7 Side Hustles That Pay Well

If you’re working full time and still having trouble making ends meet, or you’re just breaking even and looking for ways to earn more money, it might be time to get a side hustle. Here are seven side hustles that bring in a lot of extra income.

1. Virtual Office Assistant

Virtual assistants get paid to help people organize their working lives. You might be in charge of putting documents online or writing press releases or other correspondence. Think of this job as an out-of-office office assistant. When people need help, you’re there to step in. This is a fun way to earn a fair bit of extra cash. And this is a job you can easily do after work, on the weekends, and when you’re on vacation.

2. Facebook Ad Runner

Learning how to create and post Facebook ads is another way to earn extra income. Small companies are always looking for ways to promote their businesses. And because small companies don’t always have the time to take care of their advertising themselves, they often enlist Facebook ad runners to help them. As a Facebook ad runner, you can quickly build up a network to have enough clients to keep you busy (and earning a lot of money) in your free time.

3. Online Course Instructor

Taking the time to create an online course is a great way to earn extra money. Once you’ve created your course, people will pay you to take it. You can charge however much you want, and you don’t have to grade papers. There are many different online courses out there. Some are affiliated with educational institutions; others are not. It’s up to you whether you choose to go with an institution or work on your own. This is one of the more interesting ways to make extra money. It’s also an excellent resume booster.

4. Mystery Shopper

This is a side hustle that’s been around for a long time. Mystery shoppers go into restaurants or stores and eat or shop, then report back to the corporate entity that hired them, describing their experiences. Mystery shopping can be done online or in person. Usually, on top of your salary, you’ll be reimbursed for whatever you’ve purchased. This is a great opportunity for people who are willing to ask questions and have good memories (you need to remember exactly what happened during your shopping experiences). There are many online sites to get you started in this fun side hustle.

5. Video seller

A fun, creative side hustle is making and selling videos online. You can create funny videos, music videos, tutorials, informational videos, reviews, and many other types. You can sell videos to major media buyers, which can be done through sites like Newsflare and Rumble. You make money each time someone watches your videos. This is a lucrative side hustle that you can easily build in your free time.

6. TV and Film Extra

Most movies and television shows require extras. Extras are people who don’t necessarily have acting skills but are available to work for a day or two here and there. Working as an extra is a great way to spend your off time. There are online links such as this one to help you get started in the field. Extra work pays well, and you're usually fed and reimbursed for gas if you’ve had to drive a long distance to get to a shooting location. All the people you see in the background of a TV show or movie who don’t have speaking parts are usually extras hired for a day or two. This can be a fun job that can eventually lead to a career in the entertainment industry.

7. House Sitter

If people you know are going out of town, offer to house sit for them. You can make a good amount of money doing so. People hire house sitters so they can relax while on vacation, knowing that their house is safe and secure. Along with the money you earn, a benefit of working as a house sitter is you get to hang out at a new place (which can inspire you). Once you’ve house sat for someone, let them know you’re available to sit for their friends. With enough clients, house sitting can become more than a side hustle. It can become your main hustle.

Jane Hurst is a writer, editor, and avid traveler from San Francisco, Calif. Find her at About.me.