Abby B. Wondering what are possible side hustles for academics? Unsure what you can do with your teaching skills? Here are 29 ideas!
There are many areas you can get into when it comes to teaching. Perhaps the best thing is to leverage on a current experience you have when starting a side hustle in your field.
In this article, I’ll be sharing 29 suitable side hustles for professors and academics, including recommendations of what you’ll need to start. At the end of the post, you can find more tailored options for making money online on the side as an academic.
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
29 Best Side Hustles For Academics
1. Tutor school kids online for an hourly pay
Love your profession and still want to teach? You can tutor highschoolers and school kids for simple subjects like language, mathematics, history or science.
Good thing is, you can choose how much time you want to spend tutoring and set your own hourly pay (anything between $40-$60 is normal). You also don’t have to be driving to your students and can save time by conducting your classes online – as long as you’re able to manage your tutee.
Some sites you can join to become a tutor online:
| What do I need to start? | – A subject you’re able to teach – Plan for modules and lessons – Platform to market your services |
2. Upload academic videos on your own YouTube channel
Want to explore a more creative side hustle that still lets you teach? You can host your teaching videos on YouTube and make money from ads, affiliates, sponsorships and sales of your own products.
As an academic, the best way to tap into your skills is by making content that is either educational or informational for your target audience e.g. high school students or college newbies.
It’s important to stay consistent by uploading at least once a week in the first two years of being on YouTube – even if you’re not seeing numbers YET.
Interesting YouTube channels in the academic niche:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
3. Start podcasting for the education niche
Another way of sharing educational content is through podcasts. As a person that loves to learn on the go, I find podcasts to be a huge game changer. I don’t always need to be watching something to learn something new!
Podcasting may be a more feasible idea if you’re camera-shy and short on time. As you’ll be posting audio files instead of videos, editing is much more possible even with a busy schedule.
It also takes less equipment to set up compared to video-recording and does not require you to be creative on where you’re recording from. Get a good microphone to speak into and to learn how to use an audio editing software.
Common ways to make money with podcasting includes earning from downloads and getting brand deals.
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
Check out: 17 best education podcasts for teachers
4. Write for your own educational blog
If writing is something you’re more comfortable with, consider sharing educational content with a blog. It’s a side hustle I recommend for introverts and for those who are patient enough to see long term results.
Just like other content methods above, blogging allows you to earn from ads, affiliates, brand deals and from selling your own digital products e.g. courses or printables. It works very similar to YouTube where you’ll need to invest a chunk of your time before you can earn anything from it.
If you want to explore other fields to write about and want to learn how to make money from a blog, get this beginner blogging course right here. Or check out my free my article on how to set up a blog step-by-step guide.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
5. Earn commission with affiliate products and services
You can still earn affiliate income without a blog or a YouTube channel. Social media platforms like Twitter and Pinterest are great for promoting affiliates as they make it easy for you to share your links.
Some affiliate marketplaces you can sign up to are Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising.
Just create an account, get a link for a suitable product/service that you believe will benefit your audience and start sharing the links! Once a person clicks on it and make a purchase, you’ll earn a commission (a percentage of the sale).
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
6. Take photos to sell online on stock websites
Love taking photos? You can sell your photographs on stock websites. Of course, you’ll need some photography skills to do well in this side hustle!
Stock photos are usually purchased by content creators and large websites as they don’t always have the right images to use for their content – and unable to take their own.
Demand for some niches can be seasonal so its wise to stick to evergreen categories when you’re starting out like street photography, food and nature.
Take time to learn what works, build your portfolio of photos and give it some time before you start earning recurring passive income.
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera & photography skills – Basic photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
7. Get paid as a freelance writer for other blogs and websites
Don’t want to go through the hassle of building your own blog but want to dabble in content writing? You can practice by writing for other websites or blogs first.
Other than the proficiency to write in a certain language, you’ll also need SEO knowledge and the ability to do research that’s better than others.
Not sure how to start? I recommend getting this beginner freelance writing course. You’ll learn the right ways to write for clients, how to pitch topics and get the opportunity to write for the course creator’s blog (she only hires writers that takes up her course).
| What do I need to start? | – Writing skills – Good command of English – Promote your freelance writing service |
8. Create online courses to sell passively
If what you’re teaching is something others are needing to advance themselves, consider creating short online courses any beginner can sign up to.
Instead of making it long-winded and tedious, plan your modules to be bite-sized but at the same time packed with necessary info. Busy individuals that are looking to upskill with courses want to focus on the important bits than wasting time going through long modules.
Record your lessons and sell them as short courses on online learning platforms to reach a wider audience. You’re able to price it lower this way, make it more accessible and still make good side income.
Some sites you can host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
9. Self-publish your own e-book with Amazon KDP
Have a topic you’ve been wanting to write on or want to share your professional insights with the public? You can write your own e-book and self publish on sites like Amazon KDP, Lulu or Book Baby.
You don’t have to wait months on end for your book to be published just to earn a low royalty on sale.
Compared to physical books, you can place affiliate links in e-books and earn extra revenue when a reader makes a purchase or sign up to something. They should be able to click on any link within the PDF and be directed to the product or service you’re promoting (as long as there’s internet).
It’s possible even for Kindle e-books!
| What do I need to start? | – Book writing skills – Join an online self-publishing platform |
10. Offer freelance online services within your field
Thought of becoming a freelancer and offering an online service? You can do so on Upwork and Fiverr (more sites down below).
The kind of service you can offer depends on the field you’re currently teaching for or skills you have. If you’re a professor for IT-related studies, then there’s plenty of jobs you can do that involves use of programs.
Even if you can’t decide on a service to offer that’s related to what you’re teaching, consider picking up new skills for online jobs that are in demand. This includes WordPress management, virtual assistance and social media management.
You might be surprised to know how many businesses (big and small) are looking for people to perform these odd everyday tasks for them!
Ways to promote your services:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- Indeed
- TikTok (because anything can go viral here)
- Build your own website
| What do I need to start? | – Skills for a specific task – Type of service you can offer – Your hourly rate charge |
11. Create digital products you can sell on Etsy
Love buying things on Etsy? It’s your turn to start a shop selling your own creations. If you don’t know what to sell, I highly suggest selling these 18 digital products on Etsy!
Digital products like printables, social media templates, Excel budgets or Notion presets can be sold on Etsy without needing you to manually fulfill the order every single time. Once a customer purchases, they are prompted to download the digital file immediately and you don’t need to ship anything.
You’ll only be making the products once, create the Etsy listing and maybe occasionally update it. No extra production cost involved for every additional sale you make.
| What do I need to start? | – A digital product idea – Tools to create the digital product – Platform to sell on |
12. Become a part-time café barista
Want a side job that allows you to socialize and make new friends? Become a barista if you love coffee and love making it for others!
Start by going for professional barista classes to learn relevant skills like latte art (not the easiest) and get a part time job at a coffee shop near home.
Whether it’s at home or at the place you’re teaching, coffee making is a skill that’s useful for life. Aside from making extra money with the skill, you’ll get to save money by making your own crafted latte.
| What do I need to start? | – Barista training certification – Love for coffee |
Check out: 6 tips and tricks on becoming a barista
13. Try pet-sitting in your free time at home
Looking for a side hustle you can do from home and doesn’t require staring at screens or papers? Pet-sitting is something you can do if you’re a pet lover!
Pet sitters are able to make $15-20 per visit and can get at least $200 with just 10 visits in a single weekend. Instead of going to someone else’s place, you can bring the pets to your house and still enjoy weekends staying in.
You’re in luck if you have great pet skills and able to perform extra services like grooming and home boarding. Make the extra money!
Services you can include with pet sitting:
- Walking
- Home boarding
- Sleepovers and night care
- Training
- Bring to vet
- Basic grooming & care
- Travel trips
| What do I need to start? | – Good skills with pets e.g. dogs, cats – Tools for the service you want to offer – Socializing to get clients |
14. Secure brand sponsorships as an influencer
Love using social media and have a good number of followers? You can become an influencer and get paid promoting brands.
The best platforms to be on are TikTok, YouTube shorts and Instagram reels. Regardless of what kind of videos you plan to make, upload the same ones across all platforms to ensure you’re targeting the right audience.
Even if you’re not being paid yet to promote products/services, you can still make content for things you love and share them. Brands take time to recognize good talent but it’s well paid in the end!
| What do I need to start? | – Smart phone to record and share content – Video editing app e.g. CapCut – Photo editing app |
15. Drive for Uber or Lyft
If driving is something you love doing and find relaxing (some of us can!), sign up to be an Uber or Lyft driver. There will be some steps you need to take before they verify you as a driver so it might take some time.
It might not pay a lot if you’re doing in your free time or on the weekends. Regardless, any extra income is still income and can help you pay for your car or weekly groceries!
Instead of driving others around, you can also deliver packages or food with either Amazon Flex or Uber Eats.
| What do I need to start? | – A vehicle to drive – Smartphone to receive ride orders |
16. Become a handyman in your spare time
Some of us are pretty handy when it comes to fixing things around the house. Whether you’re good at plumbing, electrical wiring or painting walls, you can make money with these skills!
Start small by offering these services on the side in your area. You can post about it in your community WhatsApp or Facebook groups and let others know.
More complicated renovation or electrical jobs will require a license so better not get into those!
| What do I need to start? | – The right tools for the services you want to offer – Promote your service to your community |
17. Proofread documents and papers for others
Another side hustle you can explore that’s highly suitable for academics and professors is proofreading. As someone who deals with academic papers and thesis, you’re more than qualified to provide feedback for work of others.
Best to promote your services online to people you don’t know of – just to avoid any conflict of interest. Two sites you can join that is popular for proofreading gigs are Upwork and Fiverr!
You can then work your way up by promoting your services through word of mouth – get your clients to refer a customer in exchange for a small discount on their next project.
| What do I need to start? | – Great written and spoken command of primary language – Attention to details |
18. Offer online copyediting services
Love editing papers and prefer writing short captions over long essays? You can offer copyediting or copywriting services online.
Businesses including ecommerce brands hire copywriters per project basis so you can look forward to recurring work. It’s even better if you’re majoring in marketing studies as most copywriting is geared towards advertisements, social media posts and sales pages.
Best to specialize in an area of copywriting such as landing page copywriter, ecommerce copywriter or social media copywriter!
| What do I need to start? | – Copywriting/editing skills – Platform to market your services – Hourly rate charge |
19. Complete online surveys on the go
Need something quick and not looking to build a serious side hustle? You can complete online surveys during your lunch break or while commuting.
Online surveys are usually commercial in nature and targets a specific audience so there’s higher chances of you getting chosen for a survey if it matches your user profile.
This is a side hustle that’s completely doable using a mobile phone and although surveys can’t bring in a lot of income, it’s pretty easy to get done.
| What do I need to start? | – Your mobile phone – Signing up to online survey platforms |
Want to make $300 this month?
Easy! Just fill up surveys in your free time on Survey Junkie!
Save up for that dream vacation. You deserve it.
20. Translate papers for another language
If you’re able to converse in multiple languages and can read or write well enough, you can be paid a good amount of money as a translator for professional papers or even media.
A close friend of mine with communication background transitioned from a corporate job to become a freelance translator. She now makes over $5000 per month translating movies and dramas!
You can start offering your translation services on Upwork and even LinkedIn. The easiest translation jobs to get into as a side hustle are for short professional papers in a specific field e.g. for government agencies.
| What do I need to start? | – Great written and spoken command of primary & secondary language – Attention to details |
21. Become an audiobook narrator or voice actor
Love reading books and have always wanted to try out acting? Start by becoming an audiobook narrator instead.
Compared to acting where expressions and physical movements are needed, audiobook narration takes less time and energy to get done. You will still need good skills for embodying multiple characters at once and differentiating voices, dialects and accents!
The easiest way to get started and seen is by volunteering to read for the blind and/or children (for free). You’ll be able to practice and get some experience!
| What do I need to start? | – Narration skills – Love for reading books – Platform to market your services |
Check out: How to start an audiobook narration job
22. Rent out your room or house on Airbnb
It’s easy to look far into planning something new and not work with what you already have. Something I personally have tried to make money from is by hosting an extra space I have on Airbnb.
Whether it’s an extra room or an extra property you have that’s not been utilized, it’s time to make money from it. You can make more money with Airbnb and from short term rentals compared to leasing out your property for yearly tenures.
Depending on the area of your property and the kind of crowd you’re able to attract (e.g. students or family), the room or house requires different kinds of furnishing.
| What do I need to start? | – A vacant room or property – Some home deco make the place rentable – Platform to market the space |
23. Have a baking or cooking side gig
If you’re love working in the kitchen and don’t mind cooking during your free time, you can start a side gig with baking or cooking.
Although starting a F&B business is not the easiest, you can make it work with some internet marketing knowledge. Whether you plan to sell in small quantities or cater to a huge event, social media marketing is needed!
You can run the business part-time by taking orders for weekend delivery or get others to help the operations while you work your full-time job.
| What do I need to start? | – Skills and tools to cook or bake – Platform to market, sell and collect orders |
24. Get paid as a consultant for other businesses
Academics and professors are highly sought after to provide consultation and insights for businesses. This of course depends on the type of field you’re in and whether you have relevant experience.
Make yourself known in the market as a helpful source by publishing your own book and through building connections. It’s much easier to start with small businesses compared to larger ones due to their limited resource and lesser competition.
Consultancy is something you should look into if you’re well into your teaching career!
| What do I need to start? | – Experience in a field businesses require consultancy – Good networking and connections – Platform to market your services |
25. Buy used items and resell for profit
Have a lot of stuff you think you don’t need? Allocate a weekend to declutter and sort things out. You may just be able to sell some of your things for cash!
You can use sites like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark and eBay to promote your things. If you’re lucky, buyers will reach out within a day or two of listing.
If you have space for storage at home and love the idea of reselling, you can also start a side business out of buying second hand goods and reselling them for profit. Best place to find these are garage sales or your local flea markets.
| What do I need to start? | – An eye to spot underpriced valued goods – Skills and platform to sell online or offline – A small budget to purchase your first second hand item |
Check out: How to start reselling things as a side hustle
26. Become an expert witness for legal cases
Depending on your area of expertise, you may be able to become an expert witness for legal cases. The court sometimes require impartial opinion from experts in the field to provide better understanding of a case.
If you’re comfortable with providing expert advice in a court room then you should consider making yourself known in the industry. However, you would need to take time off on weekdays to be able to attend court!
| What do I need to start? | – Expert level knowledge of a field or subject matter |
27. Sign up for a sport official role
Have an interest in sports and your school conducts sports matches or competitions? You can sign up to become a sports official e.g. umpire, referee or judge for the game.
Some of these positions will pay you an allowance and although it isn’t much, money is still money! Most sport tournaments also happen during the summer so you can’t expect much for other seasons.
| What do I need to start? | – Interest and understanding of a type of sport – Skills to carry out the job – Available positions to apply to |
28. Get paid as an online test grader
Looking for a side hustle you can do from home and similar to what you’re already doing? Sign up as an online test grader on any of these 10 sites.
Aside from grading high school students, you’ll also be scoring tests and essays for college students as well as working professionals. There’s flexibility in your work hours and all is good as long as you meet the quota of tests/essays to score.
Some of the sites will need you to complete a test before you can work for them!
| What do I need to start? | – Bachelor’s degree – Relevant background for a subject – Passing of a qualifying test (some) |
29. Create your own merchandise with print on demand
Thought of doing something different and hope to sell online? Print on demand may be something you want to look into as a beginner seller – here’s seven reasons why I believe POD is for you.
Print on demand is a business model where you design merchandises for sales and only get them printed once someone purchases it. You don’t have to be doing any operational work as your POD supplier will print the product and ship it directly to your customers.
All you need to do is create designs using tools like Canva or Kittl then upload them to your seller dashboard on Printify or Printful. You can choose to sell on marketplaces like Etsy or any other platforms they integrate with.
If you’re unable to make designs, you can purchase ready ones instead on marketplaces like Envato Elements or Creative Fabrica.
If you’re always working at your desk, you’ll love these beautiful mats in your study!
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
13 Online Side Jobs For Teachers
Here are 13 online side jobs for teachers to explore:
- Online test grader
- Course creator
- Blogger
- Freelance content writer
- Tutor
- Podcaster
- YouTuber
- Copyeditor
- Proofreader
- Social media marketer
- Online coach
- Etsy seller
- E-book creator
9 Free Side Hustles For Academics
Here are 9 free side hustles for academics:
- Write content for websites and blogs
- Sell digital product templates on Etsy
- Design merchandise with print on demand
- Starting an academic YouTube channel
- Teach others via recorded online courses
- Resell stuffs you no longer use for extra cash
- Proofread professional papers for others
- Promote affiliate links on social media
- Become an audiobook narrator
11 Remote Second Jobs For Teachers
Here are 11 remote second jobs for teachers and academics:
- Online tutor
- Standardized test grader
- Translator
- Proofreader
- Digital marketer
- YouTuber
- Online course teacher
- WordPress manager
- Data entry admin
- Virtual assistant
- Writer
Which Side Hustle Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustles for academics you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
I always encourage my readers to build passive income streams aside from having a stable full-time job.
Here are 29 best side hustles for academics:
- Tutor school kids online for an hourly pay
- Upload academic videos on your own YouTube channel
- Start podcasting for the education niche
- Write for your own educational blog
- Earn commission with affiliate products and services
- Take photos to sell online on stock websites
- Get paid as a freelance writer for other blogs and websites
- Create online courses to sell passively
- Self-publish your own e-book with Amazon KDP
- Offer freelance online services within your field
- Create digital products you can sell on Etsy
- Become a part-time café barista
- Try pet-sitting in your free time at home
- Secure brand sponsorships as an influencer
- Drive for Uber or Lyft
- Become a handyman in your spare time
- Proofread documents and papers for others
- Offer online copyediting services
- Complete online surveys on the go
- Translate papers for another language
- Become an audiobook narrator or voice actor
- Rent out your room or house on Airbnb
- Have a baking or cooking side gig
- Get paid as a consultant for other businesses
- Buy used items and resell for profit
- Become an expert witness for legal cases
- Sign up for a sport official role
- Get paid as an online test grader
- Design merchandise with print on demand to sell online
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by Monstera
