Side Hustle Statistics in 2026: Earnings Trends and More

Rising inflation, stagnant wages, and rising cost of living have pushed many people to look beyond a single paycheck. The 2026 side hustle statistics show that 72% of US workers already have a side hustle or are thinking about starting one.

If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle, this post shows you what people actually earn and what results to expect. We’ll cover models, such as building print-on-demand platforms, which have become a popular side hustle in 2026.

Keep reading to see what the data says about the most viable side hustles you can try.

How Many People Have a Side Hustle in 2026?

According to a recent Bankrate survey, about 27% of US workers have a side hustle. This translates to roughly 90 million people. Out of this, Gen Z’ers account for 34%, followed by millennials at 31%, Gen X at 23%, and boomers at 22%.

These side hustle statistics show that earning income beyond a main job is now common. A side hustle statistics 2025 report by SurveyMonkey indicates that 70% of workers prioritize seeking extra income streams. This shift shows a clear change in how people think about financial stability.

However, the trend doesn’t move in a straight line. According to Bankrate, participation in side hustles has declined, with 36% of US workers holding multiple jobs in 2025, then dropping to 27% in 2026.

Note that the 36% → 27% decline reflects a real downward trend within a consistent methodology. While figures from other sources show broader definitions and inclusion criteria, these differences aren’t contradictory.

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Side Hustle Earnings: What People Actually Make

Bankrate’s side hustle statistics show an average income of $885 per month, but the median is just $200. This gap matters because a small group of high earners pulls up the average, while most people earn far less.

Around 32.1% of side hustlers earn $51 to $250 per month. This shows that early income often stays modest while people are still testing ideas and building consistency.

Income also tends to grow for those who stick with it. According to Side Hustle Nation, about 36% of side hustlers who move past the startup phase earn over $1,000 per month. Still, only 11% of all side hustlers reach that level, and just 2% make more than $5,000 per month.

Age also shapes earnings. According to Bankrate, millennials lead in side hustles with an average of $1,029 per month. They’re followed by Gen Z at $968, baby boomers at $918, and Gen X at $512.

When it comes to gender, men tend to earn more from side hustles, both in average and median income. On average, men earn about $1,195 per month, while women earn around $611 per month. The typical monthly earnings also differ, with men at $247 and women at $148.

Another 2026 report by QuickBooks shows that Americans dedicate an average of 19.5 hours per month to their side hustles. With this extra work, they earn more compared to their counterparts in the UK, Canada, and Australia.

However, there’s a tradeoff to consider. A 2025 survey by SideHustles showed that 67% of side hustlers are experiencing burnout. At the same time, 52% say the effort only feels worth it if they earn more than $500 per week.

Why Are People Starting Side Hustles in 2026?

The most immediate driver for side hustles in 2026 is the current economy. According to a LendingTree survey, 49% of Americans are turning to side gigs to make ends meet.

Other cited reasons for starting side gigs include: 

• Inflation: 42%
• Rising interest rates: 20%
• Stock market dips: 14%

Another 28% of those surveyed said they needed side gigs to cover discretionary spending. Additionally, 24% of respondents said they needed side jobs to pay off debts.

The same LendingTree survey also found that 65% of side hustlers would prefer a single income source if given the choice. Also, if their side hustles ever end, they’ll most likely cut out these expenses: 

• Dining out: 46%
• Entertainment: 39%
• Shopping: 39%
• Streaming services: 33%
• Travel: 32%
• Gym memberships: 22%
• Essential bills: 18%
• Other: 10%

Passion also plays a role. A 2025 survey by Patriot Software found that 12% of people start a side hustle because they care about the work they do. Another 3% hoped to turn their passion into a full-time business, as shown below:

These figures underscore a structural shift in personal finance: side hustles are now seen as financial buffers against economic volatility. The fact that most people would abandon side gigs if possible reflects economic strain, not opportunity alone.

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The Most Popular Side Hustles in 2026

The most popular side hustle in 2026, according to a Bankrate report, is online sales, with 15% of side hustlers choosing it. Close behind are professional and business services, such as freelance writing and consulting, at 14%.

Side hustles are predominantly digital, with social media content creation leading at 35%, followed by ecommerce at 27%, gaming and streaming at 24%, and graphic design at 14%. 

These numbers show that content and creative work now drive a large share of side income.

Other popular side hustles include:

• Food delivery and crafts: 9%
• Pet care: 7%
• Teaching/tutoring: 6%
• Landscaping: 4%
• Childcare: 4%
• Healthcare: 4%
• Fitness: 3%
• Ridesharing: 3%
• Home rental: 2%

Platform choice also matters because it affects how you reach your target audience. The same Bankrate report shows that TikTok leads with 41% of side hustlers using it. YouTube follows at 40%, then Instagram at 37%, and Amazon at 21%.

As far as ease of starting a side hustle goes, print-on-demand is one of the most viable models. You don’t buy inventory up front: you simply upload designs, and a supplier prints and ships only after a sale. 

This removes stock risk and lowers financial pressure. Platforms like Podbase handle production and fulfillment, which allows you to focus on creating designs.

Side Hustles by Generation: Who Is Doing It Most?

Side hustles aren’t spread evenly across age groups. Younger workers are more likely to have a side hustle. Bankrate’s side hustle statistics show that Gen Z leads with 34% participation, followed by millennials at 31%.  Gen X comes in at 23%, while boomers are close behind at 22%.

Additionally, about 77% of Gen Z and 52% of millennials started their side hustle within the last two years. 

The same survey also shows that 21% of Gen Z hustlers want to turn their side hustles into full-time careers. This shows a clear shift toward treating side hustles as primary income paths, with many looking to scale them sooner rather than later.

The Future of Side Hustles: What 2026 and Beyond Looks Like

The future of side hustles is shifting fast. Workers are no longer simply trading time for money. They’re building systems that can earn money even when they’re offline. 

Data show that the global gig and side hustle market is worth over $674 billion in 2026. That figure is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2035.

Additionally, AI tools are lowering the barrier to entry for prospective side hustle entrepreneurs. Automated tools for writing, design, and coding now handle tasks that once took years to learn. You can draft content, build a logo, or launch a small app with far less effort. 

This means more people can test ideas and earn from skills they once thought were out of reach.

You can move from idea to first sale much faster, reducing risk and keeping momentum high. It also means more competition, so quality and consistency matter more than ever.

Ecommerce and print-on-demand models are growing because income isn’t tied to time. You can list a product once and keep selling it, creating passive earnings. This is how these models differ from freelance work, where income depends on the time spent working.

This scalability is why many side hustlers now focus on digital storefronts. A product can reach buyers across time zones without extra effort. You can earn a steady income rather than just one-off payments.

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Conclusion

Side hustle statistics show they’re no longer seen as just extra income. They’re a core part of how people attain financial stability.

POD remains one of the highest-paying side hustles, and Podbase is a good option worth trying out. 

That said, the main takeaway from these side hustle statistics is that starting is easy, but scaling is what matters. The earlier you begin testing ideas and building systems, the better your chances of turning a side hustle into something sustainable.