20+ Must-Know Side Hustle Statistics [2026]: How Much Does The Average Side Hustle Earn?

Research Summary: As the gig economy continues to evolve, side hustles have gained significant traction among Americans in 2026. Whether it’s to supplement income for childcare, pay off debt, or fund a dream vacation, more people are juggling multiple jobs than ever before. But what’s driving this trend?

We’ve analyzed the latest data on side hustles in the US, and our findings reveal:

• 45% of Americans are engaged in a side hustle as of 2026.

• The average monthly income from a side hustle is approximately $483.

• Americans typically dedicate an average of 13 hours per week to their side hustles.

• The global gig economy is projected to reach $455 billion by the end of this year.

For further insights, we have categorized our analysis into the following sections:
Demographics | Side Hustler | Earnings | Options

Side Hustle Demographics

While nearly half of Americans are involved in side hustles, certain demographics are more likely to participate. Here are some revealing insights:

• Men are 19% more likely to have a side hustle than women.

  In the US, 44% of men report having a side hustle, compared to 37% of women. This difference translates to hundreds of thousands more men engaging in side hustles.

• On average, men earn $218 more per month from their side hustles than women.

  The average monthly income for men is $596, while women average $378.

• Individuals aged 18-35 are the most likely to have a side hustle, with 49% reporting engagement.

  By contrast, only 27% of those aged 55 and older engage in side hustles, indicating a decline with age.

  Age group	Share of side hustlers
  18-35	49%
  35-54	41%
  55+	27%

• Those aged 55-64 earn the highest average from side hustles at $1,061 per month.

  Conversely, the lowest earners are those aged 18-24, averaging only $533 monthly from their side hustles.

  Age group	Average income from side hustle
  18-24	$533
  25-34	$926
  35-44	$945
  45-54	$892
  55-64	$1,061
  65+	$581

Side Hustler Statistics

People have various motivations for taking on side hustles. Here are key statistics reflecting their priorities:

• 35.4% of side hustlers utilize their earnings as disposable income.

  While this is the most common use, another 31.3% allocate it to regular living expenses, and 28.1% save the additional income.

  

• 59.7% of side hustlers invest between 5-20 hours weekly in their side hustle.

  More specifically, 46.1% dedicate less than 10 hours weekly, while 46.8% commit over 11 hours each week.

• 61% of women feel they would struggle financially without their side hustle.

  A similar sentiment is echoed by 54% of men who agree they would also face financial difficulties without their side hustle.

• 46% of individuals start side hustles to generate passive income.

  Other common motivations include pursuing enjoyment (38%) and diversifying income (33%).

• 73% of workers are contemplating leaving their full-time job.

  This desire for change persists among many Americans, often stemming from a greater enjoyment found in their side hustles compared to their primary employment.

Side Hustle Earnings Statistics

Side hustles vary considerably in terms of income potential. Here’s a look at how earnings differ:

• 15% of side hustlers earn $1,500 or more monthly.

  Finding lucrative side hustles can be challenging, but some high-earning examples include:

  • Digital marketing services

  • Hobbies and crafts

  • Grocery delivery

  • Dog walking

  • Brand ambassador

  • Tester

  • Virtual babysitting

  • Online tutoring

• 56.4% of side hustlers earn less than $500 monthly.

  This statistic highlights why many side hustlers treat this income as supplementary or for savings purposes.

  Monthly income	Share of side hustlers
  Less than $100	17.3%
  $100-$499	36.8%
  $500-$999	18.2%
  $1,000-$1,499	12.7%
  $1,500-$1,999	6.8%
  $2,000-$4,999	5.9%
  $5,000+	2.3%

• The proportion of side hustlers earning over $1,500 per month has doubled since 2020.

  In 2020, only 5% earned this amount, which increased to 15% by 2021.

Side Hustle Option Statistics

Various industries offer side hustle opportunities, with certain sectors proving more popular than others. Our research indicates:

• The leading industry for side hustles is Online and Social Media.

  This category constitutes 16.6% of side hustlers, followed by ridesharing and delivery (15.6%), online shops (13.4%), and freelancing (13.4%).

  Top industries/categories of work	Share of side hustlers
  Online and social media	16.6%
  Ridesharing and delivery	15.6%
  Online shop	13.4%
  Freelancing	13.4%
  Selling crafts and designs	7.8%
  Market research	7.2%
  Software and IT	7.1%

• Becoming a YouTuber or Influencer remains the highest-paying side hustle, with potential earnings exceeding $10,000 monthly.

  However, it’s important to note that very few achieve the necessary follower base to achieve this level of income.

• Growing a side hustle is the most significant challenge faced by side hustlers.

  Other challenges include managing limited time, finding the right idea to pursue, maintaining motivation, and navigating technology.

Side Hustle Statistics FAQ

1. What percentage of workers have a side hustle?

   45% of Americans are engaged in a side hustle in 2026. Men are 19% more likely to have a side hustle than women, with 44% of men reporting engagement compared to 37% of women.

   Additionally, younger workers are the most likely to participate, with 49% of those aged 18-34 involved.

2. What is the #1 side hustle?

   Ridesharing is currently the most popular side hustle. This includes platforms like Uber and Lyft, which are favored for their flexibility, enabling workers to choose their hours freely.

   In terms of industries, online and social media make up 16.6% of all side hustle activities.

3. How much does the average side hustle bring in?

   The average side hustle generates $483 monthly. However, this figure varies significantly based on the type of work and demographics. Men typically earn an average of $596, while women average $378. Additionally, individuals aged 18-24 earn around $533 monthly, whereas those aged 55-64 earn over $1,000.

   In general, many factors influence side hustle earnings, with 56.4% of side hustlers making less than $500 monthly and only 15% earning above $1,500.

4. What side hustles can you do while working full-time?

   Numerous side hustles complement full-time employment, ranging from ridesharing to freelance design. Here’s a list of viable side hustle ideas for full-time workers:

   • Uber/DoorDash driver

   • Freelance writing or design

   • Paid online surveys

   • Grocery delivery

   • Transcriptionist

   • Rent your home on Airbnb

   • Affiliate marketing

   • Photography

   • Online tutoring

   • Reselling clothing and other items

   • Babysitting and pet sitting

   • Selling products on Etsy or Shopify

Conclusion

In 2026, side hustles have emerged as a vital income source for many Americans. The percentage of side hustlers earning over $1,500 monthly has notably doubled since 2020.

Currently, 45% of Americans are involved in side hustles, with this number climbing to 49% among workers under 34. These individuals leverage their extra income for discretionary spending, bill payments, and savings.

However, disparities exist within the side hustle economy, as women and younger demographics tend to rely on side hustles more heavily than their counterparts. This trend underscores the growing importance of side hustles in the financial landscape of modern workers.

References

1. GoBankingRates. “More Than 9 in 10 Working Americans Have a Side Hustle in 2022 — But Is It the Best Way To Boost Income?” Accessed on August 23rd, 2022.

2. Zapier. “Zapier report: 40% of Americans have a side hustle in 2022.” Accessed on August 24th, 2022.

3. Yahoo!Finance. “49% of Americans Under Age 35 Now Report Having a ‘Side Hustle’.” Accessed on August 24th, 2022.

4. Gig Hustlers. “Do Side Hustles Really Work?” Accessed on August 24th, 2022.

5. Insider. “Nearly three-quarters of workers are actively thinking about quitting their job, according to a recent survey.” Accessed on August 24th, 2022.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.