15 Best Weekend Jobs to Boost Your Income

Why work during weekends? There are many reasons to look for a weekend job, either instead of or in addition to traditional 9-to-5 employment.

For example, some people need to supplement the income from their Monday through Friday position. Other workers with children have a partner who is available on the weekend to care for their children, giving them availability to work. Students with heavy class schedules during the week may choose to allocate weekend hours to paid employment. Still, other workers prefer to schedule their working hours on the weekend, freeing up weekdays for other activities.

Types of Available Jobs

Some jobs are available for weekend work because you can set your own schedule. For others, there is a demand for employees who are available to work a weekend schedule. The emergence of the gig economy and work-from-home options offer a broad range of opportunities to concentrate on work at the weekend voluntarily.

These opportunities are available at a variety of skill and education levels. Other major areas of opportunity include industries like hospitality, retail, travel, and real estate that experience peak demand on the weekend.

Good Weekend Jobs to Earn Extra Income

Here’s a look at some of the best jobs for people who want to work weekends, including a job description and earnings potential.

1. Rideshare Driver

Driving for a service like Uber or Lyft enables you to work whenever you want, including just on weekends. Weekends are a time when potential customers want rides to entertainment and shopping venues like restaurants, bars, theaters, and malls. Many drivers work for multiple services to expand their earning opportunities.

Rideshare drivers need to be good drivers and must own a vehicle in good working condition. Uber and Lyft drivers typically earn between $15 and $20 per hour, according to Glassdoor.

2. Retail Sales Worker

Stores in many areas experience peak volume of shoppers on the weekend when they allocate staffing more extensively. Retail sales clerks (and other personnel who stock and organize merchandise) need strong customer service skills and attention to detail to process transactions accurately. Retail positions require staff to spend long hours on their feet.

3. Amazon/eBay Seller

eBay sellers and Amazon sellers have the flexibility to focus most of their efforts on promoting products at the weekend. They may need to respond to some buyers during the week, but uploading listings, packaging, and mailing orders can be done on the weekend. The seasonal peak for online sales tends to correspond with the holiday shopping season.

Both services charge a variety of fees for listing and selling items. The fee structures differ slightly, but you can count on paying 10-15% of the product price in fees.

4. Wedding Photographer/Videographer

Weddings are mostly scheduled on weekends, so this job can be perfect for photography and videography enthusiasts. You may need to meet with prospective clients during the week, but most of the work, including building a website with portfolio samples and editing photos and videos, can be done on the weekend.

Wedding photographers and videographers can earn big bucks, with an average charge of $2,000, according to WeddingWire.

5. Handyperson

Most working families would prefer to have home repairs done on the weekend, during their off-hours. Potential customers often don't have the skills or the time to complete jobs like minor carpentry, installing light fixtures, painting, repairing drywall, or light plumbing work.

The average hourly rate for handyperson services is $60 to $125, according to Home Advisor. Aspiring handywomen and handymen can build references by taking on jobs with friends and neighbors.

6. Wedding Musician or DJ

Weddings are typically weekend events, and bands can also schedule much of their practice time on the weekend. You might need to schedule some time to meet with prospective clients during the week, but most of the work can take place on the weekend.

Wedding musicians must master a broad range of tunes to satisfy diverse generational and musical tastes at weddings and parties. The average wedding band charges $4,500, according to WeddingWire.

7. Bartender

Bars experience high traffic on weekends. Sports bars are very busy around weekend sporting events like college and professional football. Wedding and event venues will also provide weekend-based opportunities.

Bartenders need to have knowledge regarding mixing drinks, a lively personality, good listening abilities, and customer service skills. They earn most of their income from tips, so there is a wide range of potential compensation based on customer volume.

8. Golf Caddy

Most golf courses experience high levels of weekend traffic. Caddying opportunities are mainly available during the warmer seasons in areas with temperate winter weather but can be year-round in states like Florida and Arizona. It helps to have first-hand knowledge of equipment and how to approach different holes. Physical stamina is required to walk courses and carry clubs.

Income for caddies varies greatly based on the level of the course and golfer, and the tips received.

9. Registered Nurse

There is a high demand for registered nurses to supplement regular staff and to work weekends. Per diem nurses may earn a premium—it’s not unheard of for these RNs to earn $100 per hour or more.

10. Tax Preparer

Organizations like H&R Block train and hire seasonal workers to help clients to prepare tax returns. Weekends are a prime time for customers to seek tax assistance. Tax preparers interview clients to extract information about income and expenses and seek to maximize deductions. Tax preparers consult with senior staff regarding complex tax issues.

11. Freelance Writer/Editor

Freelance writers and editors create content for websites and compose written materials such as direct marketing pieces, business reports, and feature articles. Editors proofread writing, correct grammar, and modify writing to enhance readability. Much of this work could be done on weekends around a worker's or student's weekday commitments.

12. Web Designer

Web designers analyze the needs of businesses, individuals, and other entities to represent their operations to the public through the internet. They create web pages using coding and formatting tools. Web designers incorporate content, graphics, and video into websites. They must have a strong knowledge of desktop web authoring tools, as well as writing and graphic design skills. Some freelance designers partner with writers and graphic designers to complete projects.

Much of this development work can be conducted on the weekend, perhaps except for some communication with prospective and ongoing clients.

13. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives communicate with customers over the phone or online to solve problems with products or to educate consumers about the effective use of products and services.

• Technical support workers educate users regarding the use of computers, software, and related products and services.
• Customer service representatives need to be patient with disgruntled customers and have strong listening, verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.

14. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual aspects of web pages, brochures, logos, packaging, advertisements, reports, and presentations. They translate the ideas of clients into viable designs. Graphic designers must possess creative abilities, aesthetic sensibility, and expertise in working with desktop design programs. Web development and writing skills are helpful if the designer is working without partners.

Freelance designers carry out much of the design work completed in the U.S., especially projects for individuals and small businesses. Designers can work from home on the weekend.

15. Ski Instructor

Ski resorts experience peak traffic on weekends and need an expanded roster of instructors to meet demand. Ski instructors assess skiers' abilities, as well as explain and demonstrate an appropriate technique to enhance performance. They must be patient, socially engaging, and have strong communication skills. Knowledge of first aid is helpful. Ski instructors typically have advanced expertise as a skier, and certification may be required.