21 Best Early Morning Jobs for Early Risers to Jump-Start Your Day

Are you an early riser looking for ways to start making money while others are still in bed? There are a whole host of opportunities available for those with the discipline and dedication to get up bright and early.

Early morning jobs can be a great way to make extra money while still having time during the day for other activities. Some people prefer to start their day early, and others find it provides more flexibility later in the day.

From traditional employment positions in services and hospitality to side hustles, there are plenty of ways to use your mornings.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of these options. Whether you’re looking for something part-time or full-time, you’ll find plenty of possibilities here.

The Best Early Morning Jobs to Start the Day

Trash Cleanup

Are you interested in starting your own business? If so, a trash cleanup business could be an excellent fit. In the 1980s, Brian Winch started a litter cleanup business as a side hustle. Within just a few months, he had already surpassed the income from his full-time job. For the past 40+ years, Brian has been earning six figures with his trash cleanup business.

Brian has created Cleanlots, a manual that teaches others how to set up and run their own trash cleanup business. He refers to it as “America’s simplest business” because of how easy and straightforward it is.

The business model involves picking up trash and litter from parking lots of strip malls, retail stores, office buildings, apartment complexes, and other similar properties. These parking lots need to be cleaned regularly, and the property managers are usually open to hiring someone to do the work for them.

Early mornings are ideal for this work because most offices and stores aren’t open yet, so the parking lots are usually empty. On the topic of working in the morning, Brian says, “I enjoy the peace and solitude of doing my work in the early morning hours before businesses open. It’s almost as easy to do as going for a walk, AND I make money from it. I then have the rest of the day to do as I please.”

This business can be done part-time or full-time. If you already have a full-time job, you can clean parking lots early in the morning before starting your job. You can also easily outsource the work to others since it doesn’t require specific skills.

Cleanlots is an excellent resource because it shows exactly how to set up your business and start landing clients.

Income potential: According to Cleanlots, you can make $50,000 to $100,000 per year as a one-person operation.

Dog Walker

Another great option for early risers is to become a dog walker. This job can be done as a side hustle and can be surprisingly lucrative. Dog walking usually involves taking dogs out for regular walks, but you may also provide other services such as boarding, feeding, grooming, and playing with the pets.

Early morning is an ideal time for walking dogs. Many dogs are active early in the morning, and morning walks are also preferred by many pet owners.

To get started, you can talk to pet owners in your local area, list your services on Craigslist, and post flyers or business cards on local bulletin boards. You can also create a profile with Rover so pet owners in your area can find you.

Many of your clients will hire you for ongoing services, so you can quickly build a steady income.

Income potential: According to Indeed, the average dog walker in the U.S. earns more than $33 per hour.

Blogger

If you have a passion for writing and an entrepreneurial spirit, consider starting a blog. You can start a blog on a topic of your choice and monetize it with ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling your own products.

You don’t need to be a world-class writer to succeed as a blogger. Blogs usually have a conversational writing style, so even if you don’t consider yourself a great writer, you’re still capable of creating excellent blog content.

Blogging is a good option for an early bird since it gives you the flexibility to work whenever your schedule allows. You can write posts early in the morning and then move on with the other activities of your day. If you have a full-time job, you could work on your blog before starting.

The downside of blogging is that most new blogs make very little money for the first six months or so (possibly longer). It takes time to build up an audience and grow traffic. However, the long-term income potential is unlimited, and it could become a lucrative full-time business.

Income potential: There are bloggers earning small amounts of money, and others are earning six and seven figures. Your blog could be a side hustle or a full-time business. While success isn’t easy, it’s a legit online business model that’s accessible to just about anyone, with very low startup costs.

Freelancer

Freelancing is another great option for early risers who want to make money. Freelancers usually provide services such as writing, editing, web design, graphic design, programming, and digital marketing. There are countless services you could offer, and you can see our list of popular freelance services for ideas.

Early in the morning is a great time to break out your laptop and start working on client projects. You can take advantage of the quieter hours before everyone else wakes up and get a head start on your work.

Freelancing is a popular side hustle, and it can also grow into a full-time business. In fact, a service-based business is one of the most realistic and practical options for most people.

Chances are, you already have skills you could offer to clients. Think about your current and past jobs and other experience you have.

To get started as a freelancer, you need to build a portfolio of work and find clients. Upwork and Fiverr are two popular platforms where you can advertise your services. You can also leverage your existing network.

Income potential: Your income will depend on several factors, including the specific service you offer. Most freelance services provide excellent income potential. For example, according to ZipRecruiter, the average freelance writer makes $33 per hour, and the average freelance graphic designer earns $24 per hour.

Online Survey Taker

Paid online surveys are another easy way to make money early in the morning. Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars are popular survey sites that allow you to earn cash by answering questions about brands, products, services, and consumer habits.

These surveys usually take anywhere from five minutes to an hour to complete, and you can do them at any time of day that works with your schedule. While these surveys don’t pay a lot, they’re a great way to quickly make some extra cash when you have some free time in the morning.

Some survey sites, like Swagbucks and InboxDollars, also allow you to earn money by watching videos, playing games, downloading apps, and more.

Income potential: You can earn up to a few hundred dollars per month by taking surveys in your spare time. To maximize your income potential, you’ll need to sign up with a few different survey sites, so you don’t run out of opportunities.

Microtasker

Microtasking is another option for early risers who want to make some extra money with small, easy tasks. Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is Amazon’s microtask platform where you can complete small tasks (known as “HITs” or Human Intelligence Tasks) in exchange for payment.

These tasks range from data entry and transcription to taking surveys and completing research projects. All of the tasks are relatively easy and don’t require any specialized skills. Most of them can be done in a few minutes or less, so you’ll complete a high volume of tasks.

The best part about Mechanical Turk is that it’s entirely flexible. You can log on whenever your schedule allows, even if it’s just a few hours each week before sunrise.

Other sites like Clickworker and 25Clicks are also excellent options. See our list of microtask websites for even more possibilities.

Income potential: Microtasking is more ideal as a side hustle than a full-time gig because it’s difficult to earn a significant amount. Making a few hundred dollars per month is a realistic goal.

Transcriptionist

Transcription is another typing-based job you can do first thing in the morning. As a transcriptionist, your job is to listen to audio files (interviews, podcasts, lectures, etc.) and type out what you hear into written documents.

You’ll love the flexibility. The best transcription jobs allow you to work as much or as little as you want whenever it’s convenient.

Working as a transcriptionist is an ideal side hustle, but it can also become a full-time income. The best option for maximizing your income potential is to freelance and find your own clients rather than relying on the online platforms that everyone else uses.

Income potential: According to Transcribe Anywhere, the median annual income for a general transcriptionist is about $45,000, or about $60,000 for a legal transcriptionist.

School Bus Driver

Working as a school bus driver isn’t a glamorous job, but it can be a great way to make extra cash while providing an essential service. Many school districts are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers, so opportunities are generally easy to find.

The hours are typically something like 6:00 am to 8:30 am, and then again from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Each state has specific requirements for school bus drivers, so be sure to check your local regulations before you apply.

Income potential: According to Zippia, the average school bus driver makes about $18 per hour.

Personal Trainer

Starting a career as a personal trainer is an excellent option if you want to start your work day during the early hours. You can work with clients one-on-one or offer group classes at gyms and fitness centers. You’ll need to obtain a certification, but it’s fairly straightforward once you have the right training. (Check your state’s requirements.)

Many of your clients will look for early morning workouts, so this job is perfect for anyone who likes to start their day early. You could work part-time as a trainer before heading to another job, or work full-time as a trainer.

Income potential: According to Indeed, the average personal trainer earns more than $26 per hour.

Stock Trader

If you’re interested in the stock market, becoming a trader could be a great way to make some extra money. You can use the early morning hours to research the markets and the specific stocks you’re considering.

This is an excellent option if you already have a full-time job and you’re looking for a way to make productive use of the early morning hours. Platforms like Webull and Moomoo offer commission-free trades and extended trading hours. You can place pre-market trades as early as 4:00 with these apps.

It’s important to understand that trading stocks involves risk, and you could lose money. Don’t invest any money that you can’t afford to lose.

Income potential: The income potential depends on a few factors, like the amount that you’re investing and the level of success you have with your trades.

Barista

If you prefer to work with people rather than with computers, then becoming a barista might be the perfect option. This job involves making coffee drinks for customers.

Most cafes and coffee shops are open early, and many customers get their morning coffee fix on the way to work. This is an ideal option for someone looking for an early morning job. It’s also a great side hustle or part-time opportunity.

Income potential: According to Indeed, the average barista makes about $14.50 per hour.

Baker

If you’re looking for a job that offers shifts in the morning, consider becoming a baker. This is an excellent way to use your cooking skills and make extra money by baking bread, pastries, and other items for local restaurants or cafes.

You’ll need to be able to wake up very early since most baking needs to be done before the restaurants and cafes open. But if you don’t mind getting up early, this can be a great way to earn extra money.

You could get a job at a bakery or start your own business. Of course, finding employment is the easier and safer option, but starting a business increases your income potential.

Income potential: According to Salary.com, the average baker makes $15 – $20 per hour.

Truck Driver

Truck drivers are in high demand, and training is readily available. This job requires a CDL license, which typically involves passing a test and completing driving school or CDL training. Many companies have a hard time finding qualified workers, so they’re willing to provide workers with the necessary training. In some cases, you can also get a nice signing bonus.

There are many different types of truck driver jobs. Some involve overnight travel, and others allow you to be home each night.

You’ll have to get up early to make your deliveries on time, but this could be a great way to start your day at an earlier hour while earning a steady income.

Income potential: According to Zippia, the average truck driver earns about $29 per hour.

Rideshare Driver

If you’re looking for a side hustle that can be done in the early morning hours, consider becoming a rideshare driver. Companies like Uber and Lyft provide excellent money-making opportunities.

You can work as a rideshare driver part-time or full-time, and you can choose the hours you want to work. It offers a flexible schedule, and you can start working and making money quickly (as soon as a background check is completed).

Early morning hours are often busy, with people needing rides to work, school, or appointments.

Income potential: According to Glassdoor, the average rideshare driver makes about $22 – $23 per hour.

Nurse

Becoming a nurse is a great way to use the early morning hours. Nurses are in high demand, and there are many different types of nursing jobs available.

You’ll need education and training, but once you’re eligible to work, there are plenty of opportunities. It’s an excellent way to help people while making a steady income.

Nursing jobs often involve odd shifts and non-traditional working hours. Early morning shifts can be ideal for those wanting to work in the mornings.

Income potential: The average nurse makes about $37 per hour, but the specifics vary depending on the position and level of education. Nurse.org has a helpful chart that provides average salaries by state and specialization.

Flight Attendant

For those wanting to travel, becoming a flight attendant is a great way to make money. It can be an excellent way to see the world and meet new people while earning good money.

Many flights leave early in the morning, so it could be possible to work mornings without dealing with overnight shifts or long-haul trips.

To work as a flight attendant, you’ll need to be able to deal with people and thrive in a challenging environment.

Income potential: According to ZipRecruiter, the average flight attendant earns about $36 per hour.

TSA Agent

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are responsible for screening airport passengers and ensuring the safety of travelers. This job requires you to pass a test, complete training, and pass a background check.

With many early morning flights, this can be a great job if you’re looking to start your day early. Of course, you’ll need to live near an airport for this to be a practical option. Working as a ticket agent is another option at an airport.

Income potential: According to ZipRecruiter, TSA agents make around $26 per hour on average.

Postal Worker

Working as a postal worker or mail carrier is another great option for early risers. You’ll be responsible for delivering mail and packages. Many positions with the postal service involve early shifts, so it’s an excellent fit if that’s what you’re looking for.

Jobs with the postal service also offer competitive salaries and benefits. Overall, there’s a lot to like about these opportunities.

Income potential: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average (median) mail carrier makes $25 per hour.

Morning DJ

If you’re musically inclined, consider applying for a morning DJ job at your local radio station. This is a great way to start the day if you love music and waking up early.

Working a morning shift could be an ideal part-time gig, and you could still get to another job or other commitments later in the day.

DJ jobs aren’t extremely easy to come by, with a limited number of positions and fewer local radio stations than in the past. However, it could be a good fit if you have an entertaining personality.

Income potential: According to ZipRecruiter, the average radio DJ makes about $28 per hour.

Construction Worker

Construction workers are in high demand, and many construction jobs start early in the morning. Working on a construction site can be physically demanding, but it’s also an excellent way to make money in you have the skills.

Unlike many other opportunities covered here, this one is not usually an option for part-time work. You could work full-time in construction and start your day early, but it’s not really an option for morning-only work.

Income potential: According to Salary.com, the average construction worker makes about $19 per hour. However, you can increase that by gaining experience and working as a foreman.

Factory Worker

Another option for early risers is factory work. Many factory shifts start early in the morning and end earlier than most office jobs. This could be a solid option if you prefer to start your day early and have more time in the afternoon and evening.

Like construction jobs, most factory jobs are full-time.

Income potential: According to Zippia, the average factory worker makes about $14 per hour, but advancement opportunities are often available.

What Qualifies as an Early Morning Job?

Everyone has their own opinion about what qualifies as an early morning. However, many jobs start around 8:00-9:00 am, so anything that starts before that time could be considered an early morning job.

Some of the opportunities this article covers offer flexible work hours, like freelancing, so you can work whenever it fits your schedule and lifestyle. These could be morning jobs, late night jobs, or anything in between.

What Early Morning Jobs Pay Well?

Some of the highest-paying opportunities include freelancing, blogging, and starting a trash cleanup business. Full-time jobs that start early, like driving a truck, working for the postal service, and nursing, also offer excellent income potential.

Where to Find Morning Jobs Near Me

If you’re looking for morning jobs, you can use regular job boards and search for openings and positions like the ones covered in this article. If you’re open to starting a business, you can consider options like trash cleanup, freelancing, blogging, and flexible online business models.

FAQ About Working Early in the Morning

Final Thoughts on Early Morning Jobs

Working in the morning offers several benefits, especially for those who prefer to start their day early. The early morning jobs covered in this article can provide an excellent way to get started on your career path or make some extra money.

No matter what you choose, try to find something that fits your lifestyle and preferences. This could be a great way to get ahead financially and professionally. Good luck!