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There's a lot of talk these days about how tough it is to make ends meet. But if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, there are actually lots of jobs where you can make extra money and increase your income.
In fact, most of these jobs don't require any special training or skills.
So if you are looking for extra income opportunities that pay cash and that let you skip the usual job application formalities, then check out this list of under the table jobs!
Also called “off the books “ jobs, under the table jobs are often short-term, on-demand, and seasonal jobs, but you may be able to turn some of them into a stable, lucrative career in the long run.
What are Under the Table Jobs?
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But before we dive right into the wide selection of under the table jobs in 2023, let us first understand under the table jobs' meaning.
First, an under the table job is an employment opportunity that does not conform to standard practices.
These jobs are also often referred to as cash in hand, off the books, or cash-paying jobs. In cash-paying jobs, you are an independent contractor responsible for reporting your income and filing your taxes.
I know the phrase “under the table” seems a little suspicious. But under the table jobs are perfectly legal employment opportunities.
There are drawbacks, however to these jobs. Since you are not formally employed as a regular employee, you are not eligible for benefits. You arealso responsible for reporting cash income when you file your taxes.
Note: I highly encourage you to report your income and file your taxes. Tax evasion is a serious case. If you’re unsure about your tax situation and how you should file, please consult a tax professional.
What to Expect with Under The Table Jobs
Before you dive into any of the under the table jobs listed below, let's first set our expectations right. Here are some things to expect with cash-paying jobs.
1. You’ll likely be paid in cash after each project.
If working remotely or on a freelance basis, you may receive your payment digitally through services like PayPal, Payoneer, or online remittance.
2. You are not insured while on the job.
If you hurt yourself while working under the table, you cannot go after your employer and demand compensation.
You will be responsible for your medical bills if you get sick or injured.
3. You are not officially on the payroll.
Since you are not a regular employee, you are not entitled to sick leaves, paid vacations, health and dental insurance, and other forms of benefits.
4. Importantly, you file your own taxes.
According to TurboTax, you may not have to file a tax return if your annual income does not meet the minimum threshold (which can vary depending on your filing status and age, among other considerations).
But because taxes can be a complicated matter, please refer to your tax professional for advice.
How Do You Find Under the Table Jobs?
Under the table jobs are everywhere,; conducting your search both online and offline will help you find the best gigs.
- Nextdoor – This is a site that connects members of a neighborhood. Some people post their need for workers, while others advertise the services they offer on the site. What makes Nextdoor an ideal place to look is that it can help you find find cash-paying jobs around your local neighborhood or community.
- Craigslist – This is another useful site that allows you to search for cash jobs around your area. Craigslist has a jobs and gigs section, so your search should start there. As Craigslist is largely uncensored, it’s important to take caution when applying for any opportunity on this site.
- Job boards – Most job listing sites tend to list traditional career opportunities, but there are niche job sites that list under the table jobs online. For instance, if you’re looking for freelance or remote gigs, sites like Fiverr or UpWork are excellent destinations. Those who are looking for handyman jobs may go to Angie’s List, while odd jobs are largely available on TaskRabbit.
- Facebook – since Facebook is such a massive social media platform, the connections you build here can be instrumental in landing you under the table and part-time jobs. You can advertise your services to let your social circles know that they can hire you for that specific work. It’s also a good idea to join local Facebook groups and network with people in the same industry. by answering questions or providing quality content, potential clients may directly approach you for opportunities.
- Ask your family and friends, and of course, you can just tell people that you’re free to tutor or babysit their kids, mow their lawn, or do their hairstyle for important events. Word-of-mouth is still an effective form of marketing even in this modern age, so just straight up say you’re available for these jobs when they need a hand.
Best Under the Table Jobs For Quick Cash
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1. Selling Salvage from Your Attic
If you have old furniture, appliances, toys, and other items that are taking up room in your garage or attic, consider selling them for cash under the table.
People need all kinds of stuff—and they're often willing to pay good money for it. Odds are there's a recycling center nearby that will pay a small amount for your "trash" as long as the items aren't too beat up.
But if you can actually sell something, chances are much better it will be for a larger amount.
So before you put anything out for recycling or donate it, check with junk dealers first to see what they'll pay for it—it could be enough to make the effort worthwhile.
Also, check garage sales and online auction sites such as eBay to see how much similar items are selling for. Donate those that aren't worth anything, and sell the ones that do have value by placing ads in local newspapers and on Craigslist
Have electronics you no longer use? Sell them on Decluttr and make extra money from your junk.
2. Mystery Shopping
Mystery shoppers are hired to go into stores and buy products under the table—with complete anonymity, of course.
Many times they're required to fill out a survey or questionnaire about their experience in order to get paid, which can range from $5 to $50 per shop.
Often mystery shoppers are free to set their own hours and work around other obligations, such as school and family.
To get started, subscribe to mystery shopping companies and look for opportunities in your area of interest.
Some of the nation's biggest companies hire these services to check on customer service at their stores and restaurants, so you never know when an opportunity will pop up near you;t sign on with more than one company to get the most job prospects.
3. Answering Surveys
Companies who want your opinion pay out cash money in return for answers to questions about their products or services.
Survey takers can earn from $1 to $100 per hour depending on the nature of the survey.
To start, sign up for a few different survey panels. You will need to fill out a profile and provide a valid email address,which is how you'll receive notifications about new surveys.
Here are some of the survey sites I love and personally tried:
- Swagbucks - Receive a $5 Bonus for Joining
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- InboxDollars - Receive a $5 Bonus for Joining
- Survey Junkie
4. Cutting Grass or Yard Work
Even those who don't know how to operate power tools can make decent money by helping neighbors with yard work.
So if landscaping appeals to you then this is one of the easiest jobs that pay cash,but you might have to ask people in your neighborhood for referrals before anyone else will let you do their lawn.
The amount of money you'll make will depend on how busy it is, but most people can expect around $15.20 per hour or more.
The good thing about this job is that it can be turned into a source of recurring income if you find a few clients who need your gardening service every month
You don’t need special skills to make extra cash from gardening. If you have some basic knowledge and your own tools, you should be good to go.
5. Photographer
Have a knack for taking beautiful photos? You can earn extra money from this hobby!
There’s plenty of work for photographers, from covering weddings and birthdays to taking family portraits and maternity photoshoots.
You can even sell photos of yourself on stock photography sites like Shutterstock, Dreamstime, and Getty Images.
If you have beautiful feet, you might want to consider learning how to sell feet pics online!
6. Snow Removal Jobs
If you want to get paid cash during the winter, then consider snow removal jobs. Shoveling snow is tedious work, so many people, especially the elderly, delegate this task to someone else.
This may be a seasonal job, but one that’s easy to get around your neighborhood during winter.
7. Painting
Painting is another easy cash-paying job that pays decent money per project.
Painting is a monotonous job, so a lot of people would rather hire an under the table painter than do it themselves.
Your job may involve painting a room, the entire house, sections of a house, the exterior walls only, a patio, shed, or othr detached buildings. You may have to provide your own materials, such as brushes, rollers, and a ladder, but the homeowner provides the paint.
You can also negotiate your rate depending on the size of the painting job prep work required before painting, or complexity (changing paint color for different rooms, etc.)
As with most manual labor, you can offer your services personally, or find under the table gigs online.
8. House Cleaning Jobs
House cleaning is probably one of those "don't ask, don't tell" jobs that pay cash.
Some people make good money this way—more than professionals even! The best part is that it's super flexible because it's usually done on an hourly basis or by regular weekly appointments.
You can charge $15 to $35 per hour depending on the size of the house, how messy it is, and how much time you estimate cleaning it up will take. It's also a great idea to offer your clients some additional services, such as cooking dinner or running errands for an extra fee.
Keep in mind, however, that this is serious work that requires lots of physical labor, so it's best suited for people who don't mind getting their hands dirty while making extra cash on the side.
9. Selling Crafts
If you’re skilled and passionate about creating things, such as jewelry, home décor, giveaways, and ornaments, you canmake money online selling your creations!
You can easily connect with people in your area through Craigslist or Facebook, but to reach more potential clients, sell them in marketplaces like Etsy! It's easy to set up an Etsy store and listing a product would only cost you $0.20.
You'll still need a way to promote yourself before anyone will trust you enough to buy anything... So make sure to take the time to create an attractive store page before starting any project.
By the way, I have a new Etsy store! Check it out here. 🙂
Related:
- 72 Easy Crafts to Make and Sell
- 40 Etsy Shop Ideas: Best Products To Sell
- 20 Best Things to Sell On Etsy to Make Money
10. Catering Waitress
For this type of work, you'll need to get hired by different catering companies that host large events.
Keep in mind that it can be tough to get your foot in the door, but once you do, you should have no problem finding local gigs on sites like Craigslist or even Facebook groups.
The most popular events are weddings, so try to develop a relationship with any venues or wedding planners who might hire you down the road and always have business cards ready for when people ask about your services!
You can expect to earn anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour, depending on the location and type of event.
11. Restaurant Dishwasher
There are lots of different restaurant jobs, but one of the easiest places to start is to work as a dishwasher. The only requirement is that you've got the desire to work with your hands, and experience doesn't really matter since no formal education is needed.
This might not be the most glamorous job on the face of the planet, but it's one of those jobs that pay cash without requiring an advanced degree or long-term commitment.
Plus, you'll get to talk to lots of people each day—which can give you a better idea about what kind of career would suit you best in the long run.
12. Selling Baked Goodies
Whether it’s the holidays or the regular days, there’s always a market for baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and muffins.
Customers could contact you to have their birthday cakes made, or you could set up a small shop to put your products on display.
Additionally, you could consign baked goods in restaurants and coffee shops. Baking can be a lucrative business if you market it right.
13. Become a Pet Sitter
This is probably the ultimate under the table job for animal lovers. Pet owners hire pet sitters to look after their pets while they’re away for work or vacation, so you’ll probably score a pet-sitting job with one of your neighbors.
Pet sitting is a fun way to earn cash on the side. Your job will most likely entail walking the animals, feeding them, and playing with them. If their humans need to be away overnight, you could have their pets over at your home and charge extra for the accommodation.
If you think this is the right gig for you, sign up for sites like Rover and Wag!
14. Reselling and Flipping Items
Reselling or flipping is the method of purchasing items for a low price, and then selling them with a markup. Almost anyone can resell.
To get started, go to garage sales, the flea market, and other places where you can find products that are sold for cheap (some even give them away for free!). Then, restore or improve the items and list them on Craigslist or Facebook for a profit.
Looking for ideas on what to sell for a profit? Check out The Flea Market Flipper or download this list of 47 household items that you can resell to make money quickly!
15. Tutoring
Are you especially good at a specific subject? If so, you can turn your knowledge into cash by tutoring.
Given the educational setup we have today, a lot of parents are looking for tutors for their kids to supplement their learning. Math and science tutors are always indemand, but so are English and mathematics teachers.
You may tutor the kids in person if their location is convenient but consider exploring online tutorial platforms if you’re looking for more flexibility.
In addition to academic subjects, you may also provide tutoring related to extracurricular activities, such as sports and music.
16. DJing
Many people hire DJs for their events, so if you have a knack for mixing music, this can be the right gig for you.
DJs are often hired for weddings, birthday parties, reunions, and many other events. However, to get started, you will probably need to invest in your own djDJing equipment such as a music console,a laptop, and aheadset.
Still, any job has its downsides, and the biggest one in this case is that there are no guarantees of steady work.
17. Babysitting Jobs
When it comes to under the table jobs that pay cash right away, babysitting is a classic. From teenagers and college students to stay-at-home moms, babysitting remains a top option for earning cash pretty quickly.
Parents typically hire babysitters so they can run errands, attend events, or just need some time for themselves, even if it’s just a couple of hours.
If you’re good with kids, this can be a lucrative income-generating option for you. You can even charge more if you can tutor the kids at the same time.
You can look for babysitting jobs near you at Care.com, Sitter.com, and Sittercity.com.
18. Odd Jobs
Another great way to make some money under the table is by doing odd jobs.
By “odd”, it means you’ll do some minor tasks around the home, such as repairing a door, moving furniture, painting, and any other tasks the homeowner doesn’t want to do.
If you’re quite handy with tools, you could take on some handyman work as well. You’ll most likely get paid in cash as soon as the job is done, so doing such jobs is a nice way to earn money right away.
Apart from finding work in your local social media groups, you could also score some gigs on sites like TaskRabbit.
Related: 12 Must-Try Apps for Odd Jobs
19. Freelance Writer
If you're good at writing then why not put your skills to good use by taking on some freelance projects?
You can see if there are any local businesses that need help with their copywriting, website content, blogging, SEO, and more.
If they're small enough companies then they might even pay cash under the table! This is a great option because it doesn't take much to get started—just a laptop or computer, solid Internet connection, and access to Google Docs.
If you think this is a job you can do, consider building up a writing portfolio so you can have something to show to your potential clients. You can apply directly to companies and agencies, or start with content writing sites to gain some experience.
Related: Write and Get Paid Instantly: 38 Best Websites for Paid Writing Work
20. Freelance Graphic Designer
If you have a passion for creative design, working as a graphic designer could be one of the best under the table jobs for you.
Lots of people and local businesses require graphic designers. You could be designing logos, websites, brochures and flyers, business cards, and concepts for print-on-demand businesses.
Although some people work as graphic designers full-time, you can take gigs here and there on a freelance basis.
Online job marketplaces like Fiverr and UpWork have lots of listings for graphic design gigs you can apply to.
21. Delivery Driver
If you have lots of spare time and you live right at the heart of the city, working as a delivery driver is another excellent cash job option for you to earn money on the side.
Whether it's pizza or Chinese take-out, lots of restaurants need drivers to deliver their food so customers get hot meals in a timely fashion—and customers tend to tip well on delivery orders. Some places even offer sign-up bonuses if you commit to being a regular driver/delivery person with them!
You are in control of your own schedule, you can work as much or as little as you like, and you’ll usually keep all of your tips. You’ll use your own car to make the deliveries, but most companies would also allow you to deliver with a bike or scooter.
You could deliver packages for Amazon, or work as a delivery driver for apps like DoorDash.
22. Grocery Shopper
This should come as no surprise to most people but, yes, you can actually get paid to shop for groceries for customers. Since you need to shop for groceries for yourself anyway, why not turn your grocery trip into a money-making opportunity by shopping for other people?You can earn money as a grocery shopper by becoming an Instacart shopper. As an Instacart shopper, you can get paid $20+ per hour, including tips. But the most efficient Instacart shoppers are earning up to $45/hour.
Since you can cash out anytime with Instacart, this job is a great option if you need money fast.
23. Instructor
Are you good at a specific skill, such as knitting, swimming, cooking, or playing musical instruments? You can make money from these skills by taking in students and teaching them what you know. For instance, many parents enroll their kids in ballet or music lessons, so consider opening up classes on the weekends or during school breaks. You could also teach a group of moms how to bake, do yoga, or create crafts.
This under the table job is fun because you get to create a network with other people and make money by teaching them what you know.
24. Hairstyling or Hairdressing
Are you up to speed on the latest trends in haircuts and coloring? If so, you may work as a hairstylist or hairdresser. Although a lot of people work in salons, you can put up your own business by accepting customers right in your own home or servicing them at their residence. Apart from the basic haircut styles, you also need to know how to color hair and perform hair treatments.
Since most people need to regularly visit their stylist, this can be one of the best cash jobs that will earn you money consistently if you manage to nurture your customer’s loyalty.
25. Event Planning
Some people just don’t have the skill, time, or effort to run perfect parties, so they turn to event planners to make sure everything goes smoothly.
If you are a meticulous and organized person with lots of connections with party suppliers, this can be a profitable job for you.
You can plan children’s birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, engagement parties, and more! It’s truly a fun way to make money under the table. Plus, if you pull off a successful party, your clients would be happy to refer you to their friends as well, therefore expanding your clientele.
26. Car Washing
All people need their cars washed at some point, but many of them just don’t have the time or energy to deal with their dirty vehicles.
Car washing can earn you some money under the table, although it’s not as lucrative as other jobs.
However, since all you need are some soap, water, rags, and wax to start cleaning cars, the initial investment is minimal. Also, you will get paid each time you finish washing, so it’s certainly a fantastic way to make money fast.
27. Tour Guide
Working as a tour guide can be an excellent side hustle and under the table job, especially if you live in a touristy area. Vacationers often hire tour guides to show them the local destinations and the best places to eat. If you have excellent interpersonal skills and know your area very well, you could consider taking this job. If you work for yourself, you’ll most likely get paid right after each tour.
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More Money-Making Ideas That Pay Well!
Under the Table Jobs: Are You Ready To Get To Work?
These are just some of the many jobs you can do under the table. Some of them may not be for you, but surely, you’ll find one or two that you can do. Take inventory of your skills, interests, and passions, and from there, decide which job or jobs fit you the best.
And as a parting reminder, under the table jobs are unreported employment, so you are basically working on your own or as an independent contractor. I urge you to take the necessary insurance if your job is high-risk. Just as important, make sure to take care of your taxes. Consult a tax professional if you’re unsure how to file your tax returns from the income you’ve earned under the table.
Are you working on any of these under the table jobs? What other side jobs can you recommend? Let’s connect in the comments.
