need equipment to record lectures, as well as some video editing skills to make them more appealing to potential students. As challenging as these may be, they don’t hold a candle to the earning potential of this side gig.

5. Podcast Host

Recent years have seen podcasts becoming a preferred medium of entertainment – as of April 2018, more than 48 million episodes have reportedly been published. This has led to the rise of studios solely dedicated to developing and producing shows; however, the majority are still created by individuals who want to turn their passion for a specific topic into an income stream.

Many people have actually bootstrapped their way into a high-earning podcast. For example, the Australian true crime show, Casefile, was started in 2015 by an “Anonymous Host,” who researched, wrote, and produced it in his spare bedroom while recovering from a surgical procedure. Since then, it has climbed to the top spot in its genre, earning an estimated $26,000 per month on Patreon alone. This massive income doesn’t even take into account sponsors, independent donations, and advertisement spots.

Podcasts can be a lucrative side hustle, and the diversity of the industry means that you won’t run out of ideas. There are also several different ways to monetize a show, so turning it into a sustainable income stream is definitely possible.

6. Resume Writer

Writing resumes is a nerve-wracking and stressful experience, which is why many are willing to pay top dollar to have somebody else do it for them. This may seem like a side hustle that isn’t as in-demand as others, but you’d be surprised at how large its market actually is.

For example, seasoned corporate recruiter Charmaine Pocek offers her resume writing services on Fiverr, where she averages between $30 and $50 per gig. In 2015, she made over $320,000 on the platform, which enabled her to turn her side hustle into a full-time, highly profitable business.

This field has seen many other similar success stories; an English teacher named Richard Lambert has earned more than $2 million, so far, writing resumes on Fiverr while Wendi Weiner quit her day job as a lawyer to transform the resume writing business that she began as a side gig into a legitimate company. All these show how lucrative this seemingly niche service is.

7. Copywriter

As a side hustle, copywriting often gets a bad rep because of the amount of time and effort that one needs to put in before seeing any results. However, there’s no denying its potential for an annual six-figure income; Levi Newman, who began producing marketing and advertising copy on Fiverr, now earns between $10,000 to $15,000 per month on the platform.

Copywriting may not be for everyone; however, there are a ton of online courses that can teach you the basics of the industry and how to improve your own writing skills. This field is also regarded as a stable side hustle, given that every single business needs well-written content, in order to sustain itself.

In addition to its low barriers to entry, copywriting is also appealing because the pay is hinged on the client’s budget. This means that things like striking a deal with an established company or masting a niche topic will likely earn you more money.

And there’s a ton of places to get started, Upwork and Fiverr are the most popular. And don’t forget the smaller companies where you can make a name for yourself like PeoplePerHour and Freelancer.com.

8. Affiliate Marketer

Easily one of the most popular side gigs out there, affiliate marketing involves referring website visitors to specific products and earning a small commission every time they make a purchase. Depending on what niche you’re in, this can be an incredibly lucrative source of income. For instance, Max Robinson started writing reviews about fish tanks and ended up earning around $700 per month after joining Amazon’s Affiliate Program.

Others have found even more success with affiliate marketing; Charles Ngo’s website had monthly profits of $10,000 within its first six months and now earns him a whopping $1 million per year.

Affiliate marketing may have a steep learning curve, but its appeal is due to several different factors. For one thing, the Internet is full of phenomenal success stories, with people sharing how a few referrals were enough to bring in hundreds of dollars. This side hustle is also extremely low risk since setting up a website with its own domain name isn’t that expensive, while writing posts doesn’t take up too much time.

* * * * *

It’s never too early to start thinking about your future. With these seven side gigs, you can earn thousands of dollars on the side and still have time for hobbies and all your other obligations.

Given the number of options out there, it’s surprisingly easy to find a side hustle that suits you best. So, why not try one out today?

Looking to stay productive during your spare time? In need of extra cash? Then, it’s time for you to get a side hustle.

This is fast becoming everyone’s preferred way to supplement their main source of income. According to global remote company Zapier, one in three Americans already has a side hustle while 61.1 million more individuals are planning to start one before the year 2021 is over.

The #1 thing to consider is what you’re passionate about, because if you love what you do, then it won’t feel like work. You’ll often have to have a specialized set of skills, as we’ve shown in our latest post on 7 Side Gigs That Earn $100k+. I’d start there. This list will focus on the easier to get side jobs, like Uber, et. al. Doesn’t require a lot of skill, but it’s easy to get started.

However, not all side hustles are created equal, with some being more labor-intensive and time-consuming than others.

If you’re hoping for a convenient, effortless, and stress-free way to earn extra cash, then here are ten of your best options:

9. Teach a Foreign Language Online

Our world is increasingly becoming globalized; in 2016, 58% of small- to medium enterprises in the United States had international customers and this number has significantly grown these past few years. Business no longer knows borders and this has created a demand for people who are proficient in several languages. Besides English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish are fast becoming the lingua franca among multinational organizations.

With this in mind, you can easily earn a steady income by teaching a foreign language online using platforms like iTalki and Preply. If you speak neither English, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish, then don’t fret because there are millions of people around the world who are passionate about learning languages and won’t stop until they do. This job is incredibly flexible and has no limits whatsoever, making it the perfect side hustle.

10. Bake Pastries

If you’re known for whipping up tasty cupcakes or mouth-watering banana bread, then why not try to set up a home baking business? Nowadays, many have neither the time nor the skills to make delicious treats and are perfectly willing to have someone else do it for them. In fact, you’d be surprised at the number of people who earned thousands of dollars during the pandemic just by selling their baked goods online.

The barriers to setting up a home baking business are practically non-existent. As long as you have active social media channels and a signature item, then you’re good to go! You can even opt to set specific delivery days so you won’t have to be in the kitchen around the clock.

11. Become a Mystery Shopper

One of the easiest and most flexible side hustles is mystery shopping, which is where you test out a brand’s customer service by shopping at their store and answering a few questions about your experience. For instance, you may be asked to dine at restaurants or purchase certain products, like movie tickets.

If you’re interested in working as a mystery shopper on the weekends, then check out companies like Bestmark, Market Force, and Sinclair Customer Metrics. It may take some time before they assign you to higher-paying gigs, but this is definitely a great and easy way to earn some extra cash.

12. Deliver Food

A popular choice among college students and those looking to make the best of their lunch break, delivering food for apps like Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub is a side hustle that requires neither skills nor commitment. Some have earned up to $40 per hour with this gig, which translates to more than a hundred bucks if you decide to do it for three hours every weekend or so.

Convenience and flexibility are the main advantages of this side hustle. Not only can you set your own hours, but you’re also free to accept orders as you please. Many also use this as a way to exercise and improve their health, both of which are undoubtedly bonuses on top of extra money.

13. Complete Tasks on Mechanical Turk

Amazon Mechanical Turk is an excellent option for those who want an effortless and flexible side hustle that can earn them thousands of dollars. This website enables businesses, researchers, universities, and even companies to use online workers to complete mundane tasks for them, such as transcribing videos and identifying what objects are in a photo.

Sounds uncomplicated? That’s because it is! Amazon Mechanical Turk prides itself on allowing people to earn money performing activities that others prefer not to do themselves. It may be slow going at first, but many have claimed to earn up to $22 per hour on the platform. Without a doubt, this is a viable option if you’re looking for a stress-free way to supplement your income.

14. Start a Blog

Blogging may not be as uncomplicated as some of the other side hustle ideas on this list, but it can’t be denied that its returns are amazing. Many have even managed to turn their online musings into a full-time job that not only pays them a ton of money but also allows them to travel at hugely discounted rates.

The huge appeal of this side hustle is due to the fact that there are a lot of ways to monetize a blog. For instance, you can rely on affiliate links and revenue, which will easily net you a few hundred dollars each month. Even more lucrative are sponsorship and brand deals – who knows, you may even score an all-expenses-paid exotic vacation!

15. Provide Proofreading and Editing Services

Recent years have seen a surge in demand for proofreaders and editors, thanks to the amount of written content generated each day. Most companies don’t have the budget to hire full-time employees to fill these roles, which is why they rely on freelancers and online workers whom they contract with on a per-project basis.

If you’re confident in your vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills, then why not check out platforms like American Journal Experts, Scribe Writing, and Cactus Communications. All three pay an hourly salary, guaranteeing you a stable source of additional income.

16. Become a Rideshare Driver

Besides disrupting the transportation and technology industries, rideshare companies have also enabled millions of people to supplement their main income. Platforms like Uber and Lyft are fast becoming the preferred side hustle option for those with reliable vehicles, smartphones, and clean driving records.

There are many advantages to becoming a rideshare driver in your spare time. For one thing, applying is incredibly easy and some companies even allow their workers to lease cars from them if they’re unwilling to use their personal ones. The ability to create your own schedule and the possibility of earning more due to surge pricing are both extremely appealing, as well.

17. Complete Small Tasks

If you don’t mind performing odd jobs to earn some extra cash, then why not look into TaskRabbit? This platform connects willing workers with people who need certain things done for them. For example, you may be called to paint a bedroom, wait in line at a ticket booth, or even organize someone’s filing cabinet.

This may not seem like a high-paying side hustle, but you’d be surprised at how many “Taskers” – as they’re called – have reported earnings of up to hundreds of dollars per week. Fees are hinged on your skills, your location, and the kind of job that you perform so you can charge as much as $200 per hour if you’re confident about painting a bedroom neatly and in record time.

18. Take Surveys

Taking surveys is arguably one of the most well-known kinds of side hustles out there, thanks to how popular platforms like Swagbucks, American Consumer Opinion, and Pinecone Research have become among teenagers and young adults. If you’re looking for a quick, reliable, and effortless way to make additional cash, then answering a bunch of surveys is definitely your best bet.

Similar to a lot of other side hustles, the amount you earn from taking surveys is hinged on the company you’re working with, as well as how intensive the questionnaires are. For example, the platform UserTesting pays people anywhere between $10 and $120 to try out their clients’ apps and websites.

By no means are these ideas the only side hustles that you can do; however, they’re arguably some of the easiest and least time-consuming ones. If you’re looking to supplement your main income without experiencing the stress of taking on a second job, then these ten side hustle ideas are undoubtedly your best bet.