If you’re looking for the phrase that pays, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’m going to introduce you to 5 incredible but unconventional side hustles that pay well. There’s something for everyone in here, with ideas for both online and offline gigs, so let’s find the perfect side hustle for you.

5 side hustles that pay well

1. Short-term rentals
2. Matched betting
3. Personal training
4. Voice acting
5. Affiliate marketing

Short-term rentals

If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room or entire property sitting idle, consider dipping your toes into the world of short-term rentals. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo make it easy to turn your free space into a well-paid side hustle.

How much can you make on Airbnb?

Earnings vary depending on factors like size, style, location etc. According to Airbnb’s calculator, a private room in the US will bring in an average of $112 a night. The company also claims that the average US host can make more than $9,000 per year, but again those figures vary.

Your earning potential also depends on:

• The type of space you rent (eg: entire house or single room)
• How much you charge for your space.
• How often you rent it out.
• The number of ratings and reviews you have.

How to run a successful short-term rental side hustle

Decide what kind of host you want to be. How involved will you be in your visitors’ stays? As with most endeavours, the more time and effort you put into your space and customer service, the better your reviews and ratings will be. And in turn, the more you’ll be able to charge.

Ratings are given based on: Overall experience; Cleanliness; Communication, and Amenities amongst other things. Top reviews can help you move up the search rankings, which means you'll appear more often in people’s search results. This should result in more bookings (and more money!)

Please note: As with any side hustle, make sure you understand any associated tax ramifications. For example, if your side hustle earns you over a certain threshold, you may actually be operating as a small-business owner. In this case, you’ll need to report your income and expenses to the IRS.

Matched betting

Matched betting is America’s fastest-growing side hustle. It's popular across Europe, it’s not gambling, and you don’t have to know a thing about sport.

What is matched betting?

Instead, matched betting works like this: By placing bets on all possible outcomes of a sporting event, you can unlock a steady stream of income. The method allows you to turn the promotions offered by bookmakers into guaranteed profits, without risking your own money. The matched betting side hustle is a tried and tested, legal, and effective way to make money online.

How much can you make?

The amount of money you can make matched betting depends on a few things:

• Where you live.
• How much time you can allocate.
• The initial bankroll you can put up.
• And the ongoing investment you can afford.

However, you should be able to make $500 to $2000 per month in just a few hours a week. Spending 1 hour a day on matched betting should see you earn $1000 a month. That equates to an hourly wage of $33. Not bad!

How to get started with matched betting

Getting started is easy…when you start a free trial with ProfitDuel! ProfitDuel is a matched betting service, brought to you by the people who created OddsMonkey, the world’s original matched betting site. We have adapted the service for the US, bringing you the best software, step-by-step training, and support.

ProfitDuel’s FREE TRIAL offers you the chance to experience this side hustle for yourself. There’s no obligation and no credit card required. Just the chance to start making profits right away. So what are you waiting for?

Personal training

If you're passionate about fitness and well-being, why not turn your expertise into a well-paying side gig? Becoming a personal trainer not only allows you to stay in shape but also lets you help others achieve their fitness goals while adding to your income.

How much can you make?

As with most side hustles, the amount of money you can make depends on various factors. When it comes to personal training, your income is subject to things like demand for your services, your level of experience, and location. According to virtuagym, the average cost of a personal trainer in the US can range from $40 to $100 per hour (Apr 2023).

Personal trainers who are certified are generally able to charge higher rates than those without formal certifications. This is because clients are often willing to pay more to work with a qualified professional. And if you’re able to add a specialization to that, such as pre/postnatal fitness, then you may be able to charge even more.

How to become a personal trainer

Personal training is a side hustle that pays well, but it’s one that needs time, effort, and initial investment putting in. It’s a true hustle. Not only do you need to be super fit, you also need to have the correct qualifications. 

If you don’t want to go down the route of formal qualifications, you can still be a personal trainer. Delivering your side hustle via a social media platform or becoming a Youtuber means that you can reach a global audience.

Voice acting

Are you good at reading, speaking, and following directions? Your unique vocal talents could be your ticket to a highly profitable side hustle. From narrating audiobooks to voicing characters in video games or commercials, the demand for skilled voice actors is growing steadily. And there are a number of platforms ready to help you find the perfect gig.

How much can you make?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a freelancer voice-over artist in the US is $51.04 an hour (Aug 2023). However, salary.com reports an average hourly rate of $19 (July 2023). Voices.com claims that clients are willing to pay anywhere from $5 to $10,000 depending on the scope, scale, and skill involved in a project.

How to find voice-acting opportunities

One of the best ways to find voice-over work is by signing up to a platform like Fiverr, Bodalgo, or Voices. Whilst some are more geared towards general freelancer opportunities, Voices is a specialized marketplace for voice performers. You can list your skills and find work voicing audiobooks, radio ads, e-learning tutorials, and more! As always, do your research and find the platform that fits your needs the best.

Affiliate marketing

An affiliate marketing side hustle is perfect for most people because it can be done completely on your terms. If you get things set up in the right way, it can be a fantastic source of passive income. You could literally be making money while you sleep.

In affiliate marketing, you promote products and services and earn a commission for every sale, lead, or action you generate. When you join an affiliate marketing program, you’ll usually receive a unique link or code to share with your audience. When someone uses that code or link to make a purchase, you will receive a commission on the sale.

How much can you make?

As with a lot of side hustles, it’s pretty much impossible to know exactly how much you could make as an affiliate marketer. Earnings vary depending on things like your audience size, the products you’re promoting, and your marketing strategies. Some data estimates that successful affiliate marketers can earn anywhere from $20 to $100 an hour but it's important to remember that these figures are approximate. According to Influencer Marketing Hub’s 2023 Benchmark Report, the average online affiliate marketing manager's salary is nearly $57,000 per year. However, it’s important to note that a side hustle is designed to sit alongside your main source of income.

Did you know?

ProfitDuel has an affiliate program. That’s right, you could merge two of the side hustles from this article and maximize your income. The program is available for ProfitDuel Premium members, so you’ll need to sign up before becoming an affiliate. Once you’ve become a ProfitDuel Premium annual member and joined the affiliate marketing program, you’ll receive a unique affiliate link to share across your website and social channels. Receive a 50% commission from each new Premium member you bring to ProfitDuel. Our top affiliates are currently earning between $1,000 and $6,000 every single month!

In conclusion, if you're looking to boost your income, there are plenty of unconventional side hustles that pay well. From short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb, to matched betting for guaranteed profits, voice acting opportunities, affiliate marketing, and becoming a personal trainer, there's something for everyone.

Each side hustle offers its own potential for earning, and with the right dedication and effort, you could significantly increase your income. So why not take the plunge and explore these unique opportunities? Start your journey today and unlock the potential for financial flexibility.