The Most Dangerous Side Hustles in America, Ranked

A new study reveals the top 10 riskiest side hustles in America, highlighting the dangers and injury rates associated with each job. According to a report by the Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm, delivery driving is the most dangerous way to earn extra money in the country, with significant risks involved in various other popular side gigs.

Key Findings

• More than 900 Americans die doing delivery gigs annually, the highest death toll of any side job.
• Moving and hauling jobs send more workers to the hospital than any other side hustle.
• HVAC repair exposes workers to numerous injury risks, including electrocution and falls.

Methodology

The research examined popular side hustles to determine which ones pose the greatest physical risks. It utilized workplace safety data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, matching each gig to the closest full-time occupation on record. The study measured three safety figures for each job: the fatality rate per 100,000 workers, the nonfatal injury rate, and the total number of annual deaths. These metrics were combined into a Risk Score from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater overall danger.

Top 10 Riskiest Side Hustles

Side Hustle
Hourly Wage
Fatality Rate
Nonfatal Injury Rate
Annual Deaths

Delivery Driving
$26.13
25.7 per 100K workers
249.9 per 100K workers
950

Tree Cutting / Firewood Cutting
$24.72
110.4 per 100K workers
125.1 per 100K workers
51

Junk Removal
$25.39
37.4 per 100K workers
59.3 per 100K workers
36

Moving & Hauling
$20.32
5.4 per 100K workers
290.1 per 100K workers
110

Roofing / Roof Repair
$27.21
48.7 per 100K workers
86.1 per 100K workers
104

HVAC Repair & Installation
$31.14
46.7 per 100K workers
76.3 per 100K workers
33

Handyman / Odd-Job Work
$25.02
15.8 per 100K workers
73.4 per 100K workers
34

Home Maintenance & Repair
$25.86
10.8 per 100K workers
42.7 per 100K workers
26

Lawn Care & Landscaping
$20.78
20.9 per 100K workers
23.9 per 100K workers
39

Landscaping Crew Supervisor
$29.31
18.5 per 100K workers
19.9 per 100K workers
33

Conclusion

As side hustles become increasingly popular, workers must weigh the potential financial benefits against the significant safety risks. The findings from the Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm’s report serve as a critical reminder of the dangers associated with these jobs. An attorney from the firm noted, “People often don’t think about taxes when taking on side gigs. A quarter of all gig workers in America aren’t declaring their extra income, which complicates matters if something goes wrong on the job.” Ensuring proper documentation and understanding the risks involved can help mitigate some of the dangers associated with these side hustles.

For more detailed findings, you can access the complete research here.

When using the data, please credit: Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm.