What Are the 6 Best Side Hustles for Teachers?
- Sean G. McCormick
- Jul 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 7
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Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions out there.
But let’s be honest.
The paycheck doesn’t always reflect the hard work, and it doesn’t always pencil out.
Many teachers find themselves seeking additional income to support their families, save for the future, or just enjoy a few little luxuries.
The good news? Teachers have unique skills that can make finding a fulfilling, well-paid side hustle a breeze.
From utilizing your classroom expertise in new ways to stepping into entirely new ventures, there are countless options available.
This guide will walk you through some of the best side hustles for teachers, weighing the pros and cons of each.
We'll also explore why executive function coaching could be just the game-changing opportunity you've been looking for.
Let's get into it 👇
Side Hustle #1: Freelance Tutoring
Freelance tutoring is a natural fit for any teacher.
Since you’re already well-versed in explaining mathematical equations, breaking down essay structures, or deconstructing historical events (or whatever else it might be!), why not make use of those skills to earn extra income?
Tutoring can be done online or in person, depending on your resources and preferences, and students of all ages are always looking for expert help in core subjects and test preparation.
The global online tutoring market is expected to grow at a 14% annual rate, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for you to tap into here.
One of the biggest advantages of tutoring is its flexibility.
You can set your hours according to your teaching schedule, making it particularly appealing during the summer or after school.
Another perk?
In many cases, parents and students are willing to pay premium rates for specialized expertise, so if you teach AP-level courses or know standardized test prep inside out, you can easily charge higher fees.
But it’s not all rosy.
Freelance tutoring does require some consistent effort to find and retain clients.
And juggling this on top of full-time teaching can sometimes feel like more work than you signed up for.
That said, if you pace yourself and perhaps only take on students during slower periods, tutoring can be a fantastic way to make some extra cash while doing what you’re already great at.
Pros:
Flexible hours to fit alongside your teaching schedule.
High earning potential for specialized subjects, especially AP-level courses or standardized test prep.
Fulfilling as you make a direct impact on students' education.
Cons:
Requires effort to find and retain clients consistently.
Can become overwhelming when paired with full-time teaching responsibilities.
Side Hustle #2: Selling Educational Resources
If you’ve been a teacher for even a few years, chances are you’ve built up an arsenal of:
Lesson plans
Activities
Printables
Why keep them to yourself when platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers allow you to sell these materials?
Selling educational resources is one of the best ways to create an additional income stream while capitalizing on materials you’ve already developed.
If Teachers Pay Teachers doesn’t interest you, even Etsy can be a good outlet; you’ll just have to pay an initial set-up fee and a listing fee of 20 cents (plus a transaction fee of 6.5% of the item price).
Teachers Pay Teachers requires a membership fee of $29 to $60 per year.
The major appeal here is passive income.
While it does take some time upfront to create high-quality resources, once they’re out there, they can continue generating revenue month after month without you having to lift a finger.
Plus, it gives you an incredible opportunity to reach a broader teaching community, build your reputation, and even inspire educators worldwide.
However, the competitive nature of these platforms can’t be ignored.
With countless teachers posting resources, it takes extra effort to make yours stand out.
High-quality visuals, clear instructions, and well-thought-out marketing (even if that’s just some cleverly-placed and worded Pinterest pins!) are essential for success.
But if you’re okay with investing time upfront, this side hustle has the potential to become both lucrative and rewarding.
Pros:
Opportunity to earn passive income after an upfront time investment.
Broad reach, allowing you to inspire educators globally.
Builds your reputation within the teaching community.
Cons:
Most platforms require a membership fee to list your resources.
Highly competitive marketplace requires polished, unique resources to stand out.
Time-consuming to create top-quality materials and maintain your store.
Pro Tip: Spend extra time on creating eye-catching visuals and clear instructions to grab attention and maximize your sales.
Side Hustle #3: Online Course Creation
If you’re ready to think bigger and reach beyond K-12 students, online course creation might be your calling.
Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable make it easy to package your expertise into an online course that can be sold worldwide.
The beauty of this side hustle is that you’re no longer restricted to teaching students.
You can design courses for anyone, from professionals looking to acquire new skills to hobbyists exploring their interests.
Love sewing? Great. Teach it!
Passions lie in foreign languages? You can teach that, too.
There’s no shortage of options for teachers who have strong communication skills and a desire to pass on their love of something to someone else.
This is another excellent source of passive income.
Once you’ve created the course, it can remain live and continue attracting new enrollees over time.
Again, it also provides an opportunity to explore your passions in greater depth.
Are you passionate about creative writing? Photography? Project management?
You can turn that expertise into a course that generates a steady income.
Of course, creating online courses isn’t without its challenges.
Recording and editing content requires a fair bit of tech know-how, and the initial effort can feel overwhelming.
Plus, with so many courses available, you’ll need to consistently market yourself to ensure your work gets noticed.
But if you’re looking for a scalable, long-term income stream, this could be the perfect fit.
Pros:
Can create a global audience beyond traditional K-12 students.
Generates passive income since once a course is live, it can generate sales indefinitely.
Ideal for exploring personal passions, like photography or creative writing, and earning from them.
Cons:
Requires significant tech know-how for recording, editing, and setting up courses.
Marketing is essential, as it’s a crowded marketplace.
Side Hustle #4: Content Writing Or Blogging
Your ability to explain ideas clearly and concisely is a skill that translates beautifully into content writing or blogging.
Many websites look for writers in the education world to create articles, blogs, and even educational tools.
Alternatively, you can start your own blog and establish yourself as a thought leader while earning income through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
This side hustle is incredibly flexible and can be done from the comfort of your home, making it an ideal option for evenings, weekends, or holidays.
It also allows you to tap into your creative side, whether you’re crafting informative how-tos or writing about your personal teaching experiences.
Most importantly, writing is an excellent outlet for teachers who have a knack for storytelling or a desire to share knowledge on a broader scale.
That said, content writing isn’t always smooth sailing.
You need (obviously) strong writing skills, and an understanding of SEO is a must if you want your work to gain visibility online.
Freelance writing work can be inconsistent, and blogging takes time to generate income.
However, with dedication and persistence, it’s a great way to earn extra money while honing a new skill that can really take you places.
Pros:
Flexible work-from-anywhere opportunity.
Lets you tap into your creative side to share stories and expertise.
Builds your personal brand as a thought leader in education.
Cons:
Requires strong writing and SEO knowledge to gain visibility.
Blogging, in particular, takes time to generate income (you won’t recoup your investment of time or money overnight).
Side Hustle #5: Coaching Extracurricular Activities
Coaching sports teams, leading performing arts groups, or guiding a debate club are all extensions of your teaching expertise.
Many schools and community organizations offer payment for coaching roles, and for those who already enjoy working with students outside the classroom, this can be a seamless way to earn extra cash.
This side hustle provides more than just monetary benefits.
Coaching lets you build stronger relationships with students and offers an outlet to channel your passions, whether it’s soccer, theater, or music.
You don’t have to build an audience or learn complex tech skills, and you’re still working in a familiar environment.
The downside is that coaching can be time-consuming.
Evening practices, weekend tournaments, and long rehearsals can take a toll on your availability.
Worse, the income may not always justify the hours spent.
But if coaching is something you’re passionate about, it’s easy to overlook these challenges and focus on the rewarding experience it can deliver.
Pros:
Strengthens connections with students by engaging with them outside the classroom.
Channels your passions (like soccer, theater, or music) into something impactful.
No need to find clients or audience; you’re working within a familiar environment.
Cons:
Time-intensive, especially with evening practices and weekend events.
Compensation may not always align with the hours required.
Side Hustle #6: Executive Function Coaching
One of the most valuable and often overlooked side hustles for teachers is executive function coaching.
This growing field focuses on helping students develop critical skills like time management, organization, and study habits.
If you’re a teacher, you already have the foundational knowledge to start in this area, and the demand for these services is on the rise.
Executive function coaching aligns perfectly with core teaching skills.
You can choose to work remotely with students, which means greater flexibility.
Plus, it’s one of the more lucrative options for teachers, with the potential to earn high hourly rates.
If you invest some time learning strategies specific to this field, you can quickly establish yourself as an expert.
The challenge lies in getting started.
Building a client base takes time, and you may need to undertake a bit of research or training to familiarize yourself with best practices.
However, the earning potential and meaningful impact of this work make it an incredibly worthwhile investment of your time.
The best part is that this challenge is easily mitigated with courses like those offered at The Executive Function Coaching Academy.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know to get your foot in the door, from the technical aspects of working with students to how to market your business.
Problem solved!
And here’s one more hack for you: because we know building a new skillset can feel overwhelming at first, we offer a Special Educator’s 10-Minute Coaching Niche Toolkit as well.
For just $27, this quick, no-fluff course walks you through getting started, step by step.
Through this toolkit, you’ll learn how to narrow your niche, figure out how to highlight your expertise, and kick off with confidence.
Pros:
Allows you to work remotely with flexible hours.
One of the most lucrative options with potential hourly rates between $150 and $337.
Brings meaningful impact by directly aiding students’ academic and personal growth.
Cons:
Can take time to build a client base.
May require initial training to become familiar with EF-specific strategies.
With the demand for EF coaching growing rapidly, this side hustle offers long-term benefits, both financially and professionally.
The Bottom Line
Teaching is an incredibly rewarding career, but there’s no reason why you can’t explore side hustles to supplement your income and expand your horizons.
Here are the 6 best side hustles for teachers:
Freelance Tutoring
Selling Educational Resources
Online Course Creation
Content Writing Or Blogging
Coaching Extracurricular Activities
Executive Function Coaching
Hope this helps! 🤙🏻
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.