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Best Side Hustles for Beginners in the U.S.

Written By Arwan November 13, 2025
Illustration of a person working on side hustles like freelancing, delivery, and online selling from home in the U.S.

Looking to boost your income without quitting your 9-to-5? You're not alone. More people than ever are jumping into side hustles to make extra money, learn new skills, or even start their own businesses. If you're new to this, you might be wondering: what are the best side hustles for beginners in the US? Well, you're in the right place!

In this guide, we'll walk you through some of the most popular, flexible, and beginner-friendly side gigs available today. Whether you want to work from home, make money online, or get paid for things you already enjoy doing, there’s a hustle here for you.

Why Start a Side Hustle?

Before we jump into the list, let’s talk about why side hustles are worth considering:

  • Extra income: Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or just trying to keep up with rising costs, extra cash never hurts.

  • Flexibility: Many side gigs let you set your own hours and work around your main job.

  • Skill building: You can learn new skills that might help you grow your career or even start a business.

  • Security: Having an extra income stream gives you more peace of mind, especially in uncertain economic times.

Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the best side hustles for beginners in the US.

1. Freelance Services (Writing, Graphic Design, etc.)

If you have a talent for writing, graphic design, social media management, or other digital skills, freelancing might be your perfect side hustle.

Platforms to try: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer

Getting started tip: Start by offering your services at competitive rates to build your portfolio. Over time, you can increase your prices as you gain more experience. You can even specialize in a niche market—like blog post writing for personal finance websites or designing logos for small businesses.

2. Online Selling (eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace)

Got items around the house you no longer need? Or maybe you're crafty and like making handmade goods? Selling online is one of the easiest ways to make quick cash.

Beginner-friendly options:

  • eBay for electronics, clothes, and collectibles

  • Etsy for handmade and vintage items

  • Facebook Marketplace for local sales

Pro tip: Take clear photos, write honest descriptions, and respond to buyers quickly. Building a solid seller rating can help you attract more customers and make sales faster.

You can also explore print-on-demand options (like Printful or Redbubble) if you're into design. This way, you can sell custom t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases without managing inventory.

3. Delivery Driving (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart)

If you have a reliable car and some spare time, becoming a delivery driver is a great way to earn on your schedule. You’ll get paid to deliver food, groceries, or other items around your local area.

Benefits:

  • Flexible hours

  • Low barrier to entry

  • Fast payments (some apps let you cash out daily)

This hustle is perfect for evenings or weekends and doesn’t require any advanced skills. Just a smartphone, a car, and a willingness to hustle.

4. Online Surveys and Market Research

Okay, it won’t make you rich, but filling out surveys in your free time can be an easy way to earn gift cards or small cash payouts. It’s low effort and perfect for downtime—like watching TV or commuting.

Sites to check out: Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, InboxDollars

These platforms often offer other simple earning opportunities too, like watching videos, downloading apps, or signing up for trial offers.

Want more easy side hustles like this? Check out our full list of easy side hustles from home.

5. Teaching or Tutoring Online

Are you good at math, science, or even playing the guitar? Platforms like VIPKid, Wyzant, or TakeLessons let you earn money by teaching what you know.

Great for:

  • College students

  • Retirees

  • Stay-at-home parents

Tutoring is in high demand, especially for subjects like algebra, chemistry, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Even helping younger students with homework can be a profitable side hustle.

Tip: Create a professional-looking profile and ask your first few clients for reviews to help build your credibility.

6. Selling Digital Products

If you’re tech-savvy or creative, selling digital products can be a game-changer. Think ebooks, planners, printables, or templates.

Where to sell: Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify

The beauty of digital products is that you create them once and sell them over and over again. Once you get the hang of what your audience wants, this can become a form of passive income.

For example, if you’re into budgeting, try creating printable budget planners or spreadsheets. If you’re a teacher, consider making classroom resources.

7. Blogging or YouTube

Yes, it takes time to grow, but blogging or creating YouTube videos can become very profitable. If you’re passionate about a topic and love sharing your knowledge, this could be your long-term play.

Monetization options:

  • Ads (Google AdSense)

  • Affiliate marketing

  • Sponsored content

Blogging about personal finance is especially rewarding if you're already learning about saving, budgeting, or debt payoff—plus you get to help others. Need help getting started? Here's a beginner’s guide to making money online to walk you through it.

8. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Love animals? Apps like Rover or Wag make it super easy to connect with pet owners in your area. This is one of the best side hustles for beginners in the US who want a low-stress way to earn money.

Why it’s great:

  • Work on your schedule

  • Fun if you’re an animal lover

  • Low startup costs

This hustle can even grow into a full-fledged pet care business if you find enough clients and build good relationships.

9. Rent Out Your Stuff

Have an extra room, a parking space, or tools you rarely use? Consider renting them out!

Ideas:

  • Rent your car on Turo

  • List a spare room on Airbnb

  • Loan out tools or gear on Fat Llama

This is a smart way to monetize your existing assets with very little ongoing effort. Just make sure to check insurance and local regulations first.

10. Gig Apps for Quick Cash

If you want to keep it super flexible, gig apps let you pick up one-off tasks like assembling furniture, moving help, or odd jobs.

Popular apps: TaskRabbit, Handy, Gigwalk

These are perfect for those who want to make an extra $100 a day or more — get tips here: how to make $100 a day with side gigs.

Gig apps are great for people who enjoy hands-on work and want the freedom to choose when and where they work.

Bonus Tip: Combine Multiple Hustles

Sometimes, one hustle isn’t enough—or maybe you enjoy a bit of variety. Many beginners start with two or three different side gigs to see which one fits best. For example, you might drive for Instacart on weekends, sell used items online during the week, and complete a few freelance writing gigs in the evenings.

This hybrid approach helps you diversify your income and keeps things interesting.

Final Thoughts

Getting started with a side hustle doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. The best side hustles for beginners in the US are the ones that match your lifestyle, interests, and availability. Start small, be consistent, and before you know it, that extra income could make a big difference.

The most important thing? Just start. Experiment, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to try something new. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it—and how much money you can make along the way.

So, which hustle will you try first?