Exploring Modern Side Hustles for Educators

Educators shouldn’t need side hustles. In an ideal world, K-12 school teachers would be compensated fully for their invaluable contributions to society. But we don’t live in an ideal world, and most teachers we know are not paid nearly what they are worth. 

So, what’s a teacher to do? This article explores some of the ways K-12 teachers in the United States can side hustle to supplement their teacher salaries.

8 Great Side Hustles for Educators

Tutoring

Back in the day, many teachers would commonly tutor for extra cash. Sure, that’s still a thing, but Kahn Academy, many other online platforms, and AI are now competing with IRL tutoring. That has hurt both the going hourly rate and the number of available gigs. 

Technology is not all bad, of course. While it’s true that parents have more online options today for getting their children extra help, many teachers have leaned into that fact by offering virtual tutoring services to students around the world. Platforms like Tutor.com, Cambly.com, VaristyTutors.com, and VIPKid.com are just some of the marketplaces that match tutors with students. If tutoring kids in preparation for SATs, ACTs, or other standardized tests is more your jam, look to a platform like PrepNow.com.

If tutoring isn’t your thing, platforms such as Teachers Pay Teachers allow educators to earn passive income from resources they have already developed.

Selling Real Estate

Many teachers are licensed residential real estate agents. While still a solid way to earn extra money, the National Association of Realtors announced a legal settlement on March 15, 2024, that will likely cause real estate commissions to fall up to 50%. 

Freelance Writing and Blogging

Many teachers possess strong writing and editing skills that can be monetized through freelance writing or blogging. Educational blogs, parenting advice columns, or contributing to educational publications are excellent ways for teachers to share their knowledge and insights while earning extra money. But there’s no reason to be so limited.

Strong writing and editing skills can be used for nearly any subject matter. FinancialPoise.com, for example, makes a point of employing editors who do not have subject matter knowledge because our authors provide the subject matter expertise, and we need to ensure that our readers, who are not subject matter experts, can understand our articles.

Websites like Upwork and Freelancer offer opportunities to take on writing projects that suit a teacher’s area of expertise and interest. Craigslist is also a venue where some publishers look for help.

Seasonal Work Opportunities

Seasonal work has always been and remains a practical option for a teacher’s side hustle. Summer camps, in particular, provide opportunities aligned with the school calendar. These roles not only offer financial benefits but also keep teachers engaged with their passion for working with children in less formal settings. 

Coaching and Mentoring

Coaching or mentoring can be a fulfilling side gig for those with a knack for sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities. Many such opportunities, of course, exist within schools, which commonly offer extra pay to teachers who agree to be faculty advisors to school clubs. 

E-commerce and Craft Sales

Teachers with hobbies such as crafting, art, or woodworking can consider turning these passions into an online business. Platforms like Etsy allow people to sell their creations to a broad audience. This side hustle can be particularly rewarding as it offers a creative outlet and the potential for significant supplemental income.

Educational Consulting and Professional Development

Experienced educators can offer their skills in curriculum development, educational technology integration, and educational product sales. Sunburst.com, for example, is currently looking for teachers to act as ‘ambassadors’ to help introduce schools to its product offerings.

Community Education Courses

Community colleges, park districts and neighborhood centers offer non-credit lifelong learning courses for all ages. Experienced teachers can lead courses on nights, weekends, or during the summer. Topics span a wide range, including craft, hobby, fitness and other personal enrichment areas, allowing educators the chance to get paid to share their knowledge, skills and interests with the community.

What Else Can Teachers Do for Supplemental Income?

Common Side-Gigs Worth Avoiding

If you do an internet search along the lines of “What are some side hustles educators can do?” you will see many articles offering a wide range of suggestions, including ideas such as delivering food, driving a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, landscaping, house cleaning, working retail, and home organizing. We hate those ideas. Some don’t pay enough. Some can be dangerous. Some may put you in an awkward position if a customer turns out to be a student or a parent of a student.

Fun Side-Gigs Worth Exploring

On the other hand, our suggestions above are anything but comprehensive. For example, if you happen to live in a city, tour guiding during the summer months can be fun and lucrative. And while we don’t like the idea of working retail, working as a yoga instructor or the like can be fun, lucrative, and good for your health. If math is your specialty, then bookkeeping may be something to consider (and Bookkeepers.com is a place to start). 

More generally, it’s certainly feasible to turn what you like doing into a way to make money. Like flea markets, for example? You can buy things in real life and flip them online. Love dogs? Your schedule permitting, you can do dog walking. Single and looking to meet people? Bartending may be right for you. You get the point. 

Maximize What You Already Have

One last thing: save and invest wisely, and that includes taking full advantage of your 403(b), 457(b), or 401(k) plans, as applicable. You must let your money work! While you do not need to be an expert, you must understand at least the basics to do that well. If you do not, please read Investing Basics For Beginners Installment #1: What is Stock? And Should You Buy Some? 

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[Editors’ Note: To learn more about this and related topics, you may want to attend the following on-demand webinars (which you can view at your leisure, and each includes a comprehensive customer PowerPoint about the topic):

1. The Start-Up/Small Business Advisor
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