Side hustle hourly profit
See what a side hustle or gig really pays per hour. Counts self-employment tax, income tax, car miles, fees, and unpaid hours.
Online resale hourly pay
$29.96/hr
$289 net cash across 9.7 hrs (17 of 25 items sold)Example calculationPays overall, but marginal vs 1-stop bulk drop-off
Selling individually online nets $289 across 9.7 hours ($29.96/hr overall, above your $20/hr target). However, a one-stop consignment or bulk lot sale would get you $150 in just 2 hours, meaning the extra 7.7 hours of individual listing and post-office runs only pays $18.18/hr for the extra $139. Only list items priced at $17.35+ individually.
Net online cash
$289
$408 gross - $119 fees & shippingOverall online $/hr
$29.96/hr
6.3h listing + 3.4h packing (9.7h total)Incremental $/hr vs bulk
$18.18/hr
+$139 extra cash for +7.7h vs bulkMinimum price worth listing
$17.35
Min sale price to earn $20/hrThree-way decluttering comparison
| Metric | List individually online | 1-stop consignment / bulk | Donate / give away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Items sold / cleared | 17 of 25 (68%) | All 25 (lot / consignment) | All 25 donated |
| Gross sales proceeds | $408.00 | $150.00 | $0.00 |
| Marketplace selling & payment fees | -$61.20 | Net of split | $0.00 |
| Mailers, tape, labels & shipping subsidy | -$42.50 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Post office / meetup driving (20 mi) | -$15.20 | 1 drop-off trip | 1 drop-off trip |
| Net cash in pocket | $289.10 | $150.00 | $0.00 (unless itemizing taxes) |
| Total time spent | 9.7 hours | 2.0 hours | 0.5 hours |
| Effective pay per hour | $29.96/hr | $75.00/hr | $0.00/hr |
How item sale price changes your hourly return
See why listing $50+ gear pays well while listing $10 shirts loses to a one-stop consignment drop-off:
| Average item price | Online net cash | 1-stop bulk cash | Online overall $/hr | Incremental $/hr vs bulk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8 avg item | $58 | $50 | $6.00/hr | $1.03/hr |
| $15 avg item | $159 | $94 | $16.48/hr | $8.53/hr |
| $24 avg item | $289 | $150 | $29.96/hr | $18.18/hr |
| $35 avg item | $448 | $219 | $46.43/hr | $29.97/hr |
| $50 avg item | $665 | $313 | $68.89/hr | $46.05/hr |
| $75 avg item | $1,026 | $469 | $106.33/hr | $72.85/hr |
| $100 avg item | $1,387 | $625 | $143.76/hr | $99.65/hr |
How this calculator works
When you sell items one by one on eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace, your time goes into every item you list, not just the ones that sell. Photographing in good light, steaming clothes, measuring dimensions, writing descriptions, and answering buyer offers takes 12 to 20 minutes per listing even when 30% of your items never sell.
The two-pile decluttering rule
The smartest way to clean out a closet or garage is to split your pile at the minimum worthwhile item price shown above. List high-value coats, shoes, electronics, and baby gear individually online, and take everything below that price threshold to a one-stop consignment store, yard sale, or donation bin in a single trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do I owe income tax when I sell my used personal items online?
Under IRS rules, selling used personal household items for less than you originally paid for them is a nondeductible personal loss and does not generate taxable income. If a platform sends you Form 1099-K because your gross payouts exceeded the reporting threshold, you report your original cost basis on Schedule 1 so you are not taxed on personal loss sales.
Does donating to Goodwill or Salvation Army give me a tax deduction?
Over 88% of US households take the standard deduction on their federal tax return rather than itemizing deductions on Schedule A. Unless your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction, donating household goods gives you $0 in federal tax savings, though it clears your space in 30 minutes.
Why can zero-fee local pickup still pay less per hour than shipping?
Local pickup apps charge 0% commission for cash meetups, but back-and-forth scheduling messages, buyer ghosting, and waiting at meetup spots often double the time spent per sold item compared with printing a prepaid USPS label at home.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online resale marketplace selling fee rate | 15% blended commission | eBay and Poshmark Published Selling Fees | 2026-04-01 |
| Shipping supplies and seller shipping discount per sold item | $2.50/sold item | USPS Ground Advantage Retail and Commercial Pricing | 2026-04-01 |
| Vehicle mileage cost for post office drop-offs and local meetups | $0.76/mile | IRS Standard Mileage Rates | 2026-04-01 |
| Personal item resale tax treatment and donation rules | Personal loss sales non-taxable; 25% consignment payout | IRS Publication 526 Charitable Contributions | 2026-04-01 |