Tennessee has no income tax on earnings, Nashville's Broadway full of bachelorette parties every weekend, Memphis's music history, and the most visited national park in the country. Here are nine side hustles that pay in 2026.
1. Local Friend: show visitors the Nashville beyond Broadway, at your rate#
Most visitors spend their whole trip on four blocks of Broadway. A Local Friend shows them the city the way a friend would, by the hour: the songwriter rounds in East Nashville and the small listening rooms, hot chicken where locals queue, the Gulch and 12 South, the Ryman, a Predators game, and Broadway itself with someone who knows which honky-tonk has the band worth hearing. In Memphis: Beale Street, Sun Studio, Stax, barbecue. You set your rate (commonly $25 to $45), Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Nashville has only one Local Friend listed. No licence is needed. How it works in the US.
2. Rideshare on Broadway nights#
Friday and Saturday nights on Broadway, the airport, the stadium and arena nights. After gas, $16 to $26 an hour, best late.
3. Bachelorette and event photography#
Nashville is the bachelorette capital of the country; parties book photographers for their weekend, plus engagement shoots and weddings across the state. $150 to $400 a shoot with a portfolio.
4. Concert and festival staffing#
CMA Fest in June, the arenas and stadiums, Bonnaroo near Manchester, the Ryman's calendar. $15 to $24 an hour through agencies and the venues.
5. Delivery#
$13 to $19 an hour after costs.
6. Pet sitting#
$25 to $50 a night, $15 to $25 a walk.
7. Tutoring#
Test prep, math and science in Nashville's suburbs (Franklin, Brentwood), $25 to $50 an hour.
8. Spanish interpreting#
Nashville and Memphis have growing Spanish-speaking communities; medical, legal and school interpreting pays $22 to $45 an hour.
9. Smokies cabin co-hosting#
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville sit at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in the country, and the cabins rent year-round. 10 to 20 percent of bookings. Nashville strictly limits short-term rental permits; check before you start there.
What makes Tennessee different#
The visitors (Broadway's weekends, the Smokies) and no income tax on earnings: only federal income and self-employment tax apply. Set aside 20 to 25 percent and pay quarterly.
Live in Tennessee? Show visitors the Nashville beyond Broadway at your rate.
Become a Local FriendNearby: Georgia and North Carolina. En español: cómo ganar dinero extra en Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side hustle in Tennessee?
In Nashville, the ones tied to the visitors: rideshare on Broadway nights, photography for the bachelorette parties, concert and festival staffing, and Local Friend, showing visitors the Nashville beyond Broadway at a rate you set. Near the Smokies, co-hosting the cabins. In Memphis, Local Friend for the music history and the barbecue.How much can you make with a side hustle in Tennessee?
After costs, typical 2026 ranges: rideshare $16 to $26 an hour after gas, best on Broadway Friday and Saturday nights; bachelorette and event photography $150 to $400 a shoot; concert and festival staffing $15 to $24; delivery $13 to $19; pet sitting $25 to $50 a night; tutoring $25 to $50; Spanish interpreting $22 to $45; Smokies co-hosting 10 to 20 percent; Local Friend at the rate you set, commonly $25 to $45.How are side hustles taxed in Tennessee?
Tennessee has no income tax on earnings, so only federal income and self-employment tax apply. Set aside about 20 to 25 percent and pay quarterly.What is a Local Friend and how does it work in Nashville?
Someone who lives in Nashville and shows visitors it by the hour: the songwriter rounds in East Nashville and at the small listening rooms, hot chicken where locals queue, the Gulch and 12 South, the Ryman, a Predators or Titans game, Broadway with someone who knows which honky-tonk has the band worth hearing. You set your rate, Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Nashville has only one Local Friend listed. No licence is needed.