The most popular side hustle in every state

In today’s economy, having a side hustle has gone from being a mere hobby to almost a necessity for many of us. With the cost of living still on the rise and wages struggling to keep up, people are increasingly turning to extra income streams to make ends meet, save for future goals, or just earn a little more freedom to enjoy life. But which states are leading the charge in this side-hustle revolution? 

A recent study by Storeganise, a self-storage software company, reveals the top 10 U.S. states most “obsessed” with side hustles, based on the number of searches per 100,000 people. The study analyzed over five million searches across 10 different side jobs.

New Hampshire claims the top spot with 1,957 searches per 100K people. The state has nearly double the side-hustle search volume of the runner-up. It seems residents here are diving into the gig economy with unmatched enthusiasm.  From freelancing and remote consulting to crafting and flipping goods online, New Hampshirites are clearly all about making those extra bucks. Maybe it’s the state’s high cost of living pushing people to seek additional income sources.

Hawaii may have a laid-back reputation, but when it comes to finding extra work, the islands are anything but relaxed. The tropical paradise ranks second with 1,115 searches per 100K residents. With one of the highest costs of living in the country, it’s no wonder Hawaiians are exploring side hustles to offset expenses. Whether it’s renting out spaces on Airbnb, working as tour guides, or creating handmade goods to sell online, Hawaiians are creatively making the most of their unique location and lifestyle.

Delaware is third, with 1,002 searches per 100,000 people. This small state may have big ambitions when it comes to financial freedom. Side hustles here range from virtual assistant work to e-commerce. Delawareans seem particularly drawn to opportunities that allow them to work from home — a trend that’s only grown stronger in the post-pandemic world.

Small in size but big on hustle, Rhode Island ranks fourth with 980 searches per 100K people.   With a history rooted in creativity and craftsmanship, it’s no surprise that residents here are exploring everything from online tutoring to artisan crafts. The state’s high housing costs might be driving this push for extra income.

Utah, well-known for its entrepreneurial spirit, rounds out the top five with 917 searches per 100K people.  Residents in Utah are jumping on side hustles like app-based delivery jobs, freelance tech work, and more. The state’s tech-savvy population is capitalizing on their skills to bring in extra income, balancing their day jobs with gigs that suit their lifestyles.

North Dakota comes in sixth with 912 searches per 100K residents. Many North Dakotans are taking advantage of remote work opportunities that allow them to diversify their income without moving to big cities. From online customer service roles to freelance writing, North Dakotans are proving that location is no barrier to financial ambition.

Colorado residents are accustomed to adventure, and their search for side hustles is no different. The state ranks seventh with 903 searches per 100K people.  Coloradans are diving into seasonal gigs like outdoor guiding or working as ski instructors, as well as more flexible roles like freelance graphic design and remote customer service. The desire for financial flexibility is as strong as the state’s mountainous terrain.

Vermont, with 896 searches per 100K people, ranks eighth. Vermonters are anything but laid-back when it comes to side hustles. Many are tapping into the state’s artisanal reputation, selling handcrafted items and offering freelance creative services, fueled by a thriving online gig economy that suits its remote nature.

Ninth is Wyoming, with 890 searches per 100K people. Residents in Wyoming are leveraging its rural landscape by embracing flexible remote gigs in e-commerce and digital marketing, providing essential income in a state with fewer traditional job options. 

Nevada rounds out the top 10 with 838 searches per 100K people. Residents of Nevada are using their skills in diverse ways, from tourism-related gigs to roles in social media management and e-commerce.

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The Complete List of U.S. States with Side Hustles

Rank	State	Searches per 100K People
1	New Hampshire	1,915.87
2	Hawaii	1,115.40
3	Delaware	1,002.57
4	Rhode Island	980.80
5	Utah	917.71
6	North Dakota	912.62
7	Colorado	903.93
8	Vermont	896.86
9	Wyoming	890.05
10	Nevada	838.39
11	Montana	834.83
12	Oregon	834.57
13	Georgia	815.95
14	Maine	815.20
15	Washington	813.64
16	Connecticut	811.99
17	Idaho	811.87
18	Virginia	810.99
19	Alaska	790.69
20	Arizona	788.98
21	Massachusetts	785.32
22	Nebraska	781.92
23	New York	769.42
24	Minnesota	741.12
25	South Dakota	740.77
26	South Carolina	740.66
27	Maryland	739.12
28	Florida	733.55
29	Illinois	733.25
30	North Carolina	731.39
31	Kansas	725.45
32	Missouri	725.16
33	New Jersey	723.22
34	Tennessee	722.24
35	Iowa	715.55
36	Pennsylvania	712.83
37	Ohio	704.87
38	Indiana	695.00
39	Michigan	694.64
40	Oklahoma	693.92
41	West Virginia	689.09
42	Arkansas	679.17
43	Alabama	675.28
44	Kentucky	667.29
45	Louisiana	665.87
46	Wisconsin	657.02
47	Texas	654.78
48	New Mexico	652.87
49	California	632.25
50	Mississippi	605.01

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The Most Popular Side Hustle Job In Every U.S. State

The side hustle scene in the U.S. is as diverse as it is bustling, offering opportunities that cater to a wide range of interests and skills.

DoorDash takes the lead, dominating in 10 states, including big names like California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with an average hourly wage of $19.60. Meanwhile, Uber is the top choice in eight states, including Nevada, Massachusetts, and Virginia, and boasts an impressive average hourly wage of $43.92.

House cleaning is a go-to side gig in seven states, including New Jersey, Indiana, and Tennessee, where cleaners earn an average of $19.88 per hour.

Babysitting follows closely as the top hustle in six states, paying caregivers an average of $21.78 per hour. Dog walking is equally popular, leading in six states like Connecticut and Vermont, with an average hourly wage of $18.80.

Online tutoring holds the top spot in four states and offers an attractive average wage of $24.21 per hour. Virtual assistant roles are also trending, leading in four states, including Utah and Arkansas, with an hourly wage averaging $26.77. 

In South Dakota and Maine, language translation dominates, paying $25.93 per hour.

Online reviewing is on the rise, especially in Louisiana and New Mexico, where residents earn $27.40 per hour for sharing their opinions on products and services. 

 Finally, blogging is making waves in Wyoming, with writers bringing in an average hourly wage of $20.05.

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The Full List of Most Popular Side Hustles, The States Where They Topped the List,
and the Average Hourly Wage for Each Side Hustle Job

Side hustle job	No. of states it topped the list in	States It Topped The List	Average Hourly Wage for Side Hustle Job ($)
DoorDash	10	California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, New York, Illinois, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan	19.6
Uber	8	Nevada, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania	43.92
House cleaning	7	New Jersey, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama	19.88
Babysitting	6	Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Mississippi	21.78
Dog walking	6	Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware, West Virginia	18.8
Online tutoring	4	Oklahoma, Hawaii, Alaska, North Dakota	24.21
Virtual assistant	4	Utah, Idaho, Arkansas, Montana	26.77
Language translator	2	South Dakota, Maine	25.93
Online reviewer	2	Louisiana, New Mexico	27.4
Blog writer (Blogging)	1	Wyoming	20.05

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(Source: Storeganise)
(Images credited to RDW Productions)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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