I’ve always respected teachers’ dedication and passion for their work. However, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for people to make ends meet, particularly when their passion for the industry does not always convert into financial security. While I am not a teacher, I have spent a lot of time exploring ways for educators to supplement their income without increasing their stress. This post is the product of that research, to assist teachers in finding profitable side hustles that will not burn them out.
This article will look at ten side hustles that take advantage of teachers’ unique skills and provide both freedom and financial incentives. Whether you want to make a little extra money or consider a larger side income, these solutions are intended to integrate effortlessly into your life as an educator.
Top Ten Side Hustles for Teachers That Pay Well
#1. Online tutoring
Online tutoring is one of the most natural side hustles for teachers. You may now teach students worldwide from the comfort of your own home thanks to platforms such as VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, and Tutor.com. The demand for online education has increased dramatically, particularly since the pandemic, and teachers can earn anywhere from $15 to $60 per hour depending on the subject and level of knowledge.
Why It’s Lucrative: You’re already a teaching expert, so switching to an online platform is simple. Furthermore, you can establish your hours, making it more flexible around your teaching schedule.
During the summer, you can begin tutoring online, which can become a consistent source of income you can manage alongside your normal teaching responsibilities.
#2. Youtube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching may be both entertaining and profitable. YouTube can help you reach a large audience with teaching insights, subject-specific tutorials, and classroom management assistance.
Why It is Lucrative: YouTube channels can be monetized with advertisements, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, resulting in many revenue streams.
As your channel grows, older videos continue to produce views and revenue, making them a valuable passive income source.
#3. Freelance Writing
Teachers are natural communicators, and this expertise transfers well to freelance writing. There are other opportunities available, such as producing instructional blog posts, creating content for educational websites, and even authoring books. Sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger frequently post projects that require an educational background.
Why It’s Lucrative: Freelance writers can earn $50 to $150 per piece, depending on its length and complexity. Writing can be done on your own time, making it an ideal option for teachers.
I began writing articles for educational blogs and discovered that it provided a creative outlet while also increasing my income. Sharing my classroom experiences allowed me to connect with a bigger audience.
Read Also: WHAT IS FREELANCE WRITING: What They Do, Job Sites Online & Beginners
#4. Selling Educational Resources
Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) allows educators to sell lesson plans, worksheets, and other teaching materials that they have prepared. If you’ve created resources that are effective in your classroom, why not share them with other teachers?
Why It’s Profitable: Top sellers on TpT can make hundreds of dollars every month. Even if you start small, the passive revenue potential is substantial because your things can sell repeatedly over time.
My buddy Titi submitted a handful of her favorite lesson plans to TpT simply to see what would happen, and we were surprised by how quickly the sales accumulated. It has become a consistent source of money with little effort since the original upload.
#5. Private Tutoring
In addition to online tutoring, private, in-person tutoring is still a popular choice. You can teach students in your neighborhood, either at their homes or in public areas such as libraries. Specializing in test preparation (SAT, ACT, etc.) can be extremely profitable.
Why It’s Profitable: Depending on your location and subject competence, private instructors can charge $40 to $100 per hour. You can also choose how many clients to take on, keeping things manageable.
I began coaching a few students after school, focused on SAT preparation. The one-on-one connection allowed me to significantly improve their results, which was quite fulfilling.
#6. Investing in Dividend Stocks
While not directly related to teaching, investing in dividend stocks can be a long-term source of passive income. Investing in companies that offer regular dividends allows you to get recurring payments without having to make any additional effort.
Why It is Lucrative: Dividend stocks provide a consistent income stream, and with the appropriate investments, your earnings can compound over time.
Once you’ve made your investments, the income is completely passive, requiring only occasional portfolio inspections.
Read Also: DIVIDEND STOCKS: Understanding Dividend Stocks and How to Invest
#7. Proofreading and Editing
Teachers, particularly those with excellent language skills, can provide proofreading and editing services to students, writers, and businesses. This work may be done from home and rarely requires long-term commitments, making it suitable for busy instructors.
Why It’s Lucrative: Proofreaders and editors might earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on the job. It is flexible work that may be completed in your spare time.
I started proofreading for a local author, and it was a terrific way for me to practice my language abilities while earning extra money. The work is flexible enough to fit with your teaching schedule.
#8. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
If you love animals, pet sitting or dog walking might be a stress-relieving side income. Services like Rover and Wag! connect pet owners with caregivers, and you can schedule your availability around your teaching schedule.
Why It’s Lucrative: Pet sitters can earn $25 to $40 per day, while dog walkers can get $15 to $25 every walk. The job is pleasurable and requires little mental effort, making it an excellent way to unwind after a day of teaching.
Start a dog walking over the summer as a great way to keep active and decompress. Plus, who does not enjoy spending time with dogs?
#9. Photography
Many teachers have a creative side, and photography can be a rewarding and profitable way to express it. Whether you’re doing portrait photography, event photography, or selling stock images online, this side hustle allows you to see the world through your lens.
Why It’s Lucrative: Photographers can earn between $50 and $200 per hour, depending on the sort of job. Selling stock images can potentially provide passive revenue over time.
I took up photography as a hobby and quickly discovered it could be turned into a side hustle. It’s been a terrific creative outlet, and I’ve earned some extra money photography local events.
#10. Virtual Assistant
As more organizations move online, the need for virtual assistants (VAs) has increased. Teachers, with their organized and multitasking abilities, are ideal for this profession. Virtual assistants undertake responsibilities like as email management, social media scheduling, and customer service from the comfort of their homes.
Virtual assistants can earn between $15 and $30 per hour, and the work is quite flexible, making it easy to accommodate around a teaching schedule.
I took on part-time virtual assistant work for a small business owner and discovered it to be an excellent way to earn extra money without worry. The duties were varied and fascinating, making the work enjoyable.
Can I Work Side Hustles as a Teacher?
Absolutely! Merging side hustles is an excellent strategy to increase your earnings while broadening your talents and interests. Many of the side hustles for teachers suggested work well together, allowing you to generate many revenue streams without doing a lot of extra work. The secret to successfully combining side hustles is to select those that complement your current expertise and timetable.
For example, if you sell educational resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, you may develop a corresponding online course that delves further into your subject matter. Similarly, if you enjoy freelance writing, you may use that expertise to launch a blog or produce eBooks, both of which have the potential to provide passive income.
Let’s look at how you can integrate side hustles without burning yourself out.
#1. Tutoring and Curriculum Development
While tutoring, you might identify gaps in the available resources and develop instructional items to sell online. Your tutoring experience will enable you to develop high-quality, in-demand lesson plans or resources.
#2. Freelance Writing and Selling Educational Resources
Writing articles about education or teaching ideas for blogs or publications might help you promote your educational resources on TpT. It’s a natural mix in which you apply your knowledge in both fields.
#3. Photography and Blogging or YouTube
If you adore photography, why not share your creative process or tips on a blog or YouTube channel? These sites enable you to demonstrate your expertise, thereby reaching a broader audience for your services.
#4. Online Courses and Blogging
You can establish an online course while also writing blog pieces on your area of expertise. The blog can be used as a marketing platform for your course, helping to attract students and promote your brand.
Managing many side hustles
While merging side hustles might boost your earnings, it’s critical to manage your time wisely to avoid burnout. Here are some tips to help you balance several hustles:
- Prioritize What’s Most Profitable: Concentrate on side hustles that generate the most money or have the best potential for passive revenue. Use the Side Hustle Planner for Teachers template to track your income and time investment for each hustle, allowing you to determine which ones require more of your focus.
- Maximize Passive Revenue Streams: Combine active hustles like tutoring with passive revenue streams like selling educational resources or online courses. In this manner, you may devote your time to high-value work while earning passively in the background.
- Stay Organized: Organizing your side hustles is essential. Use Google Calendar, Trello, or the Side Hustle Planner to keep track of deadlines, tutoring sessions, and writing gigs. Breaking down things into smaller chunks will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Outsource or Automate Where Possible: If one of your side hustles is thriving, think about outsourcing repetitive activities or automating processes. For example, if you have a blog, you can use scheduling tools to produce content or hire a virtual assistant to do administrative duties.
Combining side hustles is not only doable, but it can be quite profitable if done right. You can increase your earnings without overwhelming yourself by combining several income streams that complement your teaching skills. The idea is to start small, track your progress, and then grow as you get experience handling several tasks.
Template: Side Hustle Planner for Teachers
To get you started, I created a Side Hustle Planner for Teachers template. This planner will walk you through the process of selecting the ideal side hustle based on your talents, interests, and availability. It includes sections on goal setting, revenue tracking, and smart time management.
This template is especially handy for teachers who wish to try out side hustles without getting overwhelmed. Download the template here.
Side Hustle Planner for Teachers Template
Common Questions About Side Hustles
What happens if I don’t have time for a side hustle?
The goal is to find a side hustle that matches your schedule. Many of the choices listed above are adaptable and can be completed in small time chunks. Using the Side Hustle Planner for Teachers template might help you figure out where you can squeeze in extra work without burning out.
How do I begin with online tutoring?
Platforms such as VIPKid and Tutor.com make it simple to sign up and begin tutoring online. You will need to show your credentials and may have to complete a teaching demonstration, but once accepted, you can begin instructing immediately.
Is it tough to offer instructional materials online?
Selling through services like Teachers Pay Teachers is simple. Begin by uploading high-quality resources you’ve previously made and promoting them within the educator community to garner traction.
Can I make money as a freelance writer?
Yes, especially if you prioritize instructional stuff. Teaching-related articles, lesson plans, and blog posts are in high demand. Begin by creating a portfolio and offering your talents to educational websites and blogs.
Do I need any special photography equipment?
While professional equipment might enhance your photography, many excellent photographers begin with a high-quality smartphone camera or a basic DSLR. The idea is to improve your talents and flair.
- Many side hustles for teachers, such as online tutoring or curriculum creation, take advantage of your existing knowledge.
- Choose side hustles that allow you to work around your teaching schedule to minimize burnout.
- Selling instructional resources or stock photographs can provide continual revenue with little effort.
- Side hustles such as photography or writing not only generate extra revenue but also provide a creative outlet from the demands of teaching.
Conclusion
Finding a side hustle as a teacher does not have to increase your stress levels. By selecting the correct possibilities, you can increase your earnings and perhaps discover new passions without burning out. Whether it’s tutoring, writing, or even pet sitting, the appropriate side hustle can help your teaching career in ways you never expected.
Which side hustle do you believe will work best with your teaching schedule, and how will you get started?
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