If you are a teacher here in the UK, you already know the reality of the profession. Between the endless marking, lesson planning, and managing classroom behaviour, you work incredibly hard. With the rising cost of living, it is completely understandable that you might be looking for ways to use your skills to make a bit of extra money online. A side hustle can give you a bit more breathing room in your budget, help you pay down debt, or simply fund a decent holiday without putting it all on a credit card.
So, what are the best online jobs for British teachers? To answer the question quickly: the most reliable and profitable routes are online tutoring (especially for GCSE and A-Level), creating and selling educational resources, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), online exam marking, and freelance writing for educational technology (EdTech) companies.
The Short Answer
If you want to know what you can expect to earn and where to focus your energy, here is a quick breakdown of the top options:
Online Tutoring: Reliable and pays well. Expect £20 to £45+ per hour, depending on your subject and whether you use an agency or find your own clients.Selling Educational Resources: Passive income, but requires heavy upfront work. Think £10 to £50 a month initially, with the potential to grow if you find a specific niche.TEFL: Flexible, but lower pay. Usually ranges from £10 to £20 an hour.Exam Marking: Seasonal (mostly summer) but pays around £15 to £25 an hour depending on your speed and the exam board.EdTech Freelancing: Project-based pay. Better for those looking to eventually leave the classroom or transition into consultancy.
Let us break down exactly how you can get started with these options, what the reality of the work actually looks like, and how you can avoid the common pitfalls.
You might be surprised to learn just how sought-after your exact skill set is on the internet. You aren’t just pitching yourself as a random person looking for online work; you are bringing professional qualifications and real-world experience to the table.
The Value of QTS
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) carries a lot of weight, not just in the UK, but globally. Parents want to know that the person tutoring their child actually understands how the curriculum works, what the exam boards are looking for, and how to explain complex ideas simply. Having a PGCE and QTS instantly puts you ahead of university students or unqualified tutors who are trying to do the same online jobs.
Transferable Skills
Think about what you do in an average day. You break down complex information into digestible chunks, you manage time exceptionally well, you communicate with various stakeholders (students, parents, senior leadership), and you create engaging presentations. These are highly marketable skills in the freelance and online business world, particularly within the booming EdTech industry.
For educators seeking flexible employment opportunities, exploring online jobs can be a rewarding venture.
Top Online Jobs for British Teachers
Here is a closer look at the most realistic ways to generate extra income using the skills you already have.
Online Tutoring (UK Curriculum)
This is probably the most obvious choice, and for good reason—it is the quickest way to replace or supplement your income. Because of the lingering effects of the pandemic and highly competitive university entrances, parents are actively seeking online tutors for GCSEs, A-Levels, and the 11-plus exams.
If you teach a core subject like Maths, English, or Science, your calendar could be full within a fortnight. You have two main routes here: joining a platform like MyTutor, Tutorful, or Superprof, or going independent.
Platforms will take a cut of your earnings (sometimes up to 25%), but they handle the marketing, payment processing, and provide a digital classroom. Going independent means you keep 100% of the money, but you will need to find the clients yourself through local Facebook groups, word of mouth, or LinkedIn, and handle your own invoicing.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
If you just want something flexible that requires absolutely zero lesson planning, TEFL might be for you. Platforms like Cambly, Preply, or iTutorGroup connect English learners from around the world with native speakers.
The major benefit here is convenience. You can log on for an hour on a Saturday morning, chat with an adult business professional in Japan or a university student in Brazil, and log off. However, the pay is significantly lower than curriculum tutoring. Because you are competing with native speakers worldwide, rates usually hover around £10 to £15 an hour. It is low-stress, but it won’t make you rich.
Creating and Selling Educational Resources
If you are already spending your Sunday afternoons making beautifully formatted PowerPoint presentations, knowledge organisers, or revision mats, you might as well get paid for them. Platforms like TES (Times Educational Supplement) and Teachers Pay Teachers allow you to upload your resources and sell them to other teachers.
The appeal here is passive income. You make the resource once, and it can sell hundreds of times over the years. However, be realistic: it takes time to build up a shop. You won’t make hundreds of pounds overnight. You need high-quality previews, clear descriptions, and a good understanding of what saves other teachers time. Cover lessons, heavily differentiated worksheets, and mock exam templates tend to sell incredibly well.
Freelance Writing and Educational Consulting
EdTech a massive industry, and these companies constantly need current teachers to write content for them. This could involve writing multiple-choice questions for revision apps, scripting educational YouTube videos, or writing blog posts aimed at other teachers.
You can find these opportunities by searching for “freelance curriculum writer” or “educational content creator” on job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn. The pay mostly depends on the project, but because you bring expert subject knowledge, you can often negotiate rates that equate to £25 to £40 an hour.
Examining and Marking
While not strictly a year-round side hustle, signing up as an examiner for AQA, Edexcel, OCR, or WJEC is a fantastic way to earn a lump sum in the summer. All the marking is now done online through dedicated portals, meaning you can mark scripts from the comfort of your sofa.
The pay is usually per paper, so the faster you get (without compromising accuracy), the higher your hourly rate becomes. Many teachers find this essentially pays for their summer holiday. As an added bonus, it provides incredible insight into how exam boards mark, which directly improves your own classroom teaching.
Practical Tips for Getting Started
Starting an online job when you are already working full-time requires organisation. Here are a few practical ways to set yourself up for success.
Finding Your Specific Niche
Do not try to be everything to everyone. If you market yourself as “a tutor,” you blend in. If you market yourself as “an AQA A-Level Biology specialist who helps students jump from a grade C to an A,” you stand out. Parents will pay a premium for a specialist. Find the specific area of your subject that you know inside out and make that your selling point.
Setting Up a Professional Workspace
You don’t need a fully equipped professional studio, but you do need to look the part. If you are tutoring or recording video content, invest in a decent webcam (the ones built into old school laptops are usually terrible) and arguably, more importantly, a good quality standalone microphone. A cheap £40 USB microphone from Amazon will instantly make you sound more professional. Ensure you have a quiet space, a neutral background, and good lighting.
Marketing Yourself Authentically
If you are trying to find private tutoring clients or freelance writing gigs, standard networking applies. Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight your subject expertise and availability for freelance work. Join local community Facebook groups and, rather than just spamming your rates, offer helpful advice when parents ask questions about exams or school options. Being genuinely helpful is the best marketing strategy you can employ.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When you are eager to get your side hustle off the ground, it is easy to make a few missteps. Having seen many teachers try (and sometimes fail) to build an online income, here are the major things you need to watch out for.
Undervaluing Your Time and Credentials
The biggest mistake British teachers make is charging too little. You might look at university students charging £15 an hour and think you should charge the same to stay competitive. Do not do this. You have QTS, classroom experience, and intimate knowledge of the curriculum. You are a premium service. If you charge £15 an hour, parents will assume you lack experience. Be confident in setting your rates at £30 or £40 an hour to start, and raise them as your schedule fills up.
Neglecting HMRC and the Taxman
This is incredibly important. When you start earning money online outside of your main PAYE teaching job, you are effectively running a small business as a sole trader.
The UK government gives you a £1,000 “Trading Allowance” every tax year. This means you can earn up to £1,000 completely tax-free without even having to tell HMRC. However, the exact moment your gross income (before expenses) hits £1,000.01, you are legally required to register for Self Assessment and declare your earnings. Set aside 20% to 30% of your online earnings into a separate bank account so you are not caught short when the tax bill arrives in January.
Taking On Too Much Too Soon
Teaching is an exhausting job. If you decide to take on three hours of online tutoring every evening after a full day in the classroom, you will burn out by the October half-term. Start small. Commit to maybe two hours a week on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, or dedicate a Sunday morning to creating TES resources. Treat your online work as a marathon, not a sprint. Protect your rest time fiercely, because a burnt-out teacher is no use to anyone.
Tutoring Your Own Students
It should go without saying, but never accept money to privately tutor students who currently attend your school, even if they aren’t in your specific class. It is almost always a breach of your school’s code of conduct and presents a massive conflict of interest. Always look for clients outside of your school’s catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to tell my school that I have an online side hustle?
It is always best to check your employment contract. Most standard state school contracts do not explicitly forbid secondary employment, provided it does not interfere with your primary duties, drain your energy, or represent a conflict of interest. As a courtesy, some teachers let their headteacher know, but generally, what you do in your own time is your business, provided it doesn’t bring the school into disrepute.
Do I need an extra DBS check to tutor online?
If you work through an agency, they will often require an Enhanced DBS check. Even though you likely have one for your school, DBS checks are not legally transferable between jobs unless you are signed up for the DBS Update Service (which costs £13 a year). If you are tutoring independently, parents will almost certainly ask to see a DBS certificate. Getting on the Update Service makes this process much smoother.
Can I really make a full-time living from this?
Yes, but it takes time. Many teachers have successfully transitioned out of the classroom by building up their tutoring clients and scaling their online resources. However, you should not expect to replace a £35,000 to £45,000 teaching salary in your first few months. Start it as a side hustle, and let the income grow organically.
Summary
Making extra money online as a British teacher is entirely achievable. You already possess a highly sought-after skill set, a strong work ethic, and the ability to explain complex concepts clearly. By leaning into options like online tutoring, creating educational resources, or marking exam papers, you can create a reliable secondary income stream.
Remember to value your qualifications, charge appropriately, and keep the taxman happy once you pass your trading allowance. Most importantly, start small to protect your energy. Earning an extra few hundred pounds a month is a very realistic goal, and once you get the hang of it, you might find that your online teaching hustle brings a fresh sense of professional satisfaction alongside the financial reward.
FAQs
What are online jobs for teachers?
Online jobs for teachers are opportunities for educators to work remotely, typically teaching or tutoring students through virtual platforms. These jobs can include teaching English as a second language, providing online tutoring in various subjects, or creating and selling educational resources.
What qualifications do I need for online teaching jobs?
Qualifications for online teaching jobs can vary, but typically require a teaching qualification, such as a degree in education or a relevant subject. Some positions may also require teaching experience, a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, or proficiency in a specific subject area.
What are the benefits of online teaching jobs for teachers?
Some benefits of online teaching jobs for teachers include the ability to work from home, flexible hours, and the opportunity to reach students from around the world. Additionally, online teaching jobs can provide a supplemental income or full-time employment for educators.
What are the challenges of online teaching jobs for teachers?
Challenges of online teaching jobs for teachers can include adapting to virtual teaching platforms, managing technology issues, and maintaining student engagement in an online setting. Additionally, some online teaching jobs may require working outside of traditional school hours to accommodate students in different time zones.
Where can I find online teaching job opportunities?
Online teaching job opportunities can be found on job search websites, education-specific job boards, and through online tutoring companies. Additionally, networking with other educators and joining online teaching communities can provide leads on available positions.
