How to Make Money Running Errands: Earn $30 Per Hour

If you like being on the go, maybe you should consider earning extra cash by running errands for other people.

Whether you’d like to go into business for yourself or use one of the helpful online services, making money while helping others is a great way to earn a living.

These Platforms Can Help You Make Money Running Errands

1. Care.com

Care.com is a marketplace where individuals can request help with child care, tutoring, senior care, pet care, housekeeping, and running errands. With Care.com, you can create a profile and search for job listings. People request help with all sorts of tasks like errands, house management, scheduling travel, furniture assembly, organizational tasks, meal prep, and more!

2. DoorDash

With DoorDash, you can make money by delivering restaurant meals to people who don’t feel like leaving home. With this app, you can use your bike, scooter, motorcycle, or car; you just need to be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check. DoorDash is available in 7,000 cities across the US, Canada, and Australia. The sign-up process only takes a few minutes, and most drivers can start working in a few days. If this sounds appealing, check out this honest review of being a delivery driver with DoorDash.

3. Favor

Favor is a Texas-based company that offers people in major Texas cities a side gig to become a runner (personal assistant). With Favor, you can deliver groceries, pick up dry cleaning, deliver tacos, run to home improvement stores, and more! To sign up, you’ll need a current smartphone, a clean driving record, and be at least 18 years old. Runners earn a portion of each delivery ($2-$14 base and 100% of their tips.

4. Instacart Shopper

With Instacart, you can become a driver and deliver groceries to customers, or you can become a shopper and shop for the groceries and deliver them as well. You will, of course, need a vehicle, but the hours are flexible, and you set your schedule. Their application process is simple! Apply in less than five minutes, attend an in-person training session, and start work within a week. According to this post, full-service shoppers (independent contractors) should expect a base rate of $13-$18 per hour plus 100% of tips. In-store shoppers don’t deliver groceries, and they work part-time as employees.

5. Shipt Shopper

Using the Shipt app, you can make money shopping for others! You can shop at grocery stores and local stores like Target. To use the Shipt app, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance, a current smartphone, and a reliable car, 1997 or newer. According to their website, shoppers earn base pay, tips, and bonus opportunities, and payouts are distributed weekly.

6. TaskRabbit

You can deliver items such as groceries, dry cleaning – even furniture. You can pick up items at the store or pharmacy, drop off donations, and more. Signing up through TaskRabbit means that you will be connected with people in your neighborhood. According to this article, the average tasker can earn an extra $100 a month doing random side gigs. Although some full-time taskers, like Vanessa Garcia, earn $9,000 monthly, charging $60-$100 per task!

7. Uber Eats

Uber Eats, which recently purchased the Postmates Fleet app, is another way you can make money delivering food from restaurants. With Uber Eats, you can use your vehicle, scooter, or bike to make deliveries, and you can create your schedule. Using the app, you see exactly what you’ll earn before accepting an assignment, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. Payments are automatically distributed weekly, or you can request your earnings up to six times a day with Instant Pay.

8. Rover

If you enjoy caring for pets, sign up with Rover. With the Rover app, you can choose the kinds of services you offer, what pets you’ll care for, and your hourly rate. To start with Rover, you must create an account and pay for a background check. Once approved, you can connect with pet owners who need your services. From feeding, dog walking, scooping litter, training, and boarding, there is a wide variety of ways to make extra money with this side gig. 

9. Thumbtack

Do you have a knack for getting small tasks done? Then, consider signing up with Thumbtack. With Thumbtack, you can work on tasks that involve home remodeling, home maintenance, and outdoor upkeep. Or you can provide services like life coaching, personal training, tax prep, web design, and even singing and sewing lessons! To get started, create your account and set your own prices. For using the platform, Thumbtack takes a lead fee and booking fee, which is based on the type of service offered and the scope of the work. 

Start Your Own Errand Service Business

Depending on your financial goals and whether you want to work part- or full-time hours, you may decide to start your own personal assistant business. Starting a business allows you to work on the tasks you enjoy the most while setting your own rates.

Here are some personal assistant niches to consider, as well as service offerings you might choose to offer to clients. 

Make Money Running Errands for Seniors

Some seniors are unable to drive, and others have limited mobility. Simple trips out of the house to the store or other errands become burdensome and hard to manage. Because of this, they appreciate having someone to run errands for them. You can go grocery shopping, pay bills, pick up prescription medication, take them to their hair appointments, do laundry, and go to the Post Office – just to name a few.

If you want to explore this niche further, be sure to check out the book Start Your Own Senior Services Business by Charlene Davis.

Running Errands for Busy Professionals

This is something I’ve contemplated doing myself. When you think about it, most small business owners are consumed with their businesses and have very little time to run errands for themselves. Whether they own a restaurant, a retail store, or even a home-based business, their daytime hours (when errands, like going to the Post Office and picking up prescriptions and dry cleaning, have to be done) are usually consumed with work. 

Running Errands for New Parents

This is another venture I’ve considered doing myself to help new parents take a little of the stress out of those first few months. There were times when I had all four of my kids, and I would have gladly paid someone to do a quick errand or two for me if it meant I didn’t have to take all the kids out to the store. From getting groceries, picking up dry cleaning, and taking the dog to the vet and groomer to purchasing gifts and running to the bank. 

Pick the Type of Errands You’ll Run

Once you’ve picked your niche, decide on the types of errands you’ll run. Maybe you’re an excellent gift-giver, or you have an eye for style, and acting as a personal shopper will be one of your main offerings. Or maybe you prefer to be around kids, so you’ll offer drop-off and pick-up services for parents. 

If you’re not certain what services to offer, you can choose from the list below.

• Bringing the car for washes, maintenance, and oil changes 
• Picking up mail, dry cleaning, and packages
• Pet care, feeding, dog walking, bringing to the vet
• Grocery shopping and delivery 
• Paying bills
• Standing in line
• Organization services and donation dropoffs
• Menu planning and meal prep
• Buying gifts
• Watering plants
• House-sitting
• Help with packing and moving
• Picking up prescriptions
• Going to the Post Office
• Returning books to the library
• Waiting for the repair person
• Research vacation destinations and book travel 
• Schedule appointments

How Much to Charge for Your Services

As an errand runner, you can charge per service, by the hour, or by package. 

For instance, you may offer four tiers of services: 

• 5 hours per month – $250
• 10 hours per month – $475
• 20 hours per month – $925
• 40 hours per month – $1,825

Having bundled packages allows you to better manage your time, client base, and earnings predictability. However, charging by the package doesn’t allow the flexibility of charging more for more difficult tasks, like moving or home maintenance repairs. When deciding on pricing, you’ll want to include travel time, wear and tear on your car, self-employment taxes, insurance, and other expenses you’ll incur as a small business owner.

Get the Word Out

While you can use a third-party app to connect with clients, you can potentially earn more money running your own business. Having a website is a great way to showcase your offerings, but you can use social media if you don’t have money to invest in a website. Posting notices in local Facebook and Nextdoor groups is a great way to get the word out. Lastly, be sure to ask for word-of-mouth referrals from current customers. You can even offer current customers a small discount on future services for referring potential customers to you. 

How Much Can You Earn With Running Errands Jobs?

Most people charge by the hour for this service. You can include a small stipend for mileage if you choose or even a per-mile surcharge if your drive time varies from week to week. The pay range also can vary depending on where you’re located and what tasks you’re doing. According to Senior Errand Service, you can earn between $20-$35 an hour running errands, with the national average being about $30 an hour.

Make Money Running Errands

Whether you’re looking for a full-time job, a part-time side hustle, or you want to start a business, being an errand runner is a great option. Of course, you’ll need the minimal requirements of having reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and a smartphone, as well as being highly organized.

Otherwise, running errands is a flexible opportunity where you have control of your potential earnings, which is a great feeling. Almost as good as the positive feelings you’ll have when you know you’re making a difference in someone else’s life.

Want to explore this business idea further? Take a look at Kelly Schaefer’s book, The Concierge Life: What You Need to Know to Build a Successful Business, Live Your Passion, and Change the World.