Need a Side Hustle? Here's How Much Gig Workers Are Making in 2023

I was a freelance writer for about 10 years -- picking up writing jobs in addition to working full time or going to school -- before I finally struck out on my own. The transition wasn't easy, but starting slow and building up my experience over time eventually led to bigger clients and more pay.

Nearly half of all Americans have a side hustle, according to data from Pymnts and LendingClub. People are seeking out additional sources of income across different socioeconomic classes as well, with 27% of high-income earners and 26% of middle-income earners working a side gig.

But not all of the money made from side hustles is life-changing. The average side gig generates $473 per month -- or about $5,700 per year to put into savings.

If you've ever thought about starting a side hustle, here are three lucrative gigs right now and a few things you should consider before you quit your day job.

High-paying side hustles

Some gig workers are only looking for a little work to help them improve their personal finances or keep up with inflation. But if you want to maximize your time and potentially turn your side hustle into your full-time gig, here are a few of the top-paying freelance jobs, according to Upwork.

1. Public relations manager

If you like writing press releases, helping companies set their PR strategies, and communicating with media contacts, this could be a great side hustle. Upwork says public relations consultants earn between $50 to $100 per hour and that demand for this job will increase 8% by 2031.

2. Media buyer

This side gig involves placing ads across digital, print, and broadcast platforms, or even running social media ad campaigns. Companies of all shapes and sizes need ads, making this job available in many industries. The estimated pay range for a media buyer is between $50 to $200 per hour.

3. Artificial intelligence professional

This can include a variety of skills, including computer programming for natural language processing. Upwork says demand for AI programmers will increase by 21% by 2031 and that side gigs in this field pay between $30 to $60 per hour. But there are other AI side hustles as well, like creating pitch decks, that can make freelancers up to $1,000 per project.

What to consider before starting a side hustle

Setting up a side hustle won't take you much time, but managing it -- along with your day job -- may be trickier. Here are a few tips that may make the process go a little smoother.

• Plan out your time: Any time I felt overwhelmed by my freelance writing, it was usually because I didn't manage my time well enough. Learning some time management basics could go a long way in helping you avoid that kind of stress.
• Consider learning a new skill: If you can't figure out what you want to do as a side hustle, developing a new skill might be the best route. There are lots of great apps for doing this, including Skillshare.
• Don't quit your day job: There were times when I wanted to quit my regular job and freelance full time. The problem was that I didn't have enough clients to make it happen. I had to be patient and wait for the right time to turn my side hustle into a full-time job, but it was well worth the wait.

Most people don't get rich with their side hustles. But taking the time to find out which jobs pay the most -- and what skills you can develop to pursue them -- can help you get started with earning additional income.