10 Side Hustles for Teachers To Make Some Extra Money

At the heart of every teacher is a deep commitment to shaping young minds and making a lasting impact on the world. Yet, despite this noble purpose, teachers are about three times as likely as other U.S. workers to take a second job. many educators find themselves taking on additional jobs to make ends meet.

In this blog, we’ll explore accessible side hustles for teachers to make extra money, so you can boost your income without sacrificing your passion for teaching.

Making Money Online: Tips You Must Know

As you explore ways to make extra money online, remember the unique skills you've gained as a teacher. Not every side hustle is for you. We've put together our top tips for finding the best side hustles for teachers, so you can get excited for the possibilities ahead.

Tip 1 - Understand Your Goals

Before jumping into the deep end, it's important to understand your "why." Are you aiming to supplement your income, explore a new passion, or build something that could eventually replace your full-time job? Clarifying your goals will make your decision easier and keep you motivated when things get tough. Knowing what you want to achieve helps you pick the right opportunity and set realistic expectations from the start.

Tip 2 - Be Aware Of Your Time

As a teacher, time is already a precious resource, and adding another commitment means you have to be honest about how much time you can dedicate to this new venture. The last thing you want is to overcommit and risk burnout. Try using tools you already have, like calendars or task management apps, that organize your time effectively and ensure your new endeavor doesn’t interfere with your primary responsibilities as an educator.

Tip 3 - Start With What You Know

One of the biggest mistakes teachers make when looking for online side hustles is trying everything they come across. Fortunately, you’ve found us, and we've curated opportunities that leverage the skills and knowledge you already possess. Starting with what you know gives you a solid foundation and boosts your confidence. You’ll deliver quality work more efficiently, which is a huge relief when balancing multiple responsibilities. Plus, it allows you to explore new areas at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed by a steep learning curve.

10 Online Money-Making Opportunities

The opportunities below were chosen because they can all be done remotely and leverage your skills in creative and rewarding ways. Each varies in time commitment and upfront costs, so keep that in mind as you scroll!

1. Turn Your Expertise into a Book through Self-Publishing

As a teacher, you possess a wealth of knowledge that could benefit others.

Why not transform that expertise into a nice side hustle through self-publishing on Amazon? 

This opportunity allows you to educate beyond the classroom while potentially earning passive income online. The process of writing and sharing your insights can be incredibly rewarding and fun, especially as you see your ideas come to life and connect with readers. Plus, when you pair your expertise with AI to write a book, you can dramatically reduce the time and effort to produce and publish it.

Why is Self-Publishing One of the Best Side Hustles for Teachers?

With only pros in sight, self-publishing can offer flexibility, low-cost start, and generate virtually passive income. For teachers, it fits perfectly into their schedule, allowing them to work on projects after school hours or during breaks. In fact, self-publishing is one of the best ways to earn extra money in the evening.

Here are some of the reasons why you consider publishing your own book.

• Higher Royalties: Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing allow authors to earn up to 70% in royalties, compared to the 10-15% typical with traditional publishers. 
• Build Virtually Passive Income: Once your book is published, it can continue to generate income with little ongoing effort. 
• Low Start-Up Costs: Self-publishing costs are much lower than traditional publishing expenses, such as printing, distribution, and agent fees. You can publish an eBook with very little upfront investment.
• Time Flexibility: As a publisher, you control your schedule, allowing you to work at your own pace.

Where To Start? 🔍

Publishing.com stands out as a leader in self-publishing, offering a range of support:

• ‍Watch a Free Training: If you want insight on whether self-publishing is right for you, check out our webinar. It doesn't cost a thing. We’ll reveal our proven system, which hundreds of our students are using to publish books on Kindle Direct Publishing and make some extra side money.‍
• AI Publishing Academy: No heavy lifting on your part; just sit back and let the experts transplant years of data-back knowledge from their brains to yours. Our KDP self-publishing course allows you to discover all you need to know to succeed and gives you industry tips you won't find anywhere else. Plus, you’ll have access to our world-class support team every step of the way.
• ‍Browse Through Blogs: Everything you need to get started in self-publishing can be found in our blogs. Visit our self-publishing blog for helpful tips and resources to help you jumpstart your publishing journey. After all, a little research never hurt anyone!

Excited to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit? See the possibilities!

2. Tutoring Online

If teaching is your passion, tutoring as a side hustle can help you earn extra money while doing what you love. Many online tutoring platforms can connect you with students from all over the country who need your help and guidance. The best part? You can work from home or anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to fit tutoring around your busy teaching schedule. 

Where To Start? 🔍

Quickly search for “Online Tutoring Jobs” and explore your options to get started. To save you a few keystrokes, platforms like Pear Deck Learning offer a wide range of subjects and pay hourly, while Wyzant allows you to set your rates. Be sure to research and find a platform that aligns with your goals.

3. Online Course Creation

With online courses, you can expand your reach and share your knowledge of your favorite subjects. However, creating an online course requires a significant upfront effort, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and gain some new skills along the way. 

Where To Start? 🔍

It's important to find platforms that offer a variety of courses. Sites like Udemy and Teachable are great places to start since their content appeals to both students needing extra help and professionals looking to upskill. Some platforms may require a subscription fee, and your earnings may depend on how well your course performs.

4. Create and Sell Educational Resources

As a teacher, you’re already developing lesson plans, worksheets, interactive activities, and so much more. Why not share your work with the world? Other educators are willing to pay for pre-prepared activities if it means they can take a break from creating new materials or get inspired by new ideas.

Where To Start? 🔍

Sites such as Teachers Pay Teachers allow you to sell these resources to fellow teachers worldwide, allowing you to earn money from the work you've already done. The marketplace can be a bit crowded, so if you go this route, be sure to focus on high quality and relevance.

5. Educational YouTube Channel

With so many students and teachers turning to online video content for learning and inspiration. Creating engaging and informative videos on topics you’re passionate about allows you to establish yourself as an authority in your field while also potentially earning ad revenue, sponsorships, or affiliate income.

While building a channel does require time and effort—think planning, recording, editing, and promoting—the payoff can be significant.

Video Ideas:

• Tutorials
• How-to Guides
• Educational Series
• Live Q&A Sessions

The key to success lies in consistency, quality, and knowing your audience's needs.

6. Online Proofreading Services

Are you the person who cringes at missing commas? Does a misspelled word make you physically recoil? If so, you’re not alone. Those with a keen eye for detail and a strong grasp of grammar might be the perfect fit for online proofreading.

Where To Start? 🔍

People across various industries are looking for proofreaders to correct their work. Places like ProofreadingPal and Upwork can connect you with clients in need of your services, allowing you to build a steady stream of work. Plus, jobs are often deadline-driven, which means you can complete assignments on your own time, making them manageable alongside your teaching responsibilities.

7. Virtual Assistant Services

If you're organized, tech-savvy, and skilled at multitasking, offering virtual assistant (VA) services can be a profitable and flexible side hustle. As a VA, you'll assist businesses, entrepreneurs, or professionals with tasks like email management, scheduling, social media management, data entry, or basic bookkeeping. Essentially, you’ll put all those skills you picked up as a teacher to good use.

Where To Start? 🔍

The work's flexibility allows you to fit it around your teaching schedule, and a platform like Fiverr, for example, can connect you with clients seeking VA services.

8. Blogging and Content Writing

If you have a talent for writing and enjoy sharing your thoughts or expertise, blogging, and content writing could be a solid choice. Your ability to explain complex concepts makes you well-suited for creating engaging content. Blogging allows you to explore topics you're passionate about and can become monetized through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts. Though building a blog takes time, it can eventually help generate some extra income.You can check out ProBlogger for tips on getting started. Alternatively, freelance content writing opportunities found on regular job boards tend to offer more immediate returns but with stricter deadlines. If getting things done with a pen is your strong suit, check out these other side hustles for writers.

9. Educational Podcasting

You will need to fire up Amazon on this one since a podcast requires some initial setup, like choosing equipment and a hosting platform. Creating a podcast can offer a ton of flexibility. It’s up to you when and how many episodes you’d like to record within a given time, and you can batch-produce content on your own schedule to maintain consistency. 

Where To Start? 🔍

Podcasting allows you to explore topics like educational strategies or subject-specific content and can be monetized through sponsorships, ads, or listener donations. Software like SimpleCast or Captivate can help you get started.

10. Online Test Scoring

With no shortage of standardized tests, essays, or other assessments, offering your scoring services can be an easy way to make some extra money. The work is typically seasonal, aligning with testing periods, which might fit well around your teaching schedule. 

Where To Start? 🔍

Companies like Pearson are always looking for extra hands; however, the pay can be inconsistent, and the work can be repetitive, requiring intense focus for long periods.

Beware of These Beginner-friendly Online Jobs

As with anything, it’s important to keep an eye out for opportunities that may seem beginner-friendly but, when unmasked, are just time-consuming traps that offer little return for your efforts. So, let us shine a light on some of these so-called easy jobs so you can avoid the common mistakes that many newcomers make and focus your energy on more rewarding ventures.

• Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Schemes: We all have those Facebook friends who are always sharing posts about the "last few spots" to join the latest opportunity, promising big rewards with minimal effort. MLM schemes can seem tempting, but it's important to know what you're really getting into. These schemes usually require a significant upfront investment in products and then demand a lot of hard work to find buyers and convince them to not only purchase but also join as sellers themselves. Many participants end up spending more than they earn and find the process more challenging than anticipated.

• Survey Sites Promising Big Bucks: Constant streams of ads seem to follow you everywhere online, especially those promising easy cash for sharing your thoughts, making survey sites appear as a quick and easy way to earn extra money. While some legitimate survey sites do offer small payments for completed surveys, the compensation is usually low.

• Content Mills: Content mills are platforms that connect freelance writers with clients seeking quick, low-cost content. While these sites might seem like an easy way to make money online, especially for beginners, the reality often falls short of expectations. Content mills typically offer very low pay, sometimes just a few dollars per article, regardless of your effort. The work can be repetitive and uninspiring, leaving little room for creativity or skill enhancement. Plus, the intense competition makes it hard to secure steady work.

Is Earning Money Online for Newbies Hard?

Entering the world of online side hustles can seem daunting, especially if you're new. With countless opportunities and platforms available, it’s natural to wonder whether earning money online is challenging. Let us put some of those worries to rest. 

Down with Doubts

Sometimes, you are your own worst enemy, and many newcomers face common objections like…

“I don't have enough experience or skills” 

We all start somewhere, but you have so much to offer as a teacher. There are tons of people who offer their two cents who are far less educated than you, so saturate the market with all the expertise you have and grow your skills as you go.

“There are too many scams and unreliable opportunities”

Valid concern, but if you never try anything, you’ll never know success. As long as you do your research and check for reviews from real people, you can protect yourself!

“I just don't have the time”

You know you best. If time is a concern, choose a side hustle that you can complete without time constraints and that can generate passive income, that way after your work is done you can take a backseat and relax on autopilot.

How to Start Generating Online Income for Beginners

Getting started is the hardest part. Just as writing a book involves thoughtful planning, dedication, and leveraging your unique expertise, so does exploring various online side hustles. The key to start issetting clear goals, managing your time effectively, and choosing ventures that align with your strengths and interests. Your success will come from persistence and a willingness to learn and adapt. So, get ready to explore, create, and make money—your next big opportunity is just a click away!