Business
15 Side Hustles for Educators
Calling all educators – let’s shine a spotlight on your skills!
You’re already pros at teaching and helping others, so why not turn that expertise into extra earnings? Check out these 15 side hustles that won’t break the bank – some require no initial investment at all.
Plus, some of these hustles can keep money coming in even when you’re not actively working.
If you’re not in the education field, no worries, spin the hustle to fit your skills.
- Online Teaching and Tutoring
Getting Started: Platforms like VIPKid, Teachable, and Outschool offer opportunities to teach students across the globe. Register, create an engaging profile, and choose your schedule.
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours a week.
Cost: Minimal – a reliable internet connection and possibly a webcam.
Earnings: Around $10-$25 per hour depending on the platform and subject.
- Curriculum Development
Getting Started: Leverage your expertise to create engaging lesson plans, worksheets, and educational resources. Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers allow you to sell your content.
Time Commitment: Variable, depending on the complexity of the materials.
Cost: None to minimal – you can create materials using free tools.
Earnings: Varies widely, but successful educators can earn hundreds to thousands of dollars annually.
- Education Consulting
Getting Started: Leverage your teaching experience to provide consultation services to schools, parents, or educational organizations.
Time Commitment: Flexible, depending on your client base.
Cost: Minimal – you might need a website or business cards.
Earnings: Can range from $50 to $150 or more per hour.
- Virtual Book Clubs
Getting Started: Organize online book clubs for various age groups. Market through social media or educational forums.
Time Commitment: Moderate, as you need to curate reading lists and facilitate discussions.
Cost: Minimal – possibly a small investment in books to get started.
Earnings: Membership fees or per-session charges can generate extra income.
- Test Preparation
Getting Started: Offer tutoring or courses for standardized tests like SAT, ACT, or GRE.
Time Commitment: Flexible, depending on students’ schedules.
Cost: Minimal – resources and materials are available online.
Earnings: Depending on your experience, you could earn $30-$100 per hour.
- Language Teaching
Getting Started: If you’re bilingual, offer language lessons online.
Time Commitment: Flexible.
Cost: Minimal – possibly some teaching materials.
Earnings: Around $15-$40 per hour, depending on the language and platform.
- Blogging or Content Writing
Getting Started: Share your educational insights through a blog or contribute articles to educational websites.
Time Commitment: Flexible.
Cost: Minimal – a website or blog hosting may be required.
Earnings: Earnings can vary but may grow as your audience does.
- Online Course Creation
Getting Started: Develop online courses in your expertise area on platforms like Udemy or Skillshare.
Time Commitment: Initial setup may take time, but courses can generate passive income.
Cost: Minimal – online course platforms have free options.
Earnings: Varies, but successful courses can yield substantial income.
- Educational Podcasting
Getting Started: Create a podcast discussing educational topics, classroom strategies, or parenting.
Time Commitment: Varies – from episode creation to marketing.
Cost: Minimal – a microphone and editing software may be needed.
Earnings: Through sponsorships, advertisements, or Patreon support.
- Grant Writing
Getting Started: Use your writing skills to assist schools or organizations in securing grants.
Time Commitment: Moderate.
Cost: Minimal – access to grant databases and resources.
Earnings: Varies based on projects and success rates.
- Virtual Field Trips
Getting Started: Organize and conduct virtual field trips for students, collaborating with museums or cultural sites.
Time Commitment: Moderate, due to coordination efforts.
Cost: Minimal – some virtual tour software or tools.
Earnings: Charge schools or families per virtual field trip.
- Online Workshops
Getting Started: Design and conduct online workshops on topics like classroom management or tech integration.
Time Commitment: Variable.
Cost: Minimal – online platforms can host workshops.
Earnings: Depending on participants, charge for attendance.
- Homeschooling Support
Getting Started: Offer tutoring or support for homeschooling parents seeking expertise.
Time Commitment: Flexible.
Cost: Minimal – resources for different subjects.
Earnings: Varies, but $20-$40 per hour is common.
- Transcription Services
Getting Started: Offer transcription services for educational content or resources.
Time Commitment: Flexible.
Cost: Minimal – transcription software or tools.
Earnings: Varies based on projects.
- Virtual Reality Educational Content
Getting Started: Create or curate educational VR experiences for schools or parents.
Time Commitment: Moderate, depending on content creation.
Cost: Moderate – VR equipment and software.
Earnings: Potentially substantial as VR gains traction in education.
I have dabbled in all of these except #9, but it’s been on my mind. I am going to make mini guides for each of these. Let me know which one you think I should start with.
