For many Americans, one of the best ways to get closer to their ideal annual income is to learn how to make money online.
According to a 2024 study from Smart Asset, individual Americans need an annual salary of $96,500 to live comfortably in a major city, and families with two children need to make about $235,000.
However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that the weekly median earnings for Americans was $1,139. This makes the median annual salary a little less than $60,000—far below the annual cost of living in many cities.
Some leverage the thriving “gig economy,” where you find contracted gigs in a virtual marketplace, and others generate passive income. Regardless of your skill set and interests, you’re sure to find something that works for you.
We put together a list of 27 different ways you can make money from home to supplement your income. You’ll also learn what it takes to get started and whether or not it’s right for you.
1. Find miscellaneous freelance jobs
A great place to start when learning how to make money online is by looking at platforms that offer a wide range of work. Before diving into the rest of the list, it’s helpful to know about popular platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Every day, people and companies post jobs you may be perfect for.
At these sites, you can type in some of your various skills to see if any jobs are available. You can also create a detailed profile marketing your skills so people can find you more easily and offer you work.
Best for: People with a wide range of skills.
What you need to get started: Skills will vary depending on the specific job.
2. Take online surveys
Many companies out there want to get opinions from specific demographics and will pay you to take these surveys. While these don’t pay as much as many of the other options on the list, they also don’t take that long to do, so they are a simple way to make extra money. You can sign up to take these surveys at websites like Survey Junkie or Swagbucks.
Best for: Anyone with access to the internet.
What you need to get started: Access to a web browser.
3. Perform data entry
Data entry is a skill that many people can learn if they don’t already have experience. Doing data entry typically involves inputting data from different sources into a spreadsheet. Sometimes, you can find businesses looking for long-term workers, which can offer a little more stability than finding “gig work.” In addition to sites like Upwork and Fiverr, you can find data entry work at TechSpeed and Oworkers.
Best for: Well-organized individuals.
What you need to get started: Some proficiency with spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets.
4. Become an online tutor
For teachers looking for online side hustles, becoming an online tutor is a great option. Even if you’re not a teacher, you may be able to find some subjects that you can help students with. The platforms that link tutors with students usually cover school subjects like math, English, foreign languages, writing, and more. You can sign up to tutor on websites like TutorMe, Skooli, and Preply.
Best for: Those who love to teach.
What you need to get started: Experience teaching and expertise in the subject matter.
5. Be a virtual assistant
Many businesses of all sizes need additional help, so they hire virtual assistants. Virtual assistant tasks can vary depending on the gig. Some of these opportunities may be for one day of work, but others may need help for longer stretches of time.
These may pay you per job or per hour, and you can find these gigs on any freelance website. As of 2024, the average hourly rate for virtual assistants is $24 per hour and can be upward of almost $34 per hour.
Best for: People with a wide range of skills.
What you need to get started: Skills will vary depending on the specific job, but some skills can be helpful for many gigs like project management, organization skills, and data entry.
6. Get paid for your perspective
Focus groups are a key aspect of marketing, but it’s no longer just for new products hitting store shelves. In the digital age, companies are looking for people to review the user experience for their websites.
Sites like UserTesting pay you to share your opinions about different products from a variety of different brands. There are also sites like Userbrain that allow you to test different websites, applications, and software.
Best for: Individuals who like sharing their opinions.
What you need to get started: Access to a web browser.
7. Rent out your stuff
Do you have things that you don’t mind renting out? Well, websites like FriendWithA connect you with people who are looking to rent various items. Some of the main items people rent include cameras and film equipment, tools, generators, bikes, and other items people may only need for a day or two.
Best for: People with items they aren’t regularly using.
What you need to get started: Items in good condition to rent.
8. Rent out a room
In addition to apps like Uber, Airbnb is one of the most popular platforms in the new “sharing economy.” Many people use Airbnb as an alternative to hotels while traveling, but some people need a room to rent for longer periods.
Joining a platform like Airbnb allows you to make use of the extra room in your home for both travelers and long-term renters.
Best for: People with an extra room or home.
What you need to get started: A well-maintained room or home.
9. Sell used items
Selling used items is one of the best ways to make money because we all have things we no longer use. You no longer need to have a garage sale to sell your old items because there are platforms that can help you find buyers. There’s a long list of platforms that allow you to sell your used items like:
One of the primary advantages is that you’re no longer limited to your neighborhood and can reach a larger pool of potential buyers. If you have unique novelty items you’re willing to sell, you may want to consider a platform like eBay, where people are regularly looking for hard-to-find items. This is also a great way for kids to make extra money by selling old toys.
Some of these sites are also a great way to make money fast online because they have quick payouts once an item is sold. If the buyer is local, you can get paid the same day.
Best for: Those with old items they no longer need.
What you need to get started: Supplies to ship orders or transportation to deliver locally.
10. Sell graphic design services
There’s no shortage of graphic design jobs, and you can find these jobs through freelance websites or directly with businesses. Many businesses of all sizes need people who can design advertisements, logos, and more. If you’re a graphic designer, it may be a good idea to create a website that hosts a portfolio of your work where people can contact you directly as well.
Although it’s helpful if you have a background in graphic design, you can learn many graphic design skills on your own. There are many helpful tutorials for popular programs like Photoshop on YouTube and other social media sites.
Best for: Graphic designers.
What you need to get started: Graphic design software.
11. Create online courses
Is there something you know quite a bit about that you can teach to others? If so, you can create and sell online courses. From work-related topics to yoga to parenting strategies, offering classes for something you are a subject matter expert in can help you make money while doing something you love! Some of the best websites to sell your courses include Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable.
You may want to familiarize yourself with online course platforms because they are a great resource to broaden your skills. If you’re willing to invest some time and a little money, there are many courses to teach you new skills that you can turn into more ways to make money online.
Best for: Those who love to teach.
What you need to get started: Expertise in the subject matter you want to teach.
12. Self-publish books
There are many ways for writers to make money online, and writing books is easier than ever. You no longer need to go through a publisher to make money selling books. Today, there are many different websites that allow you to self-publish and sell your books.
The most popular site is Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), but you can also sell your books on websites like Apple, Google Play books, Kobo, and more. If you have a microphone, you can turn your books into audiobooks as a way to make even more money from your writing.
Best for: Writers.
What you need to get started: Writing software.
13. Start a blog
Blogging became big as a way to make extra money online in the early days of the internet, and it’s still very viable. The great thing about blogging is that you can write about anything you’re interested in and just need to find others who are interested in the same topic.
There are different ways to make money from a blog. You can create your own website and sell Google Ad space or find sponsors. You can also use platforms like Medium, which has a built-in audience, and you can earn revenue as more people read your posts.
Best for: Those who like to write.
What you need to get started: Writing skills and knowledge about a topic.
14. Do freelance writing
Although many news outlets and websites have dedicated journalists, there is also a lot of work out there for freelance writing. Some of the biggest websites out there, from the Washington Post to the New York Times, take submissions from freelance writers.
One of the best ways to find freelance writing work is by following editors on X (formerly known as Twitter). They’ll often post asking for people who can write on a specific topic. Sometimes, these gigs will pay hundreds of dollars for a single article. If you’re a fast writer and can write articles within a couple of hours, you could earn an hourly rate of $100 an hour or more.
If there’s a specific website you’d like to write for, just check and see if they have a page that tells you how to submit pitches for articles. Keep in mind that each publication pays different rates, and sometimes, the work can be inconsistent.
Best for: Writers.
What you need to get started: Writing software.
15. Find voice-over work
There are many people looking for voice-over work in advertisements, presentations, or audiobooks. If you can read a script, there may be people out there who will hire you for your voice work. Freelance platforms like Upwork often have miscellaneous voiceover job postings, but you can make more with longer-form content.
ACX is the platform Amazon’s Audible uses for authors to find people to read their audiobooks. The prices vary, but you can sometimes make significantly more there than on the freelance websites.
Best for: Anyone with a great voice.
What you need to get started: A microphone with good quality.
16. Sell arts and crafts
There are many different marketplaces online for those who love making arts and crafts. One of the most popular marketplaces is Etsy, and there’s a market for just about anything you enjoy making. You can make your own prices, and the platform takes a small percentage of the sale.
Best for: Creatives and artists.
What you need to get started: Materials to create items.
17. Sell stock photography and videos
Have you ever wondered where websites get their high-quality photos or videos? Many of them don’t have in-house photographers or videographers. They buy stock photos and stock video footage for a variety of projects.
For those who love photography and videography, there are a variety of websites that will buy your photos and videos. Websites like SmugMug Pro, 500px, Getty Images, and many others will pay you for the rights to your photos and videos.
Best for: Photographers and videographers.
What you need to get started: A camera.
18. Sell royalty-free music
Similar to photography and videography, many websites will pay you for your music. This type of music goes in the background of YouTube videos, advertisements, and anywhere else people may need some background music. Websites like Epidemic Sound and Pond5 are good places to start when it comes to selling your tunes.
Best for: Musicians.
What you need to get started: Instruments and recording equipment. Royalty and licensing information is available on the websites.
19. Create an e-commerce website
There are many websites that allow you to sell your product, but each one takes a percentage of the profits for using their platform. You can keep a larger portion of your profits by creating an e-commerce website.
When you create your own website, you’ll hold onto most of the profits. One of the most popular ways to sell is with Shopify, which easily plugs into your website. Shopify and similar services have fees as well, but it’s less than using a platform like Etsy.
The primary downside is that marketplaces like Etsy have a built-in user base, so you would have to do your own marketing to get the word out about your website.
Best for: People with something to sell who want a larger portion of the profits.
What you need to get started: The ability to create a website.
20. Utilize affiliate links
Affiliate links are a way to make additional money that work in conjunction with many of the other jobs on this list. An affiliate link is a special link that you use for a product or service from a company, and each time someone uses your link, you get a commission. This is how many stay-at-home parents popularized blogging in the 2000s. You can easily make passive income by using affiliate links with any of the following:
- Personal blogs and websites
- Social media profiles and content
- Podcasts
In an interview with Business Insider, creative entrepreneur and YouTuber Roberto Blake explained how he started making $5,000 a month from affiliate marketing. “I fell into affiliate marketing from the Amazon affiliate program, but then I realized a lot of subscriptions and software I was using had programs, too,” said Blake while discussing additional ways to do affiliate marketing.
Best for: Those who also make money from creating a platform like a blog, YouTube channel, or podcast.
What you need to get started: Discussing other products and services that you can link to.
21. Edit audio or video
There are many different job postings on freelance websites for audio and video editing. Many companies find freelancers through sites like Upwork and Fiverr to help them with their marketing content.
In addition to companies hiring audio and video editors, many social media influencers on platforms like YouTube and TikTok outsource their editing. Podcasters often hire audio editors as well.
This is another one of the skills that you can potentially learn if you don’t have experience yet.
Best for: People who enjoy editing audio and video.
What you need to get started: Software to edit audio and video.
22. Edit copy
People are always looking for editors. Whether it’s an author looking for someone to edit their next book or a company that needs an editor for something they’re publishing for the public, people need their words to look excellent. Previously mentioned websites like Upwork and Fiverr regularly have jobs for editors, but you can also find work at Reedsy and Wordvice.
Best for: Those who love language.
What you need to get started: Familiarity with the English language and various types of grammar rules, such as Chicago or AP style.
23. Become a social media influencer
Currently, it’s easier than ever to make money online through social media platforms. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok pay creators directly through their creator programs. Typically, you have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for these programs, but some people make hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month through them.
If you’re an online business owner, a writer, or anyone who sells products or services, social media is a great way to find new buyers. On these platforms, you can provide links to your products, and you can also include affiliate links as a way to earn even more.
Best for: People who don’t mind being on camera.
What you need to get started: Some or all of the following: a camera, smartphone, and editing software.
24. Start a podcast
Podcasting is an easy way to start making content that could potentially make you money. You have a lot of creative freedom with podcasts as well. You can talk about topics that you’re interested in, tell stories, or interview people. Then, you can broadcast it to thousands or even millions of potential listeners on apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
It can take some time to make money from podcasting. Unlike social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok, podcasting platforms don’t have a program to pay creators. Podcasters primarily make their money from advertisements and affiliate links. Once you have a dedicated audience, you can reach out to companies to sell ad space on your podcast.
Best for: People who enjoy talking.
What you need to get started: A microphone and audio-editing software.
25. Create a newsletter
Newsletters were some of the first ways for people to make money online. Services like Mailchimp and others allow you to create an email list and send a newsletter out to your subscribers.
The newsletter can be as frequent as you’d like, you can discuss different topics that interest you, and you can put it behind a paywall on your website. Substack is a newer platform that combines blogging with newsletters, and you can charge readers a monthly or annual subscription. This is a helpful tool for those who don’t want to build their own website.
You can also use a newsletter as a way to promote your online business and alert your customers of new products or discounts.
Anne Janzer is a self-published author and discusses how she uses her newsletter to sell more books. “When I have something new going on, I can go and ask those folks, ‘Hey, can you share the word about this?’ and they’re the first ones to go out and post about my new book,” Janzer said in an interview about how her newsletter leads to more sales.
Best for: Writers and people with an online business.
What you need to get started: The ability to write.
26. Walk or board dogs
If you’re a dog lover, this may be the right option for you. There are apps like Wag and Rover that connect dog walkers with people, but you can board dogs as well. For those who rent, you may need your landlord’s approval before boarding dogs, but this is a great option for those who want to make money from home.
Both Wag and Rover offer additional dog services for those with other dog specialties. These include:
- Drop-in visits to check on dogs while the owner is away
- Dog training
- Dog sitting
Best for: People who love dogs.
What you need to get started: Possibly transportation to get to clients and a home that allows pets if you choose to board them.
27. Trade stocks
This path of making money from home is on the riskier side, but it can also come with higher rewards. The difference between investing and day trading stocks is that investments are long term, whereas trading involves buying and selling stocks on a daily basis.
To make money trading stocks, you’ll need to stay updated on all of the latest stock news and learn when to buy and sell properly. There’s a learning curve to trading stocks, but some people make full-time income trading stocks through brokerages like Charles Schwab, Vanguard, or Robinhood.
Best for: People with a high risk tolerance.
What you need to get started: Before trading, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about various stocks and how to read the market to minimize losses. Then, you need a computer to trade, or you can trade on apps like Robinhood.
Making money online can help you pay off your debts
If you have a lot of debt, allocating funds from your paycheck can be difficult. Making money online is a great way to earn extra income that you can put toward your debts and potentially improve your credit. Some people are even able to make more money online than they would in an office job.
Having a good credit score is also a way to get access to credit cards and loans. You can use these to fund your online business or better equipment. This all starts with knowing your credit health and having the right tools.
At Credit.com, you can get your free credit report card to check your credit. Sign up for ExtraCredit for additional tools like credit monitoring and ways to report additional payments to the major credit bureaus.
