Side Hustles for Grad Students: 10 Ways to Make Extra Money

Grad school can feel like a marathon of deadlines, research, and relentless studying, and for many, there's an extra burden: debt. Some graduate students take on jobs like waiting tables, bartending, or becoming an assistant, but these gigs often come at the cost of your precious time and energy—something that isn't exactly in surplus. Worse yet, they aren’t flexible or scalable.

What if there were side hustles that didn’t just give you extra cash for living expenses but also helped you build valuable skills while keeping your schedule flexible? We’ve rounded up some innovative options that can fit seamlessly into your busy life as a grad student.

Top 10 Side Hustles for Grad Students

Whether you need extra money to pay off debt or just some cash for a nice summer vacation, these side hustles can help. We’ve ranked them based on flexibility, earning potential, and ease of getting started—beginning with self-publishing, a scaleable and flexible option for grad students.

1. Self-Publishing on Amazon

Self-publishing through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows you to publish and sell eBooks or paperback books with zero upfront costs as well as reach millions of readers worldwide. In short, you write a book, which is nothing more than a long essay—you know all about those—think 4000 words on the short side, and Amazon pays you while you sleep.

Why Self-Publishing is Great For Grad Students  

To start, pick a topic that pairs perfectly with something you're already researching, copy and paste all your findings into a coherent book, and make money. Two birds, one stone, but there are other perks too, such as:

• Flexible Schedule: You can write and publish your book on your own time, allowing you to fit this side hustle around your academic schedule.
• Low Cost: With Amazon KDP, you don’t need to invest in printing or shipping. The platform is free to use and free to upload.
• Passive Royalty Income: Once your book is published, royalties can generate income indefinitely. This means you can focus on schoolwork while still earning money.

How to Get Started  

If you can navigate a discussion board, you can create an Amazon KDP account. As a matter of fact, if you're already an Amazon Prime member, it’s even easier to get started. But before you start opening accounts, you need something to publish. To help beginners like you break into the self-publishing market, we created a complete guide to teach you “How to Self-Publish a Book”. If you’re curious about the overall process and how AI can help you do it quicker, then watch our free training.

Skip to the Good Part

Every newbie makes some mistakes as they learn, but if you could skip the trial and error phase, chances are you would. That’s why we created our AI Publishing Academy course. Our self-publishing course teaches you everything you need to know to succeed from the get-go. You also get access to multiple training sessions with our expert team of coaches as well as round-the-clock support. We guide you every step by sharing our proven methods to self-publish quickly and effectively so you can focus on earning passive income while pursuing your degree.

Our Student Tells All

Our student, Tessa, joined our 1k club after discovering our course. She tried another course in the past that “pales in comparison to PA and AIA.” 

What lesson did she learn? After attending our workshops and receiving guidance from her coach, she “focused solely on nailing the four pillars” that we teach in our self-publishing course. 

Her hope? To “encourage someone who might have had a dud first book or [those] getting bogged down in the small (unimportant) details that have nothing to do with the 4 pillars - YOU’VE GOT THIS!”

Read more self-publishing success tales here.

2. Freelance Writing or Editing

Future professors, poets, and grammar enthusiasts alike can try freelancing. As a grad student, your excellent writing skills and critical thinking skills are already top-notch, making this a natural side gig.

How to Get Started  

With a freelancing job, you put in some work upfront to make your portfolio suitable for prospective clients. You can find prospects by signing up on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Depending on the type of writing or editing, you could charge anywhere from $25 to $100 per hour.

Once you land a gig, you’ll need to set aside time to manage your clients' requests, accounting for communication. Other than the time commitment and sourcing work, this can be a great side hustle that can double as an additional opportunity to gain valuable experience.

3. Tutoring

Tutoring is an in-demand side hustle, especially for grad students who excel in specific subjects. You can offer tutoring services either locally or through online platforms.

How to Get Started  

Sign up for a tutoring platform like Wyzant or Tutor.com, find online job boards, or simply connect with students in your area. Rates vary, but depending on your subject expertise, you can expect to charge $20 to $60 per hour.

Managing your calendar is going to be an important part of this side gig, as you’ll need to create lesson plans in advance for long-term tutoring or be prepared for time to run out when you're having particular trouble with more difficult assignments.

4. Teaching Assistantships

Since you already spend most of your time in school, becoming a teaching or research assistant (TA) is a natural side hustle for many. Not only does it offer a steady income, but it also provides invaluable experience, especially if you're pursuing a future career in education or research.

How to Get Started  

TA positions are usually offered through your academic department. Look for openings on campus or inquire about open opportunities directly with your professors. These positions can be competitive, so good academic standing and strong relationships with fellow students and faculty can boost your chances.

Balancing your TA responsibilities with your academic commitments is vital in graduate school. You'll need to manage grading, office hours, and sometimes even leading class discussions—all while staying on top of your own academic progress. However, the compensation and networking opportunities can make it worth the effort.

5. Online Course Creation

Use your own knowledge and prior research to create an income-generating online course. Creating an online course can be rewarding and profitable if you have specialized knowledge in any area, from academic subjects to personal interests.

How to Get Started  

Platforms like Udemy and Teachable make creating, marketing, and selling your course easy. Start by outlining your course content, recording your lectures, editing them, and uploading them to the platform. The more niche your subject, the less competition you’ll have, making it easier to stand out and attract students.

Once your course is live and a student enrolls, you’ll start to earn money. Just remember that successful course creators often update their material or add new content to keep it fresh and relevant, so be prepared for some ongoing maintenance.

6. Freelance Graphic Design

If you have an eye for design, freelancing as a graphic designer could be an option. This industry is in demand, and by offering quality visual solutions like logos, social media graphics, or website design, you can get some extra cash.

How to Get Started  

Similar to writing, you’ll need to build a portfolio showcasing your design skills, even if it's just personal or student projects to start. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are great for finding freelance gigs. Alternatively, you can approach small businesses or local entrepreneurs who need affordable design work.

Pricing varies based on design experience, but as a beginner, you can charge around $25 per hour or have a set amount per project. As your portfolio grows, so can your rates. Just be sure to stay organized, as client deadlines can pile up fast!

7. Selling Handmade Products on Etsy

If you’re creative and enjoy crafting, selling handmade products on Etsy can be a fulfilling side hustle. Items such as jewelry, artwork, or custom items can be great options for turning a hobby into a side hustle.

How to Get Started  

Start your own business by opening an Etsy shop and start listing your handmade items. Be sure to invest time in taking high-quality photos and writing detailed descriptions, as presentations can make or break your sales. Once your shop is live, you must also handle orders, shipping, and customer service.

While there is income potential, keep in mind that it may take some time to build a following. You'll also need to stay on top of trends and adjust your inventory to meet demand, so it's important to be both creative and business-savvy. Speaking of being business-savvy, you’ll have to consider all the money that goes into maintaining your small business.

8. Virtual Assistant Jobs

With more businesses and entrepreneurs needing help with day-to-day administrative tasks, virtual assistants (VAs) are in high demand. A workload may look like scheduling meetings, general event planning, or just managing emails. This can be a flexible side hustle that allows you to work from anywhere.

How to Get Started  

Create a profile on freelance platforms like Upwork or Zirtual and highlight any administrative or other organizational skills or experience you have. As a VA, you can expect to earn anywhere from $18 to $35 per hour, depending on the services you provide.

While the work can be flexible, managing multiple clients can get hectic, especially around deadlines. The key to success here is time management and clear communication with clients to ensure you can balance your grad school commitments with your VA commitments.

9. Blogging

Has anyone ever told you you're very opinionated? If so, blogging could be right up your alley. Share your thoughts on specific topics and earn money doing it. Once your blog gains some traction, you can monetize it through ads, affiliate marketing, or even selling your own products.

How to Get Started  

Set up your blog using platforms like WordPress or Squarespace. Choose a niche you're passionate about. Popular topics might include lifestyle, personal finance, or even academic topics. Once your audience grows, you can start earning through ad networks like Google AdSense or affiliate programs like Amazon Associates.

The downside? Blogging requires time and consistency to build traffic. You’ll need to regularly publish content and promote your blog on your social media accounts. It’s also a great deal of upfront learning, but you can carry that with you into your own career path.

10. Ride-Sharing or Delivery Services

If you have a bike or a car, you can try delivery services. Depending on your city and area, you could make a decent amount off of tips alone. For those who have a car and enjoy driving, working for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft can be a quick way to earn cash.

How to Get Started  

All you need is a reliable mode of transportation, a clean driving record, a useable cell phone, and to meet the age requirements of the platform. Once approved, you can start earning immediately. Expect to make anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour, depending on demand and your location.

This is a convenient option and a great way to make money on your own schedule, but do keep in mind that it can be physically tiring, and costs like fuel and car maintenance can eat into your profits. For short-term financial boosts, however, it’s hard to beat the quick cash.

Create a Scalable Side Hustle

Every grad student’s situation is different, but the right side hustle can do more than just pay the bills; it can set you up for long-term financial success. While most grad students are driving for Uber or starting their own business on Etsy to help in the short term, nothing compares to the potential supplemental income you can earn through self-publishing. With Amazon KDP, you can create a scalable business that works for you, even when you're focused on your studies.

Ready to fast-track your success? Publishing.com can help you make some extra cash or create a long-term financial safety net. Either way, we’ll help you get there one step at a time.

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