20 Best Ways to Make Money in Tennessee

Smoky Mountain Short-Term Rental Co-Host

Manage guest communications, cleaning schedules, and maintenance for cabin owners in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a 15–20% commission per booking.
Income Potential $3k–$10k/mo
Startup Cost $0
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 15–30 hrs/week
Skills Required Customer service, Project management, Basic maintenance knowledge
Best For People living near Sevier County, Organized workers

Nashville-Based Remote Songwriting and Vocal Demos

Leverage Tennessee's musical prestige to sell personalized songs or high-quality vocal recordings to global clients on platforms like SoundBetter or Fiverr.
Income Potential $1k–$5k/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 10–30 hrs/week
Skills Required Musical proficiency, Audio engineering, Composition
Best For Musicians, Producers, Songwriters

Nashville Bachelorette Party Concierge and Decor

Provide luxury decor setup, fridge stocking, and itinerary planning for the thousands of bachelorette parties visiting Nashville every weekend.
Income Potential $2k–$8k/mo
Startup Cost $100–$500
Difficulty Beginner
Time to First Income 1–2 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 10–20 hrs/week
Skills Required Organization, Interior decorating, Social media marketing
Best For Creatives, Students, Residents of Nashville area

Made-in-Tennessee Artisan Subscription Box

Source unique candies, local crafts, and BBQ sauces from Tennessee makers to sell as themed subscription or gift boxes to tourists and Southern expats.
Income Potential $2k–$15k/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Semi-passive
Time Commitment 10–20 hrs/week
Skills Required Logistics, Vendor networking, Digital marketing
Best For E-commerce entrepreneurs, Local makers

East Tennessee Fly Fishing Guide

Offer guided wading or drift boat excursions on world-class tailwaters like the South Holston or Watauga rivers, charging per angler for half-day or full-day trips.
Income Potential $1k–$5k/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–2 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 10–20 hrs/week
Skills Required Fly fishing expertise, local river knowledge, boating safety, customer service
Best For Outdoor enthusiasts living in East Tennessee

Memphis Logistics Hub Expedited Courier

Provide time-critical delivery services for legal documents and medical supplies that must reach the FedEx Superhub in Memphis by specific flight departure windows.
Income Potential $2k–$6k/mo
Startup Cost $0
Difficulty Beginner
Time to First Income Same day
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 20–30 hrs/week
Skills Required Reliable vehicle, punctuality, navigation, time management
Best For Drivers in the Memphis metro area seeking high-volume work
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Tennessee Heritage Reclaimed Wood Broker

Source authentic weathered lumber from aging barns and rural structures across the state to sell as premium material to Nashville-based interior designers and furniture makers.
Income Potential $1k–$4k/mo
Startup Cost Under $100
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–2 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 5–15 hrs/week
Skills Required Sourcing, sales, basic wood identification, networking
Best For People with a truck and an eye for rustic aesthetics

Cumberland Plateau Rural Land Wholesaling

Identify undervalued rural acreage or forest land, secure it under contract, and assign that contract to developers or homesteaders for a flat assignment fee.
Income Potential $5k–$20k/mo
Startup Cost $100–$500
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 10–20 hrs/week
Skills Required Real estate market research, negotiation, legal contract basics
Best For Individuals with strong sales skills and local market knowledge

Tennessee Hiking and Waterfall Trail Guides

Creating and selling high-resolution, downloadable PDF trail guides specifically for lesser-known waterfalls and wildflower hikes in Middle and East Tennessee.
Income Potential $200–$1.5k/mo
Startup Cost $0
Difficulty Beginner
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Passive
Time Commitment 2–5 hrs/week
Skills Required Writing, Photography, Local trail knowledge
Best For Nature photographers, Local hikers, Digital nomads

SEC Game Day Premium Tailgate Concierge

A luxury service for Tennessee football fans that manages the delivery, setup, catering coordination, and teardown of elaborate tailgating spots near major stadiums.
Income Potential $5k–$15k/season
Startup Cost $2k+
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment Full-time (Game weeks)
Skills Required Event planning, Logistics, Customer service
Best For Entrepreneurs with strong organizational skills

Tennessee River Kayak and Paddleboard Delivery

Operating a mobile rental business that delivers kayaks and paddleboards directly to public boat ramps and river access points, handling all logistics and safety gear.
Income Potential $2k–$6k/mo
Startup Cost $2k+
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–2 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 20–30 hrs/week
Skills Required Driving with trailer, Basic water safety, Physical fitness
Best For Outdoor enthusiasts with a truck or SUV

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Refurbishment and Flip

Sourcing high-quality vintage wood furniture from rural estate sales and refurbishing it for resale to the high-demand urban markets of Nashville and Knoxville.
Income Potential $2k–$8k/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 15–30 hrs/week
Skills Required Sand-and-stain, Furniture repair, Social media marketing
Best For Artisans, People with a garage or workspace

Tennessee Film Location Scout

Identify and photograph unique Tennessee properties, such as historic barns or scenic rural main streets, to list and market to production companies for films and commercials.
Income Potential $1,000–$4,000/mo
Startup Cost Under $100
Difficulty Beginner
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 10–20 hrs/week
Skills Required Photography, Networking, Knowledge of local geography
Best For Local explorers and hobbyist photographers

Tennessee Single Barrel Whiskey Broker

Act as a middleman for corporate groups or luxury collectors to navigate the selection, purchase, and customized bottling of single barrels from Tennessee distilleries.
Income Potential $2,000–$10,000/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 5–15 hrs/week
Skills Required Sales, Whiskey knowledge, Relationship management
Best For Well-connected individuals and spirits enthusiasts

Native Tennessee Flora Landscaping

Design and install low-maintenance gardens using indigenous Tennessee plants and wildflowers, catering to new homeowners looking for eco-friendly yard solutions.
Income Potential $3,000–$8,000/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 2–4 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 20–40 hrs/week
Skills Required Horticulture, Landscape design, Physical labor
Best For Gardeners and environmentalists

Residential Radon Mitigation Services

Provide specialized testing and sub-slab depressurization system installations for homeowners in high-radon areas across Middle and East Tennessee.
Income Potential $5,000–$15,000/mo
Startup Cost $2k+
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 1–2 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment Full-time
Skills Required Construction, Certification for Radon Mitigation, Plumbing/Electrical
Best For Tradespeople or contractors looking for a specialized niche

Chattanooga Fiber-Optic Tech Talent Recruiter

Leverage Chattanooga's 'Gig City' high-speed fiber infrastructure to recruit and place remote technology professionals with companies specifically seeking the city's unique connectivity and low cost of living.
Income Potential $4k–$15k /mo
Startup Cost $0
Difficulty Intermediate
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 20–40 hrs/week
Skills Required Sales, Networking, Tech Industry Knowledge, Communication
Best For Sales-oriented professionals, People living in the Chattanooga area

Industrial Drone Infrastructure Inspector for TVA Assets

Obtain a Part 107 license to provide drone-based thermal and structural inspections for Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) related utility infrastructure, dams, and rural power grids.
Income Potential $5k–$12k/mo
Startup Cost $2k+
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 3–6 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment Full-time
Skills Required Drone piloting, Part 107 Certification, Technical reporting
Best For Tech-savvy individuals, People with an engineering or utility background

EV Charging Station Installation for Tennessee's Automotive Corridor

Specialize in the residential and small-business installation of EV chargers to support the massive growth of electric vehicles resulting from Tennessee's developing 'EV Alley' manufacturing hubs.
Income Potential $6k–$20k/mo
Startup Cost $2k+
Difficulty Advanced
Time to First Income 1–3 months
Income Type Active
Time Commitment Full-time
Skills Required Electrical certification, Project management, Local permitting knowledge
Best For Licensed electricians, Contractors looking for a niche in the green economy

Smoky Mountain National Park Pet Concierge

Provide a specialized day-camp and shuttle service for tourists' dogs in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, as dogs are restricted from almost all trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Income Potential $2k–$7k/mo
Startup Cost $500–$2k
Difficulty Beginner
Time to First Income 1–2 weeks
Income Type Active
Time Commitment 20–40 hrs/week
Skills Required Animal handling, Customer service, Marketing
Best For Animal lovers, Local residents in Sevier County
Need more money-making ideas?

Description

This collection explores a variety of money-making ideas specifically tailored for Tennessee residents. It includes diverse approaches suitable for different skill levels, interests, and resources. Whether you’re looking for side hustles that can be pursued alongside your current job or more substantial entrepreneurial ventures, this guide offers suggestions for individuals seeking to supplement their income or start a new business. From leveraging local resources and markets to engaging with the community in innovative ways, you’ll find opportunities that resonate with the unique economic landscape of Tennessee.

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