Side Hustles Now Add £70 Billion to UK Economy
From creators to couriers, Brits are working harder than ever. But do side hustles really offer the benefits you see all over social media?
The idea of having a side hustle is becoming more mainstream with studies showing that they contribute around £70 billion to the UK economy each year. With the cost of living still high and everyday work changing, more people than ever are looking to additional income streams to help. In fact, recent studies show that over 39% of Brits now have a side hustle, contributing an average of £914 in extra income each month.
According to Michael Ryan, CEO of Ink Digital, an award winning SEO Agency in London, the rise in side hustles is more than just for financial gain, people are trying to find ways to achieve a work life balance.
“We’re seeing a massive change in how people value their time and talents,” Michael says. “Side hustles are no longer just about topping up income. They’re becoming outlets for creativity, personal growth, and even long-term career goals. The accessibility of platforms like TikTok, Fiverr, and Etsy has completely changed the side hustle game.”
To reveal the changing perspective on side hustles, we’ve created the UK Side Hustle Index, a ranking of the 50 popular side hustles in the UK based on data-driven factors.
What Are the Top Factors that Make a Side Hustle Stand Out?
- Creativity meets visibility: Digital creators dominate the top spots, thanks to high earning potential and viral appeal.
- Age-friendly hustles: The most accessible hustles score high for their inclusivity across age groups.
- App-based gigs remain strong: Driving and delivery jobs still offer reliable income with low entry barriers.
- Skilled trades lag behind:Despite decent earning potential, some traditional hands-on jobs rank lower due to limited growth or tech engagement.
The Top 10 UK Side Hustles in 2025
YouTuber
With the highest Index Score, YouTube content creation offers one of the highest average earning potentials (avg. £3,900/month), TikTok virality (7.2M mentions), and cultural relevance. While it usually takes a channel around 4 years to start earning a decent amount of money, the long-term rewards are great.
Airbnb Host
A low-maintenance, high-reward side hustle. With only one year of experience needed and age-friendliness at 100, hosting on Airbnb brings in an estimated £3,500/month. It’s especially attractive for homeowners or those with access to spare space. The only downside of being an Airbnb host is having the spare space to use.
Uber Driver
App-based driving remains one of the most common and reliable hustles with good earnings (£2,600/month) and low barrier to entry. It’s widely age-friendly and enjoys high visibility across both search and social.
Deliveroo/Uber Eats Driver
Another gig economy favourite, food delivery offers strong earnings (£2,400/month), minimal training time, and excellent flexibility.
Photography
Photography continues to thrive as a creative expression and business. While earnings vary depending on niche, semi-experienced photographers earn an average of £1,200/month on the side, with strong TikTok support.
Selling Digital Products
This includes eBooks, templates, and online courses. It’s scalable, passive, and ranks well across revenue growth, Google interest, and age accessibility.
Freelance Writing
A classic, evergreen side hustle, especially for those with strong communication skills. With £2,500 monthly income average and a short experience period (1–2 years), it remains a solid pick.
Calligraphy
This niche creative hustle scores high for being age-friendly and accessible. With increasing demand for wedding signage and stationery, it offers £1,400/month on average and rising TikTok interest.
Voiceovers
Popular on Fiverr and Upwork, voice acting offers flexibility and income for those with clear diction and a decent mic setup. It has become especially popular for audiobook narration and AI training data.
Personal Training
Whether in-person or online, the fitness industry continues to grow. PTs with basic certification can bring in around £1,800/month and enjoy strong demand across age brackets.
Age Friendliness
One of the most useful metrics in the index is the age-friendliness score, which rates how suitable each side hustle is across age groups. This score (out of 100) highlights how accessible some side hustles are in terms of physical demands, tech requirements, and entry barriers. For example, Airbnb Hosting, Online Tutoring, and Calligraphy all score close to or at 100, meaning they’re doable regardless of age or physical ability. On the other hand, more physically demanding or tech-intensive gigs like Dance Teachers or Web Developers rank lower on the age-friendly scale. This is particularly important as the UK sees a growing number of older workers looking for flexible income options.
Bottom Five Side Hustles
Handyman
Though in steady demand, handyman roles scored lower due to a steep experience requirement, declining self-employment rates in the sector, and low digital engagement.
Elderly Care
Despite its social value, this job scores low due to physically demanding work and relatively modest pay.
DJ Services
Costs of equipment and limited gig frequency weigh this hustle down, even though it has high creative potential.
Dance Classes
While rewarding for professionals, this hustle has limited mainstream appeal and earns less than others in our study.
Massage Therapy
Despite its loyal client base, massage therapy demands certification, physical stamina, and is less scalable, landing it the lowest Index Score (1.50).
What’s clear is that the definition of “work” is changing. Platforms that give individuals freedom, whether to create, deliver, teach or entertain, are becoming more mainstream.
The UK is at a turning point in how people see employment. Side hustles offer freedom, identity, and purpose. For many, it’s not just about making extra money it’s about taking control of how and why they work.