24 Most Lucrative Side Hustles for People Under 40

Whether you need to pay off debt, help cover the soaring cost of living, or just want to save up for a side gig that boosts your income, it’s more common than you think to work two jobs.

According to Hostinger, over 36% of Americans have side hustles. Gen Z leads the way, with 48% reporting side gigs — more than any other generation — followed by millennials at 44%.

No matter what your skillset is, there are several high-paying side gigs available that can help you accomplish your financial goals faster. From graphic design to virtual assistant, these lucrative side gigs are ideal for people under 40. 

• Pay: $45 per hour

A freelance web developer builds and maintains websites for businesses, startups and individuals. With every business having an online presence, demand is high for those with knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP.

• Pay: $53 per hour

With companies implementing AI, knowledge of the tool is profitable. An AI prompt engineer provides support to businesses in creating prompts and does everything from staying on top of the latest technologies to managing prompts and developing algorithms.

• Pay: $25 to $50 per hour

There are many types of freelance writers, which increases the number of opportunities. From creating blog content to writing for media outlets covering topics like finance, tech, health and more, a writer can showcase their creativity while boosting their bank account. 

• Pay: $31 per hour

Social media managers plan content, engage audiences and analyze performance for brands. Understanding platform trends and audience behavior is a plus.

• Pay: $24 per hour

If you’re good at organization, customer interaction and time management, a virtual assistant could be a good fit. Duties include bookkeeping, customer support, managing social media and more.

• Pay: $35 per hour

Freelance graphic designers create compelling stories for clients, using visuals like logos, branding and other digital assets to capture an audience. A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts or a related field is typically required. 

• Pay: $19 per hour

Online tutoring is a meaningful side gig that earns extra money while helping students catch up or get ahead in a range of subjects. Specialized knowledge or advanced degrees can command premium rates.

• Pay: $18 per hour

Have a reliable vehicle and want to make extra money? Delivery gigs offer flexible schedules and fast payouts. Plus, there are several apps to work with, giving you more options.

• Pay: $21 per hour

Rideshare driving allows workers to earn on their own schedule. Earnings vary based on location, timing and demand.

• Pay: Varies

Put your original designs and artwork on anything from water bottles to T-shirts with print-on-demand and watch your bank accounts grow. The best part is you don’t need to purchase and manage inventory. Instead, once an order is received, a third-party print-on-demand service does all the work — printing, packaging and shipping.

• Pay: $25 per hour

If you’re passionate about travel and helping others plan their dream vacations, numerous remote positions are flexible and offer training. A license or certification to be a travel agent usually isn’t required, but most jobs want someone who can multitask in a fast-paced environment, provide excellent customer service, navigate computers and various programs, and communicate well.

• Pay: Varies

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, getting the perfect shot can be a great money-making side hustle. You can sell your photos to sites such as Shutterstock, where you can make between 15% and 40% in royalties. A good picture can earn you a nice paycheck if it’s downloaded a lot. You must have the exclusive rights to the photos, and you must include signed releases for any recognizable people or private property in the images.

• Pay: Varies

Anyone with social media can capture an audience with original content. If you grab enough attention with your posts, you can make great money. Creators monetize through ads, sponsorships and affiliate marketing. Growth takes time, but top creators earn significant income. How much you rake in depends on the platform and the number of followers. 

• Pay: $16 per hour

People love having a clean car, but finding time to hit the car wash is another story. That’s where your side hustle comes in. A mobile car detailing gig doesn’t take much to get started. Buy a $24 car-cleaning kit from Amazon, tell your neighbors and friends you’re detailing cars and ask for word-of-mouth referrals. Payment should be received after each job is complete. 

• Pay: $17 per hour

House cleaners are always in demand, making them a reliable side hustle. And it’s relatively easy to build a client list by starting with friends, family or neighbors and expanding through referrals. With minimal startup costs (like buying supplies online) and flexible scheduling, house cleaning can be a dependable way to earn extra money.

• Pay: $25 per hour

Not everyone is handy around the house, but if you are, you can turn that craft into cash. Handy work includes minor repairs, installations, and maintenance. Skill-based pricing allows experienced workers to earn premium rates.

• Pay: $17 per hour

If you love animals, getting paid to watch other people’s pets is the ideal side hustle. And there is always a strong need, so it’s stable, flexible work. Sites such as Rover connect sitters with pet owners, so it’s easy to get started. You’ll need to set up a profile explaining why you’d be a great pet sitter; but, once you’re approved, you can set your own rates and hours.

• Pay: $29 per hour

If health and fitness are your passions, a side hustle as a personal trainer is a rewarding way to help others get in shape while getting paid! Trainers can work with clients in gyms, at home, or online, tailoring workouts to individual goals. With proper certification and a strong client base, personal training can become a high-paying, scalable source of extra income.

• Pay: $23 per hour

The job market is tough, but a strong resume can help you stand out and land a job. If you’re good with words, are detail-oriented, and want to help others improve their applications, resume writing is highly valuable. 

• Pay: $43.50 per hour

Many people already spend hours online a day, so you get paid for your time by working as a website tester. Key responsibilities include testing and evaluating site performance; understanding HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; and learning about functional usability. Obtaining a software testing certificate can bump up the pay.

• Pay: $30 per hour

From brand content to social media posts for companies to weddings and special events, freelance videography can be a financially rewarding side hustle. Work can be found through platforms such as Fiverr, networking and referrals — with experienced videographers often securing repeat clients and higher-paying projects.

• Pay: $18 per hour

As homeowners and businesses remain committed to maintaining beautiful, manicured yards, the landscaping industry continues to grow, creating new jobs for side hustlers. From mowing to planting to designing, landscaping requires a level of physicality to operate equipment, but also business management, like quoting and scheduling, is also helpful.

• Pay: $24 per hour

If you’re great at troubleshooting problems and have in-depth knowledge of electronics, repair work can be a high-margin side gig. Fixing items such as smartphones, laptops and household appliances allows you to monetize your expertise while meeting customer demand — especially as people look to repair rather than replace costly devices.

• Pay: $40 per hour

Turn knowledge you already have into a good-paying side hustle by creating online course material that teaches a specific subject and helps others gain useful skills such as coding. By leveraging platforms such as Udemy and Teachable, you can sell your online courses and make a nice profit.