You may already have a full- or part-time job, but you’d like to supplement your income by doing some unofficial work on the side.
Well, let me give you some ideas.
There are several side hustles you could pursue to earn additional cash for such purposes as savings, investments, or eliminating debt faster.
And even if you don’t think you’re an expert in anything, there are still basic tasks people are prepared to pay cash for.
Just read on, and I’ll give you the low down on under the table jobs.
Sound good?
Let’s get to it, then.
What Do I Mean By “Under The Table” Jobs?
Although “under the table jobs” are a fairly common thing, not everyone is aware of what it entails.
These jobs simply refer to income streams that are not declared to the government and are paid to the worker in cash only.
Rather than receiving a traditional paycheck for your efforts, you will be compensated in cash.
Nothing is documented, and you won’t have to pay taxes.
These side jobs are excellent for boosting your savings or providing you with a one-time windfall.
And for many of these positions, prior work experience is not necessary.
Are Under The Table Jobs Illegal?
Some companies prefer to pay freelancers and workers in hard cash.
Even if a business opts to pay wages in cash, it must still file the appropriate employment tax forms.
The Internal Revenue Service has identified “under the table” employee payments as a major source of tax noncompliance.
Taxes are not deducted from the pay of an employee or contractor who receives payment in cash. Even so, you must continue to submit paperwork.
It’s ultimately your responsibility to declare your income and pay tax on it.
However, many people do, in fact, collect cash from side jobs or other transactions at work, and this cash is often not disclosed to the proper authorities.
Each party is taking a risk in doing so.
No matter what you decide, though, be aware that there are consequences that could arise.
Most folks will not declare cash profits from non-business activities to the IRS because they are unlikely to raise any red flags.
Nevertheless, it is your duty to handle these monetary exchanges properly.
Most of the time, though, you can take on these jobs, and no one is going to hound you about them.
The Best Under The Table Jobs That Pay Cash
Now that we’ve got all the fine print out of the way, let’s get to the jobs themselves.
You’ll find that you’re familiar with most of these gigs as they are available to all age groups and skill levels.
Virtual Assistant
Are you particularly skilled at organizing and assisting others?
You can start making money right away by being a virtual assistant, and eventually, it could even become your full-time job.
There is always a web-based company owner who might use your expertise, whatever it may be.
You can earn money off of doing everything from email organization to client follow-up.
Many business owners find their workload overwhelming, so they recruit virtual assistants to help them with daily tasks.
What you can do as a trust VA includes the following examples of tasks:
- Scheduling
- Graphic design
- Online Marketing
- Editing
- Client communication
- Data entry
- Lead management
Freelance Writer
If you have a knack for putting words together, freelance writing might be a fantastic way to bring in some added funds.
Almost every company, no matter how big or little, has some sort of internet presence these days, and they all need content, content, content!
Seek out the websites of local businesses that appear to have fallen on hard times.
You could offer to bang out a few blog posts for them to assist them in targeting their customers as a means of gaining new customers.
Writing for bloggers is another option to consider.
If you write an article that is 1,000 words long, you can expect to earn $70 to $150 for your efforts. Not bad!
Here are some freelance writing websites to check out.
Handiwork
Do people say that you have a flair for mending things?
If that’s the case, folks will undoubtedly pay money for your services.
They pay you in cash regardless of whether you help them with their appliances, woodwork, electronics, or computers.
You could focus on gaining private clients and fulfill the following roles:
Mover
For those who are physically capable, one option is to work as a mover.
It’s a quick and simple option for getting paid in hard currency.
You may choose to pass on large projects, the ones that take a lot of time and effort and may even involve stairs.
Instead, try to find work that entails transporting smaller items from one location to another.
Hundreds of moving jobs are posted every day.
You’re not going to have trouble finding local gigs.
This is the most straightforward way to earn $15+ per hour covertly, assuming you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and can lift a few couches and tables.
Painter
Painting is another common and easily accessible form of under the table employment.
Homeowners are usually on the lookout for painting help.
Your duties will include helping the painting crew with site preparation, painting, and cleanup.
Find commissions on Craigslist if you’re skilled in mural or picture painting.
These gigs pay more than your standard spray painting or fence painting projects.
Snow Remover
Snow removal is a terrific opportunity for a short-term, cash-paying side job in wintry regions.
A snow shovel or snow blower will do the trick.
Flyers can be handed out, and membership in neighborhood Facebook groups or the Nextdoor app can boost your chances of finding some customers.
Driveways must be shoveled, and people are prepared to pay for this service.
Working these jobs won’t make you wealthy, but you’d be surprised how much folks are willing to pay for this type of task.
This is a fantastic method to supplement your income during the colder months.
Social Media Manager
For those of us born in the Millennial or Gen Z era, using social media is second nature.
Make use of your expertise by offering your services to other businesses in need of assistance with their internet presence.
Here’s yet another fantastic opportunity to work remotely for a company that operates entirely online or for a small, locally-based company.
Insufficient time and knowledge prevent many business owners from keeping up with their social media accounts.
You can step in and assist in the management of their content and the development of campaigns that will appeal to their intended audience.
Web Designer
If you have any experience with web design and would like to boost your earnings, you can sell your services to clients.
Depending on the scope of the project, you might expect to make anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
It’s surprising how many small businesses don’t have websites in this day and age.
Having any kind of website at all, even a one-pager, will help them stand out from the competition, as well as allow them to gather reviews and build credibility with their target audience.
If I were to take this route, I’d advertise my services to local companies that either don’t have a website or have one that’s so dated that it’s barely functional.
Babysitter
It’s easy to obtain work as a babysitter, and you may do it whenever you choose.
There are several ways to get the word out, whether it’s by word-of-mouth in the local community, through your existing network, or through online platforms like Care.com.
In general, parents are not big fans of the online classifieds site Craigslist.
Better strategies, such as word-of-mouth and referrals, are going to be your bread and butter.
You should start by approaching folks you know, like, and trust, like your friends in the neighborhood.
This is cash-only, under-the-table work that might be temporary or ongoing, depending on your schedule.
Based on the number of children you’re responsible for and the tasks required of you, your hourly rate could be anywhere from $10 to $30.
This could be the ideal employment for you if you enjoy working with kids and need a way to supplement your income.
Catering Staff
Caterers have a lot on their plates during the busy wedding and holiday seasons.
They have too much work, so they often have to hire extra hands.
As a waiter or waitress, it would be your responsibility to set up tables and trays, serve food, and make deliveries.
If you’re desperate for money and can’t seem to find anything else, this job might do in a pinch.
Prepare to be available for work when the season comes.
To increase your chances of getting hired when catering needs arise, consider joining some local companies.
Don’t forget to ask local eateries and caterers if they need any assistance.
Last but not least, sign up with freelancing websites like Taskrabbit.
On such platforms, people regularly advertise their catering services.
You will get notifications for job listings that are relevant to your interests.
Gardener
Working as a gardener presents seasonal and year-round opportunities.
There will always be a market for yard work, and people will pay for it (especially the elderly, lazy, and busy).
You may join freelancing portals like Taskrabbit or Nextdoor, or you could inquire at nearby nurseries that might be able to use some assistance.
Joining a local gardening group is another way to get the word about your services and become the go-to person for all of their gardening needs.
Finally, launch a website or blog showcasing your expertise.
Doing so will set you apart from the competitors and open up new revenue opportunities for you.
Pet Sitter
One of the most ubiquitous side hustles is pet sitting.
The position is ideal for those who enjoy interacting with animals and like-minded pet lovers.
Dog walkers and pet sitters are in high demand since pet owners always need someone to mind their pets when they can’t be there.
The hourly rate is high enough that you can make $50 with no effort.
With just two or three regular customers every week, you may bring in a respectable amount of extra revenue.
Participate in neighborhood pet-sitting networks like Rover and Wag Walking so that more people can see you.
Promote your business’s offerings on Facebook and Instagram.
You may even advertise your services in local Facebook groups when you join them.
If you want to advertise your services in the community, you can print and distribute flyers with your info.
Farmer’s Market Seller
Almost any town or city has a farmer’s market.
It’s a fantastic avenue to buy and sell goods or look for a job.
Inquire among the overworked vendors who have booths here; they may be able to put you to work.
You could make a lot of money working behind a counter or carrying crates.
Rent a table and set up shop if you have something to sell.
Anything you can produce at home, from sauces to crafts, can be sold.
Who knows?
Maybe you’re a secret baker, and your creations will be the next big hit!
This is also a fantastic opportunity if you’re into gardening and you grow your own produce.
Tutor
Tutoring is a rewarding side gig if you have a teaching background or enjoy working with young learners.
You can instruct pupils in a variety of subjects, including language, mathematics, history, and literature.
There are many children that require assistance outside of the classroom.
Facebook moms’ groups and the classifieds section of the local paper are good places to start looking for these kinds of jobs.
The same holds true for helping kids with non-academic subjects like art, crafts, music, etc.
Get your name out there by signing up with local tutoring platforms and websites like Preply, Chegg, and VIPKid.
Session Work
Are you proficient with any type of musical instrument?
Then I suggest not wasting any time and monetizing those sweet skills!
Get bookings at local establishments, hotspots, and gatherings.
It’s true that events like weddings and birthdays are good places to locate work.
The pay is usually decent, too.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, try pubs, restaurants, and event planners.
Get some YouTube demos ready before you ask around so you’ll have a portfolio of sorts.
In just a couple of hours, you can play a gig and make as much as $100, not including tips or drinks.
Surely no one would turn down an offer like that!
Get your music out there by signing up with local music services and websites like Bandmix and Craigslist.
Post ads promoting your business on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Cook
There is gainful employment if you’re good in the kitchen.
You can count on a financial return if you can whip up some fine grub.
Both catering and baking are viable home-based businesses for you.
The right advertising strategy will help you land jobs as a caterer for a wide variety of events, including weddings, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, and more.
People often hire caterers because they lack the knowledge or time to prepare the food themselves.
Start locally and solicit word-of-mouth from loved ones.
You should always be aware of food safety laws, as you do not want a lawsuit on your hands.
Yoga Instructor
Right now is a great time to start teaching yoga because of the high demand.
As a yoga instructor, how do you go about securing unofficial work?
The goal is to attract clientele.
Patrons can be found in online communities, on Instagram, and by word-of-mouth among friends and family.
You’ll need a location to hold your lesson; a park or your own house are both good options. Paying weekly or monthly in advance are possible compensation methods.
This is an excellent way to stay in shape while making some extra revenue.
Yoga instruction can also be provided via video chat as a means of expanding one’s clientele.
Plus, if you know somebody in the fitness industry, they might be open to having your classes in their gyms or fitness centers for free.
House-sitting
If you need some additional cash, house-sitting may be the perfect option for you.
You’ll be able to get more involved in your community and make some new friends.
Maybe you’ll even get to travel.
If you’re set on just accepting cash payments, you’ll need to seek out customers on your own, either online or off, and make that fact known.
You can spread the word about yourself through fliers, word of mouth, social media, a blog, etc.
The number of people who are finding and reserving house-sitting gigs over the internet is growing, though.
Many websites provide easy access to available jobs, and some even let users create profiles and receive feedback from homeowners.
If you have the right skills and a flexible schedule, house-sitting may be a fulfilling side gig for you.
Who knows?
This could turn into your full-time profession, and you might be hired to be a property custodian!
Photographer
One of the enjoyable careers that pay you cold hard cash right away is that of a photographer.
The development of new equipment has made it possible for nearly anyone to take professional-quality photographs.
Still, becoming a pro demands a high level of expertise and experience.
You can get better at something by watching video instruction online, all because of the internet.
If you want to make photography a regular side business, you’ll need a decent camera and a good eye.
Competition is high; therefore, you’ll need to advertise your services better than everyone else.
Making a portfolio of your finest works might help you do this.
Promoting your brand online can be done by creating a website and social media accounts.
You can get hired for events like weddings, as well as photo shoots, sporting activities, and concerts.
Your rates can change based on the specifics of your set and the event.
Makeup Artist
Everyone wants to look their best when they attend important events like conferences, weddings, and graduations.
This work is always available, and its greatest perk is that clients may arrange sessions in advance, giving you more control over your time.
Makeup artists can demand higher rates the more exceptional their work is.
Always strive to improve your craft and stay abreast of any new developments and trends in the cosmetics industry.
Promote your offerings actively and deliver excellent results for your clientele at all times.
It’s important to let your work speak for itself in such a competitive industry, as word of mouth is one of the most effective forms of advertising.
Cleaner
To supplement your income, why not offer your cleaning services to those who value a spotless home but lack the time or motivation to maintain it themselves?
Even if they had the desire to clean, few people would make the effort since they just lack the time.
The fact that expert qualifications aren’t required is a definite plus for this type of work.
House cleaning jobs are plentiful, and you may find them simply by asking around or by searching online classifieds like Indeed and Craigslist.
Thumbtack estimates that the going rate for a house cleaner is between $20 and $25 an hour, with an additional $5 to $10 an hour added if the cleaner needs to use the client’s supplies or vacuum cleaner.
Related Reading: How To Start A Foreclosure Cleaning Buisness – Know More Here.
Transcriptionist
There are thousands of people who earn a living doing transcription work from home.
Transcription is the process of converting speech to text by listening to recordings and typing what you hear.
Working as a transcriber is a great side hustle if you’re a skilled listener and typist.
Transcription services are available for a wide variety of media formats, including conference calls, dictation, interviews, and more.
It’s a productive field that offers remote employment options and you can use tools like Descript to make it transcription easier for you.
Selling Old Items
Nothing beats digging through boxes of old photos, records, and games, especially when you remember that you can cash in on the items you no longer want by selling them.
You can get up to $100 for that old, unwanted collection of autographed hockey pucks.
You can also easily make up to $200 by selling your old video gaming console and any games you no longer play.
Your closet’s unused treasure trove of once-trendy threads may be just what another person is looking for.
The next logical step, after a stroll down memory lane and the accumulation of unwanted items, is to consider your options for selling them.
Many platforms exist for this, such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and the good old-fashioned yard sale.
However, there will be unique problems at each outlet and approaches to addressing them.
Yard sales take the most time and effort to organize and produce the least profit, while eBay and Facebook both require you to meet strangers in a settled location.
The used goods you’re selling won’t be of any use to you; therefore, it doesn’t matter how you get your profit.
It makes more sense to create a fast profit than to let unused items take up valuable storage space.
Car Detailer
In comparison to using a drive-through car wash, having your vehicle washed and detailed by hand is a truly unique and enjoyable experience.
People are willing to spend a lot of money on professional auto detailing services.
Anyone with some free time on the weekend or during the summer would be perfect for this work. You need only some common household cleaners and a bit of time and effort to get the job done.
Get some experience on your own car and advertise your services in a local Facebook group or on Craigslist by posting “before and after” photos.
Crafting or Flea Market Flipping
Why not turn your creative energy into a source of income if you have a flair for making things out of random materials?
There will always be an audience for handmade goods such as jewelry, pottery, wall hangings, woodwork, textiles, glassware, and knickknacks of every variety.
You can make a profit by selling them to the people in your local area at events such as garage sales, community fairs, and exhibitions of local art and craftsmanship.
You don’t even have to start from scratch.
Instead, you can find something at a flea market that piques your interest, put in some work to improve it, and then sell it for a profit.
Pinterest is a terrific resource for finding new inspiration.
If you can successfully incorporate the concepts, you’ll discover that you’ve created something out of what would have gone to a landfill.
If you are positive that you have something special to offer customers, you can even consider opening your own Etsy shop!
Find out here what else you can sell on Etsy.
This is one of those cash jobs that might turn into your full-time occupation.
Microtasker
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is an online marketplace that connects businesses and developers with competent workers all over the world to complete small, independent jobs.
Among these are the processing of video and photos, the verification and processing of data, the collection and transcription of information, and the identification of objects in visual media.
Clickworker is a freelancer task distribution platform like MTurk.
Many different activities fall under their purviews, such as survey administration, copy editing, data classification, and proofreading.
These can be done quickly and easily on your computer or mobile device.
Anyone may join Fiverr and start selling their services by creating a “seller” account.
Video production, translation, writing, graphic design, and digital marketing are just some of the services you could offer.
Clothes Seller
Some folks love getting new threads, but they don’t necessarily want to pay full price for them.
Everyone must have clothes, but few are willing to pay full retail.
This could be a fantastic chance to make some extra cash privately if you have clothes to sell.
Also, there are a plethora of options for selling apparel online.
If you want to make some extra money, one option is to buy used clothing from thrift shops and resell it.
Another option is to sell clothes you no longer wear.
You could also think about joining local Facebook groups and buying clothes in bulk to resell.
It’s important to sift through drawers and closets to find clean, undamaged garments. Of course, designer items will fetch higher prices.
Surveys and Paid Online Tasks
Responding to surveys in your spare time can be a lucrative side gig if you’re seeking discretionary income.
This is something you could do while you’re chilling at home or waiting in line somewhere.
You can earn $5 just for signing up with a reputable service like InboxDollars.
It’s one of the highest paying survey sites around.
You get paid to share your opinion on services and goods you currently use.
When you complete surveys that pay you immediately, you can withdraw your profits quickly and easily through PayPal.
Survey Junkie is another option.
Paid surveys and other simple tasks like browsing the web or watching videos are offered here.
Pet Groomer
If a pet needs a wash or its nails clipped, most owners will take it to a professional service.
If you don’t mind getting wet and dealing with animal tantrums, this might be the side gig for you!
A lot of folks don’t want to groom their pets even though the process is straightforward.
They’d rather pay someone else to do it perfectly the first time than risk making mistakes while learning on the job.
Aside from pet sitting, this is another under the table job that will let you hang out with animals and get compensated.
Related Reading: My Favourite Free Money Hacks- Check Them Out Here.
Final Thoughts On Cash Paying Jobs
There is always going to be a way to boost your income if you’re resourceful enough.
Getting an under the table job may also help you expand your professional network.
You are able to make a difference in your environment while still generating income.
If you’d rather work alone, there are still plenty of opportunities available to you.
To clarify, it is not against the law to get paid cash in exchange for work, but you must report it as income when filing your taxes.
While it might not raise eyebrows up to a certain threshold, holding tens of thousands of dollars in the bank without an explanation could raise red flags.
Be responsible with what you earn from under the table jobs online and offline.
Hopefully, this list has piqued your interest enough to motivate you to start working on that side hustle or odd jobs you’ve been eyeing.
Kudos for looking up jobs that pay cash. Now it’s time to grind harder.
