According to data from 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Report, Seattle residents spent an average of $81,728 annually. Housing took the highest percentage, accounting for 36.7%, an equivalent of $30,007, while transportation accounted for 13.2% ($10,766).
Food came in third at 12.1%, leaving just over $30,000 for everything else, including entertainment, health care, and future savings. That’s quite expensive. If your income cannot cater to these needs and save a few bucks for the future, you’ll need a lucrative side hustle to supplement your income.
Unlike most businesses that require a lot of upfront investment, you can start a side hustle with very little capital – or even none. There are a ton of different side hustles in Seattle you can pursue, depending on your skills and interests.
Let’s take a look!
Best Side Hustles for People in Seattle
Seattle is a vibrant and booming city with a ton of opportunities. If you’re a Seattle resident looking for a side hustle to pursue, here are some great options that will help you add some extra cash to your pocket, working only a few hours a week.
Dog Walking
Seattle is a haven for dog-lovers. According to statistics, there are 153,000 dogs, which is higher than the number of children. This makes Seattle an excellent place to start a dog walking business. If you’re an animal-lover with a few hours to spare each week, dog walking can be a great side hustle.
You can start by registering with a site like Wag! or Rover, which connects dog owners with walkers in their area. Rates for dog walking varies depending on your location and the dog’s size, but you can expect to earn around $18.67 per hour on average.
To get started, ensure you apply for liability insurance, invest in dog walking gear like a leash and waste bag dispenser, and create a catchy business name and branding on one of the many dog walking directories. You can also promote your services online through social media or word-of-mouth.
Become a Wedding Officiant
Wedding officiants are a critical part of any wedding ceremony, and their services are in high demand. If you’re a people’s person with a knack for public speaking, becoming a wedding officiant could be the perfect side hustle for you.
In Seattle, the average cost of hiring a wedding officiant is $500, although prices can range from $250 to $1,250. To get started, you’ll need to become ordained through the American Marriage Ministries or another online organization like the Universal Life Church.
Once you’re ordained, you can begin marketing your services to couples in the area. You can create a website and list your rates, services, and contact information. You can also join directories like Thumbtack to connect with couples looking for an officiant.
Participate in Focus Groups
Focus groups provide companies with valuable feedback about their products or services. In return for your participation, you’ll receive compensation, which can range from $50 to $250 per two-hour session.
To participate in a focus group, sign up with a company like COSVC or Fieldwork. You’ll then be notified of upcoming focus groups that you’re eligible to participate in. To better your chances of being selected, ensure you complete your profile accurately and provide detailed responses to the screening questions.
Once you’re accepted into a focus group, be prepared to answer questions about the product or service under review and give your honest feedback. You may also be asked to take photos or videos of the product in use.
Become a Sharetown Rep
If you’re interested in furniture or mattress flipping and wishing there was an app similar to DoorDash or Rover that was specific to the flipping business, you’re in luck. Sharetown is designed to help individuals pickup and resell large items in a simple, easy to use platform.
As a Sharetown rep, you could make hundreds or even thousands of dollars extra per month simply by hauling furniture to drop-off points, selling furniture online at fair profit margins, providing last-mile delivery to our clientele, and more. All you really need to get started is a pickup truck or similar vehicle and a desire to increase your income by helping the community.
Start a Freelance Business
With the rise of technology and the gig economy, there’s never been a better time to start your own freelance business. If you possess a valuable skill set, you can use it to earn extra cash on the side by becoming a freelancer.
The most popular freelancing services in Seattle are writing, editing, web design, programming,and marketing. However, there are many other opportunities for freelancers with various skills.
To get started, create a profile on a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Upwork. Be sure to include information about your skills, experience, and rates. You can then start bidding on projects that interest you. Another option is to promote your services through social media or by word-of-mouth.
Furniture Flipping
Furniture flipping is a great way to make a profit on unwanted furniture. To get started, you need to buy high-quality used furniture pieces, refurbish them by being creative with paint and finishes, and then sell them for a markup.
You can find furniture pieces to flip at garage sales, thrift stores, or online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. While the prices vary depending on the piece and the amount of work you put in, you can easily make a killing working a few hours per week.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of looking for inventory, you can join Sharetown as a rep, and you are good to go. You only need a pickup truck, some refurbishing tools, and storage space for your inventory.
Snowplowing
Seattle is known for its heavy snowfall, so there’s always a demand for snowplow services. If you have a truck and a plow, you can start your own snowplowing business.
You can find clients by displaying flyers in neighborhoods that are likely to need your services or posting ads online. You can also join online directories like Thumbtack to connect with customers in your area. Once you build up a clientele, you can start charging per plow or hour.
Start a Landscaping Business
If you have a knack for yard work, you can start your own landscaping business. Landscaping businesses are always in demand, especially in the spring and summer. You’ll need to purchase some essential tools and equipment like a lawnmower, edger, and trimmer to get started.
You can then begin marketing your services to neighbors and local businesses. In Seattle, landscaping services cost between $300 and $16,300, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Start with lighter projects to get your feet wet, and then work your way up to larger jobs.
What Are the Five Highest Paying Side Hustles?
While side hustles come in all shapes and sizes, a few tend to pay more than others. Here are five of the highest paying side hustles:
- Furniture flipping
- Landscaping
- Wedding officiant
- Freelancing
- Snowplowing
The best side gig is one that fits seamlessly into your life and allows you to make extra money without too much effort. Some gigs, like freelancing, can be done from home, while others, like snowplowing, require a little more time and effort. Choose the side hustle that best suits you and your lifestyle.
How Much Can You Earn from a Side Hustle in Seattle?
With a bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can easily earn a few hundred dollars a month from a side hustle. By allocating a few hours every week to your side hustle, you can bring in a nice chunk of change without making too many changes to your current lifestyle.
If you’re willing to put in a little more effort, you can easily bring in thousands of dollars each month. The sky’s the limit when it comes to side hustles, so choose one that you’re passionate about and get started!
Sharetown – The Best Way to Make Extra Bucks in Seattle
If you’re looking for a creative and fun way to make money, Sharetown is the perfect solution. As a Sharetown representative, you can earn money by flipping furniture, mattresses, and other bulky items.
You only need a pickup truck and some basic equipment to get started. With Sharetown, there’s no need to hassle with finding clients or managing inventory. Simply join the team, choose your working hours, and start earning.
