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30+ Best Side Hustle Ideas for Moms: Stay at Home Mom Side Jobs to Consider

What are the most profitable and flexible side hustles for moms? Check out our 30+ best picks.
Deepti Nickam
Author: 
Deepti Nickam
Derek Sall
Editor: 
Derek Sall
Lauren Bedford
Fact Checker: 
Lauren Bedford
26 mins
April 2nd, 2024
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You have plenty on your plate, and a second full-time job is out of the question. So how can you meet your financial goals? Getting a side hustle is a solid bet.

But with your lifestyle, you can’t just take up any side job. The best side hustles for moms have to be flexible, profitable, and scalable.

And no, you don’t have to launch a huge job search—we have it all covered in this article.

Similar articles:

30+ Side Hustles for Moms: Best Side Businesses to Check Out Today

We’ve split our list of recommendations into 12 mini-categories to help you navigate.

Best side hustles from home for moms

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Don’t worry—where you work doesn’t have to limit your job opportunities.

Here’s a list of some of the best side hustles from home for moms—

1. Tutor online

Earning potential: $15–$38/hour

Have expertise in a particular subject? Or better yet, are you already a teacher? This side job may be a great fit for you.

Get paid by the hour to tutor students online in your spare time.

Start by checking out online tutoring companies like Chegg Tutors, VIPKid, and Qkids.

Keep in mind:

  • You may have more or less work depending on the subjects you choose to teach.

  • Your income will directly depend on how many hours you can teach.

Learn more:

2. Start an affiliate marketing blog

Earning potential: $9–$43/hour

Tons of hustlers and experts have hailed blogging as one of the top side gigs for women.

Have a flair for content creation? Share your expertise with your audience, and start making some serious cash.

But simply putting out content won’t pad your bank account—that’s where affiliate marketing comes in.

You’ll be advertising someone else’s products or services on your platform and getting a commission from any sale that comes from your referral link or code.

This is also a perfect gig to complement other side hustles like podcasting, social media marketing, and more,

Start your passive income journey with affiliate marketplaces like Leadpages, ConvertKit, or ShareASale. They’ll help you find the right products to advertise.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll lose credibility if you aren’t careful about what brands you’re marketing.

  • This space is very competitive, which can impact your income.

Learn more:

3. Proofread

Earning potential: $21–$35/hour

Are you a stickler for grammar rules, who bugs their friends by catching spelling, syntax, and punctuation errors?

You can turn your annoying trait into a money-making one.

Proofreading is a transactional skill that you can apply across several industries. You’ll make sure the content that goes through your hands is error-free and readable.

Plus, you can take this up whenever you want, and work remotely while you care for your kids.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll usually work with deadlines for each assignment.

  • The tasks can get very repetitive.

Learn more:

Stay at home mom side jobs

Here are some more flexible side gigs you can do from home.

4. Try bookkeeping

Earning potential: $16–$25/hour

No, this isn’t the same as working as an accountant—meaning you don’t need a fancy finance degree to bag this job.

You’ll dabble with your client’s finances and administrative work to earn top dollar.

Although not mandatory, getting a certification can increase your chances of scoring great gigs. Check out the one offered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers to get started.

Keep in mind:

  • You may need to work very long hours during peak seasons.

  • You’ll be dealing with an organization’s finances, so there’s bound to be pressure and stress.

Learn more:

5. Write resumes

Earning potential: $16–$24/hour

Wondering why anyone would hire someone else to write a resume? Well, you’re sleeping on a $2.7 billion industry!

Turns out not everyone can craft a banging resume. You can help them—and make good money.

Platforms like Flex Jobs have lots of listings for resume writer roles.

Keep in mind:

  • You may sometimes encounter very demanding clients.

  • The work can get monotonous.

Learn more:

Side business for stay at home moms

Here are some lucrative remote side hustle ideas for you stay-at-home rockstars—

6. Test apps

Earning potential: $13–$41/hour

Evaluate new applications, programs, and software to ensure they function correctly—all from the comfort of your living room.

Apart from uncovering functionality errors, you’ll also check for visual appeal and consistency.

Before you ask—you don’t need in-depth programming knowledge to do this job. Check out websites like User Testing, UTest, and Enroll to get started.

Keep in mind:

  • You may have to take a few practice tests to qualify.

  • Some websites will only let you test a few times a week, reducing the earning potential.

Learn more:

7. Become an online mystery shopper

Earning potential: $15–$36/hour

This is one of those side gigs that sound too good to be true because it pays you to shop.

As an online mystery shopper, you’ll place online orders and answer questionnaires to give feedback about your shopping experience.

You may also have to ask for customer assistance and report back if the employees were helpful. This lets businesses improve their shopping processes and customer experience.

Keep in mind:

  • This side gig is unlikely to fetch you a regular paycheck.

  • Scams and fraudulent job ads are common in this industry.

Learn more:

Also check out:

Best side hustles for working moms

You’re probably spending an eternity at the office, trying to exceed expectations at your full-time job. The last thing you need is a side hustle with no flexibility or reasonable pay.

8. Take up freelancing

Earning potential: $15–$66/hour

Upwork’s study says 59 million people are freelancing in America—and over 52.3% of them are women.

Why are so many women leveraging the gig economy? Probably because freelancing offers flexibility, multiple income sources, and complete freedom to pick your projects.

Businesses, on the other hand, are turning to freelancers as an affordable alternative to full-time employees.

Get started with platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, create a work portfolio, and get hired instantly.

Keep in mind:

  • Work opportunities can be inconsistent.

  • You’ll have to work in isolation.

Learn more:

9. Sell printables on Etsy

Earning potential: $2–$100/hour

Etsy is a large marketplace for quality goods from homegrown sellers. Leverage the platform by creating and selling downloadable printables.

You want to be aware of all the best-selling printables on Etsy, and understand how you can replicate the same.

Once you invest your time in creating the printable, the product will sell on its own.

Don’t know where to start? Platforms like Gold City Ventures have courses to help you create your online business from scratch.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll have to pay fees to access a marketplace for your printables.

Learn more:

10. Do graphic designing gigs

Earning potential: $20–$40/hour

Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits all want talented designers, but they most likely can’t afford an agency.

This is where freelance designers come into play.

Can you create a versatile portfolio that shows off your design capabilities? Then you’re all set. You’ll rarely be asked for a formal certification.

Keep in mind:

  • Client expectations can be unrealistic. Sometimes, your work timelines and quality may suffer.

  • You’ll have to build a solid professional network to get a steady inflow of work.

Learn more:

Extra income ideas for working moms

In 2023, women earn 82 cents for every dollar a man earns. While the pay gap can be frustrating, here are some extra income ideas you can consider in the meantime—

11. Become a voiceover artist

Earning potential: $15–$40/hour

You get to relax at home, record your voice, and make a great second income. Professional voice artists do this full time.

We recommend taking up some free online courses to learn the basics.

Once you’re sure about pursuing this gig, you’ll want to set up a basic home studio fitted with:

  • A computer and a pair of headphones—which you hopefully already have.

  • A condenser microphone (should cost you under $50 on Amazon).

  • And most importantly, a quiet recording room—you don’t want your kids to make a cameo in your recordings.

Make sure to record some demos to show versatility, and start applying for jobs on portals like Fiverr and vo planet.

Keep in mind:

  • Job opportunities can sometimes depend on your experience and previous work.

Learn more:

12. Do data entry gigs

Earning potential: $16–$20/hour

Simply put, you’ll get paid to enter data.

While the actual nature of the job can mean different things to different organizations, all data entry specialists—

  • Receive raw data from a source (such as a web form or a stack of papers).

  • Enter this raw data into a computer (or in another format, so it can be processed).

Expect the raw data to be anything (including text, codes, numbers, images, or even audio and video files).

Keep in mind:

  • This can a tedious job that requires you to sit in front of a computer for hours.

  • You’ll need to type at lightning speed to earn more in this profession.

Get started:

Side hustles for busy moms

Feel like you can’t catch a break? You’re not alone. A Maestro Health report says more working mothers are burnt out than working fathers.

You don’t want your side gig to add to this stress. Here are some that require minimal “hustling”—

13. Rent out baby gear

Earning potential: $172–$227/hour

Let me guess, you had a baby and pulled a classic mom move—you went all out and bought your baby everything under the sun (or at least what’s available at Target). And now there’s a mountain of baby gear lying around that nobody needs.

Great! It’s time to rent it out.

Platforms like BabyQuip let you become a quality provider and help traveling families by renting and delivering baby equipment.

Mind you, this is a lucrative side hustle which can grow into a thriving home business.

Keep in mind:

  • Renting platforms usually charge a high upfront fee and a commission rate.

  • You may face steep competition if you choose to start your own rental business.

Learn more:

14. Rent out extra storage space

Earning potential: $13–$19/hour

You may not realize that, but your garage could pay for your groceries.

That’s right. If you have unused storage space, you can rent it out to make side money.

Platforms like Neighbor and Store At My House let you list your storage spaces and find potential renters.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll have to trust strangers to look after your space.

Learn more:

15. Rent out a room

Earning potential: $20–$228/hour

Have an additional rental property or a spare room? Rent it on Airbnb and connect with people looking for short-term rentals.

This convenient side hustle usually pays big (depending on your location and rental property).

Keep in mind:

  • You want to check if you need additional permissions to rent out a property.

  • Your short-term rental will require regular maintenance.

Learn more:

16. Advertise on your car

Earning potential: $25–$28/hour

Wouldn’t it be great if your car could make you some cash? We’re not suggesting you rent it out—as a mom, you have places to be, and you need your car at all times.

Instead, start earning from car wrap advertising. You can make anywhere from $100 to $700 by simply putting up a small ad on your car.

This process involves wrapping your car’s exterior with large vinyl sheets and carrying key advertisement messages from brands.

Check out platforms like Wrapify and StickerRide to list your car right away.

Keep in mind:

  • Your car may take a beating—set some money aside for potential repairs.

Learn more:

Part time job ideas for moms

Side gigs often come with patchy work opportunities. If you’re looking for something more stable, consider these part-time job ideas

17. Become a virtual assistant

Earning potential: $10–$26/hour

As a virtual assistant, you’ll work remotely and usually part-time—perfect for moms with dozens of other things to do.

You’ll handle various tasks, from scheduling appointments, organizing emails, arranging travel, and handling social media channels.

The best part? You only require basic computer proficiency for this gig.

Keep in mind:

  • Steep initial learning curve.

  • Usually involves doing mundane, repeated tasks.

Learn more:

18. Give social media management a shot

Earning potential: $47–$60/hour

Familiar with the social media landscape? Put your knowledge into practice by helping businesses manage their online profiles.

Some of the services you’ll offer include:

  • Planning social media campaigns.

  • Creating posts and content for different platforms.

  • Responding to comments and engaging with your client’s community.

  • Finding ways to monetize social media.

Keep in mind:

  • A social media marketing certification can help you fetch better gigs.

  • You may want to build your social media presence to showcase your abilities.

  • The best way to find great work opportunities is to build a strong client portfolio.

Learn more:

19. Become a Cosmetics brand representative

Earning potential: $17–$25/hour

If you’re into skincare and beauty, consider representing a cosmetic brand. You’ll dabble with product demonstrations, consumer education, and selling.

This gig is usually flexible, so you can set your own schedule.

Plus, you’ll get decent pay—ZipRecruiter says beauty ambassadors make a national average of $45,217 a year.

Keep in mind:

  • Most brands have sales targets for their brand reps, this can be stressful if you don’t enjoy selling.

Learn more:

20. Start a dropshipping business

Earning potential: $12–$28/hour

Drop…what? Let us explain—you take readily manufactured products from third-party dropshipping stores, price them as you wish, and sell them as yours.

This is as low-risk as it gets, because you’re not spending any money on manufacturing stuff. And you won’t have to spend tons of time searching for products on the internet.

Use a platform like AppSumo, which delivers trending products with the highest selling potential, every day.

Keep in mind:

  • The margins with this business are much lower than traditional retail.

  • You’ll work with different couriers, so there can be potential complexities with shipping.

Learn more:

21. Flip websites

Earning potential: $20–$29/hour

You’ve probably heard of house flipping. This gig is similar, except you’ll be flipping websites.

You can buy a website and increase its profitability before selling it for more than what you bought it for.

Flippa and Empire Flippers are global online marketplaces where individuals and businesses can buy and sell websites and other digital real estate.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll have to invest time and skills to amp up a website, both aesthetically and functionally.

  • This process usually comes with a long sales and conversion funnel.

Learn more:

Best second jobs for single moms

Your kid’s future (and your lifestyle) depend solely on your job security, which is why extra income for single moms is key. You’re a fierce one-woman army who needs an extra financial shield. Here are some great ideas—

22. Start an online thrift store

Earning potential: $10–$100/hour

Ever dreamed of starting your own retail business? Set up an online thrift store instead.

You can use a platform like Instagram or Facebook to sell stuff. This is way more economical and environment-friendly than opening a physical store.

This gig is also a great way to clean out your overflowing collection, earn passive income—and even expand into a booming retail business.

Keep in mind:

  • Thrift stores ethically source their product, so their gross margins are low.

  • You’ll usually pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high.

Learn more:

23. Babysit in your free time

Earning potential: $20–$25/hour

Your kids may already be a handful, but if you’re up for helping other parents care for theirs, you’re onto a profitable gig.

The job opportunities for babysitters are plenty, and so is the pay. UrbanSitter says the national average hourly rate for a babysitter in 2022 was $20.57 for one child (and $23.25 for two kids).

Since parents don’t need full-time babysitting services, this is a nice hustle to pick up in your spare time.

Keep in mind:

  • Your schedule heavily depends on the parent’s needs.

  • Kids can be difficult. (But you know that already.)

Learn more:

24. Walk dogs

Earning potential: $9–$22/hour

You have to give this gig a try if you’re a dog lover. You get to exercise, explore the neighborhood, and hang out with cute dogs. Plus, to top things off, you’re helping out a caring pet owner.

Check out dedicated platforms like Rover and Wag! to get started.

Keep in mind:

  • You’ll have to pass a few background checks and pet quizzes.

Learn more:

More side jobs for single moms

Here are some more ways for single moms to make extra money

25. Transcribe for different clients

Earning potential: $10–$26/hour

You’ll listen to recorded video or audio files, and type what you hear word-for-word.

Your client’s files can include material from focus groups for market research, phone calls, Zoom calls, interviews, meetings, and more.

To ace this job, you must have fast and accurate typing skills, strong listening skills, language skills, and the ability to multitask.

Keep in mind:

  • Transcription contracts are usually short-term and come at irregular intervals.

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence) software like Otter.ai are steadily taking over human transcription jobs.

Learn more:

26. Get your real estate agent license

Earning potential: $19–$70/hour

If you’re a Barbara Corcoran fan, becoming a real estate mogul might be your ultimate fantasy. I say fantasy because achieving success as a real estate agent is grueling.

But if you understand the real estate market (and have good selling skills), this is a gig to consider.

You’ll be the catalyst between the buyer and seller during a property sale—meaning you’ll research properties, book visits, and negotiate sale prices.

Of course, the best part is the pay—a real estate agent in the US makes over $83,823 a year on average.

Keep in mind:

  • Most states require you to have a real estate license to practice.

  • This field is competitive, and success is not guaranteed.

Learn more:

Unique and easy side hustles for single moms

Looking for some unique single mom side hustles? Here are some top picks—

27. Become a personal shopper

Earning potential: $10–$25/hour

Get paid to do grocery shopping for other people. You can join companies like Instacart and Shipt which let you shop for customers at local partner stores and deliver items to customers.

Grocery delivery services have been booming since the pandemic (with Instacart alone generating sales worth $26 billion in 2021), so it may be wise to place your bets on this gig.

Keep in mind

  • You’ll need a vehicle and a driver’s license for these delivery hustles.

  • Your pay can depend on your location.

Learn more:

28. Sell photographs online

Earning potential: $5–$15/hour

Have a knack for taking great photographs? Monetize your talent by selling images online on different platforms. Check out websites like Foap, Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and more.

These platforms let you sell the same photograph as many times as you like—you do the job once and keep earning passive income.

Keep in mind:

  • Getting started as a professional photographer can be an expensive affair if you’re buying new gear.

  • You’re unlikely to make big money early on.

Learn more:

29. Sell on eBay

Earning potential: $17–$20/hour

Ever shopped stuff on eBay? With over 138 million active users, it’s equally easy to sell stuff on there.

Everything from a single cornflake to a haunted rubber duck has found a buyer on eBay.

You can set up your own eBay shop by—

  • Picking a niche.

  • Sourcing products from thrift stores, discount warehouses, flea markets, and more.

  • Pricing them to include shipping costs, and start selling.

Keep in mind:

  • The platform has a complicated seller fee structure.

Learn more:

Side hustles for pregnant moms

When you’re pregnant, sometimes all you want to do is put your feet up and chow down on a pizza. We have the perfect side hustle ideas that require minimal effort—

30. Review legal cases online

Earning potential: $5–$10/hour

Join an online mock jury website in your county or federal district, and get paid in exchange for your opinions.

Websites like Online Verdict and eJury will send you case materials and questions related to a particular case. You’ll have to review these and share your thoughts. Easy peasy.

Keep in mind:

  • These mock jury platforms usually pay you monthly. This isn’t the ideal pick if you’re looking for daily pay.

Learn more:

31. Sell your data

Earning potential: $0.05–$0.50/hour

Companies will pay big to access your personal information because they benefit from understanding your internet usage patterns.

So why not sell this information and make some extra cash?

Platforms like Nielsen Computer and MobileXpression let you do just that. Simply install an app that studies your internet usage, and claim rewards in exchange.

Keep in mind:

  • Some of these apps will pay in vouchers instead of actual money

  • Customers claim it’s sometimes difficult to access rewards on these apps.

Learn more:

Easy side hustles for moms

We’re pretty sure you have what it takes to ace any side hustle. But if you’re looking for gigs that require no special skills, here are some ideas—

32. Take up online surveys

Earning potential: $0.50–$2/hour

Fill out simple surveys to make side money. Platforms like InboxDollars, Opinion Outpost, and LifePoints pay for information.

This gig is flexible and easy to do.

Keep in mind:

  • Some surveys may have specific demographic requirements.

  • This hustle has a low earning potential.

Learn more:

33. Organize a garage sale

Earning potential: $5–$15/hour

The excess clutter in your house can be a valuable find to someone else.

Having a garage sale can help you get organized and make some money. You can sell a wide variety of things, including toys and clothes your kids have outgrown.

This gig will make you quick cash without having to worry about shipping your products.

Keep in mind:

  • A garage sale does involve a lot of work, including making signs, placing ads, getting permits, pricing items, and setting everything up.

  • A lot of aspects (like bad weather) can result in fewer shoppers.

Learn more:

KEY FAQS ON SIDE JOBS FOR MOMS

We’re answering some key FAQs you may have on side hustles for moms—

1. What are great side hustles for moms?

Here’s a list of the best side hustles for moms to monetize their skills and spare time:

  • Rent out baby gear: $172–$227/hour

  • Social media management: $47–$60/hour

  • Advertise on your car: $25–$28/hour

  • Proofread: $21–$35/hour

  • Rent out a room: $20–$228/hour

  • Graphic designing: $20–$40/hour

  • Flip websites: $20–$29/hour

  • Babysit: $20–$25/hour

  • Real estate agent: $19–$70/hour

  • Cosmetics brand representative: $17–$25/hour

  • Sell on eBay: $17–$20/hour

  • Bookkeeping: $16–$25/hour

  • Write resumes: $16–$24/hour

  • Data entry: $16–$20/hour

  • Freelancing: $15–$66/hour

  • Voiceover artist: $15–$40/hour

  • Tutor online: $15–$38/hour

  • Online mystery shopping: $15–$36/hour

  • Test apps: $13–$41/hour

  • Rent out extra storage space: $13–$19/hour

  • Dropshipping: $12–$28/hour

  • Online thrift store: $10–$100/hour

  • Transcribe: $10–$26/hour

  • Virtual assistant: 10–$26/hour

  • Personal shopper: $10–$25/hour

  • Affiliate marketing: $9–$43/hour

  • Walk dogs: $9–$22/hour

  • Organize a garage sale: $5–$15/hour

  • Sell photographs: $5–$15/hour

  • Review legal cases: $5–$10/hour

  • Sell printables on Etsy: $2–$100/hour

  • Online surveys: $0.50–$2/hour

  • Sell your data: $0.05–$0.50/hour

2. How can single moms make money?

Here’s a list of the highest-paying, best side hustles for single moms:

  • Rent out baby gear: $172–$227/hour

  • Social media management: $47–$60/hour

  • Advertise on your car: $25–$28/hour

  • Proofread: $21–$35/hour

  • Rent out a room: $20–$228/hour

  • Graphic designing: $20–$40/hour

  • Flip websites: $20–$29/hour

  • Babysit: $20–$25/hour

  • Real estate agent: $19–$70/hour

  • Cosmetics brand representative: $17–$25/hour

  • Sell on eBay: $17–$20/hour

We spoke to Nikki Hess, the founder of Cat Lady Academy, who converted her side hustle into a full-time, profitable job. While recommending single moms take the coaching route, she says

Create your side hustle based on something you do well that others would like to learn. I know how to run an awesome Instagram for a pet cat, so I created Cat Lady Academy to help others do the same. Monetize your expertise by offering coaching or ebooks. Plus, because this is my business, I have full control—I can do less during weeks when my day job is busier, and do more when my schedule permits.

Nikki Hessthe founder of Cat Lady Academy

WRAPPING UP

We hope this list has you itching to get started on your side job.

Whether you’re a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, a new mom, or a mom-to-be—you’re already doing great! Working the right side gig can give you the extra financial stability you crave.

Go through our 30+ side hustle ideas and pick a hustle based on skills you already have or want to master.

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Contributors

Deepti Nickam
Deepti is a content writing and marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in the B2B and B2C sectors. She has written about several subjects, including finance, project management, human resources, and more.
Derek Sall
Derek has a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master's in Business. As a finance manager in the corporate world, he regularly identified and solved problems at the C-suite level. Today, Derek isn't interested in helping big companies. Instead, he's helping individuals win financially — one email, one article, one person at a time.
Lauren Bedford
Fact Checker
Lauren Bedford
Lauren is a published content writer and journalist. In the last five years, she has written about a range of subjects, including business, technology, and finance. She was born in June 1994 in the UK, but relocated to Barcelona five years ago. Initially covering topics like business and technology, Lauren is now dedicated to her position as a personal finance journalist and is always keen to keep learning and evolve as a finance writer.
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