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17 Best Side Hustles For Teachers To Make Extra Income

Seki Hudson
17 Best Side Hustles For Teachers To Make Extra Income

I have been a teacher for the majority of my life. I started as a primary school teacher, then transitioned to secondary/high school teaching, and most recently, I was a teacher/instructor at a technological university here in Mexico.

One of the reasons I am no longer a teacher (formal teacher) is that it always seems like teachers are undervalued and underpaid, so I always had to find a new way to make extra money.

The search for extra money led me to try many side hustles, and here I will share what I consider the best side hustles for teachers so that my fellow teachers can earn that extra cash.

17 best side hustles for teachers to make extra income

I tried almost all the side hustles I will mention (except two, but I added them because my girlfriend, a teacher, did those two).

For each side hustle, I will mention how I started it and the result I have, and at the end, I will recommend the ones with huge income potential.

Tutoring

This is my second-oldest side hustle. I started this when I was in high school. I would find students who had issues in certain subjects, especially mathematics, and I would tutor them, and their parents would pay me for my service. This way I was able to pay my school fees and buy some things I needed.

How to get started

At the school or in your neighborhood, you can find students who are looking for tutors, and you can start from there.

Also, you can do this online; you can go to https://www.tutor.com/ and register, fill out the form with the subject you specialize in, and you will start getting students.

Results

I did this both offline and online. I used to charge between $10 and $20 per one-hour session, good income if you are living in a third-world country. I do not do this anymore.

Online Teaching

If you have a computer and an internet connection, you can start teaching online.

Depending on the subject that you master, you can create a course in that subject and list it on sites like https://www.udemy.com/, and students can start taking the lessons, and for each student, you will get paid.

How do you get started?

This side hustle works best if you have some video editing skills; also, you might need a good camera and microphone to be able to create the course.

You can get a cheap camera from Amazon. 

You need to create an outline of the course, and each part of the outline will be one video; then you will need to create a script for the videos.

After the script, you can shoot the course and edit it to cut unwanted parts. After you have your course ready, you can upload it to Udemy.

It seems like a lot of work, and yes, it is, but when the course is complete, you can sell it to different students and generate passive income.

My results

I studied control engineering, and I was teaching how to program PLCs at the university, what I did was I used the same material I used at the university, created a course, and started to sell it online, but I did not make much money (less than $1000), this is because I did not like it much, but there is a potential for it. 

Freelance Writing

If you like to write, you will love this. There are a lot of people who start websites, blogs, and so on; They need subject matter experts in certain subjects, and you can be that person.

How to get started

If you have a computer, you can start this for free. You need to go to pages like fiverr.com or unbonce.com, register, and start looking for people who are searching for writers.

If you are new, you can charge $5 to $10 per article, and if people like what you do, you can leverage that to charge more. I have a friend who is making between $70 and $200 per article.

My results

I tried this a few years ago. I was making a decent income from Fiverr; I was making $10 to $30 per day, and from where I was in life, that was a very good income. I stopped it because nowadays I prefer to write for my blogs.

Selling Educational Resources

Another side hustle you can do is selling educational resources; they do not have to be complicated. You can find something students need, make a resource for them, and sell it.

My results

I remember the days when I was teaching English. I figured out that most students were struggling with verbs, so I compiled a list of the most common verbs in the English language. I created a PDF and a cover using Canva, and then I printed it. I was selling it for 200 Mexican pesos (that is a little bit over 10 USD).

I sold more than 300 copies of them; it is a resource that took me less than 1 hour to make.

Test Prep Coaching

Most students do not study, and when the tests are new, they need someone to prep them; this can be you.

What you do is announce that any student who is not feeling ready for the test can have a test prep session with you.

This works best if you are not the teacher of that subject.

My results

I am lucky that Mathematics was not a problem for me, and it is a problem for most people, which gave me unfair advantages.

Since most people are afraid of mathematics tests, usually one week before the test, they will seek extra coaching, and I was able to charge them, usually a little bit more than standard tutoring.

Also, I used to help them solve homework in subjects like physics and mathematics.

Summer Camps or Workshops

Summer is the end of the school season for most students, but for some, it is also a good time to learn something that is not in their curriculum or prepare for subjects that they know they might struggle with.

Since this time, you will have extra time; you can organize a summer camp or workshop and charge for it.

My results

I used to organize summer camps in subjects like mathematics, physics, and robotics. I had the most success with robotics. I think this is because most students and parents think it is cool, and they will pay to participate.

Educational Consulting

Some companies will conduct surveys or need help from academics. If you have the knowledge they need, you can get paid for consulting.

When I was a teacher, I had friends who had small local companies. Sometimes, they would invite me to explain to their technicians some concepts like electric circuits, how electricity works, solar energy, and so on.

If you can get one or two gigs per month, it should be enough to supplement your income.

Blogging or Vlogging

This is my favorite side hustle; you can start a blog or YouTube channel focused on education, teaching strategies, classroom management, or other related topics. Monetize through ads, sponsorships, or selling your products.

To start a blog, you will need a domain name and hosting.

For A domain name, I recommend Namecheap. 

Here is how to get a domain name.

For hosting, I recommend Cloudways.

Here is how to connect your domain name with Cloudways.

 Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a blog.

Virtual Assistant (VA)

Having an engineering background and knowing a little bit of digital marketing helped me to get some interesting jobs as a Virtual Assistant (VA).

A VA provides remote administrative, technical, or creative support to businesses or entrepreneurs for tasks like email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, and customer service.

How to Get Started

My results

I live in Mexico, so the payment is not great. I was able to make between $5 and $25 per hour. As the company I worked for trusted me, the payment went up.

Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

I am not a dog person, but my ex-girlfriend was; she did on the days when she did not have classes.

Taking care of pets while owners are away or walking dogs on a schedule. It’s flexible and great for animal lovers.

How to Get Started

Results

She used to make between 200 and 400 Mexican pesos (that is about 11 to 22 USD) per hour walking those dogs.

Etsy Shop

I never tried this side hustle, but my girlfriend did this too, selling handmade, vintage, or digital products (like printables or art) on Etsy’s global marketplace.

How to Get Started

Results

She used to make 20000 to 30000 MXN (that is about 1000 to 1500 USD). If you live in Mexico, that is fantastic; you can live on that without any issue.

Real Estate

When I was a full-time teacher, I was not in real estate, but one of my friends was, not she convinced me into it.

Earning income through buying, selling, or renting properties, or working as a real estate agent.

How to Get Started

My results

This is a commission-based side hustle; at the moment, we make 4% on the sale. The last sale we made was 2 weeks ago for 50,000 MXN, which is about 2,500.

It is not bad for responding to a few messages on Facebook and spending a few minutes showing the customers the properties in our portfolio.

Fitness Instructor

If you are into fitness, this can be great. I have a friend who is also a teacher and does this well. After classes, he will go to a local gym where he is an instructor.

Leading workout classes, personal training, or virtual coaching. Great if you’re passionate about health and fitness.

How to Get Started

Results

My friend is making about 400 MXN per hour, which is about $20 per hour. You can make more if you are in a first-world country or in a big city.

Event Planning

Teachers are good planners and organizers. If that is your passion, you can make a living from it.

Coordinating weddings, parties, corporate events, or virtual gatherings. Attention to detail is key.

How to Get Started

Result

I used to make upward to 10,000 MXN (more than $500) per event, the only issue I had was that those events did not come regularly, so the income was not stable.

Photography

This was my first ever side hustle, I remember was I was in primary school with my Casio camera and taking photos, printing them and selling them to my colleagues.
Taking professional photos for events, portraits, businesses, or selling stock images online

How to Get Started

My result

I used to make about $100 per session when I was a kid, and that was fantastic. When I was a teacher, I used to make about 4,000 to 10,000 MXN, which is about $200 to $500.

Affiliate Marketing

This is my main source of income at the moment. I make more than $200 per day with affiliate marketing, which is 5 times what I used to make as a teacher.
Earning a commission by promoting other people’s products through blogs, YouTube, Pinterest, or social media.

How to Get Started

My Result

I make more than $200 per day using affiliate marketing alone, which is about 5 times the income I used to make as a teacher here in Mexico.

Here is the roadmap of how to get $100+ using affiliate marketing from anywhere in the world.

FAQ: Best Side Hustles for Teachers

What are the best side hustles for teachers?

Some of the best side hustles for teachers include:

These leverage a teacher’s strengths in communication, organization, and creativity.

Why are side hustles ideal for teachers?

Side hustles are perfect for teachers because they:

How much can a teacher earn from a side hustle?

Income varies widely based on the hustle:

What side hustles can teachers do during the summer?

Popular summer side hustles for teachers include:

These options take advantage of the teacher’s time off without a full-time commitment.

Do I need special training for a side hustle?

Many side hustles require no formal training—just your skills as a teacher. However, some (like fitness coaching, virtual assistant work, or blogging) may benefit from:

How can I balance a side hustle with teaching?

Tips for balancing both:

What side hustles are best for teachers who don’t want to teach outside the classroom?

If you prefer not to teach outside of work, try:

These use different skill sets and offer creative outlets beyond traditional education.

How can teachers supplement their income?

Teachers can supplement their income in a variety of ways, including freelance writing, proctoring tests, and offering virtual assistant services.

Conclusion: Best Side Hustles For Teachers To Make Extra Income

Teaching is a rewarding profession, but it doesn’t always come with the financial flexibility many educators need.

Fortunately, there are countless side hustles that allow teachers to leverage their unique skills, organization, communication, creativity, and leadership to earn extra income on their terms.

Whether you’re looking for a flexible gig during the school year, a summer income boost, or a creative outlet that turns into a profitable business, the right side hustle is out there for you.

From tutoring and selling educational resources to pet sitting, freelance writing, or starting an Etsy shop, these opportunities offer not just income but freedom, fulfillment, and personal growth.

Start small, stay consistent, and choose something that fits your lifestyle and passions. Over time, your side hustle could become more than just extra cash; it could be your path to long-term financial empowerment.

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