9 Ways To Make Money in 1 Hour
Forty-seven percent of Americans reported earning money from a side hustle in 2025, and 40% of Americans planned on starting a new side gig in 2026, according to the 2026 Entrepreneurship Study commissioned by Intuit QuickBooks.
Side hustlers brought in $104 per hour, which is 181% higher than the national average wage of $37. If you’re limited on time but want to make some extra money, there are many ways that you can turn your lunch break or an hour in the evenings into a new income stream.
Here are nine different ways you can make money in an hour.
1. Freelance Writing
Average expected pay: $23 an hour
If you enjoy writing, you can find freelance writing gigs where you pick up extra cash while embracing your creativity. You can look up gigs on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr based on your area of expertise. If you’re proficient in writing, you can put together articles on your lunch break.
2. Online Tutoring
Average expected pay: $18 to $50 an hour
Brennan Kolar, a senior financial analyst and founder of Atlas CPA Index, pointed out that if you have a marketable skill, you can sell an hour of it directly. He added,
“If you're a specialist in a topic, try tutoring on a platform like Wyzant for $50 to $100 an hour,” he added.
There are platforms like Chegg Tutors or Tutor.com, where you can offer your services and find students based on your expertise.
3. Social Media Management
Average expected pay: $31 an hour
“Social media management is a great option if you’re good at creating and publishing posts that drive views,” remarked Melanie Musson, a finance expert with Quote.com. “You can manage a company’s social media well, including replying to comments, in an hour during your lunch break.”
Many local businesses need help with managing social media profiles, and you can turn this into a decent income stream. If you want to take this a step further, try the next gig.
4. Social Media Influencer
Average expected pay: $27 an hour, but it can vary on your popularity
If you’ve built up an engaged following or want to give it a shot, brands would want to work with you. The income streams can include collaborations, reviews, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products.
5. Rideshare Driver or Delivery Service
Average expected pay: $18 to $21 an hour
Musson pointed out that in an hour, you should be able to pick up a request and fulfill an order. If things align, you might even handle two deliveries in that time. The same logic applies to rideshare driving.
6. Rent Out Space
Average expected pay: $18.25 an hour or $2,408 per month
If you have a spare bedroom, any extra space in your home, or even a parking space that you don't use, you can have a side income stream that requires less than an hour of work.
With platforms such as Airbnb and SpotHero, you can monetize any space. The pay will vary depending on your space and the location, but AirDNA data shows that the median monthly income for hosts in 2025 was $2,408. The one hour you spend would be allocated to dealing with customer inquiries and possible cleaning at checkout.
7. Reselling Stuff
Average expected pay: About $33 an hour
“The easiest way to make cash quickly is to sell something you already own, " remarked Kolar. “Photograph and list five or six items lying around your house on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Poshmark.”
The hour you spend organizing your listing could turn into hundreds of dollars in extra income if you find the right items.
8. Virtual Assistant Tasks
Average expected pay: $24 an hour
There’s always a demand for virtual assistant tasks, ranging from organizing emails to handling customer service. Kolar suggests looking for gigs involving simple software tasks like editing documents, spreadsheets, graphics, and web design.
You can also look for gigs on a platform like Zirtual to ensure that your skills find the right fit. Once you have a few reviews, that work could become a more substantial side gig.
9. Walk Dogs
Average expected pay: $17 an hour
If you work from home and enjoy being around furry friends, you can look into dog walking or check-ins. Musson added, “Doing it during your lunch break is ideal because it’s partway through the day when people who work full-time need their dogs taken out.”
As an extra benefit, you get to enjoy fresh air, and it forces you to stay active.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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