Under the table jobs, sometimes known as off the book jobs are jobs that typically pay in cash.
Working on jobs that pay cash is a good way to bring some extra income fast.
When you need to pay the mortgage, settle urgent bills or add an additional income stream, having access to 100% of your earnings upfront will give you so much leeway.
They can be useful during difficult times when you are trying to get out of a bad financial situation when conventional jobs are not available.
Working under the table isn’t necessarily illegal, but to avoid possible problems for tax evasion, the income must be reported at tax time.
Since you are mostly working as an independent contractor, it’s up to you to declare the income.
In today’s post, I am going to share some of the best under the table jobs that pay cash you can start today.
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Best Under the Table Jobs that Pay Cash
If you have useful skills that could benefit or help solve other people’s problem, you’re already one step ahead in finding the best under the table jobs that pay cash.
Even if you don’t have specific skills to offer, you should be able to make money from under the table jobs as long as you are hardworking, creative and committed.
There are many job opportunities available that pay cash only.
Some jobs may have a substantial portion of income paid under the table while others can be completely under the table.
Here are a few jobs that pay under the table you can consider to help you maximize your income.
Tutoring
Tutoring is often one of those off-the-book jobs you can get if you are competent in a particular subject area or have certain skills.
You are not limited to tutoring elementary, secondary and college students. Nowadays people are always looking to acquire new skills or do something better.
For example, if you are good at a certain computer game, you can teach people strategies and techniques to improve their game.
Others may want to learn how to play the guitar, do day trading or gardening and they might be willing to pay you to help them learn.
As to how you find these gigs, it is through word of mouth or the Internet via sites like Craigslist.
Often it’s possible to work online from home via Skype with someone or with a group of students.
I will talk more about how to find under the table jobs that pay cash below.
Babysitter/Nanny
Babysitting is one of the under the table jobs that often paid in cash, although there are some that are paid with 1099s too.
Many people are looking for a weekend nanny, live-in nanny, after school babysitter or just one-off nanny gigs.
As a babysitter, sometimes you may need to work odd hours in the evenings, on weekends or in the afternoon when the parents are at work.
Some babysitting jobs require you to babysit Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 6 PM and pay $400 weekly for instance.
When applying for these jobs, try to include a resume with your application.
In your resume, mention your previous work experience, if you are CPR certified and any skills/abilities you may have such as the ability to speak other languages.
Having references to support your application can improve your chances too.
Also, consider taking a babysitting class like this one conducted by the Red Cross to prepare yourself for the job.
Dog Walkers/Pet Sitter
If you have always been good with animals, you can get paid under the table for walking dogs, providing doggy daycare, dog boarding, drop-in visits and house sitting.
You are not limited to providing services for dogs though. You can work with other pets such as cats, birds, fish, exotic pets and other animals.
However, most people are looking for a dog walker or cat sitter with a variable schedule.
Some owners may require you to walk their dogs in all weather conditions or take the dog for a late-night/early morning walk.
For most owners, their pet is like a family member to them so the safety of their pets is of utmost importance.
So they usually prefer working with someone who has previous experience with good references.
Housekeeper/Cleaner/Maid
Whether it’s a live-in housekeeper, full-time housekeeper, daily housekeeping, it’s one of the jobs that often pay under the table in cash.
People need housekeepers to help clean their house, office, apartment, storage area, storefront and so on.
You can find one-time cleaning job when someone is moving out of their home or a recurring job for a family that requires the cleaner to come once per week.
Some families have cats and dogs so cleaning little boxes and taking the dogs on short walks around the neighborhood can be part of your responsibility.
Some jobs involve helping seniors to get things done by providing house cleaning and laundry.
If you are comfortable cleaning for someone, have previous working experience to show, there are a ton of jobs for you.
Yard Work/Lawn Care
You can mow the lawn, do landscaping, pull weeds, rake leaves, shovel snow, water garden, plant flowers and more.
While some jobs can be seasonal depending on where you live, people are always looking for some yard work help and often pay cash.
You can find a one-off job that pays cash when someone needs to cut down a dead tree in their backyard for instance.
Most people’s lawns require regular maintenance, perhaps once every two or three weeks.
As long as you can do a good job at a reasonable price, you may be able to get some repeat business.
Most people are actually willing to work with non-professional, regular folks with some experience and looking for a side job.
If you have your own lawnmower and weed wacker, it’s even better.
Computer Repair
If you are good with computers and have experience in computer repairs, including networks, PCs, Macs and servers, this could be the under the table job for you.
Some people are looking to help them troubleshoot, repair or upgrade their PC. Some need their keyboard, power connector and LCD screen replaced.
If you have the ability to identify the problematic parts to complete the repairs quickly, this job shouldn’t be too hard.
You can start attracting more clients by word of mouth if you can do a good job.
If you work with business clients, smaller companies are quite willing to pay under the table, especially if you are willing to go below market on the hourly rates.
Since you will be working onsite or at people’s homes or office, having your own transportation can be handy.
Carpentry
Carpentry is one of the building trades that often pay under the table while some require you to fill out a 1099 form.
Other essential trades in building construction include plumbing, electrical, bricklayer, plasterer, roof tiler and others.
You can find a carpentry job when someone has a home for sale that needs some basic carpentry done and then painting for instance.
Smaller, one-off carpentry gigs are also in high demand. For example, some people may need a door replacement or a new wooden kitchen cabinet installed.
In some cases, a one-off gig could turn out to be a steady gig for the right person.
Having your own hand tools for the job, a driver’s license and previous working experience is definitely a plus. You can share this information when applying for a job.
Handyman
Many handymen and repairmen are often paid under the table. Some often work for a construction company during the week and sell their services on weekends and evenings.
Handyman often needs tools such as a drill, screwdrivers, wrench set, and drill bit set, along with a tarp or blanket.
If you are new, you may not have the money to buy all the tools you need at one time.
What you can do instead is to stick to jobs that you have the tools already.
Using a local tool hire firm or simply do jobs that will make money quickly without the need for a lot of tools is a good option.
You can offer to:
- Paint windows, fences or doors
- Repair under the sink, kitchen, bathroom
- Power washing driveways and sidewalks
- Wash windows and cars
- Clean gutter
- Install smoke detectors
- Organize and clean garage
- Hang wallpaper
- And others
Driver/Chauffeur
This is a pretty popular gig on websites like Craigslist because it’s easy to do allowing you to maximize your earnings with minimum effort.
For example, some people are looking for private driver or chauffeur to pick up their kids from school, shuttle seniors to and from medical appointments and so on.
Having your own car, insurance, good driving skills and a clean driving record will help in securing such a job.
If you don’t mind doing some unloading and heaving lifting, some companies will pay you to make various curbside deliveries using your own vehicle.
You can even earn money for driving other people’s cars and trucks delivering them from point A to B next within certain areas.
Restaurant Jobs
Anything that involves tips or food services tend to be under the table since you are mostly dealing with cash payment.
Basically, almost any job you can do in a restaurant, you can find a place that will hire you under the table to do it. This can be bartenders, dishwashers, cooks, servers, wait staff and so on.
Usually smaller establishments tend to offer more under the table jobs than the big chain well-known restaurants.
Waiters or waitresses are usually paid a small wage and rely on tips and gratuity. Some can make multiples of their wages in tips.
Bartender
Bartending is one of the under the table jobs that involves a high tip to paycheck ratio. In many cases, the actual wages on the books but the tips are under the table.
There are many restaurants looking for daytime bartenders or bartender for a private party that pay under the table.
As a bartender, your duties may include setting up and breakdown, refreshing and refilling drinks, restocking cups and napkins, assisting guests with drinks and bottles and keeping area.
If you have previous experience bartending and are also presentable, it shouldn’t take you too long to find a bartending job.
Musician/Singer
You can work as a musician in a nightclub, at a private party, at corporate events or any other events, most of which will pay you under the table.
Many restaurants, bars and establishments are looking for good music from a band or a single musician who can play the saxophone, cello, violin, piano, guitar and other musical instruments.
You can find this kind of work on Craigslist or just ask the bar or restaurants directly.
When applying for these jobs, make sure to have videos of your performances, a website or a social media profile showcasing your talent to improve your chances of getting hired.
Mover/Junk Removal
If you don’t mind doing grunt work which usually involves moving stuff and/or heavy lifting, this could be for you. Typically, a job like this paid in cash.
As a junk remover, your job is to take junk away from people’s homes or commercial properties.
If you have a flatbed pickup truck, a moving van, lift truck, trailer etc, you can use it to haul away junk to junk/garbage yard for disposal.
If you are lucky, you can find smaller jobs such as when people need help with moving a piece of furniture. It’s easy cash for a few minutes of work.
Hair Salon and Makeup Services
If you love doing makeup, hair and are competent in giving people makeovers, consider setting up your own in-home hair salon or makeup studio.
Many beauty professionals work in-home or visit homes to provide such services and often are paid in cash.
Many events like fashion shows, photo and video shoots and weddings often need hairstylists and makeup artists.
Some of these jobs may require you to bring your own hair equipment and makeup kit. So be sure to ask in advance.
To improve your chances of getting hired, make sure to have a good portfolio ready or an Instagram account showcasing your work.
Construction/Labor Gigs
Some day labor gigs are arranged by showing up at a certain place where prospective day laborers gather.
Employers would then come and pick out the workers they need for the day.
Rob Cockerham of cockeyed.com recently did a list of “where can you find day laborers?” for various cities and towns around the world as part of his fun “Local Knowledge” series.
Massage Therapist
Reputable therapists should be licensed to give professional massages.
The requirements for licenses vary by state, as well as the penalties for performing unlicensed massage, but usually getting a license is not that difficult if you compare it to other professions.
You can offer massage services in your home, in a spa setting, in a studio or workplace. If you can offer specific therapy like sports massage, you should be able to charge more.
Many massage therapists are paid under the table.
Freelancers
With the popularity of the gig economy, freelancing allows people to work from anywhere anytime.
If you work online and use one of the freelancing sites, you can get paid directly into your Paypal account.
As a freelancer, you can offer various services including web design, writing, computer support and other jobs that are small enough that there are no 1099s involved.
Some freelancers still prefer to work locally and deal with clients directly without a middleman.
Nowadays, many freelancers do report their income and pay taxes but smaller jobs are still paid under the table.
Farm Labor
Agriculture including planting and harvesting crops and working with livestock are generally good areas to consider for under the table jobs that pay cash.
These jobs are generally easier to find in small towns or rural areas as farms are generally happy for the extra help during harvest.
If you have a good work ethic and are willing to perform other physical work from time to time, this could be for you.
Rent Out Extra Space
To be clear this is not exactly an under the table job and may not pay in cash directly. However, I include it here because it’s a great way to generate some passive income.
If you have a spare room, apartment, house, loft, even a camping area in your backyard, you can rent out these spaces for some extra cash.
Perhaps you’re going away for the weekend or on a vacation. Rather than leaving your place unoccupied, you can list them for short-term rentals on Airbnb.
Airbnb attracts renters like tourists, people who are visiting friends or family in the area or travellers in town for an event.
For them, the cost per night is often cheaper than that of a hotel.
For your peace of mind, Airbnb offers up to $1 million insurance policy to cover property damage, security and other risks.
You can also charge a cleaning fee and a security deposit to your renters to cover any minor damage that may happen.
Your income can vary based on your location and on the amenities you offer. Earning $200 or more per day just by renting out a room on Airbnb is not unusual.
The median monthly earnings for someone renting out their place is $440.
How to Find Under the Table Jobs Near Me
Now, let’s address the question everyone is probably asking at this stage.
How to find jobs that pay cash under the table near me?
One of the most common ways to find under the table jobs is via word of mouth.
But if you don’t know anyone or have friends who are working under the table jobs, your next route is to search online.
For that, here are a few sites that list under the table jobs.
Craigslist
Without a doubt, Craigslist is one of the best places to find under the table jobs that pay cash in your area.
No matter where you live in the U.S, every city has its own section on Craigslist where you can find labor gigs and one day only jobs that pay on the same day and in cash.
If you want to know how to make quick money in a day legally, this could be it.
This is not the usual temp staffing jobs but anything that you can do from helping to move furniture, be part of a house renovation crew, doing yard work and so on.
I’ve written an entire article detailing how to find under the table jobs on Craigslist here.
Facebook Job Board & Facebook Groups
Facebook can be an effective way to find under the table jobs that pay cash.
When contacting potential employers, avoid sending multiple private messages per day, over 10 for example.
You don’t want Facebook to flag you as a spammer and you can get your account suspended.
Facebook Job Board
Their job board feature lets employers post jobs directly to their company page or a specific jobs page and job seekers can apply to them immediately through Facebook.
While most of these jobs are for people looking for full-time employment or contract jobs, you can also find gigs and one-off jobs that pay cash that don’t require any long-term commitment.
Since potential employers can see your public information, make sure you are not sharing anything that could hurt a potential employer’s first impression of you.
Try to maintain a professional and accurate profile all the time so that you don’t have to change it each time you apply for a job.
Facebook Groups
The next tool to help you find jobs that pay cash is to join a local Facebook Group.
To find jobs, not necessarily those that pay under the table, enter your city name and the word “jobs” to find groups that share job leads.
The search should return several groups. To see whether a group is worth joining, check the member count and how many posts are created a day. The higher they are the better.
Once you’ve joined a group, you can check the quality of the job postings. If the group isn’t properly maintained and moderated, you’ll see spam. In such case, feel free to leave and then join another group.
Be part of the community by joining the conversation. Use this opportunity to network with other job seekers and recruiters.
When writing a message, stay professional at all times. Avoid speaking negatively about your current or past employer.
Facebook Groups can really be hit or miss though. Regardless, you’ll never know until you give them a try.
Just Ask Around
Some establishments put up a help wanted sign where you can walk in and ask whether the job is on the books or not.
If not, just visit the places and local small businesses in your area you’d like to work at and ask about work opportunities that pay cash.
Temp Agency
When you sign up with a temporary staffing agency, you’ll have the chance to connect with multiple hiring managers looking to fill their job openings.
These agencies can help you save time and find job same-day cash-paying job you may not be able to find on your own.
Sometimes while you’re on assignment, employers will offer to pay you directly (instead of paying through the agency).
While you can go to a temporary staffing agency to find temporary jobs, it’s also possible to find a full-time position through them.
Kelly Services is one of the more popular staffing agencies you can try. You can also use Google to search for agencies in your area.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding under the table jobs that pay cash, there’s plenty of money to be made if you are willing to work hard and be creative.
Your situation may be different in that you may be looking for under the table jobs for disabled or under the table jobs for 15 years old.
Whatever questions you may have, check out the jobs subreddit section where you can ask questions and learn about other people’s experience working under the table.
Now, the amount you’ll make from an under the table job that pays cash would depend on the amount of time you have to devote working, the type of job and its location.
There’s another way to generate an income without having to trade your time for money and that is through passive income.
Having passive income means freedom to live, work and do whatever you want, whenever you want.
To learn more, check out my article Best Passive Income Ideas to Help You Make Money.
