Best weekend side jobs in 2024

If you’re happy working your day job, but you’re just not bringing in enough money to make ends meet, what do you do? Sure, you can always play it safe and make cuts. Who watches Netflix anyway? And do you really need to buy a coffee every day on the way to work? Yes! Yes, you do! And let’s be serious, you need to keep your Netflix subscription intact. 

Enter the weekend side job. If you’re motivated, there’s a whole slew of things you can do to pad your income. And the best part: You can have fun doing it. From selling your talent to selling your time, here are the best weekend side jobs to help you rake in the dough. 

• Food delivery.
• Pet sitting. 
• Become a notary signing agent. 
• Odd jobs and running errands. 

Best weekend side hustles for extra income 

Deliver food 

Have you ever been in the middle of a great movie, and you suddenly get the urge for some fabulous food? We’re not talking pizza or Chinese. This craving is more sophisticated, like the amazing pasta dish at that scenic restaurant downtown or the to-die-for tiramisu up the street. These places don’t deliver, but GrubHub and DoorDash do. 

Today, people are comfortable staying home with a wide variety of food delivery at their fingertips. And since the COVID pandemic, contactless delivery has become increasingly popular, which is great for those looking for a weekend side hustle. You can become a driver for DoorDash or GrubHub and make good money doing it. 

To be a GrubHub or DoorDash driver, you must be 18 years of age or older, but you only need a few things to get started, including:

• A car (or bike in select areas).
• A valid driver’s license and car insurance.
• A valid state I.D. or driver’s license for bikers.
• A smartphone.
• A checking account for direct deposit.

GrubHub

GrubHub is one of the most popular food delivery services available. It’s gained enormous popularity lately and is available in most cities and towns. It has over 350,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Driving for GrubHub is pretty convenient. You pick your own hours, and they’ll even supply you with free gear — like warming bags and car decals. Plus, you can keep 100% of your tips. You also receive a base pay that includes mileage and bonuses and takes into account the delivery type and size.

The application process is relatively straightforward. Simply sign up online with your details, like proof of car insurance, consent to background check and ID verification. 

Getting paid is about as simple as it can get, too. Provide a checking account for direct deposit and you’re on your way. In addition to keeping your tips, you get a base pay that factors in your mileage, delivery type and time. 

DoorDash

Strikingly similar to GrubHub, DoorDash offers the same contactless food delivery in most cities and towns. Like GrubHub, the application process takes place online. Enter your details, including your automobile’s make and model and proof of valid car insurance, to get approved. From there, you choose your working hours and what orders you want to accept.

With a base pay of anywhere between $2 and $10 per delivery, “dashers” can depend on making a set amount each time they deliver. Base pay amounts depend on the time spent, mileage, whether the driver is working during DoorDash’s peak hours and the orders’ desirability among dashers. And, of course, tips are allowed and 100% yours to keep. If you’re strategic with the orders you accept and work during peak hours, you can make pretty good money as a DoorDash driver. 

Pet sitting 

Do you love animals? If so, pet sitting may be the perfect weekend side job for you. In 2021, there were over 69 million U.S. households with pets, and many pet owners need help. The national average for pet sitting is $15 per hour, but rates vary by state. 

Families with pets are always looking for someone to care for a beloved dog or cat while traveling or working. Kennels are an option, but not everyone likes the idea of putting the family pet in an unfamiliar environment long term — and that’s where you come in. Pet sitting is an easy, fun and convenient way to make extra money on the weekend. 

Getting started

Families in need of pet sitters often go through a veterinarian to find reliable, trustworthy people willing to pet sit. Meanwhile, sitters often post notices in the grocery store, pharmacy, on local social media pages or anywhere people from the community gather.

Of course, there are easier ways. You can, for example, register with a professional pet-sitting website, such as Rover, Wag or Fetch, for immediate access to families looking for local pet sitters and dog walkers. To do so, you often must undergo a background check, set up a profile with a bio and undergo screening by company-sitting specialists. In turn, many offer flexible schedules and insurance. 

Or, if you’re looking to make contact in your local community, consider visiting your local pet supply store or pet shelter to leave your contact details — your name, telephone number and brief bio — with the clerk or shelter volunteer. 

What to expect as a pet sitter

Pet sitting schedules and working environments can vary significantly from only a few hours each day to week-long overnight assignments. Sometimes you provide care for a pet in their home, and in other situations, you take the pet to your home.

What kinds of things should you expect to do as a pet sitter? You should, at the very least, be prepared to perform the following duties:

• If you go through a pet-sitting company, adhere to brand training and pet care standards.
• For the most earnings, be willing to care for many types of animals, including reptiles, amphibians, fish, dogs, cats, birds and even livestock on occasion. 
• Meet and get to know potential clients. 
• Provide pets with companionship and socialization (regular play and attention).
• Provide pets with regular meals and clean water.
• Administer medications and dietary requirements to pets as needed.
• Exercise regularly (including picking up after a dog).
• Maintain bedding, litter boxes, stables, cages or aquariums.
• Groom pets as needed.

Become a notary signing agent

Notaries, also called notary publics, witness and authorize the signing of important documents like passport applications and real estate documents. An excellent weekend side job, this service is in high demand all year and pays well. 

According to the National Notary Association, more than 70% of notaries earn at least $500 per month working part-time, and some make more than $7,000 a month working full-time. From loan documents to property deeds, wills and more, people from every background use notary services, making this weekend side job not just lucrative, but secure, too. 

Getting started

The process of getting set up as a notary varies from state to state. You must be at least 18 years old, able to read and write in English, and a legal resident of your state with no felony record. In some cases, you must also pass a background check and online exam. Typically, the process involves:

• Completing and submitting an application to your state’s regulating office.
• Depending on the state, taking a notary exam (usually free to $100). 
• Paying the state’s filing fee (usually between $20 and $80).
• Receiving a commission certificate in the mail.
• Filing commission paperwork with a notary regulating official.
• Buying notary supplies (ranging from $100 to $150).

Cost and materials

Becoming a notary public involves completing an application and, sometimes, an exam. Depending on the state, application filing fees are usually between $20 and $80. Not all states require an exam but, for those that do, expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $100 to take the exam.

In addition, after becoming a notary agent, you’ll need certificates and a seal for stamping certificates, a journal for recording your notarizations and an official license, called a notary commission. In most states, you will also need a notary bond, which protects consumers if you make a mistake. Packages for such materials are often available for $100 to $150.

Success as a notary is dependent in part on how well you market your services. You will likely need to advertise online or make connections with local real estate agents and brokers who can recommend you to clients in need. This may mean paying advertising fees or membership dues to local business networks. 

Odd jobs and errands

Maybe you’re willing to work on the weekend, but you’re not sure what you’d like to do. No problem! It’s easy to find odd jobs and small weekend tasks that you can do in your hometown for extra cash. From babysitting and housekeeping to yard work or furniture repair, odd jobs offer a quick, convenient way to earn a few dollars on a Saturday. 

Finding work

One of the easiest ways to find and get started with an odd-jobs weekend side hustle is to visit your local community bulletin boards. The fitness center, hardware store or public library in your hometown will likely have an area dedicated to posting odd jobs and marketing yourself as someone willing to work.

In addition, websites like Care.com and TaskRabbit.com offer local opportunities. Simply create a profile, set your location and look for work. There are plenty of categories to choose from, including heavy lifting, laundry and ironing, outdoor painting and even waiting in line. 

Pay is based on the task and location. For example, wallpapering in Orlando is listed for $15 an hour, while mounting a TV pays $42 per hour. Change the location to Corpus Christi and mounting a TV pays $44 hourly. 

You can also connect with local work opportunities by engaging with local platforms such as Facebook’s Odd Jobs for Hire Group and the Nextdoor app, where users are verified for your safety. 

Getting paid

In many cases, after completing an odd job for someone, you can expect to be paid instantly. Some jobs will pay cash on the spot, and that’s great. But there are other means to receive payments for direct deposit into an online account without you needing to supply banking details.

Payment apps like Venmo and Zelle are recognized nationally by most banks and financial institutions, and can provide direct deposit into your account instantly and securely. Or, if you want to accept credit cards in person from customers, consider Square, which offers you a free mobile credit card reader, no upfront costs and a pay-as-you-get-paid model. 

Side jobs to avoid

While there really are no side jobs to avoid if you’re willing to put in the work, a few haven’t earned the best reputation in securing a fair wage for the time and energy spent. 

Online surveys

Taking online surveys, for instance, can be tedious, time-consuming and rife with ‘bait and switch’ language. While there are some legitimate opportunities, many pay pennies on the dollar and only pay you after a certain dollar amount has been reached. 

Unverified freelancing

Remember, not all online job sites are legitimate. If you need to secure a virtual weekend hustle, stick to reputable, protected sites. With the gig economy in full swing, plenty of resources have protections built in for payment and outsourcing. Secure verified freelance opportunities only through proven freelance platforms like Fiver, Upwork and LinkedIn.

Jobs that ask you to pay upfront

It’s not a good idea to pay anything before starting — with few exceptions. As mentioned above, you may need to pay for a background check before becoming a notary. But, paying upfront to access lists, jobs, phone numbers or merchandise is a red flag. 

What are the easiest side jobs to start?

While many great weekend side jobs require a bit of preparation, many others do not. Here are a few jobs you can get up and running in no time. 

• Babysitting.
• Pet sitting or dog walking. 
• Odd jobs or running errands.
• Selling items on Craigslist, Etsy or Facebook Marketplace.

Tips for making money from home

Making money from home is far easier today than even a few years ago. Particularly since the COVID pandemic, more people and businesses are looking for and securing remote work using the internet to advertise and apply. Here are a few tips for staying safe while making a decent income: 

Prioritize security 

Never give out your personal information, banking or other sensitive data without being sure the recipient is legitimate. One way to screen a potential side-hustle platform or gig employer is to look them up on job sites like Flexjobs, Indeed or LinkedIn. If others report them as illegitimate, they probably are. 

Avoid large, unreasonable fees or payments

Yes, there are legitimate side jobs that require an upfront cost. Applications and background checks, for example, sometimes require processing fees. However, you should avoid fees not directly related to something of value or that are extremely high. Also, never accept large upfront payments before completing the work, especially if the hiring person contacts you via a cold email or text.

Focus on enjoyable jobs and tasks

It goes without saying that if you’re not an animal lover, you shouldn’t apply to be a pet sitter. Make work fun by choosing only the types of work you actually like. This makes the job easier and the time spent more enjoyable, both of which help to secure long-term success. 

Set realistic goals

Not even the most aggressive freelancer can become a millionaire overnight. Regardless of your weekend side job, be realistic about how much time and energy you have to commit. Plan to give yourself enough free time to rest, relax and enjoy friends and family. Doing so will ensure the time you spend working is more focused and successful. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I make an extra $1,000 a month on the side?

Absolutely! With the right weekend side job, it’s not only possible, but common to make $1,000 each month. For example, the average full-time salary for a babysitter is over $3,000 per month, meaning a $1,000 part-time babysitting income is quite possible.

What is the most popular side job?

While there are many opportunities for making a few dollars on the side, the most popular activity for earning extra cash is online freelancing. With no degree required, cash paid upon completed projects and several legitimate freelancing platforms available, this weekend side hustle is easy, safe and convenient.

The more experience you have, the easier it is to secure jobs and the more money you can make. Freelancing can include numerous areas of work, including editing manuscripts and project management. From data entry and technical support to writing articles and proofreading, freelance work is a tried and true weekend side job.

Do some side jobs require a degree?

Depending on the weekend side job you are interested in, you may or may not need a formal degree. While many do not require a degree, you may find more lucrative side hustles with one. For example, you may make more as a freelance healthcare writer if you have a nursing degree, though it is not required.

Alternatively, while each job is different, obtaining specialized training or relevant certifications can give you an advantage by demonstrating competency to a prospective client. Certifications are typically awarded by professional associations.

For example, if you’re interested in working with animals, earning certification from the National Association of Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International may make you more valuable to a pet owner. If you are interested in being a freelance marketing consultant or practitioner, certifications from HubSpot may give you an edge.

Not all weekend side jobs require certification or a degree. You can deliver groceries for DoorDash without a college degree, for example. However, there are other requirements you must meet, such as having a clean driving record, no felonies on your record and a valid driver’s license. You also must be at least 18 years old.

Be sure to look carefully at the requirements for any weekend job you’re interested in. While a degree or certification may not be needed, many jobs have specific requirements you must meet. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to apply for side hustles that require a formal degree. This is only a preference for some clients, and the right experience can still land you the job.