Side Hustles Are Becoming Much More Common

Side hustles have become more than just a way to pick up some extra cash to get yourself a little treat—more people believe they need them just to survive.

According to a survey from Lending Tree, 44% of Americans have a side hustle, and 43% of those earning extra income are doing so to cover their living expenses. A different survey, from Bankrate, found that 32% of side hustlers believe they will always need that extra income to get by, while 16% want to one day turn the side hustle into their main hustle.

For most, the extra monthly income they generate isn’t much. According to Bankrate data:

• When it comes to the side grind, 71% of people—and 80% of Gen Zers—make $500 or less. And 19% of overall respondents reported taking home between $501 and $2,000.
• Then there are the ultimate hustlers: Nine percent of respondents said they make more than $2,000 monthly from their extra work.

What’s everyone doing?

The best-paying side jobs are mostly web-based, like website designer and video editor. Drop-shipping, driving for ride-hailing apps, delivery driving, and even recording voiceovers are among the most popular hustles.

Experts recommend finding work that takes advantage of specialized skills you already have.

Are side hustles a privilege?

The image of a side hustler is that of someone making a few extra bucks to cover expenses, but research shows most people acquiring part-time cash are often already well-off.

• According to a survey from Side Hustle Nation, 40% of 2,333 respondents with a side hustle have household incomes of at least $100,000.
• Fast Company surveyed 1,500 people between 18 and 35 with a side hustle and found that most reported their existing financial situation as “comfortable.”

But for others, side hustles can be a way of AI-proofing your income if your profession leaves you vulnerable to being replaced by a scab robot. Though automation is already encroaching on some side gigs, like ride-hailing (thanks to driverless cars) and creative work (AI-generated art and letters), others seem more insulated from those threats, like the trades or tutoring.

There’s also no shortage of AI-based side hustles. Per NetCredit’s analysis of data from the freelance marketplace Fiverr, the top AI side hustles pay $44.50 per day. It’s not much, but it shows your future robot masters that you’re an ally.

Big picture: With the cost of living continuing to rise, 26 million more Americans are expected to join the side-hustle economy by 2027.—DL