You can make money in London through online work, side hustles, and the city’s tourism and film industries.
The easiest options are dog walking and pet sitting, freelancing a skill online, and offering guided tourist experiences. London’s size also creates paid extra work in its TV and film industry. A typical London salary is around £49,692, though many aim for more given the higher cost of living in London, so a side income makes a real difference.
London is an incredible place to live – but it is very expensive. It’s renowned for its high prices, but also it’s higher wages.
So, if you’re just moving into the big city and are wondering how to make money in London then you’ve come to the right place.
The cost of living in London is on the rise and it was one of the highest cost of goods increases founds across the country in 2022.
According to Statista, in June of 2022, the average monthly rental price in London was an eye-watering £1,846.
This was more than double that of Yorkshire and Humberside’s average of £761.
Rental prices are astronomical – don’t even mention the cost of food and travel! Finding ways to make more money in London can help you enjoy everything this wonderful city has to offer.
Whatever your situation, keep reading for more ways to earn extra income in London.
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Table of Contents
How to make money in London?
If you are looking to make money in London there are lots of ways to do it.
Full-time employment will give you the most substantial salary, of course, and this can be supplemented with additional part-time or holiday work.
A good salary in London is around £49,692 on average but many aim for £55,000 or more to live comfortably.
Of course you can just go get yourself a standard job but in this guide we look at other ways you can do it.
These aren’t the normal 9-5 roles you’ll find on job boards so read on to find out more!
The Top 20 Ways To Make Money In London
1. Offer tourist experiences
It is difficult to measure exactly how many tourists visit London every year, but the city was forecasted to receive 41.3% of the UK’s international visitors in 2022 (around 11.2 million people).
Offering unique city tours and tourist experiences can be a great way to monetise this influx of visitors. My favourite ideas include:
- Tours of historic areas
- Tours photography enthusiasts
- Street art walking tours
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2. Make use of the TV and film industry
Dog walking and pet sitting can be easy ways to make extra cash. Many people in London spend a lot of time commuting to and from work, so having someone to care for their pets when they are out brings peace of mind.
There are even services for pairing dog owners with walkers – a very convenient tool.
My guide on how to start a small business is great if you love dogs and want to build a business around them. Caring for people’s canine companions can be a very rewarding job.
3. Care for people's pets
Dog walking and pet sitting can be easy ways to make extra cash. Many people in London spend a lot of time commuting to and from work, so having someone to care for their pets when they are out brings peace of mind.
There are even services for pairing dog owners with walkers – a very convenient tool.
My guide on how to start a small business is great if you love dogs and want to build a business around them. Caring for people’s canine companions can be a very rewarding job.
4. Provide house-sitting services
As well as looking after people’s pets when they are out, being a house sitter is an excellent way to earn extra money in London.
You can provide security for homes that would otherwise be left alone, as well as take care of the garden and other daily chores
5. Carry out odd jobs
If you are handy, you can offer your services to those who aren’t. This can be anything from putting up shelves to building flat-pack furniture.
With so many people in London, there is always a job that needs doing. By providing random services you will have a wider audience.
You will also be able to charge a higher premium for more unusual tasks – I’m willing to bet there will be some interesting requests.
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6. Become a driver
If you have a vehicle and driver’s license, look into driving jobs. Companies like Uber and Just Eat make it easy for drivers to find work in different areas of London.
7. Deliver items
Delivering items in London can be done by various modes of transport, including:
- Car
- Van
- Motorbike
- Scooter
- Bike
If you have any of these and know your way around the area, you could get a job delivering parcels or food.
8. Become a mystery shopper
Mystery shoppers are a great way for businesses to ensure their services are up to scratch.
Becoming a mystery shopper means you can visit shops in person to give feedback to companies or rate their service online.
9. Rent out parking spaces
If you are lucky enough to have property in London with a parking space, renting this out could be an easy way to earn money.
If it is a rental property, check the rules and regulations before putting up an ad.
10. Create digital courses
Finding ways to earn money from home/online can help reduce travel costs. Online courses are convenient for users, as they can be carried out anywhere and at any time.
Depending on your skillset, you could target businesses or individuals wanting to learn more about specific topics.
11. Offer online tutoring
Online tutoring is another excellent way to use your experience to teach others. Online tutoring can allow you to teach people regardless of their location.
12. Offer freelance services
Using sites like Fiverr can help you get freelance work in a range of skills, including writing and graphic design.
13. Affiliate marketing & blogging
Blogging and affiliate marketing are excellent ways to make extra money in London without leaving your house.
A blog that enjoys a high number of visitors can provide advertising space to companies, allowing the website owner to enjoy making passive income.
Using a blog for affiliate marketing can also help you to earn some extra cash on top.
Affiliate marketing means you provide a link to a site or product and earn a commission from sales that come from it.
Starting a blog is something that requires a lot of effort and most bloggers won’t make much in their first year.
After 12 months you can expect to be making an extra £1000 a month if you implement SEO techniques and write a lot of great content.
It’s after 18 months that your earnings take off which is why most people don’t stick with it.
14. Test websites & apps
Have you considered testing websites and apps? This is beneficial to the site owner who wants to ensure there are no technical issues before their site or app goes live.
15. Sell online
Selling homemade products online can be lucrative, so check out sites like Amazon and Etsy.
You can also browse charity shops and markets to find bargains and resell them on eBay, Depop, or Vinted to make a tidy profit.
16. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a nifty way to make money without a large outlay. This is when someone buys something through you and you get the supplier to ship it directly to them.
17. Complete online tasks
Completing online surveys and other tasks can be a good way to get some extra money into your bank account. This can be done at any time and can be a great side hustle.
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18. Share your space
If you have a property that you aren’t occupying or are planning to go away for some time you could rent the space out.
Depending on how much space you’re offering, you can even host dinner parties as a way to make money.
19. Coach sports or fitness
Coaching sports or working as a personal trainer in London can be a great way to make money. This can be done by renting rooms in community centres or gyms.
It is also possible to make use of outdoor public spaces when the weather permits.
20. Offer cleaning services
Offering indoor and outdoor cleaning services can be a cash cow. Investing in a power washer can help you make easy money by cleaning outside areas of people’s homes and businesses.
Finding Side Hustles
Exploring sites like Fiverr where you can make use of your existing skills can help you find side hustles. Other great sites for freelance work include:
- Upwork
- Guru
- PeoplePerHour
- Freelancer
If you are already at work, taking a look at my post on the top 10 side hustles could help you earn some extra money.
Benefits Of Making Money Online
Earning money by offering your skills online can save time and money spent commuting to and from jobs. You will also avoid the stress of job applications and interviews.
You can make use of the existing sites mentioned above or build your own site. This can advertise your services or provide a platform for online sales or affiliate marketing.
Tax Rules
In the UK you can earn up to £12,570 without paying tax. After this, you will be required to pay the basic tax rate of 20% up to £50,270.
You can learn all about UK income tax rates by visiting the UK Government Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances site.
FAQs
Do you need a licence to be a dog walker in London?
You typically will not need a licence to walk dogs in London. However, some areas have different rules, depending on how many dogs you plan to walk.
Do you need a licence to be a tour guide in London?
You do not need a license to be a tour guide in London, but having some form of accreditation can improve your chances of bookings.
How can I make money fast in London?
There are numerous ways to make money fast in London. Here are some options:
Freelance Work: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr offer opportunities for quick gigs. Skills like writing, graphic design, programming, and more can be marketed on these platforms.
Temporary Jobs: Look for part-time or temporary work in areas like retail, restaurants, or event staffing. Websites like Indeed or Reed can be useful for job searches.
Tutoring: If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider tutoring. Online platforms like Tutorful or Superprof can help you connect with students.
Rideshare or Delivery Driver: Companies like Uber, Lyft, or Deliveroo offer flexible schedules and the opportunity to earn quickly.
Rent Out Your Space: If you have an extra room or property, consider renting it out on Airbnb.
Sell Unwanted Items: Websites like eBay, Gumtree, or even Facebook Marketplace can be great platforms to sell items you no longer need.
Dog Walking or Pet Sitting: Many busy Londoners need help with their pets. Websites like Tailster can help you find pet care jobs.
Participate in Market Research: Companies often pay for opinions on new products or services. Websites like YouGov or Toluna are good places to start.
Task-Based Work: Use apps like TaskRabbit to find odd jobs that people need help with.
Online Surveys and Reviews: Sites like Swagbucks, InboxPounds, or Vindale Research pay you to take surveys, write reviews, or perform web searches.
Always remember that while these options can help you make money quickly, they’re not a substitute for a steady, long-term income. Use them as supplementary income sources or short-term solutions.
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Conclusion
Making passive income from home while working another job can help you afford the things London has to offer.
With so many opportunities, you may be wondering where you should start – taking a look at my guide on how to make money for beginners should help.
Make use of your home’s extra space or work smart online to earn extra cash. London is a city full of potential and opportunities – make the most of it.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to make money in London and if you want to find out more then check out more of our money guides below.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
