More and more Canadians are taking on side jobs to deal with the increasing cost of living, according to a newly released study.
Twenty-eight percent of Canadians are currently engaged in side hustles, an increase of 13 percent year-on-year, said the study from learning app Preply.
“Side hustles can be a great form of extra income for people looking to earn more money,” the post reads. “The average salary for side hustles across Canada sits at $24.90 and in a year, working 10 hours per week, this totals $12,948 which could have a huge financial impact on your life.”
While the average wages come in at $24.90 per hour, some on-the-side jobs can be even more lucrative with earnings of up to $36 per hour, the report found.
Top 10 Side Hustles
Side-hustle salaries vary based on the nature of the job and work frequency. To give job seekers an idea of how much they can expect to earn, Preply calculated the average hourly wage across the most popular side jobs in Canada. Here are the gigs with the most earning potential.1. Mechanic
Working on vehicles in your spare time could garner you an extra $35 per hour. While many people make this their full-time job, learning this essential trade will give you the chance to make some extra cash on your time off. If you like cars and are good at fixing them, it’s a side hustle worth considering.2. Plumber
Plumbing is the best-paid trade across most Canadian provinces with hourly wages ranging from $30 to $36. The average side-hustle salary comes in at $34.30 per hour. If you have a talent for plumbing and enjoy DIY projects, your skills can earn you some extra money.3. Personal Trainer
Personal training is a great way to earn extra income if you’re a fitness buff. You can channel your knowledge into helping customers get fit all while earning $29 an hour. You can offer services online or in-person based on your schedule and personal preference.4. Freelance Designer
If you have a talent for digital design, you can use your spare time to design websites or marketing materials while earning $24.50 an hour. Best of all, you can do the work from the comfort of your couch.5. Painter
If you enjoy home DIY projects and are proficient with a paint brush, why not turn your skills into a money maker? Not all homeowners have the time or desire to tackle renovations and are more than willing to pay someone else $24.50 an hour to paint their house.6. Freelance Writer
Writing can be a great side hustle for anyone with a flare for words and superior spelling and grammar skills. From marketing writing to freelancing for an online publication to ghostwriting, there are jobs aplenty for people looking to earn some money on the side with their literary skills. Freelance writers can expect to earn an average of $24.30 an hour.7. Handyman
Are you known as Mr. or Ms. Fix It? Those proficient at home repairs can turn their skills into a decent side hustle with an average salary of $24.30 an hour. Whether you offer repair services for a specific niche or are a jack-of-all-trades, there is always a sizeable market for handyman services.8. Uber Driver
A vehicle, a valid driver’s licence, and a good driving record are all you need to pick up some extra cash as an Uber driver. Drivers are paid $24 an hour on average, making it a good choice for anyone with a willingness to shuttle strangers to the destination of their choice.9. Waste Collection
Waste collection doesn’t require any special training or knowledge, just a willingness to work hard and get a bit dirty. Getting started could be as simple as contacting property management companies and offering to clean their retail, office, or warehouse properties on a regular basis. With an average hourly wage of $22.30, it’s a great side hustle for someone working full-time.10. Tutor
Ideal for students or those looking for a part-time gig, tutoring can be done in-person or online. Having a background in education or being proficient in certain areas of study are a must to make this job work for you. You can opt to sign on with an online company offering these services or start up your own business. You can offer homework help, test prep tutoring, essay writing aid, or specialize in a specific subject to earn $21.60 an hour.Best Side Hustle Locations
Western Canada is the best place to start a side hustle with those in British Columbia earning the highest average hourly wage. You can expect to average $26.70 in B.C.— more than $10 above minimum wage.Saskatchewan took second place with an average hourly wage of $24.10 across all side hustles followed by Alberta with an average wage of $23.80 per hour.
By city, Quebec City is the best in for high-paying side gigs. Workers there can expect to earn $32.50 on average. Vancouver trails in second with an average wage of $27.50 followed by St. Johns, Nfld., at $27.20.
Canada’s largest city, Toronto, finished in 12th place with an average hourly wage of $24.10 across all categories.
