14 Passive Income Ideas For Teachers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a teacher in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a teacher today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a teacher.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a teacher, you could use your expertise to create and sell online courses. Whether you're passionate about subjects like math, science, music, or cooking, there are countless people willing to pay to learn from someone knowledgeable. With the growing e-learning market, expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, there's significant potential to reach a wide audience.
You could start by identifying a subject you're passionate about and that others want to learn. Once you've created your course content, you can choose an online learning platform to host and sell your course, making it accessible to students worldwide. This way, you could turn your teaching skills into a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
If you have a knack for creating compelling video content, starting a YouTube channel might be your next big move. You could share your expertise, passions, or hobbies while eventually earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. Your channel could focus on anything from how-to guides and vlogs to educational content and entertainment.
Building a successful YouTube channel requires consistency and quality. You would need to plan your content, shoot and edit videos, and regularly engage with your audience. While it takes time and dedication, the rewards could be significant, offering you a flexible and potentially profitable way to supplement your income.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
3. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
As a teacher, starting a podcast could be a great way to supplement your income and share your expertise. You could create episodes around educational topics you are passionate about, such as teaching strategies, classroom stories, or subject-specific content. This allows you to reach a larger audience while providing valuable information that can help other educators or students.
By choosing a niche in education, you could build a dedicated listener base. With some basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and using free or affordable hosting platforms, you could keep startup costs low. Promoting your podcast through social media and educational communities might lead to sponsorship opportunities, helping you earn passive income over time.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
4. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a fantastic way for you to supplement your income as a teacher by sharing your expertise and passion on a specific subject. Teachers have valuable knowledge and unique perspectives that can be leveraged to create engaging content, whether that’s on educational strategies, classroom management, or even hobbies like cooking or travel.
You could start by identifying a profitable and underserved niche that aligns with your interests and skills. Once your blog gains visibility, you could monetize it by providing affiliate links, collaborating with relevant brands, or even speaking at events. Over time, this could grow into a steady stream of passive income, benefiting both your passion projects and financial stability.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
5. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a teacher looking to supplement your income, starting an affiliate marketing business could be an excellent option. Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies' products and earning a commission for each sale you generate, making it a way to earn money online with minimal initial investment. You could choose products or services that you genuinely believe in and feel excited to share with others, making this a rewarding venture.
For example, you might partner with eCommerce stores or specific brands that align with your interests or teaching skills. Learning to select the right product and brand to affiliate with is key, and it could allow you to create extra income streams without taking time away from your primary teaching responsibilities. As an entrepreneurial-minded individual, affiliate marketing presents a flexible and potentially lucrative opportunity to build passive income over the long term.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a teacher, you could supplement your income by creating a niche website focused on an area you're passionate and knowledgeable about, such as educational resources, lesson plans, or specific subject matter expertise. This allows you to share your insights and experiences, helping other educators while also generating passive income.
Building a niche website involves selecting a specific topic, producing engaging content, and attracting visitors to your site. Over time, you could monetize your website through ad placements, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products like e-books and online courses. This could become a rewarding project that aligns with your expertise and interests, providing both creative satisfaction and extra earnings.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
7. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a teacher, starting a print-on-demand business could be a great way to earn extra income by leveraging your creativity. You could design unique educational-themed products such as t-shirts, mugs, posters, and other merchandise that cater to students, fellow teachers, or parents. These items can be sold online through platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy without worrying about inventory or upfront costs, as the products are only made when someone places an order.
With your background in education, you have a keen understanding of what appeals to your target audience, giving you an edge in creating products that resonate with them. The flexibility of running a print-on-demand business allows you to manage it from home, fitting it around your teaching schedule. This means you could gradually build it at your own pace while continuing your primary career.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
8. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a teacher, you could start a stock photography business to supplement your income by utilizing your creativity and taking photographs that businesses can use for marketing. You could aim to capture images related to education, classrooms, and school activities, which are often in demand by website owners and bloggers for specific marketing needs.
By investing in some good photography gear and honing your skills, you could build an impressive portfolio of high-quality stock photos. Uploading these photos to online stock photo platforms could allow you to earn a passive income while focusing on your teaching career.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
9. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a teacher, you could leverage your expertise and unique insights into education by creating a mobile app. Imagine developing an app that aids in lesson planning, classroom management, or provides interactive learning experiences for students. Your firsthand experience in the field could help you identify specific challenges and create effective solutions, increasing the chances of your app being well-received by fellow educators and students.
Building a mobile app might seem daunting, but with a clear vision and some basic coding knowledge, or by hiring a skilled developer, it becomes achievable. You'd need to outline the app's user experience, design engaging interfaces, and ensure it functions smoothly through rigorous testing. Effective marketing will be essential to attract users and boost downloads, potentially turning your innovative idea into a steady source of passive income.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
10. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a teacher, you could supplement your income by developing an AI writing tool. With your expertise in writing and education, you could create a tool that helps businesses, bloggers, and students generate accurate and engaging content effortlessly. This tool could save them significant time and reduce errors, making it highly valuable.
You could transform the way content is created, easing the workload for writers around the globe and boosting their productivity. Moreover, this venture into AI technology is not only relevant for today’s demand for constant, quality content but could also provide a steady stream of passive income. By leveraging your knowledge and embracing this innovative opportunity, you could make a meaningful impact while securing financial benefits.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
11. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($148K/month)
As a teacher, you could start a social media automation business to supplement your income by helping small businesses and influencers manage their online presence more efficiently. This involves using tools to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, which saves your clients significant time and effort.
Given the increasing demand for consistent social media engagement, your services would be highly valued. If you have an interest in technology and marketing, this could be a rewarding side hustle that leverages those skills. By staying updated on social media trends and building strong client relationships, you could create a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
12. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business could be a great way for teachers to supplement their income without the hassle of managing physical inventory. In this business model, you sell products online, and a third-party supplier ships them directly to your customers. This means you won't need to worry about stocking items or handling shipping logistics.
As a teacher, you could dedicate some of your free time to setting up an online store, choosing a category of products you are passionate about or have knowledge in. Platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce make it easy to get started, even for beginners. You could focus on finding reliable suppliers on websites like AliExpress and listing their products in your store, while putting effort into marketing and providing excellent customer service to attract and retain customers.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
13. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a teacher, you likely use various tools to make your daily tasks more manageable. If you've ever visited a WordPress site, you know that plugins are essential for managing and enhancing such websites. You could leverage your problem-solving skills to identify a common issue educators face online and develop a WordPress plugin that addresses it, making it easier for others while earning you passive income.
Developing a WordPress plugin might sound technical, but with some research and effort, it's completely achievable. Once your plugin is ready, you could sell it on platforms like CodeCanyon, on your blog, or even create a dedicated website for it. This side business taps into your analytical and creative teaching skills, allowing you to generate extra income while providing a valuable tool to others.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
14. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As a teacher, you could leverage your passion and expertise to create a subscription box business tailored to subjects you teach or hobbies you enjoy. For example, you could develop educational or craft boxes for parents seeking enriching activities for their children, or launch a book subscription featuring curated monthly reads that align with curriculum themes.
Starting a subscription box business allows you to use your organizational skills and creativity outside the classroom. The steady monthly income from subscribers could provide a reliable stream of extra money. By focusing on a niche you're knowledgeable about, you could offer exclusive and valuable products that resonate with your audience.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
