Under the Table Jobs [2024] Best Cash Paying Jobs

Did you know that cash is used for only 18% of payments? Now, that doesn’t mean cash is dead. In fact, you can still get paid in cash if you want to.

In this article, I’ll describe some of the best under the table jobs. Not only are these options easy, but they can also be lucrative.

Just remember: The goal here isn’t to avoid taxes. That’s a good way to get in trouble with Uncle Sam! So, plan to report your earnings during tax season. This list is here to help you find jobs that pay cash only.

If it’s the convenience of cash you’re after, then these cash-paying jobs should be perfect!

Best Under the Table Jobs

Want to work in the “real world,” or would you rather stay online? Do you love kids, or are animals more your thing? 

Whatever your preferences are, there are under the table jobs that you’re sure to enjoy!

These jobs that pay cash only can help you grow your bank account. And you never know – you could turn one of them into a long-term career!

Babysitting

For generations, babysitting has been one of the best under the table jobs. You get to spend time with children, which is usually a lot of fun!

Yes, I said “usually.” Let’s be real – temper tantrums happen. But the good times should outweigh the bad times. Besides, let’s focus on what matters here. You’ll be getting paid!

The hardest part of being a babysitter is often finding gigs. You could start by telling friends and family members that you’ll watch their kids for money, but that’ll only get you so far. 

That’s why Care.com is a total lifesaver! All you have to do is create a profile on the site, and parents in your area will find it and then reach out to you. 

Looking for other ways to earn a quick buck? Check out this list of ideas for how to make money in one hour. 

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Coworkers can be a lot of fun, but they’re also prone to gossiping, backstabbing, and taking the last cookie in the break room.

Do you know who never gossips? Pets! So, if you want to spend less time with people and more time making furry friends, pet sitting and dog walking are perfect options.  

But you can’t just roll up to the dog park and offer to watch people’s pets. Well, I guess you could – but I wouldn’t recommend it, especially when there’s such an easy alternative: Rover.

Rover is a digital pet care platform. It helps owners connect with trusted pet sitters and dog walkers in their area. You can become one of those trusted workers after a quick application process, making it easy to find gigs.

There are a few types of work available on Rover:

• Dog walking
• Pet sitting (at the owner’s home)
• Doggy daycare (at your home)
• Boarding (pets stay overnight at your home – and you earn more money!)

You can dabble in all these options or stick to the one you like best.

For more money-making ideas, read this article on how to make $20 fast. 

Delivery Driving

Some people hate driving. Others are in their element when they’re behind the wheel.

Are you in that second category? Then, delivery driving is one of the best cash paying jobs you can find. 

If you live in an urban area with lots of restaurants, then you’ll have plenty of options. And if you work for a local joint, you can expect to earn cash tips from customers.

Of course, there’s also the high-tech option that’s even more convenient: Driving for DoorDash.

The general idea with DoorDash is simple:

1. You accept individual deliveries as they appear on the DoorDash app.
2. You pick food up from the restaurant and drop it off at the customer’s home.
3. You get paid through the DoorDash app. Some customers will send you digital tips!

Depending on where you live, you could work for DoorDash without a car. All you need is a scooter or bicycle.

And more good news: Getting started isn’t some drawn-out process. Sign up on the official DoorDash website, and you could be making money in just a few days.

But if you do find yourself on the DoorDash waitlist, here are a few ways to try to get off faster. 

And learn here how to get a free DoorDash gift card.

For more relaxing under the table jobs, check out this list of low-stress jobs. 

Participating in a Focus Group

Companies and market research groups want to know what people think. And you’re a person, right? That means you can make money by offering your opinion.

But how? By joining focus groups! 

A focus group is a conversation between researchers and “normal people.” They can happen online or in person, and they don’t require much work. All you have to do is answer the questions honestly. 

If you’re interested, your first step is to sign up for a market research platform that offers focus groups. I’d recommend Ipsos iSay It’s run by a super reputable company, so you don’t have to worry about getting scammed!

Ipsos iSay also doubles as a survey site, so you can make extra money on the side. To get started, just head to the official Ipsos iSay website and click “Join now.” 

But while focus groups can be lucrative, you won’t get rich. To really make a killing, you’ll have to do several under the table jobs at once. To get more ideas, read this guide on how to make 10k fast.

Becoming a Personal Assistant

If you’re an organized person who’s good with computers, then working as a personal assistant is definitely one of the best under the table jobs.

The job description is simple: You’ll complete the daily administrative tasks that your boss doesn’t have time for. 

Common activities for a personal assistant include:

• Managing travel
• Arranging schedules
• Answering emails 
• Preparing projects
• Distributing materials
• Taking minutes during meetings

In many cases, you’ll be a “virtual assistant” – meaning you’ll work remotely. Do you know what that entails? Earning money while wearing your PJs!

Finding work isn’t as hard as it sounds. Just update your resume, then use an online job board to look for gigs. 

I’d recommend Lensa. It has millions of job listings – yes, “millions” with an “M” – and it’s super easy to use. Just type “virtual assistant” into the Lensa search bar and see what happens!

As a personal assistant, you can do a lot of work at night. That’s what makes it one of the best cash paying jobs for people with daytime responsibilities. 

Looking for more nighttime work? Check out this guide on how can I make extra money from home in the evenings. 

Completing Surveys Online

Got an internet connection? Got opinions? Then, you can earn money by completing online surveys. 

Not let me be real – you won’t get rich doing this. So why is it considered one of the best under the table jobs? Because you can do it from anywhere, and it’s incredibly easy! You can use your smartphone to take a survey here, a survey there – and next thing you know, you’ll be padding your income.

To make money from online surveys, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a survey platform and sign up.
2. Complete surveys (and as you go).
3. Cash out after you reach a certain threshold.

Of course, this strategy only works if you use a reputable survey provider. My favorites are  MyPoints, Branded Surveys, and Swagbucks. They’re all straightforward to use, and they all pay out as promised.

Swagbucks is especially exciting because it offers so many ways to make money. Along with taking surveys, you can get paid to shop, play games, and do trivia.

Does that sound appealing? Then, read this article about the best survey sites like Swagbucks.

It’s also important to know that some survey sites pay out in cash, some give out gift cards, and some do a mix of both. 

Think an Amazon gift card could come in handy? Then check out this guide to completing surveys for gift cards. 

Playing Games

Want to be a professional gamer? It’s easier than you think! In fact, playing games for money is one of the most accessible cash paying jobs.

This is another option that won’t get you rich. But you can absolutely earn some money on the side – and have some serious fun while you’re at it!

As with any online income stream, you need to be careful. Some sites will promise you money, then leave you with nothing.

With that in mind, here are three gaming platforms I can recommend:

• Cashyy – This reputable app has 4.3 stars on the Google Play store. Read this Cashyy app review to learn more.
• Rewarded Play – Users of this site have earned over $15 million.
• KashKick – This platform offers surveys as well as games. 

With all three of these platforms, the general idea is the same. You make an account, play games, and then receive cash or gift cards.

And there are even more legit platforms out there. To see all your options, check out this list of apps that pay cash. 

Donating Plasma

If you’re looking for an easy way to make serious money, then donating plasma could be the answer. It’s sort of like donating blood, but it’s a lot more lucrative!

New donors can earn up to $850 after their first visit. And while later appointments won’t earn you quite as much, you can consistently make almost $1,000 a year. 

It’s normal to be a little nervous about donating plasma, but there’s really nothing to it.

Here’s what you can expect from the experience:

1. Find a plasma collection company in your area and make an appointment.
2. Show up to the appointment and undergo a basic health screening.
3. For the actual donation, you spend about an hour sitting in a chair while your blood is run through a machine. But don’t worry – you can distract yourself with music, a book, or your phone.
4. Wait at the facility for 15 minutes as a precaution.
5. Get paid!

Learn more with this complete guide on how to donate plasma for money. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Under the Table Jobs 

Cash Paying Jobs?

Here are some of the best cash paying jobs to consider:

• Babysitter (get started with Care.com)
• Pet sitter/Dog walker (try out Rover)
• Delivery driver (sign up for DoorDash here) 
• Personal assistant (find jobs on Lensa)
• Focus group participant (join Ipsos iSay)
• Online gamer (get started with Cashyy)
• Online survey taker (give Swagbucks a try)
• Plasma donor (learn how to donate plasma for money here) 

What Jobs Can Be Paid Under the Table? 

These jobs can all be paid under the table (or through easy digital payments):

• Delivery driving (get started with DoorDash)
• Babysitting (sign up for Care.com today)
• Pet sitting (find jobs with Rover)
• Dog walking (get started with Rover)
• Participating in focus groups (try out Ipsos iSay)
• Online gaming (start playing with Rewarded Play)
• Online surveys (try out MyPoints)
• Plasma donations (learn how to donate plasma for money here) 
• Working as a personal assistant (find job openings with Lensa) 

What is a Under the Table Job Called?

Under the table jobs can also be called gigs or informal jobs. Sometimes, when people say “under the table,” they’re referring to illegal work that avoids taxes. But be careful! You’re legally required to report all your income. 

But if you simply prefer to be paid in cash, there’s nothing wrong with looking for jobs that pay cash only. Getting paid in cash might even make it easier to grow your savings fast with the cash envelope categories budgeting method!

What’s a Good Way to Make Money Under the Table?

Babysitting is a great way to make money under the table. You could also try delivery driving and working as a personal assistant. Get started by signing up for Care.com and DoorDash. 

And if you’re looking to boost your bank balance fast, check out these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

To learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings, check out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Under the Table Jobs No Experience?

Babysitting is one of the best under the table jobs. Some parents might prefer a babysitter with experience – but demand is high, so you should land some gigs eventually. Consider using Care.com for help finding work.

Work for Cash?

These are the best cash paying jobs:

• Delivery driving (try out DoorDash)
• Babysitting (get started with Care.com)
• Working as a personal assistant (find work on Lensa)
• Pet sitting/Dog walking (sign up for Rover today)
• Online surveys (try out Branded Surveys)
• Participating in focus groups (join Ipsos iSay)
• Online gaming (give KashKick a try)
• Donating plasma (learn how to donate plasma for money)