Under the table jobs are a great option when you’re looking to earn extra money, and fast. They generally don’t require much experience and they pay cold, hard cash.
What exactly are under the table jobs? Simply put, they’re jobs that are not reported to the government and no taxes are withheld from your pay.
Of course, just because these jobs are “off the books” doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay taxes on the income you earn from an under the table job.
The government still expects you to report that income when you file your taxes, and if you don’t you can get in big trouble for tax evasion.
Table of Contents
Where To Find Under The Table Jobs
Before we get into the full list of off the books jobs, let’s talk a little about how to find them. If you know where to look, you’ll realize these jobs are all around you.
Family and Friends
The best place to start is with those closest to you. Even if your friends and family don’t have any under the table jobs to offer you, they may know of someone who does.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great place to find under the table work. Every local region of Craigslist has a section called “Gigs” and you’ll find all sorts of cash paying jobs. Some of them sound pretty crazy, but most are legitimate opportunities posted by real people.
Facebook Groups
Most towns and neighborhoods have a Facebook group for local residents to connect and share information. These local groups are an excellent way to find cash-paying jobs.
Another option for finding work is Reddit. There are several subreddits dedicated to people looking for or offering work. Try r/ForHire and r/WorkOnline to get started.
Specialized Job Boards
Depending on what kind of side hustle you’re looking for, you might be able to use an online job board dedicated specifically for your service. For example, Rover is a site that specializes in dog walking and pet sitting services, and SitterCity caters specifically to babysitters.
The Best Under The Table Jobs
Below is a list of the best under the table jobs that will help you earn quick cash. There’s plenty to choose from so I’m sure you’ll be able to find one that interests you.
Babysitting
If you’re good with kids, babysitting could be the perfect way for you to make extra money. Parents are always looking for a reliable and responsible babysitter so they can enjoy a peaceful night without the kids.
Depending on where you live, you can expect to earn between $8 and $15 per hour. That’s not bad for watching cartoons and playing board games with a neighbor’s kid.
Pet Care
If kids aren’t your thing but you have a soft spot for our furry friends, then pet care may be the best under the table job for you. You can make money by walking dogs or pet sitting while their owners are away.
You can sign up for a free account with Rover so you can connect with pet owners in your area. If you build up a base of repeat customers, you can generate a steady income.
Food Delivery
There’s never a shortage of people ordering food and having it delivered to their home, and in today’s world where many people are hesitant to go out to restaurants, there’s more demand than ever for food delivery drivers.
You can call around to local pizzerias and Chinese restaurants to see if they need a driver, or sign up with DoorDash where you have potential to earn much more. With DoorDash you can make deliveries to many different restaurants and earn a lot more than you would if you just worked for one place.
Paid Surveys
I love paid surveys because they are so easy and you can literally make money while sitting on your couch in your pajamas.
Will you make thousands of dollars a month? Not a chance.
But if you take enough surveys you could earn a couple hundred dollars a month. And that’s enough to add some flexibility to your budget and give you extra spending cash.
Swagbucks and Pinecone Research are two survey sites we’ve used ourselves and we recommend them.
Tutor
If you have a teaching background or even just a specialty in a particular subject, tutoring could be the perfect under the table job. How much you earn will depend on where you live, your expertise, and the difficulty of the material you’re teaching.
My daughter is still in high school and she has been earning $12 an hour tutoring a seventh grader who was struggling with math. If you’re a teacher or tutoring at a higher level you can charge even more.
Taste Testing
This is one of my favorite ways to earn extra money and pad my monthly budget!
Seriously, how cool is it to get paid to eat? My wife and I have been doing it for years and it’s probably the easiest way to make money possible. Just search for taste testing companies and sign up to start getting paid to eat taste french fries or drink coffee.
Be An Umpire Or Referee
My kids are super active. We spend most weekends watching them play travel soccer, baseball, or softball and you know who else is out there? The referees!
If you like sports or played when you were a kid you can become an umpire or a referee and earn a consistent side income off the books. A soccer ref in my town earns between $35 and $50 per game, and they sometimes work four games in one afternoon. That’s good money!
Handyman
It’s amazing how many people have no idea how to do simple repairs at home. If you’re a handy guy, you can earn a nice side income doing minor jobs for other people.
To get started, create a free TaskRabbit account and connect with people in your area who need help with a DIY project. Once you create an account you’ll find no shortage or people who need a room painted, a faucet installed, or a mirror mounted.
Manual Labor
Even if you’re not at all handy and you don’t know the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver, you can still make money if you’re willing to get your hands dirty.
You can earn money by helping people move, cleaning out attics, mowing lawns, mulching flower beds, etc.
Nude Modeling
Hey, we don’t judge. If you’re not afraid to bare it all, you can make good money posing nude for art classes. And all you have to do is hold still for an hour or two!
I wouldn’t recommend using Craigslist to find nude modeling gigs, there are too many weirdos out there. Instead, focus on colleges and art schools so you know you’re dealing with someone reputable.
Graphic Design
Graphic design skills are always in demand. Small businesses, youth sports leagues, and countless other organizations need logos, flyers, brochures, and signs designed. If you have an idea for design and you’re good with Photoshop, you can earn some good money while working from home.