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Educators are essential to student growth, invaluable in their communities, work countless hours preparing lessons and care for their students. But despite all of their dedication and responsibility, it’s a well-known fact that educators are often underpaid, and many turn to side jobs to make ends meet.
If you’re a teacher looking for a way to supplement your income and expand your budget, there are many part-time opportunities that can fit your schedule and skill set. Whether you’re looking for work through the summer or an extra gig for nights and weekends, we’ve put together this complete guide to the best side jobs for teachers to help earn passive income.
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- Side jobs to keep you teaching
- Online side jobs for teachers
- Side jobs to get you outside
- DIY side jobs from home
Side jobs to keep you teaching
Educating others is part of who you are. If you’re interested in side jobs for teachers that allow you to continue teaching, these jobs may work great for you.
1. Tutoring
Tutoring is an excellent option to keep teaching while earning extra cash. You can focus your tutoring by age or subject or narrow your focus for high school SAT and ACT prep. Tutoring naturally falls in your free time after school and can be done in groups, one-on-one or online.
- Pay — As of May 2021, tutors earn an average of $20.09 an hour, though it varies widely by experience, specialty and where you’re located.
- Get started — Register online to become a tutor through sites like TutorMe, Tutor.com and VarsityTutor or set your own price and let parents at your school know you’re available. Just make sure to read any fine print on these sties before you sign up.
2. Standardized test administrator
While test-administrator requirements will vary across states and school districts, this side job is needed everywhere there are schools. Administrators ensure that all testing procedures are followed, that no test materials are taken from the site, and that all tests are collected and submitted securely for grading. As schooling moves online, there are also plenty of opportunities to proctor exams from home.
- Pay — Test administrators salaries can vary widely, depending on the state, but average pay could be within an hourly $10.50–$14.
- Get started — Find your state testing service’s site to learn more and apply to become a test administrator.
3. Teach English abroad
Do you dream of traveling the world? Teaching abroad during the summer months is a great way to strengthen your skills as a teacher and experience other cultures. There are great options for short-term teaching jobs abroad, or you can teach foreign classrooms from home.
- Pay — This varies by region but reaches as high as $5,000 a month. Keep in mind that some gigs cover room and board, while others require you to budget your own living costs.
- Get started — You can learn more about the process and regions through International Schools Service and find international teaching jobs with sites like Teach away and Go Overseas. As ever, be sure to read the fine print before you sign up.
4. Adjunct community college professor
More people are opting for community college to save on tuition, and there’s an increased demand for instructors. Becoming an adjunct professor or teacher at a community college is a great way to continue teaching and change lives in a meaningful way.
- Pay — Adjunct faculty earn between $20,000 and $25,000 annually, though this varies among institutions and experience.
- Get started — Check out the education requirements at your local colleges to see where your experience would be accepted. Then, decide what you want to teach, meet with a few other professors and apply.
Online side jobs for teachers
Earning extra money is in the palm of your hands. Some of your favorite apps that you likely use on a regular basis offer opportunities for side jobs, and there are many ways to earn money online too. Learn how to make more money as a teacher with these online side jobs.
5. Drive for a ride-share service
Ride-share services are hugely popular side jobs with plenty of flexibility and the opportunity to earn quick cash. While you can make quite a bit of money working peak hours, you should also consider safe practices as well as the costs of car maintenance, insurance, cleaning and gas.
- Pay — Drivers can make around $18.05 per hour as of 2021, though it’s not consistent.
- Get started — The first step is to download the app of your choice, and then collect and submit the company’s required information. Minimum requirements might include a driver’s license, a DMV and criminal background check, valid insurance and registration, and car inspection.
6. Delivery services
If you’re not comfortable driving strangers, then you may want to consider delivery or shopping services instead. This is a great second job for teachers since you can set your own hours. You can choose to deliver packages for companies like Amazon Flex or deliver food and groceries as people need them.
- Pay — As of May 2021, the average worker makes around $12.49 an hour, though it’s heavily dependent on tips, location and company.
- Get started — Decide what you want to deliver, then choose the app that works best for you.
7. Rent out your extra space
If you happen to have extra space you can rent out, you may want to consider doing so for long- or short-term stays through services like Airbnb. The process can be simple, but you’ll want to make sure you have updated insurance to cover any potential damages.
Even if you don’t have a room or home to rent, you can rent out parking spaces, lawns, swimming pools and more.
- Pay — Airbnb hosts can make an average of $13,800 a month, as of 2021.
- Get started — Register your space after deciding your rates, rules and available hours.
8. Virtual assistant
While a virtual assistant likely has some level of administrative work to do, they offer a number of different services, including customer support, human resources, bookkeeping and more. Most VAs are required to have experience in some type of administrative role.
- Pay — Virtual assistants make an average of $19.08 an hour, depending on experience and job needs.
- Get started — A virtual assistant is their own boss, so you’ll want to follow some of the basic steps to building a business.
9. Online surveys
Online surveys may not be the most lucrative side job for teachers, but the money can add up. They’re convenient, quick and easy, and there are plenty of platforms to use online and on your phone. It’s a good option if you’re just looking for a little extra spending money you can make in your own time.
- Pay — Some survey platforms could earn you $1 to $5 a day.
- Get started — Sites like Swagbucks or InboxDollars can connect you to surveys.
Side jobs to get you outside
Sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air. Try these teacher side jobs to get outside and move all year long.
Image: dog-owner-expenses-statistic10. Dog walking
Dog walking is a great option to spend time with man’s best friend and a good way to get some exercise into your routine. While it may be tough to find a dog-walking job during the school year, as most families want walkers during the day, you can enjoy your summers with a furry friend getting fresh air.
- Pay — Pay depends on how much you walk dogs and the rate you set. However, with Rover, you get to keep 80% of your earnings.
- Get started — Reach out to friends and neighbors to work independently or join a service like Wag or Rover.
11. Tour guide
If you live in a historical city or neighborhood, there may be an opportunity for you to offer walking tours of your area to summertime visitors. It’s a great opportunity to look at your city through a new lens and teach others about the area you love. Plus, being a guide will allow you to practice your public speaking skills, and you can use your knowledge of the area for future lesson plans!
- Pay — Your earning potential will vary by location, length of tour and other factors. But depending on the site or organization you work with, you may get to set your own rates.
- Get started — Jump right in as a peer-to-peer guide with Tours by Locals or Shiroube, or reach out to local organizations and attractions to see who’s hiring.
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12. Summer camp counselor
Relive your childhood memories of playgrounds, arts and crafts, and water balloon fights, not to mention spending all day in the gorgeous summer sun. You’ll be accustomed to the responsibility that comes with watching children all day, and you can let loose and have fun as a camp counselor.
- Pay — Day camp counselors earn a median of $14.27 an hour as of 2021.
- Get started — Local churches, YMCA, and Parks and Recreation organizations often host summer and school break camps. You can also search other cities and overnight camps for a more unique camp experience.
13. Lifeguard
There’s nothing better than spending the summer in the sun, and lifeguarding is a great way to do that while protecting others. The American Red Cross offers lifeguard and water safety courses year-round, which will help you earn the necessary certifications and skills for the job.
- Pay — Lifeguards earn a median of $25,630 a year, but it could be more depending on experience and responsibility.
- Get started — Once you complete your lifeguard training, you can apply to be a lifeguard at local pools, beaches or even your school.
14. Coaching local youth sports
If you are a competitive athlete or just love fitness, you may be able to make money as a youth sports coach. You’ll make the most as a private coach or by starting your own business. This way, you can set your price and schedule, but it will be a lot of work in the beginning.
- Pay — You can set your own price, but as of 2021, most youth coaches earn around $38,970 a year.
- Get started — Reach out to local organizations and meet other coaches in your area for opportunities and recommendations.
15. Lawn and garden care
Have a green thumb? If so, lawn and garden care is a solid second job for teachers. You could earn some extra money in the summer months by going old-school and offering to mow lawns and tend to gardens.
- Pay — Landscapers can earn a median as of 2021 of $17.05 per hour.
- Get started — If you have your own equipment, advertise to your neighbors through social media apps. Or you can work part-time for an established company.
DIY side jobs from home
Starting a DIY business from home is a great way to unwind, manage your own schedule and get creative with your part-time job. Check out these creative side jobs for teachers below.
Image: most-popular-etsy-categories16. Flip furniture
Reduce, reuse and recycle old or neglected furniture to make something beautiful. People pay top dollar for refurbished finds and vintage treasures, and you can feel great saving items from landfills.
- Pay — Your profit depends on 100% of the value of the pieces you flip.
- Get started — Determine what you can flip with the tools you have and start searching online marketplaces, thrifts and yard sales to find great deals. Then, refurbish your finds and sell them in all the same places.
17. Sell your crafts
If you have a craft you love, consider monetizing it. Everything from cross-stitch patterns to polymer clay earrings are sellable. The trick is finding a popular market and making something unique. So if you see resin and glitter earrings are popular, consider making new shapes with unique materials to set yourself apart.
- Pay — This entirely depends on your product and advertising. Check out similar stores on Etsy and local art markets to get an idea of product pricing.
- Get started — Research what’s selling and come up with your own twist! Perfect the product and then launch through an online service, or sell independently at markets and on social media.
18. Farm for cash
If you have the space and a green thumb, consider selling food for cash as a second job. Garden vegetables and herbs can sell well on their own, or you can use them to make homemade sauces and salsas. Other products like eggs, honey and flowers are also popular farmer’s market staples you can produce at home. You can also sell your garden’s surplus to fellow teachers.
- Pay — The product that you decide to sell will affect your price.
- Get started — Once you choose a product, plant it, and get your business plan and certifications nailed down while they grow!
19. Begin blogging
Blogging is a form of “infopreneurship” — sharing your knowledge, building a professional reputation and earning money from it. As a second job for teachers, you can sell your general lessons as resources or write an e-book on effective classroom management. If you want a break from the classroom, share your experiences with gardening, business or family instead. Once you build an audience, you can earn money through advertising or by selling your expertise as a speaker or writer.
- Pay — The amount of money you make as a blogger depends on your audience and the amount of traffic you bring in.
- Get started — Plan your blog topics and study how to market your blog, and then start writing. WordPress is a go-to for websites, but you can start out on simpler systems like Wix.
20. Sell stock photos
If you dabble in photography, consider posting your photos on stock photo sites. You can make quite a bit from high-quality and desirable photos, but it’s becoming highly competitive. If you’re new to photography, then you may not make a lot, but if you’re already shooting, you might as well try to earn some money.
- Pay — Stock photography pay depends on what site you choose to sell on.
- Get started — Start taking pictures that aren’t just pretty but offer a story and context for them. Read up on royalties, and then post your photos on sites like Alamy and Shutterstock. Make sure to read the terms before posting your photos.
Additional side jobs for teachers
Looking for some more inspiration? Here are some additional side jobs for teachers you can look into.
- Sell lesson plans — Consider selling your lesson plans to other teachers for some extra cash. You can do this on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers to ensure your plans are seen by the right audience.
- Become part of a focus group — Focus groups are another great way to make money on the side. Pay depends on the length of the focus group and whether you do it online or travel to a specific location.
- Rent out your car — Just like you can rent out your house, you can rent out your car. This is great if you don’t need to drive much. Try out an app like Turo to get started.
- House sit — Take a mini staycation and make some extra cash through house sitting. HouseSitter.com can help match you with someone that needs the service.
- Yoga instructor — Do you have a passion for yoga? Consider getting certified and teaching it on the side.
- Notary — Being a notary is something that you can do on your own time. This side job for teachers requires notarization.
- Cleaning services — Consider charging for cleaning services for others or create your own cleaning service business.
- Translator — If you know more than one language, you can refine your skills with specialized training and help translate and transcribe documents and other works.
- Meal prep services — Meal prep services are a great way of leaning into cooking if it’s a hobby of yours. Before you create this side business, make sure to check out the license and permit requirements for your city.
- Personal shopping — Do you have a knack for shopping? You can consider becoming a personal shopper for others, whether it’s for groceries or clothing.
- Start an organization business — This business can be a fun side job option if you’re a pro at organizing and sorting.
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Next Steps
Many teachers and educators see side jobs or part-time work as a necessity to supplement their income. On the bright side, there are so many options these days that teachers can choose what works best for their schedule or lifestyle.
After you’ve gained some inspiration from these best side jobs for teachers, set some savings goals and let your extra cash get you there.
Sourcing
- Tutors earn an average of $20.09 an hour. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2021)
- Salaries for teaching English abroad reach as high as $5,000 a month. The TEFL.org (October 2020)
- Adjunct faculty typically earn between $20,000 and $25,000 annually (Inside Scholar (March 2022)
- Drivers can make around $18.05 per hour as of 2021. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)
- Airbnb hosts can make an average of $13,800 a month. Airbnb (March 2022)
- Day camp counselors earn a median of $14.27 an hour. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)
- Lifeguards earn a median of $25,630 a year. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (December 2022)
- Youth coaches earn around $38,970 a year. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)
- Landscapers can earn a median of $17.05 per hour. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)
- Virtual assistants make an average $19.08 an hour. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)
- Some survey platforms allow members to make an average of $1 to $5 a day. Swagbucks (May 2022)
