Want to earn extra money through a side hustle? A recent survey revealed that in the United States, the most profitable side hustle is not Uber or delivery gigs, but rather monetizing “professional skills”, with an average annual income reaching $19,000. With the cooling job market in the U.S., more and more people are looking for additional sources of income outside of their main job, reshaping the landscape of the side hustle market.
According to consumer finance and lending platform Integra Credit, a staggering 93.9% of Americans are engaged in side hustles, with over 73% considering side hustles as crucial channels to maintain daily expenses and boost income, spending an average of 30 to 35 hours per week on their side hustles.
The research also found that to increase income through a side hustle, one doesn’t necessarily need to own a car, have spare rooms for rent, or products to sell. The real value often lies in the knowledge and skills individuals already possess. The survey showed that the highest income potential in side hustles comes from leveraging “knowledge and professional skills”, such as tutoring, teaching, and coaching, which are considered the “most profitable side hustles” with an average annual income of $19,200.
In total, Integra Credit interviewed 1,121 adult Americans. The study revealed that tutoring, teaching, and coaching jobs, including academic tutoring, fitness instruction, music lessons, and language teaching, offer the highest average income in side hustles, amounting to $1,600 per month and approximately $19,200 annually.
Ranked second are professional services such as accounting, marketing, and business consulting, with an average monthly income of $1,478.57 and an annual income of around $17,742.
Joel Marotti, a partner at the resume and career counseling company Vertical Media Solutions, told “U.S. News & World Report” that while AI can provide answers, it cannot replace human interaction, responsibility, and professional judgment. Therefore, some traditional freelance gigs still have a market, with tutoring being a prime example.
He mentioned that even though students can use AI to solve algebra problems, parents are willing to pay for tutors to provide personalized guidance, monitor their children’s progress, and take responsibility for their learning. Marotti emphasized that “tutors can identify when students are struggling, adjust teaching methods accordingly, and even be accountable for students’ improvement.”
This explains why the hourly rates for math and language tutors have consistently ranged from $30 to $75, with fees for advanced exam tutors surpassing this level.
Jason O’Brien, the Chief Operating Officer of the international telecommunications company Toll Free Forwarding, stated that online tutoring is also a popular side hustle option, with tutors earning between $15 and $200 per hour. With 10 hours per week, annual income can range from $7,800 to $104,000, depending on the subjects taught and the number of clients. Over the past year, searches for “online tutoring jobs” have surged by 300%.
Although driving for Uber, doing deliveries, or selling goods online may yield lower income compared to the aforementioned side hustles, Andrew Garin, an economics professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, noted that the fastest-growing side hustles in recent years are ride-sharing and delivery app jobs.
Garin emphasized the main advantage of such work lies in its predictable income, stating that “if you set income goals for your side hustle, you can roughly estimate how much time you need to work to reach them. The relationship between working hours and income is relatively clear, which is why delivery jobs have remained popular.”
Data indicates that Uber Eats and DoorDash drivers earn around $18 to $25 per hour.
This article references reports from Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and the HR Director.