The Hawkeye State has one of the smallest populations and lowest costs of living in the entire country. In fact, it is 10% below the national average. However, with rising inflation and stagnant wages, it can still be hard to make ends meet, even in the most affordable cities. If you are looking for ways to bring in extra income, here are the 10 best side hustles in Iowa for 2023.
10 Best Side Hustles in Iowa
There are many reasons why people need extra money or consider side gigs to supplement their income. Sometimes it’s to relieve financial pressure or help you reach your savings goals faster. Other people simply want to learn new skills. Although others use it as a means to create a professional network and lay the groundwork for entrepreneurial ventures.
In places like Iowa which only has a few large cities, the options are a little different than those available to people living in large, urban centers. Since it is mostly a rural population, it left people with limited employment options in the past. However, there are plenty of new opportunities today through remote work. Looking at both modern and traditional needs, here are some of the best side hustles for those living in Iowa.
Agricultural/Outdoor Jobs
Farmhand
The landscape of Iowa is predominantly farmland interspersed with small towns and cities. With over 85,000 farms in the state, there is always a need for extra help. If you have the skills and experience, finding a seasonal or part-time job as a farmhand could be a great way to earn some extra income.
Depending on where you live and what your background is, you could find work assisting with planting, harvesting, calving, or tending to livestock. However, any farmer and rancher will tell you that they could use an extra set of hands with daily chores as well as maintenance of the machines and property.
Yardwork and Lawn Maintenance
Even if you don’t know your way around the farm, there are still opportunities for outdoor work. People always need help with their yards and larger properties. This is especially true if you live in a town with an older population.
Ask around to see if any of your elderly neighbors need help with mowing, cleanup, or yard waste removal. In the winter months, you can also make extra money by plowing and shoveling snow. You may be surprised to see how many people take advantage of your labor since rural areas have few professional services in the immediate area.
Event Staffing
For those who live in the Des Moines area, the Iowa Events Center has tons of opportunities if you are looking to make some money on the side. This venue seats up to 17,000 people and hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events. So, they are constantly looking for staff to assist during games, concerts, and other live performances.
You can pick up part-time and one-off gigs for a variety of positions including concessions staff, servers, bartenders, setup crew, guest services attendants, parking attendants, phone operators, housekeeping, electricians, and engineers. This is a great opportunity for students or those who want access to the hottest tickets in town.
Sitting Services
Babysitting
Parents with young children rarely have the opportunity for a night to themselves. While family members may be willing to help out from time to time, it’s good to have a trustworthy babysitter on your speed dial.
Therefore, if you have experience with kids, it could be a great way for you to earn some extra cash. If you are in a small community, see if anyone is willing to make recommendations or vouch for you. Adding CPR certifications to your resume can also increase parents’ trust in you to properly care for their kids and improve your chances of earning a steady side income.
Petsitting
For those who prefer animals to children, you can also offer petsitting services. When people go out of town, boarding pets can get expensive. So, why not offer your services to care for their pets while they are away?
These jobs usually include basic chores like feeding and watering the animals, taking them for walks, and cleaning up after them. Some may have special instructions such as administering medication. But without a doubt, it’s a great way for pet lovers to supplement their income without committing to a regular schedule.
Dog Walking
Another option for pet lovers is dog walking. Believe it or not, this is one of the best-paying side hustles in the country. People are busier than ever and worry about their pets when they are at work all day. Therefore, many people hire someone to come to their homes during the day to take their dogs out for some exercise and companionship. And, the more animals you add to the roster, the more you can earn.
Online Jobs
Freelance Work
Many people turn freelancing into a full-time job by offering skills in a variety of fields such as writing, web design, translation, programming, data entry, and several other computer-based skills. It allows an incredible amount of flexibility, letting you decide how much or how little you want to work. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr are great places to find jobs and test the waters. Furthermore, most contracts don’t require a long-term commitment. So, you are free to check out a wide range of opportunities depending on your skills and availability.
Remote Administrative Assistant
Many small businesses and startups have found their footing since the pandemic began, especially since there is greater demand for local services. However, it can be difficult to run a business by yourself. Therefore, many of them hire remote administrative assistants to answer calls, schedule meetings, and reply to emails. Unfortunately, they may not have enough work or capital to hire someone full-time. But, remote administrative assistants can take on several businesses to create a full-time schedule, or choose to minimize it to only a few hours a week to earn some extra income.
Call Center Representatives
In the past, call centers would staff hundreds of in-house agents. Nowadays, many companies are moving to a virtual environment and making these positions remote. So, you no longer have to be in the same city or state to qualify for these positions. Additionally, they usually pay well and offer benefits. Some are even willing to offer flex and part-time schedules, making it one of the best side hustles in Iowa. You can earn wages based on income from states with a higher cost of living but still enjoy the benefits of midwest prices.
Online Tutoring
Last but not least, one of the best side hustles in Iowa for students is online tutoring. These jobs give you the ability to make money in your free time assisting younger or foreign students to improve their skills, prepare for tests, and increase their candidacy for college applications. You can choose from a variety of subjects best suited to your interests and academic strengths. And, there are several different opportunities with companies across the country and around the globe that pay well-above minimum wage.
Read More
Top 5 Gigs for the Biggest Payout!
How People Lose Money With Their Side Hustle
Rising Trends of Remote Working and Digital Nomads in 2022
Come back to what you love! Dollardig.com is the most reliable cash-back site on the web. Just sign up, click, shop, and get full cashback!