15 Side Hustles For Teachers: Earn More Money (2026)

Side hustles for teachers aren’t a new phenomenon. For years, educators have supplemented incomes with activities such as math tutoring, private music lessons, or leading summer camp sessions in their subjects. While often personally rewarding, teaching has always been a demanding job. But in today’s economy, it often isn’t a financially sustainable one on its own. 

According to the National Education Association, teachers in the US are earning 5% less than they did a decade ago, and the average starting salary is just $46,526 per year. Combined with inflation, it’s no surprise more teachers are turning to side income streams to fill the gap.

Recent data from Pew Research shows that about one in six full-time public school teachers work a second job, highlighting just how common supplemental income has become among educators. And with entrepreneurship rising nationwide (the US is projected to have more than 86 million freelancers by 2027), teachers are increasingly exploring side hustles to earn more without leaving education altogether.

The good news is, teaching already equips teachers with highly marketable skills, which makes it easier to launch a part-time gig that doesn’t feel like starting from scratch. If you’re a teacher interested in extra income, you’ll see some of the most realistic and rewarding side hustles in the article below.

Why teachers need side hustles

For many teachers, adding a side hustle to their schedule is a necessity. A second income or extra money is often needed to tackle rising living costs, stagnating wages, and/or extra classroom costs. Here are some reasons why:

• Wage stagnation: Despite the enormous efforts that go into teaching, many teachers still feel the pinch. According to a Pew survey, 51% of public K–12 teachers say they are not too or not at all satisfied with how much they’re paid.
• Summer and seasonal income gaps: Without a consistent 12-month salaried model (or with lower pay during non-teaching months), many teachers use side jobs to fill gaps. In the 2020–21 school year, teachers earned on average $3,550 from non-school summer jobs, which is about 5% of their average annual income. That same year they earned more during the school year from nonschool jobs (on average $6,090, or about 9% of their total income).
• Classroom and supply costs: Lots of teachers find themselves spending out of pocket on classroom supplies, tech tools, and even necessities for kids in need. A side hustle helps offset those out-of-pocket expenses.
• Career and social diversification: A teaching career is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding. A side hustle can offer a different pace, new skills, and an outlet outside the classroom. 

15 side hustles for teachers

1. Sell lesson plans
2. Create online courses
3. Offer tutoring services
4. Administer tests
5. Become a freelance writer
6. Work for a summer camp
7. Teach summer school
8. Run after-school programs
9. Become a virtual assistant
10. Post-graduation pathways and/or finances consultant
11. Become an essay coach
12. Write a book
13. Offer grant writing services
14. Coordinate educational field trips
15. Pick up odd jobs

Side hustles for teachers generally fall into three buckets:

1. Online jobs for teachers, which you can do from home and fit around your schedule (like course creation or freelance writing)
2. In-person, which build on face-to-face teaching or coaching skills (like tutoring or running after-school programs)
3. Seasonal/summer options, which become especially popular when school is out and you have more bandwidth

1. Sell lesson plans

If you’ve developed educational materials during your time spent teaching, consider making more money from them outside of your teaching job and earning passive income while you’re at it.

Teachers sell lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, flashcards, and other original educational materials to other teachers through online platforms like Sellfy, Classful, and Teachers Pay Teachers. These educational materials range in price depending on the size, topic, and quality of the materials.

One seller on TeachersPayTeachers makes $200 a month. At the other extreme, there’s a very small group of “top-performers” who have turned it into a six-figure annual income, but these are rare. The top 1% of TPT sellers earned roughly 70% of the platform’s total payout in 2024, and only about 0.2% of sellers made six figures that year. The platform’s top seller made a very impressive $770,000 last year. 

• Earning potential: $50 to $300 per month starting out with a small catalog; $300 to $700 per month once you have multiple high-quality resources.
• Startup costs: $0 to $50 (Canva Pro, platform upgrades optional).

2. Create online courses

Channel your teaching skills into online classes for paying customers seeking new skills. For example, a math teacher could produce a video course about statistics, or a history teacher could develop an online course in the form of a podcast exploring a specific time period in history. Teachers set their own rates and sell their work on platforms like Thinkific, Udemy, and Teachable.

Income potential varies, but most “successful” course-creators reportedly earn between $1,000 and $10,000 per month. On the lower end of the spectrum, some Udemy creators report average annual earnings of around $3,300.

• Earning potential: $200 to $1,000 per month for most beginners, especially with niche or education-related topics.
  Startup costs: $0 to $150 (platform fees, mic/webcam upgrades, or course tools).

3. Offer tutoring services

Another low-investment way for teachers to make money outside of their standard teaching positions is to offer private tutoring services to paying clients. Pay varies widely for tutors based on what they’re teaching and where, but tutoring rates typically range from $25 to $80 an hour, with specialist subjects or exam-prep services often landing at the higher end.

Tutoring also tends to have a “peak season.” Demand usually jumps in the spring and early summer (right before big exams like the SAT, ACT, AP tests, or state assessments) and again in the fall when students are adjusting to new classes. During these rush periods, tutors often take on more students or raise their rates because parents and students are actively searching for extra help.

For example, you could teach English to adult clients who primarily speak a foreign language, help high school students prepare for standardized tests, or support younger students with homework and reading confidence. Tutors work with local clients in person, or find new clients online through platforms like Wyzant, Preply, and Tutorly. These sites make it easier to build a consistent client base—even during off-peak months.

• Earning potential: $200 to $1,200 per month depending on number of students.
• Startup costs: Mostly $0, unless using paid tutoring platforms that take commission or charge listing fees.

4. Administer tests

Teachers can pick up a second job overseeing standardized tests at area schools to earn additional income. Test proctors manage and supervise tests like the ACT or SAT, final course exams, and even licensing tests for a variety of industries like construction, real estate, architecture, engineering, and law. Test proctors make an average of $17.97 an hour, depending on the type of test and their location.

• Earning potential: $100 to $500 per month depending on test availability and schedule.
• Startup costs: $0 (just training or certification through the testing organization if required).

5. Become a freelance writer

Apply the writing skills you’ve developed as a teacher to freelance writing and start a home business. Copywriters create a variety of written materials for individuals and businesses, including blogs, website copy, advertisements, newsletters, and technical manuals.

For teachers in particular, there are tons of natural crossover niches that play to your strengths. Such as:

• Education content
• Curriculum blogs
• Edtech tutorials
• Parent guides
• Student study resources
• Grant writing for schools/nonprofits
• Ghostwriting thought leadership for school administrators

Many teachers are also naturally good at writing course materials for online learning platforms, youth-development content, social and emotional learning (SEL) resources, or how-to guides for homeschooling parents.

Freelance writers earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to more than six figures per year, depending on the number of assignments and quality of clients. The average hourly rate is $22.69, but can go as high as $51.71. 

Start small by working with blogs, small education companies, or tutoring platforms that need content, and then develop your business idea to move into higher-paid niches like curriculum development or long-form educational copy. 

Freelance writers use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to connect with clients and build their writing portfolios, but teachers often have an edge, networking directly with edtech startups, tutoring companies, parenting sites, and nonprofits actively looking for people with classroom experience.

• Earning potential: $250 to $1,000 per month for part-time beginners writing blogs, guides, or educational content.
• Startup costs: $0 to $50 (optional website or portfolio hosting).

6. Work for a summer camp

If you love the outdoors, consider making some extra cash during school breaks as a summer camp counselor. Camp counselors organize and lead outdoor activities and supervise campers to make sure they’re safe and enjoying their experience. Teachers can lend their skills at day or overnight camps to earn extra money while school is out.

Not the outdoorsy type? Several universities and organizations host summer day camps in subjects like programming, digital design, theatre, poetry, jazz performance, and more.

• Earning potential: $400 to $4,800 per summer, depending on hours and camp type (day versus overnight).
• Startup costs: $0 to $50 (background checks or uniforms, if required).

7. Teach summer school

Similarly, you may consider working as a summer school teacher to earn more outside of the traditional school year. Summer school teaching salaries depend on the specific subject, age range, and school district. Teachers can apply for part-time or full-time positions at local private and public schools, online teaching programs, and colleges or universities needing adjunct professors during the summer.

• Earning potential: $1,000 to $3,000 per summer for part-time roles; slightly more if full time.
• Startup costs: $0 (schools typically provide curriculum and materials).

8. Run after-school programs

One unique business idea for teachers is running after-school programs. Consider applying for a part-time job helping sports teams, coding clubs, or after-school electives like drama, art, robotics, or videography.

For example, a high school teacher could pick up a side job as a soccer coach or drama club adviser at the same school where they already work. Having an existing connection with the school district makes the process easier, because the administrators know your teaching style and reliability.

The pay for helping with after-school programs varies based on the district and how time-intensive the role is, but many schools pay a seasonal or semester-based stipend rather than an hourly rate. 

Typical stipends often fall between $1,000 and $5,000 per season, with academic clubs sometimes on the lower end (around $500 to $2,000 per semester) and athletic coaching roles often paying more (up to $6,000 or more for higher-level sports or longer seasons).

• Earning potential: $500 to $2,000 per season depending on role and number of students.
• Startup costs: $0 to $100 (materials if school doesn’t cover them).

9. Become a virtual assistant

Teachers wear many hats, and their organizational and multitasking skills make them well suited to being a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants help clients with tasks ranging from scheduling and email management to data entry and general administration.

There is a huge market for virtual assistants, and teachers access a range of potential clients through platforms like Fancy Hands, Zirtual, and Indeed. A virtual assistant position can be a flexible part-time job to supplement a teaching salary; the average pay is $27.16 an hour.

• Earning potential: $300 to $1,200 per month for part-time availability.
• Startup costs: $0 to $50 (software like Calendly, Trello, or upgraded email tools optional).

10. Post-graduation pathways and/or finances consultant

It’s easy for high school students and their families to be overwhelmed with determining what comes after graduation. Depending on their goals, there are different avenues and ways to prepare. 

As an educator, you could provide personalized coaching to students and their parents on course selection as early as eighth or ninth grade. Guide them toward building a résumé attractive to university admissions, map out a college selection framework, and help them plan a campus visit schedule. 

For students interested in the trades or other occupational options, coordinate with the schools and local employers and unions to facilitate introductions and shadow days or even co-op opportunities.

Many parents need help planning for and submitting the FAFSA, which is required for anyone interested in financial aid or scholarships. This government form often changes from year to year, resulting in a lot of questions. With a little legwork, networking, and research, you could share your expertise in these areas.

• Earning potential: $100 to $500 per hour depending on experience, location, and specialized skills.
• Startup costs: $0 to $250 (software like Calendly, Trello, or other tech tools or digital marketing optional).

11. Become an essay coach

Many universities require essays as part of the application process, and even if they don’t, they’re often required for direct admit acceptances or scholarships. 

Some kids are better writers than others, but the college essay can be a real differentiator for applicants, especially in fierce competition for acceptance. It’s a chance to show personality and what they’ll bring to an incoming class in a way GPAs and test scores don’t. 

Many kids struggle with finding an appropriate topic or how to tell their story in an authentic way. Universities are also battling the use of generative AI in submissions, so your experience in crafting a genuine writing example is invaluable.

Just like with college admissions consulting, you may set your rates low to gather new clients. Once you have some success stories and testimonials from happy students and their parents, you can raise your fees.

• Earning potential: $150 to $500 hourly to packages from $3,000 and up including services like interview prep.
• Startup costs: $0 to $250 (digital marketing tools like a website optional).

12. Write a book

If you have unique insights about a subject and want a creative outlet, consider writing a book. Teachers often have specialized knowledge in a particular field, which can make their books—whether academic or literary—informative. For example, a physical education teacher could use their unique skills and perspective to write a book about fitness and health.

You may then decide to go the route of traditional publishing or choose self-publishing an ebook. Although making money from an ebook takes time and marketing effort, it can bring in extra income from sales through a platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Ready to get started? Build, run, and grow your ebook business with free training, intuitive tools, and dedicated support.

• Earning potential: $50 to $500 per month after launch for most first-time authors; more if you build an audience.
• Startup costs: $0 to $200 (software, editing, or cover design).

13. Offer grant writing services

If you’re already familiar with navigating school funding, grant writing is a very natural side hustle for teachers. The skill set overlaps almost perfectly: research, persuasive writing, aligning goals with outcomes, and explaining the educational impact of a program or resource.

On average, grant writers make $24.49 per hour, with more experienced writers earning considerably more for larger or more complex proposals. Nonprofits and schools often prefer working with someone who actually understands education from the inside, so teachers have a built-in advantage. 

• Earning potential: $300 to $1,500 per month for part-time beginners landing small local or nonprofit grants.
• Startup costs: $0 to $50 (optional portfolio website or proposal templates).

14. Coordinate educational field trips

If you’re the kind of teacher who’s great at logistics, scheduling, working with venues, and building learning experiences outside the classroom, coordinating educational field trips can be a fun and flexible side hustle. 

Many schools, homeschooling co-ops, enrichment programs, youth groups, and learning pods are happy to outsource the planning to someone who knows how to handle things like transportation, liability forms, and age-appropriate activities.

This is also a great part-time or seasonal opportunity, especially in the spring and summer, when field trips, museum outings, nature experiences, and historical-site visits ramp up. 

You can either charge a flat planning fee, build a per-student pricing model, or partner with venues that offer group discounts and earn a margin on the coordination. Some independent field trip planners also bundle lesson plans or post-visit activities to increase their rates and stand out to parents and administrators looking for something a bit more turnkey.

Trip coordinators can add an extra $6,000 to $11,000 to their salary per year. 

• Earning potential: $300 to $1,000 per trip depending on group size and whether you charge a flat planning fee or per-student rate.
• Startup costs: $0 to $100 (marketing or liability insurance depending on the model).

15. Pick up odd jobs

If you want to generate a little extra cash while choosing your own hours, explore platforms like Taskrabbit, Handy, and Thumbtack. Clients post odd jobs on these platforms, from pet sitting and dog walking to house cleaning and furniture assembly. As a teacher, you can pick up odd jobs at your own pace to make money outside of your primary job, with rates varying depending on the specific task.

You can also choose to work for a delivery or ride-share service, which allow workers to make their own schedule. Other side hustles may include renting out extra space, earning money through affiliate marketing programs, or even using an online platform like Shopify to launch an ecommerce store.

• Earning potential: $100 to $600 per month, depending on how frequently you take gigs.
• Startup costs: $0 to $30 (verification fees or small equipment depending on the platform).