What counts as a side job, and who do they suit?
A side job is any paid work you do outside your main employment or as a self-employed activity alongside running a household. That covers everything from delivering parcels on a Saturday morning to selling digital designs from your sofa at midnight. The common thread is flexibility: you choose when and how much you work, which is exactly what makes side jobs appealing to parents, students, shift workers, and anyone whose regular income needs a top-up.
Side jobs are not just for people who are struggling financially. Plenty of people pick up extra work to save for something specific, to build a new skill, or to test whether a freelance idea is viable before going full-time. Whatever your reason, the 15 options below represent a cross-section of what is actually earning people money in the UK right now.
For a broader look at income ideas beyond employment, check out our guide to the best side hustles in the UK.
Delivery and driving side jobs
1. Food delivery rider or driver
Platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat connect self-employed couriers with local restaurants and customers. You can work on a bicycle, scooter, or car depending on your location and the platform's requirements.
Typical pay: £8–£14/hr Pay depends heavily on your area, the time of day, and how efficiently you manage your route. Busy urban areas during evenings and weekends are where earnings are strongest.
This suits people who already own a suitable vehicle, enjoy being active, and want truly flexible hours with no minimum commitment.
2. Parcel delivery driver
Amazon Flex and similar programmes let you book delivery blocks in advance, loading up a van or large car with parcels and completing a round in your local area. It is more structured than food delivery but still self-employed.
Typical pay: £13–£18/hr Amazon Flex advertises a set block rate, so you know what you will earn before you start. Earnings are more predictable than food delivery but rely on block availability in your area.
Best for people with a reliable car and a few free half-days each week. A clean driving licence is essential.
3. Rideshare or private hire driver
Driving for Uber or Bolt requires a private hire licence from your local council, which involves a medical, a criminal record check, and a topography test in some areas. The upfront effort is higher, but so is the earning potential.
Typical pay: £10–£20/hr after platform fees and before fuel and vehicle costs. Net earnings vary significantly depending on your vehicle efficiency and working hours.
Suitable for people who are comfortable driving for extended periods, can work evenings or weekends, and are willing to invest time in the licensing process.
Skilled and professional side jobs
4. Freelance bookkeeping or accounting
If you have a finance background or an AAT qualification, small businesses constantly need help with bookkeeping, VAT returns, and year-end accounts. Many clients need only a few hours per month, making this one of the most efficient ways to earn on a side basis.
Typical pay: £25–£50/hr Rates depend on your qualifications and the complexity of the work. Even modest hours can translate into meaningful monthly income.
This suits qualified finance professionals looking to monetise expertise they already use in their day job, without significant additional training.
5. Private tutoring
Demand for tutors in maths, English, science, and languages remains strong across the UK. Platforms like Tutorful and MyTutor connect you with students, or you can find clients locally through word of mouth.
Typical pay: £20–£45/hr Rates are higher for GCSE and A-level subjects, and in London and the South East. Experienced tutors with strong results can charge at the upper end.
Ideal for teachers, graduates, or anyone with strong knowledge of a specific subject who is comfortable communicating with young people and their parents.
6. IT support and tech help
Many small businesses and older individuals are willing to pay for help setting up devices, fixing software problems, or managing basic IT tasks. This can be done locally in person or remotely via screen-sharing tools.
Typical pay: £20–£40/hr Rates vary by task complexity. Simple home visits often command lower rates than small business work.
Great for people with an IT background or just a genuine aptitude for technology who want flexible, low-overhead work.
Creative and digital side jobs
7. Freelance copywriting or content writing
Businesses need blog posts, website copy, social media content, and email newsletters. If you write clearly and can research topics quickly, there is consistent demand for this work on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour.
Typical pay: £0.05–£0.15/word or £25–£60/hr for experienced writers. Beginners typically start lower while building a portfolio.
Well suited to journalists, English graduates, marketers, or anyone who writes professionally in their current role.
8. Graphic design and illustration
Logo design, social media graphics, and marketing materials are in constant demand from small businesses. Tools like Canva have lowered the barrier to entry, but clients pay more for original, skilled work that stands out.
Typical pay: £20–£60/hr Project-based pricing is common; a simple logo might fetch £150–£400 depending on your positioning and experience.
Suited to people with a design qualification or strong portfolio. Platforms like the best freelance platforms in the UK are a sensible starting point for finding clients.
9. Social media management
Small businesses often lack the time or knowledge to maintain a consistent social media presence. A side job managing one or two Instagram or Facebook accounts can be done in a few hours per week from anywhere.
Typical pay: £150–£500/month per client depending on the scope of work and posting frequency. Retainer arrangements make income predictable.
This suits people who are already comfortable using social platforms professionally, understand basic analytics, and can write engaging short-form copy.
10. Selling on eBay, Vinted, or Etsy
Reselling second-hand items, vintage clothing, or handmade products is one of the most accessible ways to start earning without any formal skills. Charity shops, car boot sales, and your own cupboards are all valid sourcing options.
Typical pay: £50–£400/month for casual sellers; more for those who treat it systematically and invest time in sourcing and listing quality.
Suits anyone with time to photograph and list items, a decent eye for value, and patience for the occasional difficult buyer.
Physical and local side jobs
11. Gardening and lawn care
Many households, particularly older residents, will pay reliably for regular garden maintenance. Start with neighbours and local Facebook groups, and word of mouth tends to grow a client base quickly.
Typical pay: £15–£25/hr A regular run of clients one day per week can easily produce £200–£400 per month in the growing season.
Physical outdoor work that suits people who enjoy being active and want a side job entirely separate from screen-based work.
12. Dog walking and pet sitting
Platforms like Rover and Tailster connect pet owners with local walkers and sitters. Regular clients provide reliable weekly income, and the work is genuinely enjoyable if you like animals.
Typical pay: £10–£15 per walk, with pet sitting rates higher. Building a small regular client base of three to five dogs adds up meaningfully.
Ideal for people who live in walkable areas, enjoy exercise, and want flexible hours with no commute beyond their local streets.
13. Cleaning
Domestic and commercial cleaning is one of the most reliably in-demand local services. You can go self-employed independently or join a platform like Fantastic Services or Helpling to find initial clients.
Typical pay: £12–£18/hr Self-employed cleaners with their own regular clients tend to earn more than those working through a platform, once established.
Suits people who are thorough and reliable, and who want physical work that produces clear, visible results.
14. Furniture upcycling and selling
Buying furniture cheaply from Facebook Marketplace or charity shops, restoring or repainting it, and reselling at a profit is a creative physical side job with genuine scope to grow. Skills like carpentry or upholstery add significant value.
Typical pay: £100–£600/month dependent on volume, quality of sourcing, and your finishing skills. Margins can be strong when you find the right pieces.
Well suited to people with a practical streak and some storage or workshop space. It takes time to develop an eye for what sells, but the learning curve is enjoyable.
15. Handyperson and odd jobs
Flatpack assembly, hanging pictures, minor repairs, and similar tasks are things many people will happily pay someone else to do. Apps like TaskRabbit and local community groups are good sources of initial work.
Typical pay: £15–£30/hr Rates vary by task and location. More skilled or specialist tasks command higher fees.
Suits practically minded people who already own basic tools and enjoy problem-solving. No formal qualifications required for general handyperson work, though specific jobs like electrical work require certification.
How much can you realistically earn from a side job?
Most people starting a side job alongside full-time work can realistically expect to earn between £200 and £600 per month once they are established. Reaching the higher end of that range usually requires consistent effort, a growing client base, or a skilled service that commands decent hourly rates. Side jobs that rely on platforms (delivery, gig apps) have more of a ceiling than those where you set your own rates directly with clients.
It is worth being honest about how many hours you can genuinely spare each week. Twenty hours per month at £20 per hour produces £400 before expenses and tax. That is meaningful extra money, but it is not a second salary.
Tax and HMRC rules for side job income
In the UK, you can earn up to £1,000 per tax year from self-employed or trading activity without paying tax on it, thanks to the trading allowance. Earn more than that, and you will need to register with HMRC and complete a Self Assessment tax return.
If you are also employed, your side job income is added on top of your salary for tax purposes, which means it may fall into the basic or higher rate band depending on your total earnings. National Insurance contributions apply to self-employed profits above the Small Profits Threshold as well.
Keeping clear records of your income and any allowable expenses from the start will save you time and stress at year end. For a full breakdown of what you owe and when, read our guide to tax on a second income.
How to pick the right side job for you
The best side job is the one you will actually stick to. Start by listing the hours you genuinely have available and whether they tend to be evenings, weekends, or scattered gaps during the week. Delivery and gig work fits irregular gaps well; client-based services like tutoring or cleaning work better if you can commit to regular slots.
Consider your existing skills and equipment honestly. A side job that uses what you already know is quicker to monetise than one requiring significant upskilling or upfront investment. If you are aiming for higher hourly rates, freelance skilled work (writing, design, bookkeeping) tends to scale better over time than physical gig work where pay is linked directly to hours.
Finally, think about which option feels sustainable for six months or more. Motivation matters. If the idea of walking dogs makes you genuinely enthusiastic and the idea of data entry does not, that is relevant information worth acting on.
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Start selling on FiverrFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell HMRC about my side job income?
Yes, if your side job income exceeds the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year, you need to register for Self Assessment and declare it. Even if your income is below that threshold, it is good practice to keep records. HMRC can request evidence that your income genuinely falls within the allowance.
Can I have a side job while employed full-time?
In most cases, yes. However, it is worth checking your employment contract to see whether your employer has any restrictions around outside work, particularly in similar industries. There is no general legal prohibition on having a side job in the UK.
Which side job is best for earning quickly?
Delivery driving, dog walking, and cleaning are typically the fastest to get started with, as they require minimal setup and platforms can connect you with work within days. Skilled freelance work usually takes longer to build up but pays more per hour once established.
Are side jobs worth it after tax?
For most people, yes. Even after tax, extra income is extra income. The key is to account for tax when setting your rates or assessing whether an opportunity is worthwhile. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, roughly 20p in every extra pound above the trading allowance goes to HMRC, so factor that into your planning.
What side jobs can I do from home in the UK?
Freelance writing, graphic design, social media management, bookkeeping, IT support, and online tutoring are all viable home-based side jobs. Selling on eBay, Vinted, or Etsy also works from home with deliveries handled via your local post office or courier drop-off point.
How many hours a week do you need for a side job?
That depends entirely on the option you choose and your income target. Some people earn £200 per month from just four or five hours of tutoring each week. Others need ten or more hours of delivery work to hit a similar figure. Start by matching the type of work to the hours you genuinely have, not the hours you hope to have.