25 Best Side Hustles for Teachers (That Work in Real Life)
You're working so hard, every day.
Day in, and day out, you barely have time to drink that involuntuntarily-iced coffee.
And yet, where is the financial evidence of all this hard work?
It's no secret that educators are currently not compensated as the trained professionals that we are.
Unfortunately societal change is a long game.
And we don't have that kind of time before the next bill drops.
So, if you're a teacher who needs to earn extra income without burning out, you're in exactly the right place.
These are 25 teacher-friendly side hustles, organized by what you're looking for:
quick income, low stress, flexible timing, identity-aligned options, and long-term growth.
Wherever you are in the process, I've got a little something for ya.
Plus, links to other posts when you're ready to learn more.
(Some of those posts are live and some are on their way, so please keep checking back!)
Make sure you grab the free resource linked below.
It's a workbook I made for you, to help you match your energy, goals, and schedule with the possibilities.
TL;DR
This post covers 25 side hustles organized by what you need: fast income, flexible schedule, low stress, online work, or passive income.
Each option includes a link to step-by-step guides when you're ready to start.
Grab the free Side Hustle Starter Map to match your energy and schedule with the right option for you.
Don’t grab “any” side hustle. Pick one that matches:
- How much energy you have, not just your non-teaching hours
- Whether you want to work with students or avoid people-facing work
- Whether you need fast cash now or are okay building slower, long-term income
Choose one side hustle that feels like an okay place to start. Test it for a bit, and give yourself permission to modify it as you need.
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
How to Choose the Best Side Hustles for Teachers (Start Here)
There's no one “best” side hustle for every teacher.
The right one for you depends on a lot of moving parts.
For example, how much time do you really have to spend on this?
Do you need super fast cash, like yesterday?
Or are you fine with building something slower growing, but potentially more sustainable?
How much time do you want to spend with people?
With students?
Your energy and social battery.
Whether you want online, in-person, scalable, or passive work.
If you're overwhelmed, I get it.
Get My Free Side Hustle Starter Map for Teachers!
Thinking about a side hustle, but running on fumes?
This quickstart guide is for neurodivergent teachers who want to earn more without burning out.
Use the Side Hustle Starter Map to:
- Check your energy + social battery
- Explore ideas based on your needs
- Pick a starting place…even if it's not perfect
You can make extra income in a way that honors your time and emotional bandwidth. This free map can help you get started.
When I left the elementary music classroom a few years ago, I didn't really have a solid Plan B.
Yet, I was so emotionally and energetically fried, I knew I absolutely needed a break.
So as I figured out my next steps, I tried different side gigs.
And even though I haven't personally tried every single one of this list, yet.
I want to share with you what I've learned.
Let's start with when you need money ASAP.
Fast Income That Still Respects Your Schedule
These are side hustles that can start paying sooner rather than later while fitting around your teaching commitments.
1. After-School Tutoring
One-on-one or small group tutoring in your subject area.
Read 10 Steps to Starting a Tutoring Side Hustle
2. Weekend-Only Work
Gigs that keep your weeknights free for recovery and family time.
Weekend Side Hustles for Teachers
3. Substitute Teaching or Drop-In Instruction
Fill in at other schools or programs when you have capacity.
4. Babysitting or Childcare on Non-School Days
Work with kids in smaller, more manageable settings.
5. Delivery or Rideshare (Flexible Blocks)
Drive for DoorDash, Uber Eats, or rideshare on your own schedule.
I did DoorDash after I left teaching, and it worked when I needed fast cash.
6. Seasonal Work (Summer Camps, Events)
Focus your hustle during breaks so the school year stays protected.
7. Realistic Side Hustles for Full-Time Teachers
More ideas that can fit around your work schedule.
Read Realistic Side Hustles for Full-Time Teachers
8. Test Scoring or Remote Grading (Short-Term)
Score standardized tests from home during testing seasons.
Flexible & Low-Stress Options
These are great when your energy or schedule isn't predictable.
Of course, please modify the list if one idea feels higher stress than others.
Everyone is an individual and only you can predict what might work given your particular circumstances.
9. Flexible Side Hustles
Read 7 Best Flexible Side Hustles for Teachers for work that bends around your life.
10. Low-Stress Side Hustles
Low-Stress Side Hustles for Teachers when you need gentle, manageable work.
11. Easy Side Hustles With No Experience
Easy Side Hustles for Teachers With No Experience for beginner-friendly options.
12. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
Spend time with animals instead of people.
Low social energy required.
13. House Sitting or Airbnb Prepping
Get paid to be present in someone's home or prepare spaces for guests.
14. Light Remote Admin Work
Data entry, scheduling, email management, basic tasks you can do from your couch.
Online & Remote Work That Scales
If you prefer work you can do from home or want something that can grow over time:
15. Online Side Hustles
Top 10 Online Side Hustles for Teachers for comprehensive remote options.
16. Teach English Online
How to Teach English Online With No Experience for a step-by-step plan to start.
17. Virtual Assistant Support
Virtual Assistant Side Hustle post for helping online businesses with admin tasks.
18. Remote Customer Support or Online Admin
Answer emails, handle chat support, or manage basic customer service from home.
19. Social Media Management for Small Businesses
Post, schedule, and engage for local businesses who need help staying visible.
Selling Teaching Resources Online
These ideas use your curriculum knowledge or professional expertise.
20. Sell Teaching Resources
Turn your lesson plans into digital products.
Read 5 Simple Steps to Selling Teaching Resources Online
I'm doing this now with my own resources, and it takes time but feels sustainable.
21. Mini Courses or Workshops Based on Your Expertise
Teach other teachers or parents what you already know.
How to Monetize Educational Videos on YouTube
22. Educational PDFs or Printables
Create once, sell repeatedly on Etsy or Teachers Pay Teachers.
Identity & Personal Fit
Some side hustles resonate more with certain personality types or energy needs.
If you're totally burned out from teaching, you may want less people-facing work for a while.
But that is all very individual. You know yourself best!
23. Side Hustles for Introverted Teachers
Side Hustles for Introverted Teachers for solo, low-social-contact work.
24. Side Hustles for Neurodivergent Teachers
Side Hustles for Neurodivergent Teachers for options that work with your brain, not against it.
25. Best Side Hustles for Teachers With ADHD or Autism
Best Side Hustles for Teachers With ADHD
Best Side Hustles for Autistic Teachers
These dive deep into what works for specific neurodivergent brains.
Money Mindset & Long-Term Growth
Once you've explored options, it helps to ground yourself in earnings expectations, planning, and strategy.
Side Hustles for Teachers That Pay Well to compare higher-earning options.
Read Passive Income Ideas for Teachers for income that doesn't require active hours.
How Much Money Can Teachers Make From Side Hustles for realistic earnings ranges and timelines.
These posts help you compare pay, workload, and long-term pathways so you can choose wisely.
Your Next Steps
If you're feeling overwhelmed, start simple:
Pick one category that matches your current energy and goals.
Follow a linked step-by-step post (like tutoring or selling teaching resources online).
Use your Side Hustle Starter Map to choose a first small action.
You don't have to do everything at once.
Just the next right thing.
Want Tools & More Freebies?
These are tools and services that I enjoy using in my work.
Support your side hustle build with:
Best Side Hustle Tools for Teachers (tool round-up)
Freebies for Teachers Starting Side Hustles
These help you implement faster without guesswork.
You Don't Have to Choose Now
Starting is often the hardest part, especially if your executive funtions are a bit whacky.
Use this information to help you move forward.
But don't let it make you feel stuck in perfection task paralysis.
You deserve to be able to pay your bills without stressing.
That's it!
Join the Community
Want to connect with other like-minded educators?
We share ideas, ask for help, vent, and generally support each other.
Visit our Facebook group and take it one step at a time.
You've got this! ❤️
Going Forward
Hopefully these ideas give you a good place to start.
There are literally so many choices when it comes to side hustles.
Check out some of these how-to side hustles videos from my blogging mentor!
You can find one that works for you.
Go for it!
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