Jobs · 7 min read

15 Ways To Make Extra Money In Edinburgh

Let’s face it - living in Edinburgh is stunning, but it’s not cheap. From soaring rents in Leith and Bruntsfield to the daily cost of a flat white from your favourite independent café on Nicolson Street, every penny counts.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre is now over £1,100. That’s before you even think about groceries, council tax, or topping up your Ridacard.

So if you’ve been wondering how to boost your income without quitting your day job - this one’s for you.

Here are 15 real ways you can make extra money in Edinburgh, from homegrown side hustles to clever digital gigs.

And, if you need a bit of help, Prograd has over 100+ online side hustles ready for you to dive into. Why not take a look?

1. Get paid to play online games

Yes, really. If you're already playing games like Clash of Clans or Fortnite in your spare time, you could actually earn money by playing games online.

Platforms like Prograd and offer small but steady payouts, gift cards, or cash for playing mobile games. It’s not exactly a six-figure income, but it can add up while you’re chilling at home during Edinburgh’s sixth consecutive rainy day.

💰 Earning potential: £50–£200/month if you play regularly

2. Rent out your spare room

With the average rent soaring and a student population of nearly 50,000, there’s always demand for short- or long-term lodgers.

Whether you’re near the Meadows, Marchmont or even Musselburgh, listing a spare room on SpareRoom or Airbnb could be a huge money-maker - especially during the Fringe or Hogmanay.

💰 Earning potential: Up to £7,500/year tax-free under the Rent a Room scheme

3. Offer pet-sitting or dog walking services

Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most dog-friendly cities, with more pooches per capita than most urban areas (walk through Inverleith Park any morning for proof).

Busy professionals in areas like Stockbridge or the West End are always on the lookout for trustworthy dog walkers or sitters.

💰 Earning potential: £10–£25 per walk or visit; £3,000+ annually part-time

4. Sell your old stuff on Facebook Marketplace or Vinted

From vintage kilts to that half-used bottle of Eden Mill gin, Edinburgers love a good bargain. Facebook Marketplace is booming locally, especially for furniture and clothing.

You can also flip charity shop finds from Morningside or Broughton and turn them into tidy profits online.

💰 Earning potential: £50–£500/month depending on what you sell

5. Become a tour guide or host experiences

Got deep knowledge of the Old Town or a passion for spooky stories? Sign up with Airbnb Experiences or create your own walking tour.

Tourists are everywhere in Edinburgh - literally year-round - and many are willing to pay for something more personal than a big group tour.

💰 Earning potential: £15–£40/hour per person

6. Freelance your skills online

Whether you’re a writer, designer or dab hand at Excel spreadsheets, there’s demand for Edinburgh-based freelancers on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

Bonus points if you can cater to small local businesses who want someone nearby, even if the work’s remote.

💰 Earning potential: £20–£60/hour depending on your niche

7. Test websites and apps

Edinburgh’s tech sector is growing fast - hello CodeBase, Skyscanner, and all those startup hubs around Quartermile.

That means a growing need for usability testing. Sites like UserTesting will pay you to click around new websites and give feedback.

💰 Earning potential: £10–£20 per test (usually 20–30 mins)

8. Start a cleaning side hustle

In a student-heavy city with loads of short-term lets, there’s always someone needing a deep clean.

Offer one-off Airbnb cleaning services or regular slots for busy professionals. Especially useful if you’re near central areas like Tollcross or Haymarket.

💰 Earning potential: £12–£20/hour; £4,000+ part-time annually

9. Tutor students

With multiple universities and schools across the city, tutoring is a no-brainer. Whether you’re great at maths, French, or higher English, there’s always demand from stressed students.

You can even tutor online to reach more people outside your postcode.

💰 Earning potential: £20–£80/hour depending on subject and experience

10. Rent out your driveway or parking space

Got a spot in New Town or near the University? That could be gold dust. Use sites like JustPark or YourParkingSpace to rent out your drive during the day or for events like rugby matches at Murrayfield.

💰 Earning potential: £50–£250/month, up to £4,000/year in busy areas

11. Try mystery shopping

You could be paid to pop into Princes Street stores or even grab a pint and judge the customer service.

💰 Earning potential: £10–£40 per gig, plus freebies

12. Sell baked goods or crafts at local markets

Love baking or crafting? Edinburgh’s farmers markets (especially in Stockbridge and Leith) are full of artisan sellers.

You’ll need a hygiene certificate for food, but it’s a great way to connect with your local community and earn at the same time.

💰 Earning potential: £200–£1,000/month depending on what you sell

13. Start a laundry or ironing service

People are busy. And they hate ironing. If you live in a residential-heavy area like Corstorphine or Portobello, you can advertise your services locally on Facebook or Nextdoor.

💰 Earning potential: £12–£18/hour

14. Try car sharing

Not using your car every day? List it on platforms like Turo or Hiyacar. Edinburgh’s public transport is solid, so many folks are going car-free - this is a great way to earn from an underused asset.

💰 Earning potential: Up to £650/month, or £7,800/year

15. Host a foreign student

Language schools in Edinburgh often need host families for short stays. If you’ve got a spare room and don’t mind cooking a few meals, this can be both fun and lucrative.

Great if you’re in a quieter area like Blackford or Craiglockhart.

💰 Earning potential: Up to £250/week