As side hustles become more competitive and the market more saturated, side hustlers are thinking outside the box, replacing familiar side hustles with newer “weird” ideas that stand out and bring in more money.
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In an era of economic uncertainty and rising living costs, Americans are doing whatever it takes for job flexibility and extra income, and side hustles have become the new normal, with 27% of U.S. adults juggling side gigs. As the side gig market gets more competitive and saturated, the old rules no longer apply. Unusual side hustles are gaining traction as hustlers, thinking outside the box, take them to extremes to stand out and make more money in a crowded market.
Unusual Side Hustles Are Giving A Facelift To Stand Out
At a time when the economy is in every headline, money issues are living rent-free in our heads, according to Empower. Americans are spending nearly four hours a day thinking about debt, inflation and rising prices, keeping one-third of the workforce up at night. No wonder workers are walking away from traditional jobs in favor of the flexibility of more flexible careers.
Annie Rosencrans, director of people and culture at HiBob, told me that the American workforce is realizing their full-time jobs are not the only way to make money, and while finances are a factor, the shift runs deeper. “Having a side hustle doesn’t mean someone is less committed,” Rosencrans explains, adding that in many cases, it’s the opposite. “These employees are motivated and energized because they’re doing something they care about. But it does point to a bigger shift in how people see work, security and what success really means—and that’s something HR can’t afford to overlook.”
As the number of side hustles skyrocket, Jamie Wall, personal finance strategist at Gamblizard, explains what’s driving the hype. Wall says more traditional hustles, like copy writing or selling handmade goods, are declining. And oversaturated markets and high competition are making it harder for side gigs to stand out. So side hustlers are raising the bar, elevating side hustle standards to the business equivalent of career startups.
Andy Kurtzig, CEO of Pearl.com, told me that Gen Z side hustlers are taking the same tools corporations use to eliminate jobs and flipping the script to create opportunities for themselves. “What used to take funding, mentorship and institutional access, they’re now doing with a laptop and a chatbot.”
America’s Top 5 Unusual Side Hustles
How far are side hustlers willing to go to stand out? A recent survey finds that 13% of Americans say they’re willing to publicly embarrass themselves for $5,000 or less, while 46% would enter “Squid Game” for a shot at $33 million (yes, the fictional one with a 99.8% death rate).
Wall and the team at Gamblizard analyzed Google search data to explore bizarre-but-lucrative gig trends from the past quarter. Here are some of the weirdest but most lucrative side hustles.
1. Pet influencer (+1553% in search growth)
Pet monetization is exploding, according to Wall. Searches like “make money on a pet” are up 131% in just the last month. People are looking for ways to turn pet expenses into something closer to an investment, and viral pet accounts can pull in anywhere from $250 to $2,000 per sponsored post.
“It seems fun, and yes, sometimes profitable,” Wall says. “However, turning your funny pup into an influencer isn’t any simpler than building any other kind of content brand. You’ll need a clear niche, a plan and at least some baseline marketing know-how if you want to stand out.” Wall suggests that you not aim for “Jiffpom-level fame” but that a smaller, well-positioned audience can still lead to commercial gigs, photo shoots or local sponsorship.
2. Mystery shopper (+631% in search growth)
According to Wall, one of the oldest side hustles is seeing new life, thanks to TikTok testimonials and Reddit threads about “getting paid to shop.” He points out that brands hire independent contractors paid to evaluate businesses’ customer service, cleanliness and other aspects of their operations. Typically, he states they earn $10–$25 per task, with freebies (meals and products) and that higher-end gigs like hotel stays pay more.
“It’s a good fit for detail-oriented people. But the space has scams,” Wall cautions. “Stick with MSPA-certified companies. Before signing up, search the company name plus ‘review’ or ‘scan’ to see what others say. Never agree to deposit a check to buy gift cards and send the numbers back. To make a gig more profitable, combine it with cashback apps or receipt scanning for layered passive income.”
3. Selling feet pics online (+338% in search growth)
What used to be a TikTok punchline is now a serious income stream for some side hustlers. He says platforms make it easy to start, and anonymity lowers the barrier. And some report $100–$500/month, equal to as much as $6,000 per year.
“Is it legit?” he asks, answering that it is, but a lot of people don’t realize this kind of income is taxable. “If you’re getting paid through platforms or direct transfers, you’re basically running a small business, and the IRS expects you to report it,” he points out. “There’s also the risk of scams, charge backs or not getting paid at all. And if you’re under 18 or using someone else’s identity, you could run into legal trouble. So if you go this route, treat it like a real business: protect yourself, know the tax rules and think long-term, not just quick cash.”
4. Date for hire (+53% in search growth, +583% in the past month)
Wall says there’s growing demand for paid companionship through services like RentAFriend or local apps where people book plus-ones for events, social outings even just conversation. And rates range from $30 to $100 per hour, depending on the request.
“If you’re naturally social, good at conversation and firm about boundaries, it can be a worthwhile gig. Just treat it like any freelance job: screen your clients, clarify expectations early and don’t be afraid to say no,” he insists. “To make it safe, stick with the platforms that screen users and offer clear terms, start with public meetups and trust your gut. If anything feels off, it probably is.”
5. Selling Instagram accounts (+383% in search growth)
If you’re already skilled at growing an audience, Wall believes you can build a niche page (travel, memes or fitness) and sell it once it hits a solid follower count. He mentions that some creators flip accounts for anywhere from $100 to over $10,000. “However, these transactions sit in a grey area of Instagram’s Terms of Service, which technically prohibit buying and selling accounts,” he warns. “Scams are also common: fake buyers, charge backs or payments that vanish.”
He recommends a better path: offer account-building as a service. He suggests that you use those same skills to grow pages for small businesses, influencers and nonprofits. “If your page format is distinct (curated memes, a signature carousel style or a specific tone), you can also license that structure and sell templates, posting schedule and strategy. It’s lower risk. And potentially more scalable.”
Unusual side hustles are gaining traction because they seem simple, but the simplicity of low barrier to entry and no formal skills required can be misleading, Wall emphasizes, adding that behind “easy” unusual side hustles is work you don’t see or a risk you don’t expect. “So, don’t confuse accessibility with sustainability. And keep in mind—there’s no such thing as free money,” he concludes. “You’re either putting in time and effort, or you’re taking on risk, whether you realize it or not.”