The Best Teacher Side Hustle

First, I’ll say that I wish teachers didn’t need side hustles. We should be recognized for our important work and valued as professionals. I also think teachers should take an active role in advocating for better pay and more respect. In the meantime, reality dictates that most teachers could use a little extra income.

 Throughout the years, I’ve had several side hustles. Tutoring is probably the most popular teacher side hustle. Unlike tutoring though, the best teacher side hustle is one that doesn’t require you to trade your time for money.

That is why dog sitting is the best side hustle for teachers. In addition to bringing in extra cash, it has also brought me tons of joy. 

Why dog sitting is great for teachers

• First, you don’t have to leave your house! The owners bring the dog and the supplies to you. While cuddling with your furry client, you can grade or make lesson plans. It is not a huge time commitment.
• Second, we get home relatively early, so dog owners are happy to leave their pets with us. Also, we have long holiday breaks. We can provide lots of love and supervision during these times—another selling point for your dog-sitting profile.
• Third, teachers are stressed out, and dogs are the perfect antidote. They encourage you to go outside and get exercise. Besides that, even just petting a dog is shown to reduce stress.

How it works

I use Rover to organize and manage my dog-sitting side hustle. You can think of it like AirBnB for dogs. People search locations near them for available sitters, and then look at your profile, photos, and ratings.

With modern dog sitting, you don’t have to market or advertise. This is not a pyramid scheme; you don’t need to bother friends or post online. If you live in a big city, there are plenty of people who will need a sitter at any given time.

How much can you earn?

You can earn hundreds of dollars a month from watching pets. I’ve been dog sitting for several years. My best months are around $500, but most months I make between $300-400. This is with me watching only one dog at a time and charging $35 a night.

By now, I have a lot of reviews and repeat customers. It takes some time to build up your presence on the search results. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you love dogs, you’ll enjoy the entire journey. 

Have you ever tried dog sitting? What are some of the side hustles you recommend? Comment below!

You can sign up for Rover here.