What Are People Doing for Side Hustles?
Side hustles aren’t just a trendy way to pad your wallet—they’re now a lifeline for many. For a growing number of Americans, earning extra on the side isn’t optional. It’s essential.
A Lending Tree survey found 44% of Americans have a side gig. Nearly half of those use their earnings to cover rent, bills, or groceries. Another poll from Bankrate shows 32% of side hustlers think they’ll always need that extra paycheck to keep their heads above water, while 16% dream of ditching their day jobs altogether for their hustle. Still, most are not raking in huge amounts.
Here’s what the numbers say, according to Bankrate:
- 71% of side hustlers make $500 or less each month
- 19% take home between $501 and $2,000
- Only 9% crack $2,000 a month from their side work
Top-paying side gigs are web-based!
Forget influencer fame—think web designers, video editors, or other skilled freelancers are getting hired by startups and big brands. Freelancer gigs often open doors to new career moves and unexpected partnerships. Side hustles can be about growth and connections, not just dollars.
Take a moment—what skills could you turn into extra income?
What is the Future Outlook?
Some gigs, like delivery apps or rideshares, take little experience to start. And while it’s easy to imagine side hustlers as scraping by, research shows many are already financially secure. A Side Hustle Nation survey revealed 40% of side hustlers live in households earning six figures. Fast Company’s research found most 18 to 35-year-old hustlers feel “comfortable” financially.
For some, side hustles are a backup plan as automation moves in. Driverless cars may soon replace rideshare gigs. AI is writing, designing, and even creating art—all jobs that looked untouchable a few years ago. But hands-on crafts and personal tutoring seem safer… for now.
New side gigs are also popping up around AI. Data from Fiverr shows these tech-focused freelancing jobs pay around $44.50 a day—not a fortune, but it’s growing.
Big picture: with living costs rising, nearly 26 million more Americans are expected to join the side hustle crowd by 2027.
Is it time for your side hustle story to begin?
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