If you’re looking to start a side hustle in 2026, you’re not alone. Research from SurveyMonkey found that 37% of workers already have a side hustle and 35% are thinking about starting one.
They’re a great way to make additional income (Bankrate found that side hustlers make an average of $885 per month) as well as learn new skills and meet new people. If you’re considering a side hustle in 2026, here are some options to explore.
1. AI Consulting
AI is still a hot topic, and small businesses need help implementing it. You could start an AI consultancy that specializes in helping businesses write better AI prompts, create and optimize AI-powered automation flows, or create AI agents or chatbots.
2. Print-On-Demand
Print-on-demand may not be new, but the industry is growing: Future Market Insights reports that the market size is currently valued at $11 billion and is projected to reach $89.4 billion by 2035. You could design custom T-shirts, homewares, notebooks, or wall art and then use a print-on-demand platform to distribute them to customers. And no, you don’t need to hold your own inventory.
3. Teach Others
Chances are, you have knowledge or skills that others would love to learn. So if you like the idea of teaching others, you could create your own online course. You can sell your course on platforms like Udemy or Teachable. If you prefer more of a one-on-one way of teaching (versus a set-and-forget online course), you could offer live tuition sessions via video call or in person.
4. Freelancing
AI may be on the rise, but skills-based hiring is still on the agenda in 2026. Research from Upwork found that 81% of C-suite executives plan to take deliberate steps to adopt skills-based hiring practices. So now is a great time to upskill and go freelance. If you have a skill such as graphic design, bookkeeping, coding, web design, digital marketing, or video editing, you could offer these as part-time freelance services.
5. Digital Products
Perhaps working with others or doing client work isn’t your thing. Creating a digital product and selling it online could be a good choice for you. A digital product (such as an e-book or PDF guide) is created once, yet can be sold over and over again. Pick a topic, package up your knowledge into an offering that brings value to others, and sell it using digital marketing strategies.
Remember to do your own research so you can ensure the side hustle is the right fit for you. You’ll need to consider factors like costs to get started, how much time you have available to work on it each week, your goals, and any other business considerations relevant to your location. Good luck with starting your side hustle!