One job is not enough? These are the best-paying side jobs.

In September 2022, consumer prices in Germany increased by 10% compared to the same month of the previous year. With the constant rise in the inflation rate & gas prices, a part-time job is something more and more people start to consider. In this article, we explain which side jobs are the most lucrative and what you need to consider from a legal perspective.

The definition of a secondary employment

The term secondary employment refers to any activity performed by an employee outside of their main employment. Side jobs can take various forms, such as particular activities with another employer, a second job with the main employer or self-employment as a secondary source of income.

When is one job not enough?

The question of whether or not to take on a second job is difficult to answer. This is because such a decision depends on the personal goals you are aiming for and what your individual starting position is. To make the decision-making process easier, the following basic questions should be answered first.

1. Am I satisfied with my current financial situation?
2. Do I have enough capacity to take on a second job?
3. Does my main employer allow me to take on a second job?

Often, the intention to take on a second job is based on your personal financial situation. It is therefore advisable to get a clear picture of what kind of secondary employment makes the most sense. Building up a second stream of income in order to be more financially secure in the future also turns to be a reason.

Once these fundamental questions have been clarified, it is important to take a look at the available capacities. How much time can I devote to a potential second job? How busy are my weekdays already and where might there be a gap? Can I ensure that my main job will not suffer as a result? Finally, it is important to ensure that the employer agrees to my taking on additional work. To go into this conversation prepared, it is advisable to present a basic concept based on the previous questions.

The best-paid part-time jobs

As the most common reason for taking up a part-time job is due to an insufficient financial situation, we have selected the best-paid part-time jobs for you. The following 5 jobs are easy to take up as a career changer and are attractively remunerated.

1. Tutor: As a career changer, an hourly rate of €18 is not unusual. If you have the appropriate training, the hourly wage can vary between €20 and €50.
2. Bicycle courier: With a little experience, you can earn up to €20 an hour as a bicycle courier.
3. Call center agent: The average salary of a call center agent is €13 per hour. Plus: Working from home is usually possible.
4. Stagehand: Stagehands help to set up and dismantle stages at events. An hourly wage of up to €15 can be expected, as this work is often carried out on Sundays or at night.
5. Waiter / service staff: Waiters earn an average of €12 to €13. However, it should be noted that 50% of the hourly wage is earned as tips on top to the fixed wage.

Important to know: the minimum wage also applies to any type of secondary employment.

A second income stream with a small business

Of course, you don't necessarily have to pursue secondary activities unrelated to your main occupation. It can also be worth registering a small business and offering services that are closely related to your main occupation. For example, graphic designers, project managers or social media managers can also offer their services independently. However, it is important to ensure that the customers are not direct competitors of your main employer or that there are otherwise too many overlaps in the sector.

If you decide to register a small business, the following principles apply. First of all, no bookkeeping is required and the business can be set up relatively quickly and easily via the relevant municipality for between €25 and €50. VAT, trade tax or other business taxes do not have to be paid, provided that the annual turnover of the small business does not exceed €17,500. However, small businesses do pay income tax according to §15 EStG. The basis for this is the annual income tax return. The regulations mentioned are always linked to the annual turnover, which is why we recommend carrying out detailed research before actually implementing them.