10 tested ways to earn money online

South Africa’s high youth unemployment rate and rising living costs are pushing many young people to seek legitimate ways to earn money online.

According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the national unemployment rate reached 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. Young people are hardest hit, with unemployment at 60.9% among 15- to 24-year-olds and 40.6% among those aged 25–34.

This Youth Month, JustMoney highlights 10 ways to grow income digitally:

1. Paid surveys and market research

Platforms pay users small amounts to answer short questionnaires for brands, researchers or universities. After signing up and completing a profile, users receive surveys based on age, location and interests.

South Africans can use platforms such as Toluna Influencers, Surveytime, Prolific, Ipsos iSay, ySense and SagaPoll. No experience, skills or upfront costs are required.

Payments are made either in cash (via PayPal, Payoneer or Skrill) or with points that can be redeemed for vouchers from takealot.com or Pick n Pay, or airtime top-ups.

Most users earn R200 to R600 a month, while very active users across multiple platforms may earn up to R1 500.

2. Micro-tasks and data labelling

Platforms such as Clickworker, Outlier and Amazon Mechanical Turk pay users to complete simple online tasks such as labelling images, checking short pieces of text, and helping train AI systems.

Tasks are usually paid per job rather than per hour, and availability varies significantly. To get paid, you need a fully verified PayPal account. Clickworker pays in euros, Outlier pays in US dollars, while Amazon Mechanical Turk usually pays South Africans in Amazon.com gift cards, unless they have a US bank account.

Most users earn a few hundred rand a month. More active users who qualify for better paying tasks can earn around R500 to R1 000 a month. A minority who put in significant hours may reach up to about R3 000.

3. Graphic design

Common freelance work includes logo design, social media graphics and marketing material. Most freelancers rely on tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma.

Entry-level designers typically earn around R120 to R300 an hour, and mid-level designers around R300 to R500 an hour.

4. Freelance writing and content creation

This is one of the most accessible ways to earn online, particularly if you have strong English and basic research skills.

South African writers typically find work on platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour, and by contacting businesses, agencies and publications.

Freelance writers typically earn between R1 and R2 per word initially, and R3 to R4 per word once established. Specialist writers and those skilled in SEO and AI-assisted content creation can charge significantly higher rates.

5. Web development and coding

Web development is one of the highest paying skill-based online paths in South Africa, but it has a steeper learning curve.

There is strong demand for WordPress and Shopify developers for small business sites, while knowledge of JavaScript frameworks such as React is often needed for more complex builds. Developers who combine technical skills with project management or site maintenance tend to secure more stable monthly incomes.

Entry-level developers typically earn R10 000 to R20 000 a month. Experienced or full-stack developers can earn R40 000 to R70 000 locally. Higher earnings are possible through long-term remote work for overseas clients.

6. Virtual assistance

Remote administration can be a significant source of online income, driven by strong English skills, South African time-zone alignment with Europe, and lower labour costs. Typical tasks include email and calendar management, scheduling, basic social media posting, invoicing and bookkeeping.

Entry-level virtual assistants typically earn R50 to R100 per hour, while experienced or specialised virtual assistants earn closer to R100 to R200 per hour. This can increase when working directly with offshore clients.

7. Tutoring and teaching

Education offers flexible, skill-based income for South Africans with subject expertise or teaching experience. Local and international platforms include Teach Me 2, Preply, Tutorful and Cambly (primarily for conversational English).

Tutors on Teach Me 2 and similar South African platforms typically earn R120 to R300 per hour, depending on subject, level and qualifications.

Global platforms like Preply and Tutorful allow tutors to set their own rates, commonly ranging from $15 to $25 per hour (roughly R244 to R406), although these platforms generally take a commission. Cambly pays a fixed rate of about $10.20 per hour (around R167).

Monthly earnings range from R1 500 to R8 000, depending on the number of learners and hours taught.

8. Digital marketing and SEO

This is one of the higher value freelance skill sets. Basic social media management for small businesses often starts at the lower end, while paid ads management or SEO can push fees significantly higher.

South African freelancers and agencies commonly charge R5 000 to R30 000 per month per client, depending on deliverables, channels and campaign complexity.

9. Affiliate marketing

Creators earn commission by promoting products through blogs, YouTube channels or social media. South Africans commonly use Amazon’s affiliate programme and other network-based affiliate schemes.

Income is typically minimal at the start, rising to R2 000 to R20 000+ per month once consistent traffic and audience trust are established. Affiliate marketing requires an upfront time investment, with earnings scaling only after months of content creation, SEO or audience building.

10. Content monetisation (YouTube, TikTok, blogging)

Income is earned from videos or articles via advertising, sponsorships, affiliate links or platform rewards.

• YouTube: South Africans typically earn R10 to R110 per 1 000 views, based on niche and audience geography. YouTube Shorts pays substantially less.
• TikTok: Direct per-view payouts remain limited or inconsistent for South African creators. Most income comes from brand partnerships, TikTok Shop commissions, virtual gifts redeemable for cash, and sponsored content.
• Blogging: Blogs monetised via Google AdSense earn from around R1 000 to R4 000 per month at 10 000 to 34 000 page views.

“The online economy is opening doors for young people – but success depends on using credible platforms and building the right skills,” says Sarah Nicholson, head of customer experience for JustMoney.

“Focus on one platform initially, and stay consistent with quality content and pitches. Credibility grows with persistence, fair pricing and reinvesting in your skills.”

Image credit: Magnific/DC Studio