When you meet people in Washington, D.C., the first question people ask is, “What do you do?” The second question is, “What’s your side hustle?”
It’s so expensive to live here that most people have several jobs, aka multiple streams of income. Like me, they have income from a 9 to 5 job and do things on the side to make extra money.
I am a freelance writer, financial coach and a life insurance producer. I love helping people with their finances, writing, and my day job, so I do all three.
This article outlines seven side hustle sites that professionals can use to make extra income and build wealth.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a job that allows you to earn additional income outside of your regular employment. For example, you could do people’s taxes for a fee, tutor students or consult.
However, side hustles are not limited to a job where you exchange time for money. Side hustles also include items you sell, such as a book or course you create.
The point is, what you make from your side gig is in addition to the income from your main job. The revenue you earn could be the money that helps you pay off debt, save more, or invest in your first company, real estate, or other venture.
To discover what the best side hustle for you is, think about what you like to do. Write down your skills and favorite hobbies. Figure out how you can combine the two and turn them into a service or product that people would buy.
This articles outlines 6 side hustle sites professionals can use to make extra income and build wealth.
6 Side Hustle Sites
1. Attorneys Make More Money with UpCounsel
Upcounsel is an online legal marketplace that helps startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses find the legal services they need.
Lawyers can use the site to take on one additional client or several by applying to the posted jobs or replying to clients’ requests for specific help online. Upcounsel even guarantees payment for work done by handling your billing for you.
Attorneys on Upcounsel can negotiate their fees and fee structure directly with clients. Therefore, you set your price, and Upcounsel takes a small 5% fee. You can charge clients hourly or per project.
When you finish the work you submit an invoice to Upcounsel and they secure payment. After you sign up, approval may take 24 hours to a couple of weeks. Once a member, you have the ability to apply to over 2,000 jobs posted each month.
2. Doctors & Nurses Find Side Gigs on Nomad Health
Nomad Health is an online marketplace that connects medical employers to doctors and nurses around the United States. This site cuts out the middleman broker that usually earns a fee for connecting medical professionals with hiring facilities.
When you look for work on Nomad Health, you are connected directly to the healthcare facilities.
You apply and get onboard with Nomad Health all online. The site even handles your background check and credentials, which is also cheaper than most brokers’ usual paper systems.
Freelance rates for healthcare professionals are based on your specialty and work location. Nomad nurses can make $36 to $65 dollars an hour depending on the state where you are working. Nomad doctors make 30%-50% more than a doctor in a permanent position. You can apply to the jobs you want minutes after you finish the onboarding process.
Nomad Health is currently only for doctors and nurses, but they are expanding to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants soon. You can sign up to get early access when it goes live.
3. Therapists Use Talkspace
Talkspace is an online therapy platform with over one million users. They recently secured Michael Phelps as an ambassador and make therapy affordable with subscription plans for students, couples and individuals.
Businesses can even sign up to make Talkspace available to their employees. Best of all, it connects therapists with their clients through technology using text messages, audio clips and video chats.
Therapists can earn up to $4,000 per month. However, side hustle income depends on the number of clients you take on and the clients subscription fees. When you work with Talkspace, you are brought on as an independent contractor after the necessary background and license check.
Then you must complete a four-to-six week training program and participate in a 60-day orientation group. The orientation group includes other new therapists and experienced members so you can ask questions and get to know the company. During training, you can get paying clients.
4. Tech Experts Get Gigs on Gigster
Gigster is a hub of software developers and designers who have worked at the known tech giants, went to the best schools, or have their own companies. Once you become a “Gigster,” the Gigster project managers match you to projects.
Income can vary with each gig.. A project manager bills clients on a fixed-price basis and sets the project’s budget. Gigster pushes for quality work over hours so consider projects carefully.
You’ll need to estimate how long you think a project will take so you can determine if the fee is worth the time required.
5. Consult with Catalant
If you’re an expert, you could be a consultant for small businesses and fortune 500 companies through Catalant, a company that pairs businesses with industry experts.
Most consultants are welcome including those who specialize in business development, sales, strategy, finance, marketing and more.
Through Catalant, you are free to set your rates; however, they take 20% of your earned income as their fee. Catalant even helps you find work by matching you with companies based on your expertise.
6. All Freelancers are Welcome at Upwork & Fiverr
Believe it or not, Upwork is where I found my first paid freelance writing gig. It’s one of those side hustle sites that serves as a hub for all types of freelance professionals including virtual assistants, graphic designers, web developments, writers, creatives and more.
Freelancers create a profile and apply for jobs posted by entrepreneurs, small businesses, or individuals. Upwork takes 20% from each transaction you complete until you earn $500 per client.
Once you reach that milestone, their cut drops to 10%. Then, at $10,000 in income, they lower their rate to 5%. Upwork can also handle billing for clients and guarantee payment.
Fiverr is an alternative site that works the same way. On Fiverr, companies can get logos made, find social media managers, get things translated or illustrated, and more.
As a freelancer, you can charge as little as $5 for a project or offer packages that could create as much as $1,000 in extra income. Fiverr keeps 20% of your earned income.
Hustle On, Build Wealth
If you have the time and want to make extra money, check out one of these sites and start your side hustle. For those where you set the price, your earning potential is limitless. Who knows, you might make enough on the side to leave your day job.
Acquania Escarne is the creator of The Purpose of Money, a community of women building generational wealth for their families one dollar at a time. As an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and licensed insurance agent, Acquania has always been passionate about financial literacy. On her website, Acquania blogs about ways to help you improve your money habits, create wealth, and invest in real estate. Follow Acquania on social media for daily tips.
Join the Discussion