America has become a side-gig culture, with as many as 40 percent of people working a side job, according to American University.

The typical side hustle generates around $1,200 a month for about 10 hours of work a week, the university said.

With the summer in full swing, consumers looking to earn extra cash for debt payments, savings or an upcoming vacation can pick up a side hustle to help meet their financial goals.

From event staffing to pet sitting, experts say there’s a wide range of opportunities waiting for you.

The Independent spoke with several side-hustle and employment experts to find five recommendations for summer gigs that bring in cash and are fun: Event staffing, resorts and camps, concert staffing, tutoring, and dog walking and pet sitting.

Event staffing

The event industry hits its peak during the summer, opening up plenty of part-time opportunities for those who need a summer side gig, said Alexis Gomez, owner of Los Angeles-based Parlani Party Rentals.

“Summer is arguably the busiest season of the year when it comes to weddings, festivals and corporate events, all leading to a high demand for reliable workers,” he said.

One of the perks of event planning is that schedules are flexible, he said. Workers learn valuable skills, too, including customer service, logistics, teamwork and problem solving, Gomez told The Independent by email.

“Find the clients that will help you develop marketable skills, discover trustworthy clients and build bridges that can connect you with future projects,” he said.

Some event companies provide staff for concerts, which is one of the things that makes the job a fun one, said Kathy Kristof, CEO of side-gig resource platform SideHusl.com.

“One of my favorites is working concerts and events, since you are often able to get paid to see events that you’d otherwise pay a fortune to attend,” Kristof said in an email to The Independent.

The average pay for event staff is $18.04 an hour, according to career site Indeed.com.

Resorts and camps

Kristof suggests looking for work at summer camps and resorts, noting that the jobs available can be varied and interesting.

“Seasonal jobs in resorts and camps also might be a great fit,” she said. “The actual jobs vary from working in reception and food service to being a camp counselor or horse wrangler.”

The American Camp Association estimates there are more than 20,000 summer camps in the United States, with many offering camp counselor and support staff positions during the summer.

Big hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton go on huge hiring sprees for summer workers. The two chains alone were predicted to hire nearly 100,000 seasonal employees with pay ranging from $14 to $22 an hour, according to temporary staffing platform Indeed Flex.

Dog walking and pet sitting

Taking care of someone else’s pets during the summer is a fun way to get outside (pet walking) or stay at home (pet sitting) and make cash while doing so, Kristoff said.

“Dog walking and pet sitting gigs pay you to get outside – and/or cuddle up on a couch with somebody’s fur baby while you watch Netflix,” she said. “Pretty nice working conditions, if you ask me.”

Pet sitting can also be a way for animal lovers to get their furry fix – and get paid for it.

Kristof suggests looking for dog walking and pet sitting gigs through Rover, an online pet care platform that connects pet sitters with pet owners.

The job types on the site range from boarding pets and house sitting to doggy day care, dog walking and popping in to check on a client’s pets while they’re away.

Pet sitters make an average of $21.12 per hour, according to Indeed.com.

Tutoring

Tutoring is a good way to earn money on the side, helping students learn about things you love.

“If you have expertise in anything from AI to math to music to language, you can become a tutor,” said Patrick McAndrew, a certified financial planner at California-based American Wealth Planning.

On some sites, such as Preply, tutors can make as much as $5,000 a month, he told The Independent in an email.

“I often point clients to this gig as a great option to work from home and make a meaningful income,” he said.

Flexibility is a big benefit of the gig – tutors can work exclusively online and schedule sessions around their availability.

Online tutors can make an average of $30 to $60 an hour, according to test prep and college admission consultants Empowerly.

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