Side jobs in the UK: over 1.3 million full-time workers have a second job. What pays best?

ONS (Office for National Statistics) data cited by the Polish Express website suggests that more than 1.3 million full-time workers in the UK have an additional job. They usually do it in the evenings or at weekends. Cost-of-living pressure, including high energy bills and inflation, is often behind these decisions.

A second job is not only about money. It can also help people gain new skills and try out a different career path.

Where earnings are highest

Popular side jobs include copywriting, dog walking, online tutoring and translation. According to Polish Express, better-paid options are:

• personal trainer – £20 to £60 per hour, which comes to £30,000 to £40,000 a year; the highest rates are for those working in London, Manchester and Bristol,
• yoga instructor – £20,000 to £40,000 a year; usually £20–30 per hour and sometimes £40–50 per hour,
• Uber driver – £11 to £17 per hour after fuel costs; in some cases £15–22, and in London £20–25 per hour.

The authors say a side job can raise annual income by up to £40,000. However, they do not say what data this figure is based on, so it should be treated with caution. Earnings depend on qualifications, the number of hours worked and location.

What is most popular

The most popular side activity is selling on Vinted, an online platform for buying and selling second-hand clothes, shoes and accessories. A small fee is charged on each transaction. According to the source, the value of the UK second-hand market exceeded £7 billion in 2025.

In second place is mystery shopping, which means reviewing services in shops, restaurants, banks and travel agencies. Third is selling on Etsy. Further down the list are creating content on TikTok and YouTube, selling on eBay, dog walking and cleaning.

What this means for you

The list shows which forms of extra income are popular in the UK, including among people who already have a full-time job. Before taking a second job, though, it is worth checking the tax position. According to GOV.UK, income from a side hustle may be taxable, and people who earn more than £1,000 from it may need to register for Self Assessment and declare the income to HMRC. It is also worth checking your employment contract, as some employers restrict second jobs.