Top side hustles in Philadelphia
The best side hustles in Philadelphia work with the city's grain: tightly packed rowhome blocks, a sports calendar that never really stops, five-figure student populations turning over every semester, and rent that still undercuts New York and DC by a wide margin. You don't need a big audience or a big budget here. You need to show up on time, price fairly and know which neighborhood wants what.
This guide walks through 18 side jobs in Philadelphia, what each typically pays, what it costs to start, and the local details that matter — including the city taxes (wage tax, Net Profits Tax and BIRT) that catch new side hustlers off guard every spring.
Why Philly is a good city for side income
Philadelphia packs a lot of demand into a small footprint. A delivery driver in Center City can finish three orders in the time it takes to finish one in a sprawling Sun Belt suburb, and a dog walker in Fishtown can stack five clients on two blocks.
- Eds and meds. Penn, Drexel, Temple, Jefferson, Saint Joseph's and La Salle bring tens of thousands of students, while Penn Medicine, CHOP, Jefferson Health and Temple Health employ huge, shift-working staffs who outsource errands, pet care and cleaning.
- The South Philly sports complex. Eagles games at Lincoln Financial Field, Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, and Sixers and Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center create predictable rideshare, parking and staffing surges.
- A year-round event calendar. The Mummers Parade on New Year's Day, the Flower Show in late winter, the Penn Relays and Broad Street Run in spring, Wawa Welcome America around July 4 and the Philadelphia Marathon in November all bring crowds.
- Old housing stock. Roughly century-old rowhomes in South Philly, Kensington, Point Breeze and West Philly constantly need small repairs, painting and patching — work that's too small for contractors but perfect for a handy side hustler.
Side gigs in Philadelphia at a glance
| Side hustle | Typical pay | Startup cost | Time to first dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $18–$30/hr before expenses | Eligible car | 1–2 weeks |
| Food delivery by bike or car | $15–$22/hr before costs | Bike, e-bike or car | Under 1 week |
| Rowhome handyman work | $40–$75/hr | $100–$400 in tools | 1–2 weeks |
| Move-out and rental cleaning | $25–$45/hr | $75–$150 in supplies | 1–2 weeks |
| Student moving help | $25–$40/hr | $0–$100 | Next semester change |
| Pet sitting & dog walking | $18–$30/walk, $45–$80/night | $0 | 1–3 weeks |
| Tutoring | $25–$70/hr | $0–$50 | 1–3 weeks |
| Freelancing (writing, design, VA) | $25–$75/hr | Laptop | 2–6 weeks |
| Snow shoveling | $25–$60 per sidewalk/steps | $30–$80 | First snowfall |
The best side hustles in Philadelphia right now
These first eight are the picks most people can start quickly and keep doing all year. Start here, then layer on the seasonal and online options below.
1. Rideshare driving
Philly rideshare lives and dies on timing. Post-game exits from the stadium complex, late Friday and Saturday nights in Fishtown, Old City and South Street, hospital shift changes in University City, and early flights out of Philadelphia International (PHL) are the money windows. Weekday afternoons in Center City traffic usually aren't. Our Lyft and Uber guide covers sign-up and vehicle rules.
2. Food and grocery delivery
Parking downtown is a tax on your time, which is why bike and e-bike couriers often out-earn drivers in Center City, Rittenhouse and Graduate Hospital. Drivers do better in the Northeast, Manayunk and the Main Line, where restaurants are spread out and tips on grocery orders tend to run higher. Rainy evenings and Eagles Sundays are reliably busy.
3. Rowhome handyman and assembly
Sticking doors, drafty windows, loose railings, faucet swaps and TV mounting: Philly's rowhomes generate an endless list of two-hour jobs. TaskRabbit is busy for furniture assembly in new Fishtown and Northern Liberties condos. Keep to small repairs — anything electrical or structural belongs with a licensed contractor.
4. Move-out and rental cleaning
With so many renters, students and young professionals moving every year, landlords and property managers need units turned fast — especially around May graduations and the late-summer lease cycle. One reliable property manager in West Philly or near Temple can fill your schedule for weeks.
5. Dog walking and pet sitting
Apartment dogs in Rittenhouse, Fitler Square, Fishtown and Northern Liberties need midday walks while their owners are at the hospital or the office. Rover and Wag get you started; repeat clients and neighbors' referrals are where the steady income comes from. Holiday weekends book out weeks ahead.
6. Moving help and hauling
Every August and May, University City and North Philly turn into one giant moving day. Narrow stairs and third-floor walk-ups mean people happily pay for strong backs. Dolly, Lugg and TaskRabbit list jobs, and a folding hand truck makes you twice as fast on rowhome steps.
7. Tutoring and test prep
Families on the Main Line and in Chestnut Hill pay well for SAT, ACT and math help, and admission to the city's selective public high schools drives demand for middle-school tutoring too. Grad students at Penn, Drexel and Temple can tutor college courses in person; anyone can teach online.
8. Freelance writing, design and marketing
Healthcare systems, life-sciences firms in the Navy Yard and University City, universities and Comcast's orbit of agencies all buy content, design and ads. Start on Fiverr or Upwork to build samples, then pitch local businesses directly. Our digital marketing side hustle guide shows how to package an offer.
If you plan to drive, run your numbers first. Gas, parking tickets, tolls on the bridges to Jersey and vehicle wear eat into that headline hourly rate:
Gig Driver Earnings Calculator
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart — see what you really earn per hour after gas and wear on your car.
Seasonal and event gigs
Philadelphia's calendar rewards people who plan ahead. Put these on your calendar now.
9. Stadium and event staffing
Concession operators and staffing agencies hire for the stadium complex, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Mann Center and big outdoor events on the Parkway. Shifts cover concessions, ticket scanning, ushering and setup. Many nonprofit groups also run concession stands and split the proceeds with volunteers.
10. Snow shoveling
Philly doesn't get Boston-level winters, but when a storm hits, every rowhome owner needs the sidewalk and front steps cleared — and many older or busy residents will pay. Sell a winter package to 10–15 neighbors in November so you're not knocking on doors in the snow.
11. Tour and food-tour guiding
Old City, Independence Mall, Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market draw visitors from spring through fall. Tour companies hire part-time guides for walking, ghost and food tours, and Airbnb Experiences lets you run your own. A loud voice and good stories matter more than a history degree.
12. Renting your parking spot
If you have a driveway, garage or deeded spot near the stadiums, Center City or University City, list it on SpotHero or Neighbor for game days and monthly renters. Off-street parking is scarce enough in most of the city that it rarely sits empty.
Online side hustles on Philly rent
Remote work is where living in Philadelphia quietly pays off: you can bill New York or national rates while paying Philly rent.
13. Virtual assistant and bookkeeping
Realtors, contractors, therapists and small medical practices need help with scheduling, invoicing and inbox cleanup. Bookkeepers who understand Philly's layered taxes are especially valuable to other self-employed locals.
14. Online courses and tutorials
Nurses, coders, lab techs and teachers can turn their expertise into courses on Udemy or Thinkific. It's slow to build but earns long after you hit publish.
15. Content and UGC creation
Philly's food scene, from cheesesteak debates to East Passyunk restaurants, gives creators endless material. Local restaurants and brands pay for short-form videos even if you have a small following.
Selling and maker gigs
16. Reselling and thrift flipping
Estate sales in Chestnut Hill and the Main Line, Kensington thrift shops and curbside finds feed eBay, Depop and Facebook Marketplace. Vintage Eagles, Phillies and Sixers gear sells well to fans everywhere.
17. Craft markets and pop-ups
Pop-up markets in Fishtown, Manayunk, East Passyunk and around the holidays are perfect for testing candles, prints, apparel and baked goods before you build a Shopify store.
18. Real estate and event photography
Agents across the city and suburbs need listing photos every week, and Philly's wedding venues, graduations and corporate events fill weekends from spring to fall.
How to start a side hustle in Philadelphia this month
- Choose one gig that fits your real schedule. If you're not sure, take our side hustle quiz and pick from your top three.
- Get your city paperwork in order. Register for a Philadelphia tax account and Commercial Activity License online. It's quicker than people expect and keeps you clean from day one.
- List where Philadelphians look. Gig apps for driving and delivery; Nextdoor, neighborhood Facebook groups, Reddit's r/philadelphia and a Google Business Profile for local services.
- Land three clients and collect reviews. Early reviews beat any ad spend. Offer a small first-job discount if you need traction.
- Mark the surge dates. Add home-game schedules, semester move-in and move-out weeks, the Broad Street Run and the Marathon to your calendar.
- Set aside taxes from every payout. Move 30–35% of profit into a separate account so April isn't a shock.
Pennsylvania and Philadelphia taxes for side hustlers
This is the section most side hustle guides skip — and the one that matters most in Philly. The city taxes self-employed income in ways most other cities don't.
- Pennsylvania income tax: a flat 3.07% on taxable income, including side hustle profit.
- Wage Tax vs. Net Profits Tax: your W-2 job withholds the city Wage Tax (3.735% for residents from July 1, 2026). Self-employment profit instead falls under the Net Profits Tax, which was 3.74% for residents and 3.43% for non-residents for tax year 2025. Rates have been stepping down slowly, so check the current figure when you file.
- BIRT: the Business Income and Receipts Tax applies to anyone doing business in the city and has two parts — a small tax on gross receipts (1.41 mills, or $1.41 per $1,000, for 2025) and a tax on net income (5.71% for 2025). Starting with tax year 2025, the old exemption for the first $100,000 of receipts no longer applies, so even small sole proprietors generally must file. Part of the BIRT net income portion can be credited against your Net Profits Tax.
- Commercial Activity License: required for for-profit activity in the city. Note that holding one means you file BIRT every year, even if you report no business.
- Sales tax: 8% in Philadelphia (6% state plus 2% local) on most physical goods. Register with the state if you sell products; most personal services aren't taxed.
- Federal: 15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax on net profit. The self-employment tax calculator helps you estimate the set-aside.
Nearby cities to compare
Commuting or considering a move? See the best side hustles in New York, our Baltimore guide and the Newark guide just up the Turnpike. Philly sits in a sweet spot: big-city demand at lower cost, with taxes that are manageable once you understand them. That's the pattern we keep seeing at Better Side Hustles — the people who succeed here pick one gig, learn the neighborhood, and stick with it for 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best side hustles in Philadelphia?
The strongest picks are event-timed rideshare and delivery, rowhome handyman work, rental and move-out cleaning, student moving help, pet care in Center City and Fishtown, tutoring near the universities, and remote freelancing for healthcare, life sciences and education clients. Philly rent is lower than New York or DC, so online income goes further here while dense neighborhoods keep local gigs close together.
How can I make money in Philadelphia fast?
Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart, Amazon Flex, TaskRabbit furniture assembly, Rover pet sitting and stadium event staffing can all pay within a week or two once your background check clears. If you have a shovel, a snow day can put cash in your pocket the same morning — Philly sidewalks must be cleared after a storm and plenty of owners would rather pay.
Do I need a business license for a side hustle in Philadelphia?
Usually yes. Philadelphia requires a Commercial Activity License for for-profit activity in the city, along with a city tax account. You also file Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and Net Profits Tax returns. Some activities, such as food sales, short-term rentals and regulated trades, need additional licenses. Check the city's Business Services site before you start.
How are side hustles taxed in Philadelphia?
You owe federal income tax, 15.3% self-employment tax, Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% income tax, the city Net Profits Tax (3.74% of net profit for residents for tax year 2025) and BIRT. Starting with tax year 2025, the old exemption for the first $100,000 of BIRT receipts no longer applies. Setting aside about 30–35% of profit is a sensible starting point.
How much can I make from side gigs in Philadelphia?
Most people working 8–15 hours a week earn roughly $400–$1,500 a month. App-based work typically nets $15–$22 an hour after gas, while skilled services like handyman work, tutoring and freelancing often run $35–$75 an hour once you have repeat clients. Your results depend on hours, season, pricing and how well you work the event calendar.
Which Philadelphia neighborhoods are best for side hustles?
Center City, Rittenhouse, Fishtown and Northern Liberties are best for delivery, rideshare and pet care. University City and the area around Temple are ideal for tutoring, moving help and cleaning around semester changes. Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and the Main Line suburbs have bigger homes and yards that need handyman, yard and snow work.
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.
