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Side hustles are a great way to bring in extra cash. Taking on work outside of your day job -- especially if it pays well -- can make a huge difference in meeting your financial goals. That might be saving for a down payment, paying down debt, or keeping on top of cost of living increases.
The challenge is that side hustles can be time-consuming. Some need you to have specific skills, own a car, or invest a lot of capital before you can get started. Even so, if you've got some extra available hours, there are several ways you can make decent money without stepping outside your front door. Particularly if you're ready to develop some new skills to make it happen.
Here are four high-paying side hustles you can do from home.
1. Digital marketing strategist
According to a survey by NetCredit, the best-paying side hustle in the U.S. is in marketing strategy. The survey showed digital marketing strategists could earn almost $180 per day. That can be a significant boost to your savings account balance. However, if you don't have any experience, you will likely need extra qualifications.
A successful digital marketer needs a solid understanding of online marketing, SEO, and ways to build and implement strategy. There are several different professional certifications available, both online and in person. If you're not sure where to start, try to connect with people in the industry and ask them about how they got started. You might even build your own website to practice with and showcase your skills.
2. Mobile app developer
NetCredit's second highest-paying freelance job is as a mobile app developer. It says developers can earn almost $165 per day. If you've got some technical abilities and are able to manage clients, that's a good start. You don't need a car, but you will need to learn how to code. You'll also need to understand how to build intuitive, user-friendly interfaces.
As with digital marketing, courses are available online. To give you an idea, Coursera offers an eight-month Android Developer Professional Certificate course by Meta. There's a seven-day free trial, after which it costs $49 a month. Interesting money-saving aside: Some cash back apps (such as Honey) work with platforms like Coursera.
3. Cybersecurity
If you're worried about the impact of AI on your main career and want a side hustle that's (perhaps) future-proof, cybersecurity is worth investigating. Cyber attacks are an unfortunate part of daily life, and there's a lot of demand for people who can help keep us safe. From ethical hacking -- essentially trying to find weaknesses in a company's security system -- to cybersecurity consulting, there are several high-paying avenues to explore.
Salary wise, cybersecurity consultants are charging upward of $100 an hour on Fivrr. If you're good at problem solving and have some technical understanding, there are plenty of courses available online that will give you the skills you need. Check out the National Cybersecurity Alliance for more tools, guidance, and information.
4. Online tutoring
The side hustles we list above are all jobs that are well-suited to freelancers. But they also border on a new full-time career, which may not suit your plans. If that's the case, consider online tutoring. Sure, it still calls for professional skills. But if you can use the knowledge you already have, you may not need to study for months before you can get going.
Some of the online tutors on freelance platform Upwork charge $64 an hour, while others charge a lot less. A lot depends on your profile, your experience, and what you teach. Think carefully about your niche. It might be a musical instrument, language, professional skill, or even something you were great at in school. Then research what platforms might suit you best and think about ways to make yourself stand out from the competition.
Keep track of your side hustle costs
Figures vary, but one survey from PYMTS showed that nearly 50% of American workers have some kind of side hustle. Try to view it as a business rather than an extension of your finances. Records are important, especially as you have to file taxes for any gig work earnings over $400, so record keeping is super important.
One simple way to track your spending is to use a budgeting app . That way, you'll know how much you're earning and whether your expenses are getting out of control. As your side hustle grows, you might also consider a business bank account or business credit card, as both will help you to separate your personal and business money.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intuit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
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