Did you know California ranks as the third-most expensive state to call home? All those higher gas prices, housing costs, and transportation expenses add up! On average, most people here need around $47,801 per year to cover everything comfortably. That’s about $3,983 each month!
Now, while the typical Californian makes around $65,175 a year, things can get tight, especially if you’ve just moved here or are in between jobs. That’s where the idea of side hustles comes in – they can be a lifesaver in boosting your earnings and helping you enjoy all that this state has to offer.
Best Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Money in California
Let’s take a look at some ways to earn with side hustles in California:
Apply for A Background Actor Role
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If you have always dreamed of becoming an actor and are currently living in Los Angeles, it’s time to pursue the role of a background actor in the film industry. As the LA region is home to aspiring actors, you can easily find a nonspeaking role to earn extra cash.
A background actor, also known as an ‘extra’, frequently appears in the background of a TV show or film to make the scene appear more real. Most of these roles do not require you to speak, so you don’t even need heaps of acting experience! Instead, you can easily earn around $100 and $200 simply by sitting in a restaurant, walking in the background, or playing a corpse!
That said, the amount you get paid can vary depending on the project’s budget and your involvement in the role. You can search for acting roles on platforms like FameStreet, which allows you to apply for auditions and casting calls.
Become a Voice Actor
Voice actors bring stories to life through voice-overs in foreign language documentaries, movies, podcasts, and beyond – it’s a whole new way to express your talents!
If you’ve ever thought about giving voice to animated characters in movies, this side hustle is made for you! While these roles can be quite advanced, there are still plenty of chances to shine in smaller projects like indie films, podcast translations, and recording audiobooks.
What’s great about voice acting is that it’s a fantastic side hustle right here in California’s LA area. You can earn a cool $25 per hour, and if you find yourself in bigger, more ambitious projects, you might even pocket up to $67 in extra money.
You can search for voice actor jobs on platforms like Filmless, which allow you to record voiceovers from the comfort of your home.
Rent Out Extra Space
Have some extra room to spare on your property? Whether you have an unused driveway, a spare bedroom with no purpose, or even an empty garage, you can convert this unused square footage into a profitable storage space.
You can rent out these spaces through nifty peer-to-peer platforms like Neighbor.
Listing your underutilized areas is a breeze – just snap some pictures, set your price, and you’re good to go.
People looking for storage or parking spots can connect with you, and if necessary, you can negotiate the terms to maximize your profits. Before you know it, your vacant lot or unused parking space will start paying your $285/month utility bill.
Sign Up for Dog Walking Jobs
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With a whopping 40.1% of Californians proudly sharing their lives with furry friends, stepping into dog walking makes for a fantastic side hustle! Not only is this side gig an instant mood booster, but a monthly income booster, too.
For this job, you can trot along earning around $16.23 per hour, a pretty nice $113.61 for a week’s work. And guess what? Depending on your experience and skills, you might even find a business that rewards you with up to $33 per hour – paws-itively exciting, right?
Even better, becoming a dog walker doesn’t demand special degrees or certificates if you’re pursuing it as a side job. All you need are good communication chops and a knack for problem-solving. Oh, and if you’ve got a handle on basic first-aid knowledge, that’s a bonus paw-print on your resume!
However, if you’re planning to walk more than three dogs together in the Regional Parks or if you’re a professional dog walker, you’ll need a dog permit. Commercial dog walkers must have a permit, whether walking one dog or up to six dogs at once.
You can find dog-sitting/ walking jobs on platforms like Sitter4paws or Rover.
Work as an Interior Designer
Becoming an interior designer is a great way to earn extra, especially in Los Angeles, where opportunities in this field are abundant.
This side hustle is perfect if you have an eye for color schemes and lighting, allowing you to renovate and enhance the beauty of others’ homes.
Part-time interior designers in California can earn up to $66,607 annually. Keep in mind that this number can vary depending on the city you work in. For example, you could make around $77,956 in Santa Monica, $84,903 in LA, and $85,880 in San Francisco each year.
To generate extra income as an interior designer, you can search for gigs on freelance platforms like Indeed or Upwork.
Turn into a Personal Shopper
If you’re a fashion aficionado with a knack for curating stylish outfits, the role of a personal shopper could be a perfect fit for you. This exciting job involves collaborating with individual clients and offering them expert advice on styling and wardrobe choices.
To excel in this role, a keen eye for fashion trends and a deep understanding of cuts, designs, and colors are crucial. Effective communication skills are equally important, as you’ll regularly interact with a diverse range of people.
Strong communication abilities will enable you to provide tailored assistance and truly listen to your client’s preferences. Armed with these skills and a compelling portfolio showcasing your fashion and styling prowess, you’re well on your way to snagging this role.
Once you land a job (search on platforms like ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn), you can expect to earn an average of $17.84 per hour, translating to around $124.88 per week in California. If you bring experience to the table or possess an exceptional portfolio, you could even command rates as high as $24 per hour.
Become a Virtual Assistant
One of the best side hustles in California is becoming a virtual assistant. You can offer your services to a business remotely from your home. You can work on a contract basis, helping companies and individuals with tasks like scheduling, email management, and more.
Tasks could range from managing meetings and responding to emails to organizing calendars and tracking finances. Working as a VA can land around $46.10 per hour in your bank account.
Your pay will depend on factors like your experience, education, and how organized you are. Additionally, the city where your client is located matters. Therefore, you can apply to firms looking for location-specific candidates, such as in San Francisco. This will help you stand out from a pool of global candidates.
The pay scale can also vary by location. For instance, virtual assistants in Long Beach might earn up to $39.41 per hour, while those in Sacramento could make around $35.65 per hour. The rate might be about $31.33 per hour in bustling San Francisco.
You can check out platforms like Glassdoor and SimplyHired to earn money as a VA.
Start a Blog
One of the most popular side jobs on the market is starting your own blog. Blogging allows you to share your experiences and insights with your audience.
To make money from your blog, you need to establish credibility and attract a good amount of traffic to both your blog and social media. Once you achieve this, businesses will approach you for social media ads and collaborations.
You can create a personal blog highlighting tourist attractions like Redwood National Park, Venice Beach, and Napa Valley. Alternatively, you could focus on food, vineyards, and hiking spots for enthusiasts or even delve into celebrity lifestyles, skincare, and upcoming movies.
If you’d rather not start your own blog, you can offer blogging services to businesses. This can earn you around $14.69 per hour, with a minimum of $102.83 per week for your services.
Deliver Groceries and Other Items
Delivering groceries or other items (like medication, food, and daily essentials) is one of the best side hustles in California. This job offers flexible timings to help you increase your income on your own time.
If you live in the top food cities like Sacramento, San Diego, Oakland, and San Jose or have grocery stores near your home, you can become a delivery driver at Uber or Lyft. As an Uber Delivery Driver, you can earn an hourly pay of $17.93.
Meanwhile, Lyft Driver allows you to earn an average of $16.59 for an hour. You can review these sites to choose one that suits your schedule and offers more advantages.
Become an Online Tutor
California opens up a fantastic opportunity for online tutoring services. If you’ve got the gift of great communication, a passion for teaching, and a deep well of knowledge of a subject, online tutoring could be your ticket to some extra cash.
Despite a massive education budget of $108.3 billion in California, many students could use a helping hand to keep up with their studies. This has created a high demand for tutors in the state, with an average pay of $17.42 per hour. Crunch the numbers, and that adds up to a minimum of at least $121.94 per week!
Wrapping Up
Ready to bring in the extra cash? Plan your start hustle now!
Begin by identifying your strengths and interests. Research the demand for your chosen gig and set clear goals. Whether it’s tutoring, freelancing, or renting extra space on platforms like Neighbor, create a solid plan, address legal considerations, and establish an online presence.
Spread the word through social media and networking, and start small while maintaining quality. Balance your time, track finances, and adapt as needed!
FAQs
How can I make quick money in California?
There are multiple ways to make money in California, such as renting out unused space, walking dogs, offering virtual services, becoming a background actor, and more.
How can I make money on the side in California?
To get paid through side jobs in California, you can become a voice actor, personal shopper, blogger, online tutor, and a VA for a business, among others.
Can I balance side hustles with a full-time job?
Yes, many people successfully balance side hustles in California with their main jobs. Effective time management, hard work, and prioritization are key to managing both commitments.
How much can I earn from a side hustle in California?
Earnings vary widely based on the types of jobs, skills, effort, and demand. Some of the best side hustles can yield a few hundred dollars per month, while others might bring in a substantial income.
How do I market my side hustle in California?
Utilize social media, networking events, and online platforms relevant to your jobs. Word of mouth and positive reviews also play a significant role in attracting clients.
