"In New York City, there are no less than seven unconventional part-time jobs that provide surprising financial returns. These legitimate side hustles range from independent driving to offering unique services, all proving to be lucrative options."
In the bustling city of New York, the traditional 9-to-5 job is not the only path to a respectable income. Unconventional jobs, some of which have gone viral, offer decent pay and cater to the city's unique culture.
Sydney Charlet, a 29-year-old woman, made headlines for getting paid to sit in other people's cars while they were being towed. This unusual job is just one example of the diverse opportunities available in the city.
One such unconventional job is being a live mannequin or brand ambassador. These individuals are paid to pose in store windows or promote brands at events, earning between $25–$50 per hour, with higher pay during major events like Fashion Week.
Another interesting option is freelance niche tour guiding. By creating unique walking tours based on interests like food, history, or stories, tour guides can earn over $100 per tour if marketed well on platforms like Airbnb Experiences.
Professional line sitting is another job that taps into NYC’s hectic culture. Individuals get paid to wait in long lines for exclusive product releases or events. The fees for this service increase by 25 dollars for every hour after the initial two hours.
Dog party planners and pet photographers also find success in New York, catering to the city's pet-loving population. These roles can be lucrative and reflect NYC's unique culture.
Other unconventional side gigs include moving, bartending, driving for rideshares, and bookkeeping. These roles offer about $37,861, $39,458, $38,231, and $50,820 per year, respectively, nationally.
These roles stand out because they diverge from typical 9-to-5 jobs yet provide respectable income streams suitable for New Yorkers seeking flexible or creative work arrangements. Authenticity, physical stamina, or niche skills often help increase earnings in these areas.
While more traditional high-paying jobs like computer programming or product management are available remotely with salaries often exceeding $60K–$100K, they are not as unconventional.
In Manhattan, a person making $100,000 a year has a net income of approximately $30,362 after taxes and living expenses. This underscores the importance of unconventional jobs in supplementing income in the city.
For those interested in more unconventional jobs, opportunities exist in various fields. Art schools and studios in New York often look for portrait models, some of whom get to keep their clothes on. In some cases, figure models are required to pose nude for students.
Interestingly, New York's sidewalks can also be a source of income. Found treasures can be sold for extra cash on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
In New York, there are unique jobs available, such as posing as a fake date for someone. One individual earned $250 for a dinner outing as a fake date.
For those interested in professional line sitting, companies like Same Ol Line Dudes offer services starting at $50 for two hours.
In a more unusual turn of events, rat breeding for NYU labs or similar institutions requires previous experience in a research environment.
Lastly, the Coney Island's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest had a prize pool of $40,000 this year. While no information about winning big is provided, it's a unique event that offers a chance to participate and potentially win a significant amount of money.
In summary, if you seek unusual but decently paid NYC jobs, consider live mannequins, freelance niche tour guides, professional line sitting, and specialized pet services, all of which can be lucrative and reflect NYC's unique culture. Additionally, opportunities exist in more traditional fields like computer programming and product management, although they may not be as unconventional.
- Live mannequins and freelance niche tour guides, who leverage New York's unique culture, can earn between $25–$100+ per hour.
- Unconventional jobs like dog party planning, pet photography, and selling found treasures on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can provide supplementary income in the city.
