The Side Gig Most Likely To Turn Into a Full-Time Career in 2026
Is the side gig lifeline poised to restore the sustainable single income?
According to research from ZipRecruiter, 35% of U.S. workers have a side hustle, and many first-time job seekers (59.2%) rely on side hustles to break into the job market. The research also found that side gigs offer bargaining power, as job seekers with one are 49% more likely to reject an offer than those without one (32.2%). The good news is that there are many side gigs that can turn into full-time roles this year.
Burning Hot: Here Are the 5 Best Side Hustles for Summer 2026
You’re Savvy: 10 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money — That You Should Do, Too
We consulted with experts to determine which type of side gig has the potential to scale up into a full-time career in 2026. We will also share the potential educational requirements, earnings and what it takes to land such a role.
The Side Gig That’s Likely To Upscale Into a Full-Time Career This Year
Eva Chan, a career expert at Resume Genius, said that the best side gig at the moment is AI consulting, helping small and mid-size businesses implement the tools they’ve invested in but don’t yet know how to use. While many businesses understand the importance of AI systems, they’re unable to fully implement them without assistance.
According to Upwork, the demand for AI-related freelance skills grew 109% on a year-over-year basis in 2025. Chan pointed out that this kind of growth doesn’t happen organically, as it means that businesses are desperate and willing to pay. She added that freelancers with AI proficiency earn roughly 40% more per hour than those without, per additional data from Upwork.
If you’re not sure if consulting is the way to go for you, there’s another way to make money in this field on a full-time basis.
What’s Another Way To Go Full-Time?
"One side gig with particularly strong potential to grow into a full-time career in 2026 is freelance digital marketing with AI expertise,” said Keith Spencer, a career expert at FlexJobs. “Businesses of all sizes need help creating content, managing social media, optimizing search visibility, running email campaigns and analyzing marketing performance.”
Spencer stressed that many employers are still figuring out how to effectively incorporate AI tools into daily operations, creating opportunities for professionals who can combine traditional marketing skills with AI-powered tools. You can work directly with businesses and help them set up AI workflows to improve how they create content, provide customer service and manage these brand-new tools.
What Qualifications Do You Need for This Role?
“Industry knowledge plus hands-on fluency with AI tools matters more than a formal credential,” Chan said. The educational bar is lower than people expect. She has observed that a marketer with experience building AI-assisted workflows is currently worth more to most businesses than a computer science graduate with no experience.
Spencer also clarified that, unlike some emerging technology roles, there really isn’t a single educational requirement to get started in social media or AI-based social marketing.
“While a degree in marketing, communications, business or a related field can be helpful, employers and clients are often more interested in demonstrated results,” he said.
The best way to get started is to build a portfolio of marketing projects, learn to use popular AI tools, earn relevant certifications and develop skills in areas such as content creation, social media management and email marketing. This can help establish credibility and attract clients, turning your side gig into a full-time income.
What’s the Earning Potential?
The experts agreed that earnings will vary based on specialization, experience and the types of clients or organizations they work for. As a freelancer, you get to dictate your own rates, and you can always negotiate.
However, according to Glassdoor, AI business consultants earn an average of $146,246 per year. Digital marketers with AI expertise can earn around $34/hour, per Salary.com.
You can get started today by managing social media accounts, creating content or assisting with marketing campaigns for small businesses as a freelancer. As you build expertise and experience, you can expand your client base and seek out long-term contracts, agency work or full-time marketing positions.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: