Top side hustles in Washington State
Washington is really several economies sharing one state line. The wet, crowded Puget Sound corridor runs on tech, aerospace, the ports and military bases. East of the Cascades, Central Washington grows a huge share of the nation's apples, cherries and hops, while Spokane gets real winters and a lower cost of living. Add the coast and three national parks, and the best side hustles in Washington depend on where you are standing. This guide sorts them out region by region.
You'll find 18 side jobs in Washington state, what each typically pays, what it costs to start, the season it peaks, and the state rules that matter: no income tax, but a B&O tax and a business license system that most other states don't have.
Where the money is: Washington by region
- Puget Sound (Everett, Bellevue, Tacoma): the densest demand in the state. Amazon and Microsoft anchor the Eastside, Boeing builds planes in Everett, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Port of Tacoma drive the South Sound. Seattle itself has its own rules and quirks, covered in our Seattle side hustle guide.
- Spokane and the Inland Northwest: Gonzaga, Fairchild Air Force Base, a growing medical district and much cheaper housing. Snow and nearby ski hills like Mt. Spokane and 49 Degrees North create winter work.
- Central Washington (Yakima, Wenatchee, Tri-Cities): orchards, hop yards, packing houses and wineries, plus the Hanford site and steady growth in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.
- Vancouver and SW Washington: Portland-metro demand with Washington's tax setup — no income tax at home, and shoppers who head across the river to skip sales tax.
- Olympia and Bellingham: the state capitol and Evergreen State College in Olympia; Western Washington University, Mt. Baker and Canadian visitors in Bellingham.
- The coast and national parks: Long Beach, Ocean Shores, the San Juan Islands, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, and the gateways to Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades.
Best side hustles in Washington: the top 8
1. Rideshare and delivery around Puget Sound
Sea-Tac airport runs, Bellevue and Redmond office commutes, Tacoma Dome concerts and Everett's Paine Field flights keep drivers busy, and rainy evenings push delivery orders up. Washington also sets statewide minimum per-mile and per-minute pay for rideshare drivers. Spokane, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities are slower but less crowded. Start with our Lyft and Uber guide.
2. Orchard, harvest and packing-house work
Cherry season typically runs June into July around Wenatchee and Yakima, hops come in during late summer, and apple picking and packing stretch from late summer into fall. Fruit warehouses add evening and weekend shifts, and growers pay pickers by the bin or the hour. It's physical work, but cash arrives fast.
3. Vacation rental cleaning and co-hosting
Cabins near Mt. Rainier, Bavarian-themed Leavenworth, Lake Chelan condos, San Juan Islands cottages and Long Beach Peninsula beach houses all need fast same-day turnovers. Once hosts trust you, offer restocking, laundry and guest messaging as a co-host.
4. Outdoor guiding and tour work
Kayak tours in the San Juans, whitewater on the Wenatchee River, day hikes at Paradise and Hurricane Ridge, and snowshoe walks in winter all need part-time guides. Outfitters usually want first aid or Wilderness First Aid training and a good attitude more than years of experience.
5. Snow removal in Spokane and the mountains
Spokane, Cheney and Spokane Valley get real snow, and older homeowners and small businesses pay for reliable sidewalk and driveway clearing. Sell seasonal contracts in the fall so you are not chasing customers mid-storm. Cle Elum and Leavenworth cabin owners pay for roof and walkway clearing too.
6. Freelancing for the tech economy
The Eastside is full of startups and small vendors that need contract developers, UX writers, QA testers, data analysts and technical editors. If you already work in tech, check your employment agreement first, then build a few samples and list them on Fiverr or pitch local founders directly.
7. Dog walking and pet sitting
Long commutes across the 520 and I-90 bridges leave dogs home alone in Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma's North End and Vancouver's newer neighborhoods. Weekend hikers and frequent flyers book overnight sitters. Start on Rover, then move regulars to direct bookings.
8. Winery tasting rooms and event staffing
Woodinville, Walla Walla, the Yakima Valley and Red Mountain near the Tri-Cities host weekend crowds, release parties and weddings. Tasting rooms hire part-time pourers, and caterers need servers for summer and harvest events. You'll need a state alcohol server permit (MAST) to pour.
Driving or delivering? Before you commit, check what you really earn per hour after gas, mileage and wear:
Gig Driver Earnings Calculator
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart — see what you really earn per hour after gas and wear on your car.
Side jobs in Washington state compared
| Side hustle | Typical pay | Startup cost | Time to first dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare and delivery | $20–$35/hr before expenses | Eligible car | 1–2 weeks |
| Harvest and packing work | $18–$30/hr or piece rate | Boots, gloves | Days (in season) |
| Rental cleaning | $80–$200/turnover | $100–$200 | 1–3 weeks |
| Outdoor guiding | $18–$30/hr plus tips | $0–$250 | 2–6 weeks |
| Snow removal | $35–$75/driveway | $40–$600 | First storm |
| Tech freelancing | $40–$120/hr | Laptop | 2–8 weeks |
| Pet care | $20–$35/walk | $0 | 1–3 weeks |
| Winery and event staff | $18–$25/hr plus tips | Permit fee | 1–3 weeks |
West-side home services: moss, rain and moves
9. Moss removal, gutter cleaning and pressure washing
Western Washington's damp winters grow moss on roofs, decks, driveways and fences. Homeowners from Olympia to Bellingham book cleanups in spring and gutter clearing every fall. Ladder safety matters — start with ground-level decks and patios.
10. Moving help and move-out cleaning near JBLM
Military families rotate in and out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord constantly, so Lakewood, DuPont, Lacey and Tacoma see steady demand for packing help, hauling and move-out cleaning, especially in summer. Fairchild AFB creates similar demand near Spokane.
11. Furniture assembly and small repairs
New hires relocating to the Eastside and Vancouver need furniture built and TVs mounted fast. TaskRabbit is busy across Puget Sound. Leave electrical and plumbing to licensed trades — Washington also has contractor registration rules for larger repair jobs.
12. Amazon Flex and peak-season warehouse shifts
Amazon's delivery stations and fulfillment centers around Kent, DuPont and the Spokane area add flexible blocks and seasonal shifts before the holidays. Flex blocks are short, so they fit around a day job.
College towns and the capitol
13. Tutoring and test prep
Families on the Eastside invest heavily in math, coding and admissions help, while UW Tacoma, Gonzaga, WWU, WSU in Pullman and Central Washington University in Ellensburg give students and grads plenty of tutoring work. Online tutoring lets rural tutors reach Puget Sound rates.
14. Legislative-session and capitol-area gigs
Olympia fills with legislators, staff, advocates and lobbyists during the session that starts each January. That brings short-term demand for room rentals, pet care, catering staff, rideshare and writing or research help for advocacy groups.
Tourism, makers and online income
15. Elopement and adventure photography
Couples travel from around the country to elope at Rainier, on Olympic beaches, in the Palouse hills or above Diablo Lake. Portfolio-building shoots for hikers and families add volume. A sturdy tripod and rain covers are non-negotiable in this climate.
16. Farmers markets and cottage food
The Olympia, Bellingham, Spokane and Tacoma farmers markets are strong places to sell baked goods, jams and crafts. Washington's Cottage Food permit from the state Department of Agriculture covers many home-made, shelf-stable foods; check the rules before selling.
17. Reselling outdoor gear
Washingtonians buy a lot of tents, skis, bikes and rain shells, and plenty of it ends up barely used. Buy at garage sales and Marketplace in the off-season, clean it, and resell when hiking or ski season starts.
18. Online courses and remote work
If you live somewhere quiet like the Okanogan or the Palouse, remote income is your best lever. Package a skill into a course on Udemy or take remote clients — you earn national rates without Puget Sound housing costs.
Not sure which of these fits your skills? Take the side hustle quiz for a short list.
How to make money in Washington state this month
- Pick a gig that matches your region and season. Harvest and guiding are summer plays; snow and holiday delivery are winter ones. App gigs and freelancing work year-round.
- Check your employer agreement. Many tech and aerospace employers have outside-work and IP clauses. Read yours before you take clients.
- Register if you need to. Use the state's Business Licensing Service once you expect $12,000 or more in gross income, or right away if you'll collect sales tax or use a trade name. Add any city endorsement at the same time.
- List where your neighbors look. Gig apps for driving and delivery; Nextdoor, local Facebook groups and Craigslist for cleaning, snow and moss jobs; LinkedIn for freelance work.
- Collect three reviews fast. Early five-star reviews matter more than ads, especially in small towns.
- Set aside 20–25% of profit. There is no state income tax, but federal and self-employment taxes still apply.
Washington taxes and business license basics
- No personal income tax: Washington does not tax wages or self-employment income at the state level. Vancouver residents who work in Oregon still owe Oregon income tax on that work.
- B&O tax: the state's business and occupation tax applies to gross receipts, not profit. Most service income falls under the service classification at 1.5% for businesses under $1 million. A small business credit reduces or wipes out B&O for low earners, and the smallest businesses may not need to file. Because the legislature has been changing these thresholds, confirm current numbers at dor.wa.gov.
- State business license: registration through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service is generally required at $12,000 or more in annual gross income, or earlier if you hire, use a trade name or collect sales tax.
- City licenses and local B&O: many cities require their own license, and some, including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Everett, levy a local B&O tax as well. Check your city's rules.
- Sales tax: if you sell goods, or services the state treats as retail sales, you collect the state 6.5% rate plus local sales tax. Recent law changes added some services to that list, so check before you sell.
- Capital gains excise tax: this applies only to large long-term gains on investments, not to ordinary side hustle income.
- Federal taxes: 15.3% self-employment tax on net profit plus federal income tax. Estimate your set-aside with the self-employment tax calculator.
Nearby city guides
Live in the city itself? The best side hustles in Seattle covers Seattle's own licensing and neighborhoods. Vancouver residents should also read the Portland guide, and if you split time between mountain towns, compare the best side hustles in Denver. At Better Side Hustles, we see the same pattern across Washington: pick one gig that fits your region, stack a second that fits the season, and stay consistent through a full year.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best side hustles in Washington state?
Rideshare and delivery around Puget Sound, seasonal orchard and packing-house work in Central Washington, short-term rental cleaning on the coast and in mountain towns, outdoor guiding near the national parks, snow removal in Spokane, winery event staffing, and remote freelancing for the tech industry are the strongest picks. The best choice depends heavily on which region you live in.
How can I make money in Washington state fast?
Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart, Amazon Flex, Rover pet sitting and TaskRabbit can pay within a week or two once you clear the background check. In Central Washington, harvest crews and fruit warehouses hire quickly in summer and fall. In Spokane, knocking on doors with a snow shovel after the first big storm can earn cash the same day.
Do I need a business license for a side hustle in Washington?
Often, yes. Washington generally requires you to register through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service once your business grosses $12,000 or more a year, or sooner if you collect sales tax, hire employees, use a trade name or need a city endorsement. Many cities, including Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane, also require their own license, sometimes at lower income levels.
Does Washington have a state income tax on side hustle income?
No. Washington has no personal income tax on wages or self-employment earnings. Instead, the state taxes businesses through the business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, and you still owe federal income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax on net profit. Washington's capital gains excise tax applies only to large long-term investment gains, not ordinary side hustle income.
Do small side hustles pay B&O tax in Washington?
Usually very little or none. The service B&O rate is 1.5% of gross income for businesses under $1 million, but a small business credit reduces or eliminates the tax for low earners, and the smallest businesses may not need to file a return at all. The legislature has been adjusting these thresholds, so check the current numbers at dor.wa.gov before you file.
Which part of Washington is best for side hustles?
Puget Sound, from Everett through Bellevue to Tacoma, has the most demand for app gigs, pet care and professional freelancing. Central Washington is best for seasonal harvest and winery work. Spokane offers lower living costs and strong winter demand, while the coast, Leavenworth and the San Juan Islands suit rental cleaning and tourism 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.
