Maryland has two of the biggest research employers in the world, NIH in Bethesda and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, both running paid studies year-round, plus the Washington suburbs' tutoring rates and Ocean City's summer. Here are nine side hustles that pay in 2026.
1. Local Friend: show visitors Baltimore and Annapolis, at your rate#
Fells Point and Federal Hill, a crab feast with mallets and Old Bay, the Inner Harbor beyond the chain restaurants, an Orioles game at Camden Yards, Annapolis and the Naval Academy, Ocean City in summer. A Local Friend shows visitors by the hour, at a rate you set (commonly $25 to $45). Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Maryland. No licence is needed. How it works in the US.
2. Paid research studies at NIH and Johns Hopkins#
The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore enrol healthy volunteers year-round, from single surveys to multi-week inpatient studies, and publish what each pays. $25 to $200 a session, more for longer studies. Read the consent form; you can withdraw any time.
3. Rideshare at BWI#
BWI, Baltimore's stadiums and the Washington commute. After gas, $17 to $25 an hour.
4. Tutoring#
Montgomery and Howard counties are among the highest-income in the country: $35 to $80 an hour.
5. Delivery#
$14 to $20 an hour after costs.
6. Pet sitting#
$35 to $65 a night.
7. Stadium staffing#
Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, the arenas and concert season. $16 to $25 an hour.
8. Spanish interpreting#
Prince George's and Montgomery counties have large Central American communities. Medical, legal and school interpreting pays $25 to $50 an hour.
9. Ocean City summer work#
Ocean City fills from Memorial Day to Labor Day: boardwalk, rentals, restaurants, beach services. $15 to $22 an hour plus tips, weekends or the whole summer.
What makes Maryland different#
The research institutions. The DC-suburb incomes. And the taxes: a graduated state income tax plus a county income tax of about 2.25 to 3.3 percent, so set aside about 30 percent with federal and self-employment tax.
Live in Maryland? Show visitors Baltimore and Annapolis at your rate.
Become a Local FriendNext door: Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania. En español: cómo ganar dinero extra en Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side hustle in Maryland?
Paid research studies are the one Maryland does better than almost anywhere: NIH in Bethesda and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore enrol healthy volunteers year-round, paying for anything from a single survey to multi-week studies. After that, tutoring in Montgomery County, rideshare at BWI, and Local Friend in Baltimore and Annapolis.How much can you make with a side hustle in Maryland?
After costs, typical 2026 ranges: research studies $25 to $200 a session, more for multi-visit studies; rideshare $17 to $25 an hour after gas; delivery $14 to $20; tutoring $35 to $80; pet sitting $35 to $65 a night; stadium staffing $16 to $25; Spanish interpreting $25 to $50; Ocean City summer work $15 to $22 plus tips; Local Friend at the rate you set, commonly $25 to $45.How are side hustles taxed in Maryland?
A graduated state income tax plus a county income tax of roughly 2.25 to 3.3 percent depending on where you live, on top of federal income and self-employment tax. Set aside about 30 percent and pay quarterly.What is a Local Friend and how does it work in Maryland?
Someone who lives there and shows visitors it by the hour: Baltimore's Fells Point and Federal Hill, a crab feast, the Inner Harbor beyond the chain restaurants, an Orioles game at Camden Yards, Annapolis and the Naval Academy, Ocean City in summer. You set your rate, Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Maryland. No licence is needed.