I Asked ChatGPT To Predict the Top Side Hustles for Seniors in 2026: Here’s What It Said
Written by
Karen Doyle
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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With prices up, seniors may be looking for ways to bring in a little extra income in 2026. I asked ChatGPT to predict which side hustles seniors are likely to be considering and it had a lot to say. Here’s what you need to know.
Side Hustles Based on Knowledge and Experience
Seniors have decades of experience, so they can capitalize on that for a side hustle. There are several areas that will take advantage of the knowledge seniors have gained over their lifetimes.
Online Teaching and Tutoring
Share your experience and knowledge with others on online platforms like Wyzant or Tutor.com. The website provides the students and handles scheduling and billing. You just show up and pass on your knowledge of academic subjects or skills and collect an hourly wage.
Coaching and Consulting
Seniors who had a specialized career may be in high demand as consultants. Those who worked in areas like human resources or financial services may find demand for their services as a career, life or financial coach.
Freelance Writing and Content Creation
Write blog posts, articles or e-books about subjects you are familiar with, either directly for companies or through a platform that provides custom content. Or, create social media content either for yourself or for others. This can generate passive income through affiliate links and ads.
Digital Products
Seniors can create digital or printable products like schedules, checklists, guides and templates and sell them on sites like Etsy or Gumroad. If you have graphic design skills, you can create designs and sell custom products like mugs, t-shirts and more through print-on-demand platforms. These platforms will handle the printing and shipping of products – you just create the designs. If photography is your thing, you can sell your photos online as well.
Local Gig Work
The gig economy provides plenty of opportunity for seniors to bring in some extra cash when they need it, without committing to a regular schedule. Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are great for those who like to drive and Instacart or DoorDash delivery services are always in demand.
If you love pets, you can look into pet sitting or dog walking with apps like Wag or Rover. If you’re not a dog or cat person, you can consider house sitting through Trusted House Sitters, Care.com or local agencies.
People will often pay for things they can’t or don’t want to do themselves, like running errands, small fix-it jobs or organizing. If these things are in your wheelhouse, you can also advertise your services in community social media groups to see if your neighbors need these kinds of services.
Crafts and Hobbies
Seniors who spend their free time in retirement working on hobbies have a built-in source of income. Whether you’re a knitter, woodworker, jewelry maker or something else, you may be able to sell your wares at craft fairs or on online sites like Etsy. If your garden produces more plants, vegetables or flowers than you need, you can generate some extra income by selling the abundance to your neighbors.
Technology Opportunities for Seniors
Technology offers side hustle opportunities for seniors, even those who aren’t particularly tech savvy. You can earn some extra cash by completing surveys and testing products. Or you can use AI-assisted services to provide support to businesses as a virtual assistant.
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