15 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Naperville, IL [2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

15 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Naperville, IL [2024]

Looking to make easy money or start a business in Naperville, Illinois?

Naperville is a great place to get started in your career, with its thriving economy, vibrant community, and numerous opportunities for growth. So, whether you're looking for a little extra income or a full-time job, Naperville is the perfect place to start your side hustle.

Many people are looking for ways to supplement their income and achieve their financial goals. Fortunately, Naperville offers a variety of opportunities to earn extra cash, whether you're looking for part-time work or something you can do from home.

In this post, we provide you with 15 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Naperville, IL.

Here they are:

1. Become A Cashier

A cashier maintains knowledge of weekly ad items, gives customers direction on product location throughout the store, is familiar with events and seminars going on or coming up, and maintains excellent communication with the front end manager and head cashier at all times.

Earning Potential: Up to $2.5k/month

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent, and 1-2 years of recent cashiering experience. Have and show an outgoing and friendly behavior, a positive attitude, and the ability to interact with our customers.

Investment needed: No investment needed!

How To Get Started: You can log into simplyhired.com and start your journey as a cashier here.

2. Get A Part Time Job As A Waiter / Waitress

As a restaurant server in Naperville, you will need to attend to customers, make suggestions as per their liking, wait tables, handle queries, deliver checks & receive payments.

Earning Potential: Servers make $13.95/hour (on average) + tips

Requirements: If you can show any previous waiting or restaurant serving experience you'll get a preference. Other than that you'll need to have patience, be good at customer service, have a pleasant personality, pay attention to customer safety & cleanliness, and be reliable & responsible. Having a high school diploma is also helpful for your resume.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to get started as a restaurant server.

How To Get Started: Reach out to people in your circle and ask them whether they know someone in the restaurant business. Or apply for restaurant server jobs on Indeed.

3. Drive For Uber Or Lyft

If you've got a car and time on a Saturday, you could be making some cash driving people around. Instead of wasting your time sitting through traffic when you sign off from work, you can drive an Uber or Lyft and earn some extra cash in Naperville by the time you reach home!

Ridesharing apps are one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: Up to $26/hour

Requirements: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have at least one year of driving experience, and clear a background check. See all requirements

Investment needed: $0 upfront if you already have a car!

How To Get Started: Apply to be a driver at Uber here, or Lyft driver here.

Don't have a car? Rent a car for ridesharing or deliveries with HyreCar.

4. Become A Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers are responsible for delivering items from one location to another. Delivery drivers may need to deliver various goods like food, furniture, other household goods, etc, plus they are also responsible for loading & unloading.

Becoming a delivery driver is a good side hustle in Naperville as there are a lot of businesses that hire delivery drivers. You can earn a good income, work as per your time, and be independent.

Earning Potential: Up to $21/hour

Requirements: To become a successful delivery driver, you must have a valid driving license and your own car. Though no basic education is compulsory but still having a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate will be helpful. You also need to be physically fit as your job will include some heavy loading and unloading.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

You can find some delivery driver jobs here or here. Provide whatever documents they require, and work on establishing a strong delivery network.

5. Help Out At A Veterinary Clinic

If you love animals, then working as a veterinary assistant can be a really satisfying job for you and will bring you some extra income on the side while you're living. As a veterinary assistant, your job will be to bathe, feed, and exercise the animals, provide all the necessary care for them, and ensure a clean and hygienic environment for them.

Earning Potential: Up to $50/hour

Requirements: To apply for a job as a vet assistant, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: You can search for a veterinary clinic that is hiring and apply for the post. More information can be found here.

6. Start Working At Afternoons and Closing Shifts

Working afternoon and closing shifts can be an excellent way to earn extra income in Naperville while still having the flexibility to pursue other interests. It may also lead to opportunities for career advancement and increased responsibility as you gain experience and develop new skills.

Opportunities for afternoon and closing shift work are available in various industries like retail, food service, and hospitality. You can work as a sales associate, cashier, server, bartender, hotel clerk, or front desk agent, providing excellent customer service and earning extra income while having the flexibility to pursue other interests.

Earning Potential: Earn around $13 - $16 per hour

Requirements: You need to excellent customer service skills are often essential, as many of these positions involve interacting with customers or guests. Also, you need to be reliable, punctual, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Some employers may require specific certifications or training for certain positions, such as food safety certification for roles in the food service industry.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills/certifications for your chosen industry.

How To Get Started: There are many platforms that offer you the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field like Simplyhired & Indeed.

7. CDL Truck Driver

A CDL (Commercial Driver's License) truck driver is responsible for operating and driving a commercial truck, typically over long distances, to transport goods and materials. The job duties will include inspecting and maintaining the vehicle, loading and unloading cargo, keeping accurate records of deliveries, communicating with dispatchers, performing basic vehicle maintenance, and adhering to hours of service regulations among others.

Inspecting and maintaining the vehicle

Becoming a CDL truck driver is one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash in Naperville. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: You can make $28.52/hour on an average

Requirements: To become a CDL truck driver, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a written test and a road test to obtain a CDL. Employers may also require a minimum number of years of experience and a clean driving record.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Apply to be a truck driver find here.

8. Room Attendant

The room attendant is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the guest rooms assigned. Previous cleaning experience and the ability to communicate with guests are preferred.

This job environment demands exceptional performance yet reaps great rewards. Whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment, or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then it's best for you.

Earning Potential: Earn upto $2k-3k per month

Requirements: Working as an individual who is focused on providing efficient service and meaningful experiences with refined verbal and written communication skills.

Investment needed: Training to become a housekeeping room attendant can cost $1.5k-$2k.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to make a decent amount of money in this field, from jooble.

9. Become A Gig Worker

Great gig to earn extra money in Naperville by working independently, good for anyone with flexible time to spare! As a Store Scanning Specialist, you can enjoy the flexibility of choosing when and how much you earn. All you need is reliable transportation to start making money.

It's detailed training is availavble to ensure it's maximum efficiency in each store you will collect. You will control how much money you are able to collect per hour!

Earning Potential: Earn around $13 - $18 an hour

Requirements: You will need to have a high school diploma, or equivalent. Valid driver's license, clean driving record, reliable transportation, and valid automobile insurance. Ability to work approximately 10 - 25 hours per week with scheduling flexibility & Reliability to start and finish assignments on time with the detail needed to satisfy the project criteria.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: There are many platforms that offer you the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like Indeed & Simplyhired.

10. Become A Retail Sales Associate

A sales associate is a retail employee who greets customers on arrival and helps them with purchases. If a customer has a problem with a purchase, such as a damaged item or incorrect size, the sales associate will be the one assisting them with returns and refunds.

If you are thinking of becoming a sales associate, it can be great to make money as a side hustle in Naperville.

Earning Potential: Up to $18/hour

Requirements:: To become a sales associate, you will need to have an Associate's degree or high school diploma. Also, you'll need an understanding of customer service and sales. If you have basic skills in math, good communication, and a positive attitude, it will be beneficial for you.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to become a sales associate.

How To Get Started: You can find sales associates and other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.

11. Become A General Dentist

A general dentist is a dental professional who provides a range of dental care services to patients of all ages. Some of the common job responsibilities of a general dentist include conducting dental examinations, cleaning and repairing teeth, performing extractions, administering anesthetics, and so on.

Overall, a general dentist plays a critical role in promoting good oral health and preventing dental problems through routine care and patient education.

Earning Potential: Earn around $100 - $120 per hour

Requirements: Becoming a general dentist requires completing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Additionally, continuing education courses must be completed to maintain licensure.

Investment needed: Becoming a general dentist requires the cost of obtaining a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university can vary greatly depending on the institution. Additionally, dental equipment, continuing education courses, and licensure fees add to the cost of becoming a general dentist.

How To Get Started: Working as a general dentist can be a rewarding career that allows individuals to help others maintain good oral health, you can have the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field from Snagajob & Glassdoor.

12. Become A Warehouse Associate

If you don’t enjoy doing desk jobs, like interacting with people, and want to work in the logistics or related sector, then working as a warehouse associate could be your calling. You can do this as a part-time or a full-time job and earn a living.

Earning Potential: Up to $21/hour

Requirements: You’ll require at least a high school diploma, have to be physically fit & hardworking, have good time management & interpersonal skills, inventory control & documentation skills, be organized & have an eye for detail, and most importantly, the ability to work with a team.

Investment needed: Don’t need to invest any amount to start working as a warehouse associate.

How To Get Started: Search for warehouse associate jobs on ZipRecruiter and Indeed.

13. Become A Nurse

Nursing in Naperville is all about actively providing exceptional care to patients at the appropriate time and in the correct location. This job requires planning and delivering professional nursing care to patients in a virtual clinic setting in compliance with medical and nursing plans of care and established rules and procedures.

The nurse will use multiple telehealth platforms, including but not limited to video visits and remote patient monitoring equipment, to deliver nursing duties, education, and technical assistance to the patient and providers.

Earning Potential: Earn around $38-$40 per hour

Requirements: This work needs a BSN, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, or a Nursing Diploma from a recognized institution. All registered nurses who do not have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (or above) will be expected to enroll in and finish a suitable BSN program within two years of their start date.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to find a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like Indeed.

14. Get A Part Time Bartending Gig

If you live in in Naperville and your surrounding neighborhood is filled with bars and pubs, you can work as a part-time bartender and make some extra cash.

If you enjoy socializing and a fast-paced environment, bartending can be extremely lucrative and a fun way to meet new people.

Earning Potential: Bartenders make $14/hour on average.

Requirements: You'll need to meet the minimum age of your state to serve alcohol, a high school diploma & training or certificate in this field can get you ahead of others. You might have to be flexible about working night shifts and working on weekends. Having a positive & engaging personality along with good communication skills can work as a bonus.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have prior experience working as a bartender. Otherwise, a 40-hour bartending program can cost anywhere between $200 - $800.

How To Get Started: You can drop off your CV at your local pubs or bars or, you can apply for bartending jobs on job searching platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn.

15. Become an Insurance Sales Agent

Insurance sales agents play a crucial role in helping individuals and businesses protect their assets and financial security. If you're motivated, driven, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a career as an insurance sales agent in Naperville may be the perfect fit for you. With opportunities for growth and development, the insurance industry is a dynamic and rewarding field to pursue.

The insurance industry is constantly evolving, so there is always room for growth and development as an insurance sales agent. You can choose to specialize in a particular type of insurance, such as life insurance or health insurance, and gain expertise in that area.

Earning Potential: Earn around $25-$40 per hour

Requirements: To become an insurance sales agent, you'll need to meet certain qualifications. Most states require insurance sales agents to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many insurance companies require a college degree. You'll also need to obtain a license to sell insurance, which requires passing an exam.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: There are many platfoprms that offers you the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like simplyhired.

meet the author
Pat Walls