34 High-Paying Under the Table Jobs
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Imagine having more money than you need or having more left over for your retirement plans and emergency savings.
If you’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, an under-the-table employment opportunity might be exactly what you need.
While they won’t make you rich, under-the-table jobs are an excellent way to make extra cash and achieve your financial goals.
This article explores 34 side hustle ideas to help you secure your financial future. Finding the best side hustle is crucial whether you’re saving up for a vacation or want to clear a huge debt.
What Are Under The Table Jobs?
You’re probably wondering why “under the table job” sounds sketchy. Well, these gigs are part of the economy, and there’s nothing illegal about them.
Under-the-table jobs are informal gigs that don’t require official documentation and may sometimes be tax-free due to their low income. Most of these jobs pay in cash.
However, you may need to pay taxes depending on your state laws and how much you earn. Therefore, it’s essential to do your due diligence to avoid legal implications.
You may want to be aware of these illegal side hustles and avoid them at all cost.
The Best Under The Table Jobs
There are many under-the-table employment opportunities out there. The challenge lies in finding one best suited to your needs.
If you prefer getting your hands dirty, gigs like delivery driving, being a handyman, or snow shoveling are worth your time.
On the other hand, remote jobs like proofreading, freelance writing, and answering surveys may be more suitable if you’re more inclined to side hustle ideas from home.
1. Proofreading
Proofreading in your spare time is a fantastic way to make money online if you have a meticulous eye for detail.
You can work for publishing companies or find freelance gigs on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour.
The advantage of freelance proofreading is the flexibility to choose your working schedule and rates.
A certification isn’t necessary to become a proofreader. However, you can get ahead of the competition by taking online courses on platforms like Proofread Anywhere.
And if you’re not ready to commit yourself, you can join the free workshop to determine if proofreading is your best under-the-table job.
2. Answering Surveys
Answering surveys won’t make you rich or replace your 9-5. However, it’s an excellent way to make extra cash or snag a few gift cards for sharing your opinion.
Most paid survey sites reward you with points redeemable for PayPal money or gift cards from companies like Amazon.
Surveys usually take five to 30 minutes, making this the perfect side hustle if you have a busy day job.
Here are the best survey sites that will pay you for your opinion:
- Branded Surveys: This site pays about $1-$5 per survey, and the withdrawal threshold is $5.
- Crowdtap: This survey site only pays in gift cards. Like Branded Surveys, the withdrawal minimum on Crowdtap is $5.
- YouGov: Are you interested in expressing your opinions on current affairs, entertainment, and fashion? If so, YouGov is the survey site for you!
- SayMore: Make money from anywhere by answering surveys on SayMore. Expect about $1-$2 per survey.
- Opinion Outpost: Besides answering surveys, Opinion Outpost pays you to complete offers, watch ads, and test products.
- Toluna: This survey site covers over 50 countries, and you can earn extra cash to play games. However, it has a high withdrawal minimum of $10.
- Valued Opinions: Another survey site that pays you to share your opinion.
The best way to maximize your earnings and overcome the downside of low income is by stacking several survey sites.
3. Mystery Shopping
Mystery shoppers are in constant demand as companies like banks, restaurants, and movie theatres always look to improve user experience to boost sales.
As a mystery shopper, your job would include purchasing products like a regular customer or raising concerns on business premises to evaluate customer service.
You may be required to answer a survey to provide feedback on your findings.
According to Glassdoor, mystery shoppers in the US make between $50,000 and $91,000 annually. You can search for mystery shopping gigs online.
4. Babysitting
Are you good with kids? If so, babysitting is a remarkable way to supplement your income. Your primary role would be playing with children and helping them do their homework.
You may also need to prepare meals sometimes and administer treatment and first-aid in emergencies.
The best thing about this job is it’s always in demand since parents hire people to care for their children as they work or travel.
According to Indeed, you can earn between $13 and $33 hourly as a babysitter in the US, which is a pretty nice side income if you ask me.
5. Play Games
Another way to make money online is by playing games in your spare time. Numerous apps like JustPlay and Mistplay reward you for playing mobile games.
Like with surveys, gaming apps pay you in points redeemable for gift cards, in-game items, and PayPal money.
You can make even more by streaming video games on YouTube and Twitch. The money you make here depends on your views and loyal fanbase.
As your audience increases, gaming companies will be willing to sponsor your content and hire you as an affiliate.
6. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is an opportunity for a lifetime. Think about making as much money as possible, choosing when to work, and setting your rates. It’s a recipe for being your own boss!
However, it’s not all a bed of roses. You must be willing to invest the required time and effort to succeed. You must be self-disciplined, time-conscious, and employ effective marketing strategies.
As a freelance writer, you can venture into your chosen niche, be it travel, food, lifestyle, or finance. Choosing something you’re passionate about helps you stay motivated.
Once you pick your niche, create a portfolio and bid for jobs on freelance platforms like PeoplePerHour, Upwork, and Fiverr.
7. Handyman
Are you good at repairing stuff? If so, you’d make a good handyman. People prefer fixing things as it’s cheaper than replacing them. So, you’ll never run out of gigs as a handyman.
Some odd jobs you can venture into include:
- Plumbing
- Assembling furniture
- Installing shelves
- Cleaning facilities
You don’t need an educational background to be a handyman. Simply create a flyer describing your services and distribute it within your neighborhood.
You can also find odd jobs on apps like TaskRabbit.
8. Snow Remover
Snow shoveling is an excellent side job for the winter. This is among the best options if you’re seeking a cash job that pays on the same day.
People often delegate this duty due to its tedious nature. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can earn $16 to $31 hourly.
Start by renting equipment like snow blowers, shovels, and rakes to get started. From there, find gigs within your neighborhood or on sites like Shovler.
9. Pet Sitter
Petsitting is the perfect side hustle if you enjoy caring for our furry friends. It’s a superb way to get paid doing what you love.
Another perk of pet sitting is you don’t need a college degree. Plus, anyone can do this job if they enjoy being in the company of animals.
You can make $10-$23 hourly as a pet sitter. The wage increases with more experience and first-aid training.
Check out sites like Rover for pet-sitting gigs.
10. Tutoring
You can get paid to tutor kids in their areas of weakness and help them catch up on their classwork. You only need to have teaching skills and proficiency in a particular subject.
Tutoring isn’t limited to kids. Many adults need help, especially with foreign languages like French, Mandarin, and English.
If you have what it takes to be a tutor, simply find students within your neighborhood or sign up on platforms like Chegg, Tutor.com, or TutorMe.
You can work from home during the day or at night with a computer and reliable internet.
11. Delivery Driver
Delivery gigs like DoorDash and Instacart are a splendid way to make extra money if you love driving. You could rent a car, bike, or scooter if you don’t have one.
All you need to do is shop or pick up orders and deliver them to people within your area. You may not evade tax in this job, but it’s an excellent opportunity to achieve your financial goals.
Depending on your speed, efficiency, and customer service, you can earn $10-$30 per delivery.
You can also check out my guide on the best delivery apps that pay.
12. Car Washing
Car washing may be low-paying but requires meager upfront costs. All you need is soap, rags, and wax to get started. You can work from your garage or your clients’ homes.
You can charge anywhere between $10 and $30 per wash, depending on the cost of your materials and the time it takes.
Washing cars is a great side hustle since you can stack it with your day job. Plus, you need no experience to make money this way.
13. DJing
Are you a party enthusiast who likes curating playlists? What if I told you you could get paid to go to parties?
You can charge $100-$200 per hour as an entry-level DJ. The pay varies based on the type of event and your experience.
According to Javier Carlos on LinkedIn, you can earn about $500 for two hours at private parties and corporate events.
14. Painting
Painting can be monotonous and time-consuming. This is why most people hire painters when their houses need repainting.
The best part is that you don’t need a degree for this job, plus the pay increases with more experience. The average salary in the US is $20.12 per hour.
15. Photography
Photography is a fantastic venture that you can turn into a full-time job if you establish yourself well in the industry.
You can sell your photos on sites like Getty Images and Shutterstock or work events like weddings and birthday parties.
The price varies, but you can earn $2,500 to $4,000 per wedding. Take time to hone your skills and familiarize yourself with editing software before you start looking for gigs.
16. Hairdresser
Another under-the-table job worth exploring is hairdressing. Many people do this, but you can eliminate startup costs by working from your home or clients’ homes.
Getting some training before embarking on this venture is a nice way to gain experience and stretch your income potential.
It’s also important to stay updated with haircut styles and trends. The better your skills, the easier it is to build a loyal customer base.
17. Landscaper
Landscaping is an excellent way to make money as a teen or adult if you like gardening and tending to lawns.
Some duties of a landscaper include:
- Mowing lawns
- Trimming hedges
- Raking leaves
- Planting flowers
- Watering and weeding gardens
You can earn $12 to $24 hourly as a landscaper. Find gigs within your area or on sites like TaskRabbit.
18. Personal Trainer
You won’t initially make much as a personal trainer, but you can make a good income with the right strategies.
Here are some ways to make money under the table as a personal trainer:
- Sell workout plans
- Bootcamps
- Sell memberships
- In-home training
You can work outdoors, at a gym, health club, or in clients’ homes. Expect about $15 to $50 per hour as a beginner.
19. House Cleaner
If you love making places spotless, you might enjoy cleaning other people’s homes for cash. The best thing about this under-the-table gig is its consistency.
People always need to clean their houses at least once a week, so you can land a loyal customer base with the right strategies.
According to Indeed, the average house cleaner in the US makes $19.23 hourly.
20. Reseller
Working as a reseller can be lucrative if you deal in fast-moving products. This under-the-table job typically entails purchasing and reselling undervalued items at a profit.
Some of the best items to venture into include:
- Electronics
- Clothes
- Home goods
- Toys
- Sports equipment
You can source inventory from thrift stores and online marketplaces and resell them on Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Craigslist, or host a garage sale.
21. House Sitting
Like baby and pet sitting, people hire house sitters to care for their houses while they travel for vacations or work.
The roles of a house sitter include:
- Collecting the mail
- Watering plants
- Maintaining the property
- Providing security for the owner’s possessions
According to ZipRecruiter, house sitters in the US earn an average of $17 hourly. You can find house sitting jobs on sites like:
22. Auto Detailing
Auto detailing involves thoroughly cleaning the interior and exterior of a vehicle to achieve a new look.
The demand for this service has increased as more people prefer maintaining their current cars to buying new ones.
Auto detailing requires you to invest in good-quality equipment as you may need to perform services like vacuuming and painting. You can earn anywhere between $15 and $30 an hour.
23. Interpreter
Another under-the-table job you can explore is becoming an interpreter. You don’t necessarily need a degree for this gig, but you must have a good command of two languages.
Don’t worry if you’re monolingual. You can utilize free online resources to learn a second language. However, this may take some time.
You can find interpreter gigs on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, with a salary range of $13 to $38 hourly.
24. Running Errands
Running errands may be tiring, but it can be an excellent way to make extra cash if you don’t mind being up and about.
You can run the following errands:
- Grocery shopping
- Picking up laundry
- Picking up packages
- Returning items to stores
You can earn an average of $15 per hour for running errands. Completing multiple tasks simultaneously is a fantastic way to increase your income.
25. Street Entertainer
Performing on the streets is an under-the-table job that lets you make extra cash. You can play music, dance, do magic tricks, or tell jokes on the street for money.
The pay varies based on your ability to captivate audiences, talent, and location. You can earn good tips, sell merchandise, and book events as a busker.
26. Musician
There are many ways to make money under the table as a musician. For instance, you offer private music lessons, play at private events, or host music workshops.
Depending on your prowess, event, and location, you can make between $50 to $1,000 per gig.
27. Makeup Artist
If you’re still looking for an under-the-table job that pays well, becoming a makeup artist can be rewarding if you build a loyal customer base.
You can offer different packages for weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, and basic makeup. You can also work on prosthetic designs for movie sets.
Makeup artists in the US make $10 to $75 hourly.
28. Construction Worker
If you don’t mind the demanding work, becoming a construction worker is an excellent way to earn extra money under the table.
Your duties as a construction worker would be:
- Unloading building materials
- Erecting structures
- Preparing the construction site
- Operating machinery
You can make $17 to $22 an hour.
29. Graphic Design
You can make money under the table by becoming a graphic designer. If you’re familiar with editing tools like Photoshop, you can make money this way.
People hire graphic designers to make event posters, website logos, business flyers, and company logos.
Take time to learn basic design skills and find gigs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru.
30. Repairing Appliances
Most people don’t know much about electronics like computers, so they tend to pay someone to fix the machine when things go wrong.
You can take advantage of this to make some extra under-the-table cash. You can make money without a degree if you know how appliances work.
31. Personal Shopper
As the name suggests, personal shoppers primarily shop for clients according to their tastes and preferences. Some people are too busy to go shopping, so they hire other people to do it.
As a personal shopper, you may need to purchase the following items for your clients:
- Clothes
- Accessories
- Home goods
- Gifts
- Groceries
The best part is you can work with clients in their homes or virtually. The average salary is $15 an hour.
32. Farm Worker
Working at a farm is excellent if you’re seeking a cash job that pays instantly. You don’t need a garden or equipment; you can work on other people’s farms for cash.
You can also grow vegetables and fruits in your garden and sell them to make cash under the table. The pay depends on how much your land produces and how much you can sell.
33. Baking
Baking and selling treats like cookies, muffins, and cakes is a fantastic way to make money under the table.
If you have a well-established customer base, you can start by setting up a display shop or working from home.
You can also get contracts with coffee shops and restaurants to produce baked goods like muffins.
34. Tour Guide
Working as a tour guide can be lucrative if you live in a touristy area. Your work is to take people to tourist attraction sites and tell them the stories behind the places.
Having good interpersonal skills helps in this job as you’ll need to interact with the tourists to make them feel welcome. Plus, you can increase your tips if your customer service is exceptional.
How To Find Under the Table Jobs
Under-the-table jobs are easy to find if you know what you’re looking for. Set your financial goals and start scouting for gigs on these platforms:
Fiverr
Fiverr is a famous freelance site where you can get under-the-table jobs like graphic design, freelance writing, and proofreading jobs.
Simply create a portfolio, sign up, and start bidding for jobs. An upside of Fiverr is that it’s free. You won’t pay anything until you land a gig. At least you won’t lose anything by trying.
Your earnings depend on your services and qualifications. Most freelancers start by charging $5 hourly. You can make more with more experience.
Facebook is resourceful in finding under-the-table jobs in your area. Simply join local groups to find job posts you’re interested in.
Facebook also has a job board feature where companies and individuals post job adverts. You can filter your search by location, job type, or keywords.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is another site that connects you to under-the-table opportunities. Unlike Fiverr, FlexJobs isn’t free. They charge about $14.95 monthly.
While the fee may be disadvantageous for beginners, it helps keep out scammers. What’s more, FlexJobs researches job postings before approving them to reduce scams.
You can find full-time and part-time jobs on this site.
Craigslist
Like Facebook, Craigslist is a fantastic place to find under-the-table jobs like painting, gardening, and pet sitting in your neighborhood.
Simply search keywords for jobs you’re interested in.
How much you earn here depends on the availability of jobs and how much you can take on.
Upwork
Upwork is an excellent place to find remote under-the-table gigs, especially as a beginner. The site is similar to Fiverr.
Surf the platform for gigs that align with your skills and experience. From there, submit your applications and wait for feedback from the client.
Competition is stiff due to the large number of freelancers on the site. Optimize your profile for keywords to make it more visible to clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Job Under the Table?
A job is considered under the table if the income isn’t taxed. Such jobs usually pay in cash or with simple bank deposits, and the income is too low to be taxed.
However, you must report your income to the IRS to avoid legal implications.
Is It Legal To Work Under the Table?
Working under the table isn’t illegal if you report your income and pay your taxes. Completely evading taxes is a federal offense in most states and may result in steep fines or jail time.
Final Thoughts
There are many under-the-table jobs out there if you need extra cash. Simply gain the required skills and start applying for gigs.
It’s important to review state laws to determine what you’re supposed to pay in tax before venturing into these side hustle ideas.
Many people would jump at the chance to evade taxes, which may result in jail time or fines. I recommend finding a job that pays enough to cover taxes and your needs.
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