Teachers may want to supplement their income for a variety of reasons. Side hustles for teachers are numerous and can be a lucrative way to pad the wallet or expand the budget.
And since teachers usually have the summer off, they are especially poised to take advantage of extra opportunities to earn some extra money.
If you’re looking for side hustle ideas for teachers and wondering if they are worth it, we’ll cover all that and more in this guide.
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How Teachers Know It’s Time for a Side Hustle
No matter the profession, it’s likely that a majority of workers spend their pay on essentials — mortgage/rent, food, utilities, automobile expenses, and more. So when you need some extra cash, whether it’s for a dream purchase or an unexpected expense, a side hustle for teachers may be the perfect solution.
Teachers may earn extra money through side hustles that allow them to:
Save for a big purchase, like a house or a new car.
Fund a dream vacation.
Prepare for a life change, like a baby or retirement.
Pay off a credit card or other debt.
Cover miscellaneous family expenses, like sports fees, concert tickets, kids’ braces, or expensive household equipment.
The list of reasons for teachers to get a side hustle is endless. No matter what you need extra funds for, a side hustle is a great way to make it happen.
Are Teachers Allowed To Work Side Hustles?
Yes, teachers may work side hustles, and many of them do.
According to Pew Research, one in six (about 17%) teachers take on a second job outside the classroom. Depending on the type of job, some teachers may be able to fit in a side hustle during the school year, while taking on a second earning opportunity may be more feasible during the summer break.
For those who aren’t able to make side hustles work for them, Sorbet offers a new way for teachers to advance the cash value of their unused PTO, making it possible to obtain the desired funds when needed.
The 12 Best Side Hustles for Teachers
Side hustles for teachers come in all shapes and sizes, so being able to acquire one probably won’t be too challenging.
But what are the best side hustles for teachers?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the top side hustles that are common to teachers and have included our top tips on the best ways to get the ones that are right for you.
#1: Tutoring
Tutoring is a natural side hustle for teachers. Because you’re using the skills you were trained for, tutoring is an easy way to earn extra money without investing a ton of time to prepare extra lesson plans.
Depending on your experience and expertise, you can charge $30 or more per hour, so tutoring just five hours a week could bring in $600 or more per week.
In-person tutoring, along with online tutoring options, provide plenty of earning opportunities that can fit into your life and schedule.
To find tutoring opportunities or to market yourself, consider these options:
Make your tutoring services known to your social media contacts.
Sign up on tutoring platforms, like Wyzant, Outschool, or Skooli to make your services available to those who are searching.
Use the Steady app to search for tutoring jobs in your area.
Advertise your tutoring specialty, whether it be math, science, SAT/ACT prep, and more.
#2: Selling Printables and Lesson Plans
Lesson planning can be one of the most tedious parts of a teacher’s job. Selling lesson plans not only provides a coveted service to many teachers, but it also gives you a way to earn extra funds for your hard work.
You’ll want to make sure that you’re selling your lesson plans and other printables legally. Using an online platform may be the best way to be legit and protect against others using your work without paying for it.
Check out these resources to streamline sharing your lesson plans with other teachers:
#3: Coaching Lessons or After-School Activities
Perhaps your days as a competitive athlete are over, but you still love the game. Coaching could be an excellent way to keep your head in the game while earning some extra income.
Coaching opportunities can be found at local rec centers, competitive travel sports clubs, or within your school district.
If coaching isn’t your thing, maybe working as a referee is more up your alley.
Or maybe you have another skill that you can market by giving lessons or offering a class to interested children and adults. Consider sharing your skills by offering:
Music lessons
Swim lessons
Sports training sessions
Dance classes
Take advantage of earning extra money while doing something you love.
#4: Teaching ESL Online
Teaching students in other time zones allows flexibility to work before or after your regular teaching day and for good money, too!
Check out the following platforms to see if being an ESL tutor/teacher can bring in the income you desire while fitting into your current teaching schedule:
#5: House or Pet-Sitting
If you love pets but don’t have the space or time to have one of your own, pet/house-sitting can help you get your pet fix while bringing in some extra cash.
This doesn’t require a whole lot of “extra” work. Staying in people’s homes while they vacation or caring for their pets can pay decent money with minimal effort. These services also offer lots of flexibility, allowing you to set your own hours.
To advertise yourself or find house and pet-sitting gigs, take advantage of these ideas:
#6: Virtual Assisting
Virtual assistant jobs give you a way to make some extra money by doing something totally unrelated to what you do in the classroom. Some businesses may need a virtual assistant to help with:
Blogging
Bookkeeping
Proofreading
Managing social media
Data entry
And more
To find virtual assistant jobs, check out Facebook groups like TPT Virtual Assistant Finder or other online platforms, like:
#7: Food Service or Bartending
Tips, tips, tips!
Working in the food service industry as a side hustle for teachers isn’t just a great way to make good money. It’s also a fun way to meet people, socialize, and get some exercise.
Or consider a local coffee shop and catch an early morning shift before you head to your teaching job at school.
#8: Writing or Proofreading
Writing, editing, and proofreading can be great gigs for teachers looking for a side hustle, and it could be especially lucrative and enjoyable if you’re an English teacher. You’ve received all the training and practice in your teaching job, so adding it as a side hustle may be a no-brainer.
Companies looking for this service may be seeking freelance writers to help with their online content, marketing campaigns, and more. The extra writing work can help improve your writing skills, and you’ll probably learn a lot of interesting facts while writing on a variety of subjects.
To get started, job boards like Problogger and Blogging Pro might offer some help. You could also go directly to websites, magazines, and blogs to pitch your writing services.
As a freelancer, you can set your own charges, and most writers charge by word count. Depending on skill and experience, you could earn $25 to $35 an hour or more.
#9: Prepping Students for Exams
Even star students need a little help from time to time. Whether it’s assistance with an essay, preparing for a college exam, or getting ready to take the ACT or SAT, teachers can earn some extra cash by offering their time and expertise while helping others succeed in their studies.
Tutors for these special exams can make lots of money, either working with a tutoring company or as a freelancer. Tutoring companies may charge up to $180 per hour. As a freelancer, you can charge what you’re comfortable with, but average rates range anywhere from $25 to $100 per hour.
#10: Working With Local Homeschools
Homeschools come in all kinds of varieties, from homeschool co-ops that meet one day a week to hybrid homeschools that offer classes several times a week.
Depending on the particular homeschool model, they may hire teachers to:
Administer standardized tests
Consult regarding creating curriculums
Consult with homeschool teachers
Offer after-school tutoring
Grade assignments
Offer counsel or advice to struggling learners
#11: Part-Time Caregiver or Nanny
Since most teachers finish their school day in the afternoon, good side hustles for teachers may include babysitting or caregiving in the evenings or on weekends. And since you already have a fondness for children as a teacher, caring for children outside the classroom may be a natural direction to seek a side job.
Of course, you can always advertise your caregiving services by word of mouth and with your own contacts, but platforms like Care.com can also help you score some jobs providing services to children, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Caregiving may involve feeding, bathing, and playing with children or helping elderly adults with daily tasks, like getting dressed or making meals.
Being CPR and First Aid certified may be a requirement in some cases, but these certifications can certainly give you a leg up and make you a more desirable candidate to hire.
#12: Summer School or Camp Counselor
Most of the jobs we’ve mentioned on the list are ones that can be done in tandem with teaching during the school year. But when summer comes and your school days are over, teaching summer school or working as a camp counselor are excellent ways to spend your summer.
Teaching summer school, you’ll be able to make money using your teaching skills and investing in the lives of students outside the typical school year and classroom. To find opportunities, check with your local school district.
Summer camps abound, so if you’re up to it, you could find a gig for the entire summer at a live-in camp. Or if day camps are more your style, museums, zoos, or sports teams offer camps throughout the summer that may give you more flexibility.
Are Side Hustles Worth It?
The answer to this question can depend on many things, like:
Your income-earning goals
Family responsibilities
Stress levels
Other commitments
If side hustles aren’t flexible enough to allow you the time needed for other aspects of life, they may not be worth it in the end.
But if your goal is to save a certain amount of money for a one-time purchase or expense, sacrificing for a limited period of time may be worth it to gain some freedom and flexibility on the flip side.
How Much Can a Teacher Make Side Hustling?
The amount you can make with a teacher's side hustle will depend on what the side hustle is and how much time and energy you can devote to it.
For example, the average rate for tutoring is anywhere from $25 to $80. If you work 10 extra hours a week tutoring students, you could stand to earn upwards of $1000 a month.
Maybe your side hustle pays you by the project rather than by the hour. Let’s say you choose a project that pays $2000, and you dedicate a month to that project. That means you’ve increased your monthly income by $2000 with just one project — and that’s a pretty good side hustle by any standards.
Sorbet: The Clever Way Teachers Can Earn More With Unused PTO
Perhaps side hustles aren’t your thing either because of other commitments or time restraints, but you’d still like an option to have cash at your disposal for specific needs.
That’s where Sorbet comes in by giving you a way to advance your unused Paid Time Off (PTO).
Many teachers never get around to using their PTO, so rather than letting it sit unused, let Sorbet help you access the cash value of your PTO and use it today for that special purchase or your dream vacation.
Calculate your estimated PTO payout with Sorbet to see how much cash you can unlock without dipping into your paycheck.