5 Summer Jobs That Pay More per Month Than You'd Expect — and How To Get Started
For many of your peers, summer is only about relaxing and having fun. But you’re more industrious: During this hot season, you’re going to make some cold, hard cash. Finding a summer job that pays well is paramount — but you need something that pays more than your old summertime gig of slinging snowballs.
Fortunately, there are some summer jobs available that pay more than you’d expect — and can generate surprisingly strong monthly income totals. You can even carry some of them into pumpkin spice season.
For You: App-Based Side Gigs: 8 Simple Ways To Make Money
Find Out: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
1. Babysitter
OK, babysitting may seem like a classic summer role, but it has that reputation for a reason. Parents and caregivers need someone to watch their children while they’re at work or even out having their own summer fun. According to Fidelity, babysitting can be a lucrative summer gig, with average pay ranging from $19 to $20 per hour. Depending on the number of gigs you take on and how long you work, that can add up.
However, if you’re expected to take on other tasks or have certain certifications or qualifications, such as a background in early childhood education, you might be able to charge more.
Hop on your local parents group on Nextdoor to advertise your services, or spread the word among your friends and family that you’re available.
2. Lifeguard
Lifeguarding is another classic summer position. While you may think it’s a job for teenagers who want a little extra money for their next trip to the mall (do teenagers still go to the mall?), Glassdoor reported that the average full-time lifeguard in a city like Baltimore could earn between $39,000 and $56,000 a year. That $56,000 annual salary translates to a gross monthly income of $4,666.67 before taxes.
Working at a private country club or resort could help you earn more on the higher end of the pay scale. Even if being a full-time lifeguard isn’t your dream, you could likely extend your summer gig into the fall by working at facilities with indoor pools.
To get started, complete a lifeguard certification course and contact local pools, gyms and aquatic centers about openings.
Learn More: Enter for a Chance To Win $500 in MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
3. Rideshare or Delivery Driver
Between summer parties and sporting events, many people rely on rideshare drivers to help them avoid the search for parking and get home safely. Becoming one of those drivers during the summer could be quite lucrative, depending on how many hours you work, how many apps you use and where your routes take you.
The Rideshare Guy estimated that the average Uber driver earns between $15 and $20 per hour, while drivers in high-volume markets such as New York City and Los Angeles can expect to earn roughly $30 per hour.
In that piece for The Rideshare Guy, writer Harry Campbell explained that “according to the drivers we’ve surveyed, a majority of them work 10 hours a week and make around $200-$300/week.” Campbell said that many full-time drivers earn about $600 to $800 a week, and that he personally knows drivers who “routinely top out at $1,000 a week,” which can approach or exceed $4,000 per month for high earners.
To get started, sign up with rideshare or delivery platforms like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart and check local requirements for drivers.
4. Summer Tutor
For many families, summer doesn’t mean a stop to learning. Preparing for the next school year or college entrance exams remains a priority. If you’ve got a background in education or skills in highly sought-after areas such as reading, writing or STEM fields, you could make some extra money as a tutor this summer.
Your hourly rates and monthly income can vary depending on the subject matter, the age range and needs of your students, how many students you take on and your geographic location. But TutorCruncher suggested that individual tutors could charge upward of $75 an hour. Test-prep tutors could make even more money, charging as much as $200 per hour on the high end, meaning even a small client roster can generate several thousand dollars a month.
That could be quite a good haul for the month. You can start advertising your services online or join a tutoring company to get started.
5. Private Swim Instructor
Were you a mermaid in a past life? If your love of the water and your swimming skills make you wonder whether you once lived “under the sea,” you might consider getting certified to become a private swim instructor at a gym, swim center or private facility such as a country club.
Fidelity shared that assistant swim instructors could earn up to $20 an hour, while those providing private lessons might top $30 an hour. Teaching multiple lessons a day can quickly add up to a strong monthly income.
Look into swim instructor certification programs and reach out to local pools or aquatic centers to find clients or job opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Summertime can mean plenty of opportunities for industrious people to earn extra money. Some of these gigs even seem super fun — always a bonus.
Summer spending adds up fast. Enter MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway for a chance to win $500 — and give your budget a break. (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
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: