Top side hustles in Minneapolis
The best side hustles in Minneapolis follow the seasons. Winter dumps snow on thousands of driveways and sidewalks that someone has to clear; summer turns the Chain of Lakes, the riverfront and the stadium district into a nonstop event calendar. In between, one of the densest clusters of Fortune 500 headquarters in the country keeps well-paid professionals busy enough to outsource chores, tutoring and freelance projects.
This guide walks through 18 side gigs that work in Minneapolis right now, with typical pay, startup costs and the local detail (neighborhoods, employers, events and city rules) that makes each one pay. If you want a dependable second income, the trick is simple: pair one cold-weather hustle with one warm-weather hustle so you never have a dead season.
Why side hustles in Minneapolis pay off
A few things set Minneapolis apart from other Midwest cities:
- Corporate money. Target and U.S. Bancorp are headquartered downtown, Ameriprise and Xcel Energy are nearby, and UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy and General Mills sit in the suburbs. Those employers pay well, and their employees buy convenience.
- Winter is a business. Minneapolis requires homeowners to clear public sidewalks after a snowfall, and the city's snow emergency rules mean cars get towed if they're on the wrong side of the street. That creates real, recurring demand for anyone with a shovel, a blower or a truck.
- A stacked summer. Art-A-Whirl in Northeast, Twin Cities Pride, the Aquatennial and the Minnesota State Fair (late August through Labor Day, just over the line in Falcon Heights) bring crowds that need rides, staff, parking and food.
- Big student population. The University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus is one of the largest in the country, which means constant demand for tutoring, moving help and cheap delivery labor, and a deep pool of student hustlers.
Side jobs in Minneapolis compared
| Side hustle | Typical pay | Startup cost | Time to first dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow removal | $30–$80 per driveway | $40–$600 | First snowfall |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $16–$28/hr before expenses | Eligible car | 1–2 weeks |
| Food & grocery delivery | $15–$24/hr before gas | Car or bike | Under 1 week |
| Lawn and yard work | $35–$65 per lawn | $0–$400 | Days |
| Pet sitting & dog walking | $20–$30/walk, $45–$80/night | $0 | 1–3 weeks |
| Freelancing | $25–$80/hr | Laptop | 2–6 weeks |
| Holiday light installation | $200–$600 per home | $150–$300 | November |
| Event staffing | $16–$25/hr | $0 | Next big event |
The best side hustles in Minneapolis: top picks
These eight combine strong local demand with low startup costs. Start here.
1. Snow removal and sidewalk shoveling
This is the signature Minneapolis side hustle. Sell season contracts in October to neighbors in Linden Hills, Kenny, Tangletown or Longfellow, and to elderly homeowners who can't shovel. Corner lots and long sidewalks pay more. A good ergonomic snow shovel and ice melt get you started; a two-stage blower lets you take a full route.
2. Rideshare driving
MSP Airport runs before dawn, Vikings games at U.S. Bank Stadium, Twins games at Target Field, Timberwolves and Lynx at Target Center, and bar close in the North Loop and Uptown are the money windows. Snowstorms also spike demand from people who won't drive themselves. Our Lyft and Uber guide covers sign-up.
3. Food and grocery delivery
DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart get busiest on frigid nights when nobody wants to go out. Downtown high-rises and the North Loop stack orders tightly; Edina, St. Louis Park and Minnetonka tend to tip better on grocery runs. Summer bike delivery along the Midtown Greenway works well too.
Before you commit to driving through a Minnesota winter, run the real numbers on gas, tires and the mileage deduction:
Gig Driver Earnings Calculator
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart — see what you really earn per hour after gas and wear on your car.
4. Lawn care and spring and fall cleanup
The growing season is short, so homeowners want it done right. Weekly mowing runs from roughly May to October, with big paydays for spring dethatching and fall leaf cleanup before the first snow. Pair a lawn route with your snow route and you keep the same clients all year.
5. Pet sitting and dog walking
Apartment dogs in the North Loop, Loring Park and Northeast need midday walks, and suburban families traveling for hockey tournaments need overnight sitters. Winter walkers who show up in a polar vortex earn loyal clients fast. Rover and Wag are the easy start; repeat clients often go direct.
6. Freelancing for corporate and agency teams
Minneapolis has a deep bench of retail, healthcare, finance and medical-device companies plus a strong ad agency scene. That means steady overflow work in copywriting, design, data analysis and marketing ops. Build a portfolio on Fiverr or Upwork, then pitch local agencies directly.
7. Tutoring and test prep
Families in Edina, Wayzata and Minnetonka invest heavily in math, science and ACT prep. U of M grad students can tutor undergrads in-person near Dinkytown and Stadium Village, and anyone with a teaching background can earn online.
8. Handyman work for older homes
Minneapolis is full of century-old houses in Powderhorn, Kingfield and Northeast with drafty windows, sticky doors and storm windows that need swapping each season. Weatherstripping, furniture assembly and TV mounting are steady small jobs. Leave electrical and plumbing to licensed pros.
Seasonal side gigs in Minneapolis
The calendar here is predictable, so plan around it.
9. Holiday light installation
Nobody wants to be on a ladder in December in Minnesota. Install lights in early November before the ground freezes, then come back in January to take them down. Two visits per client, often booked year after year.
10. Event and stadium staffing
Concession operators and staffing agencies hire for U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field, Huntington Bank Stadium, the Minneapolis Convention Center and the State Fair. Many nonprofits also run fair food stands and split proceeds with volunteers.
11. Moving help
Late summer is moving season around the U of M, and lease turnover across Uptown and Marcy-Holmes keeps demand high from June through September. Dolly, straps and a strong back are all you need; a pickup lets you charge more. Find gigs on TaskRabbit, Dolly and Lugg.
12. Bike tune-ups and repair
Minneapolis is one of the best biking cities in the country, with the Grand Rounds and the Midtown Greenway packed from April on. Spring tune-ups from a driveway or a mobile setup are a strong niche, and winter fat-bike riders keep a few clients coming year-round.
More side gigs: home services, selling and online work
13. Short-term rental cleaning and co-hosting
Hosts near downtown, the University and the stadiums need fast turnovers on game weekends and during big conventions. Co-hosting for owners who live out of town pays a share of revenue. Minneapolis requires short-term rentals to be licensed, so make sure the owner is compliant.
14. Mobile car detailing
Road salt destroys paint and undercarriages, so spring detailing sells itself. Office parks in Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Plymouth are good targets for while-you-work details. Washable seat covers are an easy upsell for winter slush.
15. Reselling and vintage flipping
Estate sales in Edina and Golden Valley, thrift stores along Lake Street and the Northeast vintage scene feed eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace. Minnesota sports gear and winter outerwear sell well nationally.
16. Virtual assistant and bookkeeping
Real estate agents, contractors and small clinics need help with inboxes, scheduling and invoicing. Bookkeepers who know QuickBooks see a rush every winter leading into tax season, which conveniently lines up with the slow months for outdoor work.
17. Wedding and event photography
Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge and the Mill City Ruins are busy photo backdrops all summer. Second-shooting for an established photographer is the fastest way in, and fall foliage family sessions extend the season.
18. Online courses and digital products
If you have corporate skills (supply chain, retail analytics, medical device compliance), package them into a course on Udemy or a template pack. It's slow to start, but it's work you can build during long winter evenings.
A year-round Minneapolis side hustle plan
- December to March: snow removal, storm-night delivery, bookkeeping and tutoring.
- April to May: spring cleanups, bike tune-ups, car detailing to wash off the salt.
- June to August: lawn routes, event staffing, moving help, wedding photography.
- September to November: leaf cleanup, State Fair and football shifts, holiday light installs, then sell snow contracts.
How to make money in Minneapolis starting this month
- Pick one seasonal and one year-round hustle. For example, snow removal plus pet sitting, or lawn care plus freelancing.
- Set a monthly target. Work backward to hours per week with our income calculator.
- Get listed where locals look. Nextdoor, neighborhood Facebook groups and a Google Business Profile for services; the apps for gig work.
- Pre-sell the season. Sell snow contracts in October and lawn contracts in March, so you know your income before the weather turns.
- Gear up for winter driving. Winter tires, a scraper and an emergency kit protect your car and your earnings.
- Separate your money. Open a dedicated account and save receipts from day one.
Minnesota taxes and Minneapolis rules for side income
- State income tax: Minnesota uses four brackets for 2026: 5.35%, 6.80%, 7.85% and 9.85%. For single filers, the 5.35% rate covers taxable income up to $33,310, and most side income will land in the 6.80% bracket. Minneapolis has no separate city income tax.
- Self-employment tax: 15.3% federal on net profit, on top of federal income tax. Estimate your set-aside with the self-employment tax calculator.
- Estimated payments: if you expect to owe a meaningful amount at tax time, make quarterly federal and Minnesota estimated payments to avoid penalties.
- Sales tax: the Minnesota state rate is 6.875%, and Minneapolis and Hennepin County add local taxes on top. If you sell taxable goods, register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Many personal services are not taxed, but some are, so check before you start.
- Licenses: most freelance and personal-service work doesn't need a general city license, but short-term rentals must be licensed with the city, and food sales and regulated trades need permits.
Compare with nearby cities
Curious how the Twin Cities stack up? See our guides to the best side hustles in Milwaukee, Chicago and Omaha. Minneapolis stands out for how cleanly its seasons stack, and Better Side Hustles readers here who plan around winter tend to out-earn the ones who just wait for it to end.
Pick one idea, give it a full season of consistent effort and track every hour and dollar. That's how side gigs in Minneapolis turn into reliable income.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best side hustles in Minneapolis?
The strongest picks are snow removal in winter, rideshare and delivery timed around MSP flights and stadium events, lawn and yard work from April to October, pet care, tutoring near the University of Minnesota, and freelance work for the city's large corporate base. Stacking one winter hustle with one summer hustle is what keeps income steady all year.
How can I make money in Minneapolis fast?
Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart usually get you earning within a week. If snow is in the forecast, knocking on doors with a shovel can pay the same day. Event staffing agencies that hire for U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field and the State Fair also fill shifts quickly, especially in late summer.
Do I need a business license for a side hustle in Minneapolis?
Most freelance and personal-service side hustles in Minneapolis do not need a general city business license, but certain activities do, including short-term rentals, food sales and some regulated trades. If you sell taxable goods you need a Minnesota sales tax permit. Check the City of Minneapolis business licensing office before you launch anything regulated.
How are side hustle earnings taxed in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a graduated income tax with four brackets from 5.35% to 9.85% for 2026, and there is no separate Minneapolis city income tax. You also owe federal income tax and 15.3% self-employment tax on net profit. Setting aside roughly 30% of profit and paying quarterly estimates keeps you clear of penalties.
How much can I make with side jobs in Minneapolis?
Most people putting in 8 to 15 hours a week typically earn $500 to $1,800 a month. App-based gigs usually net $15 to $22 an hour after expenses, while skilled services such as handyman work, holiday light installs or freelancing often reach $40 to $75 an hour once you have repeat clients. Winter storms can push snow income much higher.
Which Minneapolis neighborhoods are best for side hustles?
Southwest neighborhoods like Linden Hills, Fulton and Lynnhurst, plus suburbs such as Edina, Minnetonka and Wayzata, are strong for snow, lawn, cleaning and pet care. The North Loop, Uptown and Northeast are better for delivery, rideshare and dog walking. The University area around Dinkytown and Stadium Village is best for tutoring and moving help.
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.
