BEST Summer Jobs for Teachers in 2025

Are you a teacher looking for a summer job? You’re in the right place.

Having worked as a teacher for almost 10 years, I am familiar with the work schedule and the job possibilities that fit into your time off in the summer.

Many people are busy in the summer months with:

• special events (weddings, family reunions, galas)
• going away on trips
• keeping their kids busy/caught up
• gardening and landscaping

These things create a lot of income opportunities for those of us who are looking for it!

As a teacher, you almost certainly have a number of transferable skills that you can use in other jobs, but many of us have extra talents up our sleeve as well that can be applied to a variety of summer job types.

I’ve divided the best summer jobs for teachers into ones where:

• no qualification needed (you could get started right away)
• some extra training or certification might be needed ( but it usually doesn’t take a ton of time to qualify)

So, let’s dive into the best summer jobs for teachers, in both categories!

Summer Jobs for Teachers (No Qualification Needed)

These are some great teacher summer job options which do not often require a special degree or certification. Generally, as long as you have a high school diploma (post-secondary degree an asset) and are a trusted adult, you should qualify for many of these positions or ideas

1. Tour guide

If you’re an extroverted person and interested in the travel industry, why not consider being a tour guide?

Tours are more busy and common in the summer, and many businesses are looking for extra guides.

As a teacher, speaking to groups and keeping them interested is a talent you already have -so you’d be their first choice.

Sometimes a certification or qualification is needed if you’re guiding people through historical sites. Generally, though, you don’t need any kind of qualification.

2. Virtual assistant

A virtual assistant takes care of a lot of the small, menial behind-the-scenes tasks that businesses struggle with.

Summer is a busy month for many businesses, with extra customers, and many of them are looking for some extra virtual assistance.

Virtual assistant is a summer job that can be done remotely for teachers, but its something you could try to keep up with during the rest of the year too.

If you really enjoy it, virtual assistant is a valid career path that some people have chosen for full time as well.

3. Tutoring

Tutoring is an obvious choice for a teacher looking for a summer job. The sky is at your limit in terms of whether you want to tutor:

• in person or online
• kids, or adults
• which subject (some are more in demand and will be easier to sell than others)

Check out my guide on starting a tutoring business here.

Teaching English online is a great option, but don’t embark on it until you read my guide here on which platforms to consider, and which to avoid.

4. Dog walker or pet sitter

Most homes have pets, and many people want to get away in the summer. This creates a problem that you -as a responsible and trusted person- can solve!

I can’t tell you how many requests I see for dog and pet sitters in the community where I live.

As a teacher, you already have a criminal background check in place and are a trusted member of society.

People want someone like you watching their homes, and caring for their beloved animals.

Bonus: Housesitter A home doesn’t necessarily need to have pets in order for you to provide the same kind of service. When people go away, they hope to find someone who will water their plants, make sure everything’s in order, cut the grass,

5. Summer camp counsellor

Not all parents have the luxury of being off when their kids are off. In addition, some parents (like me) put their kids in summer camps, whether they’re off or not.

The nice thing about working at a summer camp is that you can choose one that fits your interests, passions and talents.

Depending on where you live, there are camps for: music, drama, art, nature-based (forest school), farm style, and so many more.

Bonus: Lead and run your own summer camp You don’t necessarily need to work at an already-established camp. Think of a talent you have (music, art, French or Spanish as a Second Language?) and create a 1-week camp. Find a place to hold it, and charge $75 per kid, per day. That adds up to a very lucrative summer job that you only have to work as many weeks as you want to.

6. Start a passive income stream

Summer is a great time to start laying down some bricks that could earn you money without you having to lift a finger during the school year.

Of course, there are pros and cons to spending your time creating a passive income stream.

• Pros: Passive income is the road to freedom. Making money while you don’t have to do anything is one of the best feelings in the world!
• Cons: You won’t get paid for your initial effort (and the sad truth is there’s no ‘guarantee’ of when you’ll get paid, or how much)

However, if you’re not desperate for some extra dollars right now, then I highly recommend looking at your passive income-from-home options.

7. Waitressing and serving

There are a lot of events, outings and reunions in the summer. this means that many places, including:

• Restaurants
• Banquet halls
• Cafes
• Concert venues
• Casinos

Are looking for an extra set of hands in the summer. As a teacher, you’re already good with the public. The best part? Tip money on top of a regular salary.

Bonus: Bartending is another form of serving. In most cases, you need to obtain some sort of alcohol-serving licence (which is often done online and doesn’t usually take very long to complete.) Bartenders can make very good tip cash!

8. Provide 1-1 lessons (to kids OR adults)

Remember we talked about extra skills or talents you may have as a teacher? Think of what subjects you teach, and which ones you have special knowledge in.

Or, maybe you have a talent unrelated to school subjects that you’re particularly good at.

Market yourself as providing these kinds of lessons to your chosen audience (whatever age range you want) and see if there are any takers.

Pro Tip: Create a sense of urgency when selling your lessons. (Example: “As a teacher, I will be offering these lessons during the summer months only. Learn ukelele at an affordable cost until Aug 31st!”)

9. Babysitting

Parents, more than ever these days, are lacking a good support system in extended family.

Parents need date nights, and breaks – especially in the summer when there are so many date-night opportunities.

The problem is, it’s hard to find a babysitter they can trust, especially if they have multiple or very young kids. Not everyone feels comfortable with a teenager.

As a teacher, you’re already trusted to care for children and there are so many parents who would jump at the chance to hire you.

Pro Tip: Think of how much you’d like to be paid, and how you will charge (per child, per evening, or extra add-ones such as pet care, light cooking or housekeeping?) My recommendation is to start at no less than $20 per hour and adjust the price if there are lots of kids, if its after midnight, if there are any pets that require a lot of care.

10. Freelance writer

As a teacher, you already have strong and professional communication skills, and part of your job is effective and purposeful writing and written communication.

There are lots of small to medium-sized businesses looking for someone to provide well-written text or communication. Generally, freelance writers charge per word (and yes, there is still such a need for freelance writers, even in the age of AI.)

Read my guide on how to become a freelance writer.

12. Fair or festival worker

A lot of fairs and festivals take place during the summer, and often they’re looking for extra sets of hands.

What you do exactly depends on your area, what festivals and fairs they have, and what jobs are associated with them.

As an example, I live near Toronto which hosts the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) each year for 2 weeks in August.

Chances are, there is something similar to that near you that could provide you with summer income opportunities.

13. Wedding services

September and October are now the most popular times of years to get married, however, June- August are still extremely popular times to get married.

According to The Knot, about 1/4 of all weddings took place in June through August, which is when most teachers are off work.

There are SO many services that are needed for weddings, that trusted teachers can provide (even though its not teaching-related.)

• Wedding officiant
• Wedding planning
• Wedding Entertainment
• Photography, and videography
• Rentals (of equipment, furniture, decor)
• Transportation
• Beauty services
• DJing
• Childcare

If you have skills, talents or interests in any of these ideas, it might worth it to come up with a business idea that you can market to couples who are tying the knot. (Some of the above do require a certification or licence, some do not.)

14. Gardener

So many of us love the look of beautiful summer gardens (flowers or vegetables) but not all of us have the skills, or the time, to make it happen.

Gardening typically starts in May, but depending on what kind of flower or vegetable is being grown, care is still needed in June and July.

Similar to offering lessons or tutoring, you would market this service to people that need it.

Teacher Summer Jobs (Qualifications Needed)

The below ideas make great summer jobs for teachers, but they require some sort of extra certification that you’d need to obtain before being able to qualify. But, obtaining that extra cert might be worth it to find a summer job or side hustle to teaching

1. Landscaping

If you’re an introvert teacher (like me) and prefer not to work with people over the summer months, then landscaping may be for you.

Being able to offer services as a landscaper requires a licence that you’d need to have, and generally quite a bit of an investment in money and time.

Requirements:

• Having your own equipment
• Getting licensed to offer landscaping (varies by province and state)
• Registering your business

2. Beverage cart driver at a golf course

Beverage cart drivers at golf courses are most needed in the summer months, and you can make a lot of money in tips.

Requirements:

• a driver’s license
• usually your area’s equivalent of alcohol-serving certification. This is usually don’t online and doesn’t take very long to complete

2. Personal trainer or fitness instructor

If you have a passion or interest for health and fitness, then working as a fitness instructor or offering personal training services might be right up your alley!

Summer is a time when people want to be and feel in shape. While it may be too late for them to shred down to the bikini body, you can inspire them with the idea that you can help them get set up with habits so that they feel their best by Christmas.

Requirements:

• Both fitness instructors and personal trainers need to be licenced.
• Look into getting qualified in Canada, or the United States

4. Yoga Instructor

The nice thing about being a yoga instructor is that you can teach it anywhere. You could teach:

• at a studio
• in your home, if you have the space
• offer yoga in the park or on the beach (look into a permit)
• completely online

Requirements:

• Yoga Teacher Certification (200 hours, or 500 hours) which can be done online, at a studio near you, or some people choose to do it on a retreat, like Costa Rica or even India where yoga originates. Click here to read more about how to get certified to teach yoga

5. Private swim Instructor

If you went ‘all the way’ in swimming, and qualify to teach swimming, then why not offer lessons?

Many parents (especially those with their own pool) are looking for a swim instructor to come to their home to teach their kids to swim.

Sometimes they pool together 2-3 other kids that they know, and go in on the price together.

This is a good money maker. You could either charge per hour, giving them a deal if they have siblings or a friend to join) or per child.

Requirements:

• Valid First Aid and CPR
• Bronze Medallion
• Usually complete a Swim Instructor course

Bonus: Lifeguard Have your Bronze medallion and First Aid, but prefer a more solitary job as opposed to working with kids? How about applying to be a lifeguard? Our local pool had to cut hours due to a lifeguard shortage. This is a generally easy job for teachers who are trustworthy and know how to supervise

3. Scuba dive instructor

If you’re a diver, why not look into becoming a Dive Instructor? This is a job that not only can you do in the summer, but it’s a good retirement jobs for teachers too.

Requirements:

• Divemaster certification
• Complete a Dive Instructor course

Final Thoughts on the Summer Jobs for Teachers

Having a summer job as a teacher allows you to keep busy, and earn some extra money before the school year starts up again. I hope that I’ve given you ideas for summer jobs that would be able to accomplish this for you!