YouTubers Earn Most Among Popular Side Hustles, New Study Reveals

Representative

Dil Bar Irshad | April 28, 2025 | 02:02 PM IST | Articles/Editorials, Featured by VoM | Follow on Google News

YouTubers Earn Most Among Popular Side Hustles, New Study Reveals

New data shows content creation outperforms traditional gigs when comparing search interest against real earnings

Key Findings:
New study reveals which side hustles Americans are searching for most in 2025 and calculates a “viability score” based on popularity and actual earnings
YouTuber ranks as the top side hustle with 27,240 monthly searches and median annual earnings of $68,714, scoring highest on the viability index
Business expert warns that many popular side hustles have significant gaps between public interest and actual earning potential.

Read More Featured Stories

Side hustles have become more than just a way to make extra cash on weekends – they’re now an integral part of many Americans’ financial strategies and career paths. As the gig economy expands beyond app-based work into creative and specialised services, more people are looking to supplement their income or pursue passions outside their day jobs.

According to recent statistics, 39% of Americans now have a side hustle.
But which side hustles are Americans most interested in, and how well do they actually pay? That’s what Falcon Digital Marketing wanted to find out.

“With so many options available today, it can be challenging to decide which side hustle is worth your time and effort,” says Monica Cabaniss, Co-owner of Falcon Digital Marketing.

“We wanted to look beyond the hype and examine the real potential of various side opportunities.”
The team at Falcon Digital Marketing conducted a comprehensive analysis by collecting data on average monthly search volumes for common side hustle keywords and pairing this with estimated median annual earnings from ZipRecruiter.

From this data, they calculated a “Side Hustle Viability Score” that helps identify which opportunities offer the best balance of popularity and earning potential.

YouTuber

Content creation on YouTube tops the list with a viability score of 68.91, combining strong search interest (27,240 monthly searches) with the highest annual earnings among all side hustles analysed ($68,714).“The high ranking of YouTuber might surprise some people who view it as an oversaturated market,” says Cabaniss. “What we’re seeing is that despite competition, successful content creators can earn significantly more than many traditional side gigs. However, this comes with the caveat that building a profitable YouTube channel typically requires longer-term investment before seeing returns.”

Data Entry Specialist

Data entry specialist ranks second with a viability score of 57.86, driven by extremely high search interest (55,910 monthly searches) despite more modest earnings ($42,098).“Data entry’s popularity likely stems from its low barrier to entry and flexibility,” notes Cabaniss. “It requires minimal specialised skills to get started compared to content creation, making it accessible to almost anyone with basic computer literacy.”

Affiliate Marketer

With 31,450 monthly searches and annual earnings of $47,500, affiliate marketing secured the third spot with a viability score of 39.89.“Affiliate marketing strikes a balance between accessibility and earning potential,” says Cabaniss. “It requires more strategic thinking than data entry but can be less time-intensive than content creation once systems are in place.

Voice Over Artist

voice over work ranks fourth with a viability score of 39.61, featuring moderate search interest (13,770 monthly searches) but the second-highest earnings ($59,432).“Voice over work represents an interesting niche where talent and equipment barriers limit competition, but those who succeed can command good rates,” Cabaniss explains. “The growing podcast and audiobook markets have expanded opportunities in this field.

Proofreader

Rounding out the top five is proofreading with a viability score of 34.38, combining lower search volume (11,740 monthly searches) with strong earnings potential ($57,520).“Proofreading highlights an important pattern in our findings,” says Cabaniss. “Some of the most financially viable side hustles aren’t necessarily the most searched for. This suggests people may be overlooking lucrative opportunities in favour of more heavily marketed options.

”Monica Cabaniss, Co-owner of Falcon Digital Marketing, commented:“These findings reveal a clear distinction between highly searched side hustles and those that offer the best income potential. When choosing a side hustle, it’s important to align it with your personal goals rather than just following trends.

Consider whether you prioritise flexibility, immediate income, or long-term growth.“For someone seeking flexibility, options like data entry or proofreading can provide steady income with adjustable hours. If you’re looking to develop marketable skills, content creation or voice work might offer better long-term value despite slower initial returns.

The key is honest self-assessment – do you have the time, resources, and temperament for your chosen side hustle? The most profitable option isn’t always the right fit for everyone’s situation, skills, or interests.”

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.