2021 Side Hustle Data and Survey Findings: Earnings Levels, Top Gigs, and Frequently Encountered Challenges

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      Side hustles have gained immense popularity recently, driven by two main factors:

      1. An active desire to earn additional income, supported by technology and social media

      2. Economic necessity

      In this article, I’ll discuss the most recent side hustle statistics and insights from the latest Side Hustle Nation member survey.

      1. How Many People Have a Side Hustle?

      39% of working Americans state they have a side hustle, translating to around 80 million individuals. This figure increases to 50% among millennials.



      Overall Population

      Baby Boomers

      Gen X

      Millennials

      Gen Z

      United States

      39%

      24%

      40%

      50%

      46%

      United Kingdom

      19%





      42%

      39%

      Canada

      28%13







      35%

      The trend is expected to grow:

      An additional 35 million (approximately 17% of the working-age population) intend to launch a business.

      70% of Gen Z reported seeking a side hustle.

      64% of Gen Z plans to “monetize a project on social media” within the next year.

      40% initiated their side hustle in the last year.

      It’s not solely a millennial trend; 24% of baby boomers (ages 59-77) indicated they have a side hustle.

      In the UK, 42% of Gen Z and 39% of millennials also report having side hustles.

      If we extend the definition to include activities like taking surveys and selling items on platforms such as eBay, the figures are even more striking—up to 93% of individuals might have an additional income stream.

      Even celebrities are recognizing the importance of diversifying their income sources.

      2. Why Are So Many People Side Hustling?

      The most frequent reason for starting a side hustle is the desire to earn extra money. A 2023 Pinger survey revealed that 80% of side hustle entrepreneurs sought to increase their income. However, the underlying reasons for wanting that extra income are more surprising. The same survey indicated that:

      40% wanted to acquire new skills

      30% aimed to eventually become their own boss.

      According to Bankrate, 41% of side hustlers require the additional funds to make ends meet.

      Furthermore, 43% intend to use the income mainly for savings or as extra discretionary funds.

      In 2022, 29% cited inflation as a reason for starting their side hustle.

      When I inquired among Side Hustle Nation members about their main motivation for initiating a side hustle, personal freedom topped the list:

      Why pursue a side hustle? Here are the goals people hope to achieve:

      31% – Increased personal freedom

      28% – Additional income to save, spend, or invest

      22% – Extra money to cover living expenses

      7% – Quicker debt repayment

      5% – A creative outlet

      4% – “It felt like a calling”

      3. Do People Need a Side Hustle to Make Ends Meet?

      The most notable change in recent years is the rise in the percentage of side hustlers who cite making extra money "to make ends meet" as their primary motivation, increasing from 11.8% in 2021 to 21.6% in 2024. Nonetheless, 78.4% of side hustlers are not struggling financially and are engaging in side hustles for other motivations.

      4. What Do Side Hustlers Want?

      A survey of over 5,500 visitors to Side Hustle Nation revealed that only 20% were aspiring to build a side hustle to leave their primary jobs, while the remaining 80% were just aiming for additional income.

      5. How Much Do People Make From Their Side Hustles?

      On average, side hustles generate $1,122 monthly, but the median income is significantly lower—only $200 per month. This suggests that many side hustlers earn towards the lower end of the income spectrum, a trend evidenced by data from Side Hustle Nation subscribers. In our recent survey, half of the respondents reported earnings below $100 per month.

      Still, every side hustle has to start somewhere! Once a side hustle or business gains momentum, the financial outlook improves. Among respondents earning over $100 monthly:

      44% earn $101-$500 per month

      21% earn $501-$1,000 per month

      25% earn $1,001-$5,000 per month

      5% make $5,000-$10,000 per month

      5% reported monthly earnings exceeding $10,000

      Combining some of these income brackets, we find that once a side hustle has moved past the initial startup phase