The commitment to education is a driver for teachers, but passion doesn’t always translate to financial security. Many educators find themselves seeking ways to increase their income. This guide offers a practical look at strategies for teachers to earn more money, both within and outside of the traditional classroom structure.
Maximize Pay in Your Current Position
Many school districts offer financial incentives for taking on responsibilities beyond standard teaching duties. These opportunities, in the form of stipends, can provide an income boost without requiring a job change. Taking on the role of a coach for a sports team or an advisor for an extracurricular club, such as debate or robotics, are common ways to earn extra pay. These positions typically come with a contract separate from the teaching agreement.
Additional leadership roles within the school can also lead to increased compensation. Serving as a department head, for instance, often includes a stipend for the added administrative and coordination duties. Another avenue is becoming a mentor for new teachers, which some districts compensate with annual stipends. The availability and amount of these stipends can vary significantly between districts, so inquiring with a school principal or consulting the district’s extra-duty salary schedule is a good first step.
Some schools also provide stipends for working in specific programs or under particular conditions. This can include teaching in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or participating in an extended school year calendar, which might come with a stipend of several thousand dollars.
Advance Your Career for a Higher Salary
Pursuing an advanced degree is a well-established path to higher pay. Most school districts have salary schedules that explicitly reward teachers for higher levels of education, such as a master’s degree or a doctorate. The pay increase can be substantial; on average, a master’s degree can add from a few thousand to over $7,000 to a teacher’s annual salary, depending on the district and years of experience.
Obtaining specialized certifications is another effective strategy. National Board Certification, a prestigious credential, is recognized with salary increases or bonuses in many states. For instance, Maryland offers a $10,000 salary increase for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), with an additional $7,000 for those working in low-performing schools. Similarly, Washington state provides an annual bonus of over $6,000 for NBCTs.
Transitioning into administrative roles presents a leap in earning potential. Positions like assistant principal, principal, or curriculum specialist require a graduate degree in educational leadership or a related field and several years of teaching experience. The median annual salary for K-12 education administrators was $103,460 as of May 2023. Moving to a different school district or state can also be a strategic financial decision, as salary scales can vary dramatically based on location and local cost of living.
Use Your Teaching Skills for Side Income
Private Tutoring
You can work with students one-on-one or in small groups, either in person or through online platforms. This allows for flexible scheduling and the ability to set your own rates, which often range from $30 to over $100 per hour depending on the subject, grade level, and your location. Focusing on a high-demand subject you are certified in can make it easier to attract clients.
Selling Educational Resources Online
Digital marketplaces have created an opportunity for teachers to monetize the materials they create. Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) allow you to sell lesson plans, worksheets, digital activities, and classroom decor to other educators. High-quality, engaging, and standards-aligned resources are often the most successful. Building a portfolio of materials can create a source of passive income that generates revenue over time as more users purchase your products.
Curriculum Development
Ed-tech companies, educational publishers, and even other school districts often hire teachers to write, review, and align curriculum. These projects can be done remotely and often pay on a per-project or hourly basis. This work not only provides income but also deepens your own instructional expertise.
Standardized Test Preparation
Many families seek specialized support to help their children prepare for high-stakes exams like the SAT, ACT, or state-mandated tests. This can be a lucrative field, as tutors with a proven track record of helping students improve their scores are in high demand. You can market your services independently or work for an established test prep company.
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Online
The global demand for English language instruction has created numerous opportunities to teach ESL online. Several established platforms connect teachers with students, primarily children, in other countries. These companies provide the curriculum and platform, allowing you to focus on teaching. This type of work offers a high degree of flexibility, as you can often teach from home during hours that don’t conflict with your primary job, such as early mornings or evenings.
Explore Opportunities Outside of Education
The skills honed in the classroom are transferable to the corporate world. Your ability to manage groups, explain complex topics, and develop instructional materials is in demand across various industries.
One prominent field is corporate training. Businesses frequently need professionals to train employees on new software, company policies, or soft skills like communication and leadership. Teachers excel in these roles because they are experts at creating engaging learning experiences and managing group dynamics. This work can be contracted on a freelance basis, allowing you to lead workshops or develop training modules for different companies without a long-term commitment.
Another related area is instructional design. This involves creating learning materials and experiences for a business audience. Companies need instructional designers to build everything from online onboarding courses for new hires to detailed technical training for specific products. Your experience in curriculum development and lesson planning directly applies to designing effective e-learning modules, videos, and manuals for an adult audience.
Beyond training and design, teachers possess strong communication skills that are valuable in other contexts. Freelance writing and editing offer a flexible way to earn income by working on articles, website content, or business documents on a wide array of topics, not just educational ones. Similarly, the public speaking abilities developed through daily teaching can be monetized through workshops or presentations on topics of expertise, whether related to education or a personal passion.
Utilize School Breaks for Extra Earnings
A common option is teaching summer school within your own or a neighboring district. This involves teaching academic classes to students who need to catch up or want to get ahead. These positions offer a predictable schedule and income, as you are compensated at a set rate by the school system. It provides a straightforward way to continue earning in a familiar environment.
Working at or directing a summer camp is another popular choice. Your experience managing children and planning activities makes you an ideal candidate for a camp counselor or leadership role. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, creating and running your own specialized camp can be even more rewarding. You could launch a week-long coding camp, a creative writing workshop for teens, or a sports-focused clinic, allowing you to turn a personal interest into a profitable venture.