Side hustle: meaning and examples
What "side hustle" means, examples, how it differs from a part-time job, and how to say it in Hindi and Indonesian.
A side hustle is paid work you do on top of your main job or studies, usually on your own terms: freelancing, selling products, tutoring or driving for an app. "Side" means it isn't your main income, and "hustle" here means energetic effort to earn money.
Side hustle vs part-time job vs business
| Side hustle | Part-time job | Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss | You | An employer | You |
| Hours | Flexible | Set by employer | Usually full-time |
| Taxes (U.S.) | Usually self-employment | Withheld by employer | Self-employment or business tax |
Examples
- An accountant doing bookkeeping for two small businesses at weekends.
- A student tutoring maths online in the evenings.
- A designer selling templates online.
47 compared in our side hustles guide.
In other languages
- Hindi: साइड हसल: नौकरी या पढ़ाई के साथ किया जाने वाला अतिरिक्त कमाई का काम।
- Indonesian (side hustle adalah): pekerjaan sampingan, yaitu pekerjaan tambahan di luar pekerjaan utama untuk mendapat penghasilan.
- Spanish: trabajo extra / ingreso adicional.
Is side hustle income taxable?
Generally yes. In the U.S., net self-employment earnings of $400 or more mean you file and pay self-employment tax (IRS). See side hustle taxes.
Frequently asked questions
What does side hustle mean in simple words?
Extra paid work you do alongside your main job.
Is a side hustle a business?
Often, legally, yes. In the U.S. it's usually treated as a sole proprietorship for tax.
Sources
- IRS irs.gov
Checked 21 Oct 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Update history
- : first published; figures checked against the sources listed.