Ohio has three big cities, a hundred-thousand-seat stadium in the middle of one of them, two of the country's biggest research hospitals and universities, low state income tax, and city income taxes most lists forget. Here are nine side hustles that pay in 2026.
1. Local Friend: show visitors your city, at your rate#
Columbus's Short North and German Village and a game-day tailgate; Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, West Side Market and the lakefront; Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market and the chili argument. A Local Friend shows visitors by the hour, at a rate you set (commonly $20 to $40). Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Ohio. No licence is needed. How it works in the US.
2. Ohio State game days#
Ohio Stadium holds more than 100,000 people on fall Saturdays: parking, concessions, merchandise and rideshare all surge. $15 to $25 an hour, seven or eight Saturdays a year.
3. Paid research studies#
Ohio State's medical centre, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Cincinnati Children's enrol volunteers year-round. $25 to $150 a session.
4. Rideshare#
The airports, game days, the arenas. After gas, $15 to $23 an hour.
5. Delivery#
$13 to $19 an hour after costs.
6. Tutoring#
The suburbs of all three cities, $25 to $50 an hour.
7. Pet sitting#
$25 to $50 a night.
8. Snow removal#
$25 to $50 a driveway after every storm, Cleveland most of all.
9. Notary loan signings#
Ohio notaries take a course and an exam. Signings pay $75 to $125.
What makes Ohio different#
Game days, the hospitals, and the taxes: a low state income tax with a top rate under 3 percent, plus municipal income taxes, commonly 2 to 2.5 percent in the big cities, that apply to self-employment profit too. Set aside about 25 percent with federal and self-employment tax, and file the city return.
Live in Ohio? Show visitors your city at your rate.
Become a Local FriendNearby: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side hustle in Ohio?
In Columbus, game-day Saturdays at Ohio Stadium (parking, concessions, rideshare) and paid research at Ohio State. In Cleveland, research studies at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, and Local Friend for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame visitors. Statewide, tutoring, delivery and, in winter, snow removal.How much can you make with a side hustle in Ohio?
After costs, typical 2026 ranges: game-day work $15 to $25 an hour; rideshare $15 to $23; delivery $13 to $19; research studies $25 to $150 a session; tutoring $25 to $50; pet sitting $25 to $50 a night; snow removal $25 to $50 a driveway; notary signings $75 to $125; Local Friend at the rate you set, commonly $20 to $40.How are side hustles taxed in Ohio?
A low state income tax (a top rate under 3 percent), plus a municipal income tax in most cities, commonly 2 to 2.5 percent in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, which applies to self-employment profit too. Set aside about 25 percent with federal and self-employment tax, and file the city return.What is a Local Friend and how does it work in Ohio?
Someone who lives there and shows visitors it by the hour: Columbus's Short North and German Village, a tailgate on game day, Cleveland's Rock Hall, West Side Market and the lakefront, Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine and its chili argument. You set your rate, Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Ohio. No licence is needed.