The best-paid side hustles in every U.S. state in 2024 (2024)

From the lasting effects of 40-year inflation high to slowing wage growth, the U.S. economy feels like a recession to many Americans. Even if the U.S. is not technically in a recession, current gas and grocery prices have many people looking for extra ways to make money.

However, Americans have a vast amount of side hustles to choose from. You can try online tutoring or pet sitting, or you can even try your hand at acting!

If you’re serious about picking up a side gig, you want to know the best side hustle to make the most extra income where you live. It also doesn’t hurt if your earning potential is reasonably stable.

Preply empowers a community of online tutors, many of whom are teaching for extra income. Even more, by taking English lessons online or finding an English tutor for kids, your whole family can enhance their skills and expand your reach, making it easier for everyone to land a better-paying side hustle.

Preply conducted a state-by-state analysis of reported wage estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment, and Wage Statistics program for 37 common side hustles to find the best-paid side hustles nationwide and in every state. Before you start an extra gig, read on to find the best side hustle for you.

Key takeaways

• The best-paid side hustles were motion graphics designer, web developer, and writer, blogger, or vlogger.
• The worst-paid side hustles were housekeeper, pet sitter or walker, and babysitter.
• Working a side hustle for 10 hours a week can earn you $13,744 annually, on average.
• Web developer side hustles led as the top-paying in 27 states.

Side hustles that make the most money

Let’s face it: not all side hustles are created equal. While walking your neighbor’s dog or cleaning houses can be a great way to make some extra cash, they won’t exactly pay the bills. Our data shows the average hourly pay for side hustles in the U.S. was a solid $28.63, but there are some clear winners (and losers) in the side hustle game.

On the high end, motion graphics designers earn a U.S. average of $53 per hour, web developers earn $52, and writers, bloggers, or vloggers earn $42. These creative and techy gigs can bring in some serious cash, with average hourly rates well above the national average.

On the lower end of the scale, housekeepers earn a U.S. average of $17 per hour, pet sitters earn $16, and babysitters earn $15. But hey, if you love animals or have a knack for keeping things tidy, these can still be flexible ways to make some extra money on the side.

The best-paying side hustles in every state

The good news is that no matter where you live in the U.S., a potentially lucrative side hustle is waiting for you. Web developers reigned supreme as the top-paying side hustle in a whopping 27 states, making them the clear national favorite. However, we found a few interesting regional standouts.

If you live in Georgia and have a flair for the dramatic, you’re in luck – acting was the best-paying side hustle in the Peach State. In the mood for some real estate action? Indiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Vermont all had leasing or real estate agents as their top earners. And in D.C., makeup artists topped the list for the highest-paid side hustle.

Love meeting new people and have a spare room? Consider becoming a vacation rental host or property manager – especially if you’re in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, and Puerto Rico, where this side hustle took the top spot.

For those on the West Coast or in the Big Apple, your tech skills are in high demand. Web developers and motion graphics designers were the most well-compensated side hustlers in California, New York, and Washington. Writers can also rejoice – these wordsmiths were top earners in New York, California, and D.C., alongside bloggers and vloggers.

How much extra income you can make with a side hustle

With inflation soaring and everyday costs feeling like they’re on a one-way trip to the moon, a side hustle can be a financial lifesaver. Our analysis showed that working a side hustle for just 10 hours a week can bring in an average of $13,744 annually in the U.S. That’s a pretty significant chunk of change that can help you pay down debt, save for a dream vacation, or simply breathe a little easier knowing you have some extra financial security.

On the high end, we had motion graphic designers raking in a U.S. average of an extra $25,301 annually. Web developers are close behind with a $25,114 average annual income. Remember, those incomes are just from working ten extra hours per week!

On the low end, we had babysitters taking home an extra $7,402 annually on average in the U.S. and pet sitters or walkers earning $7,738. Closer to the middle of the pack are production assistants earning $13,296 in additional annual income and event planners earning an extra $14,371 annually!

Your skill set can be crucial in maximizing your side hustle earning potential. It’s never too late to improve your aptitude, like mastering languages, to reach for the best possible side gig.

Sylvia Johnson, language expert and head of methodology at Preply, said, “Mastering language skills on platforms like Preply unlocks global opportunities, including lucrative side hustles in web development or social media management. Understanding nuances of languages empowers effective code documentation or resonating social content, fostering better client relationships and enabling success in international markets.”

The most stable side hustles in the U.S.

While all side hustles can earn you some extra cash, not all side hustles offer the same income stability. Some gigs, like motion graphics designer, web developer, or actor, can offer high earning potential, but the hourly rate can fluctuate depending on your experience, location, and the project itself.

On the other hand, some side hustles offer more predictability in your earnings. If you’re looking for a consistent side income, consider becoming a pet sitter, dog walker, babysitter, or food or grocery delivery person.

These jobs tend to have a smaller gap between the lowest and highest hourly rates, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect in your paycheck each week. This can be a major perk, especially if you’re relying on your side hustle income to budget and plan for your future.

Boost your side hustle success with Preply

When choosing a side hustle, you have plenty of options. Some side gigs, like babysitting or house sitting, can be started with minimal preparation. Others require pre-existing skills, equipment purchases, or even licensure, making them harder to jump into. However, starting with a simpler side hustle can earn you extra income that you can use to build income stability and reinvest in your skill development, making a higher-paying side hustle more within reach!

For instance, whether you need to reach out to potential customers or negotiate freelance contracts, communication skills play a large role in many of the best side hustles. Improving your language skills can significantly enhance your earning potential and open doors to a wider range of hustle opportunities. If English is your second language, consider taking a Preply course to learn English online and vastly improve your side hustle options.

If you are a native English speaker, online tutoring can be an extremely well-paying, flexible side hustle that requires little upfront costs or extra skills. However, if you want to improve your earning potential, no matter what side hustle you choose, consider becoming bilingual by taking Spanish lessons from one of Preply’s over 7,000 Spanish teachers.

Methodology

In May 2024, we analyzed state and national wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment, and Wage Statistics program for 37 occupations that are also commonly side hustles.

The top-paying side hustles are based on the national average rates. Annual income is calculated based on a 10-hour work week for 48 weeks.