100 Best Side Hustles for Single Moms in 2026 to Earn $1K+/Month From Home

Being a single mom means you are the breadwinner, the caregiver, the scheduler, and the backup plan all rolled into one. You do not have the luxury of a partner to tag-team with when work runs late or kids get sick. That is why this list is different. Every single hustle here was chosen for one thing: flexibility.

I am not going to recommend anything that requires you to be online at specific times, show up to an office, or commit to a rigid schedule. Because that is not real life for single parents. Real life is custody switches, sick days with no backup, and doing homework at midnight because that is the only quiet time you get.

Here are 100 ways to earn money that work with your life, not against it.

High Earning Hustles That Can Hit $1K+/Month (1-20)

These are the hustles with the highest income ceiling. They require more skill or time investment upfront, but they can genuinely replace a part-time job income once established.

1. Start a Shopify Store

This tops the list for single moms who want to build real wealth, not just trade hours for dollars. An ecommerce store can earn money while you sleep, handle bedtime routines, or sit in the school pickup line. Start with dropshipping (no inventory) or print-on-demand (no upfront costs) to minimize risk.

Successful store owners report earnings from $500 to $10,000+ monthly. The key is choosing a niche you understand. Many single moms do well with kids products, mom life merchandise, or home organization items.

Why it works for single moms: Orders come in 24/7, fulfillment is automated, and you can manage it from your phone during soccer practice.

2. Freelance Writing

If you can write clearly, companies will pay you well for it. Freelance writers earn $0.10 to $1.00 per word depending on expertise and niche. A 1,000-word article at $0.20/word is $200 for a few hours of work.

The best part? You write when you can. Naptime, after bedtime, during screen time. No scheduled calls required for most writing gigs.

Hot niches for 2026: Parenting and family content (hello, you live this), personal finance, health and wellness, and B2B/SaaS content.

3. Virtual Assistant Services

Businesses need help with email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, customer service, and social media. VAs earn $15 to $40 per hour depending on skills and specialization. At $20/hour for 15 hours a week, that is $1,200/month.

Many VA clients are flexible about when you complete tasks as long as they get done. Look for clients who specifically hire remote workers and understand async communication.

4. Bookkeeping Services

Small businesses desperately need bookkeepers, and it does not require an accounting degree. Take a course on QuickBooks, get certified, and charge $25 to $80 per hour. Most bookkeeping work is monthly, so you can batch it during your kid-free time.

Pro tip: Target small business owners who are overwhelmed by their own finances. They will pay well for someone to take it off their plate.

5. Social Media Management

Businesses need content created and posted consistently. Social media managers charge $300 to $1,500+ per client monthly. With just 3-4 clients, you can earn a full-time income.

The work involves creating posts, scheduling content, and engaging with followers—all tasks you can do from anywhere with a phone.

6. Graphic Design

Create logos, social media graphics, marketing materials, and branding packages for businesses. Designers earn $13 to $39+ per hour, with premium rates for specialized work like brand identity.

Tools like Canva have lowered the barrier to entry, but for higher-paying clients, learn Adobe Creative Suite or Figma.

7. Web Design

Build websites for small businesses using platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress. Web designers charge $500 to $5,000+ per website depending on complexity. Many clients also pay monthly maintenance fees of $100 to $500.

8. Online Course Creator

Create a course once, sell it forever. Course creators earn $500 to $10,000+ per launch. Think about what you know well: meal prepping on a budget, organizing a household, potty training, any professional skill from a previous career.

This is passive income at its best. Record during quiet times, then let the sales come in automatically.

9. Copywriting

Sales copy is different from regular writing. Copywriters write landing pages, email sequences, and ads that convert. Good copywriters command $500 to $2,000+ for a single sales page.

10. Amazon FBA Seller

Sell products through Amazon fulfillment. They handle storage, shipping, and customer service. Sellers report $300 to $2,000+ monthly income. Start by sourcing products through retail arbitrage or wholesale.

11. Etsy Printables

Design downloadable planners, wall art, wedding templates, and organizational printables. Top sellers earn $1,000 to $10,000+ monthly. You create the product once, customers download it automatically.

Perfect for single moms because there is no shipping, no inventory, and no customer interaction required.

12. Coaching Services

If you have expertise in any area—parenting, career transitions, health, relationships—you can coach. Coaches charge $50 to $150+ per hour. Even 5 clients paying $100/session monthly is $500/month from just 5 hours of work.

13. Video Editing

YouTubers and businesses need video editors. Rates range from $20 to $120 per hour depending on complexity. Learn DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere Pro to get started.

14. Podcast Editing

Podcasters need audio editing, show notes, and episode uploads. Editors charge $30 to $300+ per episode. One weekly podcast client at $100/episode is $400/month recurring.

15. SEO Services

Help businesses rank higher on Google. SEO specialists earn $15 to $25+ per hour, with experienced consultants charging $100+/hour. This is recurring work—clients stay for months or years.

16. Facebook Ads Management

Run paid advertising campaigns for businesses. Ads managers charge $1,000 to $5,000+ monthly per client plus a percentage of ad spend. This is specialized work with high earning potential.

17. Email Marketing

Create email campaigns, automation sequences, and newsletters. Email marketers work on monthly retainers, providing predictable income.

18. Photography

Offer portrait, family, or event photography. Photographers earn $100 to $300+ per session. Schedule shoots during custody-free time for predictable income.

19. Makeup Artistry

Weddings and events pay well for professional makeup. Book gigs for weekends when kids are with their other parent.

20. Event Planning

Plan parties, weddings, and corporate events. Work during available time blocks and earn per-event or percentage-of-budget fees.

Quick Start Options with Same-Week Pay (21-40)

Need money this week? These hustles get you paid fast with minimal barriers to entry.

21. Dog Walking

Sign up on Rover or Wag and start walking dogs for $15 to $30 per walk. Weekly payouts mean money in your account fast. Great for squeezing in during school hours.

22. Pet Sitting

Watch pets in their homes or yours for $15 to $35 per visit. Overnight stays pay $50 to $100+. Bring your kids along for daytime visits.

23. Sell on Poshmark

Sell clothes from your closet or thrift finds. Poshmark handles shipping labels, and you get paid when items sell. Many sellers earn $500+ monthly from consistent listing.

24. Facebook Marketplace

Sell furniture, electronics, baby gear, or anything else locally. Cash in hand same day. Zero fees for local pickup sales.

25. Babysitting

Earn $15 to $25+ per hour watching other people's kids. Use apps like Care.com or Sittercity. Cash at the end of each shift.

26. Cleaning Services

House cleaning pays $25 to $50+ per hour. Start with neighbors and word-of-mouth referrals. Cash payments common.

27. TaskRabbit

Take on odd jobs: furniture assembly, moving help, errands, organization. Set your own rates and availability. Get paid within days.

28. Furniture Assembly

Assemble IKEA furniture and other items for busy people. Earn $50 to $100+ per job. List on TaskRabbit or Craigslist.

29. Grocery Shopping (Instacart)

Shop groceries for others with flexible hours. Instacart pays weekly with tips. Work during school hours.

30. Food Delivery

DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub offer instant cashout options. Earn $15 to $25+ per hour during peak times.

31. Transcription

Convert audio to text for $15 to $30+ per hour. Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript hire beginners. Work whenever you have quiet time.

32. Data Entry

Basic typing work pays $15 to $25 per hour. Find gigs on FlexJobs, Upwork, or company websites.

33. Paid Surveys

Take surveys during downtime for extra cash. Not a huge earner, but adds up.See our complete survey guide →

34. Mystery Shopping

Get paid to shop and report on customer experiences. Often includes free products plus payment.

35. Product Testing

Test products and provide feedback. Keep the products plus earn money. Sign up with BzzAgent, Influenster, and brand-specific programs.

36. User Testing

Test websites and apps for usability issues. UserTesting pays $10 to $25 per 15-20 minute test. Quick money during naptime.

37. Tutoring

Teach academic subjects online for $18 to $60 per hour. Wyzant, Tutor.com, and Varsity Tutors connect you with students.

38. Language Teaching

Teach English or other languages online for $15 to $50+ per hour. Many platforms have flexible scheduling.

39. Moving Help

Help people move for good hourly rates. Schedule during custody-free weekends.

40. Yard Work

Mowing, raking, and basic landscaping pays cash. Bring kids along for simple tasks.

Ecommerce and Online Store Ideas (41-60)

Online stores are ideal for single moms because they generate income around the clock. Start small and scale as you learn.

41. Dropshipping

Sell products without holding inventory. Suppliers ship directly to customers. Start with Shopify's free trial.

42. Print on Demand

Design custom t-shirts, mugs, and accessories. Printful or Printify handles production and shipping.

43. Thrift Flipping

Buy low at thrift stores, sell high online. Many flippers earn $1,000+ monthly with part-time hours.

44. Handmade Jewelry

Create and sell jewelry on Etsy or your own store. High margins on handmade items.

45. Custom T-Shirts

Design shirts for niches you understand. Parenting humor, teacher life, and hobby-specific designs sell well.

46. Candle Business

Make and sell candles from home. Popular gift item with loyal repeat customers.

47. Soap Making

Artisan soaps sell at farmers markets and online. Natural ingredients command premium prices.

48. Digital Products

Create ebooks, templates, or courses once. Sell forever with no shipping or inventory.

49. Subscription Boxes

Curate monthly boxes in a niche you love. Recurring revenue provides predictable income.

50. Kids Clothing Resale

Buy and resell gently used kids clothes. You already know this market.

51. Party Supplies

Sell themed party decorations and printables. High demand for birthday party supplies.

52. Baby Products

Personalized baby items, milestone cards, and nursery decor sell consistently.

53. Pet Products

Pet owners spend generously. Bandanas, treats, and custom accessories do well.

54. Home Decor

Curate or create home accessories. Wall art, planters, and organizational items are popular.

55. Craft Supplies

Sell supplies to other crafters. High repeat purchase rates.

56. Vintage Reselling

Source vintage items and resell online. Clothes, furniture, and collectibles all work.

57. Book Reselling

Buy books cheap at sales, scan with the Amazon app, resell for profit.

58. Furniture Flipping

Refurbish and resell furniture. Requires some investment but offers good returns.

59. Art Sales

Sell original art or prints. Digital downloads eliminate shipping hassles.

60. Photography Prints

Sell your photos as prints or digital downloads. Stock photography sites also pay royalties.

Freelance Services (61-80)

Freelancing lets you use professional skills on your own terms. Many of these require no phone calls.

61. Proofreading

Review written content for errors. $20 to $50 per hour. No client calls needed.

62. Editing

Edit for clarity, flow, and structure. Higher rates than proofreading.

63. Translation

Bilingual opportunity. Translate documents, websites, or content.

64. Grant Writing

Write proposals for nonprofits. $20 to $250 per hour depending on expertise.

65. Resume Writing

Help job seekers land interviews. $100 to $500+ per resume.

66. Customer Service

Remote customer support roles pay $18 to $22 per hour. Look for async positions.

67. Tech Support

Help users solve technical problems remotely.

68. Research Services

Conduct research for businesses, writers, or academics.

69. Presentation Design

Create PowerPoints and pitch decks. Businesses pay well for professional presentations.

70. Spreadsheet Expert

Build complex spreadsheets, formulas, and automations for businesses.

71. Project Management

Coordinate remote teams and projects. Valuable skill for companies growing remotely.

72. Community Management

Manage online communities and Facebook groups for businesses.

73. Pinterest Management

Create pins and drive traffic for businesses. $300 to $1,500 per client monthly.

74. Course Support

Help online course creators with student support and community management.

75. Podcast Support

Admin and production support for podcasters. Show notes, scheduling, editing.

76. Music Lessons

Teach instruments or voice online. Set your own schedule and rates.

77. Fitness Coaching

Create workout plans and coach clients virtually. $30 to $100+ per hour.

78. Nutrition Coaching

Develop meal plans and provide dietary guidance.

79. Life Coaching

Help clients achieve personal goals. $50 to $150+ per hour.

80. Career Coaching

Guide job seekers through career transitions. High demand as the job market evolves.

Maximum Flexibility Options (81-90)

These hustles work around ANY schedule. Create when you can, earn passively.

81. Blogging

Write when you can. Monetize with ads, affiliates, and sponsored posts. $0 to $5,000+ monthly depending on traffic.

82. YouTube Channel

Create videos on your schedule. Record during quiet times, edit when possible. Ad revenue adds up.

83. Podcasting

Record whenever you have time. Monetize through sponsorships as you grow.

84. Affiliate Marketing

Recommend products you use, earn commissions. Works with blogs, social media, or YouTube.

85. Stock Photography

Upload photos to stock sites. Earn royalties every time someone downloads.

86. Kindle Publishing

Write and self-publish ebooks. Earn royalties on every sale.

87. Digital Templates

Create Canva, Notion, or spreadsheet templates. Sell on Etsy or your own site.

88. Membership Site

Build a community with monthly subscribers. Recurring revenue from valuable content.

89. Newsletter

Build an email list and monetize with sponsorships or paid subscriptions.

90. Consulting

Package your expertise into consulting packages. Premium rates for specialized knowledge.

Passive Income and Local Services (91-100)

91. Home Baking

Sell baked goods locally or through cottage food laws. Cakes and specialty items pay well.

92. Meal Prep

Prepare meals for busy families. $10 to $15+ per meal.

93. Personal Organizing

Help people declutter and organize. $50 to $100+ per hour.

94. Home Staging

Stage homes for real estate sales. Work with realtors for steady referrals.

95. Interior Design

Offer design consultations or full room makeovers.

96. Sewing Services

Alterations, custom items, and repairs from home.

97. Airbnb Hosting

Rent a spare room or your place when traveling. Passive income from space you already have.

98. Storage Rental

Rent unused garage or storage space through Neighbor.com.

99. Car Rental

List your car on Turo when not using it. Earn while it sits in the driveway.

100. Parking Rental

Rent driveway or parking space in high-demand areas. Pure passive income.