7 Ways to Get Paid During the Pandemic

Some side hustles have gone by the wayside during this pandemic. After all, who wants to go mystery shopping when we are trying to stay out of the stores? And renting a room out on Airbnb is just too risky in the age of social distancing.

But some hustles are just as relevant during the current health crisis, if not more so. If you have some extra time on your hands and need a little cash, these side hustles are pandemic-proof.

Become a contact tracer. One of the most important jobs during the pandemic is contact tracing — identifying and reaching out by phone, text or email to people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, connecting them with testing resources and keeping in touch with them to monitor their symptoms. Contact tracers are being hired across the country on a full-time and part-time basis, so if you want to help bring an end to the pandemic, this is a way to pick up extra cash in the process. While pay varies across the country, the job site Indeed says contact tracers earn, on average, around $19.72 per hour. Check your state health department’s website, as well as job sites such as Indeed.com for opportunities.

Tutor kids online. With so many students taking part in virtual learning, some parents may be itching to give their kids some extra support. Online tutoring services let you share your knowledge and offer students encouragement at a time that is convenient for you. Salary website PayScale lists $19.65 as the average hourly pay for online tutors. Among the sites that connect tutors and students are Club Z! Tutoring Services and Sylvan In-Home Tutoring.

Introduce your friends to new businesses. If you spend a lot of time posting on Facebook, here’s a way to possibly get paid for it. Drum is a service that brings together businesses looking for publicity and people looking to make referrals. When you share information about a company with your network via text, social media or email and someone makes a purchase, you get paid. Depending on the cost of the product, you can make anywhere from $10-$100-plus per referral. Your friends and family also benefit from discounts when they try products or services you tell them about.