Top side hustles in Memphis
Memphis moves the world's packages overnight and its tourists all day. FedEx's World Hub at Memphis International Airport keeps the city humming after midnight, while Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum and a nonstop barbecue and music scene draw visitors year-round. Add long, hot summers and some of the lowest living costs of any big U.S. city, and the best side hustles in Memphis come down to three things: driving, outdoor services and hospitality.
This guide covers 18 side gigs that work in Memphis right now, with typical pay, startup costs and local detail. It also explains Tennessee's tax setup, which is friendlier to side income than almost anywhere in the country.
Why the best side hustles in Memphis pay off
Memphis is a logistics capital. Beyond FedEx, the metro is packed with distribution centers along the I-40 and I-55 corridors and in DeSoto County, which means steady package volume for couriers and seasonal sorting work. Major employers like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, AutoZone and International Paper bring in professionals who outsource yard work, cleaning and childcare.
The event calendar helps too: Memphis in May each spring, Elvis Week in August, the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament in summer, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and St. Jude Memphis Marathon in December, plus Grizzlies games at FedExForum and Tigers football. And because the warm season runs from March into November, outdoor services pay for most of the year instead of just a few months.
Driving and logistics side gigs in Memphis
1. Rideshare driving
Beale Street on weekend nights, Grizzlies games, concerts at the Orpheum and FedExForum, Graceland tour groups and early airport runs are the money windows. Tourists who don't know the city are reliable fares. Start with our Lyft and Uber guide.
2. Food and grocery delivery
DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart are busy in East Memphis, Germantown and Midtown. Barbecue joints keep dinner orders flowing, and stormy summer evenings bring surge pay. Suburban grocery orders tend to tip better.
3. Package handling and courier blocks
Memphis has an unusual number of part-time, overnight and seasonal package-handling jobs because of the FedEx hub and the warehouses around it. Hiring ramps up ahead of the holiday peak. Amazon Flex, Roadie and GoShare blocks add flexible daytime delivery work.
Heat, idling and A/C eat into driving profits here. Run your real numbers before you commit:
Gig Driver Earnings Calculator
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart — see what you really earn per hour after gas and wear on your car.
Outdoor and home services: the long-season money-makers
Memphis heat is brutal, but it creates demand: nobody in Germantown wants to mow in July.
4. Lawn care
Bermuda and zoysia lawns grow from March into November here, which means a weekly route can pay for nine months or more. Build a tight route in one area, such as Cordova, Bartlett or Collierville, and add hedge trimming and fall leaf cleanup.
5. Pressure washing
Humid summers leave mildew and algae on siding, driveways, fences and patios. One job often pays $150 to $400, and neighbors who see your results tend to book next. Spring and early fall are peak season.
6. Pet sitting and dog walking
Long hospital shifts at St. Jude, Methodist and Baptist Memorial mean plenty of dogs need midday walks. Overnight sitting around holidays pays the most. Rover and Wag are the easiest way to start.
7. Short-term rental cleaning and co-hosting
Rentals near downtown, South Main and the Graceland area need quick turnovers, especially during Elvis Week, Memphis in May and the December bowl and marathon weekend. Co-hosting for out-of-town owners pays a share of bookings. The owner needs a short-term rental permit, so confirm they have one.
8. Remote freelancing
With rent this low, national freelance rates go a long way. Logistics, healthcare and retail companies need writers, designers, data help and marketing support. Start on Fiverr or Upwork, then move good clients to retainers. Our digital marketing side hustle guide shows how to package services.
9. Pool cleaning
Backyard pools are common in Germantown, Collierville and East Memphis, and the season runs from May well into September. Weekly service routes are recurring income; openings and closings are bonus jobs.
10. Handyman work
Midtown, Cooper-Young and Central Gardens are full of older homes needing small repairs, and new builds in the suburbs need furniture assembly and TV mounting. Skip anything requiring a licensed electrician or plumber.
Side jobs in Memphis compared
| Side hustle | Typical pay | Startup cost | Time to first dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare | $15–$25/hr before expenses | Eligible car | 1–2 weeks |
| Food delivery | $14–$22/hr before gas | Car or bike | Under 1 week |
| Lawn care | $35–$60 per lawn | $0–$400 | Days |
| Pressure washing | $150–$400 per job | $200–$500 | Days |
| Pool cleaning | $25–$50 per visit | $150–$300 | 1–2 weeks |
| Rental cleaning | $25–$45/hr | $75–$150 | 1–2 weeks |
| Event staffing | $15–$22/hr | $0 | Next big event |
| Freelancing | $25–$75/hr | Laptop | 2–6 weeks |
Music, food and event side gigs
11. Event staffing and concessions
Staffing agencies hire for FedExForum, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the Renasant Convention Center, Memphis in May events and the summer golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Shifts include ushering, concessions, parking and setup.
12. Music lessons and gigging
This is the home of Sun, Stax and the blues. If you play, teach guitar, piano or drums to kids and adults, and pick up gigs at bars, weddings and corporate events. Students and parents in the suburbs pay well for consistent teachers.
13. Baked goods and food at markets
The Memphis Farmers Market downtown and the Cooper-Young market are good places to test baked goods, sauces and snacks. Tennessee allows some homemade foods to be sold directly to consumers, but rules vary by product, so check with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Shelby County Health Department first.
14. Photography
Weddings, quinceañeras, graduation shoots at the University of Memphis and Rhodes College, and portrait sessions in front of downtown murals and the Big River Crossing keep photographers booked. Real estate photography for agents in the suburbs adds weekday work.
More side gigs in Memphis
15. Tutoring
Families in Germantown and Collierville pay for math and ACT prep, and college students need subject help. Online tutoring fills evenings year-round.
16. Moving help and junk hauling
Apartment turnover around the University of Memphis and new construction in the suburbs mean steady moving and cleanout jobs. A pickup lets you take haul-away work too.
17. Mobile car detailing
Pollen in spring and dust all summer keep cars dirty. Office parks in East Memphis and near the medical district are good targets for while-you-work details.
18. Reselling vinyl, vintage and collectibles
Memphis is a great city for record hunting, and vintage soul, blues and rock vinyl sells to collectors worldwide. Estate sales, thrift stores and flea markets also turn up Grizzlies and Tigers gear and Elvis memorabilia that move well on eBay and Discogs.
How to start a side hustle in Memphis this month
- Pick one hustle that fits your hours. Driving and delivery for evenings, outdoor services for early mornings and weekends.
- Set a goal. Work backward from your monthly target to weekly hours with the income calculator.
- Get listed locally. Nextdoor, neighborhood Facebook groups and a free Google Business Profile bring local clients fast.
- Check your license tier. Once you expect more than $3,000 a year in gross receipts, get a minimal activity license from the Shelby County Clerk.
- Mark the big weeks. Memphis in May, Elvis Week, Grizzlies home games and December bowl week are surge periods.
- Save for federal taxes. No state income tax doesn't mean no tax. Open a separate account and set money aside every week.
Tennessee taxes and Memphis rules for side income
- No state income tax: Tennessee does not tax wages or self-employment income, and the old Hall tax on investment income is gone.
- Federal taxes still apply: you owe federal income tax and 15.3% self-employment tax on net profit. Use the self-employment tax calculator to plan quarterly payments.
- Business tax and licenses: businesses grossing under $3,000 a year need no business license; from $3,000 up to $100,000 you need a minimal activity license from the county clerk; at $100,000 or more you need a standard business license and must file an annual Tennessee business tax return.
- Franchise and excise tax: if you form an LLC or corporation, Tennessee franchise and excise taxes generally apply, including a minimum franchise tax. Many side hustlers start as sole proprietors for that reason.
- Sales tax: Tennessee's state sales tax is 7%, and the combined rate in Memphis is 9.75%. Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods.
- Short-term rentals: require a permit and are subject to occupancy taxes, so check current rules with the city and county before you host.
Compare with nearby cities
See how Memphis compares with the best side hustles in Nashville, New Orleans and Louisville. Memphis has lower costs than all three and the same no-income-tax advantage as Nashville. Better Side Hustles readers here who combine one driving gig with one outdoor service usually see the fastest results.
Pick one idea, give it 90 days and track every dollar. That's how side gigs in Memphis turn into income you can count on.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best side hustles in Memphis?
Top picks include rideshare and delivery around downtown, Beale Street and the airport, part-time package handling and courier work, lawn care and pressure washing during the long warm season, pet sitting, short-term rental cleaning, and remote freelancing. Because Tennessee has no personal income tax, you keep more of what you earn than in most states.
How can I make money in Memphis fast?
Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart usually pay within a week of approval. Seasonal package handling jobs ramp up in the fall, and event staffing agencies hire before Grizzlies games, Memphis in May events and Elvis Week. If you own a mower, door-knocking in your neighborhood can bring in lawn clients the same day.
Do I need a business license for a side hustle in Memphis?
It depends on how much you gross. Under Tennessee business tax rules, businesses with less than $3,000 in annual gross receipts need no business license, those between $3,000 and $100,000 need a minimal activity license from the county clerk, and those at $100,000 or more need a standard license and must file a return. Short-term rentals and food sales need separate permits.
Does Tennessee tax side hustle income?
Tennessee has no personal income tax on wages or self-employment income. You still owe federal income tax and 15.3% federal self-employment tax on net profit. LLCs and corporations may owe Tennessee franchise and excise taxes, and sales tax applies to many goods. Setting aside about 20 to 25% of profit covers most federal obligations.
How much can I make from side jobs in Memphis?
Most people working 8 to 15 hours a week typically earn $400 to $1,400 a month. App-based gigs usually net $14 to $22 an hour after gas, while lawn care, pressure washing, pool cleaning and freelancing often run $35 to $70 an hour once you have repeat clients. Big event weekends can push earnings much higher.
Which Memphis areas are best for side hustles?
Germantown, Collierville, East Memphis and Cordova are strong for lawn care, pool cleaning, pressure washing, pet sitting and tutoring. Downtown, South Main, Midtown, Overton Square and Cooper-Young are better for rideshare, delivery, rental cleaning and event work. Neighborhoods near the airport suit early-morning driving.
Better Side Hustles Editorial Team. We research side hustles the practical way — platform fees, real pay ranges and what it takes to land your first dollar. How we write our guides.
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Pay ranges are estimates and vary by city, season and effort. This article may contain affiliate links; see our disclosure.
