Teachers are vital to the growth of students, they’re invaluable within their community, and spend countless hours planning lessons, caring for their pupils. It’s well known that educators often receive low pay despite their commitment and responsibility. Many turn to part-time jobs in order to survive.
There are many opportunities for part-time work that fit into your schedule. This guide will help you earn passive income by finding a job during the summer, or a part-time gig at nights and weekends.
Keep you teaching with side jobs
You are a teacher. These jobs are perfect for those who want to work as a teacher while also earning supplemental income.
1. Tutoring
You can earn extra money by tutoring while continuing to teach. You can choose to focus on a particular age group or subject, or you could narrow down your tutoring for high school SAT or ACT preparation. You can do tutoring in the free time you have after school, either in groups or one-on-one.
- Pay – As at May 2021 tutors earned an average hourly wage of $20.09, but this varies greatly by location, experience and specialty.
- Start — Register online as a tutor on sites such as TutorMe or VarsityTutor, set your price and notify parents in your school that you are available. Be sure to check the fine print before signing up.
2. Test administrator standardized
This side job, while the requirements for test administrators may vary between states and districts, is required everywhere that there are schools. The administrators ensure all test procedures are adhered to, no materials are removed from the testing site and all tests are submitted and graded securely. There are many opportunities for proctoring exams at home as schooling is increasingly online.
- Salary — Test Administrators salaries vary greatly depending on state but can range from $10.50 to $14.50 per hour.
- Start — Find your state’s testing service to find out more about the program and to apply for a position as a test administrator.
3. Teach English abroad
Dream of travelling the world? It is possible to learn about other cultures and improve your teaching skills by working abroad in the summer. You can find short-term jobs teaching abroad or teach in foreign classrooms.
- Pay —This can vary by region, but it can reach as much as $5,000 per month. Some gigs will cover your room and board while other require that you budget for living expenses.
- Start — Learn more and discover regions and processes through International Schools Service. You can also find teaching positions abroad on sites such as Teach away or Go Overseas. Always read all the details before signing up.
4. Professor Adjunct at Community College
There is a growing demand for instructors as more people choose community colleges to reduce their tuition costs. It’s a rewarding experience to teach at community colleges and make a difference in people’s lives.
- Pay —Adjunct Faculty earns between $20,000 to $25,000 per year, but this depends on the institution and their experience.
- Start — Find out what education is required at the colleges in your area to determine if your qualifications are accepted. Decide what you would like to teach. Meet with other professors, and then apply.
Side jobs online for teachers
You can earn extra cash in your palm. There are many online side jobs available, including some of the apps you use regularly. These online side gigs can help you earn more as a teacher.
5. Drive for ride-sharing services
The ride-share industry is a popular part time job that offers flexibility and quick money. You can earn a lot of money by working at peak times, but you also need to consider safety, car maintenance and insurance costs, as well as cleaning, gas, and other expenses.
- Earnings — Drivers will be able to earn around $18.05 an hour by 2021. However, it is not consistent.
- Start — Download the app you want, then gather and send the required company information. The minimum requirements may include: a valid driver’s licence, DMV background checks, insurance, registration and valid car inspection.
6. Delivery Services
You may consider shopping or delivery services if you don’t feel comfortable driving others. Teachers can choose their own schedules, making this a good second job. Deliver packages to companies such as Amazon Flex, or food and grocery items when people are in need.
- Pay —As per May 2021 the average wage for a worker is $12.49/hour, but it depends on location, company, and tips.
- Start — Decide what you are going to do, and then select the best app for it.
7. Your extra space can be rented out
Airbnb is a great option for renting out extra rooms. It’s easy to do, but make sure to have insurance that covers any damages.
You can still rent parking spots, lawns and swimming pools, even if you do not have any rooms or homes to rent.
- Earn — Airbnb host can earn an average $13,800 per month by 2021.
- Start now — After determining your rate, your rules and your available hours you can register your space.
8. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants may have some administrative duties to perform, but they also offer many other services such as customer service, HR, bookkeeping, and much more. Virtual assistants must have some experience working in an administrative position.
- Earnings — A virtual assistant’s hourly wage is an average of 19.08 dollars, based on their experience and the job requirements.
- Start — A virtual assistant will be their own boss. You’ll need to take some basic steps in building your business.
9. Online surveys
Teachers can earn money by taking online surveys. They may not make much, but they add up. It’s convenient, easy and quick, and you can use them on both your computer and phone. If you want to earn a bit of extra money in your spare time, this is a great option.
- Earn — You could make $1-$5 a day by completing surveys.
- Start — Websites such as Swagbucks and InboxDollar can help you find surveys.
Get outside the office with side jobs
You may need to take a deep breath. These teacher jobs will help you get outdoors and active all year.

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10. Dog Walking
It’s a fun way to enjoy time with the best friend of man and get in some good exercise. While finding a job as a dog walker during school years can be difficult, since most families prefer to have walkers in the afternoons, summers are a great time for you and your furry friend.
- Payment — The amount you earn depends on the number of dogs you walk and your rate. Rover allows you to retain 80% of the earnings.
- Start working —Contact your friends or neighbors and ask them to join you in a project.
11. Guided tour
You may have the opportunity to give summer visitors a walking tour of your city if you are located in an historical neighborhood or town. This is a wonderful way to see your city from a different perspective and share what you know about it with others. You can also use the knowledge you have of your area to create future lessons.
- Earn — The amount you can earn will depend on your location, the length of your tour and many other factors. You may be able to determine your rates depending on where you are working or the organization with which you’re affiliated.
- Start now —Contact local attractions and organizations to find out if they are hiring.
12. Summer camp counselor
Enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine and relive childhood memories. As a counselor, you’ll get used to being responsible for children and can have fun.
- Pay —Day Camp Counselors Earn a Median of $14.27 per hour by 2021.
- Start — Many local churches, YMCAs, and Parks and Recreations host camps during summer and holidays. Search for other camps and cities to get a unique experience.
13. Lifeguard
Lifeguarding allows you to enjoy the sunshine while also protecting others. Year-round the American Red Cross provides lifeguarding and water safety classes that will allow you to earn certifications for your job and develop the skills necessary.
- Pay – A lifeguard’s median annual salary is $25,630, although it can be higher depending on their experience and responsibility.
- Start — After completing your lifeguarding training, you may apply for a job at your local pool, beach, or school.
14. Local youth sport coaching
You can make money coaching youth sports if you’re a fitness enthusiast or a competitor. As a coach, you’ll earn the most money as a personal trainer or by opening your own company. You can choose your own schedule and price, but you will have to put in a lot more work at first.
- Pay —You set the price. As of 2021 most youth coaches will earn about $38,970 per year.
- Start — Reach out to local groups and coaches for recommendations and opportunities.
15. Gardening and lawn care
Do you have a green finger? Teachers who have a green thumb can earn extra money by caring for lawns and gardens. In the summer, you could make some money by offering to mow grass and take care of gardens.
- Earnings —Landscapers will earn an average of $17.05/hour by 2021.
- Start —Sponsor your local community through your social media app if you own your equipment. You can also work for a company that already exists.
Side jobs at home
Start a home-based DIY business to relax, take control of your schedule, and be creative. Below are some creative jobs that teachers can do.

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16. Flip Furniture
Reuse, reduce and recycle furniture that has been neglected or discarded to create something new. Vintage treasures and refurbished items are highly sought after and fetch high prices. You can save these from the landfill and feel good about it.
- Pay —Your profits depends 100% on the value of pieces that you flip.
- Start — Decide what you want to flip and search online markets, yard sales and thrift stores for great bargains. Refurbish your find and sell it in the same locations.
17. You can sell your crafts
Consider monetizing your passion for a particular craft. You can sell anything from polymer clay earrings to cross-stitch designs. Finding a market that is popular and creating something new are the keys to success. If you notice that resin and glitter earrings have become popular, then consider creating new shapes using unique materials in order to stand out.
- Payment —This depends entirely on your advertising and product. Look at similar shops on Etsy or local art markets for an idea of pricing.
- Start — Research what is selling, and add your own spin! Then, launch the product online or independently on markets and social media.
18. Cash for Farming
Consider selling food as a side job if you are a gardener and have space. You can either sell your garden vegetables or herbs on their own. Or, you can make salsas and sauces from them. You can also produce other products such as eggs, flowers and honey that are popular at farmer’s markets. Your surplus garden produce can be sold to other teachers.
- Price —The price you charge will be influenced by the product that is sold.
- Start — Choose a product and plant it. Then, get your certifications and business plan in place while the plants are growing!
19. Begin blogging
Blogs are a way to “infopreneurship”, which is sharing knowledge and building your professional reputation while earning money. Teachers can earn money by writing an ebook on classroom management or selling their general lessons. You can also share your knowledge with family, gardening or business. You can make money by advertising, or selling your skills as a writer or speaker once you have built an audience.
- Earn Money — How much money you earn as a blog depends on the traffic and audience you attract.
- Start — Choose your topics for your blog and learn how to promote it, then begin writing. WordPress is the most popular platform for creating websites. However, you can also start with a simpler system like Wix.
20. Stock photos for sale
Consider posting your photographs on stock image sites if you are a photographer. High-quality photos can be sold for a lot of money, but the market is becoming very competitive. You may not earn much if you are new to photography. However, if you already shoot, it’s worth trying to make some money.
- Payment —Stock Photography Pay depends on which site you sell your stock photography on.
- Let’s get started — Take pictures with a purpose. They should not only be beautiful, but also tell a tale and have underlying context. Learn about royalties and post your pictures on websites like Alamy or Shutterstock. Before posting photos, make sure you read all the terms.
Side jobs for educators
Are you looking for more ideas? You can also consider these side-jobs for teachers.
- Selling lesson plans – You can sell your lesson plan to another teacher for extra money. This can be done on websites like Teachers Pay Teachers, to make sure your lesson plans reach the correct audience.
- Join a focus groups — A great side hustle is to join a group of people who are interested in making money. The pay depends on whether the group is online, or if you travel.
- You can also rent your vehicle. It’s great for those who don’t drive much. Start by using an app such as Turo.
- House Sit — Make some extra money by house-sitting. HouseSitter.com will help you find someone who needs your services.
- Are you a yoga enthusiast? You can get certified to teach yoga on the side.
- Notary – You can be a notary on your own. Notarization is required for this side gig.
- Cleaning Services — Charge for cleaning services or start your own cleaning business.
- Transcriber — You can improve your translation and transcription skills by undergoing specialized training.
- Preparation of meals — If cooking is your hobby, meal preparation services can be a good way to get started. Check out your local license requirements before you start this business.
- Personal Shopping — Are you a natural shopper? Consider becoming a personal shopper for other people, for either groceries or clothes.
- Create an organization company — If you are a master at sorting and organizing, this can be a lucrative side business.
The Next Steps
Teachers and educators often see part-time or side work as an essential way to increase their income. There are many choices available to teachers today, and they can pick the one that best suits their lifestyle or schedule.
Set some goals for your savings and use the extra money to get there. Your earnings can be deposited in an account that offers a high rate of return, such as Credit Karma Money ™Save.