If you’re looking for a side hustle that isn’t afraid to get your hands a little dirty, you’re in the right place. The following side hustles are designed for people willing to put in the hard work. They go beyond the usual delivery apps or online gigs and tap into niches that can earn you significant money, often with minimal startup costs. The best part? You probably haven’t heard of many of these before, making them unique ways to stand out and build an income stream. Let’s dive into the top 11 best side hustles for hardworking people.
1. Environmentally Friendly Diaper Disposal Service
Let’s kick things off with a side hustle that’s perfect for people passionate about helping both parents and the environment. It’s not glamorous, but it’s profitable: running an environmentally friendly diaper disposal service. Disposable diapers are a major source of waste, and many parents feel guilty about using them. Enter reusable cloth diapers—a sustainable but inconvenient option for busy families.
That’s where you come in. Your role would be to pick up soiled reusable diapers, clean and sanitize them using eco-friendly products, and deliver them back to the family. This service provides parents with a guilt-free diapering option that also saves them time and effort.
How It Works:
- Pickup and Delivery: You’ll set a schedule with families to pick up dirty diapers and return the clean ones.
- Sanitization: The cleaning process involves using high-temperature methods and eco-friendly detergents.
- Sustainability Appeal: Your service targets eco-conscious families willing to pay a premium for convenience and sustainability.
Example:
ReDiaper, a company specializing in this service, charges $18 per pack of diapers. Although the work may seem unappealing, the demand is steady, and the profit potential is real. Wealthy families in particular value this service.
Income Potential:
While not everyone’s cup of tea, this niche side hustle can be quite lucrative, particularly in affluent areas. You can charge per pickup or offer subscription-based services.
Opportunity Score: 7/10
A rewarding side hustle for those with a strong stomach and a passion for helping the environment.
2. Gutter Cleaning
Next up, we have gutter cleaning—a physically demanding but highly profitable side hustle. Gutter cleaning might not sound exciting, but homeowners must prevent damage to their properties. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, foundation issues, and expensive repairs. Many homeowners either don’t have the time or are unwilling to take on this potentially dangerous task themselves, making gutter cleaning a valuable service.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: You’ll remove leaves, dirt, and debris from gutters and downspouts, ensuring proper water drainage.
- The Tools: All you need is a sturdy ladder, gloves, and gutter scoops, though safety gear like harnesses and goggles are recommended.
- How to Find Clients: Start by advertising on local platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You can also go the old-fashioned route—flyers or door-to-door marketing.
Example:
A Reddit user reported earning $650 in their first weekend of gutter cleaning, and they had no prior experience in the field. Most gutter cleaners charge between $30 and $50 per hour, and with the right marketing, you can turn this into a repeat business every season.
Income Potential:
With just a few hours of work each weekend, you can make significant extra income. Many clients need their gutters cleaned twice a year, giving you steady, repeat business.
Opportunity Score: 9/10
A low-cost, high-demand side hustle with the potential to scale, especially if you hire more help down the road.
3. Landscaping Services
For those who enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind getting their hands dirty, landscaping services can be an incredibly profitable side hustle. Landscaping goes beyond lawn mowing—it can include everything from planting flowers and trimming bushes to full-on garden design and maintenance.
How It Works:
- Services You Can Offer: Basic lawn mowing, hedge trimming, flower bed planting, mulching, and more advanced landscaping projects like patio installations or outdoor lighting setups.
- Client Retention: Many homeowners and businesses are willing to pay for regular maintenance. A bi-weekly or monthly landscaping service can turn into a steady income stream.
- Marketing: Like other local services, you can advertise via word of mouth, Facebook Marketplace, or flyers. Consider offering a discount for first-time customers or a referral bonus to get your name out there.
Example:
There’s a great story from CNBC about a woman who turned her summer lawn mowing gig into a multimillion-dollar business. Today, she owns over $6 million worth of equipment and employs 400 people. While that’s an extreme example, it shows the potential for growth in this industry.
Income Potential:
A basic landscaping job could net you $500 a month per client for routine upkeep. With 10 clients, you could be making $5,000 a month, working just two days a week.
Opportunity Score: 9/10
High earning potential, scalable, and perfect for those who enjoy working outdoors.
4. Specialized Cleaning Services (Carpets and Mattresses)
While regular cleaning services are common, specialized cleaning services like carpet and mattress cleaning offer higher pay due to the expertise and equipment required. Most maid services don’t offer deep carpet or mattress cleaning, creating a gap in the market for specialists.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: You’ll provide deep cleaning services for carpets and mattresses, using professional-grade equipment to remove stains, odors, and allergens.
- Equipment: You’ll need a carpet cleaning machine and a mattress sanitizing system, both of which can be rented or purchased for a few hundred dollars.
- Pricing: Specialized cleaning services can charge up to twice as much as general maid services.
Example:
The author mentioned struggling to find someone to clean carpets when moving out of a house, indicating a strong demand for this niche service. When a professional was found, they charged significantly more than a typical cleaning service, showing the high earning potential.
Income Potential:
While house cleaners earn around $34,000 annually on average, specializing in carpet and mattress cleaning can easily push that figure higher, especially in affluent areas where clients are willing to pay a premium.
Opportunity Score: 8.5/10
A lucrative niche in the cleaning industry that requires minimal startup costs and can be scaled with more equipment or employees.
5. Tutoring Services
If you’re skilled in a specific subject, tutoring can be a great way to make extra money. Tutoring services are in high demand, especially for standardized tests and specialized subjects. By focusing on a niche area, you can charge premium rates, making this one of the most profitable side hustles on the list.
How It Works:
- Subject Matter Expertise: You can offer tutoring in subjects like math, science, or even test prep for exams like the SAT, PCAT, or GMAT.
- Niche Down: The more specialized your tutoring service, the higher you can charge. For example, tutoring for niche exams or advanced courses can net you much more than general tutoring.
- How to Market: You can start by offering your services to friends or posting on local community boards, and platforms like Course Hero or TutorMe can also be great ways to find clients.
Example:
The author of the post started tutoring for the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) and eventually charged $180 per hour after initially tutoring for free. This example highlights the power of niching down and creating demand for a specialized service.
Income Potential:
General tutors typically make $18 to $22 per hour on tutoring platforms. However, by niching down and tutoring privately, you can easily charge upwards of $100 or more per hour.
Opportunity Score: 9/10
A flexible and scalable side hustle, especially for those with specialized knowledge or skills.
6. Crime Scene Cleaner
If you’re not squeamish and have the right equipment, becoming a crime scene cleaner can be an incredibly lucrative side hustle. This niche field involves cleaning up after accidents or violent crimes, and while it can be emotionally demanding, it offers high pay due to the nature of the work.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Clean and sanitize areas affected by blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazards.
- Specialized Equipment: You’ll need training and equipment to safely handle and dispose of hazardous materials.
- Market Demand: Crime scene cleaners are hired by law enforcement agencies, private companies, or families, making it a highly specialized but necessary service.
Example:
Cody Sanchez’s YouTube channel featured an interview with a woman who built a $12 million per year business in crime scene cleaning, demonstrating the high earning potential in this niche.
Income Potential:
Crime scene cleaners typically make $12 to $25 per hour, though the real money lies in owning and scaling the business.
Opportunity Score: 8/10
High income but emotionally and physically challenging work, making it suitable for those with a strong stomach and resilience.
7. Horse and Bovine Semen Extractor
One of the most unusual side hustles on this list, horse and bovine semen extraction is a specialized field in animal husbandry. This service plays a vital role in breeding programs for livestock, and while it might not be for everyone, it’s a necessary and profitable job for those who know how to do it.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Extract semen from horses or cattle for use in artificial insemination. This is critical for breeders who need to ensure the health and quality of their livestock.
- Equipment and Training: You’ll need specialized equipment and possibly training to work with animals in this capacity.
- Niche Market: This is a highly niche market, typically requiring connections in the livestock or animal husbandry industries to break into.
Example:
An article noted that some semen extractions can sell for as much as 10,000 euros. However, on average, you’re looking at earning about $15 per hour unless you’re working with high-value animals.
Income Potential:
Although the average pay is modest, this is a unique side hustle with significant earning potential if you work with high-end breeders.
Opportunity Score: 6/10
Harder to get into, but highly profitable for those with connections or the willingness to enter this niche.
8. Funeral Home Worker
Working at a funeral home might not be the first side hustle that comes to mind, but it can offer steady pay and flexibility. Funeral homes often need extra hands to help with preparations, support grieving families, or handle logistics after services. While it may be emotionally demanding, it’s an essential service that many people shy away from, meaning there’s often work available.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Assist with funeral preparations, and memorial services, and provide support to grieving families. You may also handle transportation or cleaning duties at the funeral home.
- Working Hours: Many funeral home workers are part-time or work on-call, offering flexibility if you’re looking for a supplemental income.
- Skills Required: Compassion, attention to detail, and professionalism are key in this line of work.
Example:
Funeral home workers typically earn about $24 per hour, but the exact duties can vary depending on the size of the operation.
Income Potential:
This isn’t a side hustle that’s easy to scale, but it offers steady, flexible income for those willing to step into a more emotionally demanding role.
Opportunity Score: 6/10
A stable, if emotionally taxing, side hustle with decent pay but limited scalability.
9. Mobile Knife Sharpening Service
A mobile knife sharpening service is one of those side hustles that many people overlook, but it can be highly profitable. Sharpening kitchen knives, tools, or scissors is something that almost every household needs, and many people don’t have the equipment or skills to do it themselves.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Travel to clients’ homes to sharpen their kitchen knives, garden tools, or scissors using specialized sharpening equipment.
- Start Small: This side hustle is great for people who want to start small with minimal upfront costs. All you need is some basic sharpening tools, which can be bought or rented.
- How to Market: You can advertise your services through flyers, social media, or even door-to-door marketing in your neighborhood.
Example:
A Reddit user reported making $250 to $400 a day sharpening knives as a full-time accounting student. Knife sharpeners generally earn $30 to $60 per hour, making this an easy way to earn good money with flexible hours.
Income Potential:
With just a few clients a week, you could easily pull in a solid side income. Plus, sharpening is a service that many people will need again in the future, creating repeat business.
Opportunity Score: 8/10
An easy-to-start, profitable side hustle with the potential for repeat customers and steady income.
10. Power Washing
Power washing is a simple but highly effective service where you use high-pressure water to clean outdoor surfaces like driveways, buildings, sidewalks, and decks. Power washing has a clear visual impact, and people are willing to pay good money to have their properties look spotless.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Use a pressure washer to remove dirt, grime, mold, and other debris from outdoor surfaces.
- Equipment: You’ll need a high-pressure washer, which can be purchased or rented. Safety gear like goggles and gloves are also recommended.
- How to Find Clients: Like other local services, you can market through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or neighborhood flyers.
Example:
There’s a story of a 21-year-old who turned power washing into a $120,000 per month business. While that’s not typical, many power washers charge between $40 to $60 per hour, making it a profitable hustle for those with the right equipment.
Income Potential:
With a small operation, you can expect to make $40 to $60 per hour. The equipment can be rented to reduce startup costs, and with just a few jobs per week, you can earn a decent side income.
Opportunity Score: 9.5/10
High earning potential with a low barrier to entry, though it requires some upfront investment in equipment.
11. Window Cleaning
Window cleaning is one of the simplest and most cost-effective side hustles to start. All you need is a bucket, soap, a sponge, and maybe a squeegee to get started. Many homeowners and businesses prefer hiring someone for window cleaning rather than doing it themselves, especially for tall or hard-to-reach windows.
How It Works:
- What You’ll Do: Clean residential or commercial windows, both inside and out. You’ll use basic cleaning supplies to get the job done, and you can expand to offer services like screen cleaning or even pressure washing.
- How to Market: As with other local services, advertising through Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood boards, or flyers can help you land your first few clients.
- Low Barrier to Entry: This hustle has one of the lowest barriers to entry on this list, requiring minimal equipment and experience.
Example:
One Reddit user reported earning over $10,000 in their first month cleaning residential windows. Window cleaners generally charge between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on the location and the job’s complexity.
Income Potential:
While it may not be as glamorous as other side hustles, window cleaning is consistent and profitable. With a handful of clients, you could easily make a few hundred dollars per week.
Opportunity Score: 9/10
An accessible and scalable side hustle with steady demand and minimal startup costs.
Conclusion
These 11 side hustles are perfect for people who aren’t afraid of hard work and are looking to make a solid side income. From gutter cleaning and diaper disposal to tutoring and specialized cleaning services, there’s something for everyone willing to put in the effort. While some of these hustles are physically demanding, they offer excellent income potential and the possibility of scaling into full-time businesses.
If you’re looking for something more scalable or professional, consider getting into sales, especially in the tech industry. Sales is one of the highest-paying professions, and many companies offer training programs with certifications and guaranteed interviews.
No matter which side hustle you choose, remember that success comes from persistence and hard work. So, pick one that aligns with your skills and interests, and start building your extra income today!
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