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New York City is a land of opportunity, hustle, and ambition. From the subway buzz to skyline dreams, every corner of NYC pulses with energy—and costs. With rent, transit, groceries, and lifestyle expenses climbing higher than skyscrapers, it’s no wonder New Yorkers are always on the lookout for ways to earn extra income.
Enter side hustles: flexible, scalable gigs that help turn spare hours into serious cash. Whether you’re a student, a full-time professional, or a stay-at-home parent, side hustles in NYC can help you stay afloat—or thrive. The best part? Many of them can lead to long-term career growth or creative fulfillment. With over 1/3rd of the country earning an extra income through a side hustle, according to a Bankrate report, it only makes sense that New York City also follows suit.
In this guide, we’ll cover 10 of the highest-paying and most accessible side hustles in NYC, including why they work, what you need to start, and how to maximize your earnings.
Top 10 Side Hustles in NYC You Must Try
1. Freelance Gigs (Design, Writing, Coding, and More)
Why it pays: Highly in demand, with scalable income.
Where to start: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, LinkedIn, your own portfolio.
NYC is full of creatives and entrepreneurs who need help but don’t always want to hire full-time employees. If you have a marketable skill—writing, graphic design, programming, social media management, or even video editing—you can easily tap into the city’s gig economy.
Freelancing also allows you to build your personal brand and set your own rates. Once you’ve built a client base, you can increase your rates and even transition to full-time consulting.
Hot Tip: Use Beem’s BFF Budget Planner to manage variable freelance income, so your irregular checks don’t mess with your financial goals.
2. Rideshare or Delivery Driving (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart)
Why it pays: Flexible hours, peak bonuses, surge pricing.
Where to start: Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex.
If you have a car (or even a bike), gig driving in NYC can be surprisingly lucrative—especially during rush hours, late-night weekends, or in zones with limited public transit. Add in tips, and this can become one of the fastest ways to earn extra money in a week.
Pro move: Work during rainy days or subway outages to maximize tips and surge rates.
3. Online Tutoring and Test Prep
Why it pays: Hourly rates range from $25 to over $100.
Where to start: Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, Preply, or your own site.
From SAT prep to coding bootcamps to ESL classes, tutoring is booming. Parents in NYC are especially willing to pay a premium for quality academic support. If you’re strong in a subject—especially STEM, English, or college admissions—you can turn that into a steady side income.
Bonus: It’s meaningful. Helping students achieve their goals can be incredibly rewarding.
4. Virtual Assistant Services
Why it pays: In demand by startups, influencers, and solo entrepreneurs.
Where to start: Belay, Zirtual, Time Etc, or direct outreach via social media.
VAs manage inboxes, schedule meetings, conduct research, and even handle social media. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy, this is a great side hustle that you can do from anywhere in NYC—coffee shop, apartment, or subway hotspot.
Skills that help: Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, Canva, and customer service.
5. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Why it pays: NYC pet parents are everywhere—and generous.
Where to start: Rover, Wag!, Pawshake, local Facebook groups.
City dwellers love their pets—but their schedules are hectic. That’s where you come in. Pet sitting and dog walking pay well, especially in upscale neighborhoods like the Upper West Side, Park Slope, or Tribeca.
Overnight pet sitting, in particular, can bring in $75 to $150 per night. If you’re good with animals and responsible, you’ll find repeat clients fast.
6. Event Photography or Stock Photography
Why it pays: High-ticket gigs; passive income from stock sales.
Where to start: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, event networks, your own site.
New York is a backdrop for weddings, proposals, concerts, and content creators. If you own a camera and have editing skills, you can earn hundreds—or thousands—shooting gigs or uploading stock photos. Focus on unique NYC scenes, portraits, and trendy lifestyle shots for platforms like Getty or Adobe Stock.
Bonus: Street photography in NYC is not only profitable—it’s iconic.
7. Transcription and Captioning
Why it pays: Steady demand from podcasters, YouTubers, and journalists.
Where to start: Rev, TranscribeMe, Scribie, or direct outreach to creators.
Transcription gigs pay based on audio minutes and complexity. If you type fast and have good listening skills, you can earn $15–$30 an hour from home. Captioning for accessibility is especially in demand—and sometimes pays higher than basic transcription.
Tools that help: Noise-cancelling headphones, Grammarly, and transcription foot pedals.
8. Errand Services and Personal Assistance
Why it pays: Wealthy clients, generous tips, consistent work.
Where to start: TaskRabbit, Handy, Craigslist Gigs, or concierge companies.
Helping busy professionals or elderly residents with daily tasks—groceries, IKEA assembly, dry cleaning runs, organizing—is a high-trust, low-skill gig that can build long-term client relationships. Once you get repeat customers, your rates can increase significantly.
Pro tip: Market yourself to realtors, interior designers, and senior care coordinators.
9. Monetizing a Creative Hobby (Art, Crafts, Music, Baking)
Why it pays: Passion meets profit.
Where to start: Etsy, Shopify, farmers markets, Instagram.
From handmade jewelry to TikTok comedy skits to small-batch cookies, New Yorkers love originality. If you’re crafty or creative, there’s an audience for your work. The trick is packaging it professionally, marketing it through social media, and building a small brand.
Need startup cash? Use Beem’s Everdraft™ to unlock instant cash without credit checks or interest to invest in your hobby.
10. Remote Data Entry or Research Assistant
Why it pays: Stable work, no specialized degree needed.
Where to start: Indeed, Clickworker, FlexJobs, or startup job boards.
If you’re organized and detail-oriented, data entry can be a calm, methodical side hustle—ideal if you want something repetitive and low-pressure. Research assistant gigs (e.g. sourcing trends, gathering leads, compiling data) can pay even more if you’re quick and accurate.
NYC Hustle is Real, So Are the Rewards
Side hustles in NYC aren’t just about extra cash—they’re about freedom, resilience, and leveling up. Whether you want to build savings, pay off debt, test a new career path, or just stay afloat in a pricey city, the right hustle can make all the difference.
And with tools like Beem, you can make your side hustle journey smoother. Beem’s Everdraft™ gives you access to $10–$1000 instant cash—with no interest, no credit checks, and no pressure. Use it to buy supplies, cover gaps between gigs, or invest in yourself.
Plus, with the BFF Budget Planner, free Credit Score Monitoring, and financial tips tailored for busy hustlers, Beem helps you earn smarter, save better, and live well—no matter how wild your NYC schedule gets.
Ready to hustle smarter, not harder?
Download Beem today and make every dollar (and every hour) count.
