You know what’s great?
Having a job that allows you to use your skills, pursue your passions, and make money on your own terms.
Whether you’re a dreamer looking to build a career off your skillset or an entrepreneur searching for a new side hustle, a self-employed job can get you to your goals.
Part-time, full-time, remote, or in person, creative or not, I’ve got you covered.
Below is a list of the top 23 low-cost and skill-based self-employed jobs you can start earning with today.
Side Hustles You Can Start Today
- Drive with Uber
- Deliver Groceries
- Light Hauling
- Childcare
- Social Media Consultant
- Video Production
- Web Design
- Interior Decorating
- Resume Writing
- Freelance Writing
- Blogging
- Life Coaching
- Event Coordinating
- Professional Speaking
- Eldercare
- Consulting
- Repair Work
- Academic Tutoring
- Music Tutoring
- ESL Tutoring
- E-commerce
- Picking
- Selling Royalties
One more thing – even though the side hustles (or full-time hustles) on this list are numbered, it’s not a ranking – that’s just for easy organization. What will determine the value of a self-employed job is whether or not it’s right for you. So take a look.
Utilize Your Resources
1. Drive with Uber
Uber has become a work-on-your-own-time sensation. Their requirements are pretty mild and you can get started right away by going to their website, filling out the online application, and getting your background check going.
You can expect to make anywhere from $13 to $25 per hour with Uber.
A lot of that variance has to do with where you live and how many Uber riders are in the area. Also, if you have a nice vehicle, you may qualify for some upgraded Uber services that charge a premium price.
2. Deliver Groceries
There are people who spend so much time on their jobs that they have little time to perform even necessary chores, such as grocery shopping. You can make money in a business that handles that job for them.
And with the Internet, it’s pretty easy to automate that business. People can simply email or text their orders to you, then you can arrange delivery.
You can even set up an online payment arrangement, such as PayPal.
Once you get large enough to have multiple customers, you could probably even combine shopping trips, by shopping for several customers at the same store and time frame.
You can charge a flat fee or one based on a percentage of the grocery order.
3. Light Hauling
If you have a sturdy pickup truck or van, you may have all you need to operate services for light hauling.
People need a service like this for jobs that fall short of a full-scale household move.
For example, they may need the delivery of a large item that they purchased at a store. Or they may need a large item that they sold to people moved to the buyer’s home.
It could even be a situation in which an adult child is moving out on their own.
4. Childcare
With so many people working outside the home, child care is becoming a critical household need.
The demand for childcare has grown now that most households feature either a single working parent or two parents both holding full-time jobs outside the home.
You can provide care for children in their own home, or you can care for the children of several families in your own home.
While the second option will obviously allow you to scale up your business, it is a highly regulated business, likely to require state licensure.
If you want to take it up to the next level, you can even open up your own daycare center.
You can also opt to do it as a full-time program, an after-school only program or even seasonally to cover summer vacations and the various school vacations during the school year.
Do Creative Work
5. Social Media Consultant
If you’re under the age of 30, you probably have a built-in advantage for a business like this.
If you spend a lot of time on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, or other outlets – you may be able to find some clients who are in need of a social media consultant.
If you know how to promote events, products, and even concepts, using social media, then this can be the perfect business for you.
What started out as a social game just a few years ago, is rapidly becoming important in the business community.
Social media is an important way for businesses to connect with ordinary people, without having to go through all channels. It’s also a way to market businesses, products, and services.
6. Video Production
An entire closet industry in the video space has developed with the arrival of YouTube.
If you have been creating your own videos, such as music videos, how-to videos, or just-for-fun videos, you may be able to sell your services to the general public.
Small businesses are looking for custom videos put on their websites, to broadcast through social media, and even to include in emails.
Videos provide a better way to reach prospective customers who are either primarily visual learners, or people who simply don’t have time to read a lengthy article or webpage.
7. Web Design
Almost everybody wants to start a website of some type, but most people lack the skills to make it happen.
If you know how to build even simple websites, you can turn that into a full-fledged business.
If nothing else, you can prepare simple websites for upstart businesses that have limited budgets.
But as your business grows and your skill level and your client base increases, you can begin doing more complicated websites for higher fees.
Whether you’re a video producer, web designer, or social media consultant, you may be able to sell your freelancing skills on a site like Fiverr, where people hire talented professionals like yourself for their creative needs.
8. Interior Decorating
If you have an eye for design and the drive to turn it into a business, interior decorating can be a lucrative (and fun) career.
Lots of people know what style they want for their home but may not have the vision or skill to bring it all together.
And if you live in a large urban area, you could use your decorating skills as a home stager for real estate agencies, removing clutter, rearranging furniture, and even adding helpful touches here and there.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, it could involve putting a tasteful amount of furniture and decorations in an unoccupied home.
As an interior decorating professional, you could market your business with an online portfolio showing off your work and by encouraging clients to leave reviews for you on freelance sites
Offer Your Writing Services
9. Resume Writing Service
If you can put together a pretty resume, this could be a good business for you. And even if you can’t, there are online sources where you can learn how to do it quite easily.
The secret is knowing how to write effective resumes for specific careers – which again, is a skill you can learn quickly.
Resumes are typically written off of templates, and when you have access to those templates – which you can often get free – all you need to do is customize the details.
The built-in advantage that you have here is most people either lack the ability to construct a coherent resume or have no desire to do so.
You’d be filling a valuable niche by stepping in and doing it for them.
10. Freelance Writer
The Internet has opened up all kinds of opportunities to write on a freelance basis. There are millions of websites and blogs, and many of them need content to drive traffic.
If you have solid writing skills and can write intelligently on several topic areas, you can quickly earn a living as a freelancer.
Beyond blogs and websites, you may also step into marketing type emails, advertising copy, and even ghostwriting ebooks.
This is the kind of business venture that can start small, and grow into a six-figure income as you get better at it.
Much like freelance web design, freelance writing can be done on a remote basis. That means you can run your business completely from your own home.
11. Blogger
Do you have a topic area that you are passionate about? If you do, you could turn that into a business by starting your own blog.
Thousands of blogs come and go each year, but the ones that offer topics in information that adds value to the readers tend to stick around. And they also tend to be profitable.
The way to make money blogging comes from advertising revenue.
Advertisers love to place ads on specialized blogs, and those ads generate revenue, either as one-time payments or ongoing cash flows provided by pay-per-click advertising. You can also add affiliate programs to your blog (more on that in a minute).
You can also sell your own products and services from your blog.
E-books are especially popular offerings from blogs, as long as they provide valuable information your readers would be willing to pay for.
The best blogging niches are in areas like investments, credit cards, autos and auto repair, computers, real estate, travel, fashion, or even entertainment. Any topic area that is relevant to a large number of people can turn into a profit generating blog.I recommend using a site like Bluehost for your blog. It’s simple to set up and gives you access to excellent features.
Sell Your Skills
12. Life Coach
A life coach offers advice and planning in the areas of motivation, finances, social activity, and even hobbies.
Your job will be to create a successful and well-balanced life for your clients.
People do pay for these services. After all, if your job is dominating your life, you might consider paying someone – an outsider – to help focus you on improving other areas of your life, including your career.13. Event Coordinator
Properly executed events are expensive, which is good news if you are the one coordinating them.
If you’re a gifted communicator, have the eye for design I mentioned earlier, and are organizationally skilled, you could make money as an event coordinator.
While your mind may have immediately gone to weddings (which is a profitable line of event planning) you can craft your business around other specialties, such as parades, birthdays, graduation, political events, fashion shows, corporate events, the list goes on and on.
The success of your event coordinating, much like interior decorating, will hinge on your ability to show prospective clients what you can do.
An online portfolio, social media presence, and word of mouth from former clients go a long way and can help you build your clientele in no time.
14. Professional Speaker
Are you comfortable speaking in front of large groups? That’s a potential business right there. And again, there’s a lot of flexibility with this type of business.
You can give specialized talks to businesses and industry groups, talking about specific topics, or even just providing motivation. You can even become a pitchman for certain products.
A lot of businesses are looking at presentations as a way to market their businesses.
But if business owners don’t have the ability or courage to do so, they may hire a professional speaker to do it for them. You could be that speaker.
All it takes is a few clients, and you’ll be on your way.
15. Eldercare
With millions of people now living into their 80s and 90s, and with the cost of institutional living arrangements skyrocketing, many elderly and their families are opting instead for at-home companions.
It not only keeps the cost of care low, but it also enables the elderly to continue living in their own homes.
If you have patience and skill to work with the elderly directly, you can become a companion.
However, if you want to scale it up into a full-scale business, you can instead start a service that provides care providers for the elderly.
As the owner of the business, you would arrange and manage the care engagements which are provided by others.
16. Consultant
Sooner or later every business needs specific help either with an established area of the business or in taking on an entirely new function.
As a consultant, you can come in and help them do just that. The advantage is that you will be coming in as a fee-based independent contractor, rather than as an employee in need of a permanent salary and benefits.
One of the best ways to do this is by offering related services.
For example, if you have significant marketing experience, you can act as a marketing consultant for a retail operation, a computer software company, or an e-commerce business.
Identify your specialization, then figure out ways that you can help various businesses move forward, and you will have created a consulting niche for yourself.
17. Repair Work
If you can repair just about anything – cars, computers, furniture, appliances, or homes/buildings – you can start a repair business.
There’ll be some investment of capital needed for tools, and perhaps even a vehicle. But once you get your name and reputation established, you’ll probably have more work than you can handle.
If repair work represents a viable business idea, then mobile repair is potentially even more lucrative. If you are a person who makes house calls, you will likely be in demand in short order.
In that way, you will not only be providing much-needed repairs, but they’ll be delivered directly to the customer’s door – which is made to order for today’s market.
One prominent example of this is mobile mechanics. Rather than having the customer bring their vehicle to a repair shop, the mobile mechanic instead goes to the customer’s home.
It’s easy to see how this will be a valuable service for the customer whose vehicle won’t start.
Teach Your Skills
18. Academic Tutor
This can be a natural business for you if you are at least above average in one or more academic subjects.
English, science, and mathematics are prime subjects for tutors. Since they are required course curriculum in virtually every school, and many students struggle with them, you can create a business out of helping kids improve in these subjects.
You can market your tutoring business just by creating a professional looking flyer, and distributing it to the local schools.
19. Music Tutor
Academic courses aren’t the only subjects were tutors are in demand. If you can play an instrument and are reasonably good at it, you can create a business teaching kids – or even adults – how to play.
A lot of people just learn better in a one-on-one environment, rather than in a classroom.
You don’t have to be an accomplished musician either. If you know the basics, and you have the patience to teach them to students, this can work very well for you.
20. English-as-a-Second-Language Tutor
You can make a business out of teaching people how to speak English, or how to speak it better.
The market is also wide open here for tutoring the children of immigrants, who may need help with English because the family’s native language is spoken in the home.
But whether you are teaching first-generation immigrants or their children, this can be a rich business opportunity.
Stacey Jurhree says
I am wanting to start a professional blogg. I need a company who can built me a very professionl website . I am willing to pay a decent amount of the money. Let me know something please. concerning this issue. .Thabks
Stacey Jurhree, Ph,D
Political Scientist
Deborah Konchalski says
How do I get into the Freelance Writing Business?
Jeff Rose says
Hi Deborah – I would think the best approach would be to offer to provide free content for magazines and websites. You might also try newspapers. The idea is to get a portfolio of published work. Once you do, you can put together a resume, and offer your services for paid work. Try searching the web for how to break into freelance writing. A lot would depend on the type of freelancing you want to do. For example, articles, web content, ad copy, research, or even books.
David Petty says
I am a local artist and I’m looking to make a living at it.
Jeff Rose says
Hi David – I don’t know anything about making a living as an artist, but I’d guess you might try offering to sell your work through local galleries. I did know one artist (maybe two) who offered their art to hang in restaurants for free, but each has a sale price. If a patron buys the painting, the artist splits the profits with the restaurant. There might be other businesses you can work that out with.
Sreeja Prabhakaran says
I like to start a business. But I am not getting idea what business to start. Kindly give me an idea.
Jeff Rose says
Hi Sreeja – We’ve already provided 23 for you. If those don’t work for you, do a web search and check out the many ideas that are out there. When you find one that will be a good fit you’ll know it, and you’ll have found your business. The search is almost the hardest part.
Robert v. Ng'ambi says
This is really good information. I am encouraged and will definetly established my own business. What’s funny is I was looking to search about how I can make money on YouTube and here we are,with all this information.
R.BALAKRISHNAN says
Interested to do Freelancer Jobs as below –
1.Techno / Commercial – Co-ordinations ( Qualification – Mechanical Engg – MBA / familiar in Steel Forgings & Machined Components / Marketing , Out Sourcing , Costing , Finance …. etc;)
2. Content Writing – pertaining to above subjects or General -contents .
Jeff Rose says
Those are all very specific writing niches. Do some research on the web to see if there are any guides for that kind of writing. Also, become a regular reader of websites, blogs and print media that specialize in those areas. Then see what the requirements are to begin writing for them. You might have to offer some free content just to get your name out there, and build a published resume. Good luck!
Austin fame says
Its a nice one .. Are these the only self employed jobs in USA ?
Jeff Rose says
Hardly Austin – Hardly! It’s just a sampling of just 23 of the hundreds of ideas there are.
Heidi says
Hi, I really like the grocery shopping idea because I love grocery shopping. Any ideas on how to get started?
Cheers H
Jeff Rose says
Hi Heidi – Google grocery shopping ideas, and see what comes up.
John Nweke says
great ideas, thanks for the write up. on my own I love acting and I wish to become an actor but I don’t know how to start. I know the person need to have connection but someone need to build itself up from home so I need more enlightenment on it
Jeff Rose says
Can anyone offer help for John?
Austine USHIE says
Great innovative ideas…!
My passion is in the FOOD industry – to import a particular food & process & package it into smaller quantity, affordable to all & export to Africa & other countries.
I will appreciate to go into partnership to achieve this GREAT BUSINESS IDEA IN ME.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO CARRY OUT?
Jeff Rose says
Hi Austine – First you’ll have to find a partner. Check food industry publications, or the business section of Craigslist and other publications where investors/partners may be available. Finding a reliable partner will probably be your biggest hurdle. Also check into the laws and regulations concerning both food production and exporting of food. I think this will be one of the tougher business ideas, since it will involve food processing, preservation and shipping. Good luck to you.
Neo says
Hi!
I like the idea of buying goods cheaper and sell expensively.
I want to buy clothes and brand them with my own design logo and label brand and sell expensive, will that work?
Jeff Rose says
Hi Neo – That’s more about manufacturing than anything else. It will be costly to get into, though my GUESS is you can find low cost overseas providers of the clothing. But it’s a crowded field, with nearly every retailer out out there selling designer brands. I don’t know anything about that business, but I’d do A LOT of research first. Also, talk to people already in the business.
Davy says
I’m already a avertising ads person i see it’s dosen’t generate any sale or commission and i’m starting blog too but nothing seem to generating money for me
Jeff Rose says
Hi Davy – If you just started to blog that may be the reason. You have to be at it a few months, or a year or longer and have a few thousand visitors per month at least.
lorraine anglin says
all i would like to know how to start this career as i do not see a link
Jeff Rose says
Hi Lorraine – There are no links because these are business ideas you have to start yourself. Do some research on any of these ideas you want to start, and see what the process is.
Loraine says
Hi jeff thanks for the information i will start researching now
Joellie Hale says
This is most helpful. You have highlighted how many options there are for people who are willing to put the work in, and perhaps aren’t afraid to break the mould a little. And, laid out without the clutter! Thank you, Jeff.
Jeff Rose says
You’re welcome Joellie!
Chloe says
hmmm I’m not sure why everyone is so damn negative on this. I’ve gone to college for recording engineering, been a sound engineer to a podcast (paid gig), done live sound (paid), been a voiceover artist (paid), made sound for commercials (paid), and video games (paid), I’ve also been paid to do some light video and audio editing for a few webcam models (porn). You have to be willing to do what pays. You have to work HARD. You won’t have as much time off as you did before. You won’t get paid as much at first. If ever. The only rewards are that you are beholden to nobody, and you’re presumably doing something you love, or at least don’t hate. It is however NOT a vacation. That said, it’s also absolutely possible. Just expect to have to work, and probably spend time working a “real job” at first and doing your “other job” on your off days and in your spare time. Eventually you’ll find a place where you make enough to take a pay cut and quit your day job. It’s not for everyone but don’t believe the assholes who tell you not to work for yourself and don’t believe the people who say it’s a vacation. As with all things the truth lies in between. Lastly there has to be a market and if you don’t have talent for something don’t try to get paid for doing it. Your family and friends might listen to you sing but that doesn’t mean you have the talent, stage presence, or popularity to become a rock star. However, if you can walk a dog and everyone in your area has dogs and nobody offers dog walking services…you probably can make money.
Jeff Rose says
Hi Chloe – That’s a hard hitting assessment of self-employment, and one of the best I’ve ever read. Yes, you should do something you like, but no, it won’t be a vacation. I think what stops more people from trying is the “ramp up” – getting from where you are now, to where you want to be. Self-employment is like rolling a ball up hill. It takes a lot of effort until you get to the top, then it gets easier. Most people underestimate that climb, or don’t want to make it. But unless you fall into something (luck) you’ll always have to work twice as hard to get started.
Jennifer says
Whenever I see an article like this that has “voiceover artist” on it I know it’s a scam. That’s a highly-specialized field requiring a lot of experience and connections, almost always done through a talent agent.
Jeff Rose says
It’s not scam Jennifer. People are actually making money as voiceover artists. There may be scams out there, but there are scams attached to a lot of different ventures.
Tito Dick "Dickman," baby! says
It’s “Tumblr,” not “Tumbler” (at least when referring to the social network).
Gabriel says
I used to have a job. *dramatic pause*
I used to report to a boss. *yawn*
I used to get fired by said bosses for any number of reasons but that all changed once I got a job writing vague lists, each point highlighted in a brief 3 paragraph format I learned in school. Yes, I actually get paid for this- and good thing too, because my identity and self-worth are “invested” in it- and you can do this too. I won’t go into details as inspiration is an easy thing to fill people up with, like false hope, and it costs me nothing but time
Sophie says
Not sure what happened to my comment the first time.
How does one find out about those podcasting jobs? Pick a couple businesses and email them? I’ve never seen any such job advertisements for such things.
Sophie says
How do I even begin to find out which companies are looking for someone to do their podcasts? Randomly email some places ? I’ve never really seen any kind of job advertisements for that anywhere . And while I would love to do voice over, you need skills and talent . And if you don’t have that, lots of money for training and lessons, a demo reel and an agent. None of which I have.
Über driver ? Really ?
Jeff Rose says
Hi Sophie – Do you have a website advertising your service? If not, you might want to look into that. Make it a point to check out Craigslist and see what you find there. You can also regularly check a site called Problogger They have a dedicated job page for work in the blogging field. I’d also design an email to introduce yourself and your services and send it out to websites that have podcasts. You never know who might need help or decide it’s time to change the help they have. Good luck!
Travis says
Not sure why the negative remarks , but I was searching for ideas for a self employee work opportunity and your list , gave me what I needed . I found a perspective that made clear that each area that a person lives will have possibilities , it just depends on what the demands are , that is something an individual has to put a little effort into researching . Thank you for your the information you have provided ,it has been very helpfull .
Arnie says
Terrible list. Comedian? It takes years and even after that there’s no guarantee you’ll make money off of it.
Jeff Rose says
Hi Arnie – You’re making a very general statement. People do actually find ways to monetize activities that they like. In fact, it happens all the time. Not saying it’s quick or easy, but it is possible.
Yandre says
Great list! But home staging…really? Very sad that our society has become so shallow that folks buying a house can’t see past whatever the current owners may have in it! Come on, you are buying the walls and the property, not what’s in it.
V williams says
For some potential clients they cannot see past the clutter or other things. Home Staging is a GREAT business that is really needed and is growing daily. – In my opinion Home Staging should have been number 2 on the list. Great article
Justine K. says
Uh, @Yandre,
I made a great living staging homes and show-units in apartment complexes. Plus, I was doing something I love! I didn’t want to DESIGN nor SHOP, nor DECORATE, nor DEAL WITH CLIENTS. Therefore, staging was perfect. All of the items were there, all I had to do was Feng Shui it up. There’s a science to improving the outcome of a potential sale. Staging is one of the best ways to do this. It’s not about looking past the clutter, lighting, etc…It’s about making a home/apartment look as presentable as possible, and making the potential buyers as comfortable as possible. You can’t tell me that you want to walk into a home you’re interested in, and see a stack of mail, an empty toilet paper roll, shoes next to the door, dirty windows with rips in the screen, personal food items out on the kitchen counter, dirty dishes in the dishwasher, I could go on forever. You want to be able to envision your own things in the home, and mess/clutter/accessory-free for the sake of making the home feel larger, brighter, and welcoming. So, either bash society in the realms of unhealthy habits, greed, poor manners, and ethical issues if you choose to focus on the negative OR see the beauty, and understand that there’s much to learn about everything. A better way to reply would have been to simply ASK to absorb why Home Staging is an occupation…then judge all you want. We folks out here are thrilled to be learning about these different ideas, and APPRECIATE the article. Cool? Cool.
Cheers!
Nicholette says
I agree with everything that you’ve said. Because I can’t afford Design School. Art, Design and Mom telling me that I have a great imagination and being a thrifty gal who can design the heck out of a $3.00 old chair, I am self taught to use my imagination and be very creative with home decorating and staging and its awesome. So to all of the self doubting haters, I’ll see you on the next addition of my episode of DIY.
Jeff Rose says
That’s the perfect attitude for someone who wants to become self-employed, Nicholette! Self-employment is all about tapping into your talents and skills and making your own job from the ground up. You’ll do well!
Emma says
I’m interested in the home staging concept, managed to sell my old flat within 48hours having decluttered and staged for the market. Have you any tips on how to get started? Any advice is very much appreciated.
Jeff Rose says
Hi Emma – I’ve never done staging myself, but maybe you can become friends with someone who does it in your area, and pick their brains. They may be reluctant, but it may be worth it to pay them as a career coach to help you learn the business.
Joel says
This is a thought-proving list you’ve put together. Probably the only idea that wouldn’t work in my geographic area is the grocery delivery service, because at least two supermarket chains in my region already offer that service for a reasonable fee.
As far as business ideas I’m working on, I’m developing a couple entrepreneurial blogs that are gaining some traction, and I’ve also started a few other ones that are on the back burner (As a former radio newscaster, I’m thinking of branching out into doing voice-over work, too.) I believe persistence is the key to success in small business, and it also helps a lot to enjoy the process and be willing to continually try different strategies.
Derek@LifeAndMyFinances says
Great list, Jeff. I currently have a blog that earns a consistent $10k a year and now my wife and I are starting to invest in real estate! In the next 5 years or so, I’ll likely be a millionaire and will out-earn my current job with passive income. At that point, I’ll probably be able to make a decent amount speaking about my experience as well, huh? Thanks again for the post!
Wendy says
Great article, thanks! One I didn’t see on the list was PT dog caregiver or dog walker. You can earn a nice extra income, or make it a full business. Can be very lucrative (especially in urban areas), provides you and the dog with some great exercise, and if you love dogs, well, you’re set!
Russell says
What separates you from the everyday wanna be dog walker
Monica says
what separates you Russell from the other judgmental people we run into over the internet? that is a great point Wendy and i have previously considered dog walking myself and i once made £20 per week from doing so in the very little spare time i had. i suppose its not much, but it wasn’t my main career and it was £5 for a 1 hour walk.