A second job can be an excellent way to boost your income, whether you're saving up for significant life milestones – purchasing a home, preparing for a new baby, funding college education – or simply looking to build your savings during your free time.

Recent estimates suggest that there are 8.716 million people working multiple jobs in the US.

Aside from the monetary incentive, a second job can also open doors to valuable experience and help you develop new skill. Doing work that aligns with your personal interests and passions may even lead to a fulfilling full-time career change.

In this article, we’ll explore 25 great second jobs including their average salaries, primary responsibilities and more. We will also consider the key benefits of taking up a second job and share our top tips to find the right second job. 

25 great second jobs to boost your income

What’s the perfect second job? Here are 25 legitimate side hustles that can pad your wallet without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. 

1. Blogger

blogger

As a blogger, you get to share your expertise across a chosen field through online articles and posts. You'd publish your writing on websites where readers can easily find and engage with your content.

You could earn money by hosting ads on your personal website, or working directly with companies to develop content for their digital platforms.

Average salary: $35,000-$70,000 annually

Further reading:

2. Pet sitter

A pet sitter takes care of people's furry friends when their owners are away. They handle all the basics like feeding, looking after them, and ensuring they're safe and sound.

There are two main ways to do it: You can either go to the client's place (sometimes even sleeping over) or have the pets stay at your home — that's pet boarding. 

Beyond the basics, pet sitters often keep owners in the loop about how their pets are doing, give them any medicines they need, and take them out for walks if they're the type that need exercise.

Average salary: $15 to $25 per hour

Further reading: The best side hustles from home

3. Virtual assistant

virtual assistant

A virtual assistant is like a remote helper who takes care of the day-to-day stuff the employer doesn't have time for. You'll manage their schedule, book their flights, handle emails with vendors, and keep their social media presence active.

Depending on what they need and your skillset, you might do even more. Maybe whip up some graphics, write content for their website, or help keep their finances organized.

Average salary: $35,000 to $65,000 per year

Further reading: How to make extra money, both online and IRL

4. Fitness instructor

fitness instructor

Fitness instructors run workout classes and help people get moving! They design different workouts that can work for beginners or more advanced folks, show people proper form and technique, and keep the energy high with lots of motivation. They teach all sorts of classes, from leading yoga flows to indoor cycling sessions or pool workouts.

You can even consider starting a fitness community on Whop and sell online classes to fitness enthusiasts.

Average salary: $35,000 to $55,000 per year

Further reading: How to become a fitness influencer

5. Tutor

tutor

If you want to help students learn (and get paid for it), tutoring could be perfect for you. You'll work with students who need help with tough subjects. Your job is to find out what they're struggling with and help them understand it better. You'll make lesson plans and help with homework, too. And you don't have to be a know-it-all. You can choose to teach subjects you're already good at.

Average salary: $35,000 to $60,000 annually

Further reading:

6. Babysitter

A babysitter is responsible for watching children while their parents are away. You can expect to prepare meals, monitor kids' playtime, get them ready for bed, and possibly complete minor cleaning tasks. You may also be required to pick children up from school and take them to classes.

Some babysitters work for families occasionally, while others work daily scheduled hours.

Average salary: $18 to $20 per hour

Further reading: Earn an extra $1000 per month with these weekend side hustles

7. Web developer 

As a freelance web developer, you'll build custom websites that help businesses stand out online. You'll write code to create user-friendly pages while using your creative skills to design layouts that look great and work well. Between the steady demand for websites and the ability to work remotely, it's a flexible way to earn extra income using your technical and artistic talents.

Average salary: $80,000 to $85,000 per year

8. ESL teacher

ESL teachers help people pick up English when it's not their first language. These teachers show students the ropes of speaking and writing in English, check their work, and run engaging classroom activities.

You can teach ESL in different ways: privately with one student, in a traditional classroom, or through online lessons. It's quite flexible, making it a solid choice for a second job.

Average salary: $45,000 to $55,000 per year

Further reading: How to teach English online: A step-by-step guide

9. Food server

Being a food server is one of the best side hustles. You'll welcome diners, tell them about the day's specials, and help them figure out what to order. Once they've made their choices, you'll pass those orders to the kitchen and keep an eye on your tables - making sure drinks stay full and everyone's happy. When it's time to wrap things up, a food server handles the bills and payments.

The flexible hours make it a great second job, and you can often work evenings and weekends when you're free from your main gig.

Average salary: $23,000 to $35,000

Further reading: How to make money with your phone

10. Customer service representative

A customer service representative is a popular side hustle that fits around your main job. Take calls, respond to emails, and jump into online chats to answer product questions and handle returns or refunds.

Want flexibility? Many companies let you work from home with just your computer. Others offer office spots if you prefer getting out of the house.

Average salary: $37,000 to $38,000 per year

Further reading: Keeping customers happy

11. Social media manager

smm

Did you know that 82% of small businesses now invest in social media marketing? That's where your side gig comes in. Managing social accounts can be your perfect after-hours moneymaker. You'll create posts, chat with followers, and track engagement between your regular job shifts.

Most platforms like Instagram and TikTok have scheduling features, so you can stack up content during your free time and let it roll out automatically.

Average salary:  $55,000 to $65,000 per year

Further reading: How to become a social media manager

12. Delivery driver

Delivery drivers bring people what they want right to their doorstep. Whether it's hot meals, fresh flowers, new furniture, or online shopping sprees, they make sure everything gets where it needs to go. 

Checking that orders are spot-on, mapping out the quickest routes, and getting items to customers safely are all part of a delivery driver's job. Sometimes, you might need to handle delivery payments and help answer customers' questions. 

With the boom in delivery services, it's become a popular way to earn some extra cash on the side.

Average salary: $38,000 to $45,000 per year

Further reading: DoorDash review: Get a taste of a gig as a food delivery driver

13. Transcriptionist

As a transcriptionist, you'll turn spoken words into written text, whether you're working with recordings or listening in real time. It’s like being a professional listener who types up everything from courtroom proceedings to doctors' patient notes. You may have to sit in on live conversations, furiously typing away as people speak, or work from home with headphones on, transcribing recorded meetings or interviews.

Either way, the work helps other professionals look back and reference what was said. It's a job that can fit nicely around other commitments since you can often do it remotely and on your own schedule.

And yes, AI tools are getting pretty good with transcription. They might cut into traditional transcription work down the line. But don't let that scare you off – there's still plenty of work out there, especially if you're willing to tackle tricky stuff like medical terminology or legal proceedings where accuracy really matters.

Average salary: $37,000 to $45000 per year

14. Graphic designer

Graphic design makes an excellent side job. You get to create everything from logos and pamphlets to social media graphics, working directly with clients to bring their vision to life. If you're a newbie, learning graphic design basics isn't too hard, with Whop communities designed to show you the ropes.

Many designers start with freelance projects in their spare time, and take on work that fits their schedule. Others partner with a single company to handle all their visual content needs. Since most work can be done remotely using design software, it's easy to balance alongside a main job.

Average salary: $40,000 to $60,000 per year

Further reading: Figma vs Canva: Which app is best for your design needs?

15. Handyperson

Did you know the average handyperson makes around $45 per hour in the US? It's a flexible side gig that lets you help people and businesses with various maintenance tasks. One day, you might install a new AC unit, and the next, you could be mounting shelves or tackling appliance repairs.

You get to work with both hand tools and power tools, putting your DIY skills to good use. Since clients' needs vary so much, you'll never get bored. There's always something new to fix or build.

Average salary: $35,000 to $48,000 per year

16. Create and monetize a YouTube channel

monetize youtube

While becoming the next YouTube superstar like MrBeast is unlikely, creating a YouTube channel can still be profitable. Choosing your niche and produce quality content to build an audience. Good equipment is important, but it can put a dent in your wallet. 

When it comes to monetization, Whop offers more options than traditional YouTube advertising and sponsorships. You can create digital communities, offer subscriptions, sell eBooks, and provide coaching services. As a content creator, this gives you greater control over your income streams while you do something you enjoy.

Average earnings: $1,000 to $10,000 per month (significantly higher for popular YouTubers)

Further reading:

17. Dropshipping 

dropshipping

Dropshipping is a method of retail found in online stores. With dropshipping, retailers don’t keep products in stock. When a customer makes a purchase, the store will forward their payment to a separate supplier. The product is then sent out to the customer via the supplier. 

Dropshipping can be done completely remotely, making it a flexible digital second job. You also don’t need to empty your pockets to get into dropshipping, as you won’t be handling the products, storage, or shipping. There are also several courses on Whop with plenty of info to give you a head start in the world of dropshipping.  

For example, Dropshipping Guild offers access to their dropshipping courses and Discord community (priced at $19.97 per month). They teach how to dropship on TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and more.  

dropshipping guild access

Average earnings: $40,000 to $70,000 annually

Further reading:

18. Event planning

event planning

If you're good at planning events or just have a knack for keeping things organized, why not turn it into a business? You can help companies and individuals bring their special occasions to life - from business conferences and wedding celebrations to fun parties and other meaningful events.

You'll get to use your planning skills to handle all the moving pieces, work with different vendors, find the perfect venues, and ensure everything runs smoothly. It's a great way to put your organizational talents to work while helping people create unforgettable moments.

Whop’s Events app is a great way to organize digital or real-life events and let members of your whop sign up for them.

Average earnings: $52,000-$58,000 per year 

Further reading: How to use the Events App on Whop

19. Mystery shopper 

shopping cart

Here's a quirky but entertaining way to earn extra cash: mystery shopping. Once you sign up with mystery shopping companies, they'll send you on "undercover" shopping missions to specific stores. You'll get paid for your time plus reimbursement for whatever you buy. It's basically getting paid to shop. Who doesn't love that? 

Average earnings: $24,000-$45,000 annually

Further reading: How Gen-Z shopping habits are shaping the future of ecommerce

20. Sell digital products

digital products

Digital products are an entrepreneur's dream: create once, sell forever. With zero inventory and infinite scalability, they're perfect to build passive income.

Whop makes selling digital products effortless. The platform handles all the technical heavy lifting, from payments to product delivery, and puts your offerings in front of motivated buyers. Whether you're selling ebooks, templates, or subscriptions, you can set up shop in minutes and focus on what matters: creating great products.

Average earnings: $65,000 to $75,000 annually

Further reading:

21. Become a game or website tester

app tester

Testing apps, websites, and games is a flexible opportunity you can pursue right from home, without committing to full-time work. Companies like Testerup frequently seek freelance testers to put their software through comprehensive quality assurance processes.

You can discover testing opportunities and gigs through platforms like UserTesting and BetaFamily.

Average earnings: $35,000 to $65,000 annually

Further reading:

22. Become an influencer

influencer

Breaking into the influencer space is tough today, but if you find your niche or let your authentic personality shine, you can gain traction across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and X.

While platform-specific earnings from views can help, successful influencers typically diversify across multiple social networks. Once you build a following, you can monetize through affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, or even create exclusive communities where subscribers get special access to premium content.

Average salary: $30,000 to $150,000 annually 

Further reading:

23. Bartender

Making drinks for a living is a solid side hustle that plays nice with your day job. You'll serve up smiles (and maybe a few martinis) at bars, restaurants, and events like weddings. Between greeting guests, suggesting the perfect poison, and keeping tabs in check, you'll never be bored.

Whether you're working special events or regular shifts, there's plenty of room to pour your way to extra income.

Average earnings: $35,000 to $48,000 per year

Further reading: Side hustles for students – make money alongside your studies

24. Sell templates

notion templates

Selling templates is a sweet deal. It’s perfect for people who want to sell online without having to make a fancy website. All you need to do is list your templates on Whop (it takes just a few minutes!) and start making money right away.

You could whip up Notion templates that make life easier, Excel sheets with formulas built in, or even Discord servers that are all set up. Run with whatever you're good at.

Average earnings: $45,000 - $95,000 annually

Further reading:

25. Sports coach

Sports coaches are the backbone of any team, whether it's at school, in local leagues, or in the big leagues. They wear multiple hats; from planning practices and recording games to giving players tips on how to improve. As a sports coach, you would work closely with athletes to develop game strategies and run training sessions to help players get stronger and build up their stamina.

Average salary: $35,000 to $60,000 annually

Further reading: Selling sports picks on Whop

Benefits of a second job

A second job isn't just about padding your wallet. It's your ticket to new skills, diverse networks, and that satisfying feeling of watching your savings grow faster than your houseplants.

Jokes aside, here are a few reasons why people pick up a second job.

  • Extra money: A second job gives you supplemental income. It’s your ticket to reaching your financial goals faster. Besides, it can help with everyday needs and  emergencies.
  • Additional experience: A second job enables you to get experience in a new field or work environment. It’s a bit like testing the waters before you decide on a complete career shift. 
  • New skills: You get to learn new skills, practice soft skills and learn new software programs at a second job which can boost your resume and help your career in the long run. 
  • Expand your options: Some people like having multiple income streams and career opportunities so they don’t have to stick to a defined path. 

Tips for picking up a second job

Adding a second job takes planning and balance. Here's how to find the right second job, while keeping your primary job strong (and maintaining your well-being).

Prioritize your main job

Having a steady job while making extra money on the side can be great. Just remember,  your main job should always be your first priority. When you handle both responsibilities well, you'll get the chance to evaluate if your side hustle has potential to grow into something more substantial over time.

Use your second job as a flex during interviews

It's totally fine to bring up your side gig during job interviews. In fact, talking about how you juggle both can actually work in your favor. It shows you're driven and can handle a lot on your plate.

Just make sure to mention that you keep your side work strictly outside of regular work hours, so they know you'll be fully focused on the main job when you're there.

Further reading:

Consider pursuing a side job that aligns with your current job

A second job can be in the same industry as your current job. There are many websites and professional organizations that allow people to advertise their professional skills and offer their services to clients at a fee.

Freelancing or working as a contractor outside your current position may give you the opportunity to expand your skills, work with new clients and grow your portfolio.

For example, if you work as a graphic designer for a food and beverage company full-time, you might offer to design websites for small businesses in your free time. It's important to review your employment contract first to ensure your employer allows you to accept outside work. If you're unsure, it's best to speak with a human resources representative at your company to ensure your freelance work is acceptable.

Further reading: How you can earn extra money alongside your day job 

Start earning extra income with Whop

In today's uncertain job market, Whop offers a practical way to build a reliable secondary income stream. Whop lets you monetize your expertise via subscription-based communities. Whether you excel in dropshipping, fitness, trading, or design, you can share your knowledge with members who value your insights, all for a fee. 

Whop makes it simple to sell digital products too – from comprehensive courses to ebooks and template bundles. You can launch your whop within minutes. The Whop team provides dedicated support to help you succeed, including assistance with reaching your target audience.

By taking control of your expertise and turning it into a business, you do more than creating an additional revenue source. It’s an investment in yourself that allows you to be your own boss. 

Create a paid course or community with Whop.

Create your whop

FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about second jobs or side hustles, answered for you below. 

What are some good second jobs?

Popular second jobs include freelance writing, virtual assistance, food delivery, rideshare driving, tutoring, pet sitting, online teaching, transcription work, and retail/customer service. These roles often offer flexible hours and can be balanced with a primary job's schedule. 

What are good second jobs for teachers?

Teachers often find success with flexible side gigs like virtual tutoring, writing educational content, online ESL teaching, exam prep coaching, and selling lesson materials online. These roles require teaching expertise while offering adaptable schedules.

What are some side hustles from home that I can consider?

Freelance writing, virtual assistance, online tutoring, social media management, transcription services, web design, bookkeeping, selling digital products (courses/templates), proofreading, and dropshipping are viable work-from-home options. Each requires different skills and time commitments but can generate additional income.