34 Best Summer Jobs for Teachers

Teachers typically have summers off and can find a job during their break, travel, or do a combination. Additionally, they can pursue these popular summer jobs for teachers.

The average K-12 teacher salary in the United States is $56,200, but the range typically falls between $47,000 and $68,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on your education, certifications, additional skills, and the years you have spent in your profession.

Teachers are desirable candidates with advanced educational degrees, experience working with kids, and interest in expanding their professional skills or for a favored hobby or interest they want to pursue.   

Whether traveling abroad or staying local, they can work in their respective fields or earn money outside of teaching by working from home to supplement their income.   

1. Tutor Online

If you are passionate about teaching, you should support students during the summer. Become a tutor online and share your knowledge with students.  Tutor in your area of expertise, be it math, science, languages, reading, or writing.  

You already have the education requirements. Typical hourly pay is around $30 or higher, depending on the subject. More challenging curriculums like math will have higher demand and payments. A few companies to consider are The Tutoring Company, Tutor.com, and TutorMe. 

2. Test Prep Instructors

Becoming a test preparation tutor depends on your education. Test prep tutors differ from tutors as they help students by familiarizing them with the specific test format.

Zippia says 67.1% of test preparation tutors have a bachelor's degree, while 19.5%  have master's degrees. There is high demand for math, the American College Test (ACT), Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), or graduate exams, and you can work at The Princeton Review, Kaplan, or Wyzant. 

3. Test Scorer

Another job teachers can do during the summer is a test scorer online. As an online test scorer, your duties include scoring exams, job assessment tests, or other exams based on rubrics in a remote location. It is beneficial if you have taken that particular exam. According to ZipRecruiter, the average monthly payment for a Work From Home Test Scorer in the United States is $4,669 monthly.

4. Library Assistant

Teachers are familiar with libraries and their systems. A library assistant or technician helps organize and maintain reading materials and assists in circulation, patrons, and any programs offered at the library. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay is over $16 hourly.

5. Teaching English As A Foreign Language (TEFL)

Being bilingual is a great skill in life, may open doors to other opportunities,  and can be profitable globally. There is a tremendous demand for teaching languages to children and adults online as professional teachers or community tutors across the globe. You may need certification as a TEFL instructor. Requirements vary, but reliable technology is essential.

Knowledge of reading and writing in multiple languages is essential. You can teach a language from anywhere. Hourly pay ranges from $8-$30 per hour, with the higher amount associated with more excellent proficiency and experience from companies looking for those with language expertise, including VIPKID, Preply, QKids, Magic Ears, and EF Teach Online.

6. Camp Counselor

Many teachers are camp counselors during the summer. A camp counselor guides and ensures the safety of children as they engage in camp activities during the day or at sleepover camps. They plan activities and receive special training to support kids' needs during their stay fully. According to Glassdoor, camp counselors can earn over $32K during the summer. STEM teachers can consider specialized camps that offer drones, robotics, Roblox, programming, and engineering activities at Dropbots.

Some camp counselors become camp directors and can earn more based on more demands.  A camp director oversees recreation program planning and day-to-day administration of recreation programs and may deal with budgeting and expenses.

7. Freelance Writing

Consider a desirable niche that works for you. If you enjoy writing, consider doing freelance. You may already have a targeted niche, writing skills, and voice.

There are many ways to land writing jobs online. It is easier if you have a professional blog so that you can point to your work. However, you can start by doing cold pitches and contacting editors online. When you're new to freelance writing, check the job board for freelance writers,  and ask around if you can guest post. You may have an interest in writing an article or even a book.

8. Become A Blogger

Like a freelance writer, you may have an interest in blogging. Earning money from a blog may take longer than many other areas suggested in this article. Some upfront costs include building and designing your website and hosting.

You can go at your own pace in building a following and traffic before you can earn money from ads, affiliated marketing, sponsored posts, selling courses, and other products. Consider blogging a longer-term proposition to make a living on a flexible schedule.

9. Copywriting

Copywriting is a specialized form of persuasive writing used in marketing. It is directed at a person or group and aims to increase brand awareness and get the reader to take action. This skill is in high demand for creating engaging content that sells.

Besides having strong attention to detail, copywriters rely on computer and technical skills to communicate in various digital media formats. You can become a copywriter working remotely and an internet connection. They make $53,538 annually on average, or $23.65 hourly.

10. Become A Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a contractor who works remotely and provides general administrative support by performing varying tasks: email management, content creation, bookkeeping, scheduling, graphic design, social media, copyrighting, and e-commerce. According to Payscale, you can earn $10.16 to $29.49 per hour. More experienced VAs can achieve higher rates of $50 or more.

Outsourcing to a virtual assistant has been in demand by online businesses and entrepreneurs in recent years. You can list with Fiverr, UpWork, VaNetworking.com, Linkedin, and Indeed.

11. Social Media Manager

 The growth of social media demands companies to master engagement with consumers on various sites. However, social media management is for more than just large companies; small businesses need this exposure to grow. Although many social media managers work full-time, you can work part-time a few hours per week.

Social media managers are essential in developing campaigns, managing digital marketing and analytics, and helping clients grow their businesses. Social media hone their skills to create engaging content that can convert followers into loyal customers. The managers spend time monitoring and measuring the social media presence of a product, brand, company, or even an individual. Upwork shows social media managers making $12-$35 per hour, but the more experienced managers can make $50.

12. Private Coaching

Becoming a coach can be very rewarding and a natural fit for teachers. Coaching supports others in reaching their personal and professional goals in various areas like sports, finance, and life. It is a form of mentoring, not counseling, though some training in your expertise can be helpful. Private coaches are in demand in various sports, either one-to-one, in teams, or in groups. Parents are willing to pay for the kids who want a running or tennis partner to get stronger.

You can either work freelance as a coach with a large gym or school or work for companies like CoachUp, CoachNow, or TeamPro that can help you build your portfolio for one-time fees and a small percentage of your pay. Besides sports coaching, you can be a finance or life coach. 

13. Bookkeeper

Do you enjoy working with numbers or programs? You help bookkeepers manage business accounts, invoices, payroll, and other financial records during the summer or all year round. They use various math and computer programs like Excel, Quickbooks, and other accounting software. These jobs pay up to $20 per hour if you are responsible for managing other people. Bookkeepers make $43,148 in annual salaries, or $21.16 per hour.

14. Transcriptionist

Transcribers convert audio and video recordings into written form, often used for subtitles or close captions. Transcription jobs are great for those who prefer to work remotely and can type efficiently without errors. The more niche your topic area (such as legal or medical), the more you get paid. Transcriptionists make $44,572 annually or $19.04 hourly, on average. 

15. Proofreading and Editing

As a teacher, you may edit and proofread your students' work.  Proofreaders should have sound spelling, grammar, and punctuation knowledge, concentrating substantially on detail and making corrections. On the other hand, editors focus on clarity and concise written presentation. 

Individuals and businesses seek out proofreaders and editors who manage their time with potential deadlines. Although you can apply for either job, offering both services is a valuable package for higher pay. On average, proofreaders make $59,264 in annual salaries or $25 per hour.

16. Data Entry Clerk

You may want a change of pace from teaching. You may have the skills to do data entry work if you type fast and accurately, have a keen eye for detail, and are proficient in most Office tools. Data entry clerks make $16 to $25+ hourly and can work from home. 

17. Drive For Uber or Lyft

Have spare time this summer and want to make some money? You can drive for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. There are a few requirements, like having a driver's license and meeting the minimum age requirement in your chosen area. You can make $1000 a week during the busy summertime if you hustle (safely).

You will need a four-door car, preferably not a 20-year-old model, and have insurance and registration. You may rent one from these companies if you need a suitable vehicle. They will review your background, including your driving record, for safety.

18. Wrap Advertisements On Your Car

Speaking of cars, have you thought about using this asset to advertise for brands? You can earn $200 per month without changing your daily schedule just by having vinyl decals that you can easily remove from your car. Wrap advertising companies calculate your typical driving routes.

They look for newer cars and daily commutes of 30 miles per day. The denser the traffic, the more you can earn. Several companies are in this space, including Wrapify, Nickelytics, and Havas Media, part of the global Havas Group.

19. Deliver Food/Groceries  

In combination with the ride-sharing companies or on your own, you can participate in delivering prepared meals, groceries, or other things during the summer. The demand for ordering delivery jumped significantly during the pandemic and remains strong.

In the prepared food delivery services, the success of Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and GrubHub has been astronomical. You can make $8-12+ per hour plus tips. If your car is too old to drive for Uber, you can still use your car for Uber Eats to deliver food or go by scooter, bicycle, or foot.

The delivery of grocery shopping got a similar boost, benefiting companies like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Shipt, and FreshDirect. 

20. Become A Roadie

You can get paid for delivering packages already on your way to the other side of town, a different city, or across the country by becoming a Roadie. Your compensation for a local dropoff ranges up to $60, while long-haul deliveries could be as high as $650. Imagine driving your kid to college, going on a road trip vacation, and arranging deliveries in both directions. You decide on how you want to participate with Roadie. 

21. Rent Your Home As An Airbnb Host 

If you're traveling this summer, you can rent your home. Consider hosting or renting your property through Airbnb anywhere in the world for short- or long-term stays. They make arrangements, provide insurance for potential damage, and support services.

The average host makes about $924 per month. Amounts will increase if your property is in a desirable market, such as San Jose, California, where a four-bedroom house may command $3,000 a week. There may be upfront costs to redecorate your home. Besides Airbnb, there are alternatives like Vrbo and VacRentals.

22. Rent Your Car With Turo

 Depending on your summer plans, you can rent your car through Turo, the largest car-sharing marketplace. The company website says renting one car can make as much as $10,516 annually. Turo's US requirements include having a clean title, registration in any state (except New York), meeting their insurance requirements, having fewer than 130,000 miles, and a fair market value capped at $150,000.

23. Become A House Sitter 

When people take vacations or travel for work, they consider hiring a house sitter to seek security and peace of mind. Professional house-sitters may water plants, collect mail, take out the trash, and do pet care. They can earn $25-$45+ per hour, depending on the location. House sitters may do short overnight stays or more extended stays.

 House or property watcher is different than a house sitter. The person may monitor the home a few times during the week. They look for disturbances and leaks and check the temperature inside the house to avoid potential problems. This job can be seasonal when areas are primarily for summer or winter homes. The house watcher's pay is likely weekly and provides relatively less compensation than a house sitter, but they can do more houses in total.

24. Become A Pet Sitter

Pet sitting may be an excellent way to pick up some bucks during the summer. People love their pets and will do almost everything to keep them comfortable while away with families on vacation. When pet sitting is the primary concern, owners will seek out experienced pet sitters to care for them by feeding, walking, and paying attention to them. Let's face it, we love these essential family members and want to avoid the kennels, but we also want to travel without guilt.

Pet sitters can be paid per hour or daily for visiting the pets during the day or staying overnight either in the person's home or your home. Professional sitters may have several pets in your home at a time. 

Pet sitting can vary from $15-$50 per hour. We pay $65+ per day plus tips for a pet sitter who happened to be our dog walker. He stayed overnight, feeding, walking, and caring for our dog.

25. Participate In A Research Study

Medical research is essential to finding new drugs, remedies, and dietary supplements, but you must undergo many clinical trials. Think about participating in a research study during your free time this summer. Teaching hospitals, clinics, biotech companies, and research organizations seek people who will participate in their studies for paid opportunities that can be $1,000 or more. You can check local hospitals or clinics in your area, like ResearchMatch.org, Covance, or ClinicalTrials.gov, and Kessler Foundation does survey questionnaires.

26. Participate In Focus Groups

Another way to earn some money is by sharing your opinion. Market researchers rely on consumers to participate in focus groups to retrieve invaluable views on new and existing products and services. You can participate one-to-one by phone, via zoom, or in a small group that meets in person or online. Each focus group will be different. Your compensation could be on an hourly basis ranging from $50-$150 or per research session. Groups typically meet for an hour or two. For those who have flexible schedules, this can be a lucrative gig for studies paying $400 per hour.

Here are recommended focus groups given their ratings:

• User Interviews
• Respondent.io
• Recruit and Field
• FocusGroup.com
• Probe Market Research

27. Online Surveys

Those who have spare time to complete online surveys can earn a bit of spending money on the side. Giving your opinion is worth money from many different companies on various issues. 

Most surveys will take 15 to 20 minutes, and payouts vary between redeemable points, cash, donations, or gift cards. The minimum cash amount varies by site and may go to direct deposit into PayPal. 

These surveys are essential to many organizations, including governments, companies, and not-for-profit entities willing to pay for market and opinion research about their existing and new products, services, and brands. The top survey companies are Swagbucks, Inbox Dollars, and Survey Junkie. 

28. Taste Tester

Want to make cash or gift cards in your free time, be a taste tester, and have fun?  You can work for companies, such as Schwan's Food Company, who may deliver their food to your home, and in less than 15 minutes, you can make $15. Several market research firms can contact to taste varying products, including PVR Research, CMR Research, Discuss Research, and Contract Testing Inc. Besides food testing, there may be smell testing.

29. Become A Mystery Shopper

Do you like to shop? Marketing research companies will hire mystery shoppers to buy items in retail stores, eat at restaurants, and ask salespeople and customer service questions. They provide a detailed account of their experiences. These companies engage with their shoppers to collect valuable data to measure sales and service quality and understand the market, including its competitors.

The companies pay a flat amount for their assignment, which can go up to $50-$100, or provide them with discounts. You can become a mystery shopper with BestMark, the first and largest measurement company. Others are Market Force, IntelliShop, and Second to None.

30. A Local Guide

You can become a local guide if you have specialized knowledge, speak multiple languages, and are passionate about your area or a favorite travel destination abroad. The guides are usually experts in nature, history, food, wine, or cemeteries. People enjoy learning about things off the beaten path from typical tourist stops. People will pay up for a quality tour, plus tips. You can freelance or list on Rent A Local Friend or Traveling Spoon.

31. Become A Hair & Makeup Artist

Do you like working with hair and makeup? There is high demand for people who do so in their homes for special occasions, work events, parties, weddings, and bar/bat mitzvahs. This freelance job is lucrative for those with talent and flexible schedules. If you have the flexibility to do the work at odd hours during weekends or holidays, you can earn $150-$600 or more for this job. 

32. Sell Your Photography

Do you enjoy photography as a hobby? Why not take it to the next step and pursue what you love doing, and sell your photos, whether portraits, family photography, travel, sports, nature, stock photographs, or candid photography? Sell your photos online or to companies specializing in your area of expertise. Consider listing on Fine Art America or stock photo sites like Getty Images or Shutterstock.

33. Sell Your Crafts As An Online Storeowner

Do you like making crafts? In recent years, selling your skills and unique goods to a seemingly boundless market has become much more manageable. These online marketplaces may charge listing, transaction, and payment processing fees, so you must check each company. The best-known companies are:

• Etsy
• Shopify
• Big Cartel
• Zibbet
• IndieMade
• ArtFire
• Handmade at Amazon

34. Closet or Home Organizer

Want to organize someone’s closet or drawers professionally? If you know how to declutter someone's home or wardrobe, there is a job for you in this market. If you have these skills, you can make hourly rates of $20 or more, or it can sell as a package deal, such as sorting out someone's garage or basement for $250-$300 or more.

It depends on the specific needs, such as going through someone's papers to find essential documents or redoing an entire closet or room. People often hire others for this task because of the emotional baggage, especially when a loved one has passed away.

35. Sell Your Unwanted Things

Suppose your clothes, shoes, books, collectibles, furniture, games, electronic devices, unused gift cards,  kitchenware, and textbooks are in good-to-excellent condition, and you are not using them. In that case, you can sell them to dealers and make some extra cash. By decluttering your home, you'll have more room to use for your children's stuff when you sell your unwanted things. 

36. Gardening/ Landscaping

Gardening has lots of benefits. Besides encouraging you to work on your garden outdoors, it provides moderate exercise, relieves stress, and is deeply fulfilling.

If you grow your fruits and vegetables, sell your plants, seeds, fresh and dried herbs, fruits, and vegetables from your home. Better yet, if you can grow enough produce, you can sell your surplus at local farmers' markets and generate some secondary income.

37. Sell Your Music

Making music is relaxing, whether you are playing an instrument, writing a song, making your beats, or samples. Beats are short hooks composed of different sounds intended to play in the background for a musician.

Making money from creating music through songs or lyrics can be viable in several ways, such as licensing deals and selling music online via blog sites like StockMusicMusician, Audio Jungle, and Airbit. 

38. Sell Your Calligraphy

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing and is a desirable activity that induces meditation, relaxation, and calming of your soul and body. It costs very little to start calligraphy: just some ink, a brush, or a flexible dip pen.

Calligraphers can monetize their skills in many ways, such as selling handmade cards, teaching them, hosting workshops, making business signage, and selling framed inspirational quotes, books, or wedding invitations.

Final Thoughts

Teachers can work, travel, or expand their skills during their summer vacation in various ways. They can spend more time with their families and friends or try different occupations outside of teaching to build a side hustle and earn passive income all year round.

This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.