The rising cost of living and the seemingly omnipresent inflation on almost everything, coupled with the desire for financial freedom, has made side hustle jobs more popular than ever amongst people in the USA and abroad. Especially with the rise of AI enabling savvy workers to increase their productivity in 2025 and beyond, the so called “gig economy” continues to thrive, offering a plethora of opportunities to supplement your income and even pursue your passions.
Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, save for a down payment, invest, or simply have some extra spending money, this list of 15 side hustles to consider in 2025 offers you a variety of potential options you can pursue to hopefully help boost your earnings. And you can use AI to possibly help you do faster and better work.
Understanding the Landscape (and the Data) About Side Hustles
Before diving into 15 specific side hustle jobs which you can start to consider, it’s important to understand the evolving landscape of side hustles because this term may not be familiar to everyone. For the purposes of understand, a side hustle is essentially a part-time job or “gig work,” which allows the worker flexibility to work essentially when and where they want. One typical negative aspect of side hustles which many of the individuals who partake in working side hustles (also known as “gig workers”) have noted is that most every side hustle is an independent contractor role with no guaranteed income and no benefits.
While some classic options remain viable, new opportunities are constantly emerging, driven by technology and changing consumer demands. A 2025 study by FlowerFieldz found that the average side hustler earns around an extra $450 per month, but this number varies wildly depending on the type of hustle, time commitment, and skill level. The key is to find a side hustle that aligns with your skills, interests, and schedule because you can find ways to possibly make a real financial impact for yourself if you apply yourself to your side hustle properly. Especially if you can find ways to streamline portions of your work using AI, you might be surprised at what you can accomplish.
The Hustle is Real: 15 Side Hustle Jobs for 2025
1. Freelance Writing: With the ever-growing need for online content, freelance writing remains a relatively lucrative side hustle. Some freelance writers are implementing AI in their work to create new concepts or even write entire posts, while they still use the human touch to shape the main points and edits. However, whether people realize it or not, some large companies are already using AI to help with content writing… so certainly you can find a way to do it also. From blog posts and articles to website copy and marketing materials, the demand for skilled writers is constant. If you can maximize your skills and time by using AI to get a base concept, platforms like Upwork (https://www.upwork.com/) and Fiverr (https://www.fiverr.com/) can connect you with clients. Earnings can range from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on experience and niche.
2. Virtual Assistant: Busy professionals and entrepreneurs are increasingly relying on virtual assistants (VAs) to handle administrative tasks, social media management, communications, and customer service, amongst other tasks. Especially with the rise of AI products, you can offer your services as a Virtual Assistant or Personal Assistant while increasing your productivity quite easily. If you’re organized, tech-savvy, and possess strong communication skills, becoming a VA could be a great fit. Pay varies, but experienced VAs can command $25-$50 per hour or more.
3. Online Tutoring: Share your knowledge and expertise by becoming an online tutor. Make things fun for your students by brainstorming new ideas using AI. Platforms like Chegg Tutors (https://www.chegg.com/tutors/) and TutorMe (https://tutorme.com/) connect tutors with students of all ages. Subjects in high demand include math, science, and English. Hourly rates typically range from $15-$40, which can add up especially if you are a student or academic professional that can contribute significant value through your teachings.
4. Social Media Management: Many businesses, especially small businesses, struggle to manage their social media presence effectively. If you have a knack for social media marketing, offering your services as a social media manager can be a profitable side hustle. This can involve creating content, scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and running ad campaigns. Using AI, you can possibly improve your captions or increase the speed at which you generate new content- for example. Some roles may be commission only, while in other cases just your monthly retainers can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per client.
5. Graphic Design: If you have a creative flair and are proficient in design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, freelance graphic design can be a rewarding side hustle. Now, even if you aren’t a natural designer yourself, you can possibly use AI image generators to get a fair amount of high-quality work completed. Design logos, websites, marketing materials, and more as a freelance graphic designer. Platforms like Dribbble (https://dribbble.com/) and Behance (https://www.behance.net/) are among the choices you can work with that give you a way to showcase your portfolio and attract clients.
6. Web Development: With the increasing importance of online presence, web developers are always in demand. If you have coding skills, or even the ability to work with popular website builder and CMS platforms like Shopify and WordPress, you can offer your services to build websites, create web applications, or develop e-commerce platforms. Now, with AI, even unskilled software engineers can also be given some fairly strong code bases to work with- so you may find web development gig work that you can do that is technically otherwise outside of your comfort zone but is now achievable with AI. While there is a plethora of coders that work freelance full-time and as a side-hustle, the amount you can earn really depends and can vary widely depending on expertise and client funnel, because web developers can charge hourly rates or project-based fees.
7. Photography: If you have a passion for photography and possess the necessary skills and equipment, you can offer your services for events, portraits, or product photography. With AI, perhaps you can possibly market AI created photos as your own new niche? You can also sell your photos through stock photography websites like Shutterstock (https://www.shutterstock.com/) and iStock (https://www.istockphoto.com/), in addition to possibly finding work with individual clients.
8. Pet Sitting/Dog Walking: For animal lovers, pet sitting or dog walking can be a fun and flexible side hustle. You can use AI to help you plan new and exciting walking routes or activities that your furry friends might love. Platforms like Rover (https://www.rover.com/) connect pet sitters with pet owners. Rates vary depending on the services offered and location, with most wages falling around $20-$25 per hour, but for those who are skilled with animals it could be a very exciting thing to get paid doing something you love.
9. Food Delivery: Become a delivery driver for companies like DoorDash (https://www.doordash.com/) or Uber Eats (https://www.ubereats.com/) and earn money by delivering food to customers. Use AI to find the busiest areas in your area, and hopefully you can earn more than your competition. Food deliver is a popular side hustle partially because this is a flexible option that allows you to work whenever you have free time.
10. Rideshare Driving: If you have a car that meets requirements and a clean driving record, you can most likely try to become a rideshare driver for companies like Uber (https://www.uber.com/) or Lyft (https://www.lyft.com/). Perhaps you can use AI to find the best times you can find riders or other tips to earn more money as a rideshare driver. While this may not be the most exciting job, this side hustle (or full-time gig) can be a good way to earn cash quickly, but it also can be costly so be sure to consider the costs associated with vehicle maintenance and fuel amongst other things.
11. Airbnb Hosting: If you have a spare room or property, you can list it on Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com/) and earn money by hosting guests. AI can help you brainstorm design ideas or ways to make your vacation rental side hustle a profitable endeavor. While there are certainly costs and some considerations to work through, this has been a lucrative option for many property owners, especially in popular tourist destinations.
12. Crafting and Selling: If you’re crafty and passionate about your work, or just good at marketing your products, you can sell your handmade goods online through platforms like Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/). Use AI to help you think of creative new design concepts. From jewelry and clothing to art and home decor, there’s a market for unique and handcrafted items and you never know when your side hustle could catch the right eyes that make you a fortune.
13. Online Courses and Workshops: Share your expertise by creating and selling online courses or workshops. Use AI to help write lesson plans and for help with other tasks. Platforms like Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/) and Teachable (https://teachable.com/) make it easy to create and market your courses.
14. Investing and Trading: While it involves some risk, investing and trading in stocks, cryptocurrencies, or other assets can potentially generate significant returns. Some people have tried to make this a side hustle, but even with AI it is not an easy task. However, it’s important to do your research and understand the risks involved before investing your money. (Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.)
15. Blogging and Affiliate Marketing: If you have a passion for writing and a knack for marketing, starting a blog and monetizing it through affiliate marketing can be a long-term but potentially lucrative side hustle. This is really a way to take writing skills to a new level because it also involves carving out a niche for your site that will allow you to thrive while promoting other companies’ products or services on your blog and earning a commission on each sale. Using AI can possibly help you create a blog that generates meaningful income, if you work hard at it.
Finding Your Perfect Hustle
The best side hustle for you will depend on your individual circumstances, skills, and goals. Regardless, it is almost impossible to know what the best side hustle job is because much of the answer depends on your personal situation, goals, location, and time amongst other factors. Consider your interests, time availability, and financial needs when choosing a side hustle- then do your best to make it financially rewarding based upon your goals. Many people try side hustles, so your advisors might say don’t be afraid to experiment and try different things until you find what works best for you. With dedication and effort, a side hustle can be a powerful tool for achieving your financial goals and building a brighter future. Good luck finding the next gig work goldmine!
Excited to try some of these!
like 10 of these are not that hard to try… just might give a few of these side gigs a go. gr8 post