I agree. Side quests really aren't a great way to level and I feel like they should be since they're limited. I think that side quests should be able to get you a second job to cap.

I saved all of the Shadowbringers sidequests for Reaper/Sage and managed to get 74 on one. EW sidequests were a bit better, they helped get about 8 jobs to 81 from 80. I don't feel like the alternate rewards (gil, equipment, food, etc) make up for the lower amount of xp.