If it feels like everyone you know has something going on the side—a freelance gig, an online store, a coaching business—you’re not imagining things. According to a 2026 LendingTree survey, 33% of Americans currently have a side hustle .
That’s down from 38% in 2025 and 44% in 2022, but the number is still massive. More than one in three people are doing extra work outside their primary job .
But here’s what’s interesting: while participation has dipped, the average earnings have gone up. Side hustlers now make an average of **$1,242 a month**, up from just $473 in 2022 . People are earning more, but fewer are doing it.
Why? And more importantly, how can you join them?
Why the Drop in Participation?
The decline might seem surprising. Shouldn’t more people want extra income? LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz explains the paradox: “Yes, it has never been easier or cheaper to start a side hustle, but it still typically costs money to start one” .
Inflation has squeezed budgets, leaving people with less income to invest in starting a business. High interest rates have made borrowing harder. And in what economists call a “K-shaped economy,” some people are thriving while others are struggling .
The people who have side hustles are often the ones who can afford to start them—ironically, higher earners are more likely to have a side gig. The ZipRecruiter survey found that about 45% of those earning more than $150,000 do supplemental work, compared to around 31% of lower earners . As Kory Kantenga, head of economics for the Americas at LinkedIn, put it: “The more money you have, the easier it is to make money” .
Why Gen Z Is Leading the Charge
Younger generations are driving the side hustle trend. According to the LendingTree data, 43% of Gen Z (ages 18-29) and 45% of millennials (ages 30-45) have side hustles . Other surveys put Gen Z participation even higher, with The Harris Poll finding 57% of Gen Z have a side gig .
Why are they doing it? A Fiverr survey found that 64% of Gen Z respondents believe multiple income streams are necessary for financial stability, and 55% think traditional employment will disappear in the future .
This is what experts call “income stacking”—maintaining two or three income sources simultaneously so that if one dries up, the others provide a buffer . With job insecurity, soaring housing costs, and increasing personal debt, a single job no longer feels like enough .
The Financial Reality: Why People Really Do It
Despite the social media glamorization of side hustles, the reality is more practical—and a bit sobering.
The Omnisend side hustle report found that 80% of Americans with side hustles started them for financial reasons: bills, debt, saving for a specific goal, or job insecurity . Only 8-10% said they were pursuing a personal passion .
Here’s what the earnings actually look like:
| Monthly Income | % of Side Hustlers (US) |
|---|---|
| Up to $500 | 51% |
| $1,000 or more | 33% |
The combined monthly earnings from side hustles in the U.S. is a staggering $84.1 billion . Individually, the amounts are modest, but collectively, it’s reshaping the economy.
The Most Popular Side Hustles in 2026
Here’s what people are actually doing:
1. E-commerce and Reselling (41%)
Selling products online—whether handmade, secondhand, or dropshipped—is the most common side hustle . eBay is the most popular platform, followed by Facebook Marketplace .
2. Freelance and Professional Services (26%)
Online freelancing, consulting, tutoring, and fitness instructing . The highest earners in this category include tutors ($1,600/month on average) and professional services like accounting and marketing ($1,478/month) .
3. Gig Economy Work (29%)
Food delivery, ride sharing, babysitting, and pet sitting . These are the most accessible but often pay less.
4. Content Creation (23%)
Blogging, social media content creation, and affiliate marketing . Income varies wildly, but affiliate marketers average $37.50/hour .
How to Join Them: A Beginner’s Guide
Step 1: Start with What You Already Know
You don’t need to invent a new product. The most accessible side hustles start with what you already know. If you’ve navigated a confusing process—college admissions, hiring, managing a team—that knowledge is valuable to someone else .
Action: Write down three problems people already ask you for help with. Pick one and turn it into a simple offer.
Step 2: Make Your Offer Clear
A weak offer: “I’m starting a design side hustle, DM me.”
A stronger offer: “I’m offering five £40 menu redesign slots for independent cafés this month. You’ll get a one-page print-ready menu and a matching Instagram story graphic” .
Make it clear who it helps, what they get, how much it costs, and how to buy.
Step 3: Choose One Platform
Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Choose one route to customers first :
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TikTok/Instagram for visual products and local services
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LinkedIn for B2B and professional services
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Marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, Fiverr) for products and digital downloads
Step 4: Start Small and Get Proof
You don’t need a perfect website or a hundred reviews. Start with one or two clients, do great work, and ask for testimonials . One specific testimonial can be enough to make the next customer comfortable.
Step 5: Protect Your Time
Set a weekly limit before you start taking clients—maybe three hours, five hours, or one day a week. Work in focused blocks and group small admin tasks together . Turn off notifications when you’re working.
The Bottom Line
The side hustle economy has matured. It’s no longer just a way to make pocket money—it’s a financial lifeline for many and a growth strategy for others. The 33% of Americans doing it aren’t all chasing passion projects; most are responding to real economic pressure .
The good news? The barriers to entry have never been lower. AI tools, online platforms, and global marketplaces make it possible to start with almost nothing. The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented—they’re the ones who start, learn, and adapt.
Your first client could be closer than you think. Start this week with one offer, one platform, and one conversation.
