There are many reasons for teachers to have a summer side hustle. Personally, I can’t sit still, and I use the extra income to travel and save for a house. Whether it’s in-person or online, there are tons of summer jobs out there for teachers.
Did I mention that I’m the Queen of the summer side hustle?
One summer, I worked seven jobs. SEVEN. I worked 90 hours a week, bouncing from one gig to the next. I’ve worked every summer since I was 15 years old, mostly because I hate being bored. Here are some jobs that I’ve done in the past, or that I do now.
Quick Reminder:
I’m not teacher famous or cool enough to be sponsored by any of the following websites. Any recommendations are personal suggestions, not paid promotions.
My Favorite Summer Jobs for Spanish Teachers:
Summer school
I worked summer school once or twice. As a summer side hustle, It was easy enough, there were only a few students in class. It gave me a chance to build deeper relationships with these students and earn a little extra cash.
How to get involved:
Most schools that offer summer school offer the opportunity to sign up mid-spring for summer school. There might also be city-wide programs or programs at nearby schools that you can look into.
How much will I make?
This really depends on how much time the program requires of you, but I’ve seen anywhere from $2000 to $8000 for summer school.
Tutoring as a Summer Side Hustle
My personal favorite, this is also a great opportunity to build relationships and work one-on-one with a student. You will structure your own schedule and set your own rates. There are also opportunities to teach English online with companies based in China or elsewhere in the world.
How to get involved:
Reach out to department chairs in your area and let them know you’re offering summer tutoring for students who need extra support.
Join tutoring groups and keep an eye out for your content area.
Work for a tutoring agency – they handle all of the scheduling and payment, and guarantee that you’ll be paid when you should be. You won’t spend any time chasing families to receive payment.
I don’t recommend leaving your phone number on bulletin boards around town. You never know who might end up with your information. If you decide to go this route, use a Google Voice number.
How much will I make?
This really depends on where you’re working. In bigger cities or wealthier areas, you can easily charge $80-100 an hour for tutoring. In smaller towns or areas with lower socioeconomic status, $25-50 is more reasonable. Remember that the tax rate for this type of work is 15.7% in the US, and that you’ll want to save some extra cash for subscriptions and resources.
Teach English online
Teaching English online is a booming industry that grows everyday as the world becomes a smaller place. As an English teacher in Spain who also works online, I can tell you that the demand is quite high.
How to get involved
I guarantee someone in your network is already doing this, and has a referral code for you. They’ll get a bonus, and you’ll get an “in” with the company.
How much will I make?
Tutoring online is a totally different ballgame, as the market is limitless and students come from different backgrounds. If you’re working for a company, you can expect to make $8-22 an hour, and can set your own rate elsewhere. Again, keep that tax rate in mind when setting your rate.
House sitter
Looking for an opportunity to put your feet up, relax, and water some plants? House sitting might be just the gig for you! This may involve being at the house full-time, or popping in a few days a week to check on the house and the plants.
How to get involved:
There are websites that offer opportunities for this type of work, but I recommend local travel and expat pages in your community. A lot of foreigners who live in your city likely travel to their home countries for the summer, and look for someone to keep an eye on their place. Also look at visiting professor pages in your area, as college or university professors who guest-lecture elsewhere in the summer may be looking for someone to keep an eye on things.
How much will I make?
This varies by city, so it will depend on the demand and, honestly, the resources that people have to travel and pay someone to take care of their home. You may earn a free room for the summer with wifi and Netflix, or could be paid a set amount per week or month.
Dog Walker or Pet sitter
Another favorite! I used to walk dogs over spring and summer vacation. It was a great way to get to know my own city, move my body, and hang with some adorable new friends!
How to get involved:
Rover, Wag, and care.com all offer pet sitting and pet sitter employment. I worked with Wag, which required a background check and brief training. My sister works for Rover and her onboarding was similar.
How much will I make?
Wag and Rover both pay about $16/hour for dog walks, and pet sitting costs vary.
A few quick tips from personal experience: always Google how to put on a specific brand of harness. If a dog is aggressive with you, do NOT feel obligated to stay. I basically gave up on Wag after a dog snapped at me, but I really should have just given up on that dog. Also don’t be surprised if an owner shows up during your walk. Last tip: longer walks and photos get tips!
Tour Guide
This is perfect if you love your city or know it well! Show tourists around during the summer as they visit your awesome city. I love this summer side hustle opportunity.
How to get involved:
Check out local regulations first, as many places require a certification or permit to give tours. Next, look for opportunities to volunteer or work with local tour companies or tourism agencies. If there isn’t anything open in your area, consider starting your own activity on a paid platform like Airbnb Experiences.
How much will I make?
This will really depend on your area and the type of activity you’re leading. You could make $20-400 for a tour, depending on the type of tour and number of people involved.
Lifeguard
This is the best summer side hustle I’ve ever had. Sitting in the shade, swimming on breaks, and getting some activity in while protecting your community is a great way to make cash.
How to get involved:
You’ll need to be certified, so check out Red Cross or YMCA lifeguard training programs in your area. These take some time, so it’s best to start early or find an intensive program if you want to start right away. Then check to see if your local pools are hiring – remember that apartment complexes often have pools that need lifeguards.
How much will I make?
Lifeguards typically make a little more than minimum wage. When I worked as a lifeguard, it was always 1.5x minimum wage in my state, and I was easily able to work more than 30 hours a week. Special events and opening/closing shifts are often paid an overtime rate, and you can work private parties for extra cash.
Freelance Writer
Love to write and looking for an opportunity to do so? This is a great summer side hustle for creative teachers! There are tons of websites, magazines, and other print or digital organizations that hire freelance writers. You can also pick up quick jobs with fiverr.
How to get involved:
Check LinkedIn and job boards for copywriter or freelance writer positions. Employers will usually require sample work and a small project to see if you’ll be a good fit. Word to the wise: take an online course to learn the ropes, and always set a legal agreement on any sample work project you share regarding whether the company can use that piece. Friends have shared sample pieces with companies that didn’t hire them, but went ahead and sold or published the piece. Protect yourself and your work.
How much will I make?
Copywriters usually earn payment per hour, so you’ll want to know how long something will take you when setting your rate. Trained copywriters can earn $25-35 an hour.
Camp Counselor (YMCA, other)
Looking for more quality time with a bunch of kiddos? Camps are the right place for you. There are so many options, from day camps to sleepaway camps, specialized programs to general outdoor fun in the sun.
How to get involved:
Check out local job sites and look at the individual pages of camps in your area. Camps will usually require an interview and a background check before you can get started.
How much will I make?
Overnight camps offer room and board, so the pay is lower for this summer side hustle. Most counselors can expect to make $250/week at a residential camp.
Day camps don’t include lodging and meals, so the pay is higher at about $330 a week.
Specialized camps, like science programs, will pay more for an experienced teacher who is familiar with the content area.
My plans for the summer:
After this year, I need a break! I’ll be teaching a few online English classes in the morning, and spending the afternoons at the beach.
What will you be doing? Leave a comment below!
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