8 Great ideas for profitable side hustles in Chicago

If you want to try something new or earn extra money, here are 8 great side hustle ideas in Chicago.

Having additional income can significantly improve your financial situation. There are various opportunities for maneuverable earnings in Chicago.

You can have a job that you can do from the comfort of your home, as well as the opportunity to earn money on the streets of a Windy City.

8 great ideas for profitable side hustles in Chicago

1. Working as a food delivery driver on an electric bike

One of the most popular and effective ways to earn extra money in Chicago is to work as a food delivery rider. There is a steady demand for food delivery in busy urban areas.

A delivery rider using an e-bike completes orders faster, covers longer distances, and gets less tired. Using an e-bike gives delivery riders a clear advantage over traditional bicycles.

You can sign up on popular platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub to start working as a delivery rider. After registration, you can start working immediately. To ensure a good income, analyze and choose areas with high demand and work during peak hours (lunch and dinner).

It is important to remember: Chicago winters are cold, and weather conditions may slow deliveries and affect safety.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• The opportunity to earn quickly and maneuverable.
• Minimal costs to get started..
• The ability to build a convenient work schedule on your own.
• Promotes the development of physical endurance, good for health.
• An environmentally friendly work option.

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2. Uber or Lyft driver

In addition, there is another fairly common and popular way to earn extra money in Chicago — working as a driver for Uber or Lyft services. If you have a car, you can start working and earning money at any time convenient for you.  There is always a high demand for taxi rides in the city center and nearby suburban areas. You can conveniently build a work schedule based on your time capabilities.

Keep costs in mind: Gasoline, auto insurance, and car maintenance incur additional costs and significantly reduce your net income.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• Low start-up costs if you already own a car
• Work according to a schedule that is convenient for you
• The possibility of receiving tips

Related: Lyft vs Uber

3. Pet sitting and dog walking

Many Chicago residents have pets, love them, and are willing to pay a fairly decent fee for reliable and high-quality care for them. Thus, if you are capable of this and you like working with animals, then this option is another great way to earn extra money at a convenient time for you.

This part-time job is provided through Rover or Wag services, which will help you find clients. At the same time, keep in mind that in order for you to receive more orders for animal care, it is necessary and important for you to create a strong profile and accumulate positive feedback about your work.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• The pleasure of working with animals
• Outdoor work
• The opportunity to create and develop your own full-fledged business

4. Freelance writing and editing

Writing and editing content is another way to earn extra money. If you have experience and are good at writing, you will be able to work from home, choose interesting projects and set your own prices, as there are many businesses, blogs and publishers in Chicago that require this kind of staff.

In this case, take into account the high competition and create a competent and strong portfolio on platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.

 Why is this a great side hustle:

• Work remotely with a flexible schedule
• Flexible and convenient work schedule
• Opportunities for self-improvement and building a professional portfolio

5. Virtual assistant

With the rise of remote work and digital businesses many entrepreneurs and small companies, for their own convenience, transfer the execution of their administrative tasks to another company specializing in this field.

In such companies, you can get jobs in various fields. You may be assigned to manage mail, manage social media, organize meetings, or provide customer support. If you are an organized person who is familiar with office activities, this part-time job can bring you a stable additional income.

What skills are needed: the ability to work with Google Workspace, Trello, and other CRM systems.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• Work on a flexible and convenient schedule for you
• The ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world
• Consistently high demand for such services

6. Online tutoring

There are quite a large number of educational institutions in Chicago and, accordingly, a large number of students live and study. In this regard, you are offered another option for additional earnings in the form of tutoring. If you have good knowledge of various sciences and have experience preparing for exams, this is a great way to earn money. Using the Chegg platforms and Tutor.com you will find your students.

Please note that some platforms require certificates from potential tutors or proof of their qualifications.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• Self-improvement and development assistance to others 
• Work on a flexible and convenient schedule for you
• The opportunity to work from home

7. Photography

Photography can be another source of additional income. In Chicago, there is a constant demand for the services of photographers at events, creating portraits and photographing real estate.  If you are interested in photography and are a good photographer, then this will help you earn money from it.

Start-up costs: To work professionally as a photographer, you will need to purchase a good camera and photo editing software.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• Creative and interesting work
• The opportunity to create and develop your own business in this area
• The possibility of useful acquaintances and connections

8. Delivery by car

Nowadays, delivery by riders using electric bicycles is becoming more and more popular and practical. However, the car is still a reliable option for these purposes. With a car, you can work with Amazon Flex, Instacart, or other platforms delivering groceries and packages 

It is important to consider that: The necessary costs for fuel, car insurance and depreciation of the car can significantly reduce your net profit.

Why is this a great side hustle:

• Potential for high earnings
• Flexible and convenient work schedule
• Independent work schedule allows you to combine delivery with your main job.

Conclusion

Chicago is a big city with great opportunities for everyone. Similar to NYC, it offers many convenient ways to earn extra money. You will be able to deliver food by electric bike, work as a freelancer, tutor or virtual assistant — everyone will be able to choose the option that suits them.

To maximize your additional income, you need to follow a few simple rules:

•  Choose ways to earn extra money with minimal start-up costs.
•  Consider fuel, car insurance, or software costs.
•  Focus on areas with consistently high demand for certain services.
•  Be patient and build a good reputation for yourself