I know that being a teacher has always been rewarding, but let’s face it—it’s not the highest paying. Like many others in education, I know that teachers usually need extra income to pay off student loans, save for the future, or afford a well-deserved vacation. In 2025, the opportunities for side hustles have exploded, and the best part is: many of them fit perfectly with the skill sets teachers already have.
In this post, I’ll discuss the best side hustles for teachers in 2025 based on my journey, conversations with other educators, and the rapidly growing trends in the digital economy.
1. Online Tutoring (Still King of the Side Hustles)
Why it works: You’re already a natural at explaining concepts and helping students succeed. Online tutoring takes what you do best and brings it to a global marketplace.
Platforms to check out:
- Wyzant
- Preply
- Cambly
- Outschool (great for creative courses!)
Statements: I started tutoring English and Social Studies on Preply and made over $800/month working 5-6 hours a week. The flexibility was amazing, and I could set my rates and schedule.
2. Creating and Selling Educational Materials
Why it works: You already design worksheets, lesson plans, and classroom games. Why not try to sell them?
Where to sell:
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Etsy (for printable materials)
- Gumroad or Payhip (for direct downloads)
3. Blogging or YouTubing About Teaching
Why it works: You have stories. You have insight. Other teachers, parents, and even aspiring educators want to hear it.
How to monetize:
- Affiliate marketing (teacher tools, books, supplies)
- Display ads (Google AdSense or Ezoic)
- Sponsored content
What you could expect: It can take 3 months to gain traction, but by month 6, you can have over 10,000 monthly pageviews and start earning ad income. You can also go the YouTube route if you prefer video!
4. Freelance Writing or Editing
Why it works: Your communication skills are sharp. That’s your superpower.
Where to find gigs:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer.com
- ProBlogger job board
How my approach would be: I started with a niche: writing about education, parenting, and productivity. Once I had a few samples, the offers came more easily. This hustle can scale fast and pays surprisingly well (think $50-$150 per article).
If you need tips on how to improve work production when working from home, check out this article that I made. Click Here
5. Virtual Assistant Work
Why does it work: Organization? Communication? Problem-solving? Check, check, and check. Teachers are tailor-made for VA work.
Common VA tasks:
- Email management
- Calendar scheduling
- Customer support
- Social media management
Platforms to explore:
- Belay
- Time Etc
- Fancy Hands
6. Course Creation
Why it works: You don’t have to be an expert in everything—just one thing. Package your knowledge into a course and teach it on your terms.
Best platforms:
- Teachable
- Udemy
- Kajabi
Ideas from real teachers:
- “How to build engaging slide decks for middle school”
- “Creative writing prompts for elementary”
- “Managing classroom behavior with positive reinforcement”
7. Selling on Etsy (Even If You’re Not Crafty)
Why it works: Digital downloads, teacher printables, classroom decor, planners—you don’t have to be an artist to make a living here.
Hot-selling digital items:
- Class schedule posters
- Reward charts
- Editable parent newsletters
8. Affiliate Marketing for Teaching Tools
Why it works: You’re already recommending tools to colleagues. Affiliate marketing just means you get paid for it.
How to start:
- Amazon Associates
- ShareASale (great for education brands)
- Canva affiliate program
A real example: I reviewed 5 classroom time-saving tools in a blog post and linked them with affiliate codes. The post continues to bring in clicks every month—my favorite kind of passive income.
Final Thoughts: You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think
Side hustles aren’t just about money (though that’s a huge plus). For me, they became a way to feel more fulfilled, creative, and in control of my time. Whether it’s tutoring, creating content, or building digital products, there’s a world beyond the classroom that needs exactly what teachers have to offer.
In 2025, the tools are better than ever, the demand is high, and the timing is perfect. If you’ve been thinking about starting something on the side, this is your sign to do it.
Your future self—and your bank account—will thank you.
