7 side hustles Gen Z will use to build wealth in 2025

More than half (57%) of Gen Zers say they have a side hustle, more than double the rate of older generations. For many young people, the traditional 9-to-5 job is not the endgame. Instead, they embrace what some call “professional minimalism,” where a day job pays the bills while a side project fuels their passion, creativity, or entrepreneurial dreams.

Making money on the side is no longer just about knocking on doors, delivering catalogs, moving people, mowing the lawn, or cleaning someone’s house. The Internet has opened up a world of possibilities, and Generation Z is taking advantage, including these 7 side gig opportunities.

Content creation

Do you have a strong passion or useful skills that you want to share with the world? Whether through videos, podcasts, or written content, there are different ways to monetize content online. All you need is a smartphone or computer, a desire to build an audience, and an interesting and engaging topic.

Money can come from advertising revenue, brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even from paid memberships. Just don’t expect to collect dollars right away. It often takes time and patience to build a large enough following.

Freelancing

It is too It is possible to sell your services online for a fee. There are many websites, including Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Contra, and Behance, where people and companies post ads for jobs, including social media management, graphic design, video editing, writing, photo retouching, and web development.

The great thing about freelancing is that you’re not just limited to local job markets, you can work from home. On the downside, prices can be low, especially when you lack experience and haven’t made a name for yourself yet.

Resale and savings flipping

If you love thrift stores and bargain hunting, one potential way to make money is to buy used or discounted items and sell them for a profit. It can be old things, clothes, collectibles or sneakers.

There is a big market for this. Generation Z is known for its nostalgia, fashion awareness, and interest in sustainability.

Investment

One of the best ways to build wealth is investing. You don’t need much to get started. Through fractional investing, it is possible to buy ownership stakes in major companies for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

The great thing about investing is that after you do your initial research, it pretty much works on autopilot – as long as you’re not day trading. Although there are always risks, the stock market has historically grown over time – especially if you diversify your investments across different companies and sectors rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

Sitting a child or pet

Some old classic side hustles should also not be ignored, including taking care of children or pets. These types of shows generally run during normal business hours, can sometimes pay relatively well, and can be fun too – if you enjoy spending your time with young people or animals.

Jobs can be found by posting ads in local stores and via platforms like Care.com, Sittercity, or Rover Pets.

Selling arts and crafts

If you enjoy making things and are good at them, why not try selling your creations?

You don’t necessarily need a website to do this. The easiest option to get started is to use a third-party platform like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. These markets give people without marketing skills and a customer base great visibility, enabling them to focus only on what they love.

Teaching

Another classic side hustle is teaching. If you are a student at school or are interested in a particular subject, such as mathematics, science or languages, you can get paid by passing on your knowledge to others.

Private tutoring is in high demand, offers a lot of flexibility, and pays fairly well — the average hourly rate is $25.31 per hour, according to Indeed. To find work, you can spread the word locally or use platforms like Wyzant, TutorMe, and Preply.