Highlights
- Economic pressures are driving more people to seek side hustles.
- Marketing strategy is the highest-paying side hustle at $150 per day.
- Focus groups pay $28 per hour, making them the best no-experience gig.
- Other top-paying side hustles include virtual assistants, website testers, and online tutors.
- Experts advise treating side hustles like businesses for long-term success.
- Building a network, managing time, and using automation tools can help grow income.
The American workforce is in the middle of a transformation. With job security becoming increasingly uncertain and the cost of living rising, people are looking for creative ways to supplement their income. Side hustles are no longer just a trend but they’re a necessity.
In 2025, layoffs are becoming more common, and automation is replacing traditional jobs faster than ever.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5% of the workforce now juggles multiple jobs, with at least 1.1 million workers engaging in short-term side gigs. These numbers highlight a significant shift in how people are navigating their financial future.
Freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour have made it easier than ever to pick up a side hustle, even with zero experience. But not all side gigs pay the same.
A recent NetCredit study analyzed real freelancer rates across 144 different job categories to find the highest-paying side hustles in 2025, including some that require no expertise at all.