Written by Admin Alex · Fact-Checked by M.Ali · Info Verified October 2026
We review and update this article regularly as new information becomes available.
TL;DR: The best remote side hustles for people with a day job are flexible, asynchronous gigs you can do after hours. Strong options include search engine evaluation (around $21 to $35 an hour), AI response rating, virtual assistant work, tutoring and remote notary signings. Find them on remote job boards, LinkedIn and freelance marketplaces. Never pay to start a job, since job scams cost Americans $501 million in 2024.
A remote side hustle is paid work you do from home, outside your main job, without commuting anywhere. Some are part-time remote jobs with an employer. Others are freelance gigs you run yourself.
The hard part is not finding ideas. It is finding remote work that fits around a full-time schedule and is not a scam. This guide covers 12 remote side hustles that do both. It also shows where to find them, which ones need set hours, and what to check if you already work remotely for an employer.
If you want to compare these against online businesses like Etsy shops, YouTube and blogging, see our full list of online side hustles that actually pay.
How Common Are Remote Side Hustles?
Working a second job is a normal part of the U.S. labor market. These numbers show how many people do it and how much they earn.
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Americans holding more than one job (2025 annual average) | 8.8 million, or 5.4% of employed people | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Multiple jobholders with a full-time main job and a part-time second job (August 2026) | About 4.76 million | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| U.S. adults with a side hustle (2026) | 33% | LendingTree |
| Median monthly side hustle income (2026) | $400 | LendingTree |
| Reported losses to job scams (2024) | $501 million, up from $90 million in 2020 | Federal Trade Commission |
The most common pattern is exactly what most readers want: a full-time job plus a part-time second one. Remote work makes that far easier, because there is no second commute.
12 Remote Side Hustles at a Glance
The “schedule” column matters most if you have a day job. Asynchronous work can be done any time. Set-hours work means fixed shifts or live sessions.
| Remote side hustle | Schedule | Usual setup | Typical pay | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search engine evaluator | Asynchronous, capped weekly hours | Part-time contractor | About $21 to $35/hour | Rating vendors such as TELUS Digital |
| AI response rater | Asynchronous | Contractor | $15 to $25/hour general, more for experts | DataAnnotation, Outlier |
| Virtual assistant | Mostly asynchronous | Freelance | $15 to $25/hour to start | Upwork, LinkedIn, referrals |
| Online tutor | Set sessions | Freelance or platform | Varies by subject | Tutoring platforms, local schools |
| Remote online notary | Scheduled appointments | Self-employed | Per notarization or signing | RON platforms, title companies |
| Part-time customer support | Set shifts, often evenings and weekends | Part-time employee or contractor | Hourly | Remote job boards, LinkedIn |
| Transcription and captioning | Asynchronous | Contractor | Per audio minute | Transcription platforms |
| Freelance writing and editing | Asynchronous with deadlines | Freelance | Per project | Upwork, content agencies |
| Bookkeeping | Asynchronous, monthly deadlines | Freelance | Higher than general admin | Referrals, accountant networks |
| Social media management | Mostly asynchronous | Freelance retainer | Monthly retainer | Local businesses, LinkedIn |
| Online community moderator | Set shifts or flexible blocks | Part-time or contract | Hourly | Remote job boards, brand communities |
| Website and app tester | Asynchronous, on demand | Panel member | About $10 per 10 to 20 minute test | UserTesting and similar panels |
Flexible Remote Side Hustles You Can Do Any Time
These suit people with unpredictable evenings, young children or a demanding day job. You choose when to log on.
1. Search engine evaluator
Search engine evaluators review search results and ads and rate how relevant they are. The work comes through rating vendors that contract with search companies. Glassdoor data from March 2026 shows evaluators at TELUS Digital (formerly Lionbridge) earning about $21 to $35 an hour, with a median near $27.
Most roles cap hours each week and require you to pass a qualification exam. That cap is a feature for side hustlers, since it keeps the work from spilling into your main job.
2. AI response rater
AI companies pay people to rate chatbot answers, spot errors and write challenging prompts. General rating work typically pays $15 to $25 an hour. People with coding, legal, medical or math expertise can earn much more on specialist tracks.
Volume is the trade-off. Work queues can dry up for days, so treat it as flexible bonus income rather than a steady paycheck.
3. Virtual assistant
Remote VAs handle inboxes, calendars, scheduling and customer emails for small businesses. Most tasks can be batched into evenings or weekends. Our guide to the virtual assistant side hustle covers services, starting rates and platform fees in detail.
4. Transcription and captioning
Transcriptionists turn audio and video into text for podcasts, researchers and businesses. Pay is usually per audio minute, so your earnings depend on typing speed and audio quality. It is a good fit if you type fast and enjoy quiet, focused work.
5. Freelance writing and editing
Businesses hire remote freelancers for blog posts, product copy, newsletters and proofreading. Deadlines are fixed, but you choose when to do the work. Specialists in finance, health, software or law earn far more than generalists.
6. Bookkeeping
Part-time remote bookkeepers categorize transactions, reconcile accounts and chase invoices. The work clusters around month-end, which makes it predictable. If you have accounting experience and know QuickBooks or Xero, it usually pays more than general admin.
7. Website and app tester
Testers use a website or app while speaking their thoughts aloud. UserTesting pays about $10 for a standard 10 to 20 minute test, with payment about seven days after approval. Test supply depends on matching each client’s target audience, so it works best as pocket money.
Remote Side Hustles With Set Hours
These need you online at specific times. They work well if your day job ends at a predictable hour or your weekends are free.
8. Online tutor
Tutors teach live sessions over video in school subjects, test prep, languages or coding. Evening and weekend demand is strong, because students are free after school. Rates vary widely by subject, with test prep and advanced math usually paying the most.
9. Remote online notary and loan signing agent
Remote online notarization lets a notary verify identity and witness signatures over a secure video call. Most U.S. states now have laws allowing it, though the rules, training and technology requirements differ by state. You usually need a traditional notary commission first, then a separate remote authorization from your state.
Signings for mortgages and real estate often happen in the evening, which suits people with day jobs. Check your Secretary of State’s website for the exact steps where you live.
10. Part-time remote customer support
Many companies hire remote support agents for evening and weekend shifts to cover hours their full-time team cannot. Some roles are W-2 part-time jobs with a steady hourly wage. That gives you predictable pay without hunting for clients.
11. Social media management
Local businesses pay monthly retainers for someone to plan posts, schedule content and reply to comments. Most of the work is flexible, but you may need to answer messages within a few hours. Two or three steady clients can add up to a reliable side income.
12. Online community moderator
Brands, game studios and online communities hire moderators to enforce rules and help members. Shifts are often available in evenings and on weekends. It suits people who already spend time in online communities and stay calm under pressure.
Where to Find Legitimate Remote Side Hustles
Finding remote part-time work looks a lot like a normal job search. These are the main channels, and what each is best for.
| Channel | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Jobs | Part-time remote roles at real companies | Filter by “Remote” and “Part-time,” then save the search for alerts |
| Indeed | Hourly remote roles such as support and moderation | Search “remote part-time evening” or “weekend remote” |
| Remote-only job boards (for example We Work Remotely, Remote.co, FlexJobs) | Remote roles screened for location requirements | Check whether a board charges job seekers before signing up |
| Freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr) | VA, writing, design and bookkeeping clients | Upwork charges a variable 0% to 15% fee; Fiverr takes 20% |
| Rating and AI training vendors | Evaluator and AI rater work | Apply only through the company’s official careers page |
| Your own network | Higher-paying freelance clients | Tell former colleagues exactly which service you offer |
Already Working Remotely? Check These First
Remote workers have a head start: a home office, fast internet and strong digital skills. They also face extra risks with a side hustle. Check these before you take on paid work.
- Your employment contract. Look for moonlighting, conflict of interest and intellectual property clauses. Some contracts claim ownership of work you create using company time or equipment.
- Separate equipment and accounts. Never use your employer’s laptop, software licenses or email for side work.
- Working hours. Keep side work fully outside the hours you are paid for. Mixing the two is the fastest way to lose your main job.
- Competing work. Avoid clients who compete with your employer or are its customers.
- Energy, not just time. If your day job is screen-heavy, pick a side hustle that uses different skills so you do not burn out.
How to Spot Remote Job Scams
Remote job scams have grown fast. FTC data shows reports of job and fake employment agency scams rose from 38,000 in 2020 to 105,000 in 2024. Task scams, which promise pay for simple online clicks, made up nearly 40% of reported job scams in 2024.
Walk away if you see any of these signs:
- An unsolicited text or WhatsApp message from a “recruiter” offering easy online work
- A job offer with no real interview, or a chat-only interview
- Any request to pay for training, equipment, software or a starter kit
- A check you must deposit before sending part of the money elsewhere
- “Reshipping” jobs that ask you to receive and forward packages
- Pay that looks far too high for very simple tasks
The simplest rule is the FTC’s own advice: never pay to get a job or to get paid.
How Much Time Should a Remote Side Hustle Take?
Five to ten hours a week is a realistic target for most people with a full-time job. A Side Hustle Nation member survey found that 85% of people earning $500 or more a month put in at least 5 hours a week.
| Weekly hours | At $15/hour | At $25/hour | At $35/hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 hours | $300/month | $500/month | $700/month |
| 10 hours | $600/month | $1,000/month | $1,400/month |
| 15 hours | $900/month | $1,500/month | $2,100/month |
Monthly figures assume four working weeks, before fees and taxes.
Taxes on Remote Side Hustle Income
How you are taxed depends on how you are hired. A W-2 part-time remote job withholds tax from each paycheck like any other job. Contractor and freelance work does not, so you handle it yourself.
- Net self-employment earnings of $400 or more in a year generally trigger self-employment tax of 15.3%.
- From 2026, clients only need to send a Form 1099-NEC once they pay you $2,000 or more in a year.
- All income is taxable, whether or not you receive a form.
Setting aside 25% to 30% of contractor income is a common starting point. This is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best remote side hustle for someone with a full-time job?
Asynchronous work fits best, because you can do it any time. Search engine evaluation, AI response rating, virtual assistant work and transcription all let you choose your own hours.
Are there remote side hustles with no experience required?
Yes. Website testing, transcription and many virtual assistant and customer support roles need no prior experience. Evaluator and AI rating roles usually require passing an online assessment instead of a resume.
Can I do a remote side hustle while working remotely for another company?
Often yes, but check your employment contract first. Keep the work outside paid hours, use your own equipment, and avoid clients who compete with your employer.
Which remote side hustles pay the most?
Skilled work pays the most. Specialist AI training, bookkeeping, and freelance writing in technical fields can reach $35 an hour or more. Search engine evaluators commonly earn about $21 to $35 an hour.
Where can I find part-time remote jobs for evenings and weekends?
Start with LinkedIn and Indeed using remote and part-time filters, then check remote-only job boards. Customer support, moderation and tutoring roles often advertise evening and weekend shifts.
How do I know if a remote side hustle is legit?
Legitimate employers interview you properly, never ask you to pay upfront, and pay through normal payroll or established platforms. Research the company and apply only through its official website.
Bottom Line
The best remote side hustle is one that fits around your main job rather than fighting with it. If your evenings are unpredictable, choose asynchronous work such as search engine evaluation, AI rating or VA tasks. If you have reliable free hours, tutoring, notary signings or support shifts add steady income. Whatever you pick, apply through official channels and never pay to start.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, multiple jobholders (2025 annual average and August 2026)
- LendingTree, 2026 Side Hustle Survey
- Federal Trade Commission, job and employment scam data, 2020 to 2024
- Glassdoor search engine evaluator pay data, March 2026
- UserTesting tester payment terms
- Side Hustle Nation member survey, via Time etc
- Upwork Help Center, Freelancer Service Fee
- IRS guidance and One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Section 70433
