General:
* Grind: This is very common and implies a lot of effort.
* Hustle: Similar to "grind," but often emphasizes striving for success.
* Gig: This is often used for a temporary or freelance job.
* Shift: Mostly used for a set period of work in a job with scheduled hours.
* Day job: A regular job, often used in contrast to other activities.
* Chores: A very casual term for tasks, often used for housework.
* Toil: A more literary term for hard work, often with a negative connotation.
* Labor: A formal term for work, especially physical work.
Informal/Humorous:
* The daily grind: This is a playful way to describe routine work.
* Making a buck: This emphasizes earning money.
* Slaving away: This is a humorous exaggeration for working hard.
* The rat race: This refers to the competitive nature of work.
Specific to Industries:
* The field: Used for jobs in science, engineering, etc.
* The shop: Often used for manufacturing or repair work.
* The office: This is obvious, but also used in jokes about office work.
The best slang term to use depends on the context and the tone you want to convey.