Disclosure: Fiverr is a FreelanceMile partner, and that partnership affects where it appears in this guide. Some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The pros, cons and fees for every platform, including Fiverr, are my honest take.
The best side hustles for men use a skill you already have: selling a freelance service on Fiverr, handyman work, delivery or rideshare driving, personal training, car detailing, dog walking or drone photography.
Pick one based on three things: the hours you have free, what you can spend to start, and whether you’d rather work with your hands or on a laptop.
Key takeaways
- Start with a skill you already have. It’s the fastest way to your first paying customer.
- One in three Americans side hustles. LendingTree’s 2026 survey found 33% of Americans have a side hustle, earning an average of $1,242 a month.
- Driving gigs have hard rules. Uber says you must meet the minimum age to drive in your city and have at least one year of US driving experience (3 years if you are under 25); Amazon Flex requires 21 or older.
- Taxes start early. The IRS says you owe self-employment tax once net earnings hit $400 or more.
- Reviews win clients. When I hire freelancers, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision.
What are the best side hustles for men?
The best ones pay for skills you already use: fixing things, driving, training, design, writing or flying a drone. You start faster and charge more from day one.
You’re not alone in looking. In LendingTree’s 2026 side hustle survey, 33% of Americans said they have a side hustle, down from 38% last year.
The same survey found 58% of men say their side hustle strengthens their long-term financial security, compared with 36% of women.
None of these ideas are men-only, of course. They’re simply the ones men search for most, sorted by how you’d like to work.
15 side hustles for men that pay
Each idea below says what you need to start and which rule to check first. Laptop hustles come first, then hands-on work, driving and outdoor gigs.
1. Sell a freelance skill on Fiverr
If you can write, design, edit video or build spreadsheets, list it as a fixed-price service on Fiverr. Buyers pick a package and pay up front.
Fiverr Help says freelancers receive 80% of the client’s cleared payment, after a 14-day clearing period for most sellers.
Not sure what to sell? Start with our list of easy Fiverr gigs for beginners.
2. Freelance writing
Businesses pay for blog posts, product descriptions, emails and website copy. A few clean samples matter more than a degree.
For a niche angle, see our letter writing side hustle guide, which separates real writing gigs from scams.
3. Website fixes and WordPress help
Small businesses need someone to fix a broken plugin, speed up a slow site or add a booking form. If you’ve built a site before, you can sell this.
Upwork is a common place to find these jobs. Its Freelancer Service Fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract, and you see the fee before you bid.
4. Online tutoring
Math, test prep, coding, a language or a musical instrument: if you’re good at it and patient, you can teach it over video in the evenings.
5. Handyman services
Small repairs, mounting TVs, assembling furniture and fixing doors are always in demand. The BLS lists a median pay of $23.84 per hour for general maintenance and repair workers in May 2025.
That’s an employee wage, not a freelance rate, but it’s a useful floor. In most Taskrabbit categories, you set your own hourly rate and keep 100% of it, plus 100% of tips.
Licensing for electrical or plumbing work varies by state and locality, so stick to jobs that don’t need a license until you check.
6. House painting
Interior rooms, fences and decks are good weekend jobs. Most of the skill is prep: cleaning, taping and patching before you open a can.
7. Car detailing
A good vacuum, a pressure washer and quality supplies are enough to start. Offer a simple menu, like interior only, exterior only, or full detail.
8. Lawn care and landscaping
Mowing, edging, leaf cleanup and hedge trimming are easy to sell to neighbors. Weekly contracts give you predictable income through the season.
9. Dog walking and pet sitting
Busy owners pay for walks, drop-ins and overnight stays. Rover says it applies a 20% service fee per booking, so you take home 80%.
Rover notes that California fees are different, and some U.S. sitters may be in a pilot with other fees.
10. Mobile knife sharpening
Home cooks, restaurants and barbers need sharp blades. It’s a small-kit, low-competition service you can run from your car on weekends.
11. Woodworking and handmade goods
Cutting boards, shelves, signs and small furniture sell well locally and online. If you sell on Etsy, check the current Etsy fees before you price.
12. Food and package delivery
DoorDash requires Dashers to be at least 18 in most states, 19 in some states and 21 for new applicants in California. Car Dashers need a valid U.S. driver’s license, insurance and registration.
Amazon Flex requires you to be 21 or older and drive an eligible vehicle, such as a 4-door sedan, SUV, van or truck with a covered bed.
13. Rideshare driving
Uber says you must meet the minimum age to drive in your city and have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US (3 years if you are under 25 years old). You also need an eligible 4-door vehicle. Requirements vary by city, so check yours on Uber’s page.
You’ll need proof of vehicle insurance if you drive your own car, and you’ll go through a screening of your driving record and criminal history.
14. Personal training
If fitness is already your thing, training clients early mornings or weekends fits around a day job. The BLS lists a median pay of $22.67 per hour for fitness trainers and instructors in May 2025.
Personal trainers usually must be certified before working with clients, and most also need CPR, first aid and AED certification, according to the BLS.
15. Drone photography and video
Real estate listings, roof checks and events all use drone footage. To fly for money, the FAA requires a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107.
You must be at least 16, pass the knowledge test and complete free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
Quick comparison: which side hustle fits you?
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Side hustle | Type | Start-up cost | Rule to check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance skill on Fiverr | Laptop | Low | Fiverr keeps 20% |
| Freelance writing | Laptop | Low | Samples and a portfolio |
| Website fixes | Laptop | Low | Upwork fee 0% to 15% |
| Online tutoring | Laptop | Low | Platform or school rules |
| Handyman services | Hands-on | Medium | State and local licensing |
| House painting | Hands-on | Medium | Local licensing and insurance |
| Car detailing | Hands-on | Medium | Insurance |
| Lawn care | Hands-on | Medium | Insurance |
| Dog walking and pet sitting | Hands-on | Low | Rover takes 20% |
| Knife sharpening | Hands-on | Medium | Insurance |
| Woodworking | Hands-on | Medium to high | Etsy fees if you sell online |
| Delivery | On the road | Your vehicle | Age 18 to 21 by app and state |
| Rideshare | On the road | Your vehicle | Uber: city minimum age, 1+ year US driving (3 if under 25) |
| Personal training | Fitness and outdoors | Medium | Certification, CPR and AED |
| Drone photography | Fitness and outdoors | High | FAA Part 107 certificate |
Which side hustles pay the most?
Skilled services usually pay the most per hour: web work, training, drone video and trades. Driving and delivery are easier to start but depend on demand where you live.
For reference, the BLS lists employee medians of $23.84 an hour for maintenance and repair workers and $22.67 for fitness trainers in May 2025. BLS wage data does not include self-employed workers.
Across all side hustles, LendingTree found side hustlers earn an average of $1,242 a month in 2026. Treat that as an average, not a promise.
How do you start a side hustle while working full time?
Keep it small at first. In LendingTree’s survey, 32% of side hustlers spend five to 10 hours per week on it.
Check your employment contract
Look for moonlighting, non-compete and conflict-of-interest rules. Never use your employer’s tools, time or clients.
Pick one hustle that fits your hours
Driving and delivery fit random free hours. Handyman jobs and training need set time slots that clients can book.
Check licenses and insurance
Trade work, rideshare and drones all have rules. DoorDash notes that its insurance only covers you when actively dashing, so your own policy still matters.
Set your price
Start with what you need to earn per hour, then add costs like gas, supplies and platform fees.
Get your first three reviews
Offer a fair intro price to neighbors, friends of friends or first buyers online, and ask each happy customer for a review.
Track income for taxes
The IRS says you must pay self-employment tax if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. The rate is 15.3%.
What do clients look for when they hire you?
I recruit and screen freelancers on Upwork. When I hire, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision.
So your first few reviews matter more than your first price. Photos of finished jobs, before-and-after shots and short client quotes all help.
If you plan to sell online, compare platforms in our guide to the best freelance websites.
FAQ
What side business can a man start with little money?
Freelance writing, design or tutoring cost almost nothing to start. Dog walking and lawn care also start cheap if you already own the basics.
What are profitable hobbies for men?
Woodworking, fitness, photography, drones and fixing cars can all turn into paid work. The hobby becomes a business when you sell a clear service at a set price.
How can a man make extra money on weekends?
Handyman jobs, painting, lawn care, car detailing, delivery and event drone work all fit weekends. Book clients in advance so your Saturdays stay full.
Do I need a license for handyman work?
It depends on the job and where you live. The BLS notes that electrical or plumbing work may need a license, and requirements vary by state and locality.
Can I start a side hustle with no experience?
Yes, if you pick something you can learn quickly and deliver well. Our guide on how to start freelancing with no experience walks through the first steps.
Sources (checked 21 October 2026)
- LendingTree: Side hustle survey (survey March 3-6, 2026; updated April 20, 2026)
- Fiverr Help: How Fiverr works for freelancers (80% earnings, 14-day clearing)
- Upwork Help: Freelancer Service Fee (0% to 15% per contract)
- BLS: General maintenance and repair workers (May 2025 median pay, licensing)
- BLS: Fitness trainers and instructors (May 2025 median pay, certification)
- Taskrabbit: How pricing works and Taskrabbit Support: invoice fees
- Rover Help: What are the service fees? (20% for pet care providers)
- DoorDash: Dasher requirements, Amazon Flex: requirements, Uber: driver requirements
- FAA: Become a certificated remote pilot (Part 107)
- IRS: Self-employment tax ($400 rule, 15.3% rate)
What to do next
Pick one idea from this list and get your first paying customer this month. If it’s a laptop skill, publish one gig on Fiverr tonight.
Want more ideas? See no-interview remote jobs and our side hustles 101 guide.
