21 Side Hustles for Teachers In and Out of the Classroom

Educators are the ones that ignite a love of learning inside each of us and help mold us for future success in life. They’re essential to student growth, invaluable in their communities, work countless hours preparing lessons, and care for their students. Despite all of their dedication and responsibility, it’s a well-known fact that educators are often underpaid, and many turn to side hustles to make ends meet. 

If you’re a teacher looking for a way to supplement your income, there are many part-time opportunities that can fit your schedule and skillset. Whether you’re looking for work through the summer, or an extra gig for nights and weekends, we’ve put together this complete guide of side hustles for teachers. 

Jobs to Keep You Teaching

Jobs Online and On Apps

Jobs to Get You Outside

DIY Work From Home 

See the Average Teacher Salary in the U.S.

Jobs to Keep You Teaching

Educating others is part of who you are. If you’re interested in a fulfilling side hustle that will allow you to continue teaching, these jobs may work great for you. 

1. Tutoring

Tutoring is an excellent option to keep teaching while earning extra cash. You can focus your tutoring by age or subject, or narrow your focus for high school SAT and ACT prep. Tutoring naturally falls in your free time after school, and can be done in groups, one-on-one, or online.

• Pay: Private tutors earn an average $17.53 an hour, though it varies widely by experience and specialty.

• Get started: Register online to become a tutor through sites like TutorMe, Tutor.com, and VaristyTutor, or set your own price and let parents at your school know you’re available.

2. Standardized Test Administrator

While test administrator requirements will vary across states and school districts, it’s needed everywhere there are schools. Administrators ensure that all testing procedures are followed, that no test materials are taken from the site, and that all tests are collected and submitted securely for grading. As schooling moves online, there are also plenty of opportunities to proctor exams from home. 

• Pay: Test administrators earn between $32,500 and $43,500 on average for full-time work, and can earn as little as $24,000 a year.

• Get started: Find your state testing service’s site to learn more and apply to become a test administrator. You can also apply to become a proctor with online proctoring companies like ProctorU.

3. Teach English Abroad 

Do you dream of traveling the world? Teaching abroad during the summer months is a great way to strengthen your skills as a teacher and experience other cultures. There are great options for short-term teaching jobs abroad, or you can teach foreign classrooms from home.  

• Pay: This varies by region, but reaches as high as $5,000 a month. Keep in mind that some gigs cover room and board, while others require you to budget your own living costs.

• Get started: You can learn more about the process and regions through International Schools Service and find international teaching jobs with sites like Teachaway and Go Overseas.

4. Adjunct Community College Professor 

More people are opting for community college to save on tuition, and there’s an increased demand for teachers in these programs. While some colleges may require a Master’s degree for employment, others only require a Bachelor’s and relevant teaching experience. Becoming an adjunct professor or teacher at a community college is a great way to continue teaching and change lives in a meaningful way. 

• Pay: Adjunct faculty make a median of $2,700 per three-credit-hour course, though this varies between institutions and experience.

• Get started: Check out the education requirements at your local colleges to see where your experience would be accepted. Then, decide what you want to teach, meet with a few other professors, and apply. 

5. Babysitting or Nannying 

Parents are always looking for someone responsible to watch after their little ones, and who better to trust than a teacher? Babysitting and other forms of childcare on nights and weekends is a flexible option that allows you to continue spending time with children while earning some under-the-table cash. 

• Pay: Pay varies significantly by experience and location, so use this babysitting rate calculator to determine a fair price for your services.

• Get started: Contact families you know for a smooth start to babysitting, or use sites like Care.com to match with families. You’ll likely need a background check to find nanny gigs online. 

Jobs Online and On Apps

Most Profitable Side Hustle Apps 85% of gig workers make under $500 each month
Company	Average Monthly Earnings
1. Airbnb	>$924
2. TaskRabbit	$380
3. Lyft	$377
4. Uber	$364
5. DoorDash	$229
Source: Earnest

Earning a supplemental income is in the palm of your hands. Some of your favorite apps that you likely use on a regular basis offer opportunities for side hustles, and there are many ways to earn money online too. 

6. Drive for a Rideshare Service

Rideshare services are hugely popular side hustles with plenty of flexibility and the opportunity to earn quick cash. While you can make quite a bit of money working peak hours, you should also consider the costs of car maintenance, insurance, cleaning, and gas. 

• Pay: Drivers can make upwards of $20 an hour, though it’s not consistent. Gridwise provides pay averages for major cities as well as other costs you should consider.
  

• Get started: The first step is to download the app of your choice, then collect and submit the company’s required information. For example, Lyft requires:
  • At least one year of licensed driving experience
  • Pass both a DMV and criminal background check
  • Have your car inspected by a licensed mechanic
  • Drive an approved vehicle model

7. Delivery Services

If you’re not comfortable driving strangers, then you may want to consider delivery or shopping services instead. You can choose to deliver packages for companies like Amazon Flex, or deliver food and groceries as people need them. 

• Pay: The average worker makes around $200 a month, though it’s heavily dependent on tips, location, and company.

• Get started: Decide what you want to deliver, then choose the app that works best for you.
  • Postmates and Favor deliver everything from groceries to office supplies
  • DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub specialize in restaurant delivery
  • Shop and deliver groceries with Instacart and Shipt

8. Rent Out Your Extra Space 

If you have a spare room or apartment, you can rent it out for long- or short-term stays through services like Airbnb. This process is extra simple as you just have to set the dates and keep a clean and desirable place to stay. Just make sure you have updated insurance to cover any potential damages. 

Even if you don’t have a room or home to rent, you can rent out parking spaces, lawns, swimming pools, and more. 

• Pay: Airbnb hosts can make an average of $924 a month — the highest income of all gig economy services.

• Get started: Register your space for free after deciding your rates, rules, and available hours. You can also check out these other sharing gigs to consider:
  • SniffSpot to share your yard with dogs
  • Swimply to rent your pool
  • JustPark and Spacer offer your parking spaces
  • Spinlister lets you rent sporting equipment
  • Getaround allows you to share your car when not in use

9. Virtual Assistant 

While a virtual assistant (VA) likely has some level of administrative work to do, they offer a number of different services including customer support, human resources, bookkeeping, and more. Most VAs are required to have experience in some type of administrative role. 

• Pay: Virtual assistants make an average $15.77 an hour, but the pay can reach $27 an hour depending on experience and job needs.

• Get started: A virtual assistant is their own boss, so you’ll want to follow some of the basic steps to building a business. Checkout Dollarspout’s guide to get started. 

10. Online Surveys

Online surveys may not be the most lucrative side hustle, but the money can add up. They’re convenient, quick, easy, and there are plenty of platforms to use online and on your phone. It’s a good option if you’re just looking for a little extra spending money. 

• Pay: Each survey pays anywhere from $.10–$3, and there’s usually a minimum earned amount to reach before you can cash out. 

• Get started: Choose a site like Swagbucks or InboxDollars to start receiving surveys and earning money. You can also earn Google credits you can use immediately with Google Opinion Rewards.

Jobs to Get You Outside

Sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air. Try these side hustles to get outside and moving all year long.

11. Dog Walking 

Dog walking is a great option to spend time with man’s best friend and a good way to get some exercise into your routine. While it may be tough to find a dog-walking job during the school year, as most families want walkers during the day, you can enjoy your summers with a furry friend getting fresh air. 

• Pay: Hourly rates start at $15, but your location will affect prices. If you walk dogs for another company then you’ll have to pay them a cut, too.

• Get started: Reach out to friends and neighbors to work independently, or join a service like Wag or Rover.

12. Tour Guide

If you live in a historic city or neighborhood, there may be an opportunity for you to offer walking tours of your area to summertime visitors. It’s a great opportunity to look at your city through a new lens and teach others about the area you love. Plus, being a guide will allow you to practice your public speaking skills, and you can use your knowledge of the area for future lesson plans! 

• Pay: Tour guides make anywhere from $10–$20 an hour with an average of $24,343 a year base pay.

• Get started: Jump right in as a peer-to-peer guide with Tours by Locals and Shiroube, or reach out to local organizations and attractions to see who’s hiring.

13. Summer Camp Counselor 

Relive your childhood memories of playgrounds, arts and crafts, and water balloon fights, not to mention spend all day in the gorgeous summer sun. You’ll be accustomed to the responsibility that comes with watching children all day, and you can let loose and have fun as a camp counselor.

• Pay: Day camp counselors earn an average $10 an hour, and managers can make up to $20. Overnight camps pay a couple dollars more at an average of $13.

• Get started: Local church, YMCA, and Parks and Recreation organizations often host summer and school break camps. You can also search other cities and overnight camps for a more unique camp experience.

14. Lifeguard

There’s nothing better than spending the summer in the sun, and lifeguarding is a great way to do that while protecting others. The American Red Cross offers lifeguard and water safety courses year-round, which will help you earn the necessary certifications and skills for the job.

• Pay: Lifeguards earn an average of $12 an hour, though job experience may earn you a boost.

• Get started: Once you complete your lifeguard training, you can apply to be a lifeguard at local pools, beaches, or even your school.

15. Coaching Local Youth Sports

If you were a competitive athlete or just love fitness, you may be able to make money as a youth sports coach. You’ll make the most as a private coach or by starting your own business. This way you can set your price and schedule, but it will be a lot of work in the beginning. 

• Pay: You can set your own price, but most coaches earn around $14 an hour.
  

• Get started: Start with coach training, then reach out to local organizations and meet other coaches in your area for opportunities and recommendations.

16. Lawn and Garden Care

Have a green thumb? You could earn some extra money in the summer months by going old-school and offering to mow lawns and tend to gardens. 

• Pay: Landscapers earn around $14 on average with the opportunity to earn up to $20 an hour.
  

• Get started: If you have your own equipment, advertise to your neighbors through Nextdoor and Facebook groups. Or you can work part-time for an established company.

DIY Hustles From Home

Starting a DIY business from home is a great way to unwind, manage your own schedule, and get creative with your part-time job.

17. Flip Furniture

Reduce, reuse, and recycle old or neglected furniture to make something beautiful. People pay top dollar for refurbished finds and vintage treasures, and you can feel great saving items from landfills.

• Pay: Your profit depends 100 percent on the value of the pieces you flip and you’ll learn to determine estimated profits as you go.

• Get started: Determine what you can flip with the tools you have and start searching online marketplaces, thrifts, and yard sales to find great deals. Then, refurbish your finds and sell in all the same places. 

18. Sell Your Crafts

If you have a craft you love, consider monetizing it. Everything from cross stitch patterns to polymer clay earrings are sellable, and many are easy to pick up. The trick is finding a popular market and making something unique. So if you see resin and glitter earrings are popular, consider making new shapes with dried flowers instead. 

• Pay: This entirely depends on your product and advertising. Check out similar stores on Etsy to get an idea for product pricing.

• Get started: Research what’s selling and come up with your own twist! Perfect the product, then launch through an online service like Redbubble, or sell independently at markets and on social media. 

19. Farm for Cash

If you have the space and a green thumb, then consider selling food for cash. Garden vegetables and herbs can sell well on their own, or you can use them to make homemade sauces and salsas. Other products like eggs, honey, and flowers are also popular farmers market staples you can produce at home. Plus, your side hustle can double as a biology lesson.

• Pay: Your product affects your price, but startup costs for selling at the market and purchasing basic booth needs are under $500.
  

• Get started: Once you choose a product, plant it and get your business plan and certifications nailed down while they grow!

20. Begin Blogging

Blogging is a form of infopreneurship where you share your knowledge, build a professional reputation, and earn money. As a teacher, you can sell your lessons and resources, or write an e-book on effective classroom management. If you want a break from the classroom, share your experiences with gardening, business, or family instead. Once you build an audience, you can earn money through advertising or by selling your expertise as a speaker or writer. 

• Pay: Bloggers earn an average $33,428 a year, but many make closer to $20,000.
  

• Get started: Plan your blog topics and study up on how to market your blog, then get started writing. WordPress is a go-to for websites, but you can start out on simpler systems like Wix. 

21. Sell Stock Photos

If you dabble in photography, consider posting your photos on stock photo sites. You can make quite a bit from high-quality and desirable photos, but it’s becoming highly competitive. If you’re new to photography, then you may not make a lot, but if you’re already shooting then you might as well try to earn some money as you learn the basics. 

• Pay: Stock photography can range from $.10–$80 a photo, and some sites charge you to post on them.

• Get started: Start taking pictures that aren’t just pretty, but offer a story and context to them. Read up on royalties, then post your photos on sites like Alamy and Shutterstock. 

Many teachers and educators see side hustles or part-time work as a necessity to supplement their income. On the bright side, there are so many options these days that teachers can choose what works best for their schedule or lifestyle. Once you have a side hustle plan, set some savings goals and learn to budget your extra cash appropriately to get you there. 

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