Are you ready to make money on Thumbtack with just a few hours a week? If you’re skilled in a local trade or freelance service, Thumbtack could help you turn side gigs into a full-time income.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to land high-paying clients, maximize your ROI on leads, and scale your local business to $2,500–$7,000/month using Thumbtack in 2025. From setup to strategy, we’ll walk you through everything. You’ll discover how Thumbtack actually works behind the scenes, what tools and tactics help pros succeed, and which services earn the most.
Whether you’re a handyman, pet groomer, or wellness coach, this guide gives you the steps to start—and succeed—without wasting money on low-converting leads. After reading, you’ll know exactly how to build your Thumbtack profile, pick profitable services, respond to leads, and use advanced strategies like Thumbtack Promote to boost your earnings.
Key Takeaways
- High-income potential for local pros: Skilled service providers can earn $2K–$7K/month depending on niche and location.
- You pay for leads, not listings: Thumbtack makes money by charging service pros credits to contact customers—not charging customers.
- Success depends on speed and quality: Fast replies, optimized profiles, and compelling quotes significantly increase your job win rate.
- Optional ad boosts are available: “Thumbtack Promote” lets pros pay for higher visibility and more consistent leads.
- Profitable for small businesses: Plumbers, tutors, cleaners, and event pros report strong ROI when managing leads wisely.
How to Make Money on Thumbtack?
Making money on Thumbtack can be highly profitable, but it isn’t passive or automatic. You must pay to contact leads, meaning success depends on how efficiently you convert those leads into paying clients.
Unlike platforms where you wait to be hired, Thumbtack gives you customer requests—but you must act quickly. The most successful pros respond within minutes, send clear, customized quotes, and follow up fast.
It’s easy to start, but beginners often underestimate the cost of unconverted leads. If you don’t have a solid follow-up strategy or strong profile, it’s easy to spend money without landing jobs.
That said, with the right niche and consistent effort, many service providers have scaled Thumbtack into a $50K–$100K/year side business or even a full-time local brand.
What do you need to get started?
To start making money on Thumbtack, you’ll need:
- A free Thumbtack Pro account
- A service niche (e.g., photography, cleaning, plumbing)
- A professional headshot and well-written bio
- At least 1–2 customer reviews (or references to start)
- Credit card or budget to buy leads
- A mobile device with the Thumbtack Pro app to respond quickly
The platform is open to individuals, LLCs, and freelancers in nearly any local service category.
How much money can you make on Thumbtack?
Earnings vary by service type, city, and your ability to convert leads. Pros typically charge $100–$300 per job, with many landing 5–15 jobs per month once established.
For example, Jacqueline Basulto earned over $200,000 in 6 months offering digital marketing services via Thumbtack by responding fast, tracking ROI on leads, and optimizing her profile.
Common service-based monthly income ranges:
- Newbie (0–3 months): $300–$1,000/month
- Mid-level (3–6 months): $1,500–$3,500/month
- Pro (6+ months): $4,000–$8,000+/month
19 Best ways to Make Money on Thumbtack
Whether you’re a local pro or a freelance specialist, these 19 proven strategies show exactly how to turn Thumbtack leads into steady revenue—covering fast responses, profile optimization, smart pricing, and upsells across high-demand services in your area.
1. Offer Home Cleaning Services
Home cleaning is one of Thumbtack’s most in-demand categories. Whether you’re a solo cleaner or run a small team, you can generate consistent income by booking residential or move-out cleaning jobs. Customers often need recurring cleanings—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—which means steady, predictable revenue.
It’s also beginner-friendly. You don’t need special licensing in most states, and startup costs are low—just cleaning supplies, transport, and a Thumbtack profile. Some cleaners earn $3,000–$6,000/month in medium to large cities using just Thumbtack leads.
The key is fast response time and good reviews. Start with simple apartment cleanings, then offer upsells like deep cleans, fridge/oven cleaning, or eco-friendly services to increase your rates over time.
Requirements: Cleaning equipment, basic supplies, business license (optional by state), transportation.
How to Offer Home Cleaning Services on Thumbtack?
- Sign up as a Home Cleaner on Thumbtack Pro
- Choose services like standard, deep, or move-out cleaning
- Upload a clean, friendly photo and detailed bio
- Set your service radius and availability
- Buy leads using credits or auto-quote via Promote
- Respond to requests quickly with a custom message
- Follow up with clients 1–2x to close the booking
- Ask for reviews after every completed job
Quick tip: Highlight “pet-friendly,” “green,” or “same-day” cleaning in your title to attract more views.
2. Become a Handyman or Home Repair Pro
If you’re good with tools, offering handyman services on Thumbtack is one of the highest-paying opportunities. People constantly need help with drywall, small repairs, TV mounting, or furniture assembly—and they turn to Thumbtack to find fast help.
Many handymen charge $75–$125 per hour and get multiple leads weekly. It’s perfect for former contractors, DIY experts, or anyone with trade skills looking for flexible income. Larger jobs (e.g., door repair or fence installation) often lead to repeat clients and referrals.
Requirements: Basic tools, vehicle, some handyman or trade experience, insurance (recommended).
How to Become a Handyman on Thumbtack?
- Register as a Handyman or Home Repair Specialist
- List specific skills: furniture assembly, drywall repair, TV mounting
- Add before/after project photos
- Use Promote to automatically respond to urgent jobs
- Provide custom quotes with clear breakdowns
- Arrive on time and go above expectations
- Encourage reviews after each completed task
- Track high-paying lead types to refine your niche
Quick tip: Bundle small repairs into “half-day” or “full-day” packages to increase your average job value.
3. Offer Photography Services
Photography is one of the most searched Thumbtack categories, from weddings and portraits to headshots and product shoots. While competition is high, the earning potential is strong—especially if you offer niche packages like maternity shoots, pet portraits, or brand sessions.
Many photographers charge $150–$500+ per session, with upsells for prints or edited images. Thumbtack is ideal for filling your calendar with short-term bookings and connecting with local clients fast.
Requirements: DSLR or mirrorless camera, editing software, a portfolio of past work.
How to Offer Photography Services on Thumbtack?
- Join Thumbtack as a Photographer
- Choose niches (wedding, portrait, real estate, etc.)
- Upload high-quality sample photos
- Add starting prices to filter qualified leads
- Use Promote to stay at the top of local searches
- Customize each message with what makes your style unique
- Offer small discounts for weekday or off-season bookings
- Encourage photo reviews with customer uploads
Quick tip: Use location keywords (e.g., “Denver wedding photographer”) in your bio to boost visibility.
4. Offer Personal Training or Fitness Coaching
Fitness is a booming Thumbtack category. As a personal trainer, yoga instructor, or wellness coach, you can attract local clients looking for in-home or virtual sessions. Even part-time trainers can earn $1,500–$3,500/month by building loyal client bases.
You can offer 1:1 training, small group workouts, or online programs. Niche offerings—like postpartum fitness, bodyweight-only routines, or weight loss bootcamps—stand out the most.
Requirements: Basic fitness certification (ACE, NASM, etc.), insurance, space for sessions or access to gym/park.
How to Offer Personal Training Services on Thumbtack?
- Create a profile under “Fitness Trainer” or “Wellness Coach”
- Share your credentials and transformation stories
- Add pricing tiers (single sessions, packs, remote coaching)
- Highlight your niche (weight loss, seniors, strength, etc.)
- Respond quickly and personally to leads
- Ask happy clients to leave photo reviews
- Upsell meal plans or accountability coaching
Quick tip: Offer a free trial session to convert leads faster.
5. Become a Local Tutor or Academic Coach
Thumbtack connects thousands of parents and students with tutors every day. Whether you teach math, SAT prep, or writing, you can offer virtual or local lessons and charge $30–$100/hour.
This method is ideal for former teachers, grad students, or side hustlers who enjoy teaching. If you specialize in test prep (ACT/SAT/MCAT), your earning potential is even higher.
Requirements: Subject knowledge, laptop, optional teaching certification.
How to Offer Tutoring Services on Thumbtack?
- Sign up as a Tutor in your subject areas
- Offer both in-person and Zoom options
- Share past student success stories or credentials
- Set your hourly rate and lesson length
- Answer requests with tailored questions and goals
- Use weekly scheduling to build repeat clients
- Ask for written reviews from parents/students
Quick tip: Target exam prep niches—they have the highest job rates and urgency.
6. Offer Event Planning or Coordination Services
From weddings to birthday parties, event planners can make solid income by offering planning, vendor coordination, and day-of services. Thumbtack is a go-to platform for busy clients searching for trusted help.
Most planners charge $500–$3,000+ per event, depending on size and scope. Offer packages (e.g., “Day-Of Coordinator” or “Full-Service Planning”) to attract different budgets.
Requirements: Experience with planning or logistics, contracts, organization skills.
How to Offer Event Planning on Thumbtack?
- Choose “Event Planning” as your main category
- List specific types (weddings, corporate events, birthdays)
- Upload past event photos and client testimonials
- Offer tiered packages
- Respond to leads with a brief discovery call offer
- Stay in touch via email and reminders
- Use Promote to stay ranked high before peak seasons
Quick tip: Create themed packages like “Micro-Wedding” or “Luxury Picnic” to catch more interest.
7. Provide Mobile Car Detailing or Washing
Mobile car detailing is one of the most scalable local services. You travel to customers, clean and detail their cars, and charge $80–$200 per vehicle. Many clients request regular monthly cleanings.
It’s low overhead, and you can start with just basic supplies and a vehicle. With 1–2 clients per day, you could earn $3,000–$5,000/month part-time.
Requirements: Detailing equipment, car-safe products, transportation.
How to Offer Car Detailing on Thumbtack?
- Create a profile under “Mobile Auto Detailing”
- List services: interior, exterior, engine cleaning, waxing
- Show before/after photos
- Offer discounts for multi-car bookings or subscriptions
- Respond to leads ASAP (fast response = higher booking rate)
- Provide digital invoices and flexible scheduling
Quick tip: Include “We Come to You!” in your profile title to boost clicks.
8. Offer Lawn Care or Yard Maintenance
Yard care is a seasonal but high-volume niche on Thumbtack. Many homeowners seek one-time cleanups or ongoing maintenance. You can charge $50–$300 per visit depending on property size and services.
Even small tasks like mowing or leaf removal can turn into long-term clients.
Requirements: Lawn equipment, transport, basic landscaping knowledge.
How to Offer Lawn Care Services on Thumbtack?
- Register as a Lawn or Outdoor Services Pro
- Add photos of before/after yards
- Set fixed prices for popular services (mowing, mulch, pruning)
- Use Thumbtack Promote in spring/fall for lead volume
- Offer seasonal package deals
- Ask satisfied customers for photo reviews
- Follow up before each season change to retain clients
Quick tip: Offer “same-day” cleanups for extra exposure during storms or high-demand weeks.
9. Provide Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Thumbtack users frequently hire local pet sitters for vacation care, drop-ins, or regular dog walking. Rates vary from $15–$75 per visit, with lots of repeat bookings.
This is great for animal lovers or side hustlers with flexible schedules.
Requirements: Love for animals, pet care knowledge, flexible hours.
How to Offer Pet Care Services on Thumbtack?
- Select “Pet Sitting” or “Dog Walking” as your category
- Describe your experience, certifications, and availability
- Use photos of you with animals to build trust
- Offer discounts for weekly bookings or multiple pets
- Include pet CPR certification if available
- Use Promote to auto-send quotes to urgent pet owners
Quick tip: Mention “overnight stays” in your title to stand out from basic walkers.
10. Become a Resume Writer or Career Coach
If you’re great with words and career advice, Thumbtack offers a unique way to sell resume writing or coaching services. You can charge $75–$400+ per resume, especially for executives or federal job seekers.
Career help is a year-round category with high urgency and great ROI.
Requirements: Writing/editing skills, resume templates, past HR or coaching experience.
How to Offer Resume Writing Services on Thumbtack?
- Create a profile under “Resume Writer” or “Career Coach”
- Show sample resumes and client reviews
- Set clear prices for entry-level, pro, or exec services
- Highlight fast turnaround (24–48 hours)
- Use Promote to find clients needing urgent help
- Upsell interview prep or cover letter packages
Quick tip: Use LinkedIn optimization as a bonus service to stand out.
11. Offer Makeup Services for Events
Makeup artists can earn excellent money on Thumbtack by serving clients for weddings, proms, photoshoots, and special events. The platform regularly sees high-volume traffic for local beauty pros, and some artists charge $100–$300 per session, plus travel fees or add-ons like lashes.
Set up your profile with past client photos, clear service tiers (natural glam, bridal, full glam), and quick response times. Even new artists can land jobs fast by offering trial sessions or group rates.
Quick tip: Include photos of different skin tones and age groups to appeal to a broader audience.
12. Teach Music Lessons (In-Person or Online)
If you play an instrument or sing, Thumbtack is a great place to find students. Whether it’s piano, guitar, or vocal lessons, many parents turn to the app for weekly instruction. Rates typically run $30–$90 per hour, and virtual options expand your reach.
Highlight your music background, genres you teach, and upload short sample videos. You can offer beginner-friendly packages or discounted rates for first lessons to increase bookings.
Quick tip: Mention “in-person & Zoom available” to appeal to both local and remote learners.
13. Provide Tech Support or Smart Home Setup
As smart devices become more common, so do tech support requests. Thumbtack lets you offer services like Wi-Fi setup, TV mounting, home office optimization, or printer troubleshooting. These quick jobs often pay $50–$150 each.
No degree required—just solid tech knowledge, professionalism, and prompt service. Customers especially appreciate flexibility and same-day service for urgent needs.
Quick tip: Bundle smart home setup with TV mounting to increase job size.
14. Become a Translation or Document Prep Pro
Bilingual? Offer translation or document services for immigration papers, resumes, websites, or business forms. Thumbtack users often search for fast, affordable help with language-specific documents.
You can earn $30–$100 per project, and even more if you specialize in legal or medical fields. Offer fixed prices for common requests to attract price-conscious clients.
Quick tip: Use language pairs in your headline (e.g., “Spanish-English Translator”) for SEO visibility.
15. Offer Voiceover or Audio Editing Services
Thumbtack also supports creative freelancers. If you have a home studio or quality mic, you can offer voiceovers for podcasts, ads, or audiobooks. Rates range from $50 to $500+ per gig depending on usage rights and project length.
Showcase samples of your voice or editing work and offer fast delivery times. It’s especially appealing to small business owners needing content creation support.
Quick tip: Highlight turn-around time (e.g., “48-hour delivery”) in your profile to attract rush clients.
16. Provide Interior Painting or Wallpaper Services
Residential painting is a highly requested Thumbtack service. Whether you’re a solo painter or part of a small team, interior jobs often pay $300–$2,500+ depending on the room size and scope.
Include before/after images, testimonials, and details about prep, cleanup, and materials used. Thumbtack is a solid lead generator for painters year-round, especially during spring and fall.
Quick tip: Offer “room refresh” packages for apartments and rentals to attract smaller jobs consistently.
17. Offer Virtual Assistant or Admin Services
Many small businesses use Thumbtack to find local help—even for remote tasks. You can offer calendar management, customer support, data entry, or email marketing and charge $15–$40/hour depending on skills.
List specific tools you’re familiar with (like Canva, Google Suite, or QuickBooks), and offer hourly or monthly packages. Clients appreciate fast replies and strong communication.
Quick tip: Emphasize availability in your profile (e.g., “same-day response, 7 days/week”).
18. Teach Art or Creative Skills (Kids or Adults)
If you’re a creative with teaching skills, Thumbtack is a smart way to sell drawing, painting, or craft lessons. Whether group classes or private instruction, art tutors can charge $25–$75/hour, especially if they serve kids or offer seasonal workshops.
Upload sample art, lesson formats, and optional supply kits. Include both online and in-person formats for flexibility.
Quick tip: Promote “family-friendly” or “kids welcome” to land more inquiries from parents.
19. Provide Notary or Legal Document Services
Mobile notary services are in demand—especially for real estate closings, affidavits, and estate paperwork. You can charge $25–$150 per visit, plus mileage fees.
Thumbtack helps you reach people needing last-minute notarizations. If you’re a licensed notary, list your certification and ID requirements upfront.
Quick tip: Mention “mobile service available” for better visibility in search results.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Money on Thumbtack
Step 1: Create a Thumbtack Pro Account
Start by signing up for a free Thumbtack Pro account. You’ll choose your main service category (e.g., cleaning, tutoring, repairs), set your service area, and fill out your availability. Be sure to turn on lead notifications so you can respond instantly when a customer reaches out.
Include a friendly profile photo and write a clear, concise description of what you offer. Make it benefit-driven—focus on how you solve problems, not just your skills.
Step 2: Choose a Profitable Niche
Not all services earn equally. Based on Thumbtack’s demand, top-earning niches include cleaning, handyman work, photography, fitness, and tutoring. Choose a niche with strong demand in your area and low startup costs if you’re just beginning.
Research what other pros in your category are offering and how they structure their prices. Aim to position your services in the upper-mid pricing tier—not the lowest.
Step 3: Set Up Your Service Packages and Pricing
Thumbtack lets you customize your services with individual job types and starting prices. Set fixed-price packages when possible—like “2-hour deep clean” or “headshot photography session”—so leads are more qualified when they reach out.
Be transparent with pricing, and factor in the cost of lead credits to avoid underselling yourself.
Step 4: Build Trust with Reviews and Photos
Upload before-and-after photos, samples of your work, or transformation stories. These build credibility and help you stand out in search results. Ask every customer—especially your first few—to leave a review, even if you did a discounted or trial job.
Offer a discount to your first 3–5 clients in exchange for honest feedback and a review.
Step 5: Buy Leads or Use Promote
Thumbtack charges pros for leads using a credit system. You can either:
- Manually respond to requests and pay per lead
- Use Thumbtack Promote to send automatic quotes and get priority placement
Start with manual leads to control your spend, then scale with Promote once you understand your conversion rate.
Step 6: Respond Fast and Follow Up
Speed is everything. Many successful pros land jobs simply because they responded within 5–15 minutes. Use the mobile app to get alerts and reply immediately with a personalized message.
Always follow up once or twice if the customer hasn’t replied. Many jobs go to the most persistent—not just the best-priced.
Step 7: Track ROI and Refine Your Offers
Use Thumbtack’s built-in insights to track how many leads convert into bookings. If you spend $40 and land a $300 job, your ROI is strong. Double down on those job types and consider offering upsells to increase job value.
Trim categories that don’t convert and focus on your top-earning services.
Step 8: Scale with Reviews, Upsells, and Repeat Clients
As your reviews grow, Thumbtack’s algorithm will favor your profile in search results. At this point, you can raise your prices, create upsell packages (e.g., premium versions of your services), and build relationships with repeat customers.
Consider integrating affiliate products or complementary services into your workflow for extra passive income. This can add $200–$500/month depending on your niche.
Tips to Increase Revenue on Thumbtack
To boost your income on Thumbtack, focus on improving conversion rates and increasing job value. Start by responding to leads within 5–15 minutes—pros who reply quickly often land more jobs, even with higher prices. Use the mobile app and turn on alerts for real-time responses.
Offer tiered packages that encourage clients to upgrade. For example, a basic $100 service can be upsold to a $250 package with extras like same-day service or extended hours. Track which services bring the best ROI and trim unprofitable offerings.
Get reviews after every job, especially photo reviews. This improves ranking in Thumbtack’s algorithm and builds instant trust with potential customers. You can even follow up post-job with a reminder message and a thank-you gift to encourage positive feedback.
Best AI Tools for Making Money on Thumbtack
AI tools can streamline your Thumbtack business, helping you automate admin tasks and improve customer interactions. Use AI writing tools like Jasper or ChatGPT to quickly craft personalized quote messages and follow-ups that convert more leads.
Canva’s AI design tools help you build professional service menus or portfolios. Tools like Grammarly can refine your profile bio to make you look more trustworthy and polished. For voiceover pros or audio freelancers, Descript is a smart AI-powered audio editing platform.
AI-powered CRM tools like HoneyBook or Zoho can manage client info, send invoices, and schedule reminders, keeping your business organized. These platforms help small Thumbtack businesses scale while maintaining a professional image.
Best Affiliate Platforms for Thumbtack Pros
Many Thumbtack service providers can earn extra income through affiliate programs tied to their niche. For example, cleaners can promote eco-friendly products via Amazon Associates. Photographers can recommend gear via B&H or Moment. Trainers can partner with fitness brands like Gymshark or MyProtein.
Affiliate links can be embedded into email follow-ups, PDFs, or even your website if you have one. If you’re in a niche like coaching or consulting, promote digital tools like Calendly or Kajabi for additional passive income.
Combined, affiliate earnings can bring in $100–$500/month without much extra work.
Best Marketing Tools for Monetizing on Thumbtack
Outside Thumbtack’s ecosystem, your marketing strategy can make or break your income. Email marketing tools like MailerLite or ConvertKit help you turn one-time jobs into long-term clients. Use Google My Business to improve local SEO and drive free leads outside of Thumbtack.
Social media schedulers like Later or Buffer help automate your posts to stay top-of-mind with past clients. You can even collect leads from Instagram or Facebook and direct them to Thumbtack for official booking and review collection.
Use link-in-bio tools like Linktree to connect all platforms and improve your professional presence.
Conclusion
Thumbtack is one of the best platforms in 2025 for local professionals and freelancers to build a thriving service-based business. With the right niche, fast response times, and a strategy for turning leads into loyal clients, you can earn anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 per month.
By following this guide—from creating a standout profile to scaling with upsells and reviews—you’re equipped to turn Thumbtack into a reliable income stream. Now’s the time to take action and start getting paid for the skills you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to use Thumbtack as a pro?
There’s no upfront cost to join. Thumbtack charges per lead using a credit system. Most leads cost between $2 and $75, depending on job type, location, and competition.
Do I need a business license to make money on Thumbtack?
Not necessarily. Thumbtack doesn’t require one, but local laws may. For services like cleaning, tutoring, or photography, many states don’t require licensing. However, trades like plumbing or electrical work often do.
What’s the best service to offer for beginners on Thumbtack?
Great starter categories include cleaning, tutoring, photography, and pet care. These have low barriers to entry and don’t require licensing in most places.
How can I get more Thumbtack reviews fast?
Offer discounted jobs to your first 3–5 clients and kindly request reviews after service. Use follow-up messages and thank-you notes to improve your review rate.
Can I use Thumbtack to find remote or virtual clients?
Yes! Services like tutoring, resume writing, fitness coaching, and virtual assistance are ideal for remote work. Just clearly mark your profile as offering virtual services.
Is Thumbtack better than TaskRabbit or Fiverr?
Thumbtack is better for local service jobs and one-on-one relationships. Fiverr is stronger for digital/remote gigs. TaskRabbit is hyper-local but tends to favor odd jobs vs. skilled trades.
How long does it take to start making money on Thumbtack?
Many pros land their first job within 1–2 weeks, especially if they respond quickly and offer competitive packages. Expect to earn steadily within 1–2 months if you’re consistent.
