Let me inform you one thing I want I’d identified after I first moved to London: not each high-paying job comes with a swimsuit, a title, or a nook workplace. Typically, the perfect cash is hiding in plain sight—within the oddest corners of the town, behind doorways you’d most likely stroll proper previous in case you didn’t know higher. And generally, it’s the quirkiest gig that finally ends up being your ticket to a greater life, to not point out some actually weird tales on your subsequent ceremonial dinner.
Actually, I stumbled into my first odd job by chance. I used to be broke, determined, and somewhat too proud to name my dad and mom for assist. At some point, whereas scanning job boards and clutching a cup of train-station espresso, I noticed an advert: “Evening owl needed. Good pay. No expertise required. Should like canines.” I assumed it was a prank. However that job—in a single day pet-sitter for a billionaire’s poodle—paid greater than my associates have been making in workplace internships, plus I obtained to eat leftover caviar (true story).
That’s after I realised: London is filled with bizarre, fantastic jobs that most individuals by no means even hear about, not to mention think about making use of for. And in case you’re up for somewhat hustle—and don’t thoughts getting your palms soiled, or your hours turned the other way up—you possibly can earn greater than you’d suppose, and perhaps even get pleasure from your self alongside the best way.
What Counts as an “Odd Job”?
Let’s be actual: “odd job” means one thing completely different to everybody. To me, it’s any gig that isn’t your commonplace 9-to-5. It’s versatile, perhaps somewhat offbeat, and doubtless one thing you gained’t discover on a standard resume. We’re speaking dog-walkers, TV extras, thriller buyers, personal tutors, evening safety guards, avenue performers, freelance handypeople, and private assistants to the weirdly well-known. A few of these jobs are the stuff of city legend—others are well-known in case you transfer in the correct circles.
However right here’s the twist: in London, a few of these so-called “aspect hustles” pay extra per hour than entry-level jobs in finance, retail, or hospitality. Why? As a result of they require odd hours, distinctive expertise, discretion, or a willingness to do what others gained’t.
The Greatest-Paid Odd Jobs in London (and the Actual Tales Behind Them)
1. Skilled Canine Walker (for the Wealthy and Well-known)
Sure, it’s a factor. The secret is to construct a repute for reliability and to focus on the poshest neighbourhoods—suppose Chelsea, Mayfair, or Hampstead. Some canine walkers pull in £30 an hour, per canine, in the event that they’re dealing with pampered pooches who’ve their very own Instagram accounts. I met a lady who’d given up her banking job to stroll poodles and bulldogs for rich purchasers; her secret? She realized a little bit of canine first support, wore wellies with confidence, and handled each canine like royalty.
2. Evening Safety (in Historic Buildings)
London’s full of historical, creaky buildings—museums, galleries, even the odd fortress or financial institution. Evening safety guards are paid surprisingly nicely, particularly in case you’re keen to cowl weekends or holidays. I spent one Halloween guarding a centuries-old library. Let’s simply say it was spooky, however the paycheck was value it.
3. Thriller Shopper or Secret Diner
Think about getting paid to eat out or store. Thriller buyers and secret diners charge all the things from service to toilet cleanliness and may make as much as £100 a go to in the event that they land the correct gigs. Some individuals construct complete aspect careers this fashion. Professional tip: at all times preserve your cool, even in case you spot the supervisor supplying you with the side-eye.
4. Personal Tutor
If you happen to’ve obtained a knack for maths, science, and even chess, personal tutoring in London pays nicely above minimal wage—generally £40–£60 an hour, particularly in examination season. Dad and mom are at all times trying to find somebody dependable who might help their little one get forward. I as soon as tutored a young person in “spoken English”—her mom paid me further to observe Harry Potter accents. Solely in London.
5. TV and Movie Additional
Being an additional (or “background artist”) is just not at all times glamorous, however it may be profitable in case you work sufficient gigs. Some businesses specialize in “uncommon seems to be” or “character faces,” and London’s movie scene is at all times buzzing. A couple of associates have scored paydays of £150+ a day only for strolling throughout a set (or, in a single case, pretending to eat a sandwich for seven hours).
6. Dwell-In Property Guardian
That is like adulting on “straightforward mode.” As a property guardian, you reside cheaply (generally rent-free) in vacant workplaces, faculties, or mansions, simply to maintain them occupied. It’s a win-win for each house owners and guardians. The catch? You need to transfer with quick discover and be okay with bizarre housemates (just like the time I shared a transformed church with a magician).
7. Private Shopper or Stylist
London is fashion-obsessed, and a few buyers pays handsomely for somebody to pick garments, hunt for uncommon sneakers, and even run errands earlier than huge occasions. If you happen to’ve obtained eye and a knack for studying individuals, this will flip right into a full-time gig with loads of perks.
8. Occasion Crew and Set Builder
Ever been to an enormous competition or artwork set up and puzzled the way it all got here collectively? Occasion crew jobs pay nicely for individuals keen to haul gear, construct units, or simply be the one who at all times has duct tape. My mate obtained paid £500 for per week’s work at a movie competition—plus free tickets and all of the snacks he may eat.
9. Dental Assistant (Temp Gigs and Personal Practices)
Right here’s one which shocked me. Personal dental clinics usually want momentary dental assistants—generally for a single day, generally for longer contracts. The pay is strong, particularly for individuals who have a little bit of expertise or have taken a brief course. If you happen to’re curious what that really seems to be like on paper, the main points in a dental assistant resume actually present how assorted (and unexpectedly profitable) the work may be.
10. Odd Jobs, Odd Hours: The Fill-In Hero
There’s a complete underworld of “fill-in” gigs: shifting furnishings for high-profile artwork collectors, assembling IKEA wardrobes for tech millionaires, or standing in line (sure, actually) for individuals who don’t wish to queue themselves. These jobs pop up by phrase of mouth, WhatsApp teams, or on-line classifieds.
Tips on how to Truly Land One among These Odd Jobs
Able to make the leap? Right here’s what I realized (generally the exhausting method):
- Phrase of Mouth Is Gold: The perfect gigs are not often marketed. Begin with associates, neighbours, or on-line neighborhood teams.
- Construct a Portfolio of Belief: Even odd jobs want references. Maintain notes from blissful purchasers and even snap just a few pictures (with permission) to show your reliability.
- Keep Versatile: The very best-paying jobs usually include the weirdest schedules.
- Don’t Knock the “Conventional Resume”: Even for quirky gigs, having a transparent, well-organised conventional resume readily available can set you aside once you meet a possible shopper face-to-face.
- Be Ready for the Surprising: Typically your odd job can be…nicely, very odd. Just like the time I used to be paid to house-sit a parrot with separation anxiousness (he sang “God Save the Queen” each morning at daybreak).
Errors, Mishaps, and What Truly Issues
Let’s be actual: odd jobs aren’t at all times glamorous. Typically you get rained on. Typically you take care of divas (each human and canine). However you study resilience, individuals expertise, and methods to learn a scenario quick.
- I as soon as confirmed up for a gig and realised I’d been employed principally as a result of I “seemed reliable.” Seems, your repute is your actual forex.
- One other time, I attempted to bluff my method by assembling a trampoline and realized the exhausting method that YouTube tutorials exist for a purpose.
- And sure, there can be competitors. However most individuals drop out as quickly as issues get bizarre. If you happen to stick it out, you’ll end up with much less competitors and better pay.
Why Odd Jobs Are Value It
The cash’s nice, however the actual treasure is the tales—and the sudden expertise you’ll decide up. You’ll meet individuals you’d by no means cross paths with in an workplace. You’ll study to hustle, to improvise, to say sure when everybody else hesitates. Better of all, you’ll stroll away with experiences that make you only a bit extra fascinating at events (and in your subsequent job interview).
A few of my most memorable London moments got here from gigs I nearly didn’t take. The lesson? Maintain an open thoughts. Town is bizarre, fantastic, and at all times altering. Odd jobs are in every single place—you simply should be keen to leap in.
Closing Ideas: Your Odd Job Journey Awaits
If you happen to’re sitting there questioning whether or not to offer it a go, my recommendation is easy: do it. Whether or not you’re saving for one thing huge, searching for flexibility, or simply want story, London’s best-paid odd jobs can supply all of that—and extra.
Begin small, keep open-minded, and don’t be afraid to snicker at your self alongside the best way. Who is aware of? Your subsequent odd job might be the beginning of one thing extraordinary.
