Which Side Hustles Pay the Best in Your State in 2026?

Looking to rake in some extra cash? Some side hustles bring home more bacon than others. And not only do they vary widely by side hustle, they also vary by state.

To get your creative juices flowing, here’s some data on the best-paid side hustles in each state.

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Highest-Paid Side Hustles

According to a study by Preply, the best-paid side hustles in the country are as follows:

To calculate the extra annual income, the study assumed 10 hours of work per week.

But national averages mask the many regional variations among side hustle earnings.

Best-Paying Side Hustles by State

Some side hustles pay far better in some states than others. The Preply study found the best-paying side gig for each state:

In some states, side hustlers can earn north of $50 an hour working a flexible part-time gig.

Preply language trends expert Madeline Enos said that side hustles can make a great source of fun, flexible income for retirees.

“For retirees with a teachable skill, tutoring is a practical way to stay connected, share what they know and have another stream of income that fits their lifestyle,” she said.

From Side Hustle to Real Wealth

Whether you call it retirement or financial independence, the goal is the same: to make working optional. And that doesn’t happen by accident — it requires you to build assets that generate income to pay your living expenses.

“If the income stops the moment you stop working, it’s a second job, not an asset,” said finance expert Timothy Parker of DollarFlourish. “Pick something that uses a skill you already have and leaves behind something ownable, an audience, a catalog or a repeatable product, so Year 2 starts from a base instead of from zero.”

Take the highest-paid side hustle in the U.S., dog walking. Most side hustlers approach it as a part-time job, but you could build a business around it instead. You set up a marketing engine that includes flyers at local businesses, a social media presence and online ads targeted specifically to local dog owners. Then you build out a system for scheduling multiple dogs for the same walk time and neighborhood and hire local workers to actually walk them.

You now own an asset, a business that largely runs without you and simply requires you to oversee that the systems keep working.

As you plan out your next side hustle, ask yourself a simple question: Can I create a scalable business, rather than a second job for myself?

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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