There has never been a better time to start that blue-collar side hustle. With a growing shortage of workers, there is opportunity every where in all kinds of trades.
Whether you are a white-collar worker ready for a change, or a current blue-collar worker wanting to start a business – these jobs are a good fit. All of the options below are a lower barrier to entry than some jobs and can be very lucrative depending on your efforts.
Landscaping and Lawn Care Business
One of the most popular blue collar jobs is landscaping. Starting a landscaping business could be a little more costly than others on the list due to the equipment you will need. But it can be one of the highest earning.
There are also many options to create a more niche business within lawn care. You can mow lawns or create beautiful landscapes with flowers and greenery. Some landscapers even specialize in hardscapes. They use stone, rock, or cement and create unique visual elements.
In most cases you will need good insurance, licensing, and a solid base of equipment to start with.
Snow Removal Business
Doing snow removal usually means you’ll be the first one out there fighting heavy snowfall. Clearing roads, parking lots at all times of day and night will be all in a days work. You’ll need to invest in reliable snow removal equipment and a truck to carry it. A snow plow on the front of the truck is often used.
Since this is a seasonal opportunity, many pair it up with a landscaping gig to ensure work is available all year round.
Pool Cleaning and Maintenance Business
A pool cleaning business is a great option if you live in an area where there are a lot of homes that have pools. If you can also do maintenance of the pool, that could be an added income stream. If you live in rural areas you may not see a lot of work opportunities. But, if you are in a metro-area this side-gig can bring in some great extra money.
You can choose to do basic cleaning services or advanced maintenance work where you actually fix issues. Of course cleaning pools requires less experience, but you will still need to understand the chemicals a pool needs. You should also understand all the different types of pools that exist. A salt pool will need very different cleanings than a chlorine pool.
Pressure or Power Washing Business
Pressure washing (also called power washing) can be a lucrative business. From cleaning sidewalks to patios and even buildings, there is no lack of work in this field. You can specialize in residential or commercial to help maintain properties. The cost to start this business is not high, but you will need to invest in a power washing machine and the cleaning solution. There may also be requirements for licenses and insurance.
Pressure Washing Business Success Stories
One successful example in the power washing industry is Chase Lille, who at just 18 years old was able to rake in over $144,000. Another example is Ilia Nazarov, owner of Washing Racoons, who makes more than $500k annually. These examples show that with the right skills, equipment, and marketing, a power washing business can be quite profitable.
House Cleaning Business
House cleaning requires minimal investment and lots of opportunity. To make even more money you can specialize in something like a crime scene cleaning business. Working with local police departments you can get instant referrals for business. It is not for those with a weak stomach though!
Cleaning Success Story
Check out the story of a former police offer turned crime scene cleaner. Laura Spaulding started her business as a solo worker and turned it into a full franchise company that is now worth millions.
Carpet Cleaning Business
Carpet cleaning is a profitable blue-collar business that can be started easily and no experience is even needed. To start a carpet cleaning business you will need to make an investment in getting the right equipment. But the money you can earn can pay it off in no time. You can offer services such as deep cleaning, stain removal, and odor removal.
Window Cleaning Business
Window cleaning can be done for both commercial and residential buildings. It can be as easy as using a squeegee with some solution from the ground, or climbing buildings with a platform and doing work high in the sky! Experience is not required, but you will need to invest in good equipment and supplies to get the job done.
Gutter Cleaning Business
Gutter cleaning services will have you cleaning gutters, downspouts, and roofs to ensure that rainfall can properly run off a home. Clogged gutters can result in major issues for a home or building owner, so this is a job that can be done often throughout the year. Fall in some areas is prime time for gutter cleaning because of the leaves cluttering the gutters. If you have no fear of heights, limited money to invest in equipment, and want a side job that can be done pretty quickly, this is a great option.
We use a gutter cleaner and typically pay $225 and he is done within an hour. Not too bad for a part-time job.
Painting Business
Painters are responsible for transforming dull spaces into vibrant environments with color and design. You’ll need to master the art of painting, from proper scraping, patching, and sanding techniques to learning how to use different kinds of paints and brushes. It’s not just about applying color to walls, it’s about creating a mood and atmosphere that resonates with your clients.
Painting business success story
One inspiring story is that of Graham Audenart, founder of Painters Enterprise. He started his painting company in 2003 and has since helped thousands of homeowners. His advice to aspiring painters is to gain hands-on experience by working for a painting company for a couple of years to learn the ins and outs of the industry.
Small Engine Repair Business
Starting a small engine repair business is a good option if you have a specific set of mechanical skills. If you are a boat or motorcycle mechanic, this can be a great side hustle. But you should definitely invest in insurance since you will be doing work that can affect a customers safety. In some areas you may need to be licensed as well. Don’t want to work on big things? You transfer your skills to fixing smaller things like lawn mowers, power tools, or even radios or clocks.
Scrap Metal Collection Business
As a scrap metal specialist, you need to be able to identify and sort different metals and understand their value. Starting this business requires very little investment or equipment. But you will need to market yourself well to get customers. You will need a truck or large vehicle to do do pickups from people or business that have metal they need removed. Then you can look into selling it or recycling it. Making connections with metal buyers and local metal scrapyards will be very helpful. Specializing is a great option too! For example, you can buy junk cars and recycle them – or even sell them for parts.
Scrap Metal Business Success Story
One success story in the scrap metal business is Marc Staples, the founder of DownHomeModern LLC. He started his business a few years ago and has found success turning metal into art. Marc creates original designs of windbells and chimes, embracing the history of the place each bell is named for.
Junk Removal Business
As a junk removal specialist, you will be hauling away junk other people no longer want. You might work for commercial or residential locations – or even both if you want. This is a great add-on to the scrap metal option above. This job can be profitable, but it is also a lot of physical and dirty work. You will need a truck that can fit very large items and have a plan to discard of the junk you receive. Building relationships with dumps, resale stores, or selling items on your own are all options for discarding of the junk you pick up.
Junk Removal Business Success Story
Sam Evans, the founder of You Call We Haul Junk Removal is a great success story. At 23 years old, Sam started his junk removal company part-time in 2016. At one time they completed over 75 jobs per month, bringing in about $20,000 in revenue per month, profiting about 65% per job. We are imagining he is making much more than that these days.
Mobile Auto or Boat Detailing Business
When I was growing up, we washed our own cars, but that is not a thing families do any more. They want clean cars, but prefer to have someone else do it. Offer cleaning or detail services at their location and provide exceptional services. In no time you can create a profitable business that you can do as much or as little as you would like. It is cheap to start, but you will need to invest in some equipment and supplies to help you clean faster and more efficiently.
Detailing Business Success Story
A shining example of success in this industry is Irving Duffy Jr. He is the co-owner of A Better Shine Auto Detailing and Ceramics in Battle Ground. As a retired Marine, Duffy turned his passion for cars into a thriving business that offers a variety of services. This includes interior and exterior detailing, paint corrections, scratch removals, and even detailing for boats and RVs. Despite the challenges, Duffy’s business has grown to win the category of auto detailers in 2021’s Best of Clark County. His story is a testament to the potential of the detailing industry.
Carpentry or Woodworking Business
The U.S. woodworking industry is expected to reach $29.13 billion by 2024. The top 50 companies control only about 30% of the market. This means there’s plenty of room for small businesses. Starting a woodworking business does require an investment in tools and equipment so it is not a cheap business.
You can start with a home-based shop to create custom items for people. This can be items like tables, chairs, or chests. Looking to do something bigger? Partner with a construction business to do jobs like molding, cabinets or built-ins. You can do e-commerce or Etsy and sell things like dog food holders, bowls, bird houses, and so much more. Or, you can go big and do creative elements at a large scale like cabinet making, moldings, built-ins, and more.
Woodworking Business Success Story
One inspiring success story is that of John Blunt, founder of IsGood Woodworks. John started his Seattle-based community woodworking shop in 1992 without accepting loans or investors. Over the years, he grew IsGood from a small, self-funded contract woodworking business into an industry-renowned community woodworking shop that generates approximately $2 million in annual revenue. There is also one of our featured Brains, Danny Zientek, who left his corporate career to work as a woodworker.
Locksmith Business
Unfortunately, I know about this one all too well. I have locked myself out of my house twice in the last year. It cost me $175 to have a locksmith come out and get me in. They were here for 15 minutes, travel time was about 30 minutes. So $175 for 45 minutes of work? I would take it. The locksmith I use has done it solo for over 25 years and raised 3 kids successfully with his job – and he loves it. He does it part-time now and still brings in a full-time income.
Learn more about becoming a locksmith in this great career guide!
Chimney Cleaning Business
Chimney cleaning can be a lucrative business that requires minimal investment. You can offer services such as cleaning chimneys, fireplaces, and wood stoves. As a chimney cleaner you do not just clean chimneys, but make sure homes are safe from the dangers of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. This job might have you working on rooftops or indoors to make sure all the dust and grime is removed.
Chimney Cleaning Business Success Story
One inspiring success story in this field is Patriot Chimney, a veteran-owned chimney cleaning business based in Roanoke Valley, Virginia. Opened in 2017, Patriot Chimney serviced over 350 customers and generated more than $212,000 in its first year, and it’s been profitable ever since. The company faced initial challenges, including missed calls and a heavy workload, but with the help of field service software, they were able to streamline their operations, increase their revenue by 167% in one year, and even manage the business remotely.
Pest Control Business
Starting a pest control business requires careful planning and execution. This one may be a little harder than some of the others since you might be working with chemicals and some states require licensing and training. It is important you check with your local government to see what you need to get started.
As a pest control specialist, you’ll be the community’s go-to person for managing unwanted critters. This could be bugs, animals, or maybe even picking up roadkill. It is up to you what you would like to specialize in!
Pest Control Success Stories
As for success stories, take the example of Terminix. Since 1927, they’ve been providing exceptional pest control services, including termite control, bed bug inspections, and mosquito removal. They’ve built a strong brand and have a significant online presence, with a website traffic of 2.06M/month. Another successful business is “Do My Own,” a DIY pest control company that offers a wide range of products and advice for those who prefer to handle pest issues themselves. They’ve also managed to attract a substantial online following, with 3.11M/month visiting their website.
Graffiti Removal Business
As a graffiti removal specialist you will restore the beauty of buildings, walls, and other surfaces that have been harmed by unwanted graffiti. This job involves mastering various removal methods such as pressure washing, sandblasting, or using specialized graffiti removal products. It’s not just about cleaning surfaces, it’s about preserving the integrity of your community’s visual appeal.
Graffiti Removal Business Success Story
Goodbye Graffiti is a success story that started small and grew into a franchise. They’ve created a successful franchise model for graffiti removal, allowing entrepreneurs to join their network and benefit from their established brand and proven business model. Their success shows the potential for growth and profitability in this industry.
