Top Side Hustle Trends for 2025, According to the Experts
The gig economy is evolving rapidly, and experts are weighing in on which side hustles will thrive and which may struggle. Here’s what they predict, highlighting promising opportunities and areas that might be losing steam.
As we move towards a new year, the landscape of side hustles continues to evolve, shaped by emerging technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, and lessons learned from a year of rapid change.
According to DollarSprout’s 2024 Side Hustle Study, which revealed that nearly 70% of Americans now have a side hustle, it’s clear that the gig economy is becoming an increasingly essential part of people’s financial strategies.
With this in mind, we’ll explore the top side hustle trends for 2025, highlighting both rising opportunities and those that are becoming increasingly oversaturated.
Side Hustles Poised for Growth in 2025
Emerging trends, driven by technological innovation and evolving consumer needs, are setting the stage for a new wave of lucrative side hustles. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or turn a passion into profit, understanding where the growth potential lies offers the chance to capitalize on high-ceiling opportunities.
Digital Content Creation and Influencer Marketing
The outlook for digital content creation and influencer marketing in the upcoming year remains strong. Max Williams, Founder and CEO of herobot.app, notes that the increasing demand for authentic, niche engagement is driving brands to invest more in influencer partnerships.
According to the 2024 Influencer Marketing Benchmark Report by Influencer Marketing Hub, the industry is expected to reach nearly $24 billion by the end of 2024, with 66.2% of marketers planning to boost their budgets.[1]
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram remain key due to their high engagement and visual appeal. The growing use of nano and micro-influencers, coupled with AI-driven influencer discovery, further solidifies this trend’s growth potential.
E-learning and Online Courses
E-learning and online course markets are also set for significant expansion in the coming year. Driven by the continued demand for remote learning and skill development, this trend gained substantial traction during the pandemic and shows no signs of slowing down. According to Williams, the increasing accessibility of online education platforms has enabled more individuals to monetize their expertise by creating and selling courses.
Supporting this outlook, the 2024 Online Learning Report by Research and Markets projects that the global online education market will exceed $350 billion by the end of 2025.[2] This growth is fueled by a shift towards more flexible, self-paced learning options, particularly in niche areas where specialized skills are in high demand.
Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Teachable continue to be at the forefront of this movement, allowing content creators to reach a global audience. The integration of AI and personalized learning paths is further enhancing the appeal of online courses, making this an increasingly lucrative area for those looking to leverage their knowledge and skills.
Related: How One Medical Student Makes $190k per Year Selling Online Courses
Freelance Tech Consultancy
As the demand for highly specialized technical skills grows, freelance tech consultants are becoming increasingly essential for businesses navigating digital transformation and complex technological challenges. Unlike generalized freelance roles, which are seeing saturation on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, tech consultancy offers distinct opportunities for those with expertise in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and digital strategy.
Williams highlighted that companies are increasingly opting for freelance tech consultants to access specialized knowledge without the overhead of full-time employees. This trend is supported by the 2024 IT and Tech Freelancing Trends Report by Upwork, which indicates that over half of businesses plan to increase their use of freelance tech consultants next year, underscoring the growing need for expert advice in areas where in-house capabilities may be insufficient.[3]
Related: How One Automotive Tech Is Earning $13,000 a Month on JustAnswer
Virtual Fitness Coaching
As the trend towards remote work and digital lifestyles continues, virtual fitness coaching is emerging as a significant growth area. The demand for personalized, accessible fitness solutions has surged, with more people seeking to maintain their health and wellness from home. This shift has opened up new opportunities for fitness professionals to reach clients online, offering personalized coaching sessions, workout plans, and wellness advice via digital platforms.
Adam Wood, Co-Founder of RevenueGeeks, highlighted a report projecting that the online fitness industry is expected to grow at 14.6% annually from 2021 to 2026, driven by the demand for convenient, personalized at-home fitness solutions. This reflects a broader shift toward digital health services as consumers prioritize flexibility in their fitness routines.
Additionally, the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Health & Fitness Journal ranks virtual fitness coaching among the top fitness trends for the upcoming year, emphasizing technology’s role in enhancing the client experience while offering opportunities for personal trainers who can adapt to this digital shift.[4]
Digital Detox and Wellness Coaching
As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, the need for balance has given rise to the trend of digital detox and wellness coaching. This emerging field focuses on helping individuals manage the mental and physical effects of constant connectivity by promoting healthier digital habits and mindfulness.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, digital detoxing is one of the key trends in the wellness industry, reflecting the growing concern over digital overload. As more people seek to disconnect and find balance, the demand for professionals who can guide them through this process is on the rise. Reports from sources like LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report indicate that companies are also increasingly incorporating digital wellness into their employee programs, driving further demand for digital detox coaches who can offer tailored programs to meet the specific needs of those struggling with digital overuse.[5]
Related: 25 Best Side Hustles for Nurses to Earn Extra Income
Side Hustles to Approach with Caution
While some side hustles are positioned for growth, others are becoming increasingly challenging due to market saturation and declining demand. As more people enter these fields, the competition intensifies, making it harder to achieve meaningful success. For those considering a side hustle, it’s important to recognize where these challenges lie and proceed with tempered expectations.
Dropshipping
Once a gateway to easy online income, Dropshipping has increasingly become a victim of its own popularity. The model, which initially attracted entrepreneurs with its low barrier to entry, is now fraught with intense competition and razor-thin margins for near-identical products, making it increasingly difficult for newcomers to carve out a profitable niche.
Elliott Kosmicki, Founder of Major Impact and a seasoned digital marketing consultant, acknowledges that while many sellers face challenges in maintaining profitability, the dropshipping model isn’t without its merits. “It’s become harder to succeed, but not impossible,” he notes. The key, he suggests, lies in differentiation and understanding the market’s demands.
A report from Shopify similarly suggests that while dropshipping remains a viable business model, it requires a more thoughtful approach than in the past.[6] Success now depends on a deeper understanding of market demands, effective differentiation, and maintaining high standards for product quality and customer service.
However, the challenges of dropshipping don’t mean the potential is completely diminished. Shaff Qureshi’s journey of building a $1 million Amazon FBA business from scratch illustrates that, even in saturated markets, there’s room for those willing to innovate and focus on quality.
Ride-Sharing and Delivery Services
Once a lucrative side hustle, the ride-sharing and delivery service sectors have become increasingly saturated, making it somewhat more difficult for new drivers to earn a substantial income. With more people joining platforms like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart, competition has intensified, leading to greater difficulty in securing consistent work, even if overall hourly earnings and benefits have improved.
Kosmicki also observed that while these platforms still offer flexibility, the earning potential has clearly diminished over time. “The market is oversaturated, and many drivers are finding it hard to make the same income they once did,” he explains. Delivery jobs and their low barriers to entry have attracted a vast number of drivers, which has, in turn, driven down the average income for many.
Freelance Graphic Design
Becoming a freelance graphic designer, once a thriving and flexible side hustle, is now facing significant challenges due to oversaturation. With platforms like Upwork and Fiverr flooded with talent, competition has intensified, driving down rates and making it harder for new designers to secure well-paying projects.
James Allsopp, CEO of iNet Ventures, notes that the sheer volume of designers in the market makes it increasingly difficult to stand out without a strong portfolio or specialized skills. “The market is crowded, and many freelancers struggle to differentiate themselves,” he explains.
For many new entrants, the freelance graphic design market has become a tough space to navigate, with limited prospects for securing premium rates or long-term clients.
Print-on-Demand Merchandising
In recent years, selling custom products through print-on-demand (POD) services has gained significant traction as an accessible side hustle. However, the landscape has become increasingly competitive, with many entrepreneurs jumping into the space. Platforms like Teespring, Redbubble, and Etsy are now crowded with sellers offering similar designs, making it challenging for new entrants to differentiate themselves and achieve consistent sales.
Yosef Adde, Owner of I BUY LA, highlights that the oversaturation in the POD market is a major hurdle for newcomers. “The market is flooded, making it tough for sellers to stand out unless they have a unique angle or exceptional marketing,” he observes.
Success in this space now requires more than just creativity; a strategic approach to marketing, branding, and niche targeting is essential. For many entering the POD arena today, breaking through the noise is increasingly difficult, making it harder to achieve the level of success that was once more attainable in this sector.
Related: How One Recent Grad Started a $2,000 a Month Shopify Side Gig
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing, once a reliable avenue for generating passive income, has become increasingly challenging due to market saturation. The ease of entry has attracted a large number of marketers, leading to heightened competition and lower returns. With so many individuals promoting the same products, it has become difficult to stand out and secure meaningful commissions.
Kosmicki points out that the crowded field has made it tough for new affiliate marketers to achieve significant earnings. “The market is oversaturated, and it’s becoming harder for newcomers to break through without substantial investment in content and advertising,” he explains.
In today’s landscape, success in affiliate marketing requires a more strategic approach, focusing on niche markets and high-quality content to differentiate from the competition. For those entering the space now, the path to profitability is more complex than in the past.
General Freelancing
Freelancing on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr has long been a go-to side hustle for those looking to leverage their skills to make extra money online. However, the ease of entry has led to a surge in the number of freelancers, resulting in intense competition across many categories. This oversaturation makes it increasingly difficult for newcomers to secure projects and command competitive rates.
Stephen Greet, CEO and co-founder of BeamJobs, notes that the freelancing landscape has become crowded, particularly in areas like writing, design, and basic administrative tasks. “With so many freelancers offering similar services, it’s challenging for new entrants to differentiate themselves and find consistent work,” he explains.
For those entering the freelancing market today, success often hinges on developing a specialized skill set or focusing on niche markets where competition is less fierce. Without a clear differentiation strategy, it can be tough to stand out and achieve sustainable income in this increasingly crowded space.
Related: Side Hustle Statistics 2024: 70% of Americans Cashing In
