A survey by Origin for 2025 found that three-quarters of the 85% of Americans who set a New Year's resolution made a financial goal, most commonly around increasing their income.
For 2026, that trend is likely to continue, considering inflation remains relatively high, and many Americans are worried about the labor market.
Among the 45% of Americans who already have a side hustle, their average monthly earnings total $442.76 in 2025, which is down from $688 in 2022, according to a Self Financial survey.
The most commonly cited monthly side hustle income range in the 2025 survey was $51-$250, which is where 32.1% of side hustlers fell. Yet around 10% make over $1,000 per month.
A survey by Bankrate found a higher average monthly income at $885 in 2025, down slightly from $891 per month in 2024, but up from $810 in 2023.
This report indicates that if you make somewhere in the ballpark of $500-$1,000, you're probably either close to the average or above it.
Yet if you make a lower amount, such as $51-$250, you're probably in common company with many other side hustlers.
But if you have more aggressive goals like paying off debt or saving for a down payment on a house, you might want to push for a higher income range.
For example, if you start a freelance writing side hustle, you might not have a deep portfolio to show prospective clients. So, you might have more limited opportunities, perhaps starting with an article that pays $50.
As the months go by and you build clips and connections, however, you might start charging $200, $500, or even $1,000 per article.
Another approach to consider for 2026 is using a side gig to learn new skills that then help you land a higher-paying primary job.
A study by the World Economic Forum found that workers can expect 39% of their existing skills to be transformed or become outdated by 2030.
The study found that analytical thinking is the top core skill that employers are looking for, while AI & big data skills are the fastest-growing, followed by networks & cybersecurity, and technology literacy.
So, your side hustle might not even be paid initially, like if you take an online course to learn how to use AI coding tools, and you then build complementary websites or apps for local businesses.