Best-paying small jobs in the Netherlands: the complete ranking (2026)

The ranking: best-paid small jobs

The Netherlands has millions of people who regularly need help with all kinds of jobs in and around the house. Whether it is a broken tap, an overgrown garden or help with a move, the demand for handy helpers is bigger than ever. But not every job pays the same. Hourly rates can differ enormously, depending on the specialisation, the physical effort and how seasonal the work is.

We looked at the most requested small jobs in the Netherlands and ranked them by average hourly rate in 2026. Below you find the complete top 10 with the matching rate ranges. Want to know how best to set your own rate? Then also read our article on setting rates for small jobs.

#1 Specialist handiwork

Hourly rate: €20-35 per hour

Specialist handiwork tops our ranking by a clear margin. Think of painting, carpentry, laying laminate, small repairs to pipes or hanging heavy cupboards and mirrors. This kind of work requires not just handiness but also knowledge of materials and techniques. That specialisation is exactly why clients are willing to pay more.

A beginner doing simple repairs on the side easily earns €20 an hour. Have experience with painting or carpentry? Then you quickly move towards €30 an hour or more. Clients are willing to pay for quality and reliability, especially if you have good reviews.

The nice thing about specialist handiwork is that demand is high all year round. There is always someone who needs something repaired, painted or installed. See all available small jobs to find out which jobs are available in your area.

A big advantage is that you can specialise in a niche. Become, for example, the "painting expert" in your neighbourhood? Then you can gradually raise your rate as your reputation grows. Invest in good tools and make sure you are always on time and work neatly: those are the basic conditions for success in this segment.

#2 Garden maintenance

Hourly rate: €18-30 per hour

Garden maintenance is one of the most lucrative and popular small jobs in the Netherlands. Especially if you have your own machines such as a lawnmower, hedge trimmer or leaf blower, you can ask considerably more than someone who only works by hand. The difference can be up to €10 an hour.

The Dutch garden sector is still growing. More and more people have no time or desire to maintain their garden, but do want a well-kept outdoor space. That offers huge opportunities for people earning extra. From weekly mowing and weeding to pruning trees and planting borders, the work is varied and physically satisfying.

The seasons play a big role in garden maintenance. In spring and summer demand is highest and you can earn the most. It is smart to start finding clients for the next season in autumn. That way you have a regular client base that hires you often. See our page on garden work for more information and available jobs.

A tip: offer packages instead of loose hours. For example "monthly garden maintenance for €150" instead of "€25 an hour". Clients find that clearer and you are assured of regular work.

#3 Moving help

Hourly rate: €15-25 per hour

Moving is one of the most stressful events in most people's lives. That is exactly why they are willing to pay well for reliable help. As a moving helper you do not need special skills: physical fitness and a willingness to work hard are the main requirements.

The hourly rate for moving help is on average between €15 and €25 an hour, but there are ways to earn more. Have your own van? Then you can easily ask €30-40 an hour, including the use of your vehicle. Do you have moving blankets, hand trucks or other equipment? Then you can charge extra for that too.

Summer is traditionally the busiest moving season. Most people in the Netherlands move in June, July and August, which means demand for help is highest then. But around 1 January and at the start of the academic year (August/September) there is also a lot of demand. See the moving help page to find jobs straight away.

Note: moving work is physically demanding. Wear good shoes, always lift with your legs and take regular breaks. A moving day easily lasts 6-8 hours, so that is €90-200 a day: a fine day's earnings for a side income.

#4 Cleaning

Hourly rate: €14-22 per hour

Cleaning may not be the most glamorous job, but it offers one of the most stable sources of income. The big strength of cleaning as a side income is the regularity: most clients want help weekly or every two weeks, which means you can quickly build a steady income.

An average cleaner earns €14-22 an hour, depending on the region and the type of cleaning. Regular household work is at the lower end, while specialist work such as window cleaning, deep cleaning or cleaning after a renovation brings in considerably more.

Building a regular client base is essential in cleaning work. Once you have a few regular clients, you may well have 10-15 hours a week of guaranteed work. At a rate of €18 an hour that is already €720-1,080 a month: a nice side income. See the cleaning page for available jobs near you.

Invest in good cleaning products and bring your own vacuum cleaner or mopping system if you can. Clients greatly appreciate it when you bring your own equipment and they do not have to think about anything. That makes the difference between a one-off job and a long-term client relationship.

#5 Pet care

Hourly rate: €12-20 per hour

The Netherlands is a real animal country. With more than 2 million dogs and over 3 million cats, the demand for pet care is huge. Think of dog walking, feeding cats during holidays, pet sitting at home or even walking several dogs at once.

Rates for pet care range from €12 to €20 an hour. Dog walking is the most popular and pays on average €10-15 per 30-minute walk. But if you walk several dogs at once, your effective hourly rate can rise sharply. Walking three dogs at once for €10 each per walk? That is €30 an hour for a relaxed walk in the park.

Pet sitting at home is another lucrative option. When owners go on holiday, they happily pay €15-25 a day for someone to drop by to feed their pet, give it a cuddle and walk it if needed. In holiday periods the demand for this can shoot up. See our dog walking page to find jobs near you.

The nice thing about pet care is that the work is fun and relaxed. You are outdoors, move a lot and have animals for company. For animal lovers this is the ideal way to earn extra. Build a good bond with the animals and their owners, and you soon have a loyal client base.

#6 Groceries and delivery

Hourly rate: €10-15 per hour

Doing groceries and delivering things is one of the most accessible ways to earn extra. You do not need special skills: just reliability, a bike or car and a willingness to help someone. Older people, people with a disability and busy professionals in particular like to use a grocery service.

The hourly rate for groceries and delivery is between €10 and €15 an hour. That may sound modest compared with specialist handiwork, but the big advantage is the low threshold and the flexibility. You can do groceries whenever it suits you: in the morning, in the evening or at the weekend.

A smart strategy is to combine several grocery jobs into one round. If you shop for three clients in the same neighbourhood, you save travel time and raise your effective hourly rate. Some people combine groceries with other jobs: first picking up groceries, then watering the plants for another client. See the groceries page for more information.

It is also a perfect side income for students and school pupils. You can easily plan it around your studies and it is a lot more fun than sitting behind a till. Plus, you learn to deal with different people and build valuable social skills.

How the seasons affect earnings

One of the smartest ways to earn more with small jobs is responding to seasonal demand. Each Dutch season brings its own opportunities, and by matching what you offer to them you can increase your income considerably.

By offering different kinds of jobs throughout the year, you avoid dips in your income. In winter, for example, you can focus on indoor jobs such as painting, cleaning and small repairs, while in spring and summer you take on outdoor work. Flexibility is the key to a stable income on the side.

Tips to earn more

Whatever type of job you do, there are universal strategies that can increase your income. Below we share the most important tips from experienced helpers who consistently earn well.

Most important of all is that you keep enjoying what you do. Earning extra with small jobs should not feel like a second job, but a flexible way to generate extra income. Choose jobs you enjoy, work with clients who appreciate you and build up your earnings gradually. Also read our article on how to start earning extra if you are just starting out.

Frequently asked questions

Which small jobs pay the most?

The best-paid small jobs are specialist work such as painting (€20-35/hour), garden maintenance with machines (€18-30/hour) and moving help (€15-25/hour). The more experience and specialisation, the higher your rate. The key is to stand out from others through quality and reliability.

How much can I earn with small jobs per month?

With 10-15 hours a week of small jobs you can earn €600-1,500 a month, depending on the type of job and your rate. Specialist helpers with a regular client base earn at the top of this range. Beginners usually start lower, but can grow to a higher level within a few months. Curious how to combine this with a job? Then read our article on earning extra alongside your full-time job.

Are seasonal jobs better paid?

Yes, seasonal jobs often pay better because of higher demand. Garden work in spring, moving help in summer and clearing snow in winter are examples of lucrative seasonal jobs. Supply and demand work in your favour: when there is little supply but a lot of demand, you can ask a higher rate.

How can I earn more with small jobs?

Specialise in a niche, build a good reputation with reviews, invest in good tools and offer extra services. Loyal clients and word of mouth give you a stable income. It also helps to review your rates regularly and adjust them to the market. Read our complete guide to setting rates for more tips.

Conclusion

The small jobs market in the Netherlands offers plenty of ways to earn extra in 2026. Specialist handiwork pays the highest rates, but accessible work such as doing groceries or walking dogs also brings in decent money. There is something for everyone.

Choose jobs you enjoy, set a fair rate and do good work. After a few positive reviews you can raise your rate. With a bit of perseverance you will soon be at €600-1,500 a month, flexibly and on your own terms.

Curious what you could earn? Sign up for KlusjeBij and see which small jobs there are in your area.