Extracurricular Earnings: Best Side Hustles For Teachers In Canada

In recent years, a trend has emerged among educators in Canada: the rise of the teacher side hustle. Once considered a stable and respectable profession, teaching in Canada is increasingly becoming a career that requires supplemental income to make ends meet.
From stagnant wages to rising living costs, Canadian teachers face a variety of economic pressures that are pushing them to seek additional income streams. While the image of a teacher working a second job might seem at odds with the traditional perception of the profession, it’s becoming an increasingly common reality across the country.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best side-hustles for teachers in Canada. Let’s get started!
1. Exploring Online Tutoring
Online tutoring has emerged as a popular and lucrative side hustle for teachers in Canada, offering a flexible way to supplement their income. With the rise of digital learning platforms, educators can now leverage their expertise to provide educational support and instruction to students remotely.
This side gig aligns perfectly with teachers’ schedules, as they can tutor after school hours, making it a convenient option. The earning potential is significant, with some tutors charging $50-$60 per hour for their services. Moreover, the demand for online tutoring has been increasing: The global market was estimated at over $53 billion USD in 2021, and is projected to grow to over $90 billion by 2030.
Teachers looking to teach remotely have access to a variety of popular platforms that offer unique benefits. Thinkific and Udemy allow educators to create and teach as many courses as they want, providing flexibility and a wide reach. UpGrad, particularly popular in South Asia, offers opportunities for higher education teaching.
2. Freelance Writing and Editing
Freelance writing and editing can be a rewarding side hustle for teachers in Canada. You get to use your skills in language and grammar to help others while earning extra income.
As a freelance writer, you can create content for blogs, websites, and businesses. Many platforms like Upwork offer opportunities to write on various topics, allowing you to work on projects that interest you. Editing jobs are perfect if you have a keen eye for detail. You can work on proofreading, grammar checks, and style adjustments for articles, books, or academic papers.
You can build your portfolio by offering your services on different online platforms or networking within your community. Taking on projects like curriculum development, lesson plans, or editing educational materials can also be a great way to apply your expertise.
Advantages:
- Flexible Hours: Choose your projects and work at your own pace.
- Extra Income: Rates can vary, and experienced writers can command higher fees.
- Skill Development: Improve your writing and editing skills through practical experience.
Disadvantages:
- Variable Workload: Sometimes finding consistent work can be challenging.
- Deadlines: Managing tight deadlines alongside your teaching job can be stressful.
Consider joining communities like Reddit’s r/CanadianTeachers for support and tips from fellow educators.
3. Educational Consulting
Educational consulting offers a promising side hustle for teachers looking to diversify their income streams and share their expertise beyond the classroom. This role involves providing professional advice and guidance to educational institutions, companies, or individuals on various aspects of education.
Teachers can leverage their classroom experience and pedagogical knowledge to offer insights on curriculum development, instructional strategies, educational technology implementation, and more. The flexibility of consulting work allows educators to take on projects during school breaks or after hours, making it an ideal complement to their teaching career. Moreover, experienced teachers can offer valuable insights to educational companies, especially in the rapidly growing ed-tech sector.
This side hustle not only provides additional income but also offers opportunities for professional growth, networking, and staying at the forefront of educational innovations. As the demand for educational expertise continues to grow, consulting presents a lucrative and intellectually stimulating option for teachers seeking to expand their professional horizons.
4. Selling Teaching Resources
Selling teaching resources has become an increasingly popular and lucrative side hustle for educators in recent years. With the rise of online marketplaces dedicated to educational materials, teachers can now create and sell their lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and other resources to fellow educators worldwide.

Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers have made it easier than ever for educators to monetize their expertise and creativity. This side hustle not only provides additional income but also allows teachers to share their best work with a broader audience, potentially impacting students far beyond their own classrooms. Some educators have found remarkable success in this venture, with reports of teachers earning six-figure incomes from selling their resources online.
The beauty of this side hustle lies in its potential for passive income – once resources are created and uploaded, they can continue to generate revenue with minimal additional effort. Moreover, creating and selling educational materials can help teachers refine their own teaching practices and stay current with educational trends, making it a win-win for both their professional development and financial well-being.
5. Summer and Seasonal Camps
Summer and seasonal camps offer excellent opportunities for teachers to earn extra income while having fun and gaining new experiences. Many camps specifically seek out teachers because of their skills in managing groups and creating engaging activities.
One popular option is working as a camp counselor. In this role, you’ll engage with children, lead them through activities, and create a lively camp atmosphere. Camp counselors in Canada can earn an average salary of around $43,903 per year.
In addition to traditional camps, there are specialized camps focusing on subjects like arts, science, or sports. These camps often look for educators to lead sessions and workshops. Websites like Outschool allow you to design and lead online summer camp sessions in various subjects, providing flexibility if you prefer remote work.
If you enjoy travel, consider taking on a summer camp job abroad. Working in a different country can be an exciting way to explore new cultures while making use of your teaching skills.
Here’s a quick list of benefits working at summer camps can offer:
- Flexible schedules: Ideal for fitting in with your teaching calendar.
- Skill enhancement: Develop new skills in different environments.
- Networking: Meet other educators and professionals.
- Travel opportunities: Experience new locations and cultures.
With these options, you can find a summer camp role that aligns with your interests and skills while earning extra income during the off-season.
6. Private Coaching and Mentoring
Private coaching and mentoring offer teachers an excellent opportunity to leverage their expertise and experience as a rewarding side hustle. This venture allows educators to provide personalized guidance to individuals seeking to advance their careers in education, ranging from new teachers looking for support to seasoned professionals aiming for leadership positions.
By offering one-on-one sessions, teachers can help mentees develop essential skills, navigate challenges, and achieve their professional goals. This side hustle is particularly appealing because it allows for flexible scheduling and can often be conducted virtually, making it convenient for both the coach and the mentee. Moreover, private coaching enables teachers to diversify their income streams while staying connected to their passion for education.
7. Exam Preparation Services
Exam preparation services present a lucrative and intellectually stimulating side hustle for teachers looking to capitalize on their expertise. With their deep understanding of curriculum and assessment strategies, educators are uniquely positioned to help students excel in high-stakes exams such as SATs, ACTs, AP tests, or college entrance exams.
This side gig allows teachers to offer specialized tutoring, conduct group study sessions, or create comprehensive exam prep materials. The demand for these services is consistently high, particularly during peak exam seasons, providing teachers with a steady stream of clients. Many educators find success in offering online exam prep courses, which can be scalable and potentially generate passive income.
Moreover, exam prep services often command higher rates than general tutoring, making it a particularly attractive option for teachers looking to maximize their earning potential. This side hustle not only supplements a teacher’s income but also keeps them sharp on current testing trends and strategies, which can positively impact their classroom teaching as well.
8. Self-publisher
One fantastic side hustle for teachers is becoming a self-publisher. If you have a knack for writing and want to share your expertise or creativity, this can be a fulfilling way to earn extra income. Kindle Direct Publishing is one of the most popular platforms to publish your own eBooks and paperbacks. You can publish in just a few minutes and reach readers worldwide.
Benefits of Self-publishing:
- Flexibility: You can write and publish at your own pace, without the need for a traditional publisher.
- Creative Control: You maintain control over your content, cover design, and marketing strategies.
- Passive Income: Once your book is published, it can generate income continuously.
Steps to Get Started:
- Write Your Book: Focus on a topic or genre you’re passionate about.
- Edit and Proofread: Ensure your manuscript is polished and error-free.
- Design a Cover: Create an eye-catching cover that draws readers in.
- Format for Publishing: Use tools or services to format your book for eBook and print.
- Publish on KDP: Create your account and upload your book.
Earnings can vary significantly. Some teachers report making hundreds to thousands of dollars per month through self-publishing. Your income will depend on the quality of your book, its marketability, and your promotional efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Side-hustle Resources for Teachers in Canada
About the author
Maurice