Many people today are exploring side hustles to bring in extra money and improve their finances. In fact, over one-third of young Canadian adults already have a side gig, and nearly half are considering starting one. The driving factor? About 94% of side hustlers say they do it to earn more income for bills or savings.
This article will walk you through the top side hustles for 2025, covering what’s trending, how they work, and why they might be profitable for you.
Let’s get going and find a side hustle that fits you.
The State of Side Hustles in 2025
A combination of rising living costs and economic uncertainty has been prompting more people to pursue side hustles for supplemental income.
A recent survey found that 85% of Canadians feel living paycheque to paycheque is the “new norm.” With that number in mind, it’s no surprise that so many are looking for ways to earn on the side. Younger generations, especially, are embracing side gigs in record numbers.
These hustle ideas are not just about passion, either: nearly 61% view their side job as essential for meeting financial needs. Whether it’s to pay bills, grow savings, or build an emergency fund, side hustles offer extra income when a single salary doesn’t cut it.
Technology also makes these side gigs more accessible than ever. With the help of apps, you can find opportunities, reach customers online, or even start a small business from home in just minutes.
In short, side hustle ideas have become a mainstream way to achieve financial goals in 2025, and there’s a good chance there’s one out there that suits your skills and schedule.
Top Side Hustles to Earn Extra Money in 2025
Let’s investigate some of the top side hustles that are trending and profitable to help you find opportunities to earn extra money on the side.
1. Content Creation (YouTube, Blogging, and Podcasts)
Do you have a knack for telling stories or entertaining others? Then, why not try turning your creativity into content?
Content creation on platforms like YouTube, blogs, and podcasts gives everyday people a way to build an audience and earn money. YouTube alone has over 2.7 billion users (as of July 2025) who watch a billion hours of video daily.
Bloggers earn through ads or subscriptions, while podcasters can land sponsorships once they gain listeners. Success doesn’t tend to come overnight, but consistent content that informs or entertains? Well, that’s exactly what can lead to passive income through ads, affiliate links, or merch!
This side hustle is flexible and scalable, and in 2025, more people are turning passion projects into income during their spare time.
2. Online Courses and Tutoring
Creating an online course or offering tutoring is a fantastic side hustle idea if you have a special skill set that’s valuable to others. E-learning is booming, and the demand for tutors and online courses is growing right alongside it.
Online tutoring and course creation are awesome ways to earn from skills you already have. You can tutor subjects like math, science, or languages via Zoom, or teach adults coding, graphic design, or music.
Tutors often earn $15 to $30+ per hour, and a few sessions each week can bring in steady extra money. You can also sell online courses on platforms that pay you whenever someone enrolls.
This side hustle works well for former teachers, students, or anyone with a knack for explaining things clearly.
3. Freelancing Your Skills
Freelancing means offering your specific skills or services to clients on a flexible, job-by-job basis. It’s one of the most accessible side hustle ideas because you can use skills from your day job or hobbies to earn money independently.
Freelancing covers jobs like writing, graphic design, programming, and virtual assistant work. You set your own hours and take on projects that suit your schedule.
It’s a flexible side hustle you can do from pretty much anywhere with just a laptop and internet. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr help connect you with clients. Beginners might earn $20–$30 per article, while specialized and experienced freelancers can charge a lot more.
You decide how much to take on, which makes it easy to balance with other commitments.
4. E-Commerce and Reselling
Selling products online is a trending side hustle that many people are doing in 2025. In fact, more than 53% of Canadian side hustlers make money by selling goods through e-commerce.
E-commerce offers several ways to earn on the side. You can resell items like thrift finds on eBay, used clothes on Poshmark, or furniture on Facebook Marketplace.
Starting an online store with Shopify or Etsy lets you sell handmade goods, digital products, or custom items. Selling stock photos has jumped 151% in popularity, making it a fast-growing hustle.
Dropshipping is another option where the supplier handles shipping, and you keep the profit. Some sellers make hundreds per month, others scale to thousands.
5. Rideshare Driving and Delivery Gigs
Ride-share driving and food delivery apps have become some of the most popular gig jobs or side hustles in Canada. The Credit Counselling Society found that in 2024, Uber and delivery apps were more popular than cleaning or babysitting gigs.
Gig jobs tend to be very flexible, and you can get started right away—win-win! For example, many drivers make $15 to $25 an hour, so by driving a few evenings a week, they can make several hundred dollars (or more!) a month. When driving during peak fare times, drivers can boost their pay with tips and surge pricing.
Other gig-based opportunities include delivery or courier. If delivering packages or food is not your thing, there is also a growing demand for on-demand local services..
For example, there is a recent trend of increased interest in mobile car washing services. Searches are up 276%, indicating how much people are looking for convenience.
6. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you love animals, pet sitting or dog walking could be a great side hustle. Many pet owners need help while they’re at work or away, and this kind of work fits into mornings, evenings, or weekends.
You can start informally or use apps like Rover to find clients. A regular walking schedule might bring in $50 a week, and dog walkers often charge $15–$20 per walk. Pet sitters can earn $25+ per day, more if staying overnight.
This side hustle is growing fast, especially in urban areas. In fact, according to Hostinger, pet sitting is the fastest-growing side hustle in 10 of the United States! It’s low-stress, active, and fun if you're an animal person.
7. Passive Income Ideas: Renting Out Your Space or Stuff
Why not earn a profit using what you already own? A spare room, parking spot, or basement suite can bring in solid income through Airbnb or long-term tenants. Hosting takes a bit of effort, but many find it worth the cash.
Others rent out their car, storage space, or tools on platforms like Turo. This kind of asset-sharing makes up nearly 40% of the gig economy's revenue, and it can be fairly hands-off. You list the item, someone books it, and you get paid.
Returns vary: a parking spot might bring in $100+ a month, a spare room could earn a few hundred on a weekend, and a car might fetch $30–50 a day.
Top Side Hustles: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable side hustle?
The most profitable side hustles in 2025 often rely on specialized skills or scalable work. Tech freelancing and cybersecurity consulting can pay high rates, while real estate gigs and mobile car wash services can earn up to $90,000 a year.
E-commerce and blogging with ad revenue also offer strong income potential. These hustles often take more effort to start, but with a high-value skill or product, the long-term payoff can be consequential.
How can I make an extra $2,000 a month?
Earning $2,000 a month from a side hustle is doable with the right plan. That breaks down to about $500 per week, which could mean 25 hours at $20/hour, or fewer hours with higher-paying gigs.
Combining steady and flexible work helps. For example, tutoring 10 hours a week might bring in $200, while delivery driving on weekends could add $300. You can also sell online through Etsy or eBay to boost your income.
Professional freelancing pays even more, often $30–$50 an hour.
For more detailed ideas, check out our guide on how to make an extra $1,000 a month, which you can scale up to meet the $2,000 goal. With dedication and perhaps a mix of side hustle ideas, you’ll be on your way to earning that extra $2k.
How can I make $100 a day on the side?
Making $100 a day from a side hustle is a solid short-term goal. Whether you earn it all in one day or average it over a week, it can add up to $3,000 a month.
You could combine rideshare and food delivery, earning $20–$25 per hour during peak times to reach $100 in a single shift. Freelancing on platforms like Fiverr can also hit that mark with one well-paying gig.
Weekend event work, like catering, often pays around $100 for a full shift, especially with tips. Or flip an item (think furniture or electronics) for a quick profit.
How can I make $500 a week on the side?
Making $500 a week breaks down to about $70 per day. Create a strategy that balances your time while also leveraging higher-paying opportunities when possible.
Here are a couple of ideas:
Part-Time Job or Regular Gig: A steady weekend shift in retail or at a café can bring in $150–$200. Add in tutoring on a couple of weeknights ($50) and one night of rideshare driving ($100), and you’re close to $500 for the week.
Offer a Niche Service: Do you have a specialized skill? Then you can charge more! One home repair project might earn $500 alone. A freelance graphic designer could hit the same target with two logo projects at $250 each.
Multiple Small Streams: Stack smaller gigs. Three days of ride-share or delivery work could bring in $300, with freelance work or selling online covering the other $200. Throw in surveys, micro-tasks, or craft sales, and it all adds up.
Track your progress and shift your time toward what pays best. With consistency and some creativity, making $500 a week on the side is within reach.
Building Momentum with Your Side Hustle
If you evaluate all of these side hustle ideas along with the tips provided, you’ll be able to find a way to make extra money that complements your lifestyle. Start small, stay consistent, and see where it takes you.
And if you ever need a little help bridging the gap while your side hustle gains traction, iCash is here to support you with fast, simple access to short-term loans when you need them most.
