The summer holidays are a time of relaxation for many, but for teachers, it can be a period of financial concern if they need to stretch their pay over the summer. If you’re a teacher feeling anxious about the upcoming summer, don’t worry—we’ve got some ideas to help you.
With plenty of spare time on your hands, it’s a great opportunity to use it wisely.
Do Teachers Get Paid During the Summer?
Many teachers question whether they receive pay during the summer break.
The short answer is no; teachers do not receive direct compensation for summer vacation.
Typically, teachers’ salaries are distributed over 12 months to provide a steady income throughout the year. This system helps maintain financial stability even when teaching duties are on hold.
However, some teachers engage in summer work related to curriculum development or preparation for the new school year and are compensated for this additional work. Without such engagements, there is no extra summer pay.
To manage your finances better, consider seeking out online jobs for teachers during the summer.
Why Are There Summer Job Opportunities for Teachers?
Summer breaks can be an ideal time for teachers to explore new opportunities. You have the chance to acquire new skills and apply them effectively.
You might also explore summer teaching positions or other roles that utilize your educational expertise. Leveraging your skills in new ways can be both rewarding and financially beneficial.
You Will Learn About:
Top Flexible Summer Jobs For Teachers In This Year
After a full academic year, sticking to a rigid schedule during summer may not sound appealing. Fortunately, there are numerous flexible online summer job options for teachers, allowing you to earn extra income while enjoying your time off.
With these 29 fantastic summer side hustles, you’ll find the perfect summer job tailored to your needs.
1. Online and In-Person Tutoring
Tutoring is a great option for teachers looking for summer work. It’s similar to your regular teaching, but with the flexibility to work from home. You can connect with clients through Facebook, various tutoring sites, or even through your personal network.
Consider using Preply, where you can set your own hourly rate, with most tutors earning between $15 and $25 per hour.
Preply offers a wide range of subjects from languages to hobbies, allowing you to share your interests and help students grow. Other platforms for finding online tutoring jobs include Kaplan, Edmentum, Studypool, and Course Hero.
2. Flipping Used Items for Resale
Flipping items for resale can be a lucrative summer job with minimal initial investment. Start by selling items you already own, and take advantage of summer’s increased yard sales and flea markets.
Look for items such as clothing, antique furniture, collectible toys, sports equipment, electronics, rare books, and jewelry. This is an excellent time to find valuable items to resell, as people often declutter and give away items during the summer months.
For some great inspiration, take a look at Rob and Melissa at Flea Market Flipper. They’ve turned flipping into a full-time career and earn a substantial income from it!
3. Landscaping
Want to enhance your garden this summer? Use your landscaping skills as a side hustle! Gardening is a fantastic way to earn extra cash and enjoy your hobby.
Every summer, people in my neighborhood and I are busy with garden upkeep, from flower care to lawn mowing.
There’s a high demand for landscaping services as many people look to boost their garden’s curb appeal or prepare for summer events. It’s an ideal summer job for teachers.
To earn an additional $500 a month, start by seeking clients in your area. Reach out to neighbors or place an ad on local bulletin boards and social media.
You’ll need some essential tools like gloves, pruning shears, a hand trowel, hoe, spade, rake, and loppers. While many homeowners may already have these, ensure you’re equipped if you plan to take on this side job.
4. Teach English Online
Join the worldwide network of Cambly tutors and earn $0.17 per minute ($10.20 per hour) for tutoring sessions on Cambly, or $0.20 per minute ($12.00 per hour) on Cambly Kids.
Keep in mind that time zones might affect your summer job. Most lessons last about 20-30 minutes, including time for questions. It’s akin to test prep sessions—brief lessons followed by a Q&A segment.
You can work any time, day or night. The Cambly dashboard will notify you when a student is ready to chat, and it’s up to you to decide whether to accept the call.
Payments are made weekly via PayPal. Other online ESL platforms to consider are VIPKid and EF.
5. Side Gigs
For teachers seeking flexible summer jobs, consider delivering groceries with Instacart.
You can also make money with your vehicle by driving for Uber or delivering groceries through Instacart.
To get started, download the app of your choice (Instacart, Uber, or DoorDash), sign up, and begin taking orders to start earning!
You can earn up to $25 per hour with a good delivery job, and tips can significantly boost your income. Sometimes the tips add up, turning into a substantial amount on a busy night!
6. Sell Educational Printables
Selling educational printables is an excellent way for teachers to earn extra money, especially if you want to generate passive income.
Your resources, like worksheets, lesson plans, and activities, are valuable to other educators and parents seeking quality educational content.
Where to sell educational printables:
- Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT): A well-known platform where millions of teachers buy and sell original educational materials. Look at what others are charging to set your prices. Many teachers have made significant income here!
- Etsy: While known for handmade items, Etsy is also a great marketplace for educational materials and printables.
Educational printables can include:
- Lesson plans and unit studies
- Worksheets and printable activities
- PowerPoint presentations and interactive notebooks
- Posters, charts, and visual aids
On Teachers Pay Teachers, teachers typically earn an extra $300 to $500, though some make hundreds of thousands annually.
7. Summer Camp Counselor
If you’re enthusiastic about engaging with children and staying active over the summer, a camp counselor position might be ideal for you.
As a camp counselor, your role involves leading kids through various indoor and outdoor activities, as well as educational programs. Key duties include ensuring the safety of campers, planning and organizing games, and providing both emotional and educational support.
Summer camps come in a variety of types, from general adventure camps to those with specialized focuses such as sports, arts, or science.
Consider applying to organizations like the YMCA, which hires counselors for the summer. Additionally, local museums might offer opportunities to work with children in a similar capacity.
8. Swim Instructor
If you love the water, becoming a swim instructor could be the perfect summer job. Your teaching skills are valuable for managing and instructing swimming classes.
To find swim instructor positions:
- Search on sites like Craigslist or Facebook for summer roles.
- Visit local community centers, pools, and summer camps.
- Network with friends and professional contacts to find opportunities.
Alternatively, you might consider becoming a lifeguard at a local pool.
9. Local Tour Guide
Many communities boast rich histories, often showcased through walking tours or museum talks. Organizations need someone to share these stories and guide groups.
As a teacher, your storytelling and leadership skills make you a great fit for a tour guide role.
Explore opportunities at museums, historical sites, or local tourism offices to become an ambassador for your city.
10. Answer Online Surveys
Teachers are adept at answering questions, so why not get paid for it? While students are away, you can earn quick cash by participating in online surveys.
Survey platforms offer short questionnaires for easy cash or gift cards on your own schedule.
Recommended survey companies include:
- Swagbucks
- User Interviews – High-paying surveys with average earnings of around $60 per hour.
- Pinecone Research
- YouGov
For more survey options, check out 18 Legitimate Survey Sites For Money 2024.
11. Library Assistant
Your teaching skills align perfectly with a summer position as a library assistant. Libraries often need extra staff during the summer to support literacy and learning.
Typical tasks include:
- Organizing books and maintaining library order
- Managing the circulation desk and assisting users
- Helping users find resources and answering questions
Contact local libraries to inquire about summer job openings.
12. Babysitting
Teachers are trusted individuals in their communities. Offer babysitting services while your neighbors are at work. Parents value teachers for their experience with children.
You can earn around $15 to $25 per hour depending on your location. Simply ask neighbors if they need babysitting and leverage your reputation as a responsible caregiver.
13. Work at a Restaurant
Teachers often find summer work in restaurants as servers, hosts, bartenders, or kitchen staff. These roles offer flexible hours that fit your summer schedule, with an easy transition back to teaching in the fall.
It’s a popular choice among teachers for summer employment!
14. Online Test Scorer
As an online test scorer, you can evaluate student assessments from home, ensuring fair grading using standardized rubrics. While teaching experience is helpful, it’s not always required as training is provided.
Companies like ACT, ETS, and Measurement Incorporated hire remote test scorers for grading essays and student responses.
Pay ranges from $10 to $20 per hour with flexible schedules. Opportunities peak in spring and summer.
15. Study.com
For a flexible summer job, consider freelance work with Study.com. They hire independent contractors for roles such as writing, editing, lesson creation, and more.
Positions include content editor, test writer, and sales development representative. Payments are bi-monthly, and you can set your own schedule—perfect for teachers seeking summer work!
16. Help Kids Improve Their Reading Skills
Summer is an excellent time for kids to enhance their reading skills, and your teaching expertise can help.
Companies like BookNook and the Institute of Reading Development offer online tutoring roles for teachers.
With BookNook, you can earn $18 per hour and work up to 30 hours per week. The Institute of Reading Development offers $600-$700 per week during the summer.
17. Train AI Tools
For a summer job that offers flexibility, consider training AI tools with companies like TELUS International, Data Annotation Tech, and Welocalize.
Leverage your writing, communication, and research skills to assist with tasks like online rating, social media evaluation, data annotation, and research.
Dedicated members have earned tens of millions of dollars while helping to shape AI technology.
Pay rates range from $12 to $20 per hour, depending on the task and company, offering a great way to make extra money during your summer break.
18. Write an eBook
Do you have a unique classroom strategy or a special teaching technique? Perhaps you have a creative approach to classroom management or tips for encouraging student engagement.
If so, turning your insights into an eBook could be a great way to share your knowledge and make some extra cash. Write your mini-book using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, then save it as a PDF. Design an attractive cover and publish it.
For cost-effective options, consider selling your eBook on platforms such as Audible, Kobo, or Amazon’s Kindle Store.
19. Write Blog Posts for Educators
Many teachers find writing blog posts to be a challenge. While coming up with ideas and creating visuals may be enjoyable, the actual writing process can be time-consuming.
If you can transform an idea, a few subheadings, and some images into a well-crafted blog post of 300-1,000 words, there is a strong demand for your skills.
Opportunities include affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or even creating and selling your own products or courses.
20. Resume Writer
With your experience as an educator, you might find a niche in resume writing. High school students, in particular, need help crafting effective resumes.
You can earn between $50 and $100 for a standard resume, and up to $300 for executive-level resumes. To boost your skills, consider taking online resume-writing courses. Once equipped, you can find job opportunities on platforms like Peopleperhour, ResumeEdge, or WriterBay.
21. Pinterest Virtual Assistant
If Pinterest is your passion, becoming a Pinterest virtual assistant could be the perfect job for you. This role involves managing Pinterest accounts for businesses, which requires no special skills beyond a good understanding of Pinterest.
You can find virtual assistant positions on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer. Experienced VAs can earn between $25 and $50 per hour, or more.
22. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
For animal lovers, pet sitting and dog walking can be a delightful way to earn money. Services like Rover allow you to choose which pets to care for and when.
You can offer services such as:
- Overnight boarding
- Dog walking
- Doggy daycare
- House sitting and drop-ins
Rover estimates that pet sitters can earn over $1,000 a month, making this a rewarding side job if you love animals.
23. House Sitting
House sitting is a straightforward summer job. Typically, you stay at a homeowner’s residence while they are away, performing simple tasks like collecting mail or watering plants.
You can combine house sitting with other side gigs to boost your earnings. To find opportunities, tell friends and neighbors, or use sites like Care.com to create a profile and find work.
24. House Painter/Contractor
If you’re handy, consider taking on work as a house painter or contractor during the summer. Many trades need extra help in the warmer months, and these roles often offer flexible hours.
This could be a great way to gain experience and make money if you have a knack for hands-on tasks.
25. Proofreader
As a proofreader, you review documents for errors, which can include articles, papers, or blog posts. If you’re detail-oriented, you could earn up to $50 per hour by correcting mistakes.
Find proofreading jobs on platforms like Proofreadingservices.com and Guru. You can do this job multiple times a day without much fatigue if you are efficient.
26. Bookkeeper
For those who enjoy working with numbers, online bookkeeping can be a lucrative summer job. Bookkeepers handle financial records, expenses, and reports for businesses.
As a virtual bookkeeper, you can work from home, offering flexibility and avoiding the need for a physical office. This role is ideal for teachers who prefer remote work.
There’s significant earning potential in this field—many people prefer to avoid handling their finances!
Your fees will depend on the scope of work for each client, but it’s quite possible to earn between $1,000 and $2,000 with just a few clients.
27. Sell Handmade Goods on Etsy
If you love crafting homemade necklaces, pottery, or monogrammed home decor, you can turn your hobby into a profitable venture!
Etsy is a leading online marketplace where creators can connect with buyers looking for unique handmade items. For teachers with a creative streak, it’s a fantastic platform to showcase your crafts during the summer.
Examples of school-related items you can sell on Etsy include:
- Educational games and activities
- Lesson planners and printable worksheets
- Custom classroom decorations or educational tools
- Personalized items like bookmarks, nameplates, or tote bags
You can also offer a range of other products such as furniture, clothing, jewelry, and more.
28. Transcriptionist
As an online transcriptionist, you’ll listen to audio or video files and transcribe the content. There are various niches within transcription, including legal, general, and medical.
If you’re quick at typing, this can be an excellent summer job for you as a teacher.
You’ll need a computer with reliable internet and headphones.
One of my friends does transcription part-time and earns $20-$25 per hour. Pretty good, right?
29. Laminate, Cut Out, and Ship Digital Classroom Decor Sets
Have you noticed those beautiful DIY classroom decor sets online (like this one)? Many teachers avoid them because of the work involved in printing, laminating, and cutting. If this sounds like your kind of project, there’s a market for it!
Offer services to laminate, cut, and ship digital classroom decor sets. You can send them nationwide, making it easy for teachers everywhere to access your products.
Best Summer Jobs for Teachers – Final Thoughts
I hope you found this list of the best summer jobs for teachers helpful.
There are plenty of ways to earn extra money during your summer break.
When school is out and the kids are busy with summer activities, it’s a perfect time to explore how to make the most of your summer and boost your income.
In fact, these opportunities are so flexible that you might even choose to continue them throughout the year to supplement your income, even when school is back in session.
How do you make extra money during the summer? Do you know of any other online summer jobs for teachers? Share your thoughts with us—we’d love to hear from you!
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