30 Satisfying Side-Hustles in Canada To Start Right Now (2024)
We all want more money, and with today’s high inflation, things have become more expensive than ever.
Many Canadians are turning to side hustles to earn some extra cash. These side hustles can sometimes lead to lucrative careers and full-time gigs as well.
I started side hustling in 2018 as a finance writer, and I’ve turned it into a full-time career now, and I couldn’t be happier!
I’ve also have met dozens of people who have turned their side hustles into their full-time gigs, so I know quite a lot about this topic.
Let’s get into this list of the best side hustles in Canada, and I’ll talk about who should try them out, how much money you can make, and how you can get started today.
1) Gig Work Side-Hustles
2) Work from Home Side-Hustles
3) Investing Side-Hustles
4) Physical Work Side-Hustles
Things to Consider Before Starting a Side-Hustle
Every side hustle has its pros and cons. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all gig that’s going to please every single Canadian.
The perfect side hustle is an individual choice. Ask yourself some questions before you get started.
- What do I like doing in my free time?
- How can I use the skills I already have to make extra money?
- What new skills do I want to learn?
- How much time do I have for a side hustle?
The last one is perhaps the most important. If a part-time gig is going to take away from your hobbies, passions, and loved ones, then think carefully if it will be worth your time. Time is the one resource you can’t make more of in this life, so it’s an important consideration!
Top Side Hustles in Canada
Gig Work Side-Hustles
For those of you who may not know what this is, gig work refers to the gig economy. These are app-based platforms. Gig workers are independent contractors who work when they want and are paid by the platform. Here are my top picks.
1. Ride Sharing
Average Full-Time Pay: $19.14/hour or $37,323/year
Uber and Lyft are available in Canada. It’s a service called “ride-sharing”. You download and open the app and plug in the desired address. A driver will accept the ride, pick you up, and drop you off at the requested location.
It’s a taxi service. But there is no meter, and the cars are the drivers’ personal vehicles. Many people drive and use the app for social interaction. It’s often more fun than a traditional taxi service.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You like meeting new people
- You’re a talker
- You enjoy driving
- You have a qualified vehicle
How to get started:
It’s as simple as going to the website or downloading the driver app and signing up. You’ll have to meet a few requirements. Follow the directions, and you’ll be driving in 1-2 weeks. Here’s a screenshot of Uber’s requirements, and Lyft has similar prerequisites to drive for them.
2. Instacart
Average Hourly Pay: $20.80/Hour
Instacart is an app that pays you to go to the grocery store, shop for a customer, and then deliver the goods to their home. This one is a bit different than others on our list. You can knock out several rides or dashes in an hour, but Instacart shopping takes more time.
However, certain people enjoy it. If you’re the type of person that’s always looking for a reason to go to the store, then check out this app.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You enjoy going to the store and shopping
- You enjoy helping people
- You’re a fast and efficient shopper
How to get started:
The sign-up process is much the same as other gig apps. Go to the Instacart website and punch in your postal code and then follow the directions. Check out this full tutorial by someone who’s doing it.
3. Food Delivery
Average Hourly Pay: $25/hour
Doordash is my favourite delivery app. Uber Eats and Grubhub are also big names in this industry. However, Doordash seems to offer better pay and more deliveries per hour than its competition.
The pay you make for an order is figured up by adding the base pay (time and mileage) + promotional offer if applicable (this is called peak pay) + tips. Customers can add a tip right on the app and/or give you cash.
Consider this side hustle if:
- Driving is something you enjoy doing
- You want limited interaction with other people
- Your schedule is limited
How to get started:
Go to the website, sign-up, download the app and wait for a reply from Doordash.
Pro-tip – If you are wait-listed on any of the food delivery apps, check the schedule on Sunday night or Monday morning. This is when a lot of drivers will change up their schedules or drop shifts completely.
If there’s an opening, you can schedule yourself, instantly removing you from the waitlist.
Work from Home Side-Hustles
Working from home has the power to change lives. Most people don’t realize how much money and time you save by not putting on a suit and driving half an hour to work every day.
From the second you wake up, you’re losing money. But when you work from home, you just grab a drink, head to the computer, and start making it. Here are some of the best around.
4. Proofreader
Average Salary: $15-$25/hour
Are you known for having an eagle eye when it comes to proofreading? You can turn this into cash with a side hustle as a proofreader.
You can find this kind of job all over the web. Bloggers, magazines, and even content mills are constantly in search of this high-demand skill.
Some potential clients may have testing to see just how good you are, but these tests are often fairly basic to try not to get nervous.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have proofreading experience
- Meticulous work doesn’t bother you
- You prefer to work in silence
How to get started:
Problogger and content mills are solid places to start looking for proofreading gigs. If you have no experience and you feel like you need an edge, I recommend the Proofreadanywhere course that many of my other readers have found success with.
5. Virtual Assistant
Average Salary: $10-$40/hour
If you don’t want to create your own content or be stuck with a single task all day, consider becoming a virtual assistant. You could be responsible for various tasks, depending on the client.
You may work on a schedule for one while proofreading blog content for another. One day you may be replying to emails, and the next, you might be booking travel arrangements.
Consider this side hustle if:
- Multitasking is one of your many talents
- You enjoy being busy throughout the day
- You have multiple skills that are in demand
How to get started:
If you don’t have any experience, becoming a virtual assistant can be tough. However, you can find assistance from pros in the field. I recommend the 90DayVA course. I had a friend who landed a full-time gig less than two months after completion.
6. Freelance Writing
Pay Rate: $.03-$.05/word for entry-level writers
Freelance writing is how I started my remote working career, and it’s something that I am very passionate about. The most asked question I get about this job is, “How do I find clients?”
To which I answered: “Who said you had to find clients?”
I recommend most writers start off working for a content mill. The pay is not great, but it will help you to get your foot in the door. You’ll learn the basic formulas of content writing. You’ll also meet other writers. Never underestimate the power of networking.
Most importantly, you’ll learn which niches are right for you. Once you become an expert in a niche and can write content in this niche with your eyes closed, you’ll be a highly sought-after prospect.
Consider this side hustle if:
- Leaving the house isn’t fun
- You love to work at a computer
- You enjoy writing!
How to get started:
No portfolio? No problem. You can build one for free with websites like Medium or you can start your own blog. Use these at portfolio pieces to land a mill gig and then work your way up the food chain from there. You can also search on Problogger to see if there are any writing jobs that might interest you.
7. Customer Service
Average Salary: $26,000 – $48,000/year
If you want to help people and receive a decent salary, all while working from your home office, then consider a role in customer service.
Your job will be to help people, and it won’t always be easy. Sometimes the customers will be angry, and sometimes you’ll have to tell them “no”. But it can also be richly rewarding.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You want a steady job working from home
- You need benefits
- Helping people is a passion
How to get started:
First, you want to dust off that old resume and ensure it’s up to date. Ensure you highlight skills that hiring managers want to see for this type of position. Upload the resume to job sites like Indeed and start to search for the work you want actively.
8. Online Tutoring
Average Salary: $20-30/hour
Do you enjoy teaching? If helping people learn is a passion for you, then you can do it from the comfort of your own home by tutoring online.
There are a ton of options and websites out there so you can find the pupils you want and teach the subjects you desire.
Not only can you teach a variety of subjects, but you can also make a lot of money teaching English to students all over the world. Something like this can help you fill your schedule up with pupils fast.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have a passion for teaching and coaching
- You prefer to help people one on one
- Remote work is preferred
How to get started:
The first thing I recommend doing is vetting these websites. You don’t want to be scammed, so make sure and read reviews. Pick out several sites and apply. They’ll want to know the credentials and time slots.
Using multiple sites will give you the best chances of finding the work you want when you want. Just using a single tutoring website is putting all of your eggs into a single basket.
Check out a company like VIPKid for teaching English to Chinese students. Though with new restrictions from the Chinese government, I heard it is a bit tougher these days to land jobs, so be aware of that.
9. Freelance Graphic Design
- Average Pay Rate: $27 – $30 per hour
If you know your way around Adobe products, enjoy working on your computer, and have an artistic vision, you could earn up to $30 per hour or more as a freelance graphic designer.
Alternatively, you may be able to find a salaried position offering upwards of $48,000 per year or more for full-time work.
When it comes to graphic design work, freelance gigs may present the opportunity for a full-time remote work position if your clients appreciate your work.
There are lots of different projects you could work on as a freelance graphic designer, including:
- Logo design
- Animation
- Digital artwork, album covers
- Custom social media posts
- Special effects for videos
- Brand intros
- Front-end website design
- … and more!
With so many opportunities, it’s hard to get bored or tired of this online side hustle. Freelance projects generally pay by the job, whereas long-term projects typically pay by the hour or according to a weekly salary.
The one downside I’ll mention is that graphic design is a highly saturated freelance field, just like freelance writing. You can increase your chances of landing great gigs by creating a strong example portfolio and focusing on earning good reviews before you increase your prices to your desired pay rate.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have a creative, artistic mind
- You know how to use Adobe programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Fresco
- You don’t mind getting paid for production work (by the project)
- You like working on a variety of small projects at once
- You enjoy working with computers and technology
How to get started: Learn how to use the latest graphic design and illustration software programs. Create a portfolio of the type of work you’re trying to do, using example companies or free projects you’ve done for friends. Advertise on freelancing sites such as Upwork and Freelancer.
10. Amazon FBA
- Average Amount You Can Earn: $1,000 – $25,000 per month
Setting up an Amazon FBA (Fulfilled By Amazon) business is a great online side hustle that you can use to earn semi-passive income with.
Unlike a traditional eCommerce model, which would require you to maintain your own stock of merchandise and handle all of the shipping, Amazon’s FBA business model lets you sit back while they take care of all of the hard work.
Some of the most popular items sold by Amazon FBA sellers include:
- Home and kitchen supplies
- Office supplies
- Tech gadgets
- Pet supplies
- Personal hygiene items
Once the merchandise is in Amazon’s possession, they’ll handle all of the packaging, shipping, returns and storage.
You don’t have to store anything yourself or even visit a post office. Amazon will also handle any returns or replacements that come up, which relieves a lot of stress.
If you want to be a successful Amazon FBA seller, I definitely recommend using a product research tool like AMZ Scout, which will help you find the right products to sell.
Market research tools like this give you an upper edge by allowing you to look at insider consumer trends and pricing so you don’t jump into this side hustle blind.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You’re good with numbers
- You have a knack for finding the latest trend before everybody else
- You have at least $5,000 – $10,000 to invest in your first wholesale merchandise order
- You like sales
How to get started: Find a trending or growing niche product. Purchase a bulk amount of that product from a wholesale distributor or factory. Sign up for Amazon’s FBA program and ship the merchandise to their warehouse. Create and promote product listings. Sit back and earn money.
To learn more about this side hustle, check out my complete guide on how to make money with Amazon.
11. Resell Bulk/Closeout Items Online
- How Much You Could Earn: $10-$30 per item
If you like shopping at places like Bulk Barn or Costco, then it’s safe to say that you know a good deal when you see one.
If you’re looking for a clever way to make some extra cash, one idea is to buy items in bulk from Costco (or the ‘closeout’ section at other big box stores) and sell them online for a profit.
From lightbulbs to kitchen gadgets, shoes, and more, this is easy side hustle is as straightforward as it gets. Start by looking for the sale section at Costco or the closeout/clearance section at stores like Walmart or Home Depot. Take note of the listed sale price at the store and then look up the same item on Amazon to see how much it’s selling for.
If it’s selling for more on Amazon, then you can buy the item (or multiple items) at the discounted rate from the store and resell them online.
You can apply this same principle to thrifting as well! If you find a great deal on kitchen gadgets, tools, or furniture at a thrift store, you can clean them up and resell them on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji.
That being said, it’s important to do your research and find products that are in high demand. Also, you’ll want to be sure to factor in shipping costs and fees, as these can cut into your profits.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You regularly shop at bulk/wholesale stores
- You have an eye for a good deal
- You live nearby a post office and can easily ship items
- You’re looking for an easy side hustle you can do in your spare time
How to get started: The next time you’re shopping, take a look at the clearance or wholesale section. Compare the prices at the store to the prices for the same item on Amazon or eBay. If there’s a considerable price difference, buy it at the lower rate and resell it at a higher rate.
12. Offer Product Photography/Videography
- Average Hourly Pay: $75-$300 per project
If you have an eye for detail and a passion for photography and/or videography, you could turn your skills into a profitable side hustle by offering product photography and videography services to small businesses.
You could go about this two ways:
- Offering your services to local businesses selling a product or service
- Offering your services to online businesses and influencers selling a particular product or service
The first business model involves networking with local business owners and asking if they’d be interested in you filming a short commercial or taking some candid product photos.
The second business model involves small businesses shipping their product samples to you. After receiving the product, you would then take high-quality photos and videos, edit them, and send the final product back to the client.
To start, you’ll need to invest in a high-quality camera (or a new phone with a good camera), some lighting equipment, and editing software.
You could also create a website or social media presence to showcase your work and attract clients. As you gain experience and build a portfolio, you can increase your rates and expand your client base.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You’re a good photographer or videographer
- You have an eye for detail and know how to make items more appealing
- You have a knack for marketing
- You want to help small businesses grow
How to get started: Once you have your camera gear and editing software, you can start a page on Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer. It’s also a good idea to create a social media page for your service and print up some business cards to hand out to locals in your area.
13. Affiliate Marketing
- Average Hourly Pay: Varies a lot by product/service
Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn money through your social media pages. For example, I receive small affiliate commissions whenever my readers click my links and sign up for certain financial products that I mention in my articles.
You don’t need to start a massive website or blog to make money in affiliate marketing, though. Today, I’d argue that affiliate marketing through social media platforms like Tik Tok, YouTube, and Instagram is easier.
To get started, find products or services that align with your niche and have affiliate programs. Sign up for those programs, and you’ll receive a unique referral link to share with your followers.
When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission. Be sure to disclose your affiliate relationship to your followers to stay transparent (see my own affiliate disclosure at the top of this post).
To increase your earnings, focus on building a strong following and engaging with your audience. Here, it’s imperative that you provide value to your followers by creating informative and entertaining content that promotes the products and services you’re affiliated with.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have a social media following of at least 5,000
- You’re active on social media and enjoy posting
- You work in an industry that would be well-suited towards marketing a particular item
How to get started: You can register with affiliate marketing sites and request affiliate links for various products/services, which you can link to from your social media page. You can also work directly with larger brands by sending them an email or DM to work out an affiliate deal.
Investing Side-Hustles
If nothing on this list interests you, then another option is to take the excess money you have lying around and let it go to work for you.
Day trading, trying to time the market, and options trading all involve investing time and money. There are some passive options available. While not a true side hustle, they have the potential to make just as much money, and they can do it while you sleep.
14. Peer-to-Peer Lending
goPeer is a Canadian-specific peer-to-peer lending platform that allows you to “be the bank.”
How It Works: You get to directly back personal loans to other Canadians, and in return, you receive interest on these loans.
You can start today with just $1 to invest in your first business.
The interest is based on the creditworthiness of these people. goPeer does all of the vetting for you. The more risk you take on, the more you stand to make, but be careful because you could potentially lose it all.
While this is a great way to keep your money in Canada, there’s also some risk here. If the person defaults on the loan, you could be out the money you invested.
15. Robo-advisors
Investing has never been easier with the creation of robo-advisors. This option is perfect for the folks out there with the “set it and forget it” mindset. The fees are low, and you can add money to the account regularly or set up automatic deposits.
How it Works: Open an account with your robo-advisor of choice. Link up whichever bank account you want to use for deposits. Next, you’ll choose your risk tolerance, and that’s pretty much it.
The platform invests and rebalances for you. These days I recommend WealthSimple. However, the most important part of being an investor is doing your due diligence. Do some research to find the right platform for you.
16. Investing
If you want to have a more hands-on experience, there is a plethora of options available to you. ETFs are my favourite way to invest, but tried-and-true stocks will do just fine.
If you can’t decide what stocks to pick and robo-advisors aren’t for you, then exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be an option. There are large funds that contain a variety of stocks, usually in a single market or sector.
How to Get Started: I recommend Wealthsimple Trade, as all Canadian ETF and Stock transactions are commission free. Get a $50 signup bonus here.
17. Start An AirBnB
Today, AirBnB’s are often preferred over hotels. From vacation getaways to travelling students and digital nomads, the Canadian Airbnb market is a billion-dollar industry.
There are several different ways to approach starting your first Airbnb, depending on how much money you have to invest upfront. Here are some of the most common Airbnb business models:
- Rental arbitrage (turning your monthly rental into a profitable short-term rental)
- Owning a home and renting it
- Finding joint investors for a property and splitting profits
- Renting out a spare room or space in your home
- Create an outdoor glamping space
One of the most common trends on Airbnb right now is glamping properties. These sites provide an upscale camping experience and may come in the form of a tiny home, geodesic domes, yurts, and more.
These can all make for a low-cost Airbnb if you can find somebody willing to rent a piece of their land to you for your project.
On average, Airbnb hosts earn just under $1,000 per month after expenses are paid. The top 10% of hosts earn over $2,000 per month.
The great part about Airbnb is that you can turn it into a 100% passive income business. If you’re willing to cut into your profits a bit, you can hand your AirBnB management duties over to a property manager who will handle guest communication and maintenance.
Airbnb also lets you tack the cleaning fee onto your guest’s bill, which can help you save a bit of extra money that you’d otherwise spend on a cleaner.
How to Get Started: Purchase or lease a property or housing unit. Take lots of pictures, and list it on Airbnb as a host. The more content guests you have, the higher ratings you’ll get and the more you can earn from your listing. You can also start small by renting out a spare bedroom in your home.
18. Earn Interest With Crypto Staking
- Average Money Earned: 5 – 8% APY on staked coins
Note that this is an extremely risky endeavour, and there have been lots of scams surrounding crypto staking. But if you’re willing to take the risk, here’s what crypto staking is all about:
A number of tokens (which represent blockchain technology companies) offer a handsome interest rate to investors who hold onto coins rather than selling them off. This is known as “staking,” and blockchain companies encourage this to decrease the volatility of their coins.
Some companies offer as much as 10% APY or more on your staking investment. The interest will be paid to you in the form of additional tokens, which means that you could see an even greater return if the token performs well and increases in value.
Depending on the token you’re looking at, there may also be a minimum balance you’re required to hold in order to receive staking rewards. Before you jump into staking a crypto token, make sure that you have enough capital to cover the required staking amount.
How to Get Started: Research cryptocurrency tokens that offer staking rewards. Create a crypto trading account with an exchange like Bitbuy. Purchase crypto tokens using CAD, and hold onto them to receive staking rewards.
19. Rent A Parking Space To Campers & RVs
- How Much You Could Earn: $50-$150 per night
Making money by renting out spaces to RVs and vanlifers is a great way to earn passive income, without the hassle of dealing with long-term tenants and building repairs.
To get started, you’ll need to have a large enough outdoor space or a separate plot of land that you own or have access to.
You can go bare-bones and simply provide a plain parking spot or you can spruce it up by offering a paved parking space with access to picnic tables, a grill, power, water, wi-fi, and even a septic tank.
The nice thing about this side hustle is that you can go as large or small as you want. If you’re working with a small budget, you can start small and gradually improve the property as you earn more.
Once the space is ready, you can list your property on platforms such as RVshare, Campspot, AirBnB, or Outdoorsy.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have a plot of land or a large backyard that you don’t mind renting out to overnight campers
- You enjoy the prospect of meeting travellers and new people
How to get started: Make sure that the plot of land (or your backyard) has sufficient lighting so overnight campers can see as they park. You may also consider providing amenities like water, electricity, or wi-fi. Then, you can list the parking spot on sites like AirBnB or Campspot.
20. Set Up A Vending Machine
- How Much You Could Earn: $200-$800 per month
Buying a vending machine can be a profitable side hustle. Used vending machines can be purchased for as low as $500, while brand-new machines (which may be more appealing) can cost up to $5,000 or more.
To get started, you’ll need to do your research and find a good location with high foot traffic, such as an office building, school, or hospital. Some locations may offer you the space for free (as it benefits their patrons), while others may charge you a monthly rental fee.
Once you’ve secured a location, choose the products you want to sell, whether it’s snacks, drinks, or both.
Stock the machine regularly and keep it clean and well-maintained to attract customers. As your business grows, you can consider expanding to other locations and adding more vending machines to your portfolio.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You have at least $500 to buy a used vending machine
- Have a place where you could set up a vending machine (or rent a space at low cost)
How to get started: First, buy a vending machine. Then, figure out where to set it up, and what types of snacks or drinks you want to serve. Stock your machine, and visit weekly to take out cash, refill it with change, and restock items.
Physical Work Side-Hustles
The service industry is hotter than ever before. If you like mowing lawns, cleaning houses, babysitting, or hammering nails into wood, then a physical side hustle might be in your future. Here are three of my favourites.
21. Cleaning
Average Hourly Pay: $20/hour
I had a friend who hated her job. She was doing ok financially, but the stress and hours she was having to put into her job were making her quite unhappy. She decided to take a huge gamble, quit her job, and start her own cleaning business.
She signed up on Care.com and, in under a month, had a full roster of clients. She now owns her own business and is actively looking to hire new people. She charges a minimum of $20 an hour for the service.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You love to clean!
- Working hard and getting dirty doesn’t bother you
- You want to own your own business
How to get started:
I recommend Care.com to a lot of potential businesses. You can get clients who want their houses cleaned, dogs walked, housesitting, and even babysitting.
With just one app, you can start your own business doing multiple things. This way, you won’t get bored with a single job type.
22. Landscaping
Average Hourly Pay: $19/hour
Love mowing grass, shovelling or plowing snow, and running electric hedge clippers? Landscaping is a great weekend side hustle. Canadians have the benefit of turning it into a snow removal business during the harsh winter months.
However, if all you have available is the weekend or a few hours after work, this side hustle can work with that schedule as well. Word-of-mouth marketing is your best friend here. Do a good job, and you’ll find new clients fast.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You love working with your hands
- Working hard and getting dirty doesn’t bother you
- You want to own your own business
How to get started:
Starting a legitimate business is slightly different than loading up an app and scheduling yourself. You’ll need to file for a business license and any applicable permits. You’ll also need some equipment. When just starting out, you can rent or borrow what you need to do individual jobs.
23. Handyman
Average Hourly Pay: $20+/hour
Being a handyman is way cooler than it sounds. If your hobbies include building things, fixing them, and in some cases, breaking them, then this side hustle is for you.
The biggest issue here is going to be tools. They can be expensive. But if you’re already doing this stuff for fun, chances are you already have some tools around the house, or you have friends that can lend you some.
Handyman jobs have also moved to the gig economy with apps like Taskrabbit and Handy.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You love working with your hands
- Working hard and getting dirty doesn’t bother you
- You prefer to work by yourself
How to get started:
Getting started as a handyman is pretty similar to getting started with a landscaping job. You’ll need tools and licensing. If you’d prefer to skip that step, check out the abovementioned apps. They take on all of the liability for you. You just show up and get the job done, and get paid.
24. Bartending & Mixology
- Average Hourly Pay: $16 – $19 per hour (before tips)
If you love to socialize, you’re a good entertainer, and like the idea of getting paid to serve drinks to strangers, then bartending is an excellent side hustle to consider. While many bartenders are employed full-time, there are many who bartend part-time as a side hustle.
There are several different ways to approach bartending as a side hustle:
- Picking up part-time shifts at a local pub or nightclub
- Working with a catering company and bartending at events
- Becoming a freelance bartender and working small events and private parties
If you want to serve alcoholic beverages in Canada, you’ll need to complete a bartending training course, and test such as Serve It Right or It’s Good Business: Responsible Beverage Program first. These programs ensure that you’re responsible and know what you’re doing.
Each province has its own rules for which certification bartenders need to complete. Quebec is the only province where you’re not required to complete a bartending certification course.
Bartending at a local spot will likely give you more consistent pay. However, serving drinks at private events or working with a catering company often provides the opportunity to earn higher-than-average tips.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You don’t mind working night shifts
- You’re good at multitasking
- You enjoy talking to and entertaining people
- You prefer a social work environment
- You’re good at making cocktails and drinks
How to get started: First, you’ll want to get your bartending certification, depending on which program your province requires. Then, you can apply for part-time positions, sign up with a catering company, or start your own bartending business for private parties.
25. Refurbish & Resell Used Furniture
- Average Hourly Pay: $75 – $300 per piece of furniture
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” before. If you have an eye for detail, you’ll be surprised at just how many valuable things are carelessly tossed away or donated to thrift stores by people who no longer have space for them.
My friend, Elena, recently purchased a set of six dining room chairs. She paid $50 at a local thrift store for the entire set. At first glance, they didn’t look like anything special. Personally, I would have probably walked right past them.
All they needed was a bit of love and care, though. She took them home and sanded off the old peeling paint, revealing the natural wood grain. Then, she used a dark cherry red wood stain to revitalize them.
The difference was like night and day, and she was able to resell the set of chairs for $200. All in all, she made $150 for a few hours worth of restoration work.
You can repeat this side hustle with virtually any piece of furniture. With some basic tools, paint, and inspiration, you can turn these throw-away items into valuable antiques.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You like working with wood and furniture
- You enjoy thrifting and deal-shopping
- You want a side hustle without committed hours or scheduled time blocks
- You like DIY projects and crafting
How to get started: Take a trip to your local furniture thrift store and try to find great deals on lightly used items that need a bit of restoration. Take them home, restore them, and try to make them look brand-new. Resell the furniture for profit through online marketplaces.
26. DJ Small Parties + Events
- Average Hourly Pay: $50-100 per hour
Earning money as a small-time DJ is a great way to turn your passion for music and partying into a profitable side hustle.
Build your brand by creating a social media presence and sharing your music online. Networking with local clubs, event planners, and wedding coordinators can also help you land gigs.
To get started, invest in quality equipment, such as speakers, a high-performance laptop, a mixing board, and a microphone. Lighting equipment can also help you stand out from your competitors.
DJing tends to be a word-of-mouth industry, which means you’ll land more gigs as you go. Focus on client satisfaction and don’t be afraid to do your first few gigs for free (or cheap) to build your network.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You enjoy different genres of music
- You don’t mind working late nights and catering to parties
- You’re social
- You know how to use DJ/music equipment and lighting equipment
How to get started: First, you’ll need to learn how to DJ and set up all of the audio equipment. Then, you’ll need to buy your equipment. Once you’re ready to go, you can create a social media profile and business cards to market your service to people in your city.
27. Personalized Meal Prep
- How Much You Could Earn: $8-15 per meal prepped (not including food costs). Usually you’ll prep at least 10+ meals at a time.
Becoming a personal meal prepper for health-conscious individuals is a great way to turn your nutritional knowledge and culinary skills into a profitable side business.
Create a menu of healthy and delicious dishes that cater to different dietary restrictions and preferences. Every client is going to have different preferences, so be open to changes and variations.
First, you’ll need to find clients who are looking for healthy, home-cooked meals that they can enjoy throughout the week. Most likely, you’ll find these people at your local gym or fitness studio.
You can market your services through social media, word of mouth, or by creating a website.
Once you’ve landed a client, work with them to create a meal plan that fits their needs and preferences, and deliver the meals on a regular basis.
The client will pay for the meal-prep containers and should buy all of the ingredients. You just need to show up, cook the food, and pack it for them so that they’re good to go for the next few days.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You understand nutrition and enjoy working with people’s dietary needs
- You like to cook
- You’re organized
- You’re into fitness and health
How to get started: Create a list of healthy meals that cater to a variety of different diets. Market your services at your local gym, yoga studio, or simply by making social media posts.
28. Personal Fitness Training
- Average Hourly Pay: $30-100 per hour
Do you spend a lot of time working out? Is the gym your second home? If so, then personal fitness training could be a great side hustle. The best part is that you don’t even need a personal trainer’s license if you want to work by yourself (although it certainly helps).
Many gyms have rules prohibiting personal training in their gym, as they have their own trainers. However, you can offer personal fitness training in your clients’ home or online through video calls.
Once you start earning good money, you can even rent a space and set up your own small gym to work with individual clients.
This side hustle can also be done in correlation with a meal-planning and meal-prep service like I mentioned above.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You take your health and fitness seriously
- You enjoy helping others improve their health
- You’re patient and naturally good at teaching
How to get started: You can obtain your personal fitness training certification (doesn’t take long) or jump right in using your self-learned knowledge. Market your service to individuals looking to improve their health/fitness, and train them in their home, a local gym, or virtually.
29. Event Planning & Decoration
- Average Hourly Pay: $300-$1,000 per small event
Decorating small events, birthday parties, baby showers, holiday parties, weddings, and more is a great way to earn side money for those with a natural talent for design and decoration.
To get started, you should start by offering your services to friends and family at a discounted rate. In return, you can advertise your services to all of the people who come to the event by placing out cards, flyers or simply networking at the event.
Try to offer a diverse range of decor options, including centerpieces, floral arrangements, and lighting. The more you can diversify your design themes, the more clients you’ll be able to land.
Once you build a portfolio of your work, be sure to share it on social media or on your website.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You enjoy interior design
- You like DIY projects
- You work well with deadlines
How to get started: Offer to decorate a friend’s party for free (or cheap). Set out business cards or ask for a shoutout in return. You can also market your services through social media or by setting up a website.
30. Small Auto Repairs/Mobile Mechanic
- Average Hourly Pay: $70-100 per hour
Are you good a self-taught auto mechanic? If you’re used to fixing your own car, motorcycle, or small engine equipment, then you may consider offering your services to others.
Often, auto shops in busy cities are booked for days or weeks, and many people would rather hire a local who can fix their car quicker (even if they have to pay more).
You can fix your car in your own backyard or start a mobile service that offers to come to client’s homes or meet them where they’re stuck on the roadside.
The more types of repairs you can perform, the more jobs you’ll get. Just be sure that you don’t get in over your head, and stick to repair jobs that you know how to do, so you don’t end up in a sticky situation.
Consider this side hustle if:
- You’re a natural mechanic
- You’re patient and efficient
- You have your own tools for mechanic work
How to get started: Purchase all of your tools, print up some business cards, and start offering your services to friends and family. If you do a good job, you’ll be recommended to others. It may also help to put a mobile mechanic banner on your vehicle with your contact information.
What are the Most Profitable Side-Hustles?
Gig Work
My vote here goes to Doordash. The main reason for this is the ability to earn the most amount of money in the least amount of time. Not every app is going to the hours available when you want to work.
With Doordash, you can earn $50-$60 in just a few hours. If that’s all the time you have and you want the most bang for your buck, this is the best app in the gig economy.
Physical Work
Cleaning services are my recommendation in this category. People want more cleaning done than ever before, and they want their homes cleaned more often.
They also are more conscious of eco-friendly and harsh chemicals. If you can offer a service that goes out of its way to offer exactly what your clients want, you can make a tonne of money.
I know people who have started this type of business and have jacked up their rates over time to $30 or more per hour.
You will make your own schedule, working whenever you want. But remember, this is a business, and you should run it like one. Be friendly, but most importantly, be professional.
Work from Home
Since it has a personal place in my heart, I choose freelance writing. Between the freedom it gives you and the networking opportunities, this is hands down my favourite side hustle.
You’ll learn new things, including a new skill, and communicate with digital nomads from all over the world.
Opportunities abound. A freelance writing career can easily turn into building niche websites, starting your own digital marketing business, and even becoming a social media professional.
Investing
Investing is different for everyone, which is probably why it fits in so well in a discussion on side hustles.
However, if I have to choose, for most people, robo-advisors or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a good choice, and I have written about them extensively on this website.
Realistic Ways to Earn Extra Money
The only side hustle you shouldn’t want to do is the one that isn’t worth your time. When it comes to realistic ways to earn extra money, look at two things.
The first is passion. How much interest do you have in this activity? If the money is ok, but you dread going out and doing it regularly, then it isn’t a good side hustle.
The second consideration is the return on investment. How much of your own money do you have to sink into this project? How much time?
Before you plow a bunch of cash and time into a potential side hustle, spend some time thinking about whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze.
Side-Hustles in Canada
Side hustling can change your life. It can give you the income to pay bills, buy gifts for holidays, and help you to set money aside for an emergency fund, start a business, or invest.
What side hustle you want to work isn’t nearly as important as answering the why. Before you begin, know why you’re working extra and put your focus on whether or not making extra money is truly worth your time.
The more you grind, the more you’re going to realize what you’re missing. The real key to what makes a perfect hustle is balance.
Thanks for hanging out. If you enjoyed this post, check out my article on hobbies that make money.
9 thoughts on “30 Satisfying Side-Hustles in Canada To Start Right Now (2024)”
This whole quarterly tax thing is a little confusing. I just want to save money and put some aside, instead of paying every couple of months. I just started on May 31st and only do it part time cause I have a regular job
… Care.com seems to be for US residents only, which kind of contrasts the whole “Canadian” thing.
Canadians I believe can use it.. check this out: https://ca.care.com/carer-faq/ or this: https://www.care.com/en-ca/
Consider carefully whether a part-time job will interfere with your hobbies, passions, and loved ones. The one resource you cannot get more of in this life is time, so use it wisely!
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How do I get started/signup?
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