Top 17 Summer Side Hustles to Consider

The term side hustle entered the public lexicon in 1950, but the concept itself is not new. High prices of goods, inadequate wages, and job insecurity have been our constant companions throughout history. These have led many people to look for more ways to make money.

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is a job or a venture that you do outside of your full-time job or on top of a part-time job.

It can also be a source of income for people who are in between jobs, are sidelined because of a disability, or have caregiving responsibilities.

What percentage of people have side hustles?

If you are looking for summer side hustles, then you are not alone.

According to a survey conducted by Insuranks, 93% of Americans who are working full-time and part-time have side hustles.

The most common side hustles are answering online surveys, selling new and second-hand items online, and freelancing.

And you are definitely not the first. Did you know that some famous people also had side hustles at some point in their lives, too?

Before his overnight success with the novel Carrie, Stephen King taught high school English and it was his main source of income while he moonlighted as a writer. He also worked as a janitor and laundry attendant before he made it big.

Renowned musician and composer Philip Glass moonlighted as a taxi driver even as he was already working on his masterpieces.

Marc Benioff was working at Oracle when his side hustle, Salesforce, Inc., finally took off.

Related: 5 Lucrative Opportunities Asphalt Maintenance Contractors Can Start Right Away

Why People Look for Side Hustles

There are many reasons why more and more people are working side hustles. The majority of respondents of the Insuranks survey said that they just want some extra cash, while others work side hustles to have some extra income to make ends meet.

Some say that their side hustles are a way to explore their passions, while others cite inflation as their main motivation. The rest consider side hustles as a way to pay off their debts faster.

Best Summer Side Hustles

Have you been thinking of joining the ranks of people with side hustles yourself? Then take a look at our top 17 summer side hustles you can consider.

1. Sell vintage and preloved clothes online

Do you still have a stash of old yet fashionable clothes in your closet?

Do you have a good eye for classic styles and trendy clothing?

Are you good at finding high-end designer pieces at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other thrift stores?

Then try selling vintage and preloved clothes online! You can sell these clothes at eCommerce platforms such as Poshmark, Depop, Mercari, Vinted, Etsy, eBay, ASOS Marketplace, and more. You can also try selling used clothes on Facebook Marketplace.

Vintage, preloved, and thrifted clothes are not the only items you can sell on these platforms. You can also sell jewelry, shoes, bags, home decor, and accessories at these sites.

How to start this summer side hustle

Check your own closet or raid a family member's for new and old clothes you can sell (don't take and sell your loved one's clothes without telling them first!).

You can also head over to Goodwill and other thrift shops to find trendy vintage and preloved clothes.

But before you start listing your products online, make sure to wash or dry clean them to ensure that they are clean, presentable, and attractive to your prospective buyers. Cleaning it will also remove any perfume and other odors the outfit has.

Iron the items and take some good photos before uploading them on your preferred eCommerce platform.

Things to remember before you start

• Read the platform's guidelines before signing up.
• Price your merchandise accordingly. Do not overcharge but make sure that your prices are competitive, too.
• Be upfront about the authenticity and condition of the items you are selling.

2. Flip Legos on eBay and other websites

You might have outgrown Legos, but did you know that you can make money by flipping them online?

How to start this summer side hustle

To flip Legos online, you can start with the ones you already own. These can be old Legos that you or your child own and have outgrown.

Or you can buy them for cheap at local retailers, thrift stores, or garage sales.

After sorting and cleaning them, you can sell them online via platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

You can also explore Lego flipping websites, such as Brick Owl, BrickLink, and Bricks and Minifigs.

Things to remember before you start

• Make sure to separate Legos from Mega Bloks, Cobi, and other similar toys.
• Prioritize vintage and rare Lego sets as these attract more collectors. Rare minifigs are also best-sellers.
• Price your merchandise accordingly.
• Be transparent. Inform prospective buyers if the sets are missing bricks or minifigs.

3. Sell your old smartphones and other electronic devices online

Another top summer hustle to consider is selling your old electronic devices. It can be an old (but still working) cellphone, an outdated tablet, an e-reader, or a laptop you're not using anymore.

Some of the places where you can sell damaged or old electronics are Decluttr, ItsWorthMore, Amazon Trade-In, SellCell, Gazelle, and more.

By selling your old or damaged electronics, you not only declutter your home but also earn extra cash. You also help cut your carbon footprint and save the environment.

How to start this summer side hustle

Before you send your old device to the eCommerce platform you have chosen, make sure to check its condition.

• Is the screen cracked or does it have scratches?
• Does it have dents or any other visible signs of damage?
• Is the battery still functioning?

Next, get a quote by informing the platform about the condition of the device.

Once approved, you can now send the device to the platform's office (shipping is free).

Your phone's condition will be assessed one final time before you get the final price. You can accept or decline the offer and get paid with your preferred payment option.

Things to remember before you start

Wipe all your personal data, phone numbers, usernames, and passwords from the old device to prevent identity theft. Check out this article to learn how to wipe your device before selling them.

Related: Top 12 Summer Business Ideas to Try

4. Sign up as a driver for Uber or Lyft

If you have a car and know the city like the back of your hand or can navigate the city with the help of a GPS navigation system, then sign up as a driver for Uber or Lyft.

This is a great opportunity for college students or those with a part-time job who need an additional summer hustle to supplement their income.

You can also become a rideshare driver even if you're working a full-time job.

How much do rideshare drivers typically earn?

Lyft drivers make an average of $24 an hour, while Uber drivers make an average of $19 per hour.

But make sure to factor in gas, repairs, platform commission fees, and other expenses to get a real idea of how much you're really going to earn.

How to start this summer side hustle

Prepare all the minimum requirements (a valid driver's license and a four-door vehicle) and all required documents to start.

Download the ridesharing app on your phone and submit the required documents. These include your driver's license, proof of residency, proof of vehicle insurance, and photo.

Once you've passed the screening process, you'll be ready to rock this side hustle.

Things to remember before you start

• Read Lyft or Uber's requirements before signing up.
• Have important documents ready before you sign up.
• Make sure your vehicle is up to the ridesharing platform's standards and ensure that it is always clean and properly maintained.
• As an independent contractor, you can drive for both Uber and Lyft at the same to increase your earnings this summer.

5. Deliver food, groceries, and other items to other people

Another interesting and potentially lucrative summer gig is delivering food, groceries, and other items to people.

You can do this by signing up for online ordering and delivery platforms, such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, Postmates, and Uber Eats.

Platforms, such as Postmates, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, are used mainly to deliver meals and alcohol.

Instacart, on the other hand, is for grocery shopping and delivery only.

According to ZipRecruiter, food and grocery delivery drivers earn an average of $16 an hour.

The frequency of orders and how much you will make will depend on your area and how big its population is. You can also earn more through tips but it's important not to rely on them.

How to start this summer side hustle

Get your bicycle, car, or scooter ready for this summer side hustle.

Note: Using bikes to deliver food and groceries is only allowed in select cities, so check the platform rules first.

Prepare all the necessary documents to get started. These include your driver's license, proof of insurance, and Social Security number. You will also need to undergo a background check.

Once approved, you can start this side hustle job immediately.

Things to remember before you start

• It's good to have a car, especially if you're delivering a lot of food and groceries. But if you only have a bike or a scooter, then don't worry. Some platforms will allow you to deliver items with just a bike or a scooter depending on the area where you live.
• You can work for all platforms at the same time (if you have the time and energy, of course).
• You have to undergo background checks before you can start working as an independent contractor.

6. Make money by freelancing

Freelancing has been an attractive gig for many workers not just during summer, but all year long. In fact, this is one of the leading side hustles you can do from home.

What's great about it is that freelancers get to work from home (or anywhere, for that matter), set their own hours, and take on multiple clients if they choose.

There are plenty of jobs you can do when it comes to freelancing.

Jobs range from anything as simple as data entry or as complicated as accounting. Some people can even work as freelance data scientists, PHP developers, 3D modelers, translators, legal researchers, and more.

How to start this summer side hustle

If you're looking for side hustles you can do from the comfort of your own home or if you're a student wondering how to make money in college, then try freelancing.

Note: Make sure that your computer has good specs and is suitable for the freelancing job you have chosen.

You could probably get away with a desktop or laptop with lower specs if you're getting into copywriting, consulting, or translating.

But you have to have a computer with higher specs if you're planning to get into video editing, web development, or photo editing.

Polish your resume and portfolio (if you have one), and sign up for your preferred freelancing platform. Now you can start looking for clients.

Where can you sign up as a freelancer? Here's a short list of websites where you can sign up to start freelancing:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• People Per Hour
• Guru
• Coroflot
• 99designs
• Envato Studio
• Behance
• LinkedIn
• ServiceScape
• FlexJobs
• Gun.io
• Remotive
• SolidGigs
• Paid to Blog
• Toptal
• Dribble
• Belay
• Codeable
• Contena
• Media Bistro
• Twine
• ClickWorker
• Contently
• Art Wanted

Things to remember before you start

• Freelancing can put you in a precarious financial situation if you can't manage your finances properly. Always have a gig lined up just in case a client ghosts you. Emergency funds are a must – you don't want to be left penniless between clients or long dry spells.
• Start by offering your services part-time. Don't quit your day job until you have a solid footing in the industry.
• Have a portfolio.
• Learn how to price your services properly. Don't overcharge your clients but don't undercharge either.

7. Offer crack filling and line striping to residential and commercial property owners

Not everyone is cut out to work in an assembly line or from 9 to 5 in a cubicle.

If you're looking for a summer gig (or a full-time business) where you can indulge your love for the outdoors, then try crack filling and line striping.

How to start this summer side hustle

You don't need a college degree to fill cracks in asphalt and stripe lines.

To learn about crack filling and line striping, simply watch various YouTube demos. Check out a sample video below.

Tip: You can also enroll in Asphalt Kingdom's Start Your Own Business course to learn everything you can about it.

Things to remember before you start

• Is this summer side hustle scalable? Yes, it is. Apart from crack filling and line striping, you can also offer sealcoating and pothole patching to add to your list of services to make more money.
• The weather can be your biggest ally or your greatest enemy. Make sure to use a weather forecasting app to keep track of air temperature or precipitation.
• Add pothole patching to your list of services to make money not just in summer but all year long.

Related: Driveway Sealcoating Kickstart Course

8. Maintain lawns

If you're looking for a side hustle (or even a full-time business) that is in demand during summer, then try maintaining lawns.

Lawn mowing, in particular, is one of the gigs out there that have high demand during the warmer months.

How to start this summer side hustle

If you want this to stay as a summer gig and you just want to mow lawns, then we have some good news for you. The barrier to entry is low and all you need is a good lawn mower to get started.

Things to remember before you start

• Learn how to properly mow lawns first before you jump right in.
• Let your family and friends know that you're offering lawn care. They will become your first customers.
• Acquire ergonomic lawn mowers and other lawn maintenance equipment. Lawn maintenance is hard work so be kind to your body.

9. Teach English online

If you're a native English speaker or you speak it fluently and you can teach it to children and adults, then teaching English online may be a good gig for you this summer.

How to start this summer side hustle

Having a degree in English, linguistics, or teaching is good to have, but in some instances, not necessary.

Make sure that you own a good laptop or desktop computer with a high-definition camera and a good headset with a microphone.

A fast and reliable internet connection is also a must-have.

Things to remember before you start

• Patience is the key to success in this business. Most of your prospective students will come from countries such as South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, etc., so there will definitely be a language barrier and it's going to test your patience.
• It's a good idea to obtain a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) before applying as an online tutor.
• Make sure you have your own room or space at home, and that the door is locked whenever you're teaching your students (your cat or kids roaming the room while you're tutoring your students is not a good look).
• Purchase the best noise-canceling headphones you can find.
• Have a backup laptop or desktop, internet connection, and generator/power station.

10. Give guided tours

A tour guide is a person who serves as a companion to tourists and provides relevant information about a certain place or an event that happened in the area.

Ideally, tour guides should have grown up or have spent a large amount of time in the area where they give guided tours.

They should also have extensive knowledge about the place and its history.

Tour guides can work in different places, including museums, motor coaches, historical districts, and landmarks.

They can also give guided tours in national parks, botanical gardens, breweries, vineyards, animal sanctuaries, and other scenic areas.

What makes a good tour guide?

As mentioned, you should already have extensive knowledge about the specific area that you want to introduce tourists to.

A good tour guide should be someone who loves being around other people and is punctual.

They should be flexible, a fantastic communicator, and know how to resolve conflicts properly.

If you fit the bill, then being a summer tour guide may be a good side hustle for you.

How to start this summer side hustle

Choose whether you want to provide walking tours, become a museum guide, or become an adventure guide.

Sign up for training and obtain a license if required.

Things to remember before you start

There are several types of guiding jobs you can choose from, so pick one that best suits your expertise and your personality.

If your expertise is in art and history, you can also guide tourists around museums and landmarks. Like whitewater rafting or trekking instead? Then sign up to become an adventure tour guide.

In most cases, you only need a high school diploma to work as a tour guide. But for museum and national landmark tours, for example, you'll be required to have a college degree to be considered for the job.

Some states and military parks may require a tour guide to acquire a license before you can operate. Check their guidelines before starting your guiding gig.

11. Work as a golf caddie

When we say golf caddie, the first thing that usually comes to mind is carrying a heavy stand bag full of a wide variety of golf clubs, accessories, and GPS systems.

But being a caddie needs more than just the ability to lug around heavy things along the length of the course.

You don't need to be a golf player, but you must also be familiar with the game and its rules or be a fan of the sport.

This is because you're going to be required to calculate yardage and help the golfer make decisions about their shots.

You'll also be required to find errant shots, as well as clean clubs and golf balls properly.

How to start this summer side hustle

To become a golf caddie, simply visit your local golf course or country club and ask if there are training sessions for would-be caddies. Join a training program and be certified.

Once certified, you can apply as a caddie at a local golf course or country club. You can also look for a family friend or neighbor who is a golfer and make arrangements to become their caddie.

Things to remember before you start

• This is a good side hustle for extremely patient individuals because you'll spend a lot of your time waiting.
• Working as a golf caddie is not something you can do forever. So take advantage of scholarships offered by golf-affiliated foundations. These include the scholarship programs by Evans Scholars Foundation, Widdy Neale, and Francis Ouimet foundations.

12. Check out Amazon Mechanical Turk

If you're looking for a summer hustle that you can do from home or just about anywhere, then Amazon Mechanical Turk is a good choice.

This is a crowdsourcing platform where so-called requesters ask other people to do various kinds of work for them.

There are different types of work available on the platform including answering surveys, audio transcription, data entry, categorization, and video ratings.

You can also be hired to write descriptions, edit videos, and verify data here.

How to start this summer side hustle

Simply sign up to the Amazon Mechanical Turk website and look for jobs that fit your skill set.

Things to remember before you start

• Working as a "Turk" is just for beer money; you can't rely on this to pay most of your bills.
• Choose high-paying jobs to increase your earnings.
• Be careful with accepting requests and make sure to follow instructions to a T. Your account could get suspended and reinstatement can be hard because of poor customer service.

13. Clean out crime scenes and unattended death

Be forewarned! This job is not for the squeamish so skip this right now if the sight of blood and death terrifies you.

But if you're the type of person who has the psychological fortitude to see and clean up crime scenes and unattended deaths, then this may be the right summer hustle for you.

How to start this summer side hustle

Just visit job search engines like Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, GetWork, and more to look for job openings.

What are the requirements for this job?

You don't need a college degree to work in this sector. All you need is a high school diploma or a GED to qualify.

But this job requires you to handle pathogens, crime scene evidence, and hazardous waste so it's important to undergo training and be certified afterward.

Crime scene cleanup technicians should be healthy and physically fit as it involves carrying and moving heavy objects and bodies.

Plus, you'll also be required to have a valid driver’s license and pass a drug test.

Things to remember before you start

• Your job is not limited to cleaning up crime scenes and unattended deaths. You'll also be required to clean up and transport medical waste (yes, including infectious waste).
• As a trauma scene cleanup specialist, you're going to be on call 24/7, 365 days a year. If your social life is non-negotiable or if you have other commitments, then this is not the job for you.
• This job is not only hard physically but also psychologically, so make sure to look out for your psychological well-being.
• Compassion and deep respect for other people is a prerequisite for this type of job.

Related: Asphalt Maintenance Contractors: How to Stay Safe at Work This Summer

14. Try flipping furniture

If you're looking for a summer hustle that you can start right away and don't need training or certification, then try flipping furniture for profit.

But what is furniture flipping and how can you make a profit with it?

Flipping furniture involves buying discarded furniture for a very low price (or getting it for free) and refurbishing it to make it look new again. After fixing it, you can now sell it for a higher price.

How to start this summer side hustle

You can purchase old and second-hand furniture from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and garage sales.

You can also ask family members and friends if they have some old yet usable furniture they want to discard.

Now, where can you sell the furniture you've fixed?

You can sell them online via Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Groups, and Craigslist. You can also try apps and sites such as OfferUp, eBay, Swappa, Locanto, Mercari, and more.

Things to remember before you start

• Having a truck or van to transport furniture is a must. If you don't have a van or truck, you can rent someone else's vehicle via TaskRabbit and Facebook Marketplace.
• Learn how to clean couches and fix wooden furniture properly before you take the plunge.
• You need to have your own workshop and storage area for this. If you live in an apartment, then try your apartment complex's parking lot to start and rent a storage facility to store your newly-refurbished furniture.
• Look for a good place to showcase your work. It also helps to have a good camera for high-resolution photos of the furniture you've flipped.

15. Clean vacation homes or work as a seasonal cleaner

A seasonal cleaning job is another summer gig that has a low barrier to entry. With this job, you can clean Airbnbs, stadiums, botanical gardens, timeshares, private residential communities, national parks, hotels, resorts, and more.

How to start this summer side hustle

If you want to get your foot in the door, then the first step is to look for seasonal cleaning opportunities online.

Most of the businesses that look for seasonal workers are hotels and resorts.

If you don't want to go the online route, then ask some family or friends if you know of someone who owns Airbnbs, timeshares, and other rentals.

Things to remember before you start

• You can apply as a seasonal cleaner as early as March. Applying in the middle of summer? You can do that as many seasonal cleaning gigs last until early fall.
• This is a fast-paced job and involves plenty of hard work so you must be physically fit.
• Are you a nature lover? Then apply for seasonal cleaning jobs in national parks.

16. Operate a Coffee Kiosk, Cart, or Trailer

Love coffee and want to share your passion for the world's most popular drug? Then set up a coffee shop!

How to start this summer side hustle

You don't have to set up a brick-and-mortar shop if you don't have enough capital just yet.

You can start small with a kiosk in a mall or a theme park somewhere.

Or you can operate a mobile coffee cart. If you want to level up and make more money, then check out coffee trailers. You can drive to your city's central business district and sell coffee to office and other workers there.

Things to remember before you start

• To set up your coffee shop, you need to invest in basic equipment, including an espresso machine, grinder, scale, thermometer, etc.
• Complete a short barista course to learn everything you can about making the perfect cup of coffee.
• It's summer, so make sure to offer iced lattes and frappes, too (purchase a durable blender if you're planning to offer iced beverages).

17. Rent your spare room on Airbnb

Short on cash but have a spare room at home? Then rent it out to tourists and business travelers on Airbnb!

Renting out extra space on Airbnb is a great way to make money without leaving your full-time job.

As the homeowner, you can set your own price and adjust it during days with high demand.

You don't need to pay a hefty fee just to have your property listed on the website. Airbnb listings are 100% free for property owners.

Plus, it doesn't involve a lot of hard work. Simply ensure that your property is up to Airbnb standards and that the room is clean and secure, and you're on your way to success.

How to start this summer side hustle

To start an Airbnb business, you need to prepare your room or home. Renovate the rental if necessary. Furnish it with clean and tasteful furniture before you sign up on Airbnb and create your very first listing.

Things to remember before you start

• Make sure that your location is in an area where a lot of tourists or business travelers visit. If you live in the middle of nowhere and there are no tourist spots, then this might not be the gig for you.
• Read the Airbnb rules before signing up and listing your property on the website.
• Give the room or home a makeover to make your rental more attractive to guests.

Not interested in hosting people on your property? What about their stuff?

Neighbor helps you make extra money by renting out your spare rooms, garages, and driveways for storage or for parking. Renting out your property for storage sounds like a great idea for passive income.

Related: How to Start a Driveway Sealcoating Business

Finding the Right Side Hustle for You

We mentioned some of the most profitable side hustles many people are engaged in right now.

But the question remains: how do you find the right summer side hustle for you?

• The first question you should ask yourself is what piques your interest or what is your passion?
• Do you have a good eye for stylish and trendy clothes?
• Are you a fan of Legos and you have a roomful of these toys just lying around at home?
• Do you love breathing new life into old or neglected furniture?
• Or would you rather work outdoors and fix people's driveways or lawns?
• What are the things that you love and what do you enjoy?

This part is important because just like working full-time jobs, working side hustles is not a walk in the park. You're going to have a lot of good days and there will be bad days, so you might as well enjoy what you are doing.

Next, it's time to assess your skills.

• Are you fluent in a particular language and are you good at teaching it to people?
• Can you transform second-hand furniture with some paint, varnish, and flair?
• Are you good at troubleshooting, research, or auditing?
• Are you personable, meticulous, or have good organizational skills?

Identify these skills, and make a list starting from your strongest suit to your weakest. The ones at the top of your list are your path to a profitable side hustle.

Before starting out, talk to other people who are already in the business. If they don't mind, ask them if they wouldn't mind mentoring you.

If you don't know someone who is involved in that side hustle in your area, you can always watch YouTube videos and read articles and blogs about it.

You can also check out online forums, such as Reddit and Quora, to get some information about that specific side hustle.

Tip: Want to dip your toes into crack filling and line striping? Then read Asphalt Kingdom's resources on these topics.

We have blogs and YouTube videos to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn everything about the science and procedures of asphalt maintenance.

We also hold a roundtable discussion every Wednesday at 7 PM ET. You don't have to join the discussion outright, but you can listen in and ask questions once you're comfortable doing that.

How to Find Time for Your Side Hustle

Wake up earlier. According to Edison Research, the majority of their respondents said that they wake up between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM. If you want to make time for your side hustle job during the summer months, then it pays to wake up earlier than that to make some extra money.

Some of the summer side hustles in this list that you can do early in the morning include:

• Selling secondhand clothes
• Flipping Legos
• Selling electronic devices online
• Uber or Lyft driver
• Freelancing on Fiverr, Upwork, and other sites
• Teach English online
• Do tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk
• Flipping furniture

During your breaks. Do some micro jobs and make some extra cash during your 15-minute breaks or lunch break.

Some of the jobs you can do include answering surveys online, doing some small tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk, or updating your merchandise prices and description on Depop or eBay.

After your shift. Crack filling, line striping, and lawn maintenance are some of the summer side hustles that you can do after your shift.

This arrangement is ideal if you work the third shift at your full-time job. If you're not tired yet, you can drive out to your client's property and fix cracks, stripe parking lot lines, or mow some lawns for a couple of hours before heading home to sleep.

During the weekend. The weekend is the best time to earn some passive income or engage in your side hustle job.

During the weekend, you have plenty of time to devote to your side hustle so you can take on as many clients or jobs as you can handle.

Tip: Addicted to side hustles? Set aside one day for rest to avoid burning out.

During your commute. Do you have a fairly long commute on a train or a bus with nothing to do but fiddle with your phone or listen to some podcasts?

Then maximize your time by making money online. Some of the things you can do include uploading pictures of the merchandise you're selling online, answering some surveys, drafting product descriptions for your furniture flipping business, or updating your merchandise's rates.

Conclusion:

Have you decided which summer side hustle you're going to devote your time to? If you've decided that crack filling and line striping are for you, then check out the Asphalt Kingdom supplies and equipment store to get started.

Wondering what asphalt tools you'll need for your new side hustle? We've helped people start asphalt maintenance businesses for over 20 years and have helped thousands of people turn this side hustle into their full-time business. We're also just a phone call away, so reach out to us at 1-866-399-5562 or email us at sales@asphaltkingdom.com.