20 Side Hustles That Didn’t Exist in the ’80s
Thanks to technology and changing trends, today’s side hustles are nothing like the odd jobs of the past.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The gig economy has created countless new ways to make extra cash. These are opportunities that would have been unimaginable in the ’80s. Back then, side hustles mostly involved mowing lawns, babysitting, or selling things at flea markets. Here are 20 modern side hustles that didn’t exist four decades ago.
1. Rideshare Driver
Comyu on Wikimedia Commons
In the ’80s, if you needed a ride, you called a cab—no apps, no GPS, just a dispatcher on the other end of the line. Today, anyone with a car can make money driving for Uber or Lyft.
2. Social Media Manager
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Social media wasn’t even a concept in the ’80s, let alone a paying job. Now, businesses hire freelancers to manage their online presence, create content, and engage with customers.
3. Airbnb Host
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Back in the day, if you needed a place to stay, you booked a hotel or crashed on a friend’s couch. Now, renting out your spare room (or an entire house) on Airbnb is a popular way to earn extra cash.
4. Online Course Creator
Buro Millennial on Pexels
In the past, teaching meant standing in front of a classroom or offering in-person lessons. Today, platforms like Udemy and Teachable allow experts to create and sell courses on everything from photography to coding.
5. YouTuber
Ivan Samkov on Pexels
If you told someone in the ’80s that people would make millions by filming themselves and posting videos online, they’d laugh. Yet today, content creators on YouTube earn money from ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
6. Virtual Assistant
Canva Studio on Pexels
In the ’80s, assistants worked in offices, answering phones and filing paperwork. Now, people can provide administrative support remotely, handling emails, scheduling, and customer service from their laptops.
7. Influencer Marketing
Mizuno K on Pexels
Before the internet, brands relied on celebrities and TV commercials to promote their products. Nowadays, people with a strong social media following can make a living by endorsing products.
8. Drop Shipping
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Running a retail business in the ’80s meant stocking inventory and managing a storefront. With drop shipping, people can sell products online without handling the merchandise.
9. Cryptocurrency Trader
Worldspectrum on Pexels
In the ’80s, the stock market was a common way to invest, but digital currencies like Bitcoin didn’t even exist. Today, people trade crypto for profit, turning a new type of digital asset into a serious side hustle.
10. Podcasting
George Milton on Pexels
Radio was king in the ’80s, and starting your own show required a station and a broadcasting license. Now, anyone with a microphone and an internet connection can launch a podcast.
11. Print-on-Demand Seller
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Back then, selling custom T-shirts or mugs meant printing them in bulk and hoping they’d sell. Today, print-on-demand services like Redbubble and Teespring let creators sell unique designs without upfront costs.
12. App Developer
Rodrigo Santos on Pexels
Software development existed in the ’80s, but building and selling an app from your living room wasn’t a thing. Now, independent developers create and monetize mobile apps without working for a big company.
13. Gig Work on Fiverr or Upwork
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Freelancing in the past meant knocking on doors, sending out résumés, or relying on word-of-mouth. Now, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allow people to offer skills like graphic design, writing, and video editing to clients worldwide.
14. Online Reselling (Flipping)
Andres Ayrton on Pexels
Buying and selling used goods isn’t new, but eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark have made it easier than ever. People now make a living flipping everything from sneakers to vintage furniture.
15. Subscription Box Curator
Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels
Subscription services barely existed in the past, and they were mostly for magazines or CDs. Now, entrepreneurs create niche subscription boxes for anything from snacks to self-care products.
16. Drone Photography
Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash
Aerial photography in the ’80s required expensive helicopters and professional cameras. Today, drone operators can make money shooting real estate photos, wedding videos, and promotional content.
17. Voiceover Work from Home
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Back then, voiceover work was strictly for professionals in studio settings. Now, people record voiceovers for commercials, audiobooks, and video games from home using affordable equipment.
18. Stock Photo Selling
Lisa from Pexels on Pexels
Photography was an expensive hobby in the ’80s, and selling photos required physical prints. Today, photographers upload their images to sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock, earning passive income from downloads.
19. Online Tutoring
Katerina Holmes on Pexels
Tutoring in the past meant meeting in person, often through word-of-mouth connections. Now, teachers and subject experts offer virtual lessons through platforms like VIPKid and Chegg Tutors.
20. Professional Gaming and Streaming
Yan Krukau on Pexels
Video games were purely for fun in the ’80s—no one thought they could be a career. Now, people earn money by streaming on Twitch, competing in esports, and monetizing gaming content.