Teachers are some of the most skilled professionals when it comes to communication, organization, and expertise in specific subjects. Yet teacher salaries haven't kept pace with inflation. The good news? Your skills are incredibly valuable in the side hustle economy, and 2026 offers more opportunities than ever to monetize your expertise.
This guide covers 25 proven side hustles specifically suited for educators—from tutoring and curriculum creation to passive income streams that work while you're in the classroom.
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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
1. Online Tutoring ($30-100+/Hour)
Online tutoring is the most natural side hustle for teachers. You're already an expert at explaining concepts—now you can do it one-on-one for premium rates.
Platform-Based Tutoring
Wyzant
Set your own rates ($30-80/hr typical). Keep 75% of earnings.
Varsity Tutors
$15-40/hr. They handle scheduling and payments.
Tutor.com
$15-25/hr. Flexible scheduling, steady work.
Outschool
Teach group classes. $30-70/hr for K-12 subjects.
Private Tutoring (Higher Rates)
Build your own tutoring business for maximum earnings:
- • Elementary subjects: $40-60/hr
- • High school math/science: $60-100/hr
- • AP/IB courses: $75-150/hr
- • College prep: $80-200/hr
Tip: Build your client base through word-of-mouth from your students' parents.
Earning Potential:
10 hours/week at $50/hr = $2,000/month | Top tutors earn $5,000-8,000/month part-time
2. Curriculum & Resource Creation
Sell the lesson plans, worksheets, and resources you're already creating. This is one of the most passive income streams for teachers.
Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)
The largest marketplace for teacher-created resources. Over 7 million educators use TPT to buy and sell materials.
Top-Selling Categories:
- • Math worksheets and activities
- • Reading comprehension passages
- • Science experiment guides
- • Classroom management resources
- • Seasonal and holiday activities
Boom Cards
Create interactive digital task cards. Self-grading, engaging for students.
$200-2,000/month passiveEtsy (Educational Printables)
Sell worksheets, flashcards, and learning games as printables.
$300-3,000/month passiveSuccess Story:
"I started uploading my existing lesson plans to TPT in 2020. Now I make $4,500/month in passive income while still teaching full-time. I spend about 5 hours per week creating new resources."
3. Test Prep Services ($50-150/Hour)
Parents pay premium rates for SAT, ACT, AP, and state test preparation. Your classroom experience makes you uniquely qualified.
SAT/ACT Prep
$60-150/hr
High demand, premium pricing
AP Exam Tutoring
$50-100/hr
Seasonal demand (Jan-May)
State Test Prep
$40-75/hr
K-12 assessment prep
4. Online Course Creation
Package your expertise into courses that sell while you sleep. Teachers have a natural advantage in course creation.
Udemy
Create courses on any subject. They handle marketing and payments.
$100-10,000+/month passiveSkillshare
Earn based on minutes watched. Great for creative and practical skills.
$200-5,000/month passiveTeachable/Kajabi (Self-Hosted)
Host your own courses for higher profit margins. Requires marketing.
$500-50,000+/month5. Educational Writing & Content
Textbook/Curriculum Writing
Write for publishers like Pearson, McGraw-Hill, or EdTech companies.
$50-150/hr or per-project feesEducation Blog Writing
Write for education websites, companies, and publications.
$100-500 per articleTest Question Writing
Write questions for standardized tests and assessment companies.
$25-75/hrChildren's Book Writing
Self-publish educational children's books on Amazon KDP.
$200-5,000/month passive6. Summer & Break Opportunities
Maximize your summer break with intensive earning opportunities:
Summer Camp Counselor/Director
Lead educational or activity-based camps. $3,000-15,000 for the summer.
Summer School Teaching
Teach summer school at your district or nearby. Often 1.5x regular pay.
Intensive Tutoring Camps
Run your own tutoring intensive. Charge $500-2,000 per student for multi-week programs.
Curriculum Development Contracts
Work for EdTech companies or school districts developing curriculum. $5,000-20,000 projects.
7. More Side Hustle Ideas for Teachers
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Your Skills Deserve Extra Income
Teachers are underpaid, but your expertise is invaluable. Start earning what you're worth.