The 15 Best Side Hustles for Teachers in 2025 (That Actually Pay Off)

Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding professions out there—but let’s face it, it’s not always the most financially generous. Between rising living costs and the increasing demands placed on educators, more and more teachers are looking for ways to supplement their income. The good news? Teachers have a rare set of skills—creativity, organization, communication, and patience—that make them perfect candidates for profitable side hustles.

Whether you’re trying to boost your savings, pay off debt, or simply have some financial breathing room, there are dozens of smart ways to earn extra income outside of school hours. And no, you don’t have to burn yourself out or sacrifice your weekends to do it.

Let’s explore the best side hustles for teachers in 2025—practical, proven, and tailored to fit your schedule and strengths.

1. Online Tutoring: Get Paid for What You Already Do Best

Why it works: Teaching is your bread and butter. You already know how to explain complex concepts and adapt to different learning styles. Why not use that skill to tutor students online?

Platforms to try:

• Wyzant – set your own rates and subjects.
• Preply – especially good for ESL teachers.
• Varsity Tutors – good for standardized test prep.
• Cambly – no teaching degree required, just fluency in English.

Average pay: $20–$80/hour

Pro Tip: Specializing in high-demand subjects like SAT/ACT prep, calculus, or foreign languages can dramatically increase your rates. You can also start private tutoring and charge more per session by avoiding platform fees.

2. Sell Educational Resources Online

You’re already creating lesson plans—why not sell them? Thousands of teachers are earning extra income by packaging and selling their classroom materials online.

Best marketplaces:

• Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) – the go-to platform for teaching materials.
• Etsy – great for classroom décor, planner pages, and editable digital products.
• Gumroad – perfect for PDFs, eBooks, and digital toolkits.

What you can sell:

• Lesson plans
• Unit bundles
• Classroom signs
• Interactive notebooks
• PowerPoint presentations
• Digital flashcards

Potential income: Some top TpT sellers make over $100,000 a year. Even if you’re not aiming that high, consistent uploads and niche targeting can bring in hundreds per month.

3. Freelance Writing or Editing

If you’ve got a way with words, freelance writing is a flexible and lucrative side hustle. Teachers—especially English and humanities instructors—are naturals at writing, editing, and structuring content.

Freelance gigs to consider:

• Writing for educational blogs or websites
• Editing e-learning materials
• Creating test questions or curriculum guides
• Ghostwriting for coaches or consultants
• Grant writing for nonprofits

Where to find work:

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Contena
• ProBlogger
• LinkedIn

Average pay: $0.10–$1.00 per word, or $25–$75/hour depending on experience.

Pro Tip: Specialize in education content. Your experience gives you instant credibility with clients in the edtech or nonprofit sectors.

4. Teach Your Own Online Course

You don’t have to be a YouTube celebrity to make money from online courses. Teachers make excellent instructors for platforms like:

• Udemy
• Skillshare
• Teachable
• Thinkific

What to teach:

• Classroom management strategies
• Homeschooling techniques
• Educational technology tips
• Language learning
• Study skills and test prep
• Life skills for teens

Setup time: Creating your first course takes some effort—but once it’s live, it can generate passive income.

Earnings: Ranges from a few dollars to thousands per month depending on audience size and topic.

5. Educational Consulting

If you’re a seasoned educator or administrator, there’s a growing demand for education consultants who can provide training, feedback, and strategic advice to schools, companies, or organizations.

Types of consulting work:

• School improvement planning
• Teacher coaching and mentorship
• Curriculum alignment
• Classroom technology integration
• Special education compliance

How to get started:

• Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile
• Join teacherpreneur Facebook groups
• Start by offering workshops in your district

Pay: $50–$150/hour depending on experience

6. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)

Teachers are great at multitasking, staying organized, and communicating clearly—skills that make them fantastic virtual assistants.

VA tasks might include:

• Email management
• Scheduling and calendar coordination
• Customer support
• Social media content
• Research

Where to find clients:

• Belay
• Time Etc
• Upwork
• Facebook groups for entrepreneurs

Pay range: $20–$50/hour

Pro Tip: Offer services to education bloggers, coaches, or edtech startups to stay within your zone of expertise.

7. Start a Blog (Yes, Even in 2025)

Blogging isn’t dead. In fact, niche blogs are thriving—especially those that speak to a specific audience. As a teacher, you already have a perspective many people want to hear.

Blog niches that work:

• Teaching hacks and classroom management
• Education reform commentary
• Parenting and learning at home
• Test prep strategies
• Life as a teacher

Monetization options:

• Display ads (via Mediavine or Ezoic)
• Affiliate marketing
• Sponsored posts
• Selling digital products or courses

Bonus: Blogging opens doors to freelance work, speaking gigs, and partnerships.

8. Sell Printables or Designs on Etsy

If you’re even a little bit creative, digital printables are a goldmine. From planners to flashcards, classroom posters to affirmation cards—teachers know what looks good on a classroom wall or in a binder.

Tools to use:

• Canva (free or Pro)
• Adobe Illustrator
• PowerPoint

What sells well:

• Monthly lesson planners
• Editable name tags
• Affirmation cards for students
• Alphabet or number posters
• Classroom management charts

Passive income potential: Once you design and list a product, it can continue to sell while you sleep.

9. Coaching Students or Parents

There’s a growing market for academic coaches who help students with:

• Time management
• Study skills
• College applications
• Executive functioning (especially for students with ADHD)

Alternatively: Coach parents on how to support their kids’ learning at home.

How to start:

• Offer sessions on Zoom
• Promote through your local school or parent community
• Create a simple website or flyer

Rates: $50–$150/hour depending on niche

10. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Need a side gig that doesn’t involve a screen or lesson planning? Try pet sitting or dog walking—especially during weekends or breaks.

Platforms to try:

• Rover
• Wag
• Care.com
• Local Facebook groups

Why it works for teachers: Trust. Parents and neighbors already see you as reliable and responsible.

Pay: $20–$40 per walk or visit, plus tips

11. Start a YouTube Channel or Podcast

Teachers are some of the best storytellers and communicators. If you have something to say—or teach—there’s an audience for you.

Channel or podcast ideas:

• Teaching stories (funny, inspiring, or dramatic)
• Curriculum tips and classroom hacks
• Education commentary
• Book reviews or read-alongs
• Homeschooling support

Monetization paths:

• Ads
• Sponsorships
• Affiliate links
• Patreon or memberships

It takes time to build a following, but if you love talking or teaching on camera, this could be the perfect side hustle.

12. Babysitting or Nannying

Many parents prefer hiring teachers as babysitters, tutors, or summer nannies. You’re already trained in child development, CPR, and behavior management.

Where to find gigs:

• Care.com
• Sittercity
• Word of mouth within your school community

Pay: $15–$30/hour

Bonus: You can often tutor while babysitting, boosting your rate even more.

13. Seasonal Jobs or Summer Camps

During summer, teachers are in high demand for roles like:

• Summer school instructors
• Camp counselors
• Curriculum developers for camps
• Field trip coordinators
• Lifeguards or swim instructors (with certification)

These positions often pay hourly and allow for networking while keeping your skills sharp.

14. Real Estate or Notary Work

If you’re open to training, real estate can be a flexible and high-earning side hustle. Alternatively, becoming a notary public or loan signing agent is relatively low-cost to get into and pays well.

Estimated earnings:

• Notary work: $50–$200 per signing
• Real estate: Commission-based (varies widely)

Why it’s good for teachers: You can schedule clients during evenings, weekends, or breaks.

15. Write and Sell Children’s Books

You already know what kids like, and you’re surrounded by their imaginations every day. Why not turn that into a creative side hustle?

How to start:

• Self-publish through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
• Work with an illustrator or use Canva for simple books
• Promote on social media or through local libraries/schools

Potential income: Depends on marketing and niche, but with consistency, it can turn into steady passive income.

Make Your Side Hustle Work for You

The best side hustle for you depends on three things:

1. Your time – Do you want something you can do in 1-2 hours a day? Or only on weekends?
2. Your skills – Are you creative? Organized? Tech-savvy? Use your natural talents.
3. Your goals – Are you trying to pay down debt? Save for a trip? Build a long-term business?

The beauty of being a teacher in 2025 is that your options are wide open. You don’t have to choose between your career and your bank account—you can have both. Start small, be consistent, and lean into what you already do well. You might be surprised at how profitable it becomes.