Side Hustles for Teachers That Fit Your Schedule and Skills
Teachers possess valuable skills, but their paychecks rarely reflect their true worth. Many educators are discovering side hustles that work with school schedules and pay surprisingly well. Your teaching background opens doors in the gig economy that others may not be able to access.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average U.S. public school teacher salary was about $66,000 in 2023, though costs of living and inflation have made that paycheck stretch thinner than ever. In this article, we will go over several side hustles for teachers that can help you increase your income.
Side Hustles for Teachers
Online Tutoring Works Around You
Wyzant allows you to set your own rates, while Tutor.com pays fixed hourly rates determined by the platform. Independent tutors typically charge $25 to $60 per hour. The control varies by platform, but flexibility remains a key factor. You can choose to teach only on Sunday afternoons if that fits your schedule. Some platforms offer short 15 or 30-minute sessions, though not all do.
Just avoid scheduling tutoring during your contracted school hours. Administration frowns on that, and for good reason.
One-on-one tutoring often reminds many teachers why they chose a career in education. No classroom management issues, just focused learning. International students often need help at odd hours due to time zones, meaning 6 AM sessions before school or late-night tutoring after grading papers. The schedule that seems impossible might be perfect for someone halfway around the world. And yes, pajama pants below camera range are totally fine.
Sell the Lesson Plans You Already Have
Start with materials already created and tested in your classroom. The fraction worksheet that finally clicked for your kids? Upload it. Those creative writing prompts that got reluctant writers excited? Share those too.
Teachers Pay Teachers works like Etsy for educators, although realistic expectations are crucial. A small minority of sellers make a substantial income. Most earn modest amounts that help with monthly bills.
Clean, simple resources that work beat pretty but impractical materials every time. Teachers shopping online want something they can print and use the next day. Forget fancy graphics if design isn’t your thing.
Success on TPT requires ongoing work, including creating previews, updating resources, responding to questions, and marketing your store. The initial upload is just the beginning.
Building a following takes time, consistency, and the creation of new content to stay visible in search results. That Revolutionary War unit your students loved might be your first bestseller, or it might take twenty uploads before something catches on.
Explore more teacher side hustles here → Side Hustles
Test Prep That Pays
Parents invest heavily in test prep. Independent tutors typically charge between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on their location and experience. Working with established test prep companies often brings lower pay but a steadier stream of clients. Small group sessions can boost income, such as earning $90 per hour by teaching three students at $30 each.
Local parent Facebook groups come alive around January as the testing season approaches. Start by helping families you know. Strong test scores speak louder than any advertisement, and word-of-mouth spreads quickly through parent networks. Libraries and coffee shops provide neutral meeting spaces if you prefer not to tutor at home.
Teach Niche Classes Online
Outschool allows teachers to create classes on almost any subject, provided the content is secular, objective, and age-appropriate. Six students paying $15 each means $90 gross, but only about $63 after Outschool’s 30% commission is applied. Specific topics often outperform generic subjects, such as Algebra through Minecraft, which might find its audience, while basic math tutoring faces heavy competition.
Pre-recorded courses on Udemy require upfront summer work with mixed results. While you might list a course at $49, Udemy’s frequent sales mean students often pay $10-15. Your share changes based on how the sale originated, with many instructors seeing $2-5 per sale after platform fees. Research what’s already available before investing time. Topics directly derived from your teaching experience tend to resonate most with buyers seeking practical, classroom-tested strategies.
Taylor Swift’s impact on poetry could work. Marine biology for Pokémon fans targets a specific group. The weirder it sounds in the teacher’s lounge, the better it might sell online.
Consult on What You Do Best
Every school has that one teacher everyone asks about, such as IEPs, reading intervention, or technology integration. Educational consultants typically charge $75 to $200 per hour. College application consulting commands even higher rates, with comprehensive packages ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.
Starting doesn’t require a website or business cards. Let other teachers know you’re available for parent consultations. Join local parent groups and offer brief initial consultations that build trust. Evening and weekend Zoom calls work around your teaching schedule. Ethical consultants help students find good fits rather than promise acceptances.
Summer Camps That Hire Teachers
Day camps typically pay certified teachers $20 to $35 per hour. Residential programs include room and board alongside weekly salaries ranging from $500 to $1,500.
Running your own summer program can be more profitable but requires solid planning. Ten students paying $200 each brings in $2,000 before expenses. After accounting for costs such as space rental, insurance, materials, and staff, the profit may be approximately half. Teacher credentials can support higher pricing, and small group sizes can be a strong selling point when promoted well.
Partnerships reduce individual workload and risk. One teacher handles math and science, while another teaches writing and art. Split costs and profits while sharing planning responsibilities. Successful programs often expand to holiday camps and weekend workshops, building a reputation with returning families who plan vacations around your schedule.
Business Basics That Protect You
Check your district’s outside employment policy before starting any side hustle. Many districts require approval for tutoring or have restrictions on working with current students. Tutoring your own students is usually prohibited and always ethically questionable.
Side hustle income means 1099 forms and quarterly tax payments—set aside 25–30% of your income for taxes immediately. The IRS Self-Employed Tax Center has free tools and calculators that make it easier to stay compliant. Basic bookkeeping apps help track expenses like materials, mileage, and platform fees. Professional payment processing through Venmo Business or PayPal protects both you and your clients. Establish clear policies upfront about cancellations, refunds, and communication boundaries.
Protect student information carefully. FERPA rules still apply even in private tutoring. Consider basic liability insurance if you’re working with children outside of established platforms. These aren’t fun details, but handling them upfront prevents problems later.
Conclusion
Focus on one side hustle and get good at it before taking on another. Keep your teaching job secure, as it provides a steady income and benefits. If tutoring starts cutting into your rest or grading time, it’s time to adjust.
Establish clear boundaries and systems to prevent burnout. Use scheduling tools, automate payments, and prepare email templates. Successful teachers handle side hustles professionally, keeping them balanced, so the extra income enhances life instead of adding stress.
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.
