Abby B. In this article, I’ll be sharing 27 ideas on side jobs for electricians, where some are related to your main profession and others may leverage on skills you may have. I’ll also provide recommendations of what you’ll need to start and provide more tailored options for making an extra income as an electrician.
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
27 Best Side Hustles For Electricians
As an electrician, you’re probably using social media to promote your services online. What’s better than using these platforms to grow your personal brand?
One way is to promote products related to your work and get brands to recognize you as an influencer. You don’t need a huge amount of followers to do this – it works as long as they’re engaged with your content!
Best platforms for beginners are TikTok, YouTube shorts and Instagram Reels. I suggest making videos reviewing tools or electrical products right from the start (even if it’s unpaid) so brands know what to expect if they work with you.
2. Start a door-to-door handyman service
Have a lot of free time and don’t mind driving around for side income? You can offer electrical fixing services for homes and alike.
Depending on the state you’re working in, be sure to be licensed and have proper insurance before starting any work. You can offer door-to-door services around your area by sharing your contact details in community groups and by word of mouth.
| What do I need to start? | – The right tools for the services you want to offer – Promote your service to your community |
3. Build a YouTube channel by teaching others to DIY
You don’t always need to actively fix electrical problems to be making an income. A passive way to make extra cash in the long run while still being able to utilize your knowledge as an electrician is to share it as videos via YouTube.
You can record yourself teaching others on how to DIY and fix electrical problems around their house. Check out the YouTube channels I’ve listed below!
Common ways to earn with YouTube is via advertisements, affiliates and sponsorships.
Interesting YouTube channels for electricians:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
4. Start a podcast for something you’re passionate about
Aside from YouTube, you can also become a content creator by having your own podcast. Some ways to make money from podcasts include earnings from downloads and sponsorships.
Compared to creating videos, it takes less gears and equipment to record a good quality podcast. It’s suitable for introverts and those with a small budget to spare.
You can talk about electrical-related topics or explore another passion you have like fishing, hiking or self development. It’s also fun to have a friend around as a guest to share their insights on the podcast.
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
If you’re someone who likes to Google for answers, I’m here to tell you that you can be the one providing the answers instead. Before there were YouTubers and podcasters, there were bloggers – and it’s still a thing!
Not everyone prefers making videos or recording audios, some find writing an easier activity for a side hustle. Similar to YouTube, you can make money from your own blog or website via advertisements, affiliates, brand deals and selling products (digital and non-digital).
A blog allows you to write in greater depth and provide readers with a better understanding on how to fix electrical items around the house by themselves. You can also explore other passions you may have.
I recommend starting with this beginner blogging course or check out my free article for step-by-step guide on how to set up a blog.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
6. Promote affiliate products or services to earn commission
To become an affiliate, you’ll need a platform to promote the products or services – and to share your links.
Although it’s much more common to see affiliate links in YouTube video descriptions or websites, it’s also doable for social media e.g. Pinterest and Twitter. Unlike brand sponsorships, you don’t need a huge number of followers to start earning with affiliates.
In fact, I received my first affiliate income before even withdrawing my first advertising income in the first year of blogging.
Popular affiliate marketplaces to join are Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission – usually a percentage of the sale made.
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
7. Buy a camera to take pictures and sell them as stock photos online
If you have an unexplored passion for photography, now is the time to take up the challenge. You don’t need to be a professional cameraman to be selling your shots as stock photos. You just need to be selling what other people need!
As an example, not all blogs or large websites have relevant images to use within their content and need to source from stock websites. They will purchase quality photos from individuals like you and I.
Get a good camera, pick up photography skills and start building your portfolio of photos. It will take some time before you start reaping the passive income.
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera – Photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
8. Become a freelance writer for other websites
Building a blog or website from scratch is not for everyone – sometimes I’m surprised that I even got here! If I was more impatient and sociable, I could have resorted to writing for someone else instead and immediately get paid for each article I’ve written.
If that sounds like you, you can become a freelance content writer for home DIY blogs or websites sharing information on electricity and electrical appliances. Freelance writers typically earn more than $100 per article by specializing in a niche e.g. electric.
It’s best to write for sites that are in your main language and operates in a country where your advice is relevant. Since electrical appliances and electricity build differs for each country, it’s better to write for a website that’s targeting a market you’re familiar with.
Compared to writing for your own site, you’ll need proven topic expertise and better language skills to be writing for others. This includes having SEO knowledge for content writing and owning a portfolio of work.
Start learning with this beginner freelance writing course I took myself. Aside from getting all the knowledge you need, you’ll also have the opportunity to write for the blog owner herself! She will only hire writers that takes her course.
| What do I need to start? | – Writing skills – Good command of English or the language you intend to write for – Promote your freelance writing service |
Check out: How to start freelance writing and make money (the ultimate resource)
9. Source and sell spare parts for expensive appliances
Not all appliances around the house needs to be replaced, they’re often expensive! So customers will resort to sourcing spare parts to replace instead of buying an all new fridge or oven.
If you’re already providing services to fix home appliances, consider sourcing popular spare parts and reselling them to your customers.
Depending on the size of these items, you’ll need some storage space to keep them.
Don’t have a big budget to start with? You can sell these items without really owning them in the first place. However, you’ll need good connections to source the parts for ready customers and just take a cut.
| What do I need to start? | – Knowledge of spare parts – Ability to source spare parts for cheap – Platform to market and sell |
10. Create digital products to sell on Etsy
One of the best ways to make money online without the hassle of keeping stock or handling daily operations is to sell digital products on sites like Etsy.
I highly recommend taking the time to learn how to create digital products and giving yourself some time to come up with a good one. It will bring you passive income in no time and you no longer have to be fixing electrical problems to make some extra cash.
| What do I need to start? | – A digital product idea – Tools to create the digital product – Platform to sell on |
11. Provide installation service for new home or shop owners
Instead of offering general electrician services, consider creating all-in-one packages for new home or shop owners. Installing electrical appliances e.g. lights should be a part of the package including any rewiring work.
For a side hustle, it’s often better to specialize in a single area than to tire yourself doing every odd job. By focusing on just installation, you get to charge a price that’s worth your time and manage your schedule better – including your team’s (if any).
It’s also much more straightforward than fixing things!
| What do I need to start? | – The right tools for the services you want to offer – Platform to promote the service to your community |
12. Teach others via workshops or paid online courses
If you’re interested in sharing your knowledge with the online community, you might be delighted to know that you can create online courses for others to purchase.
Compared to setting up physical workshops in your area, online courses let you reach a bigger audience and sell to more people. You also won’t have the worry of others competing against you in the same neighborhood.
Don’t know what to teach about? You can create courses on how new electricians can make money on the side or in an aspect you’ve mastered. Alternatively, make courses for home owners that are tired of paying too much for general fixes around the house.
The common price points for a single payment short online course are $30, $47 and $67 – but you’re free to price depending on the value you’re giving.
Some sites you can host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
13. Train others with electrician apprenticeship programs
Recording videos for courses and managing an online learning platform sounds like too much work? You can also give back to your community by training budding electricians via apprenticeship programs.
Depending on where you’re based in, there are surely institutes providing training for others to be a licensed electrician. Find out if they’re looking for trainers and consider signing up for a part-time role!
| What do I need to start? | – Experience and certifications to teach others in the field – Job openings in your area |
14. Paint homes and do minor enhancement work
Another way of attracting your ideal target market is to offer another service they might find useful. It’s also the same if you think the other way around – you can make more money from your current customers by doing a different service for them.
Painting homes especially an entire building is not an easy task but it’s doable with practice. It also does not take a professional to be making money painting houses.
| What do I need to start? | – House painting and enhancement skills – The right tools for the services you want to offer – Platform to promote the services |
15. Become a part-time gardener for others
Have a lawn mower at home and passionate about gardening? You can make money on the side by cutting grass for others. Even if you’re not interested in gardening and planting trees, it’s useful to know how to keep gardens neat and tidy.
You won’t have trouble retaining customers as they will need you to come back every two months or so. It goes the same for cleaning and maintaining swimming pools!
| What do I need to start? | – Basic gardening skills – Lawn mower and knowledge to use it – Platform to promote your services |
16. Sell and install CCTV systems
Thought of selling an electrical appliance on the side that complements your profession as an electrician? Selling CCTV systems should be in your list!
The bigger the house, the more cameras they will need for better monitoring. If there’s a lot of big houses in your area, consider yourself lucky.
Like I’ve mentioned before, specializing in a single type of business allows you to be seen as a professional and people won’t mind paying a higher price for your time. So if you’ve decided on CCTVs, best to just sell those and nothing else.
| What do I need to start? | – Knowledge to consult and install CCTV systems – Ability to source CCTV for cheaper than market – Platform to market your services |
17. Become a part-time real estate agent
Love exploring new neighborhoods and seeing beautiful houses? You should become a part-time real estate agent and earn commission for selling houses.
This way, you’ll also get first hand contact with new home owners that is surely going to need your electrician services. It all works out even if you’re not the best real estate agent in the area!
| What do I need to start? | – Certifications to become a real estate agent – Knowledge of area and community – Platform to market your services |
18. Collect and recycle scraps for money
Perhaps one of the best ways for electricians to earn side income is by selling unused parts and scraps from their day-to-day fixing job.
Electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, bus plugs, transformers, fusible switches and motor controls can be resold for cash. This is applicable regardless if the items are new, used, broken or obsolete. There are companies that accept them!
These parts are either recycled or resold due to surplus so you’re definitely supporting a green initiative.
| What do I need to start? | – Has a lot of work that allows you to collect scraps – A center that accepts it in return for cash |
19. Help people move houses as a mover
If you have an existing truck and sometimes don’t really use it, you can become a part-time mover. Help others pack their belongings and move to new houses/shops/offices.
Movers are typically paid based on number of trips needed to make with a full load. Additional services like packing will allow you to charge more.
| What do I need to start? | – A commercial vehicle – Part time driver cum mover – Equipment for easy move e.g. trolley, boxes |
20. Work for a hardware store in your neighborhood
Not looking for anything beyond what you’re used to? Take a part-time job at a local hardware store in your area and get paid by the hour.
These stores are usually more interested in hiring experienced professionals as you are also able to provide advice and free consultation to their customers.
| What do I need to start? | – Experience and knowledge of the job and products – Good working skills and ability to consult others |
21. Drive other people with Uber or Lyft
As we move towards remote working, owning a car is no longer a necessity. I’ve sold my car for the same reason as I’m now working from home!
If you have a car and love don’t mind driving in between schedules, driving others with Uber or Lyft is a great option. A car doesn’t have to be a burden and can make you money in a few different ways!
Aside from driving people around, you can get paid to deliver packages or food with either Amazon Flex or Uber Eats.
| What do I need to start? | – A vehicle to drive – Smartphone to receive ride orders |
22. Rent out a spare room on Airbnb
Similar to renting out an unused car, you can rent out an unused room or house you have. Setting up your place to become a host on Airbnb requires a budget and may seem tedious at first but it’s the initial steps that is always the hardest.
Depending on the crowd you’re looking to attract, the room or house requires different kinds of furnishing. The rental should help cover some of your mortgage – if you own a duplex, live in one half and rent out the other half!
| What do I need to start? | – A vacant room or property – Some home deco make the place rentable – Platform to market the space |
Check out: The ultimate guide to start hosting on Airbnb
23. Rent out your vehicle or use it for advertisements
Another way of making money with your car is to rent it out or get paid by placing advertisements on the vehicle. The second option is much more feasible if you need to use the car for your daily activities.
The advertisements work best if you’re staying in the city center and drive frequently. Some companies may want to know how much you’re driving per day!
Depending on the campaign you’re going for, wraps or stickers can be self-installed or you’ll need to visit an assigned workshop to get it installed professionally. Campaigns can last for a few weeks to a few months and your pay varies accordingly.
| What do I need to start? | – A vehicle you can rent out or place advertisements on |
24. Complete short surveys in your free time
If you need something quick and don’t have a lot of time in hand, completing online surveys in between schedules may work for you. Completely doable using a mobile phone if you don’t have a computer!
Although surveys can’t bring in a lot of income, it takes little time to complete and suitable for almost everyone.
The pay varies depending on difficulty and amount of time taken to complete the survey. Payouts are usually made when you meet an income threshold – possible with completing a few surveys.
| What do I need to start? | – Your mobile phone – Signing up to online survey platforms |
Want to make $300 this month?
Easy! Just fill up surveys in your free time on Survey Junkie!
Save up for that dream vacation. You deserve it.
25. Buy and resell second hand goods for profit
Apart from selling tools and parts you’re no longer using, you can also make a side hustle out of buying and selling used stuffs.
Start by selling your own personal items then move on to sourcing second hand goods from others to resell them for profit.
Other than Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Poshmark, you can source these from your local flea market. Some popular things to flip are furniture, antiques, jackets, car accessories and tech stuffs.
| What do I need to start? | – An eye to spot underpriced goods – Skills and platform to sell online or offline – A small budget to purchase your first second hand item |
26. Offer pet-sitting services in your area
A lot of people overlook how much money they can make from just taking care of pets for their friends and neighbors.
Pet sitters usually make $15-20 per visit and can make $200 easily in a single weekend! People are more inclined to hire someone they personally know to take care of their furry friends and those with some experience taking care of their own pets.
There are great opportunities to make money with pet-sitting if you take it as a serious side hustle.
Services you can include with pet sitting:
- Walking
- Home boarding
- Sleepovers and night care
- Training
- Bring to vet
- Basic grooming & care
- Travel trips
| What do I need to start? | – Good skills with pets e.g. dogs, cats – Tools for the service you want to offer – Platform to market your services |
27. Design and sell your own merchandise with print on demand
Thought of going into ecommerce but unsure how much money you need to start? I always recommend people trying out print on demand as there’s almost zero cost involved!
Print on demand involves individuals making designs and selling them on merchandises like t-shirts, phone cases or tote bags. These items are only printed and shipped once a customer makes a purchases hence there’s you pay nothing until you make a sale.
The best designing tools for beginners are Canva or Kittl. You can then upload your designs to fulfillments like Printify or Printful, then sync your dashboard to an Etsy store or Shopify store to start selling.
Once an order comes in, your chosen fulfillment will print the product and ship it to your customers!
It’s a side hustle I highly recommend if you have an eye for good design and want to make money passively. You can also purchase ready designs on creative marketplaces like Envato Elements or Creative Fabrica.
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
How To Make Money Online As An Electrician
These are 11 ideas on online side hustles for electricians:
- Start a YouTube channel teaching others how to repair electrical problems
- Share how-to and home DIY content online with a blog
- Create short-form educational videos for TikTok, Instagram or YouTube
- Become an affiliate marketer for tools, repairing gears and related services
- Pre-record your DIY lessons to sell as online courses
- Design merchandise and sell online with print on demand
- Take photos to sell on stock photography websites
- Make money by selling things you no longer use
- Sell digital products on Etsy
- Create books or how-to guides to sell on Amazon KDP
- Teach school students via online education platforms
13 Ways To Make Passive Income For Electricians
Here’s 13 ways you can make passive income as an electrician:
- Start an online dropshipping business
- Promote products or services to earn affiliate income
- Make money with advertisements via YouTube
- Write for Medium and earn as a creator
- Create your own e-book to sell on Amazon KDP
- Sell electrical products with Amazon
- Become a creator on TikTok and Instagram
- Sell stock photos online
- Create digital products to list on Etsy
- Become an online course creator on Udemy or Skillshare
- Start a podcast in a topic you’re passionate about
- Rent out a spare room in your home
- Get paid placing advertisements on your car
7 Electrical Side Jobs You Can Do On The Side
Here’s 7 ideas on electrical side jobs you can take in your free time:
- Sell and install CCTV systems
- Install lights and home appliances
- Fix wiring of houses and offices
- Repair and clean expensive kitchen appliances
- Design and build dedicated gaming rooms or home offices
- Teach aspiring electricians
- Install house gates or fences
Which Side Hustle Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustle for electricians you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which side hustle is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
There are so many suitable side hustles for electricians you can explore. Start by writing down your personal interests, then list down ideas on how they can be monetized.
Take it from me, the best way to get started with side hustles is to TRY. You’ll never know what you like! Give yourself time to test the things I’ve listed above.
In my experience, building passive income streams is the way to no longer trade time for money.
Here are 27 best side hustles for electricians:
- Get sponsored by brands as a social media influencer
- Start a door-to-door handyman service
- Build a YouTube channel by teaching others to DIY
- Start a podcast for something you’re passionate about
- Share your knowledge with your own home DIY blog
- Promote affiliate products or services to earn commission
- Buy a camera to take pictures and sell them as stock photos online
- Become a freelance writer for other websites
- Source and sell spare parts for expensive appliances
- Create digital products to sell on Etsy
- Provide installation service for new home or shop owners
- Teach others via workshops or paid online courses
- Train others with electrician apprenticeship programs
- Paint homes and do minor enhancement work
- Become a part-time gardener for others
- Sell and install CCTV systems
- Become a part-time real estate agent
- Collect and recycle scraps for money
- Help people move houses as a mover
- Work for a hardware store in your neighborhood
- Drive other people with Uber or Lyft
- Rent out a spare room on Airbnb
- Rent out your vehicle or use it for advertisements
- Complete short surveys in your free time
- Buy and resell second hand goods for profit
- Offer pet-sitting services in your area
- Design and sell your own merchandise with print on demand
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by Anete Lusina
