13 Side Hustles That Take Less Than An Hour Per Day Here's a curated list of some of the most time-efficient side hustles we've seen lately.
By John Rampton Edited by Mark Klekas
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Whether you want to save for a vacation, pay off debt, or earn extra income, side hustles can be a great way to supplement your income. But let's be honest. Our lives are already too busy to devote hours to a second job. Plus, wouldn't you want to use that time to spend with friends, family or hobbies?
Thanks to quick and efficient side gigs, that's no problem. In particular, here are 11 side hustles you can do in less than an hour.
1. Market research
Many companies test a new product with real people before launching it to the public. As a result, they receive valuable feedback on the product and ensure that it works well for its intended audience. You can participate in market research in two ways:
- Individual opportunities. These tasks may include online surveys or one-on-one interviews. Websites such as Respondent, User Interviews and Rare Patient Voice offer a variety of opportunities depending on your background and interests. In a typical session, earnings can range from $15 to $200.
- Group opportunities. A focus group is a small group of people who discuss one topic in depth. You can find these opportunities on Find Focus Groups and Fieldwork websites. Some studies offer $150 or more per session, which is more than individual sessions.
Best of all? This side hustle can take as little as 30 minutes.
2. Freelance writing
If you enjoy writing, freelance writing offers you a lot of flexibility and can be done in short bursts. Various online marketplaces, such as Upwork and Fiverr, provide writers with assignments tailored to their skill set and availability. As a freelancer, you can write blog posts, articles, product descriptions or even draft emails for businesses.
Depending on your writing skills and familiarity with the content, you can complete small projects or contribute to larger ones in stages in just an hour a day.
3. Virtual assistant tasks
As more businesses and entrepreneurs outsource small but essential tasks like scheduling, data entry, and email management, virtual assistants (VAs) are becoming more popular. As a VA, you can work for a company or an individual — and you can finish tasks in 60 minutes or less.
For VA gigs, platforms like TaskRabbit and FancyHands are good places to start.
4. Tutoring and teaching
Are you an expert in a particular field? With platforms such as VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, or Wyzant, you can tutor students worldwide. With many platforms, you can set the duration of your tutoring sessions, making it easy to fit a lesson after work or on the weekend.
5. Pet sitting or dog walking
If you love animals, this is the perfect side hustle that doesn't require much time. Pet owners often need someone to walk their dogs while they're away or provide companionship for their pets.
You can easily schedule a dog walk during your lunch break or in the evening with websites like Rover and Wag. On Rover, a 30-minute walk is the standard length.
6. Design T-shirts
Do you have an idea for a design that just needs to be seen? It's easy to bring your vision to life on T-shirts with print-on-demand platforms like Printful, Printify, and Gelato.
Even better? There is no inventory, no hassle, just pure creativity.
7. Social media management
Why not turn your love of social media into a side hustle? There are a lot of small businesses and individuals who need social media help but can't afford it. And that's where you come in.
For an hour a day, you can schedule posts, engage with followers, or create content. Moreover, many websites, including Hootsuite and Buffer, allow you to manage multiple accounts simultaneously.
8. Real estate investing
With online platforms, real estate investing is easier than ever. To start, you can earn a real estate license online and invest from afar. With crowdfunding companies, however, you can still invest in real estate without a license. Platforms like these allow individuals to pool their investment resources.
A crowdfunding company like Fundrise is one example. If you invest in its real estate, private credit, or venture capital funds, you will receive periodic dividends or appreciation in the value of the funds. Over time, this type of side hustle can yield significant returns, even if it does not initially generate substantial income.
9. Online proofreading and editing
If you are detail-oriented and have a good grasp of grammar, proofreading and editing can be an excellent side business. Bloggers and businesses often need help with their content. It is possible to finish proofreading jobs in less than 60 minutes, thanks to Scribendi and ProofreadingPal.
10. Transcription services
As a transcriptionist, you listen to audio files and type out what you hear. Depending on the task, this can include anything from podcasts and interviews to legal or medical dictations. With platforms like Rev and TranscribeMe, you can earn money per audio minute by transcribing. In most cases, you can complete a file within an hour.
11. Selling items online
Would you like to get rid of some unwanted clothes, books, electronics, or other items? You can make extra cash by selling on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace. Every day, you can spend an hour organizing, photographing, and listing your stuff.
Aside from downsizing your life and saving money, many items can be sold passively once listed.
Related: These Are the Best Side Hustle Ideas to Create Passive Income This Year
12. Carpool for kids
Do you think ridesharing is only for weekends and nights? Think again.
If you're interested in joining the gig economy, Uber and Lyft are great options. It can, however, be a nightmare during rush hour. A possible alternative is to drive children to school. Companies like HopSkipDrive, RubiRides, and Kango specialize in matching drivers with families needing help getting their kids to school and activities. Since kids usually go to school nearby, these rides are short and sweet, and the timing is highly predictable. Typically, peak hours are between 7:30 and 8:30 am and 2:30 and 3:30 pm. It's possible for you to earn $25 or more per hour.
13. Food delivery
UberEats, GrubHub, and DoorDash are always interested in hiring freelance drivers to deliver delicious meals to their customers. As a delivery driver, you earn a delivery fee plus tips. Best of all? You're your own boss. When free, just turn on the app of your choosing and pick up a delivery. Generally, deliveries are at their peak between 5 and 8 pm, making it the perfect after-work gig.
Final thoughts
You can earn extra income easily by finding a side hustle that does not require a lot of time commitment. Whether you're looking for something creative, hands-on, or service-oriented, there's a side hustle for you. Determine your strengths, explore the available platforms, and establish a schedule that works for you.
In the end, you can turn your side hustle into a substantial source of extra income while still maintaining control of your schedule.
