You’ve been looking forward to it all month. Next week you finally get to take that much-deserved weekend getaway with friends.
That is… until you get hit with your mechanic’s bill. Instead of the fifty bucks you expected, it’s $300 — pretty much wiping out all of your fun money.
So what do you do? Skip the trip? Put yet another charge you can’t afford on your credit card?
No! Because there’s a third option: Pick up a side hustle that pays you FAST.
But here’s the thing — not all side hustles can do that. Some pay bi-weekly, and others demand months of tireless effort before you ever see a dime.
That’s no good if you need the money now.
So for this guide, we gathered up all of the best side hustles that pay weekly. These gigs will put extra cash in your pocket within days — so you can stop missing out and start boosting your earnings!
12 Best Side Hustles That Pay Weekly
Don’t waste your time sifting through generic side hustle lists. Most of them do not pay weekly.
Instead, here are all of the best online and offline opportunities that will put money in your account within a week.
1) Food Delivery Driver
Ride-sharing has become one of the most popular ways to make extra money, but rather than drive passengers around, why not deliver food?
There’s no need to make small talk, and you can blast your tunes as loud as you want.
Even if you don’t have a car, don’t worry. Many delivery drivers make good money using their bikes or scooters. (Less maintenance costs anyway!)
Plus, it’s easy to get started. As long as you are 18 years old with your own vehicle, proper registration, and a valid driver’s license, you are all set. If you plan on using your bike, you only need a valid state ID or passport.
Uber Eats pays every Monday for deliveries done the previous week. For those who need a faster payout, Instant Pay will let you transfer same-day earnings up to five times a day for a small fee.
GrubHub and DoorDash also pay weekly. Grubhub pays drivers every Thursday, while DoorDash payments usually hit on Wednesday morning.
If you’re wondering how to maximize your earnings as a driver, check out this deep dive by Your Driver Mike. He discusses several tricks he has used to stack bonuses and increase tips.
Pro Tip: Stand out from the competition by providing excellent customer service. A friendly greeting upon delivery and a quick double-check of the order (for accuracy and packaging) can earn you those coveted five-star ratings… and bigger tips!
2) Performance Art
If you have a flair for the stage, your next side hustle could be as close as the nearest sidewalk.
From music to dance and the spoken word, this gig not only offers you the chance to earn money daily, but it also allows you to explore your creative side.
While grabbing your guitar and setting out a tip jar is certainly one way to get started, you don’t need to be a musician to earn tips. You could gather a crowd by:
- Juggling
- Miming
- Singing
- Performing magic
- Creating art
If you have any act that can draw a crowd, chances are people will be glad to drop some cash in the tip jar. Performance artists usually make more money during peak seasons like summer and holidays.
They get to set their own schedules and can earn up to $100 an hour (or more) depending on the location and skills they bring to the table.
Pro Tip: Engage the crowd. Invite passersby to participate in your performance by providing suggestions for on-the-spot creations. Personal engagement will help grow your audience and make the experience more memorable for viewers.
3) Say Hello To My Furry Friend
Turn your love of animals into extra income. You can create a profitable side hustle that pays weekly by offering dog walking and pet-sitting services to busy pet owners.
According to Indeed.com, the average hourly pay for dog walkers is $18, but you can make a lot more. This recent NYTimes article profiled dog walkers who turned their passion for pets into six-figure incomes.
If you’re interested in working with animals, remember that pet owners treat their pets like children. So they won’t entrust Fido’s care to just anyone.
To help establish your credibility, make an account on Rover. The platform runs background checks on all providers. Then, on your profile, you can:
- Offer personal references
- Showcase your previous work with animals
- Highlight any pet first aid courses you’ve taken
The downside is Rover can take up to 20 days to fully onboard a new provider. But once you’re approved, you- should get paid two days after completing a service.
To earn even faster, tap into your personal network.
Reach out to professionals, neighbors, and friends who might be looking for a reliable dog walker or pet sitter. By starting with existing contacts, you can get paid the same day in cash. Plus, you can get those initial reviews to jumpstart your dog-walking business!
So if you prefer the company of canines over office gossip, a dog-walking business may be in your future. After all, what better way to make money than exercising with man’s best friend?
Tip: Use social media to quickly establish trust. Post reviews and short videos on Instagram that highlight your pet interactions to establish yourself as a trusted pet lover.
4) Become A Virtual Assistant
A shift to remote work has businesses and professionals embracing the benefits that virtual assistants (VAs) offer. And with corporate layoffs eliminating more and more in-house administrative positions, the demand for help has never been higher.
As a VA, you are tasked with handling the administrative work for busy professionals. These tasks can include:
- Managing calendars
- Scheduling online meetings
- Posting blogs
- Managing social media content
- Following up on emails
- Arranging travel plans
- Scheduling appointments
The great thing about being a VA is the flexibility to set your own schedule while working from home. All you need is a laptop and a fast internet connection.
And there are plenty of VA opportunities on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Indeed. In fact, a recent search on Upwork showed over 5,000 VA jobs currently available.
According to Indeed, the average VA pay is more than $24 per hour. Experienced VAs can command over $40 per hour, making this a highly lucrative side hustle.
If you’re ready to get started, this Leisha Langston video highlights 5 simple steps to launch your virtual assistant side hustle today.
Pro Tip: Showcase your versatility. A good VA is like a Swiss army knife with many useful, always ready no matter the task. Demonstrate your technical skills, familiarity with different software platforms, and ability to problem-solve. Doing so can help you stand out from the competition and land more clients.
5) Pretty Much Any Online Freelance Task
If the pandemic showed us anything, it’s that remote work is here to stay. When it comes to working online, here are a few interesting side hustles that can get you paid by next week.
- Edit videos for YouTubers and TikTokers. Collaborate with content creators to transform raw footage into engaging videos. Tasks typically include trimming and cutting clips, removing background noise, and adding captions for emphasis.
- Edit audio for podcasters. Podcasters need crisp sound quality, seamless transitions, and balanced sound levels. If you can help them add intros and outros, incorporate sponsor messages seamlessly, and scrub audio to remove unwanted noises, they will pay you handsomely.
- Ghostwrite on Twitter. Many influencers and business owners don’t have time to maintain a consistent online presence. But you can do that for them! Your tasks would include crafting engaging and relevant tweets, monitoring replies and comments, and scheduling tweets through social media management tools like Planable.
But these three ideas are just the tip of the freelance iceberg! You’ll find thousands more freelancing side hustles that pay weekly on popular sites like Upwork and Freelancer.com.
Pro Tip: Fine-tune your niche. Whether you have a unique editing style, particular subject matter depth, or a knack for storytelling, focus on the tasks that you excel at. Doing so will help you develop expertise in your niche and eventually command premium rates.
6) Share Your Knowledge
Online tutors get paid to share their knowledge… from the comfort of home! Plus, they get to make a meaningful impact in their students’ lives, making this a cushy and fulfilling way to make money.
If you’re interested in helping students achieve academic success, check out Preply. This app allows you to teach 100s of subjects even if you don’t have any formal teaching experience. And you don’t have to wait to get paid. You can withdraw your money after each lesson.
Another popular option is Cambly. This app was designed for international students who want to practice their English — so lessons are more like conversations. You can make up to $10.20 per hour with Cambly, and payment is deposited weekly.
The benefit of being an online tutor is that you control your schedule and you can work as little or as much as you want. But the challenge is building a steady flow of new students.
Lisa Tran helps you do this. She highlights key tips for before, during, and after that first lesson to “wow” your new students every time. Check out her strategies for hooking your new students below.
Pro Tip: Host group sessions. Once your client list starts growing, offer a 30% discount to students who are willing to take group lessons. Not only will they save money, but they will get someone to practice with. If you tutor 2 or 3 people at one time, your hourly earnings will increase by 40% or 110% instantly.
7) Data Entry
Another surprisingly profitable side hustle that pays weekly and you can do from home is data entry.
With outsourcing on the rise, many companies prefer to hire freelancers for their data entry needs. This allows them to access the expertise they need without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Data entry offers flexible hours and competitive pay. According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate across the US is $28 per hour.
Plus, data entry jobs aren’t confined to a few specific industries. You can find opportunities across all business sectors doing tasks like:
- Converting audio files to text
- Data cleansing and validation
- Updating client and product information
- Transferring survey results into a CRM database
- Entering product descriptions for an e-commerce site
However, data entry is more than just filling in the blanks. It’s all about accuracy and ensuring the integrity of the data entered. For that reason, you need a keen eye for detail and excellent typing skills.
Pro Tip: Tailor your application. When applying for data entry jobs, customize your application to highlight your typing speed, attention to detail, and ability to deliver error-free results. And don’t forget to mention any certifications or tests you’ve completed. These tweaks will show potential clients that you understand their needs and have the skills to deliver.
8) Make Money One Microtask At A Time
Microtasks are bite-sized digital tasks that you can complete in just a few minutes. They typically don’t require any special skills or expertise. So they are ideal for folks who want a weekly paycheck without a steep learning curve.
You can fit these microtasks in whenever you have a few spare moments. Whether it’s during your lunch break or while waiting for your next appointment, you can easily turn a few minutes of downtime into extra income.
Clickworker is a popular microtask site that allows you to complete tasks like writing, editing text, web research, and surveys. The site pays weekly, provided you meet the minimum threshold of $5.
Amazon MTurk is another great option. It offers thousands of HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), ranging from identifying objects in videos to completing short surveys.
Think of microtasks as puzzle pieces you can fit into your spare time to earn an extra $150 to $300 per week. They may not replace your full-time income, but they can make paying off your mortgage that much easier.
Pro Tip: Start with simple tasks. When you’re new to micro-tasking, begin with straightforward tasks to build your confidence and understanding of the platform. As you become more comfortable, look to add more complex assignments that increase your earning potential.
9) Do Odd Jobs For Cash
If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, doing odd jobs can be the key to earning a consistent weekly income. And unlike other side hustles where you have to wait for a paycheck, this way you get paid immediately upon completion.
Here are five helpful odd jobs that you can start immediately (without any prior experience):
- Cook for busy families. You don’t have to be a world-class chef to prepare meals for families with hectic schedules. The key is to provide tasty yet convenient meals and save them the hassle of cooking for themselves.
- Do yard work around the neighborhood. You can turn your green thumb into greenbacks by offering landscaping and yard maintenance services in your community. Trim hedges, cut grass, and pull weeds on Saturday mornings to earn a steady stream of weekly income.
- Pressure wash homes. Help homeowners revitalize their homes’ exteriors by providing pressure washing services. And don’t limit yourself to just driveways! You can also offer to clean decks, siding, and roofs to increase your range of services.
- Become a handyman. Are you a jack of all trades? Use your skills to tackle minor repairs and maintenance tasks around homes and small businesses. By performing quality work and offering trustworthy advice, you can establish yourself as the premier handyman in your community.
- Provide cleaning services. Offer residential or commercial cleaning services, from routine housekeeping to deep cleaning across business parks. Spin up a quick flyer and post it on social media and local community bulletin boards to find potential clients.
Another way to land odd jobs is TaskRabbit. Just list the type of tasks you are willing to do, and people will add you to their go-to teams for ongoing work.
Most tasks are paid within 24 hours of completion, so money hits your account within 3 to 5 days. Plus, the great thing is that most jobs don’t require any special certification or training to get started.
Don’t forget to tap your own network to get your first few gigs. When I was growing up, I offered to mow lawns for real estate agents who had vacant homes for sale. They appreciated that the homes looked their best, and I appreciated the extra $500 a month.
Pro Tip: Showcase your reliability. Punctuality, dependability, and consistency will set you apart from competitors who aren’t as professional. Be known as the person who gets the job done on time, every time. This reputation will lead to repeat business and referrals, making your side hustle a steady source of weekly income.
10) Create Content
Every business, big or small, relies on written content. As a freelance writer, you provide content for companies that don’t have the time or resources to do it themselves.
Projects can range from writing social media posts and quick emails to blog posts, technical journals, and even ebooks.
Independent writers are in high demand. At any given time, there are more open jobs than writers available to do them. You can find these opportunities on popular freelancing sites like Freelancer.com, Upwork, and WriterAccess.
All you have to do to get started is:
- Create a personalized profile
- Decide what kind of jobs you want
- Determine how you will be paid
- Whether you will work by the hour or by project
Do you have a passion or special interest? Rather than waiting for jobs to come to you, be proactive and contact companies directly who specialize in your niche.
Use Google to build a list of contacts and then reach out to each of them with a personalized email offering your services. Many hiring managers are too busy to sift through stacks of writer applications, but they are more than willing to take a chance on someone who already understands their industry.
Pro Tip: Be open to learning. To succeed as a freelance writer, you must be willing to adapt to changing times and varying client demands. Keep up with the latest trends in content marketing and SEO practices so your writing is always as valuable as possible.
11) Become A Website Tester (No Experience Required)
Companies are always looking for ways to improve their website usability and user experiences. As a website tester, you get paid to provide valuable feedback that helps businesses refine their online presence.
Most tests are short and involve recording your screen and voice as you navigate the website. You simply share your thoughts and any usability frustrations. Afterward, you might complete a short survey to provide additional feedback and wrap up the testing process.
Fortunately, this side hustle does not require any HTML or website design experience. Companies actually prefer real-world users who can offer fresh perspectives on how to improve their websites.
Even if you’ve never tested a website in your life, you can get started at one of these two websites:
- Trymata (formerly TryMyUI) pays every weekday morning for tests completed and approved the previous day. Each test pays between $5 and $30 and takes about 20 minutes to complete. One common test is to navigate a prototype website, providing feedback on usability, visual appeals, or any navigation issues. This test allows companies to refine their design before making a bigger investment in development.
- PlaytestCloud is the other popular option — although it is geared toward gamers. A common test is to play a specific portion of a video game and then provide feedback on the controls, graphics, and overall gameplay experience. The site pays $9 per 15-minute test, and you receive your payment a few days after you complete each test.
Landing website testing jobs can be competitive, so it’s important to set realistic expectations. You probably won’t get rich as a website tester, but with some consistency, you can secure a steady source of income.
Pro Tip: Be thorough and expressive. Companies value testers who provide detailed insights into their user experiences. So even if you think your opinion won’t make a difference, speak up — because that small detail might be exactly what the company needs.
12) Get Paid To Take Surveys
Companies value your opinions and are willing to pay you for your thoughts. When it comes to side hustles that pay weekly, completing online surveys may be one of the easiest ways to put money in your pocket fast.
Although they don’t pay a lot, most surveys only take a few minutes to complete. So download one of these popular apps today and start fitting a few online surveys in your spare time.
The most widely used survey app is Swagbucks. Swagbucks not only offers surveys but also rewards you for playing games and searching the web.
The site pays in Swagbucks (SBs), which can be converted into cash or gift cards. And you can request a payout anytime once your balance reaches $5.
Or, consider Pawns. Pawns is an online platform that pays a flat $1 per survey. Most only take a few minutes, and you can do as many as you want. As soon as you have $5 in your account, you can request a payout.
Taking a few surveys every night is an easy way to add an extra $20 to $50 to your weekly budget. You can use this to pay down your credit card debt or enjoy an evening out with your special someone.
Pro Tip: Enable survey notifications. Many survey platforms offer email or push notifications when new surveys become available. Make sure these notifications are enabled on your devices to be among the first to get access. This proactive approach can help you secure more opportunities and increase your weekly earnings.
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to deliver food, pick up odd jobs for neighbors, or become an online freelancer, the beauty of these gigs is that you have the flexibility to try out a few at the same time.
Most don’t require a big commitment, making them the perfect fit for even the busiest schedules. And since you get to choose your favorite ways to earn, they may not feel like work at all.
So why wait? Some extra weekly income can make all the difference between just getting by and having the financial cushion to handle life’s curveballs with confidence. Pick a few side hustles that pay weekly and start building financial security today.
Happy hustling!
