Teachers Are Hustling Harder Than Ever: 71% Need Side Gigs to Survive
Imagine loving your job teaching fifth graders math, reading, and science—then clocking into a spray tanning gig at night just to afford a house down payment. That's Ashley's reality in Washington state. Her husband, Jake, also a teacher, paints houses on the side. "I love what I do, but financially, it's a beast," she told CNN.
They're not outliers. A new Gallup survey (with the Bipartisan Policy Center and Walton Family Foundation) reveals 71% of public school teachers juggle at least one side hustle. Shocking, right? And 85% do it during the school year—not just summers off.
Side hustles go way beyond tutoring. Nearly a third dive into unrelated gigs: Uber driving, food delivery, bartending. Why? Skyrocketing costs for groceries, insurance, and utilities hit hard. Ashley's $62K salary? It barely covers paycheck-to-paycheck living without her tanning cash for travel and savings.
Just 28% of teachers feel "comfortable" financially—52% are scraping by, 21% struggling. Those in tough spots are twice as likely (46% vs. 22%) to pick up non-education work. Average teacher pay? A measly $72K for 2024-2025, per the National Education Association—27% less than peers with similar education (36% gap for men). Record lows since the 1970s, says the Economic Policy Institute.
Perks exist, but they're fading. Pensions, solid health plans, and tenure offer security that many workers envy. But budget cuts threaten them, fueling burnout: 52% of financially strained teachers feel burned out "very often or always."
Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings calls it "shocking" and "corrosive." It worsens teacher shortages (think special ed) and attrition. Ashley wonders if she'll retire teaching: "I'm passionate, but undervalued."
The big question: How do we fix it? Spellings pushes career ladders, higher pay, and resources to keep talent in classrooms. Time to "put our money where our mouths are."
This hustle culture in teaching underscores broader workforce woes—especially for Gen Z eyeing education careers. What's your take?