5 uncommon side hustles that can earn you an extra $500 per month to keep up with inflation

Some couriers earn up to $23 an hour. Maskot/Getty Images

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• About 44% of working Americans have side hustles just to make ends meet.
• If usual recommendations like driving for Uber or pet-sitting haven't worked for you, consider these 5 side hustle ideas for extra cash.
• Due to the popularity of online shopping, warehouse gigs are here to stay.

If you're looking for a side hustle to keep up with inflation, soothe looming recession fears, or buy highly coveted Beyoncé tickets, know that you're not alone. A survey by Insuranks estimates that 44% of working Americans have a side hustle just to make ends meet. 

Here are some of the most common side hustles that people try, and how much they pay on average, according to the employment website Indeed.

• Food and grocery delivery drivers for apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats or Instacart make an average of $17.41 per hour.
• Pet-sitters make an average of $14.41 per hour.
• Rideshare drivers on apps like Lyft and Uber make an average of $9.45 per hour after expenses.

If you've already exhausted these common side hustle ideas, here are five others that can help you earn an extra $500 per month.

1. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants provide administrative support for personal or business endeavors. Business owners and busy individuals typically hire virtual assistants to lighten their workload.

According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant is $24.99 across the US. You can use sites like Upwork to find gigs, or create your own online presence to start advertising your services to businesses in your network. 

2. Plasma donor

Plasma donations are used to save lives and create new medications. According to sites like CSL Plasma, donors can make up to $500 per month depending on the location. However, you need to pass rigorous health requirements to qualify.

3. House cleaner

The average house cleaner makes $17.82 per hour in the US, according to Indeed. If you have extra time on nights or weekends, you can use apps like Handy or Maids App to find extra work.

4. Courier

Usually, businesses hire couriers to deliver packages and sensitive documents. Sometimes, people with extra cash hire couriers to deliver personal gifts with an extra special touch.

If you have your own motor vehicle or bicycle, you can sign up to be a courier on sites like Senpex and Dropoff. On their websites, Senpex says it pays up to $23 an hour, and Dropoff delivery drivers reported an average hourly rate of $28.42 per hour on Indeed.

5. Warehouse picker or packer

Warehouse pickers and packers are responsible for packaging online orders to go out to customers. Since most Americans do their shopping online, warehouse jobs are here to stay, plus they offer flexible hours. According to Indeed, warehouse workers make an average of $16.81 per hour in the US.

Use an app like Instawork to find a warehouse in need of extra hands in your area.