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20 Best Side Hustles for Teachers: How to Make Extra Money

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but it often comes with financial challenges.

Many teachers look for side hustles to supplement their income while leveraging their existing skills.

Here are some of the best side hustles for educators looking to earn extra money without overextending themselves.

1. Tutoring: A Flexible Way to Earn More

Tutoring is one of the best side hustles for teachers. Whether online or in-person, it allows you to use your expertise to help students who need extra assistance.

Websites like Wyzant, Chegg, and TutorMe connect teachers with students.

Private tutoring can be highly profitable, with rates depending on the subject and your experience.

Specializing in a niche subject or test prep can lead to even higher earnings.

You can also make more money if you have group tutoring sessions for a group rate.

For example, let’s suppose you charge $50 an hour for Algebra tutoring.

For those who think that’s too expensive you could offer a group session and let them know it’s only $25 an hour.

If you book that session with 5 people, you’re now making $125 an hour because you have 5 people paying $25. ($25 x 5=$125)

2. Create and Sell Online Courses

Teachers can monetize their expertise by creating and selling online courses on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare.

If you have specialized knowledge, you can develop engaging courses and earn passive income.

High-quality video production and interactive course elements make your course more appealing and profitable.

The sky is the limit on your income with this strategy because once you make a course, you can sell as many of them as you want.

It offers a little more flexibility and scalability than just trading time for dollars.

You could also upsell people who take the course into an expensive coaching program or something else that makes sense with your course.

3. Freelance Writing for Extra Income

If you have strong writing skills, freelance writing is a great way to make money.

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and ProBlogger connect writers with clients looking for educational content, curriculum writing, and blogging.

You can also write and self-publish educational eBooks to create an ongoing revenue stream.

Anybody can create and publish a book on Amazon.

Once you have your account set up and the book uploaded, Amazon will allow users to download the digital version or they will print and ship every book as people order it.

4. Sell Lesson Plans and Educational Resources

Teachers can make extra money by selling their lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom resources.

Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) allow you to sell high-quality teaching materials to fellow educators.

Consistently updating your materials and keeping up with education trends can help boost sales.

5. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

If you enjoy sharing knowledge, starting a blog or YouTube channel focused on education, teaching tips, or specific subjects can be a great way to earn money.

Monetization options include ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

By providing valuable and engaging content, you can grow a loyal audience and create an additional income stream.

Platforms like YouTube pay using a shared revenue model.

That means you get a piece of the ads that are used on your videos.

It also means that different types of content will pay different amounts.

It’s important that you do a little research into what topics pay the best and then see if any of those topics overlap with your interests.

This will allow you to make the most money off your efforts.

6. Adjunct Teaching or Online Teaching

Colleges and universities often hire adjunct professors for part-time teaching positions.

Online teaching platforms like VIPKid, Outschool, and Coursera allow educators to teach students worldwide.

Specializing in high-demand subjects or offering unique courses can increase your earnings.

7. Educational Consulting and/or Coaching

Experienced teachers can offer consulting services to schools, districts, or educational organizations.

Consulting may involve curriculum development, teacher training, or special education support.

This can be a high-paying side hustle for those with expertise in specific areas of education.

In fact, it is one of the areas my wife and I have recently dipped our foot into with the launch of our new company unlocking education. 

There is a lot of money to be made in educational consulting and coaching.

Not so much in teaching, but the state and federal dollars for other things are certainly there. They just aren’t there for the teachers (Stupid, I know).

8. Standardized Test Prep Tutoring

Many parents and students are willing to pay for high-quality test prep tutoring.

If you have experience with SAT, ACT, GRE, or AP exams, you can offer personalized tutoring sessions or create digital test prep materials for passive income.

This is a subset of the tutoring idea but it’s going to pay more because it’s more specialized and often there is an exact score students or parents are wanting.

So if you can get students to increase their scores on these tests for college admissions you will soon have more referrals than you can handle.

9. Sell Educational Products on Etsy

If you’re creative, consider selling printables, worksheets, or classroom décor on Etsy.

Many educators design unique and engaging teaching materials that other teachers and parents are eager to buy.

High-quality graphics, fresh ideas, and marketing savvy will help you stand out.

10. Real Estate or Investing

For teachers looking to build long-term wealth, real estate investing or becoming a licensed real estate agent can be an excellent option.

Many teachers use their summers to manage rental properties or assist with home sales.

Learning about market trends and financing options will help you succeed.

If you can’t buy your own real estate, look into what is needed in your state to manage rentals.

Typically a rental manager takes 1/2 the first month rent and about 10% of the monthly revenue as a fee for managing.

In my area there are very few good property managers.

I tried all the (allegedly) best ones and eventually managed my property myself.

Guess what I learned… I do a better job managing the rental AND I keep all the income it generates. It’s really a win-win.

11. Grant Writing for Schools and Nonprofits

Many schools and non-profit organizations need help securing funding.

If you have strong writing skills, consider offering grant writing services.

Researching different grant opportunities and crafting compelling proposals can make this a lucrative side hustle.

12. Start an Educational Podcast

Podcasting allows educators to share insights, interview experts, and discuss trends in education.

If you love talking about teaching, starting an education-focused podcast can lead to sponsorships and listener donations.

A unique angle or storytelling approach can help you stand out.

As somebody currently in the field of education, I can honestly say the entire system is broken.

If you don’t mind a little heat and controversy, you could create a podcast about all the problems in education.

You’d never run out of content and it would be entertaining and sharable.

13. Graphic Design for Educators

Teachers with design skills can create and sell infographics, classroom posters, and educational templates.

Using tools like Canva or Adobe Spark, you can design high-quality materials that teachers will love.

Offering customized designs can also increase your income.

This one is a little dicey because with AI going gangbusters right now people can create a lot of stuff even if they don’t have any skills.

You’ll want to think long and hard if this is something you think will continue to make money for you.

Try to offer something specialized in which your designs are embedded into the final product instead of the designs being the product.

Then you can charge a premium and it will be harder for AI to replicate.

14. Voiceover Work for Educational Content

If you have a clear speaking voice, voiceover work can be a great side gig.

Educators can work as voiceover artists for audiobooks, e-learning content, and educational videos.

Websites like Voices.com connect voiceover talent with clients.

15. Create Educational Apps or Software

If you’re tech-savvy, consider creating educational apps or collaborating with developers to build software for students and teachers.

Gamified learning experiences are in high demand, and with the right idea, this can be a highly profitable venture.

16. Host Local Workshops or Summer Camps

Teachers can organize local workshops or summer camps focused on STEM, arts, or literacy.

Partnering with community centers or local organizations can increase attendance and help you generate extra income while making a positive impact.

17. Manage Social Media for Schools and Nonprofits

Schools and education-related nonprofits need strong social media presence but may not have the time or skills to manage it.

Teachers can offer social media management services, creating engaging content and growing their online communities.

18. Transcription Services for Education Content

If you’re a fast typer, transcription services could be a great fit.

Teachers can transcribe educational lectures, podcasts, and meetings.

Websites like Rev and TranscribeMe offer flexible opportunities for freelancers.

Again, this one is possibly going to be replaced with AI in the near future, making it harder to make money this way.

19. Virtual Assistant for Education Professionals

Education consultants, administrators, or authors often need virtual assistants to handle emails, scheduling, and content management.

If you have strong organizational skills, offering virtual assistant services can be a reliable and well-paying side hustle.

20. Write and Publish Children’s Books

If you love storytelling, why not write and self-publish children’s books?

Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) make it easy to reach a wide audience.

Pairing up with illustrators and marketing your book effectively can boost sales.

Conclusion

Teachers have a wealth of skills that translate into profitable side hustles.

From tutoring and writing to online courses and educational products, there are countless ways to boost your income while staying connected to your passion for education. The key is choosing a side hustle that fits your schedule, strengths, and financial goals!

Other Interesting Articles:

Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Moms
Make Money Online: (No STUPID Crap)
How to Make Money in Creator Economy

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