Side hustles for teachers that fit around the school year
The side work that pays teachers best is usually teaching in another form: tutoring, test prep, selling the materials you already make, or running summer programs. Those start cheap and find customers faster than a generic side hustle.
Districts have their own rules about outside work, tutoring your own students, and who owns materials you made on the job, so every idea below includes what to check first. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
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Side income ideas for teachers
Private tutoring
One-to-one or small-group help in your subject, online or in person. Parents trust a working teacher, and reading and math help is in steady demand.
- What it takes
- Almost nothing to start. Check your district's policy, since many do not allow paid tutoring of your own current students.
- First step
- Tell three families outside your school that you have two evening slots open, and ask past parents for a short reference.
Selling lesson plans and resources
Sell worksheets, units and classroom resources on a marketplace like Teachers Pay Teachers. It builds slowly, then earns while you sleep. Suits teachers who already make their own materials.
- What it takes
- Low. Check whether your district claims ownership of materials created on school time or school equipment.
- First step
- Pick the one resource colleagues always ask you to share, clean it up, and list it.
Test prep coaching
Prepare students for the SAT, ACT, AP exams or state tests, privately or through a test prep company. Suits high school teachers in math, English and the sciences.
- What it takes
- Your time to learn the current test format. Companies often provide their own materials and training.
- First step
- Take a full official practice test yourself this weekend so you know exactly what students face.
Summer camp or summer program work
Teach, direct or design programs at summer camps, enrichment programs or summer school. It fits the calendar you already have and often pays for planning as well as teaching.
- What it takes
- Usually a background check. Some camps want first aid or CPR certification.
- First step
- Contact local camps and your district's summer school office in winter, since many hire months ahead.
Online English teaching
Teach English conversation to learners abroad over video, often early mornings or evenings. Suits teachers with steady internet and a quiet space at odd hours.
- What it takes
- Platforms often ask for a bachelor's degree and some want a TEFL certificate. Check whether the platform hires from your country.
- First step
- Compare two or three platforms' requirements and time zones against the hours you are actually free.
Freelance curriculum writing
Write lessons, assessments and teacher guides for publishers, edtech companies and nonprofits. Suits teachers who are good at planning and can hit a deadline.
- What it takes
- A few strong samples. Most clients care more about alignment to standards than credentials.
- First step
- Turn one of your best units into a clean sample with objectives, standards and an assessment, ready to send.
Sample conversation
How a conversation with Carmen starts
Carmen asks before she suggests. An illustrative example, not a real person.
I teach 4th grade and I need about $500 more a month. I don't want to wait tables again.
That is a very reachable number with the skills you already have. What do parents or colleagues already ask you for?
Parents ask about reading help all the time. And people borrow my phonics games.
Then tutoring covers the $500, and the games could become something you sell later. How many evenings a week could you honestly give it?
Work it out with Carmen, free
30 free minutes with Carmen and the team. No card needed.
Questions & answers
- What is the best side hustle for a teacher?
- Usually tutoring or test prep: low cost, clear demand, and they pay for skills you already have. Selling resources can earn more over time but starts slowly.
- Am I allowed to have a side job as a teacher?
- Usually yes, but check your contract and district policy. Common rules cover paid tutoring of your own students, using school materials or time, and outside work that conflicts with your duties.
- Can I sell lesson plans I made for my class?
- Often yes, but some districts claim ownership of work made on school time or with school resources. Read your district's intellectual property policy or ask your union before listing anything.
- How much can a teacher make on the side?
- It varies too much to give an honest number. Price one offer, sell it to three people, and see what it earns per hour before you commit more evenings to it.