12 Best Side Hustles For Teachers [Specifically For Educators]

Last Updated on April 20, 2023 by John Cirelly

If you’re a teacher looking to make some side income, you’re in the right place. Below, I’ll explore 12 of the best side hustles for teachers that leverage your education experience to earn more money on the side.

Best Side Hustles For Teachers in 2024

1. Private Tutoring

Private tutoring is one of the best side hustles for teachers, and for good reason! As a teacher, you already have the knowledge and skills to help students succeed in various subjects. Private tutoring positions your skills to earn considerably more per hour than you typically would.

One of the best things about private tutoring is that you can set your own rates and schedule. You can choose to tutor in the evenings, on weekends, or during school breaks, making it a flexible side hustle that can work around your teaching schedule.

While locations will play a big role in how much you can earn tutoring, there’s no reason you can travel outside your town or offer online tutoring.

Private tutors can expect to earn anywhere from $30 to $75 per hour. The more experience and expertise you have, the more you can charge for your services. As you build a reputation as a skilled and reliable tutor, you may be able to raise your rates even further.

2. Teach an Online Course

As a teacher, you likely have a wealth of knowledge and experience in your subject area that you can share with others. By creating an online course, you can reach a wider audience and earn money while doing so.

Unlike in-person teaching, online courses give teachers an incredible amount of leverage. Record the course once, and get paid every time someone signs up.

As a course creator, you’ll be able to teach students all over the world. To succeed, consider crafting a course around solving a specific problem, such as ACT test prep, or a specific entrance exam.

When it comes to earning potential, the sky is the limit with teaching an online course. Depending on the subject matter and the platform you use, you can earn anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per course.

3. Test Prep Services

Teachers offering test prep services can help students achieve their academic goals while also earning some extra income on the side. Test prep is great for students who have been struggling to pass a specific exam, or simply want to ensure they nail the test the first time around.

ou can offer services in-person or online, and can choose to specialize in specific tests, such as the SAT, ACT, or GRE. You can offer one-on-one sessions or group classes, depending on your preference and the demand in your area.

Depending on your location, experience level, and the services you offer, you can earn anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour or more. Plus, with the high demand for test prep services, you may be able to fill your schedule quickly and consistently.

4. Curriculum Development

An often overlooked side hustle for teachers is curriculum development. If you have a knack for creating lesson plans and helping students really understand concepts, this could be the side hustle for you.

When it comes to earning potential, curriculum development can be quite lucrative. According to Zip Recruiter, the typical salary range for a curriculum development professional is between $50,000-$104,000 a year.

Depending on your experience and the nature of the project, you can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per project. There are both full-time and part-time positions you can find online, making it a great side hustle for summer breaks.

A few positions to search for include:

• Curriculum Writer
• Curriculum Facilitator
• Curriculum Consultant
• Curriculum Manager
• Curriculum Designer
• Curriculum Development Manager
• Curriculum Director
• Curriculum Coordinator

Of course, offering curriculum development services does require some preparation and planning.

You’ll need to stay up-to-date on current educational trends and standards, work closely with clients to understand their needs and goals, and develop a curriculum that is engaging, effective, and aligned with their objectives. However, with the right skills and experience, curriculum development can be a fulfilling and lucrative side hustle for teachers.

5. Babysitting

Babysitting is a classic side hustle that can be an excellent option for teachers. As a teacher, you likely have experience working with children and can use those skills to provide high-quality babysitting services to families in your area.

While you might think babysitting is reserved for young adults, parents might prefer a teacher with professional experience in working with children. Your extra education skills enable you to charge a higher rate, a price parents will be willing to pay for that extra peace of mind.

6. House Sitting

If you enjoy traveling on your summer vacations, house-sitting is a great side hustle for teachers that can easily be combined with other side hustles.

As a teacher, you’ll be perceived as responsible and trustworthy, giving you the upper hand over other house sitters. Sites like Nomador and MindMyHouse are great places to get started.

House-sitting rates can vary widely depending on your location and the length of the job. However, as a general rule, house sitters can expect to earn anywhere from $25 to $50 per day or more, depending on the responsibilities involved.

7. Create an Educational YouTube Channel

By creating engaging and informative videos on educational topics, you can reach students all over the world and earn money through advertising and sponsorships. The best part? You have full control over your time and content.

When it comes to earning potential, the income you can earn from a YouTube channel can vary widely depending on your audience size and the popularity of your content. In general, successful educational YouTubers can earn anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month through advertising revenue and sponsorships.

As your audience and portfolio of videos grow, expect to earn even more. Even while you sleep! YouTube is one of the best side hustles to earn passive income.

8. Start an Education Podcast

Starting an education podcast is another excellent side hustle for teachers who want to share their expertise and insights with a wider audience. By creating a podcast on educational topics you love, you can reach listeners all over the world and earn money through sponsorships and advertising.

One of the best things about starting an education podcast is the flexibility it offers. You can create content on your own schedule and focus on subjects and topics that you are passionate about.

To start your podcast, you’ll need to have a clear understanding of your target audience, create engaging and informative content, and have good production skills to ensure that your podcast is high-quality and professional.

While it can take time to start seeing results and earning listeners, running a podcast can be well worth it for teachers that have the gift of gab.

9. Become a Pet Sitter

Let’s be honest, children can act like animals. Taking care of someone’s fur baby might be easier than taming a classroom full of children. And it might actually pay more.

As a teacher, you likely have a reliable and responsible personality, which can make you an ideal candidate for dog-sitting gigs. By providing dog-sitting services, you can earn some extra income while also providing loving and attentive care to dogs in your area.

You can choose to take on dog-sitting gigs during your school breaks or over the summer, and you can set your own rates based on the demands of the job. Additionally, if you enjoy spending time with animals, dog sitting can be a fun and rewarding way to spend your free time.

Dog sitters can expect to earn anywhere from $20 to $40 per day or more, depending on the responsibilities involved. Sites like Rover are a great place to find people in your area that want pet sitting.

10. Start a Blog

I might be a bit biased, but starting a blog is one of the best side hustles you can do. Especially if you’re looking to build something for the long term.

Starting a blog is a great side hustle option for teachers who love to write and share their ideas and experiences with others. By creating a blog on educational topics, you can reach students, teachers, and parents all over the world and earn money through advertising and sponsorships.

By targeting specific teaching keywords, you can start earning consistent traffic to your blog. How much you earn will depend largely on how many visitors your blog gets.

11. Publish Books Through KDP

Other ways teachers with a knack for writing can earn side income is by publishing books through Amazon Direct Publishing (KDP). It’s actually easier than you think.

KDP is a self-publishing platform that allows you to publish eBooks and paperbacks on Amazon, reaching millions of potential readers worldwide.

One of the best things about publishing through KDP is that it offers complete creative control, from the cover design to book formatting. Additionally, KDP offers a flexible royalty program that allows you to earn up to 70% royalties on the sale of your book.

Successful self-published authors can earn anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month, but the secret to success with KDP is publishing volume. Focus on a specific area and write a series that people will want to binge.

12. Start a Print on Demand Business

Starting a print-on-demand (POD) business is an excellent side hustle option for teachers who want to use their creativity to design and sell merchandise.

With POD, you can create your designs and have them printed on a wide range of products, from t-shirts and tote bags to mugs and phone cases, without having to invest in inventory.

One of the best things about starting a POD business is the flexibility it offers. You can create designs on your own time and schedule, and can focus on products that are popular among teachers, such as classroom decorations and supplies, or motivational apparel.

Just like KDP, success in print-on-demand lies in volume. Luckily, tools like Vexels make it easy to create hundreds of designs, even if you suck at design (like me) 🙃.

Wrapping Up Side Hustles For Teachers

This concludes my list of side hustles for teachers. I hope you found at least a few of these ideas inspiring. If you want even more side hustle ideas, be sure to check out my Side Hustle Spreadsheet for a breakdown of 55+ side hustles.