11 Best Side Hustles for Gen Z: How to Make More Money

As a member of Gen Z, you face some unique situations and challenges that other generations don’t. You may be in high school, college, or even in the early years of your career. If you’re already working, you’re probably earning less than your colleagues. And with the cost of living rising, a side hustle may seem essential to get a head start on your finances.

The good news is that there are some side hustles particularly well-suited for Gen Z, thanks to their flexibility, online nature, or ability to start making money quickly. And no matter your existing skill set, how much time you can devote, and whether you’re trying to build a business for the long haul or just make a bit of extra money, there are options for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the best side hustles for Gen Z.

How we evaluate products

We chose the best side hustles for Gen Z based on their flexibility — these are side hustles you could fit in around a part-time or full-time job or around school. We also know that many Gen Zers value the ability to create their own schedules, making flexibility even more important.

We also considered which side hustles might be well-suited to someone early in their career. For example, while certain side hustles, such as consulting, may lend themselves better to someone with years of work experience, options like freelancing are excellent early-career options.

Finally, we made sure to include side hustles for Gen Zers in a variety of situations, whether you have lots of free time and want to build a business or you have just a bit of free time and want to earn a bit of extra money through gig work.

Popular side hustles for Gen Z

The best side hustles for Gen Z

When you’re looking for a side hustle and trying to figure out how to make money, it makes sense to find a flexible gig. Some of the best side hustles for Gen Z include online jobs, social media jobs, app-based jobs, and freelance gigs. Here’s a list of the jobs we’ll cover in this article:

• Become an influencer
• Start a YouTube Channel
• Start a podcast
• Offer freelance services
• Start a photography business
• Become a rideshare driver
• Take up food delivery
• Offer pet-sitting services
• Become a house sitter
• Become an online reseller
• Sell your handmade goods

1. Become an influencer

Who it’s best for:

As a Gen-Zer, you’re part of the first generation that grew up with influencers, so it’s no surprise that so many people of your generation aspire to become one. Becoming an influencer might be right for you if you enjoy making online content and being in the spotlight. However, it can take a while to start making money as an influencer, so it may not be right for you if you need to start earning money right away.

How to start:

As an influencer, you can choose to make content for many different social media platforms or go all-in on just one. There are plenty of different options, including TikTok and Instagram. To get started, decide on a niche, see what other creators are posting, and then work on developing your own style.

There are also plenty of ways to make money on social media, including the TikTok Creator Fund, the Creator Marketplace on Instagram, affiliate links, brand partnerships, and more.

2. Start a YouTube channel

Who it’s best for:

Starting a YouTube channel might be a good option if you like making longer-form videos than you would on a social media site. Consider this side hustle if you have a flair for making entertaining content that encourages people to follow you. Bonus points if you already have video production and editing skills that you can use to build your channel.

How to start:

Sign up for an account on YouTube’s website and begin creating videos. In addition to creating longer videos, you can also create “Shorts,” which are similar to TikTok videos. If you aren’t already skilled in video production and editing, consider taking an online course or learning the ropes in another way. You may also want to invest in higher-quality production equipment.

You can make money on YouTube by joining the YouTube Partner Program, but you’ll need a number of followers and public watch hours. It’s also possible to monetize your content by sending people to Patreon, hosting affiliates, or getting video sponsors. However, you need to make sure you follow all of YouTube’s policies for disclosing how you make money.

3. Start a podcast

Who it’s best for:

Creating interesting audio content through a podcast can be a way to earn money as a side gig. This could be a good option if the type of content you want to create lends itself better to audio than video or if you’d prefer not to be on video. It may be an especially good option if you’re very knowledgeable about a particular topic that other people want to listen to — anything from talking about current events or reality shows to sharing tactical tips about a particular topic.

How to start:

If you’re considering starting a podcast, chances are that you already have an idea of what you’ll talk about. Having a specific niche in mind can make it easier to come up with episode ideas, start creating content, and attract listeners.

You’ll need the right equipment for your podcast, such as a mic and headset. You’ll also need good editing software unless you plan to outsource that part. You may also want to work with a podcast network, which is where you can make the most money through ads and affiliate marketing.

4. Offer freelance services

Who it’s best for:

If you have a particular skill set and want to make a bit of extra money from it outside of your full-time job or schooling, consider offering freelance services. Though there are many different freelance services you can offer, popular options include virtual assistance services, writing or editing, or graphic design, and you could earn decent money with the potential to turn the side hustle into a full-fledged business.

Being a freelancer may be particularly attractive if you’re early in your career and want to either hone your skills in your current field or break into a new field — this is exactly what I did when I started offering freelance writing services!

How to start:

First things first, consider what type of freelance services you’ll offer. If you’re already skilled in a particular area, such as writing, the answer might be obvious. But dive a bit deeper than that. If you’re going to offer freelance writing services, what kind? Also, consider the type of businesses you’ll market your services to.

Finally, decide on how you’ll land clients. Maybe you’ll reach out to companies directly and have a website that features your portfolio. You could also list your services on websites like Wishup or Zirtual, which place virtual assistants with clients, or like Fiverr and Upwork, where you can find writing, editing, and design clients. You can also find job boards that list freelance jobs, including ProBlogger, LinkedIn, and more.

5. Start a photography business

Who it’s best for:

Starting a photography business may be a good option for anyone who enjoys (and knows how to) take amazing pictures, whether it’s on a traditional camera, a high-quality phone camera, or even a drone. This is an especially great option if you dream of being a full-time photographer someday. Though it’s possible to start from scratch as a photographer, you’ll probably have the most success if you already have some practice under your belt.

How to start:

There are plenty of ways to make money as a photographer. First, you could sell stock photos on sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. You post your picture on the site, and each time someone downloads your picture, you get paid. You could also offer photography services to individuals and businesses by taking pictures at special events like weddings or could offer senior pictures, business headshots, and more.

If you decide to offer photography services, make sure you have a camera that is good enough to take high-quality photos. A digital SLR (DSLR) camera may be best since it’s possible to take high-quality photos and then upload them to your computer for editing and distribution.

6. Become a rideshare driver

Who it’s best for:

If you have a vehicle in good condition and want to start making money fast, becoming a rideshare driver on Uber or Lyft could be a good option. Unlike some of the other side hustle options we’ll talk about, you can start making money from day one. Rideshare driving may be an especially good option if you’re balancing other commitments, such as a full-time job, school, and a social life. You can fit in your side hustle whenever you have time — you aren’t committed to a set schedule.

How to start:

To become a rideshare driver, download the desired app and go through the sign-up process. You need to meet certain age requirements. For example, both Uber and Lyft require that you be at least 25 years old. You’ll also need a vehicle that’s only a certain number of years old, but it varies by location.

You also have to pass a background check before you can start driving. There might also be requirements for your car and auto insurance. Once you’re approved, you can start accepting rides and earning money right away. You can set your availability based on your schedule. When you’re available and someone needs a ride, the app alerts you, and you then pick them up.

7. Take up food delivery

Who it’s best for:

If you’re not interested in driving people around, you might be able to get a side hustle bringing them food. It means less interaction with customers, and you might be able to use a bike or scooter instead of a car, depending on where you live. The job is just as flexible as rideshare driving and also allows you to start earning money right away.

How to start:

To start making money from food delivery, download the app you want to use. Three popular apps for food delivery include Instacart, which focuses mainly on grocery shopping, and either Uber Eats or DoorDash, which both focus more on restaurant delivery.

Once you choose an app, make sure to review the company’s requirements, especially as it relates to handling food and interacting with customers. The good news about this job is you can start making money fairly quickly.

8. Offer pet-sitting services

Who it’s best for:

If you’re an animal lover, offering pet-sitting services can be a great way to make a bit of extra money, especially if you want the opportunity to start making money right away. You may especially love this option if you’re unable to have a pet of your own because you’re living in a dorm or with roommates, living with your parents, or for some other reason. It can also be a good gig for those who do have pets and don’t mind having other animals to care for.

How to start:

Sign up for an app like Rover and create a profile. Make sure you meet the requirements for different tasks. For example, you might be better suited to walk dogs or to pet-sit at the owner’s house rather than host pets in your own home.

Once you’ve set up your account, you can indicate what services you’ll offer and how much you charge. You can do everything from walking people’s dogs for half an hour at a time to staying at people’s homes with their pets while they’re out of town. Take a look at what other people are charging to get an idea of what you should set your rate at (though keep in mind you may need to set your rate slightly lower until you have reviews from past customers to back up your work).

9. Become a house sitter

Who it’s best for:

House sitting could be a good option if you’re willing to stay at other people’s homes for them but aren’t necessarily an animal person, meaning pet sitting isn’t for you. House sitting takes little responsibility, and you don’t have to spend much time at all at the house. For this reason, it could be a good side hustle for Gen Zers who don’t have kids or other responsibilities at home but who also want something flexible that fits around their social life. It could also be a good option if you like to travel and can use house-sitting as a way to reduce your lodging costs.

How to start:

If you want to take up house sitting, whether in your own city or while traveling (perhaps while you’re on break from work or school), download an app like TrustedHousesitters. Fill out the required information and be ready to go through the verification process before you’re ready to go live on the site. Once you’re live, you can begin accepting house-sitting gigs.

10. Become an online reseller

Who it’s best for:

If you’re good at finding deals, you can resell items you originally bought for cheap. Whether you’re passionate about a specific thing, such as fashion, or just want to make a bit of extra money, this option could be right for you if you don’t mind spending a bit of time hunting for bargains. However, sourcing and listing products for sale can be time-consuming, so this option may not be right for you if you don’t want to put in any upfront work before you start making money.

How to start:

The first step of becoming a reseller is figuring out what you want to sell, how you’ll source your products, and where you’ll sell your products. While it’s possible to become a general reseller, you may have the most luck honing in on one specific type of product.

Next, figure out how you’ll handle inventory, storage, and shipping and where you’ll market your products. One popular option is reselling on Amazon. Others include eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and more. You could even set up your own website to resell products. You can either handle your own inventory or, if you want a third party to handle it, use Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA).

11. Sell your handmade goods

Who it’s best for:

Are you talented in a particular handmade craft, such as knitting, sewing, carpentry, metalworking, or even beadwork? In that case, you could make a lot of money setting up an online storefront on Etsy, another craft site, or even your own website to sell your goods. You’ll just need the time and skills to create items to sell. However, because you’ll have to make significant time and financial investments before you start earning a dollar, this isn’t the best option if you want to start making money right away.

How to start:

First, decide what type of handmade goods you want to create. If you’re considering this option, you probably already have a craft you enjoy. You can search Etsy and other sites to see what items are particularly in demand right now.

Once you’ve settled on what you’ll make, decide where to sell. Etsy is one online place you can use to create a storefront and list your items. You’ll pay a listing fee and transaction fees, which can eat into your profits. But Etsy makes it simple to manage most aspects of showcasing your items on a popular website and collecting payment from customers. You could also set up your own website, but you lose the built-in customer base that Etsy has, so be prepared to spend more time marketing your products.

How to choose the best side hustle for Gen Z

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the best side hustle as a Gen Zer. Here are a few things to consider.

Your existing skill sets

It’s often easier to build a side hustle around something you’re already good at, whether it’s offering freelance services, creating videos for YouTube, or something else. Not only do you have the potential to earn more, but you can also get up and running more quickly.

For example, when I started freelance writing in my twenties, I was able to start earning money fairly quickly because, even though I wasn’t working as a writer at the time, I majored in journalism and had the skill set.

If you’re currently in college or are early in your career, you may also consider skills you want to continue building. Maybe you’re studying video production in college and, while you aren’t at a professional level yet, you know that a YouTube channel would help hone your skills while also allowing you to make a bit of money.

That being said, there are also side hustles that don’t require an existing skill set, including rideshare driving or house sitting.

How much time you have

When you’re looking for a side hustle, you’re probably looking for something you balance around either your current job or school (or both). At the same time, you may have fewer time-consuming responsibilities than, say, Millennials — especially if you don’t have kids or own a home.

Take a hard look at your calendar and figure out how much time you have to devote to your side hustle each week. Also, consider how quickly you need to get paid.

If you need money now, you’re likely to do better with an app-based side hustle where you can sign up quickly and get to work. Those types of side hustles don’t require you to try and build a following or wait until a product sells.

On the other hand, if you hope to turn your side hustle into a full-fledged business later on and can commit a bit more time now, then you can start with an online side hustle, social media gig, or freelance opportunity. It can take longer to get these businesses going and make a decent amount of money, but you could have higher earning potential later than you would with an app-based gig.

How much money you want to earn

Ask yourself how much money you want to earn from your side hustle. On the one hand, if you’re okay earning a lower amount but want to start making money right away, you might opt for a gig side hustle, such as rideshare driving or food delivery. Yes, there’s a limit to how much you can earn. But you can also start earning on day one.

On the other hand, if you want a side hustle with no income ceiling, consider one that allows you to run your own business, whether it’s as an influencer, a freelancer, a product seller, or something else.

As a Gen Zer, one advantage you have over other generations is time. Sure, you’re probably making less money in your day job than your older counterparts. But you also have more time to build a business and be able to make real money.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you’re looking to make extra income, then a side hustle could be a good option. As a Gen Zer, you probably have a lower income than those in other generations, but you may also have more spare time and could potentially earn more money than you get with your current salary (if you already have a day job).

There are plenty of side hustles to choose from, many of which are particularly well-suited for those in their late teens and twenties. When choosing the best side hustle, consider your current skill sets, how much time you have to devote to your side hustle, and how much you want to earn. And if you want to open up your options even more, you can check out our list of best side hustles for everyone.