There are millions of under the table jobs that pay cash in America. There is a loss of millions of dollars of potential revenue for the government due to the unregulated and untaxed shadow economy. Whether you are looking for a full-time job, a part-time job, or just a side hustle, there are plenty of opportunities to make quick cash. You just need to be willing to work hard.
Believe it or not, one study estimates that cash jobs make up around 11 or 12 percent of the total U.S. economy!
You have to pay taxes when you work under the table. If someone pays you in cash, you still have to report it to Uncle Sam. No matter how you are paid for your work, it must be reported to the IRS. It is illegal to commit tax evasion. It is important that you report your income accurately.
If you report your income when tax season starts, you can work under the table.
18 Under the Table Jobs That Pay You Cash Directly
Here are the top under the table jobs where you can earn extra income:
- Delivery Driver
- Babysitting
- Dog Walker or Petsitting
- Tutor Students
- Become a Freelancer
- Painting Houses
- Mowing Lawns
- Running a Farm Stand
- Drawing or Painting
- Cooking for Others
- Reading to People
- Fixing Cars
- Becoming a Personal Driver
- Bartending or Waiting Tables
- Offering Massage Therapy
- Managing an Estate
- Cutting Hair
- Teaching a Fitness Class
1. Delivery Driver
The convenience of having groceries delivered is what most shoppers love. Shoppers can focus on other activities if they have groceries delivered. They don’t like paying delivery fees. They are looking at more cost-effective ways to get their food orders.
If you don’t mind running errands, spend some time figuring out the average local rate that people are paying for grocery deliveries, and launch a competitive side hustle — one built on trust, and fair pricing.
Chances are your contacts will trust you to deliver their groceries more than a stranger working for minimum wage. They are more likely to choose you over a delivery service.
You can make more money making late-night snack and supply runs if you work more hours. Flexible schedules and the potential for great tips are some of the benefits of being a delivery driver.
You can sign up to be a driver for Instacart, one of the most popular grocery delivery services. It’s a great opportunity for people looking to make extra money because the drivers work flexible hours and can pick the orders they want to deliver. You can deliver packages for other companies. This is a great way to make extra money on the side of your car.
2. Babysitting
Parents need a night off from time to time. Taking a break from parenting can relieve stress for everyone in the family. People who are good with kids can build a babysitting or nannying business. It is a great way to make extra money.
If you form a close relationship with the family and become a trusted member of the household, these jobs can be very lucrative. Valuable experience in a wide variety of fields can be beneficial for future job prospects.
Parents are willing to pay a premium for babysitters who are trustworthy, reliable, and willing to help out at the drop of a dime. Parents want their babysitters to care for their children and be patient with them.
If you play your cards right, and you’re willing to sacrifice your free time, you could wind up with a well-paying job for a decade or more.
The hourly rate of a babysitter is currently $17. Depending on your age, experience, and location, this can vary. You don’t need to be in high school to babysit. Many parents hire older teens or adults to watch their children. Many parents prefer a babysitter who is older or has their own car. Having a reliable vehicle also gives the babysitter more options to take the children out for activities or to run errand if needed. Care.com is a great place to find babysitting gigs.
3. Dog Walker or Petsitting
Pets can be a lot of work. It takes patience, understanding and a commitment to provide the best care to take care of them. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time, and they can be rambunctious, which presents a lucrative opportunity for animal lovers. It is important that people who are considering adopting a corgi do their research and give the proper attention to the dog.
You can get paid to spend time with dogs and cats, play with them, and go for walks. This could be the perfect job for a pet lover. Pet sitting is not an always-on job. If the animal behaves and you take care of your tasks, you can spend your time doing other things.
One way to maximize petsitting revenue is to find a client who will pay you to watch their dog during the day or overnight, and then make extra money online during downtime when the animal doesn’t need to be tended to — blogging or taking surveys online.
Pet sitters can charge up to 40% more for overnight stays. Pet sitting is an excellent way to ensure that your pet’s needs are met while you’re away, providing your pet with the same love and attention that it would receive from you. One of the leading websites where you can find dog walker jobs or find care for your pets is Rover. Rover makes it easy to connect with a dog walker or pet sitter near you, giving you peace of mind that your furry friend is in good hands.
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4. Tutoring Students
You can charge more and increase your business if you go through the process of tutoring. It is a great way to get experience in your field of expertise.
If you can plan lessons, work with kids, and demonstrate progress, then tutoring could be a great way to make extra money. If you’re looking to make money outside of a traditional 9-5 job, tutoring is a great option.
5. Become a Freelancer
You can do a lot of different things as a freelancer. Freelancing can be a very lucrative career path for those with the right skills and dedication. For example, you could help a blogger create content for their website, or manage a friend’s Eithershopify or eBay store. It’s a great way to start your own business and make money.
Once you find the area you want to focus on, showcase your services on websites such as Fiverr, and the side jobs will start to show up. You can reach out to local businesses in your area to see if they need help with certain tasks.
In my opinion, being a freelancer is one of the best ways to grow your bank account, without having to hold down a traditional part-time job.
6. Painting Houses
You can make money painting houses, floors, and even fences if you know how to use a paintbrush.
When considering the cost of supplies and labor, there is plenty of room for negotiation. When you are willing to negotiate, you will get the best deals.
If you can do a good job and work quickly, painting can be lucrative. Having a portfolio of your best work is important to showcase your talent and gain recognition in the industry. If you are inexperienced, take a long time, or have picky clients, it can be a huge pain.
Depending on the size and scope of the project, the type of paint or surface you are working on, the season, and market conditions, the amount you can charge will vary. When setting rates for a painting project, it is important to consider all of these factors.
One of the best places to sign up and offer painting services is TaskRabbit.
7. Mowing Lawns
You can make money mowing grass even if you are 15 years old. Anyone can start a business mowing lawns and make money. Homeowners may be willing to pay more for someone who can cut straight lines, doesn’t botch the job, and shows up on time. They are likely to recommend that person to their friends and family.
You don’t have to stop at lawn care. You can use your free time to do other outdoor activities. Take notes of your neighbors gardens, hedges, and trees on a walk. It’s important to take pictures of anything that stands out to you.
If you have a shovel, chainsaw, or green thumb, you may be able to start a small business running a neighborhood maintenance service. Word of mouth is one of the ways you can find customers.
8. Running a Farm Stand
If you have access to a yard, you can grow your own vegetables. You can save money on groceries by experimenting with different plants and harvesting your own produce. At the very least, you’ll save money on groceries by growing your own produce. You can start a farm stand on your front steps or at a local farmer’s market. You don’t have to be a large-scale farmer to start growing and selling produce; you just need a few plants and some basic tools.
How might it work? You can leave a basket with produce in exchange for donations. You can grow more produce if you have more space. A larger garden can increase the amount of produce you can grow.
If the quality is good, you may be able to sell your produce to local restaurants, grocery stores, or even farms for resale. This can be a great way to supplement your income.
9. Drawing or Painting
I don’t think drawing or painting pictures for cash is a bad idea. It’s a great way to express your creativity and make some money at the same time. It allows you to keep a flexible schedule. Working from home saves you time and money.
If you know how to draw or paint, try to sell your work to people in your community. You can sell your artwork on websites such as Society6 to reach more people. You can take a free online course to learn how to do it. Anyone can learn how to draw or paint. Anyone can learn to create art with practice.
Add the cost of supplies to the final bill if you want to charge a reasonable hourly rate. There are no surprises for your customer if you communicate the per-hour rate and any additional costs upfront. You can charge more if you want to hang a finished picture on the wall. This can help you build a successful business. As your reputation grows, you can charge more.
If you want to take your art game to the next level, provide someone with a monthly subscription service where they receive a fresh piece of artwork every month.
10. Cooking for Others
About 10% of Americans love cooking. Whether you love cooking or not, it can be enjoyable. Busy parents and working professionals prefer the convenience of having someone else do it for them. Extra time for activities that are more enjoyable can be provided by having a professional clean your home.
If you can cook breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you could make some extra money offering to help out in the kitchen. It’s a good idea to start a business shopping for supplies, cooking, and cleaning up afterwards. You will need to hire staff to help with the day-to-day operations of the business.
You don’t need a lot of experience or a degree to do this. Gaining valuable experience and building skills can be used in many other areas. You will have a willing customer base if you can cook a decent meal that tastes great. Fresh and healthy ingredients can keep your customers happy.
People who live alone will like the idea of having a friend around. Sharing daily activities with a companion can be a source of comfort and security.
11. Reading to People
If you are a natural orator and don’t mind reading to an audience, then you may want to read to kids, nursing homes, or hospitals. You can join a book club or start a storytellers group in your community.
It can foster a love of books and learning if institutions and families pay for part-time readers. It can help build a child’s self-confidence and motivation as they become more successful readers. You can surprise your audience with a new tale each time by personally selecting stories that align with your audience. They look forward to hearing your stories at every gathering and this will ensure that you keep their attention.
This service can be done safely online or over the phone from your home. No matter which option you choose, the process is secure and your information is kept private.
12. Fixing Cars
There is nothing better than having a mechanic in your family or neighborhood. It is possible to save money on car repairs by having a mechanic around.
Turn your driveway or garage into a repair center if you know how to fix cars. If you offer your repair services to others in the community, you could start a business. Depending on the type of work you are doing, this can be a very lucrative business. It’s important to have a good understanding of the industry.
You don’t have to be a mechanic to wash and wax cars. It doesn’t take much to make a car look its best. You could make extra money by washing cars and collecting cash. You could make more money by offering your services to neighbors and businesses.
13. Becoming a Personal Driver
Wouldn’t it be great to launch an independent transportation business? You can explore other transportation options such as electric scooters, bicycles, or ride-sharing services. You don’t have a lot of say in who is driving you around. People rely on strangers to take them to their destinations. Random drivers can be irresponsible. Passengers who depend on them for transportation can be frustrated by this.
Many people prefer to have a personal driver on call for their business, and they are willing to pay top dollar for the luxury. A personal driver is highly sought after because of its convenience and security.
How much you make depends on your car, location, and clientele. A successful driver can make a lot of money. A successful driver can enjoy the freedom of setting their own hours and schedule.
14. Bartending or Waiting Tables
The food service industry is tiring. It is important for those working in the food service industry to take care of themselves. It takes a long time to deal with difficult patrons and do messy work. People who work in the industry find it rewarding.
It is a great way to make money under the table. It can be a great way to make ends meet in a pinch. People working in bars and restaurants exchange meager wages for the chance to make some money. Many bars and restaurants rely on tips as the only form of income, making them dependent on the generosity of their customers.
Depending on where you work and the clientele you serve, you can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a good night.
15. Offer Massage Therapy
There is no other way to say that we are living in stress. During difficult times, it’s important to take care of ourselves and stay calm. People are tired and looking for stress relief. Many people feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform at work. Massage therapy is a great way to meet those needs. Massage therapy provides relief from pain, stress, and tension, as well as increasing energy levels and improving circulation.
If you live in Wyoming, Vermont, Oklahoma, or Kansas, you don’t need a license to offer massage services. It is important to check local regulations in these states.
It is still a good idea to take out an insurance policy if you are dealing with strangers, even if you live in one of these states. Having the proper certifications and insurance policies will give you peace of mind that you’re providing a safe and trustworthy service.
Once you are up and running, you will be able to help people get paid in cash.
16. Managing an Estate
Many people who are wealthy and highly motivated choose to have other people run their estates because they don’t have time to do it themselves. These individuals can focus on other aspects of their lives if they have a professional handle their affairs.
If you manage hired help and oversee day-to-day activities, you can make money under the table. Setting your own hours allows for a greater degree of flexibility.
It is difficult to manage an estate. It requires a lot of organization and attention to detail. If you do a good job, you can get steady and long-term under-the-table compensation.
17. Cutting Hair
You need a license to start a hair-cutting business. You will need to find a suitable space for your business, as well as the necessary equipment and supplies. If you know how to trim hair, this could be a good way to make some money. If you start your own business, you could offer haircuts to clients in your home or another location.
And who knows? It could lead to a very successful business. This venture could provide a great opportunity for growth with hard work and dedication.
18. Teaching a Fitness Class
If you have a passion for health and fitness, why not work for it? If you want to help others on their own journey, you could become a personal trainer or fitness instructor. It’s a good idea to charge people for attending a yoga class online. This is a great way to make extra money while helping people stay fit and healthy.
If you have the time and discipline, you could become a personal fitness coach. If you have the right qualifications, you could teach fitness classes at the gym.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are usually under the table?
There are many under the table jobs available such as babysitting, pet sitting, yard work or cutting hair.
Can you work under the table for money?
If you report your income during tax season, you can work under the table for money. It is important to remember that working under the table is not without its risks, and that you should proceed with caution.
What do under the table jobs mean?
When a person is paid for work done in cash, there is no paper check on the record. These jobs are often sought out by people who want to stay off the radar and not pay taxes. When tax season rolls around, you will need to report the earnings of your cash jobs to the IRS. Keeping accurate records of your cash earnings throughout the year will make tax filing easier and more accurate.
Is Doordash an under the table job?
You are an independent contractor if you work with Doordash. You can choose when and where you deliver, as well as how much you work. Doordash does not automatically deduct taxes from your paycheck. The Dasher is responsible for keeping track of their earnings and filing taxes.
Which Under The Table Jobs Are Best For You?
As you can see, the underground gig economy is roaring right now. There are many ways to make money. Working under the table can have serious financial and legal consequences.
If you want an under-the-table side gig, you just need to put your mind to it and be focused on landing something, and sooner or later, you will. It is important to remember that you should always comply with local laws.
Taking on under-the-table jobs will motivate you to keep earning more while you still have to pay taxes. These jobs can give you an opportunity to meet people who can help you advance in your career.
It is a great way to increase your income and control your finances. New skills can be learned outside of this particular venture.
