A few years ago, I was invited to participate in a focus group.

I visited in person along with about 15 other people.

At the end, we each walked out with $125.

A woman smiles as she greets someone on her laptop. She’s having a video conversation.

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Focus groups can be a lucrative side hustle when you break down per-hour pay.

These days, you might participate in paid in-person or online focus groups.

Today, well focus on the online space.

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They can provide surges of side hustle income all at once.

However, theyre not likely to sustain you in lieu of traditional income.

Earnings can be extremely inconsistent.

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Often, though not always, the highest-paying surveys also have the most exclusive demographic requirements.

Just because work is sporadic doesnt make this a bad side hustle.

When youre doing a focus group remotely, you may be asked to fill out a multiple choice survey.

Most of the time, though, youll complete a phone or Zoom interview with a live person.

Some focus groups may require you to dedicate some time outside the interview itself.

This extra time is often accounted for in the compensation.

We surveyed current listings for hourly pay and estimated average hourly pay given the jobs currently available.

Respondent

An overwhelming percentage of the focus group opportunities listed onRespondentare remote.

The majority of the listings are not city-specific, allowing you to qualify regardless of where you live.

Current job listings range between $45 and $900 per session.

Many pay between $150 and $200.

WatchLAB

WatchLAB doesnt have as many opportunities listed, but it does regularly update its inventory on itsFacebook page.

About half the time, jobs are city specific.

The other half are open to remote participants nationwide.

Focusscope

Focusscope is another smaller consumer research company.

Focusscopepays $70 to $250 per focus group, with an average payout of $150.

FindFocusGroups.com

FindFocusGroups.comisnt solely a consumer research company.

It is also a job listing board.

It aggregates opportunities available across the country, and allows consumer research companies to submit listings.

you’re free to search these focus group listings by state.

User Interviews

If youre looking for online or over-the-phone focus group opportunities,User Interviewslistings are plentiful.

Use filters while you search to ensure youre only being shown the remote opportunities.

A portion of the listngs on User Interviews are medical studies rather than focus groups.

Participating inmedical trialscan be another lucrative way to hustle together some extra cash.

The average focus group pays $115 per hour.

She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder.

Information from Penny Hoarder deputy editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors is included in this report.

It sounds appealing right?

Check it out here!