10 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Washington DC [2024]

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Updated: August 31st, 2022

10 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Washington DC [2024]

Are you looking for some quick ways to make money in Washington DC? Side-gigs can be a great way to earn extra cash and supplement your income. And who knows, maybe your side-hustle could result in a long-term profitable business.

Rami Nasar, the founder of From The Ground Up, started his high-performance socks wear brand as a side hustle when he was in college. He started out by selling funky socks and then went on to convert his side hustle into a 6-figure business in 2.5 years.

Whether you're trying to make rent or just need some extra money to spend, there are several side hustles in Washington DC that you can work on your off-time. You don't need to commit full-time or even be on contract; you can go in, do the job and get your cash. You'll be your own boss!

What is the average cost of living and income in Washington DC anyway?

Cost of living: $2,664 per month for a single person, $6,371 for a family of four
Average income: $79,000 per year

Considering this, it makes sense if you want to make some extra money.

If you're looking for easy ways to make extra money in Washington DC jobs, then here are 10 great side gig options for you.

1. Start Tutoring On The Side

Creating an online tutoring business is a convenient way to earn some money on the side, and one that can be very lucrative in the long run. You'll be able to make your own hours and work from home and you won't need a lot of startup capital to get started.

So, if you have a specialized skill, there are many ways to monetize it. From guitar instruction to French lessons to maths coaching or personal training, there are many opportunities for monetizing your knowledge in a variety of settings.

Earning Potential: Up to $25/hour

Requirements: You'll require specific skills or in-depth knowledge about the subject you'll teach, a laptop, mic, and high-speed internet

Investment needed: 0 investment if you already have a laptop

How To Get Started: You can register yourself as an online tutor on an online teaching platform like Preply or Teachable

2. Become A User Experience Tester

User testing is a method for evaluating and improving products by having real users perform tasks while they offer feedback and experiences. If something does not go as planned for the business, the user experience reports help analyze them and make the changes in the system. To fix the issue, businesses bring in user experience testers!

You can be one of the user experience testers and earn extra money from helping the businesses learn about the people’s requirements and expectations!

Earning Potential: The hourly rate can vary from $12 to $21 per hour.

Requirements: No minimum educational qualification is required but it is good to have a high school degree or diploma certificate. To be a user tester you must be above 18 years. Good command of the English language can be helpful in writing down the reports. To become a user experience tested you will need to have good organization skills, and observation power, plus it will also need you to be impartial, and be able to note down a detailed report.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to become a user tester

How To Get Started: You can start earning as a user tester simply by registering on websites like Usertesting.com

3. Take Online Surveys

Although these aren't the favorite side hustle of almost everyone, they are convenient and easy ways to do so. While you can doze off when watching a movie, why not click some buttons and do some work to make the money you want?

Several survey sites allow you to get paid while you share your opinion. You can fill in your opinions for endless surveys and earn extra bucks for filling up the survey forms. Some platforms even offer a bonus for completing the first five rounds of the survey.

Potential: If you’re smart, you can earn up to $10 per survey!

Benefit: You can do these surveys anywhere, anytime, and however you’d like!

How To Get Started: You can start filling out surveys at Inboxdollars, Survey Junkie and many more.

4. Become A Freelance Web Developer

If you have basic knowledge of coding languages such as JavaScript, PHP, HTML, etc., then you can consider working as a freelance web developer. Web developers are primarily responsible for building, improving, and maintaining websites. However, there are a lot more variations & nuances to that. While some deal with back-end developing tasks like database management or design skills using graphics or coding, others deal with the user interface.

As a freelance web developer, you will get to set your own price, choose which client to work with, and work on as many projects as you want.

Earning Potential: The average hourly can vary from $30 to $80. However, based on your level of expertise it can go up to $100 to $180 per hour.

Requirements: There is no minimum education required but you will need extensive knowledge in the field of coding & programming language. Take a look at the steps below to know the requirements to become a freelance web developer:

Determine the kind of Web Development service you want to provide
Gain knowledge & skill required for that particular area
Set up your Freelancing profile
Build a Portfolio Website (if possible)
Market Your Services

Investment needed: 0 investment needed if you already have done a course in web development

How To Get Started: You can sign up on freelancing websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or even LinkedIn to start getting web development projects.

5. Start Your Own Graphic Design Side Hustle

Graphic designers need a combination of creativity, technical skills, and business acumen to succeed in their field. They must be able to produce high-quality designs that effectively communicate the intended message while also meeting the client's needs and budget.

Graphic designers are responsible for creating website images, catalogs, brochures, and more. It is potentially a high-paying job, given the level of your expertise and your areas of specialization.

Earning Potential: Up to $4,500/month

Requirements: You will need a bachelor's degree or diploma certificate in graphic designing or a related fine arts field. Plus, having an eye for detail, creativity, and a will to strive for perfection will take you far as a graphic designer.

Investment needed: No extra cost if you have a certificate in graphic design. You will just need a computer/laptop with the right tools to get you to start designing.

How To Get Started: You can sign up on freelancing websites like Upwork or even LinkedIn to start getting graphic designing projects.

6. Sell Stock Photos

If you are a traveler who has a stock of millions of photos in your Photobucket or gallery, you can sell those photos by starting a stock photo as your side hustle. All you have to do is refine those images and sell the most well-composed pictures on the internet. It can be a picture of a branded gas station, your city, etc.

Various stock photo websites help you earn money by buying your stock images when you sell them from the comfort of your home.

Earning Potential: With licensing, you can earn up to $2

Benefit: Turn your passion into a side hustle!

Requirements: You'll need a professional camera, a website, a laptop, and high-speed internet.

Investment needed: 0 investment needed if you already have the tools and a website (the average cost of building a simple website can be around $500).

** How To Get Started:** You can start by selling your photos on Twenty20

7. Become A Stylist

Do you have an eye for all the latest styles? Have you been told that fashion is in your blood? Then capitalize on your instincts and become a part-time stylist for Stitch Fix. You can tell people when their outfits suck, pick out curated subscription boxes, and live your Devil Wears Prada dreams!

Potential: You can make up to $16/hour!

Benefits: It's fun work, easy money, and great pay!

How To Get Started: You can start exploring your passion for styling by applying at StitchFix or looking for freelance styling gigs at Upwork

8. Start Dropshipping Online

Another easy way to make extra money irrespective of your location is to start a dropshipping business. You can set up an online store & start earning money with minimal effort.

All you need to do is select the items you want to sell, add them to your online store & start selling. The supplier is responsible for packing & shipping the product directly to your customer. All you need to do is market.

Earning Potential: Depending on your skills and effort, you can make up to $100,000/year

Benefits: You will be your own boss, gain entrepreneurial skills & operate the store from anywhere in the world

Requirements: You will need to have a business license to sell at a dropshipping store.

Investment Needed: You will need as low as $100 to start a dropshipping business.

How to Get Started: You can start by setting up a free online storefront via Wix or Weebly

Learn how Amanda makes $12k per month dropshipping these tiny products.

9. Sell Your Stuff Online

If you're looking for one of the easiest ways to make quick money in Washington DC, then it's by selling your things. Whether it's through eBay or Craigslist, sell off the things you don't need anymore and watch that dough stack up!

Potential: Depends on the items you sell

Benefits: Make extra cash while getting rid of things you don't need anymore, free up space in your house.

How to get started: You can start by setting up accounts on eBay and listing the items you want to sell.

Learn how Adam makes $10K/month selling sports cards on eBay.

Not looking for extra income, but rather a better job? Find a new job in Washington DC:

Resources:

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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