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BUSINESS NEWS

A fifth of side hustlers earn over £1,000 a month

A fifth of side hustlers earn over £1,000 a month
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Wed 22nd Jan 2025

Last updated: Wed 22nd Jan 2025

One in five people running a side hustle generate more than £1,000 a month, new research reveals.

The study by Adobe Express found that 20% of those running an entrepreneurial venture alongside other work make that amount, with 73% making up to £500 monthly.

Money making side hustles

The most financially rewarding sector for side hustles was information technology, where 24% are earning over £1,000.

This is followed by engineering and manufacturing ventures (20%), and science and pharmaceutical side hustles with 14% of founders generating a monthly income of £1,000.

The least lucrative sector for side hustles is teacher training and education, with 54% earning under £100 per month.

When it comes to the amount of time part-time entrepreneurs spend running their side hustle, 72% said they dedicate up to 10 hours per week, and 18% work on it for 20 hours or more.

More than three fifths reported that their side hustle is a success so far, but key challenges include balancing the side hustle with their main job (39%), and tackling administrative tasks and paperwork (27%)

On marketing, 35% said social media has been the best way to promote the brand, while 18% highlighted networking with other entrepreneurs as helping grow their project.

Most popular side hustles

Among respondents keen to set up a side hustle, the most popular sector in which to start one was the creative arts industry (21%), followed by retail and ecommerce (19%), health and wellness (15%) and education and tutoring (10%).

Less popular sectors were hospitality and events (6%) and finance and consulting (5%).

The side hustle research follows Enterprise Nation's 2025 StartUp Ambition report which showed that nearly half of UK adults (47%) are considering starting a business or side hustle in 2025, a rise of 12% on 2024.

Among 18- to 30-year-olds, 62% are planning to start a business, and over half (51%) of those aged 31–40 are similarly ambitious.


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Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance content creator and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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