For most educators, their hard work and passion doesn’t always match their paycheck. As rewarding as teaching is, many teachers are underpaid and struggle to stay on top of their bills. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
In 2019, Pew Research Center reported that one-in-six teachers had to work a second job, and many worked year-round. The strain and exhaustion of working two jobs have only added to the growing number of burnt-out teachers.
We believe teachers should be paid more for their time, education, and work. As we continue to push for better pay for educators, here are some great side hustles for teachers that can provide an extra source of income, a new hobby, or even your future career!
Tutoring
Without a doubt, tutoring is one of the most popular side hustles for teachers. There are many different ways that you can offer tutoring services to students, including in-person sessions, online tutoring, or even providing coaching for standardized tests like the ACT or SAT.
If you have a background in a specific subject area, it might make sense to specialize and offer tutoring services on that topic. For example, if you're a math teacher, you could provide pre-Algebra tutoring to students who need help.
If you're unsure where to start, many online platforms can help connect you with students who need tutoring services.
Online tutoring platforms for teachers
Wyzant
Wyzant is a great platform to find virtual and local students. With Wyzant you set your own rate and make a percentage of that rate. You can tutor on many subjects through the website. Wyzant does all the work for you to get students. All you have to do is create a profile and students will contact you through the Wyzant platform.
Outschool
Outschool is an excellent platform for teaching online classes to students excited to learn. Outschool allows teachers to create classes about anything that interests them. This could be traditional school subjects, or you could teach a class that shows children how to develop empathy using Encanto characters.
Outschool teachers make an average of $50/hr and can choose their hours.
Skooli
Skooli is an on-demand tutoring platform that pairs students with knowledgeable tutors. They provide tutoring services for K-12 as well as college-level students. One of the unique things about Skooli is that they partner directly with schools, school districts, and organizations rather than charging individual students and families.
Skooli covers traditional school subjects, and tutors can make between $14 - $27 per hour.
Get involved with after-school programs
Offering an after-school program can be another excellent way for teachers to earn extra cash. There are a lot of different paths available for getting involved with after-school programs, including working directly with a school or school district. You can even start your own after-school program.
After-school programs can range from providing homework help to offering enrichment activities like sports, art, or drama. Once you've determined what kind of program you'd like to participate in, you can start looking for relevant positions that work with your schedule.
Be a summer school teacher
Many schools offer summer programs to help students catch up on credits or get ahead for the next school year. If you're interested in teaching summer school, you can usually find positions through your district or school.
Summer school teaching is another great option for making additional income during the summer months, and it's also an excellent opportunity to get to know your students better.
Become a camp counselor
Becoming a camp counselor is another great teacher side hustle because camp typically happens during summer break. Many people enjoy this job because it’s a great way to stay active, connect with nature, and engage with kids.
While summer camp is the most common, there are plenty of opportunities to be a camp counselor during winter and spring break. You could also look into day camps or sports camps if you enjoy sleeping in your bed.
You can often find camp counselor positions through your school district, private organizations, or online job boards.
Coach sports teams
If you love sports or have experience playing them, coaching a sports team is one of the best side hustles for teachers who want to stay active.
You can usually find coaching positions through your school district, local recreation departments, or private sports clubs.
Working as a coach can be a rewarding side job because it allows you to build relationships with your athletes and help them develop their skills.
Teach swim lessons or become a lifeguard
If you love to swim, consider becoming a certified swim instructor or lifeguard. These are both great side hustles for teachers because they can easily fit into your current schedule and allow you to spend a lot of time in the water!
As a swim instructor or lifeguard, you can work for local recreation departments, private swimming clubs, or your community pool. You can also offer private swimming lessons to people in your community.
Sell curriculums or learning materials
Another great side hustle idea is to sell your teaching materials and lesson plans online. Many educators are looking for new and exciting ways to teach their students, and offering the curriculums or resources you've created can be a great way to help them out.
Several platforms allow you to sell educational materials. Some of them include:
Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers is the largest and most popular marketplace for buying and selling educational resources. Sellers can pick their price point and pays 55 - 80% per sale, depending on your membership level. It was created by teachers for teachers, which means they have a good understanding of the needs of their customers.
Check out the TeacherGoals Teachers Pay Teachers store to get some inspiration for yours!
tes
tes is another great option for selling your teaching materials. They offer a tiered system that pays between 60 - 80% royalties, depending on your sales volume over 12 months. They have over 13 million registered users across 192 countries, making it a great platform for reaching many potential customers.
Self-publish books (even if you're not a writer)
This is a perfect side hustle for anyone that loves to write or create. There are many different ways to self-publish books, whether you're an aspiring novelist or think it would be fun to create word searches or coloring books.
One of the most popular ways to do this is to use Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which allows you to sell your books on Amazon without a traditional publisher.
You can publish anything from long-form novels to journals and sketchbooks. This is a great way to make passive income, and getting started with KDP is relatively straightforward.
Become a freelance writer
Freelance writing can be one of the quickest ways to make money on the side. There are lots of different ways to get started, like checking job boards such as Problogger and Blogging Pro. You can also directly pitch magazines, websites, and blogs.
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer a low barrier to entry and give you access to a network of people looking to hire writers.
The Lightning-Fast Content Creation by Sadie Smiley is a great option if you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer but don’t want to go through the hassle of finding clients. It will help you learn to write great content quickly and provides a list of clients upon completion.
Virtual assistant
You can do various tasks as a virtual assistant, including technical support, writing and editing content, managing social media, and creating videos or podcasts.
This is an excellent option for teachers that enjoy being on the computer and working from home. It's also something you can easily fit around your busy teaching schedule.
You can use many different platforms to find virtual assistant jobs, including Upwork and Fiverr. You can also directly pitch your services to companies or blogs/websites that need help with content creation. Facebook groups can also offer a great way to connect with potential clients. The Facebook group TPT Virtual Assistant Finder is a great group to join if you want to work for small businesses run by educators.
Sell stock photography
Did you know you can get paid for pictures you're already taking? Brands and content creators are always looking for new and unique photos to use on their websites, social media, and marketing materials.
If you love taking photos, there are many stock photography sites where you can submit your pictures, including Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, and Adobe Stock.
Each site has different payout structures and requirements, but it's a great way to get paid for your photography skills.
Start a blog
Blogging is a great way to make money while building an audience around things you're passionate about. You could focus on educational content or choose something else you’re interested in. There’s no limit on the topics you can blog about around your career, life, or special interests.
The key to making money with blogging is to start building an audience from the beginning and then look for ways to monetize your blog. This could include advertising, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or selling products or services.
To start blogging, you'll want to come up with a topic and a name for your blog. Next, decide what platform you’d like to blog on - WordPress and Squarespace are the most common. Now, start creating content to get the ball rolling!
If you are looking for a step-by-step process to set up your blog, check out The Blog Basics Course by Sadie Smiley.
Start a Youtube channel
Starting a Youtube channel can be a fun, and creative side hustle if you're comfortable on camera. It gives you the chance to connect with an audience more personally and share your knowledge with people around the world.
You'll need to create a channel and make videos around a particular topic or niche to get started. You can then monetize your channel through advertising, sponsorships, or selling products.
If you're unsure what kind of videos to make, look at some of your favorite Youtube channels and see what they're doing that you could replicate. For inspiration follow TeacherGoals Youtube Channel here.
Start an Etsy store
If you're crafty or enjoy making things, starting an Etsy store can be a great way to make some extra money. You can sell anything from handmade crafts to digital products, and there's a huge market for both.
The key to success on Etsy is creating unique and high-quality products that people will want to buy and market your store well. You'll also want to ensure you have excellent customer service to ensure people come back to shop with you again.
A great item to sell on Etsy is custom enamel pins. These small, collectible pins are highly sought after by collectors and fans of various hobbies and interests. You can design and create your own unique enamel pins to add to your Etsy store, and tap into a growing market of pin collectors.
With the right design and marketing strategy, selling enamel pins can be a profitable and enjoyable side hustle. Of course, one of the key factors is to find a reliable and high-quality enamel pins maker, such as EnamelPins.com. If you're interested in learning more about creating and selling enamel pin badges on Etsy, there are many resources available online, such as tutorials and forums dedicated to this niche.
Check out Build Your Etsy Empire course for an easy guide to setting up your Etsy store.
Sell printables
If you're good at design or enjoy creating helpful resources, you can sell printables as a side hustle. Printables are digital products people can purchase and then print out at home.
You can use programs like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and even Powerpoint to create your products. These could be anything from a daily planner to a recipe binder or educational worksheets.
You can sell your printables through Etsy, Creative Market, or your website with Shopify or Woocommerce.
Selling printables is an incredible model because you only have to make them once, and then they can be sold repeatedly. This means you can make a passive income from your printables!
Teach an online course
As a teacher, you have a lot of knowledge and expertise in specific areas that other people want to learn about more. If this is the case, you can create online courses as a side hustle and teach anything from music theory to yoga.
To get started creating your first course, you'll want to choose a platform likeSkillshare or Udemy. They have pre-made templates and course creation tools that make it easy for anyone to create an online course, even if you don't have technical skills.
Then, start creating content around your chosen topic and promote it through social media or paid advertising. You could also look for online communities related to your topic and share your course with them.
Be a dog walker or pet sitter
If you're an animal lover, becoming a dog walker or pet sitter can be a lucrative side hustle for teachers. It offers a lot of flexibility because you can usually set your hours, and people need their pets cared for at all times of the day.
The easiest way to get started is to sign up for a service like Rover or Wag to connect with pet owners. You'll want to create a profile showing off your experience and love of animals and start working with clients.
You can also create flyers or business cards to advertise your services in your community. Local Facebook groups are another great way to find people needing dog walkers or pet sitters.
Be a tour guide
Do you love your city or town and enjoy showing people around? If so, becoming a tour guide can be a great way to earn extra money on the side. Whether they're locals or just visiting, people are always looking for fun ways to learn more about the place they're in.
If you're a history teacher, you could give tours of historical landmarks. If you're an art teacher, you could give tours of local galleries or museums. You could even create your walking tour of your town or city and market it to tourists.
The key to being a successful tour guide is to be knowledgeable about your city and to be able to engage with people. You should also have a good sense of direction and keep track of time so that your tours run smoothly.
To get started, see if any companies are already giving tours in your area that you could join. If not, start by reaching out to local hotels, restaurants, or businesses to see if you can partner with them. This will help make your tours a success!
Become a notary
If you're not familiar with the term, a notary public is someone who is legally allowed to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths.
Becoming a notary public is relatively easy and typically requires training, but check your state's requirements to be sure. Once you're a notary public, you can work with businesses or individuals who need documents notarized.
This side hustle is great for teachers because it offers flexibility and can be done on your own time. Notaries make roughly $1000 per month, depending on your state and how often you work.
To get started, you'll want to find a reputable company to work with, such as theNational Notary Association. They can help provide the resources and training you need to get started. Once you're a notary public, start marketing your services to businesses and individuals in your area.
Become a delivery driver
Becoming a delivery driver can be one of the best side hustles for teachers that want to set their schedules. You can sign up for services like UberEats or DoorDash and start delivering food from local restaurants.
On average, people who drive for DoorDash make about $20 per hour, but this can vary depending on your area.
Remember that you're responsible for your vehicle and gas, so you'll want to factor that into your earnings. Apps like Stride or Everlance make tracking your mileage and expenses easy, so you're prepared for tax time.
Get paid to grocery shop
At the end of a busy week, many people don't have the time or energy to go grocery shopping for themselves. Others just don't enjoy it.
That's where you come in.
Services like Instacart and Shipt connect shoppers with people who need their grocery shopping done. You can decide when you're available and select the tasks you want to complete—some people like picking up orders on their way home from work or during lunch break.
This is a great side hustle for teachers because it's easy to fit into your day and can help you make extra money without wasting too much time.
Wash laundry for people
Laundry is one of those necessary but time-consuming tasks that many people dread. Many people are willing to pay to have their laundry done for them, so why not have them pay you?
If you want to get started quickly, consider using a service like Hampr and SudShare, which will pair you with local customers who need their laundry done. All you need is a washer, dryer, and reliable transportation to drop off finished laundry.
Another option is to create flyers advertising your services and pass them out at local schools or in the neighborhood. Craigslist, Facebook groups, and Nextdoor can be great places to find people looking for laundry service if you want to advertise online.
Do household tasks for people
Everyone has household chores or tasks they don't enjoy, like cleaning gutters, mowing the lawn, and even assembling furniture.
If you don't mind doing these tasks, consider starting a side hustle, helping people get their dreaded household tasks done. It's a great way to earn some extra money and can easily fit into your existing schedule.
Apps like TaskRabbit and Handy allow you to browse through different jobs and request the ones that interest you most. The app will then connect you with the customer, and you can arrange a time to get the job done.
Once you've completed a few jobs and built a good reputation, you're sure to have people coming back to you for all their household needs!
Become an Airbnb host
There is a growing demand for unique, affordable travel accommodations, and many people would rather stay with a local host than in a hotel. Becoming an Airbnb host is a popular side hustle for teachers because it can provide substantial supplemental income. In fact, in 2019, Airbnb reported that 10% of their hosts were teachers and earned $230 million.
In 2022, Airbnb partnered with the National Education Association (NEA) to help support teachers' hosting endeavors. They offer lessons on creating great home listings, a stipend for investing in your rental, and other special privileges.
Being an Airbnb can have tremendous financial rewards and allow you to meet lots of new people from around the world.
Let people store their things in your unused space
What if your garage, basem*nt, or spare bedroom collected cash instead of cobwebs?
Many people want to forgo the headache of traditional self-storage companies and store their stuff with a local host instead. It's generally cheaper, safer, and more convenient.
Neighbor is a great platform to list your extra space and earn money. They offer generous property protection for renters and hosts, handling all the paperwork for you and securely collecting payments.
This is a great passive side hustle because it requires minimal upkeep, and people always need a safe place to store their things.
Let dogs rent your backyard
Yes, you read that right! There are tons of dog owners who want their pups to be able to get some safe, off-leash exercise but don't have a yard of their own. If you have a large backyard or property, consider offering it to local dogs and their humans to make some extra income.
Sniffspot is a beautiful platform that helps connects dog owners with spaces to exercise their dogs.
You can list your backyard on the site and set your price. The best part is that you can choose when your private dog park is available, which works around your teaching schedule.
Plus, who doesn't love hanging out with some adorable pups?
Rent out your car
If you have a reliable car that you don't mind other people driving, consider renting it out through a service like Turo or Getaround. With these companies, you can list your car on their platform and set your rental price.
Renting out your car is a great way to earn extra income without putting in much extra effort. You can use the money you make to help afford maintenance costs or help with car payments.
Flip your stuff for cash
If you're looking for an easy way to make extra cash, consider flipping items. Flipping is buying something cheap and selling it for a higher price. It's a great way to make money on things you already have, and you can re-invest your earnings into more items to sell.
There is no limit to things you can flip. It can be anything from clothes to furniture to toys. Try looking for items at garage sales or thrift stores to start flipping. Once you find something, search online to see what similar items are selling for. If you can sell it for a higher price, go for it!
You can sell your items through online platforms such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. You can also use apps like Flipd, OfferUp, and Mercari to buy and sell items directly from your phone.
Become a nanny or caregiver
It's not uncommon for nannies and caregivers to have backgrounds in teaching because they already have the education and experience. This makes it an excellent choice for teachers looking for a side hustle that utilizes their skills and pays well.
Your primary job will be to care for children or elderly adults and help them with their daily activities. This could involve feeding, bathing, and playing with the kids or helping elderly adults get dressed, make meals, and run errands.
Most nanny and caregiving jobs require CPR and First Aid certification and a background check. Organizations like the American Red Cross offer classes online and in-person if you aren't certified yet. You can also check with local community colleges.
Where to find nannying and caregiving jobs
To find nanny and caregiving jobs in your area, start by searching online job boards or classified ads. You can also contact local families directly or use platforms such as:
Care.com
Care.com is one of the largest online platforms that connects families with caregivers. They have various caregiving jobs available, including nannying and eldercare. They make it easy to search for jobs in your area, and you can set up a profile to help you get hired faster.
Sittercity
Sittercity is another excellent place to find families needing caregivers. They have various jobs ranging from babysitting to pet sitting and senior care. Their service allows you to create a profile and browse local caregiving jobs.
Using platforms like these can help you quickly establish credibility and get hired by families in your area.
Start a meal prep service
Many people love home-cooked meals but don't always have the time or energy to cook. If you enjoy cooking, consider starting a meal prep service.
Meal prepping involves preparing multiple portions of meals to eat throughout the week. This can help save time and reduce stress when making meals during the workweek.
You can cater your services to busy families, working professionals, or college students. You can prepare the meals in your kitchen or rent commercial kitchen space.
To get started, create a menu of different meal options and reach out to people in your area to see if they're interested. Many people find marketing success through Facebook groups, local gyms, and college campuses.
Clean people's houses
If you find cleaning cathartic or don't mind getting a little dirty, consider becoming a professional house cleaner. This is a great side hustle for teachers because it's usually scheduled while people are at work and doesn't require much equipment or supplies.
Most people who hire professional cleaners are looking for someone to do a deep clean of their home. This can involve scrubbing toilets, mopping floors, and cleaning windows.
You can get started by asking your friends and family if they know anyone who needs their homes cleaned. You can also use websites like Bark and Housekeeper.com to connect with people who need their homes cleaned.
Which side hustle is right for you?
There is no limit to the kind of side hustles that teachers can take on. Make sure to consider your skills, interests, and availability when choosing which you'd like to try.
Whether you're looking for something easy and fun like flipping items or something more time-consuming like nannying, there's sure to be a side hustle that's perfect for you.
Have you tried any of these side hustles? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
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