As the landscape of work evolves, Gen Z is leading a quiet revolution-one that’s transforming the traditional notion of a single, lifelong career. For this generation, born between 1997 and 2013, the side hustle is not just a trend but a defining feature of their approach to work, identity, and financial security.
As economic pressures mount and new technologies unlock unprecedented opportunities, Gen Z is rewriting the rules of employment, blending passion, flexibility, and entrepreneurship in ways that could reshape the workforce for decades to come.
“Young people are really driven to take control over their own work life balance and craft their own career and narrative…They don’t trust the old system.”. – Reid Litman, global consulting director at Ogilvy, told Fortune.
A Generation of Hustlers
Gen Z is the most likely generation to have a side hustle, with recent surveys showing that nearly half of Gen Z workers in the U.S. supplement their main income with additional gigs. What sets them apart isn’t just their numbers-70% are actively looking for side hustles, and 73% dream of starting one-but their motivations and methods.
For many, it’s about more than just making ends meet: it’s a pursuit of autonomy, creativity, and personal fulfillment. Nearly half say their primary motivation is to be their own boss, while others are driven by a desire to follow their passions and diversify their income streams.
Why Side Hustles? Economic Reality Meets Digital Opportunity
Gen Z came of age during turbulent times: the aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis, the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a job market marked by instability and rising living costs. Traditional 9-to-5 jobs often fall short of expectations, with 49% of Gen Z workers reporting dissatisfaction with full-time employment.
Side hustles offer a way to bridge the gap-providing extra income, a safety net against layoffs, and a platform for exploring interests outside the confines of a single job.
Technology has been a game changer. Social media, online marketplaces, and gig platforms have made it easier than ever to launch and scale side ventures. From reselling clothes to tutoring, freelance design, and content creation, Gen Z is leveraging digital tools to monetize skills and hobbies in creative ways.
In fact, 64% of Gen Z plans to monetize a project on social media in the coming year, and 44% already use social media as their primary marketing tool.
20 side hustles specifically suited for Gen Z in 2025
- Social Media Content Creation – Creating videos or posts for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, often monetized via brand deals or ads
- Podcasting – Producing podcasts on niche topics and monetizing through ads, sponsorships, or subscriptions.
- Dropshipping Business – Running an online store without inventory, selling products shipped directly from suppliers.
- Babysitting and Childcare – Flexible in-home or live-out babysitting, a growing market with steady demand.
- Freelance Writing or Blogging – Creating content for websites, blogs, or self-publishing ebooks and courses.
- Affiliate Marketing – Promoting products through affiliate links on social media or blogs to earn commissions.
- Rideshare Driving (Uber/Lyft) – Using a reliable car to earn money on a flexible schedule.
- Delivering Groceries or Food – Working with services like Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber Eats.
- Virtual Assistant Services – Providing administrative support remotely to businesses or entrepreneurs.
- Graphic Design – Offering design services or selling custom designs on print-on-demand platforms.
- Photography/Videography – Selling stock photos, event photography, or video content for clients.
- Selling Digital Products – Creating and selling ebooks, courses, templates, or printables online.
- Website Flipping – Developing and selling websites for profit.
- Pet Sitting or Dog Walking – Caring for pets in your neighborhood or through apps like Rover.
- Tutoring or Teaching Online – Offering academic or skill-based tutoring via platforms like VIPKid or Wyzant.
- Reselling Clothes or Vintage Items – Using platforms like Depop, Poshmark, or eBay to sell curated fashion.
- Transcription or Proofreading – Providing transcription or editing services remotely.
- Social Media Management – Managing social accounts for small businesses or influencers.
- Handmade Crafts or Etsy Shop – Selling handmade goods or art through Etsy or local markets.
- User-Generated Content (UGC) Creation – Producing branded content for companies to use in their marketing campaigns.
These side hustles leverage Gen Z’s digital fluency, desire for flexibility, and entrepreneurial spirit, offering diverse ways to earn extra income or build a business on their own terms.
The AI-Powered Hustle
Artificial intelligence is supercharging this movement. Nearly 70% of Gen Z side hustlers consider AI their go-to resource for boosting productivity and managing their businesses.
AI helps streamline everything from content creation and research to customer service and marketing, making it possible to juggle multiple gigs despite time constraints-a challenge cited by 44% of young entrepreneurs.
As AI tools become more accessible, Gen Z is poised to push the boundaries of what one person can achieve, blurring the lines between solo entrepreneurship and small business.
Flexibility, Identity, and the New Blueprint for Success
For Gen Z, side hustles are as much about self-expression as they are about income. Work is increasingly seen as a source of identity and purpose, not just a paycheck. Side hustles allow young workers to experiment, learn new skills, and build personal brands-all while maintaining the flexibility to pivot as opportunities and interests evolve.
This adaptability is a hallmark of the “side hustle generation,” who value resilience and the freedom to chart their own course over the security of a single employer.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Balancing multiple gigs isn’t without its hurdles. Time management, burnout, and the need for steady income remain significant challenges, even as technology helps ease the load.
Yet, Gen Z’s willingness to embrace change, learn new skills, and leverage digital tools suggests that the side hustle phenomenon is more than a passing fad-it’s a durable shift in how work is defined and pursued.
Final takeaway
Gen Z’s embrace of side hustles is reshaping the American workforce. Driven by economic necessity, empowered by technology, and fueled by a desire for autonomy and meaning, this generation is crafting a new blueprint for success-one gig, one passion project, and one entrepreneurial leap at a time.
As the boundaries between work, identity, and income continue to blur, the rise of side hustles among Gen Z offers a glimpse into the future of work: flexible, multifaceted, and unapologetically self-directed.
