13 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Sacramento, CA [2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

13 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Sacramento, CA [2024]

If you're located in Sacramento, California and want to reach a savings goal, pay off student loans, or simply increase your budget, consider taking on a side hustle to earn extra income.

Looking to make easy money or start a business in Sacramento, California ?

This list provides inspiration for the different types of side hustles you can pursue in the Sacramento area, with options ranging from quick cash-earners to more time-intensive endeavors. The key to success with any side hustle is to identify your unique skills and capitalize on them.

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

Here they are:

1. Work As A Part Time Night Trash Collector

If you have a few hours at hand at night time and looking for ways to earn some extra cash in Sacramento, then becoming a night trash collector can be an option you might want to consider.

As a trash collector, you will collect trash & recycling bags from apartment doors and take these bags to dumpsters within the complex. (It likely does not require offsite driving and/or discarding, or not carrying any large items).

Earning Potential: Up to $21/hour

Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and physically fit to perform the task, should know how to read, write, and speak English well enough to do the essential paperwork and to be able to communicate to customers, and should go through a criminal background check.

Investment needed: $0 investment!

How To Get Started: You can apply through platforms like Indeed and start working as a part-time garbage collector.

2. Start Investing In Real Estate

Investments are a great way to make some extra money. Moreover, it depends on the type of investment you make that determines the number of returns you can expect. Real estate is a great way to make investments with high profits. However, you need good knowledge of the real estate market to step into it.

Different real estate investing platforms allow you to invest amounts as small as $500 right from the convenience of your home. You can check where you are investing and invest according to your preferences but before making any decisions make sure you study the market well.

Earning Potential:: Depends on the market and how much you invest, but you’re guaranteed a profit!

Requirements: You will need an initial capital to for investing in real estate plus detailed market knowledge (you can seek advice from a real estate consultant to make more informed choices).

Investment needed: You can start your investment with as low as $500 in the beginning.

How To Get Started: You can start investing with as little as $500 from platforms like Fundrise

3. Become A Customer Service Rep

As a customer service representative, you'll need to listen and respond to customers' queries, resolve their complaints to the satisfaction of the clients, process orders, and provide information about the company's products and services.

Becoming a customer service rep can be a good side hustle idea for you if you have good communication & quick decision-making skills, plus a problem-solving mentality.

Earning Potential: Up to $22/hour

Requirements: A high school diploma or its equivalent certificate is a must to become a customer service rep in Sacramento. However, many employers prefer to hire those with some college education. Other than basic educational qualification you will need to possess three main qualities - professionalism, patience, and a "people-first" attitude.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

You can search for customer service representative jobs here.

4. Start A Food Delivery Service

With the rising demand for food delivery options, starting a food delivery business can make a great side hustle. You can start your own delivery service in Sacramento by partnering with your local cafes, restaurants, or pubs, or you can also join an established food delivery service in your city and deliver for them. Most food delivery companies will provide higher commissions if you move higher volumes.

Therefore, with food delivery being your side hustle, you can earn a good income, work as per your time, and be independent.

Earning Potential: $5-$20/hour

Requirements: No educational qualification is necessary, but having a high school degree can be of help. You must be 18 or above, and having a car or motorbike with a valid driver's license, and a mobile with an internet connection is required. Also, having previous experience working as a delivery guy will make you more eligible, plus good communication skills and friendly behavior are important in any customer service job.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

Find a food delivery service available in your city, obtain whatever documents they require, and work on establishing a strong delivery network.

5. Become A Part Time Barista

If you love the smell of coffee and want to be surrounded by the smell of it then the barista job is for you. You can work as a barista in your local coffee shop in your free time and earn a side income. Your job will be to make coffee or coffee-based beverages and serve them to the customers.

Earning Potential: Up to $16/hour

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age, have the flexibility to work multiple shifts, good communication skills & basic math skills. It will work as a bonus if you can show any previous experience of working as a waiter/waitress or barista, also having knowledge of how to handle brewing equipment will be an extra plus.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost to work as a barista if you want to start as a fresher. Otherwise, if you want to take a professional barista training it can cost you anything between $120 - $$2,600.

How To Get Started: You can search for barista job listing on popular job portals like Indeed.

6. 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 Sacramento 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.

7. Provide Home Cleaning Services

Offering home cleaning services is another good option for a side hustle. As a home cleaning service provider, you will be responsible for cleaning the client's home using professional cleaning equipment and methods. Your job will require you to vacuum rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and/or draperies, plus clean the kitchen area as well as the toilets. You'll also need to empty wastebaskets and transport other trash & waste to disposal areas.

Earning Potential: Up to $90/hour

Requirements: For a cleaning business, the types of licenses you need depend on where you are operating. Most states require that you obtain a vendor's license to operate within their borders. Some states also require that you register your business as a DBA (doing business as) entity to conduct business.

Investment needed: You'll need to invest in cleaning materials such as a mop, scrubber, cleaning liquid, gloves, cleaning cloth, etc which can cost you around $100 at max.

How To Get Started: To get started as a home cleaner, create a profile on a site like Craigslist or Care.com and include your experience and qualifications. Once you have a few clients, keep their contact information so that you can continue to service them in the future.

8. 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.

9. Become A Data Entry Clerk

A data entry clerk is responsible for accurately inputting and updating large amounts of information into computer systems and databases. These tasks require strong organizational and attention to detail skills, proficiency in computer programs, and excellent communication skills. You will find both full-time and part-time remote opportunities in this field.

Earning Potential: Earn upto $35 - $250 per hour

Requirements: You'll need a computer with internet access. Must be able and comfortable working in an environment without immediate supervision. Ability to read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions is also a must for this job.

Investment needed: $0 investment with the mentioned required skills.

How To Get Started: You can find many platforms that offer you the opportunity to be a data entry clerk in Sacramento and make a good amount of money like jooble.

10. Become a theatre team member

Becoming a theatre team member can be a good side hustle idea if you are passionate about acting and want to be a part of a theatre group to pursue your dreams. It's important to network with theater professionals in the area and attend auditions or open calls for productions.

It's also useful to have a strong understanding of the theater industry, including knowledge of popular plays and playwrights, as well as current trends and developments in the field. It is also important to be passionate and dedicated to the craft of theater and be willing to work hard and learn on the job.

Earning Potential: up to $25/hour

Requirements: You must be available to work flexible hours which include evenings, weekends, and holidays. It also requires consistent attendance & energetic and friendly attitude during each shift. In addition, having a formal education in theater or a related field, such as drama or theater arts, can also be beneficial.

How To Get Started: You can apply to be a member by searching websites like Glassdoor.

11. Start Working for a Rideshare Company

In this type of job it is important to have good customer service skills and knowledge of the city's roadways and landmarks. It would also be beneficial to have a good rating from previous rideshare experiences if any. Also, having a clean driving record and a well-maintained car can greatly increase the chances of getting hired.

Earning Potential: Up to $20-25/hour

Requirements: To start working for a rideshare company in San Antonio, one should first meet the basic requirements set by the company, such as having a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle, and being at least 21 years old.

Investment needed: You don't need to invest any money to start this side job.

How To Get Started: You can find a rideshare company job on indeed.com.

12. Get A Part Time Bartending Gig

If you live in in Sacramento 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.

13. 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 Sacramento. 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.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.