Digital side hustles are rapidly reshaping the UK gig economy, with new figures showing that interest in online work has surged well ahead of more traditional second jobs.
Searches for virtual assistant jobs have now passed 100,000 per month, making the role almost five times more popular than childminding and pet sitting combined. The data points to a growing preference for tech-enabled work that can be done remotely with minimal overheads.
Research from workplace specialists Furniture at Work suggests the shift reflects changing attitudes to work, with flexibility, scalability and low start-up costs driving demand for digital roles.
Virtual assistants lead the way
Virtual assistants have emerged as the most searched-for side hustle in the UK, with around 103,000 monthly searches. The role typically involves providing administrative, technical or creative support to businesses online, using cloud-based tools, communication platforms and productivity software.
Despite ranking third overall for average earnings, virtual assistance combines strong income potential with the ability to work from anywhere. Start-up costs are generally limited to software subscriptions, marketing tools and a reliable computer setup, making it accessible to a wide range of workers.
Creative and knowledge-based roles follow
Selling digital photos and media ranks second, attracting around 77,000 searches a month. While the role appeals to creatives, it often requires higher upfront investment in camera equipment, editing software and platform fees.
Online tutoring, meanwhile, delivers the highest earning potential, with some tutors generating more than £700 a month. Searches for tutoring roles currently sit at 21,000 per month, reflecting demand for specialist knowledge delivered through video platforms and learning software.
Traditional side jobs fall behind
The research highlights a widening gap between digital and offline side hustles. Searches for childminding and pet sitting now trail far behind online roles, reflecting barriers such as fixed hours, location dependence and limited opportunities to scale.
According to Furniture at Work, the key drivers behind the growth of digital side hustles include stronger earning potential, work-from-anywhere flexibility and the ability to grow part-time work into full-time digital businesses.
A spokesperson for the company said the rise of roles such as virtual assistants shows how technology continues to redefine work patterns, particularly as hybrid and remote working become embedded across the UK economy.
With cloud tools, collaboration platforms and home office technology now widely accessible, digital side hustles are increasingly seen as a practical and future-proof way to supplement income in 2026 and beyond.