How to Find Side Jobs on Craigslist

I just made $111 dollars for 3 hours of work. I was fed a sandwich, a cookie, and even given coffee to perk me up. What was I doing? I was participating in a mock jury. I can’t tell you what we talked about, but what I can say is that it was engaging, stimulating, and fun. What was I doing? Making extra money on Craiglist by participating in a mock jury. I can’t tell you what we talked about, but what I can say is that it was engaging, stimulating, and fun. After several months of finding side jobs Craigslist, I’ve definitely made money and discovered a couple of things so here's my own guide on how to find side jobs on Craigslist.

Craigslist isn't just for selling your stuff or meeting randos. Even in 2023.

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When to look for jobs on Craiglist

Back in 2015, I was on a journey to repay my debt. Sadly, I discovered that cutting my expenses isn’t going to generate enough money to pay off my debt at the pace that I’ve set for myself. (And I didn't want to consider debt consolidation or refinancing.)

I needed to make extra money and to make said money as quickly as possible because I was doing a challenge in front of my blogging community where I was trying to pay off $8,000 in 90 days. And while I did have this blog and my freelance writing side hustle, I needed more.

Because of this, I decided to turn to another avenue for finding jobs: Craigslist.Even as I sit here updating this old piece in late 2023, I was shocked to find there are still a number of reputable side gigs available on Craiglist.

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First, there's a lot of junk out there. Sifting through it is just part of the process.

Comfortable cleaning someone’s house with your top off? Then there are a ton of jobs for you.
If you would like to donate your eggs and happen to meet the recipient’s criteria then there is a lot of money to be made (especially if you’re blonde!)
Like kids? You can be a low-paid nanny or mother’s helper! People are looking!
Do you like to drive? Then you can drive people to their final destination in exchange for 420. For those of you who don’t know what that is: it’s ganja, the demon weed, or pot. Hey, I live in Colorado.
Do you enjoy giving massages? People are always asking for them!

……For some reason, I felt that the jobs listed above wouldn’t work for me…..

Obviously, it's Craigslist. There's weird stuff out there. But if you can wade through, there are tons of legit side gig opportunities available.

Mock Jury -just did one today!
Surveys -am currently doing one now.
Lawn Watering -I did that for two weeks.
Cleaning houses –With my top on, obviously.
Helping Run Events -There are a ton of festivals, parties, etc. in Denver/Boulder. They are always looking for help running booths, set-up and clean up.
Scavenger Hunt -I had to do a run-through of a scavenger hunt and check that the clues were clear if things had been moved around, and note any confusing information. I had tons of fun doing it!

Other side jobs on Craigslist You May Be Interested in (That aren't Sketchy….)

Office projects – I would like to do short term office projects. I work in an office so I don’t want a long-term project.
Wrapping my car with an ad – only if I believed in the product. I don’t have a car…but, if I did!
Event Promotions -but, not the grocery store promotions. Hungry people are annoying so I prefer handing out samples. I love it when I get them.
Golf Event Ambassador-I LOVE golfing. I’m serious. I really enjoy it! I don’t have car right now so I can’t do this one.

Below are a few other gems I found specific to those with certain skill sets. (And now in 2023, I find the filter tools are incredibly more advanced than they were nearly a decade ago. You can filter by the types of job you're interested in, specific industries, how you'll be paid, and more!)

Craigslist side jobs for creatives

Using your creative skills to earn extra money could be quite lucrative in the long run. And it might be something you would actually enjoy spending your time doing. (Particularly if you live in Atlanta, where I'm from, there are a lot of film industry gigs on Craigslist still. And typically once you're “in” with that company or casting/production team, you'll no longer need to trawl Craigslist for more work.)

Freelance Photography

Regularly occurring local events (block parties, holidays, etc.) can be a goldmine of opportunity for the aspiring photographer! Look to support the desperate last-minute needs of specialty celebrations like weddings, reunions, or birthday events.

Graphic Design

If you’re good with creating logos, website headers, or making stickers for political rallies, itfyou can find someone on Craigslist looking for help. If you are in and are talented with a pen/stylus then whipping up quick designs might be an easy way to make some extra money while sipping your morning coffee.

Web Design

These days you don’t have to be a coder to make websites. Many templates are available to help you along the way and most people trying their hand at increasing their business by creating their first website just need something tidy that can get their name out there.

Video Editing (Videographer)

If you’re good with editing videos, look for people or local organizations (like church groups, the VFW, or other local groups) that need someone to stitch together footage on something or someone they are honoring or remembering. It would be a great way to practice your skills for the vloggers of the world.

Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist

Look for special events requiring people who can bring out someone’s best with hair and makeup.

Jobs that pay cash on Craigslist (Manual labor)

The largest portion of jobs that pay cash on Craigslist is for manual labor. After all, manual labor never goes out of style. If you are a skilled laborer, a professional do-it-yourselfer, or just someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty, then Craigslist may be a great way for you to start building your own client list and take your side hustle to full-time status.

Landscaping

Most people with lawns will require regular maintenance. As long as you can do the work for a good price then you might be able to make it a regular gig on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Dog Poop Service

Believe it or not you can get paid for providing “Dog Waste Removal Service” to those with pets who don’t want to pick up their pet’s poop. It’s an honest AND lucrative way to earn money.

Handyman Projects

Basic handyman projects like changing a ceiling fan or light fixture, or doing small renovations to unpowered structures like sheds or gazebos would be a great way to earn extra income for any able-bodied person in a pinch and wouldn’t require you to have a General Contractor License (depending on your local laws). Painting is also a very lucrative option in this category and supplies are relatively cheap to get started.

General Laborer

Usually, a non-specific type of labor like construction site cleanup, shop laborer for local businesses, or laundry attendant for motel chains can be easy to find and doesn’t require your own tools or supplies in order to get started.

Academic Craigslist side jobs

For those of you who are handier with a science or history book (rather than power tools) start by looking for opportunities to teach.

Tutoring

School-age children aren’t the only ones in need of tutoring. Adults starting school again might need help remembering those long-forgotten algebra and science subjects learned back when they were in high school.

ESL Instructor

So long as you aren’t starting from scratch with a client (where there is a language barrier to break) practicing pronunciations should be a walk in the park for any native English speaker (or other applicable languages including American Sign Language).

Library Assistant

Schools (public and private), universities, and local public libraries might be in need of people who know their way around books and filing systems. These gigs can be as simple as organizing and putting away returns. Libraries may also need extra help during special events or certain times of the year.

Important tips for finding side jobs on Craigslist

Craigslist has gotten a reputation for being a bad place for getting jobs and a good place to get scammed. But don’t let that reputation deter you from searching it for legitimate jobs!

Here’s what you can do to be sure you don’t get scammed:

If you live in a mid-sized to large town/city-you should be looking at Craigslist daily for side hustles.
Be clear about how you’re going to be paid. For the Mock Jury, I was given a check and I’m pretty sure that it will clear. For another side hustle, I was paid via PayPal. I have also been paid cash (I prefer this!)
Really vet the jobs that you’re going after. Tell the poster of the ad that people know where you are. Leave all contact details with a loved one. If it sounds fishy or your bells go off, listen to that.
Be cautious when clicking on links within emails. If you need to open links, instead, type the address in a separate browser window (which should have an https:// at the beginning).
Don’t accept payments made through unconventional means (Western Union, cryptocurrencies, cashier’s checks, personal checks). The best ways to accept payments are PayPal (for remote work) or cash (best if you have a counterfeit pen to verify).
Get a letter of agreement or contract in place BEFORE work is started. It is important to get something in writing that explains the scope of work you will be doing, start and end times of the job, how much you’ll be paid for the job, and the method of payment.

Finally, be wary of multiple postings that contain the same language or any type of broken or grammatically incorrect wording. Misspellings, lack of details about the job, and anything about the job that seems suspicious should be a red flag to you. They may be searching for gig workers, but they can still be professional.

The TL:DR

Learning how to find side jobs on Craigslist doesn't have to be super scary, and is still a thriving gig marketplace, even in 2023. If you need extra money and aren’t using Craigslist I encourage you to consider giving it a try. If we're all tired of the apps, why not go back to the classics?

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on August 7th, 2013 by Michelle Jackson. It has been updated in 2023 with additional editorial contributions from Lauren Bowling.