20 Second Jobs To Boost Your Income

Getting a second job means a little extra cash in your pocket for a rainy day. Great second jobs to make extra income include driver, bartender, retail clerk, tutor, or personal trainer.

If you are considering a second job, here are 20 jobs that can boost your income as well as tips on how to land an additional job.

Key takeaways:

• When looking for a second job, consider if you have enough time to do it properly, how it would interfere with your day job, and why you want the position in the first place.

• There are plenty of second jobs out there, and many that can be done from home.

• The internet has opened up many different opportunities to find a second job and made it easier than ever to work around your primary career.

20 Great Second Jobs To Have

If you’re committed to diving into another job, then you want to do it right and get one of the best second jobs available. Once you know what your priorities are as well as what your restrictions are, you’ll be able to decide what second job will be the best choice for your circumstances.

These job ideas might make your work search easier:

1. Delivery driver

   Average Yearly Salary: $39,000

   There are so many driving options out there: DoorDash, Lyft, Uber, CitizenShopper, Amazon Flex, and so on. If you have a car, a good driving record, and some free time, then you’re ready to earn some extra money.

   Not only do you get paid, but there are often tips involved.

   Find Driver jobs near me

2. Server

   Average Yearly Salary: $25,000

   A favorite standby job for many people. It takes some time to learn how to do well, but once you know how to do it, it becomes second nature. While the hourly pay is typically nominal, servers can make decent money through tips.

   Waiting tables is a classic second job option for a reason. It’s usually easy to find work and it’s flexible enough to work around your schedule. You can even trade shifts with other workers if you have a conflict. Not many jobs have that much flexibility.

   Find Waitress/waiter jobs near me

3. Bartender

   Average Yearly Salary: $26,000

   This job often goes hand-in-hand with being a waiter or a waitress, but both bars and restaurants are great places to look for a little extra income. Bartending also has the benefit of being at its busiest in the evening and at night, after your day job is over.

   In fact, tending bar can be so lucrative that some people hold onto a shift for years after getting an office job — especially if they’re in an area that tips well.

   Find Bartender jobs near me

4. Pet sitter

   Average Yearly Salary: $25,000

   Pet sitting is getting to be more in demand — particularly dog sitting. If you have free time during the workday or on weekends, you can look after people’s pets while they’re at work or away. If you’re good at it, you can even get repeat clients.

   The job offers flexibility, as you’ll be able to set your own hours and take on clients at your discretion. And it has the benefit of being able to hang out with animals during your work hours.

   Find Pet Sitter jobs near me

5. Freelance writer

   Average Yearly Salary: $52,000

   While getting into freelance writing can be a bit tricky — most recruiters want writing experience — it can be a lucrative side hustle. As a freelancer, you’re able to set your own hours and pick your own gigs.

   Several sites specialize in or include freelance writing, such as Freelance Writing and FlexJobs. You can write about any number of topics as well, allowing you to choose one you’re passionate about.

Find Freelance Writer jobs near me

Average Yearly Salary: $29,000

The majority of retail positions are set up to be inherently part-time, meaning that it’s something you can schedule around your day job. And while most positions don’t pay tremendously well, they do have the benefit of offering a discount at the store you work at — meaning that you can support your hobby.

Find Retail Cashier jobs near me

Find Virtual Assistant jobs near me

Find Freelance Blogger jobs near me

Tips for finding the right second job

You know how miserable you feel when you hate your job. While a second job typically won’t be as big a part of your life, even a few hours a week of a job you hate can make it hard to go to work. That’s why finding the right job fit is critical.

The good news is that you can focus on fun, income, or learning a new skill with a second job. Whatever it is that inspires you most. Your side hustle can become your favorite part of the day if you do it right.

• How much time do you have? Be honest with yourself, or you’re going to hate your schedule in the long run. Take a typical week and figure out how much extra time you have for more work. Don’t forget that you’re going to need to sleep, commute, eat, run errands, and you’ll still want some downtime.

  If you find that you are stretched pretty thin with your work/life balance already – don’t despair. There are still part-time jobs you can get that will work with your schedule. But maybe it’s time to ask yourself if your primary job is the right one for you. For some people, a second job isn’t the answer. The answer is a better primary job.

• What do you bring to the job? Do you have the skills necessary to do the job? What training will it require? Your skill set could actually be the key to getting the gig you want. If you’re a talented graphic artist, this can be your ticket to a little freelance business making extra income on the side.

  What if you’ve always wanted to be a bartender and you have nights and weekends free. It seems like an easy fit. But you don’t have a bartender’s license, and you don’t know how to mix a cosmopolitan to save your life.

  A course and some studying and you could be on your way. Knowing what your skills are and what the job needs are significant steps to landing the position you want.

• What is your day job? So, you have a “real” job or a career that takes up most of your time. It’s also what supplies most of your income, so this is a priority for you. This means that your weekend job or nighttime gig can’t interfere and cause you to do poorly or even lose your regular job.

  Make sure you’re putting your regular work and work schedule at the top of your priority list when you’re considering a second job. Making extra money is great, but if it costs you your primary income, you’re going to be in trouble.

• Why do you want a second job? Are you looking for extra cash, experience, new connections, something to do with your time, etc.? There are so many reasons for getting a new gig.

  We’re focusing on helping you find a way to make money here, but that might not be your priority. To find the right job fit, you need to understand your true motivations.

So, you can see that the key to finding a second job that fits your life, your time, your interests, and even your financial requirements comes down to you. A bit of soul searching and inner reflection goes a long way toward finding happiness in the long run.

Go for it, ask yourself the hard questions, and use that knowledge to get out there and make some extra money.

Second Jobs FAQs

1. What are good secondary incomes?

   Good secondary incomes include:

   • Bartender

   • Driver

   • Data entry clerk

   • Retail

   • Customer service representative

   • Fitness trainer

   • Tutoring

   What makes a good job for secondary income depends on your professional and financial situation, such as how much extra money do you need, your current work schedule, and what your skill set includes.

2. Do you get taxed more if you have two jobs?

   No, you do not get taxed more if you have two jobs. You will get taxed on your total income amount. There are tax brackets that affect how much you are taxed, so it is possible that you make enough money from your second job that you enter a new tax bracket.

3. Do I have to tell my employer about a second job?

   Unless it is explicitly stated in your employment contract, you do not have to tell your employer about your second job. However, it may be beneficial to inform your employer if you feel that scheduling between the two requires more transparency.

4. What is moonlighting?

   Moonlighting is a term for taking on a second job. This originally was used to described people who worked outside their normal nine to five job. They worked at night, hence they were “moonlighting”, or using the light of the moon, to work at their other job.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.