How to make money in Shanghai: Analysis of the latest popular industries and opportunities in 2024
As one of the most economically active cities in China, Shanghai has endless opportunities to make money. This article will combine hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a structured analysis of the current money-making opportunities in Shanghai, covering emerging industries, traditional high-income fields and flexible employment directions.
1. Top 5 popular money-making industries in Shanghai in 2024

| Ranking | Industry | average monthly salary | Popular reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artificial intelligence application development | 35,000-80,000 yuan | Shanghai AI companies gather together and policy support is strong |
| 2 | Cross-border e-commerce operations | 15,000-40,000 yuan | Free trade zone policy dividends, demand for overseas warehouses surges |
| 3 | New energy vehicle related services | 12,000-30,000 yuan | Tesla Gigafactory drives the industrial chain |
| 4 | High-end housekeeping service | 8,000-25,000 yuan | Strong demand from high net worth families |
| 5 | Short video live broadcast operation | 10,000-50,000 yuan | MCN institutions are concentrated and brand investment is large |
2. Recommendation of low-cost entrepreneurial projects
According to recent discussions on entrepreneurship forums, the following projects are suitable for people with limited funds who want to start a business in Shanghai:
| Project type | Start-up capital | monthly profit potential | Popular areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community group buying leader | 0-5,000 yuan | 8,000-20,000 yuan | Large communities in Pudong and Minhang |
| Home feeding of pets | 2,000-10,000 yuan | 6,000-15,000 yuan | Xuhui, Changning high-end communities |
| Second-hand luxury goods appraisal | 10,000-30,000 yuan | 15,000-40,000 yuan | Jing'an Temple, Nanjing West Road |
| Outside coffee cart | 30,000-80,000 yuan | 10,000-30,000 yuan | University Road, Julu Road |
3. High-paying freelance opportunities
Recent data from flexible employment platforms show that these freelance jobs are in high demand in Shanghai:
| Career | hourly wage range | Skill requirements | Order taking platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous interpretation | 800-2,000 yuan/hour | Professional Level 8 + Industry Terminology | ProZ、YiMiao |
| personal fitness trainer | 300-800 yuan/hour | International certification qualifications | ClassPass, Keepland |
| short video clips | 150-500 yuan/item | Premiere proficiency | Zhu Bajie, Teammate Yun |
| Luxury goods purchasing agent | commission system | Overseas channel resources | WeChat Ecosystem, Xiaohongshu |
4. Policy bonus projects
Shanghai’s new support policies in 2024 will bring these special opportunities:
| Policy name | Benefit areas | Subsidy amount | Application conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital economy special project | Metaverse content development | Up to 5 million | Registered capital ≥1 million |
| Foreign students starting a business | Biopharmaceutical R&D | 300,000-1 million | Graduates from QS top 200 institutions |
| night economy | Special night market operation | Venue fee reduction | Create employment for ≥20 people |
5. Risk warnings and suggestions
1.Be wary of franchise scams: The recently exposed "milk tea franchise" fraud case involves a sum of over 10 million, and brand qualifications need to be verified.
2.Compliance management:Shanghai market regulatory authorities have strengthened tax inspections of flexible employment platforms
3.Skill upgrade: Pudong Talent Service Center provides free digital economy vocational skills training
4.Region selection: Enterprises in Lingang New Area can enjoy a 15% income tax discount, which is suitable for technology entrepreneurship
As an international metropolis, Shanghai has both money-making opportunities and competitive pressures. It is recommended to combine your own resource endowments, pay attention to policy orientation, and find breakthroughs in subdivided areas. Stay sensitive to market changes and regularly participate in industry exhibitions (such as the upcoming AI EXPO in September) to obtain the latest business opportunities.
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