5 Best Part-Time Gigs for Outdoor Lovers in the Spring
Written by
Martin Dasko
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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A recent report from MyPerfectResume shared that 71% of Americans rely on a secondary income stream to get by, with 39% performing freelance work and 32% finding second jobs with a different employer. With the cost of living increasing over the past few years, it’s no secret that Americans are feeling financial pressures that have forced them to turn to secure additional income sources.
If you want to test the waters with a part-time gig and enjoy being outdoors, consider this list of the best gigs to make some extra money this spring.
Mowing Lawns/Yard Maintenance
“If you have a mower, you may be able to pick up a few local lawns that you can walk to,” said Melanie Musson, a finance expert with InsuranceProviders.com. “If you have a trailer, you can expand your service area. You can control how many lawns you take on and how much time you devote.”
The average time commitment will depend on how much you want to work and what kind of projects you decide to take on. Musson noted that you should be able to charge at least $50 for a lawn that takes an hour to mow.
Gene Caballero, the co-founder of GreenPal, added, “It’s a highly profitable gig with very low barriers to entry … All that is needed is a mower and basic equipment to get started.”
Spring is prime time for a side gig in any kind of yard maintenance, because homeowners are looking for someone to handle post-winter lawn care needs. You can perform this job in the evenings or take on weekend projects to seek more lucrative opportunities.
Deck or Porch Refinishing
Musson noted that wood decks and porches must be refinished every year or two. She added, “Springtime is when homeowners start thinking about tackling the project.”
The time commitment will depend on the scope of the project, but Musson said you could earn $500 after your costs for a weekend of work.
According to ZipRecruiter, you could earn around $23 per hour as a deck builder. The pay will vary based on what kind of services you offer and the community that you work in. However, you could also turn this part-time gig into something more significant if you outsource some labor.
Tour Guide
If you enjoy being outdoors and are a reasonably social person, you could find a part-time gig as a tour guide in your town. According to ZipRecruiter, the average income for a tour guide is $19 per hour, but it will depend on the type of tours you offer. Some of the more lucrative options include historical tours, food tours and campus tours. You could work for an established tour guide company or offer freelance services on a tourist platform.
The amount of time you would have to allocate to this gig will depend on the tour you offer. For example, if you give campus tours, you may work a few hours on the weekends. If you provide a food tour on a platform like Airbnb or TripAdvisor, you could set your own hours based on your schedule.
Dog Walking
If you want to get more fresh air and activity this spring, you’ll want to think about finding work as a dog walker. You can offer your services through local social media groups or try out a popular platform, like Rover or Wag, to find clients.
According to Indeed, the average wage for dog walkers is $19 per hour. You could increase your prices once you build up your portfolio and reputation. If you learn how to train dogs, you could also substantially increase your income.
The amount of time that this part-time gig requires will depend on your schedule and how much you’re willing to do. For example, if you live in a busy metropolis, you could offer to walk multiple dogs on your lunch break or embrace dog boarding to have pets stay with you. Since you can pick and choose clients, you can decide how many hours you want to dedicate to this venture.
Youth Sports Referee
If you enjoy being outdoors and staying active, you could work as a youth sports referee. The average wage for a youth sports referee is $15 per hour, according to Talent.com, but the pay will vary depending on the sport and your experience level.
The average time commitment will depend on the types of sports and games you can officiate in your location. For example, if you sign up as a soccer referee, you could pick up weekend tournaments or have individual games during the week.
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