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Summer reminds us of vacations, road trips, cold lemonade with a refreshing summer breeze, and ample free time. However, at the same time, it reminds us how little money we have to enjoy new experiences. If you are a student looking for a temporary gig, a teacher making use of their school break, or just someone looking to spend the extra daylight earning a few bucks, you have come to the right place!
These are some of the best summer side hustles that take only a couple of days a week. It can help you make extra money and also be extended post-summer, giving you the freedom to explore new career opportunities. Or you might want to earn extra money to fund your upcoming vacation or buy a nice car before college begins. Regardless of the reason, here are some of the profitable side gigs you should explore this summer.
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1. Online Tutoring
If you are a teacher or proficient at a subject or vocation, online tutoring can be one of the best online jobs you can do from home. Tutoring is a highly rewarding job, as you not only earn an above minimum wage but also help make a change in people’s lives by imparting them new skills and knowledge. There are various platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors where you can teach students online.
Alternatively, you can start your independent summer hustle as a teacher and teach different subjects to school or college students. This can help you establish a business without having to quit your day job post-summer. If you do not have expertise in any subject, you can also tutor for musical instruments, digital art, video editing, graphic design, and so much more. For an online tutor, the opportunities are practically endless, and the flexibility is unbeatable. Local Facebook groups or online tutoring marketplaces can be great places to advertise your services and turn your expertise into quick cash.
2. Mow Lawns
When you think of summer, the smell of freshly cut grass and wet soil with the chirping of birds and insects immediately comes to mind. Mowing lawn is one of the oldest summer jobs for students and is still a great way to earn quick money. Lawn care is one of the easiest part-time jobs and requires minimal investment, as all you need is a lawnmower that can be borrowed, rented, or even owned. Mowing lawns is also a great way to stay fit and active, making it even more rewarding.
The scope of pay depends largely on the project and your locality. You can charge by yard or offer package deals. Plus, customers are always eager to give you tips if you do a good job and help with side errands, which helps you get recommended to their neighbors. You can also scale up from mowing lawns to a full-fledged service provider by offering additional services like driveway power washing, planting flowers, or trimming hedges.
3. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is one of the most lucrative side hustles from home, with the rise in interest in social media marketing from brands. If you can use your words to curate a story, market a brand’s services, or describe a product, freelance writing can be an exciting opportunity. It is a low-effort part-time job where you can make $2,000 a month, as writers can make anywhere from $50 to $200 per article, depending on your experience and the project’s scope. You can start your freelance writing career by working for online platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, and more.
If you want to upskill yourself as a freelance writer, you can learn to write for particular niches like tech, finance, or health, as they generally pay more. You can also start your writing agency by hiring clients and writers from Facebook groups, job boards like ProBlogger, or platforms like LinkedIn to turn this freelance gig into a full-time business.
4. Server
If you’re looking for the best part-time weekend jobs, you might want to consider working as a server. Summer is one of the busiest seasons for the hospitality business as people like to go out and enjoy time at restaurants, cafes, or bars. Due to high demand, many of these establishments hire extra staff part-time or full-time. The pay depends on the establishment, however, servers generally make low hourly wages and rely on generous tips. Depending on the locale and clientele, you can make up to $100 to $300 on tips a day.
To work as a server and make good tips, you should be good with people and able to work in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment. Working in restaurants near tourist places and beaches is a good strategy, as you can earn more tips, get higher hourly wages, and meet new people while having fun.
5. Sports Officiating
If you love sports and are one of those enthusiastic fans who can cite facts and statistics from decades ago, why not get paid for this skill? Local youth leagues, summer tournaments, and recreational sports teams hire people with an understanding of the sport for the part-time role of referees, umpires, and officiators. It is a great opportunity if you are looking to become an athlete or work in the sports industry, as it will help you make connections and learn more about the sport.
You can earn between $20 to $50 per game as a referee or umpire. The pay depends on the sport and level of the tournament. Apart from the side income, you will also have fun, stay active, and be involved in your communities, potentially leading to full-time job opportunities as a high school or a junior league coach. Several professional referees start their careers by officiating kids’ games before moving up to coach and mentor college-level games. Sports officiating is a fun job that pays well, and you can improve your chances by getting sports certifications.
6. DoorDash
Delivering for DoorDash is one of the best part-time jobs and offers an easy way to earn money without the constraints of working from an office or 9 to 5 jobs. You can Dash whenever you have an hour or two during the day. Deliveries range from food, pet supplies, and groceries to office supplies. You don’t need any experience or skills or attend any interviews. You just need a vehicle such as a car or bike, and ensure timely deliveries.
DoorDash drivers can earn up to $500 a week with extra money from tips. If you work peak meal hours, weekends, and busy event nights, you can earn even more money with up to $30 an hour. It doesn’t hurt to run multiple apps simultaneously to see which one pings you with an order first.
7. Pet Care Services
We all have seen those cute and funny videos of dramatic huskies or sleepy great Danes being groomed and pondered about working as a pet groomer. If you love animals and have the secret talent of being a pet whisperer, you might have a career in pet care services. Pet care services involve taking pets for walks, feeding them, offering grooming services, or even overnight pet-sitting, and some pet sitters can earn up to $1,000 a month by doing this part-time.
Working in pet care services is not only profitable but also a rewarding experience. You work with adorable dogs, cats, and other pets, take care of them, and get paid. There are several pet care service companies that you can join in a part-time capacity, or use word-of-mouth or local community groups to become an independent pet sitter.
8. Summer Camp Counselor
If you love adventures, spending time with kids, and want to contribute to building their future, being a summer camp counselor is an excellent opportunity for you. It is a highly rewarding and fun job because as a summer camp counselor, you’ll take care of the kids and plan fun activities. You can also network with other counselors and work together to host fun activities and events that help build kids’ confidence.
As these camps typically run for a few weeks during the summer, you can earn good money, learn important survival skills, and spend time in nature doing fun activities. The pay for this job varies from camp to camp but generally includes free lodging and meals.
9. Tour Guide
Living in a city like New York gives you access to major tourist landmarks, and you can work as a tour guide if you know more about these attractions than your regular Joe. As a tour guide, you will host a group and walk them through popular spots, painting a vivid picture of the history and significance of important landmarks, such as the Empire State Building. You can work with local tour companies that hire individuals with good knowledge and enthusiasm as seasonal guides or you can organize individual tours and sell tickets using online ticketing platforms like Airbnb Experiences.
People say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. So, if you are outgoing and love to share random facts about landmarks and know the best food spots in town, you might want to consider becoming a tour guide.
10. Lifeguard
We saved the most classic summer job for last. Working as a lifeguard is one of the most common summer jobs, as not only does it pay well, but also keeps you fit while you sit on a beach or poolside. During summer, people spend more time near water, like beaches, pools, waterparks, etc., and to ensure safety, several businesses and associations hire seasonal lifeguards.
As a professional lifeguard, you can easily earn up to $20 an hour. To start your career as a part-time or full-time lifeguard, you’ll need certifications in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid. However, these courses are generally short, affordable, and only require you to know how to swim. Not only is it a great way to spend the summer outdoors and earn a steady income, but you can also transition into fitness or public safety careers after gaining experience.
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