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Best Side Hustles for Social Workers (Complete 2024 Guide)

Don't Work Another Day is reader-supported. We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own.
  By Forrest McCall | Last Updated:  January 2, 2023

The typical social worker earns around $63,500 annually according to Indeed. And while this isn't a terrible income by any means, it could be better. 

Some social workers might want to turn to a side hustle to pad their income. But which side hustles are best given your skills?

In this post, I'll explore the best side hustles for social workers, how social workers can make passive income, and much more. Let's get started!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Some of the best side gigs for social workers include:

Best Side Hustles for Social Workers

1. Blogging

Blogging is a great side hustle for social workers and therapists because it allows you to share your knowledge and experiences with others.

When it comes to blogging, it's difficult to make a large income in a few weeks, instead, you'll need to give your blog time to grow for it to become profitable.

You can blog about anything you want, so feel free to explore topics beyond social work. For example, food blogs or finance blogs can be very profitable ventures that allow you to write about your interests.

Starting a blog doesn't cost much, either. For most blogs, just $100 will do it for the entire year.

Starting a blog is also extremely easy. To get started:

  • Purchase a domain name through Namecheap (just $10 per year!)
  • Purchase hosting through SiteGround (around $5 to $10 per month)
  • Install WordPress
  • Select your theme
  • Start creating and promoting content

It really is that easy! However, there's more to it than publishing content. Unfortunately every time you hit “Publish” that doesn't mean your content will be read by anyone.

You'll need to understand the marketing for your blog if you want to grow your readership and make a good income from your idea.

Blogs can make money through several methods. Display advertising and affiliate marketing are the two most common ways you can get paid from your blog.

Some bloggers can make over 6-figures each month from their site, so it can be very lucrative if you're willing to put in the work.

For example, one of my sites earn over $5,000 a month just from display ads!

Adthrive Earnings

Don't get me wrong, it's going to take a lot of work, but it's well worth it. 

SiteGround is my favorite hosting platform to easily start a blog. They have top-notch customer service and prices starting as low as $7 per month. Sign-up below!
Get Started!
Learn How to Start a Blog
Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Deliver Food with Doordash

You've probably heard of Doordash by now.

This is one of the most well known food delivery service that thousands of people use each day. 

If you're looking to earn some extra cash, delivering food with Doordash can be a tremendous option.

You'll need a phone, vehicle, and internet connection to get started but that's about it. 

One of my favorite things about this side hustle is that you can work whenever you want. With the click of a button you can start accepting orders and making money. It's that simple!

Your earnings will vary depending on your city and the amount of tips you earn but many Dashers report earning around $20 per hour. 

Get started with the link below and check out some of the Doordash hacks to boost your earnings!

With Doordash you can set your own schedule and work when you want. Earn over $20 per hour today!
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Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Work as a Virtual Assistant

If you're a social worker who's looking for a digital side hustle, working as a virtual assistant can be an amazing option.

With this gig, you'll get paid to complete a variety of tasks ranging from posting on social media platforms, to sending marketing newsletters, or possibly making small website updates.

I love this side hustle for a few reasons. First, it's remote – so you can work from home in your pajamas. Secondly, your hours are more flexible so you can work during times that are best for you. Lastly, the income potential is quite large.

I know some VAs who make over $50 per hour for their time, so if you want to make extra money online, consider becoming a virtual assistant!

Not sure where to start? Check out Carrie's Virtual Assistant Accelerator program to learn how you can make thousands each month from home!

Deliver Groceries

Just like delivering food, delivering groceries is a great side hustle for social workers to make money in addition to their full-time job.

You can earn over $20 per hour with this side job which is a great income for many social workers.

My favorite platform is Instacart. They offer great pay, a flexible schedule, and the opportunity to work with some of the biggest grocery chains in the country. Create your account below to get started!

With Instacart you can work your own hours and get paid to deliver groceries!
Sign Up Now!
Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Looking to maximize your earnings? Check out the video below!

Make Extra Money Taking Surveys

Taking online surveys is a great side gig for anyone, including social workers.

There are plenty of survey sites you can use to make more money in your free time. The amount of money you can make will vary depending on the site you use but it's possible to earn over $50 per survey you complete with some sites like Survey Junkie.

Some of my favorite survey sites include:

As a bonus, many of these apps will give you money just for creating a new account. How can you pass up free money!?

For example, you can score a free $10 by registering with Swagbucks and InboxDollars. While this might not be life-changing money, it can pay for your next meal!

Check out these survey sites that pay cash for more info!

With InboxDollars you can make money in your free time taking surveys, watching videos, and more. Plus, when you register with the link below – you'll get a free $5! So why not give it a try??
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Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Start a YouTube Channel

Start a YouTube Channel to Make Passive Income

Starting a YouTube channel is a side hustle that makes sense for just about anyone doing social work.

Because the work you do can help others, creating a YouTube channel is a great way to extend your offerings and make some money at the same time.

However, you don't have to create a channel around your work if you don't want to! You could create a channel about anything. If you enjoy cooking, try creating a channel around cooking. If you love hiking, create a channel about hiking. 

You'll need to be comfortable in front of a camera with this online side hustle, but it's well worth it if you don't mind. 

So, how much can you make with YouTube?

While some of the top channels make over 7-figures, it's realistic to make a few thousand dollars per month for beginner channels.

Start a Podcast

Podcasting is a great example of a fun side hustle that can be started without any prior experience or expensive equipment.

It's somewhat similar to blogging or YouTubing, except instead of written or video content, you'll focus on audio content. 

As podcasts continue to rise in popularity, this provides side hustlers a chance to earn some serious cash. 

To start a podcast, you'll first need to decide what type and style of content you want to create. For example, are you going to interview guests or will your episodes by solo. Then, you'll want to create a schedule and plan for your episodes. This is where you'll plan out the topics you want to cover on each show. Finally, you can upload them to a variety of podcasting platforms for others to find. 

Growing your podcast can be challenging, but it's necessary if you want to turn this side hustle into a legit, long term business.

Once you've started to gain a following, you can monetize your audience through show sponsors and affiliate marketing. As a bonus, most podcasters will create a website as another form of monetization. You can direct listeners to your website and make even more money. 

Some successful podcasters make millions each year from their shows, so I would highly recommend this gig if you're willing to put in the time and energy. 

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is a great side hustle for social workers because you don't need any special skills to become successful.

This is a very lucrative side hustle with some freelance writers making over $1 per word written. This means a 500 word article could pay as much as $500!

You can find freelance writing gigs on sites like Upwork or Fiverr but these gigs tend to pay less than working directly with publishers.

It's a good idea to network with others in the industry to find better-paying gigs. Check out the video below to get started with your freelance writing side hustle!

Start a Business to Make Money

Starting a business is often more work than a traditional side hustle, but you'll also have a larger income potential.

There are tons of businesses you can start without needing a ton of money to get up and running.

For example, you could start something as simple as a house sitting business or something more complex, depending on your goals.

Some service based businesses can make large sums of money despite how simple they sound. 

If you're not sure what business to start, check out these business ideas for women or these business ideas for men

Pet Sitting

Pet sitting is a great side gig for just about anyone including those who do social work.

If you love animals and want to make some extra cash, pet sitting can be an easy way to do that.

You can start a pet sitting business by creating a website or advertising your services on social media.

If you want an easier way to find customers, I recommend using Rover to get instant access to people in need of pet sitters.

Start Pet Sitting!

Sell Online Courses or Digital Products

Looking for a digital side hustle so you can make money from home? 

Creating online courses and digital products can be tremendous ideas to make a decent income online. 

With this side hustle, you're going to have to spend some time upfront to create your course or digital products, but once they're creating you can sell them and make passive income forever. 

It's important to understand how to market and sell your products so you can generate income from them but if you're capable of figuring this aspect out, you can make thousands each month. 

For example, these entrepreneurs make over 6-figures from their courses!

Conduct Virtual Therapy

Therapy Side hustle

Depending on your state and licensing, you might be able to offer a virtual therapy services as a social worker. You'll need to double check before starting, but it can be worth it.

Virtual therapy will allow you to use your existing skills to make money instead of having to learn something brand new. Another benefit is that you'll get to work from home, so you don't have to spend a fortune commuting back and forth.

The amount you can make will depend on several factors, but it's possible to earn over $50 an hour depending on your city.

Get a Part Time Job

If you need fast money to make ends meet, consider picking up a part-time job on your free nights and weekends to make extra money.

There are typically many restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that are always hiring and while the pay isn't great, it can be a nice boost to your income.

Part-time jobs aren't the most attractive way to make money, but it's a fast way to get the money you need.

Babysitting

Babysitting is an easy side hustle that pays well, can be entertaining, and allows you to work a normal full time job.

With babysitting, you'll get paid to watch children while their parents are away. While this is traditionally a great side hustle for teens, it's perfect for adults too.

The amount of money you can make will vary depending on the number of children you're looking over and your city, but it's possible to earn over $100 in just one night.

If you're looking for work, I recommend posting your services on social media platforms like the NextDoor app. I've found there's always people on the lookout on these apps.

If you're looking for a side hustle you can start with no money, this is for you!

Tutoring Students

Tutoring is a excellent method to make money for social workers who have a passion for teaching their skills to others.

If you're knowledgeable about other subjects as well, you can offer tutoring services for these in addition to pad your income.

There are tons of online tutoring platforms you can work for, but I've found it's more profitable to work directly with schools and tutoring centers locally. They tend to have a steadier flow of students who need help. 

The rates you charge will depend on your skills and experience, but most tutoring jobs pay between $25 and $50 per hour.

How to Earn Passive Income for Social Workers

Invest in the Stock Market

Investing in the stock market is essential for any social worker looking to grow their passive income and make money on autopilot.

And it's much easier than you think.

By using an investing app like Acorns you can get started with just $5 and invest in stocks, index funds, ETFs, and more. As a bonus, you'll get $10 free to invest when you create an account with the link below.

Acorns automatically rounds up your purchases and invests for you. Get started below to claim $20 in free stocks!
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Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

As with any passive income stream, it will take some time for your earnings to grow but they can swell to six-figures over time with the right investments. Just deposit some money, invest it, and wait. 

Invest in Real Estate

Real estate is another great option to make more money in addition to your social work.

By using a platform like LEX Markets you can invest in real estate without the stress and headache of owning a rental property.

LEX Markets Offerings

Your returns will vary depending on many factors but it's common to earn around 10% to 15% annually on your money.

As a bonus, they're offering new investors up to $500 completely free when you make your first deposit.

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Invest in Small Businesses

Small businesses can make great money, but not everyone has the time or energy to start and grow a business.

Thanks to platforms like Mainvest, you can invest in these businesses and let entrepreneurs do the heavy lifting.

With as little as $100, you can start investing in small businesses across the country to make passive income and grow your wealth.

Create your free account below to get started!

Make Passive Income with a High Yield Savings Account

If you're looking for a safe way to make passive income without much risk, opening a high yield savings account can be a simple way to grow your wealth without much effort.

My favorite account is through CIT Bank. You can open a new account with just $100 and earn as much as ten times the national average in interest.

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Write a Book

If you love to write, publishing a book can be an excellent method to earn passive income.

Typically you'd need to go through a classic book publisher to become an author but thanks to self-publishing companies like Amazon Kindle Direct, the process has become much easier, allowing you to focus on your writing instead of the hassle with getting your book published. 

Additionally, the cost of self-publishing a book is much cheaper than traditional routes.

As a social worker you probably have plenty of knowledge and stories to share, so this would be a perfect side hustle worth considering. 

Final Thoughts on Side Hustles for Social Workers

As a social worker, you're probably searching for ways to increase your income and make more money. I get it! Aren't we all!

While working extra hours is one option, there are many other ways to make more money without putting in extra time.

If you need money to pay bills, boost your savings, or reduce debt, consider some of these side hustles for any social worker to make more money.

Looking for other ways to make money? Check out these posts:

Forrest is a personal finance, entrepreneurship, and investing expert dedicated to helping others obtain life long wealth. He has a Bachelor's degree in business and has been featured in many popular publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and many others. To learn more about Forrest, visit the About Us Page for more info.
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