If you can’t stand the thought of spending your summer hours cooped up indoors, these outdoor-friendly side gigs can help you make money while soaking up the sun. Perfect for nature lovers, fitness fans, and pretty much anyone who prefers to work in the open air.
Lawn Care or Gardening
If you’re passionate about landscaping, GreenPal and JiffyOnDemand connect contractors with clients who need lawn care or gardening services.
At GreenPal, contractors sign up, create profiles with photos of their work, and bid on local jobs. Clients choose their preferred contractor based on the bids, and contractors are paid after the job is completed, minus a 5% commission. But know that GreenPal fines any contractor who receives multiple customer complaints in a month.
JiffyOnDemand offers a broader range of services, including lawn care, cleaning, painting, plumbing and other trade gigs. Contractors in the “ProNetwork” accept real jobs sent by customers who have already submitted payment details. Jiffy sets the rates, but they’re usually pretty reasonable for the work required. The site takes a 12%-18% commission. Payments are processed weekly.
If neither of these sites are available in your area, you can also list your landscaping or gardening services on Taskrabbit, a wide-ranging job site for in-person work.
Taskrabbit allows freelancers to set their own rates for services, and keep 100% of the rate they set. The site adds a fee onto the customer’s bill to pay for the marketing and collection service. Payments are processed via direct deposit within a week.
Construction
If you’re a contractor or tradesperson, Taskrabbit also is probably your best bet for finding clients and well-paid opportunities. As mentioned above, the site lets freelancers price each service they offer and handle scheduling with the client. The site markets and collects for you.
However, if you are a professional general contractor or subcontractor looking for regular work, ToolBelt may be the better choice. The site offers both a free and a pro plan. The free plan allows you to apply for projects and post one job per month, while the pro plan costs $400 per month and provides unlimited job postings.
Obviously, the pro plan is geared toward larger firms that are constantly on the hunt for good subcontractors. However, signing up for the free plan could be a great way for freelancers to gain referrals.
Moving & Delivery
If you can help people move their personal effects or help them get their construction materials to their home, you’ve got a great way to make money while soaking up the sun. More than a dozen sites will help you find moving and delivery work, which ramps up in the summer. Some of the best?
GoShare offers hourly rates between $51 and $222, depending on your vehicle type. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can still assist and earn $39 per hour. However, you’ll need to cover a background check fee ($45), and the site has a high deductible ($1,000) for any damaged items during transport, so be careful.
HireAHelper lets movers bid on labor-only jobs and set their own rates. The platform charges a $100 fee per order and takes 10% of any amount over $500. Movers are expected to maintain their own insurance, although minor damage coverage is provided by the site.
Bungii is a same-day delivery service that hires freelance drivers to transport heavy and bulky items. As a driver, you can expect to earn around $45 per hour. However, you’ll need to be over 21, own a truck, cargo van, or SUV with a trailer, and have your own equipment, such as tie-downs, blankets, and bungee cords. You’ll also need to lift up to 125 lbs and pass a background check.
Frayt is similar to Bungii but promises just door-to-door delivery. In other words, drivers do not need to carry heavy loads up stairs and into buildings. Pay is typically $20 to $30 per hour.
Citizen Shipper and UShip are also attractive moving apps, but typically are used for longer-haul moves and for moving pets.
Resort work
Want to spend the summer working as a swim instructor, horse wrangler, camp counselor — or just do odd jobs around a seasonal resort? There are three sites that can help you find this type of work.
CoolWorks specializes in seasonal work in national parks, ski resorts, and summer camps. With free access and no application fees, CoolWorks is a great option for those hoping to make money while soaking up the sun. Many positions come with perks like housing and lift tickets, though wages tend to be low for these labor-intensive roles.
VagaJobs is another excellent job board, primarily focused on hospitality and tourism jobs. Although most opportunities are currently U.S.-based, VagaJobs is expanding internationally. It offers jobs in various fields, from camp counselors to rafting guides. The site is free for job seekers, with employers covering advertising costs. VagaJobs streamlines the application process with a universal profile, making it easier to apply for multiple roles at once.
Finally, SeasonWorkers is a global job board for seasonal positions in resorts, lodges, and summer camps.
Unlike CoolWorks or VagaJobs, SeasonWorkers specializes in finding jobs worldwide, including in Australia, Austria, and the UAE. While it offers a broad range of positions, including professional-level roles, it also lists some questionable opportunities, such as unpaid internships and pricey “work and travel” packages.
Wages can range from competitive salaries to just room and board, so you’ll need to be cautious when reviewing listings. This site connects you directly with employers, but you apply separately to each company.
Events
If you’re looking for flexible work in the event or hospitality industry, platforms like Qwick, Hyre, and Jitjatjo can connect you with employers in need of skilled workers for part-time and temporary jobs.
Qwick connects event hosts with skilled workers like cooks, bartenders, and waiters for events, like weddings and concerts. You must have experience. But after passing a certification test, workers can access job offers with detailed information, including pay, location, and required attire.
Hyre allows freelancers to set their own pay for positions in hospitality, healthcare, and event security. Workers can create a profile and, once they pass a background check, can match with employers who are looking for specific credentials.Hyre charges the worker a 2% fee and the employer a 20% fee. Workers are expected to notify Hyre that they are cancelling a shift 48 hours in advance to avoid fees. If the employer cancels within 24 hours of the shift, the employer is obligated to pay the worker for the cancelled shift.
Jitjatjo hires part-time employees for various sectors, including hospitality and healthcare. To get started with Jitjatjo, you sign up for a specific industry that you’re interested in working in. After your application is accepted, the company will text you about possible opportunities in your area. The jobs are varied, but they usually involve part-time work in food service, retail, and healthcare.
Photography
Of course, photographs can be taken in any setting — indoors or out. But the summer is a perfect time for events and environmental portraits. If your ideal gig involves shooting photos of families on the beach or in a flower-filled garden, now’s the time.
Two sites can help you market and sell these photos.
Snapped4U is a marketplace for portrait and event photographers to sell their photos. For a $10 setup fee, photographers can upload their images, set their prices, and share links to potential buyers. Photographers receive payouts monthly once their balance hits $50.
The platform handles transactions and delivers JPEG files to customers. Photographers set their own prices. Snapped4U simply takes a commission of 10% for domestic sales and 12% for international sales, plus a 50-cent fee per order. This platform is ideal for photographers specializing in events like weddings or sports, where multiple participants may want portraits.
Need help finding clients? Consider placing an advertisement — or simply a personal note — on neighborhood website Nextdoor.
