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.

"My best advice is just to put your product or service out there and see what happens."

Kelly Bozigian of Boston, Massachusetts, and her husband, Colt Bozigian, run Coastal Caviar, a handmade jewelry company featuring charm necklaces, bracelets, and more. The jewelry business started as a side hustle in 2024 and hit $1 million in sales with zero paid advertising.

“My best advice is just to put your product or service out there and see what happens,” Bozigian said. “I was fortunate to discover product-market fit almost instantaneously thanks to the reach that TikTok has. One post immediately validated our business idea, and all the other logistics can be figured out as you grow and scale.”

6. Investing in domains

Have a talent for intuiting which domain names might command a high price? Domain investing could be the flexible, virtual side hustle for you.

Dennis Tinerino of Los Angeles, California, worked in online sales when he first learned about domain names and launching websites, which helped him discover domain investing as a side hustle. Then he turned the gig into a lucrative business that brings in six figures a year—with about an hour or two of work per day.

“The freedom that comes with this business is unlike anything else,” Tinerino said. “You can run it from anywhere in the world with minimal tech skills. You set the rules, choose your hours, decide your prices, pick where to sell your names, and choose which names you want to buy.”

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!