9 Summer Side Gigs for Grown-Ups

Advertiser Disclosure ▾

This page contains affiliate links from which we receive a compensation. Like many publications Wise Bread is supported by affiliate commission from partner companies whose products appear on our site. This may influence which products we write about and the location and order in which products appear. We aren't able to cover every product in the marketplace.

Wise Bread Picks

• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

School's out for summer — and if you're looking to earn some extra cash as the temperatures soar, you're in luck, no matter your age. The good weather brings some excellent side-job prospects. Whether you're a teacher who suddenly has free time, a full-time parent looking to amp up your side hustle, or just someone who wants to earn a little extra for your upcoming vacation, check out these options. There really is a gig for everyone.

1. Camp director or counselor

My husband directed a camp at an Ivy League college several years ago. He employed mostly adults to be camp counselors, too. The pay for about a month of work was several thousand dollars. Sure, he was gone for a month — but the cash made it worthwhile. Not only that, but he also really enjoyed the job. He got to plan events and activities, travel to cool U.S. landmarks, and serve as a role model.

Check with your local colleges and universities for jobs near you. If you're up for travel, you may also browse jobs on sites like CampStaff.

2. Seasonal store help

You'll find that many stores offer seasonal employment, and are looking for summer help. Just take a look around for "now hiring" signs or job applications often posted near the entrance. At Target, for example, they're already looking for team members for the upcoming back-to-school rush. It starts earlier in summer than you'd imagine. Perks of working at a store include discounts, competitive pay, and flexible scheduling.

3. Park employee

Whether it's at the ballpark or an amusement park, there are many jobs at parks that pay a competitive hourly rate. Specific jobs include things like concession stand workers, ticket takers, ride operators, and more. As a bonus, you may even earn perks like free tickets to events or rides for your family and friends. Some venues hold job fairs each year. Otherwise, inquire within to see what positions may still be open this year.

4. Farm hand

Our local CSA farmers employ folks each summer to help get crops to market. The work is definitely physical in nature and the days will be hot. Still, if you don't like sitting at a desk, it may be a good option to explore. Many of their workers in the past have even lived on their farm during their employment. According to Glassdoor, farm hands typically make anywhere between $8 and $15 an hour.

Depending on the farm, you may even get perks like free meals or free produce to take home. Find jobs near you by searching your local paper, Craigslist, and sites like BeginningFarmers. You may even want to ask around at your local farmers market. (See also: 12 Great Side Jobs for Outdoorsy Types)

5. Lawn care and other maintenance

With summer vacations on the horizon, many people are looking for help with lawn care this summer. You may even be able to charge between $35 and $50 per lawn if you include all the bells and whistles, like edging, removing tree limbs and other debris, weeding, etc.

There's also a good market for people who want to do house cleaning, painting, moving, and even hauling away. According to HomeAdvisor, most people spent between $50 and $70 in 2017 to have an individual clean their home for two hours. Consider advertising in your local paper, Craigslist, or through word-of-mouth. (See also: 10 Great Side Jobs for Introverts)

6. Pet-sitting or housesitting

If you book a housesitting gig, you can expect your duties to include: checking on the house, taking care of the pool, mowing the lawn, bringing in the mail, and otherwise performing any necessary maintenance on the property. And you may find pet-sitting lumped into housesitting jobs or as a separate gig on its own.

We have a couple of dog sitters who live down the street from us. They have clients who drop off their pooches in the morning and pick them up after work. The dogs get meals, attention, and lots of neighborhood walks. These people do this gig year-round. But you may also find more temporary gigs as families travel more during the summer.

Pay rates for pet-sitting on Glassdoor range from around $7 to $15 an hour, and you can charge even more if you're housesitting as well. Look for jobs on TrustedHousesitters.com. You can find positions locally or even venture into international travel. That's right! You can even turn your housesitting or pet-sitting into a vacation of sorts. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

7. Childcare

You may think baby-sitting is just for teenagers, but you're wrong. We have an adult friend who is a teacher during the school year and provides quality child care during summer. We're fine paying her some extra dollars each hour because she knows lots of age-appropriate activities for kids.

Consider advertising your services on a site like Care.com. That's where most of my friends go if they're looking for responsible, reliable sitters. The average hourly baby-sitting rate these days is around $14, but it can be higher depending on your qualifications and area.

8. AmeriCorps summer staff

Want to chip away at your student loans? I do! Consider becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA summer associate. In this gig, you'll work fully immersed in your project and community for eight to 10 weeks with other year-round VISTA workers. You can apply on the VISTA website and search opportunities in your area of choice.

Payment is either a small cash stipend or a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,174. It may not seem like a lot, but you also get living expenses — totaling around $2,000 — that apply during your service.

9. Photographer

Summer is the time for weddings, engagements, and other family events. While many people do photography as a job year-round, there's a much higher demand in the summer. The weather is nice, and many people would rather have their photos taken when there are leaves on the trees.

I used to have my own photography side business. I was always very busy in the summers and could charge about $150 per session (which included taking photos for about an hour and then editing the photos).

Getting started is as easy as creating a free Facebook page for your business. I put up a sample gallery of photos I had taken throughout the years, invited my friends to like my page, and slowly I started getting clients. At first, they were mostly people I knew. After a while, though, word spread. The best part? If I couldn't fit a job into my schedule, I could say no or offer an alternative time.

Like this article? Pin it!