Virginia is three markets: Northern Virginia's high-income suburbs next to Washington, the history and beaches of the Tidewater, and the mountains and wine country in between. Here are nine side hustles that pay in 2026.
1. Local Friend: show visitors your Virginia, at your rate#
Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon; Richmond's food scene, murals and the river; Charlottesville and the wineries; Virginia Beach beyond the boardwalk; the Shenandoah and Skyline Drive; and Northern Virginia for the many visitors to Washington who stay across the river. A Local Friend shows them by the hour, at a rate you set (commonly $25 to $50). Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Virginia. No licence is needed. How it works in the US.
2. Rideshare at Dulles and Reagan#
Two big airports, the federal and contractor workforce, and Washington next door. After gas, $17 to $26 an hour.
3. Northern Virginia tutoring#
Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun are among the highest-income counties in the country, with competitive schools to match: test prep, math, science and the admissions test for the region's selective high school. $40 to $90 an hour.
4. Pet sitting#
$35 to $70 a night in Northern Virginia, less elsewhere.
5. Notary loan signings#
Virginia notaries apply and take an oath, and the state was among the first to allow electronic and remote online notarization. Loan signings pay $75 to $150.
6. Delivery#
$14 to $20 an hour after costs.
7. Event staffing#
Concerts, the convention centres, college football in Charlottesville and Blacksburg, the summer festivals in Virginia Beach. $16 to $25 an hour.
8. Spanish interpreting#
Northern Virginia has large Salvadoran and Central American communities. Medical, legal and school interpreting pays $25 to $50 an hour, more with certification.
9. Beach and mountain co-hosting#
Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks next door in summer, Williamsburg for history visitors, the Shenandoah cabins all year. 10 to 20 percent of bookings; check the city or county rules.
What makes Virginia different#
Northern Virginia's incomes, which raise tutoring and pet-sitting rates to Washington levels. The history and beach visitors in the Tidewater. And the tax: a graduated state income tax whose 5.75 percent top rate starts at a low income, so most side-hustle profit is taxed at it; set aside 25 to 30 percent.
Live in Virginia? Show visitors your Virginia at your rate.
Become a Local FriendAcross the river: Washington DC and Maryland. South: North Carolina. En español: cómo ganar dinero extra en Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side hustle in Virginia?
In Northern Virginia, tutoring and pet sitting priced for some of the highest-income suburbs in the country, and rideshare at Dulles and Reagan National. In Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, summer co-hosting and visitor work. Statewide, notary signings and Spanish interpreting. And Local Friend, showing visitors Old Town Alexandria, Richmond or the wine country at a rate you set.How much can you make with a side hustle in Virginia?
After costs, typical 2026 ranges: rideshare $17 to $26 an hour after gas; delivery $14 to $20; tutoring $40 to $90 in Northern Virginia, $25 to $50 elsewhere; pet sitting $35 to $70 a night; notary loan signings $75 to $150; event staffing $16 to $25; Spanish interpreting $25 to $50; co-hosting 10 to 20 percent; Local Friend at the rate you set, commonly $25 to $50.How are side hustles taxed in Virginia?
A graduated state income tax with a top rate of 5.75 percent reached at a low income, so most side-hustle profit is taxed at that rate, on top of federal income and self-employment tax. Set aside about 25 to 30 percent and pay quarterly.What is a Local Friend and how does it work in Virginia?
Someone who lives there and shows visitors it by the hour: Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Richmond's food and murals, Charlottesville and the wineries, Virginia Beach beyond the boardwalk, the Shenandoah, or Northern Virginia for people visiting Washington and staying across the river. You set your rate, Roavi lists you free and takes no commission. Very few are listed in Virginia. No licence is needed.