How much can I make with side hustles for students?

Earnings for side hustles for students vary based on experience, location, and time invested. See the earnings breakdown above for specific ranges.

How do I get started with side hustles for students?

Start by reviewing the requirements and steps outlined in this guide. Most people can begin within a few days to a week of initial setup.

Is side hustles for students worth it as a side hustle?

It can be worthwhile depending on your skills, available time, and local demand. Review the pros and cons section above to evaluate fit.

Best Side Hustles for Students 2026: Make $500-$5K/Month While in School

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Essential Gear for Side Hustlers

Dash Cam - Document your work and protect yourself
Car Phone Charger - Stay connected on the go
Portable Power Bank - Never run out of battery
Phone Mount - Hands-free navigation

Why Every Student Needs a Side Hustle

The average student graduates with $30,000+ in debt. A side hustle earning just $500/month for 4 years means $24,000 less in loans - and real-world skills that make you more employable than your peers.

Benefits of a Student Side Hustle

✔ Reduce/eliminate student debt
✔ Build resume experience before graduation
✔ Develop marketable skills
✔ Financial independence from parents
✔ Flexible schedules that work around classes

Quick Cash Side Hustles

Need money fast? These hustles pay quickly with minimal startup:

Food Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)

$15-30/hr

Deliver food on your schedule. Work during dinner rush between classes or on weekends.

Pros: Totally flexible, start same week | Cons: Wear on your car, gas costs

Tutoring

$20-80/hr

Tutor high schoolers or fellow students in subjects you've mastered. SAT/ACT prep pays the most.

Platforms: Wyzant, Tutor.com, Varsity Tutors, local flyers | Best for: STEM majors

Reselling/Flipping

$200-2K+/mo

Buy cheap at thrift stores, sell on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace for profit.

Hot items: Vintage clothing, textbooks, sneakers, electronics | Startup: $50-200

Dog Walking/Pet Sitting

$15-40/walk

Walk dogs between classes or pet-sit during breaks. Rover and Wag connect you with clients.

Bonus: Get exercise + earn money | Best for: Animal lovers

Sell Notes & Study Guides

$100-500/mo

Upload your class notes to Stuvia, Nexus Notes, or sell directly to classmates.

Best for: Good note-takers | Passive: Same notes sell to new students each semester

Skill-Building Side Hustles

These hustles build skills employers want - making you more valuable after graduation:

Social Media Management

Manage Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn for local businesses. You already know social media - get paid for it.

Earnings: $300-1,500/client/month

Skills gained: Marketing, content creation, analytics

Freelance Writing

Write blog posts, articles, or web copy for businesses. English and journalism majors shine here.

Earnings: $50-500/article

Find work: Upwork, Contently, ProBlogger

Web Development

Build websites for local businesses. Learn in 3-6 months through free resources, then start charging.

Earnings: $500-5,000/website

Learn: freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project

Graphic Design

Create logos, social graphics, and marketing materials. Canva makes it easy to start.

Earnings: $100-500/project

Tools: Canva (free), Figma, Adobe

Video Editing

Edit YouTube videos, TikToks, and social content for creators. Huge demand from influencers.

Earnings: $25-100/video

Tools: CapCut (free), DaVinci Resolve (free)

Online Side Hustles

Content Creation

• YouTube - Start a channel in your niche
• TikTok - Build audience, monetize at 10K
• Blogging - Affiliate income over time
• Podcasting - Sponsorships at scale

Timeline: 6-12 months to meaningful income

Freelance Platforms

• Fiverr - Offer any service, $5-$500+
• Upwork - Higher-paying projects
• 99designs - Design contests
• Toptal - Elite freelancers (later)

Timeline: Can start earning within weeks

Passive Income Plays

• Sell templates on Etsy/Canva
• Print on demand (Redbubble, TeeSpring)
• Stock photography
• Create an online course

Timeline: Effort upfront, passive later

Micro-Tasks & Surveys

• UserTesting - $10-60/test
• Respondent - $50-300/study
• Swagbucks - Spare time income
• Amazon MTurk - Micro-tasks

Best for: Filling small time gaps

Campus-Based Opportunities

Campus Jobs

• Library assistant ($12-18/hr)
• Research assistant ($15-25/hr)
• IT help desk ($13-20/hr)
• Resident advisor (free housing)

• Dining hall worker ($12-16/hr)
• Gym attendant ($12-15/hr)
• Tour guide ($12-18/hr)
• Lab assistant ($15-25/hr)

Bonus: Campus jobs often offer work-study programs and flexible scheduling around exams

Dorm/College Services

• Laundry service - Do laundry for busy students ($20-40/load)
• Moving help - Help students move in/out ($20-30/hr)
• Computer repair - Fix student laptops ($50-100/job)
• Grocery shopping - Shop for students without cars

Balancing School and Work

The 15-Hour Rule

Research shows students working more than 15-20 hours/week see declining grades. Aim for 10-15 hours of side hustle work:

10-15 hrs/wk

Sweet spot for balance

$500-1,500/mo

Realistic earnings

GPA intact

Grades stay strong

Tips for Balance

✔ Block study time in your calendar first, then schedule work
✔ Choose flexible hustles that scale up/down with your schedule
✔ Scale back during midterms and finals week
✔ Use summers for intensive income building
✔ Your degree is the priority - don't sacrifice grades for short-term money