The cost of living in Singapore keeps climbing. Your salary might cover the basics, but what about that emergency fund, your next holiday, or simply having more breathing room each month?
A side hustle can bridge that gap. But not all side gigs are worth your time. Some pay peanuts for hours of work. Others demand skills you don’t have or schedules that clash with your 9-to-5.
This guide focuses on side hustles that actually work for people living in Singapore. These are flexible, accessible, and worth the effort.
Side hustles in Singapore offer working professionals and students practical ways to earn extra income without sacrificing their primary commitments. The best options include tutoring, freelance services, food delivery, content creation, and reselling. Success depends on matching your available time, existing skills, and income goals with the right opportunity. Start small, test different options, and scale what works for your lifestyle.
Why side hustles matter in Singapore
Singapore is expensive. Rent, transport, food, insurance. The bills add up fast.
A side hustle gives you financial flexibility. It can help you pay off debt faster, build an emergency fund, or save for a goal without cutting back on everything you enjoy.
The best part? You control the hours. Work more when you need cash. Scale back when life gets busy.
Tutoring and academic coaching
Tutoring remains one of the highest-paying side hustles in Singapore. Parents invest heavily in their children’s education, and demand for good tutors never stops.
You can tutor primary, secondary, or junior college students. Subjects like Math, Science, English, and Chinese are always in demand.
How much can you earn?
- Primary school: $30 to $50 per hour
- Secondary school: $40 to $70 per hour
- Junior college: $60 to $100 per hour
You can find students through tutoring agencies or platforms like SmileTutor and TutorCity. Agencies take a commission but handle the matching. Private arrangements pay more but require your own marketing.
Start with one or two students. Build a reputation. Word of mouth brings more clients over time.
Freelance writing and content creation
Companies need content. Blogs, social media posts, email newsletters, website copy. If you can write clearly, this is a solid side hustle.
Freelance writing pays between $50 and $300 per article, depending on length and complexity. Technical writing and copywriting command higher rates.
Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer connect you with clients. You can also pitch directly to Singapore-based companies or marketing agencies.
Build a simple portfolio with three to five writing samples. Use Google Docs or a free website builder. Clients want to see your style before hiring.
Food delivery and ride-hailing
Food delivery offers maximum flexibility. Work whenever you want. No fixed schedule. No boss looking over your shoulder.
Platforms like GrabFood, Deliveroo, and foodpanda let you sign up as a delivery partner. You need a motorcycle, bicycle, or e-scooter.
Average earnings:
- Bicycle: $8 to $12 per hour
- Motorcycle: $12 to $18 per hour
Peak hours (lunch and dinner) pay more due to surge pricing. Weekends are busier than weekdays.
Ride-hailing with Grab or Gojek requires a private hire car license. The barrier to entry is higher, but earnings can reach $20 to $30 per hour during peak periods.
Graphic design and digital services
Businesses always need design work. Logos, social media graphics, presentation decks, marketing materials.
If you know tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop, you can offer design services. Even basic Canva skills can land you simple gigs.
Freelance designers in Singapore charge $30 to $100 per hour. One-off projects like logo design range from $200 to $1,000.
Start on platforms like Fiverr or 99designs. Create a profile, showcase your work, and bid on projects. As you build reviews, you can raise your rates.
Online reselling and thrift flipping
Buy low, sell high. That’s the entire model.
You can source products from Taobao, AliExpress, or local thrift stores. Then resell on Carousell, Shopee, or Instagram.
Popular categories include vintage clothing, sneakers, electronics, and home decor. The key is finding items people want at prices they’re willing to pay.
How to start:
- Pick a niche you understand (fashion, gadgets, collectibles).
- Source a few items to test the market.
- Take clear photos and write honest descriptions.
- List on multiple platforms to increase visibility.
- Reinvest profits into more inventory.
Some resellers make $500 to $2,000 per month. It takes time to learn what sells and how to price competitively.
Social media management
Small businesses struggle with social media. They know they need it but don’t have time to post consistently.
You can manage their Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok accounts. Create posts, write captions, respond to comments, and track engagement.
Rates range from $300 to $1,500 per month per client, depending on the workload. Managing two or three clients can add $1,000 to $3,000 to your monthly income.
You don’t need a marketing degree. You need to understand what content works on each platform and how to stay consistent.
Pet sitting and dog walking
Pet owners need help when they travel or work long hours. Pet sitting and dog walking fill that gap.
Platforms like PetBacker and Pawshake connect you with pet owners. You set your rates and availability.
Typical rates:
- Dog walking: $15 to $30 per walk
- Pet sitting: $30 to $60 per day
This works well if you love animals and have flexible daytime hours. Students and remote workers find this especially manageable.
Photography and videography
Weddings, corporate events, product shoots, family portraits. People pay well for good photography.
You need a decent camera and basic editing skills. Start with friends and family to build a portfolio. Then expand to paid gigs.
Event photographers charge $100 to $300 per hour. Wedding photographers earn $1,000 to $5,000 per event.
Videography pays even more, especially for corporate videos and social media content.
Virtual assistance
Companies hire virtual assistants for administrative tasks. Email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, customer support.
You can work remotely, often with flexible hours. Rates range from $15 to $40 per hour.
Websites like Belay, Time Etc, and Upwork list virtual assistant jobs. You can also reach out directly to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Freelance coding and web development
If you know how to code, freelancing pays well. Websites, apps, automation scripts. Demand is high and supply is limited.
Freelance developers in Singapore charge $50 to $150 per hour. Small website projects start at $1,000.
You can find work on Upwork, Toptal, or Freelancer. Networking in tech communities also leads to referrals.
Even if you’re still learning, you can take on smaller projects to build experience and credibility.
Teaching fitness classes or personal training
Fitness instructors and personal trainers earn good money for a few hours of work.
You need a certification from ACE, NASM, or a similar body. Once certified, you can teach group classes or offer one-on-one training.
Earnings:
- Group classes: $50 to $100 per session
- Personal training: $60 to $150 per hour
Gyms hire part-time instructors. You can also train clients independently at parks or condos.
Renting out your space
If you have a spare room, parking space, or storage area, rent it out.
Platforms like Airbnb let you rent a room or entire home to travelers. Parking spaces can be listed on apps like Park N Parcel.
A spare room in a central location can bring in $800 to $1,500 per month. Parking spaces earn $100 to $300 monthly.
This is passive income once you set it up. Just keep the space clean and respond to inquiries promptly.
Affiliate marketing and blogging
Affiliate marketing means promoting products and earning a commission on sales. You can do this through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media.
It takes time to build an audience. But once you do, income can be consistent and scalable.
Popular niches in Singapore include personal finance, travel, beauty, and tech reviews.
You sign up for affiliate programs like Lazada, Shopee, or Amazon Associates. Then share product links in your content.
Earnings vary widely. Some bloggers make $100 per month. Others earn $5,000 or more.
Event staffing and promotions
Companies hire part-time staff for events, product launches, and roadshows. Roles include ushers, promoters, and event coordinators.
Pay ranges from $10 to $20 per hour. Some events pay a flat rate of $100 to $200 per day.
Agencies like Recruit Express and Adecco list event jobs. You can also check platforms like FastJobs.
This works well if you have weekends free and don’t mind being on your feet.
Voice-over work and podcast editing
Podcasts and video content need voice-over artists and audio editors.
If you have a clear voice and basic audio editing skills, you can offer these services on Fiverr or Upwork.
Voice-over rates start at $50 per project. Podcast editing pays $20 to $50 per episode.
You need a decent microphone and software like Audacity or Adobe Audition. Both are affordable or free.
Comparing side hustles by time and income
| Side Hustle | Time Commitment | Earning Potential | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutoring | Medium | High | Medium |
| Freelance writing | Flexible | Medium to High | Medium |
| Food delivery | Flexible | Low to Medium | Low |
| Graphic design | Flexible | Medium to High | Medium |
| Reselling | Flexible | Medium | Low to Medium |
| Social media management | Medium | Medium | Low to Medium |
| Pet sitting | Flexible | Low to Medium | Low |
| Photography | Medium | High | Medium to High |
| Virtual assistance | Flexible | Low to Medium | Low |
| Coding | Flexible | High | High |
| Fitness training | Medium | High | Medium |
| Renting space | Passive | Medium | Low |
| Affiliate marketing | High (initially) | Low to High | Medium |
| Event staffing | Flexible | Low | Low |
| Voice-over work | Flexible | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
Common mistakes to avoid
Starting a side hustle sounds exciting. But rushing in without a plan leads to burnout or wasted time.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Taking on too much too soon. Start with one side hustle. Master it before adding more.
- Ignoring taxes. Income from side hustles is taxable. Track your earnings and set aside money for taxes.
- Underpricing your services. Don’t work for less than you’re worth. Research market rates.
- Neglecting your main job. Your side hustle should not hurt your primary income or career growth.
- Skipping contracts. Always use a written agreement for freelance work to avoid payment disputes.
“The best side hustle is one that fits your life, not one that takes over your life. Choose something sustainable, not just profitable.” — Financial coach, Singapore
How to choose the right side hustle
Not every side hustle suits everyone. Your choice depends on your skills, time, and goals.
Ask yourself:
- How many hours per week can I realistically commit?
- What skills do I already have?
- Do I prefer working with people or independently?
- How much money do I need to make this worthwhile?
- Can I start with little to no upfront investment?
Match your answers to the options above. Test one or two. Give each a fair trial of at least a month.
Some side hustles pay fast (delivery, tutoring). Others take time to build (blogging, reselling). Pick based on your urgency and patience.
Getting started this week
You don’t need months to prepare. You can start earning within days.
Steps to launch your first side hustle:
- Pick one option from this list.
- Sign up for the relevant platform or reach out to your first potential client.
- Set a small goal (earn $100 in the first month).
- Track your hours and income.
- Adjust based on what works.
Start small. Test. Learn. Scale.
Making side income work for you
Side hustles are not just about extra cash. They’re about options. Options to save faster, invest sooner, or simply stress less about money.
The best side hustle is the one you’ll actually stick with. It should fit your schedule, match your skills, and feel manageable.
Pick one. Start this week. Adjust as you go. Your future self will thank you.