Everyone has a side hustle story. But what do the numbers actually say? I pulled data from multiple 2026 surveys to find out what real people earn.
The Big Picture
According to LendingTree 2026 survey of over 2,000 Americans, 33% of people currently have a side hustle -- down from 38% last year and 44% in 2022. Fewer people are doing it, but those who do are earing more than ever.
The average side hustler now makes $1,242 per month. That is slightly up from $1,215 in 2025, and nearly triple the $473 average from 2022.
But Average Hides a Lot
Self Financial survey of 1,001 adults found very different numbers: an average of $553 per month, with 39.2% earning less that $250. Only 26.6% made more than $1,000.
Omnisend 2026 data: 51% earn $500 or less monthly.
Bankrate 2025 numbers: median side hustle income was just $200 per month.
The discrepancy tells you something: a small number of high earners pull the average up. Most people are making a few hundred bucks.
What Works By Generation
Millenials lead at $1,022/month average. Gen Z follows at $753. Gen X brings in $670, and Baby Boomers average $646.
The most common categories: gig work at 29%, freelance and professional services at 26%, and ecommerce/reselling at 23%.
The Time Commitment
Most side hustlers (47.1%) spend 5-10 hours per week. About 24% spend 11-15 hours.
The math: at $553/month and 7.5 hours/week, you are making roughly $17/hour. Decent, but not life-changing.
The Real Takeaway
Side hustles work. But the data suggests they work best as supplementary income -- covering bills, building savings, or paying off debt -- rather than replacing a primary salary.
If you are looking to start, ecommerce and freelancing have the lowest barriers. And a growing number of people are using AI tools to accelerate their side hustle output.
For more data-driven guides on making money online, visit MakeMoneyAid.com.
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