Social workers are dedicated professionals whose work involves helping those who struggle with social issues in their lives. Despite the great need for their services and the impactful work that they do, social workers are rarely paid a salary that matches the intensity of the job they perform.
If you’re like most social workers, you perform your duties, not for the money, but for the satisfaction of having a positive impact on the lives of others. Still, bills must be paid, which is why you may need to find a side hustle to help you bridge the gap in your finances.
Thanks to the booming gig economy, these days it’s possible to make money doing just about anything. But, which side hustles are ideal for social workers?
In this guide, I seek to answer that question. Rather than list a generic list of side hustles, I’ve chosen ones that actually work.
And, virtually all of them allow you to create your own schedule and work from the comfort of your home so you can earn extra money to:
- Pay off your debt;
- Build a savings fund;
- Increase charitable giving;
- Fill an employment gap; or simply
- Have more disposable income.
Whatever your reasons, I’ve got you covered. Continue on to learn more about the best ways to make passive or active income as a social worker.
Online Jobs
1. Start a Blog
Blogging is one of the best side hustles to earn extra money as a social worker. You can start a blog on virtually any topic you want.
I recommend creating a blog that leverages the expertise you already have. So, for example, you might create a blog about social work topics, or you can write about your daily interactions with people.
You’ll be able to start building an audience by sharing your knowledge with others and after a while, you can monetize your blog using a variety of techniques, such as ads, paid subscriptions, affiliate marketing, or sponsorships.
This is a great side gig for teachers as well since both they and social workers actively impact other people’s lives for the better.
Where to Find Jobs:
I offer a free blogging course, Ignition, that teaches you all the basics to get your first blog up and running in the quickest time possible.
How Much Money Can You Make?
$500-$5,000/month
Resource to Learn More:
2. Create a YouTube Channel
If blogging doesn’t sound like your thing, you can use YouTube as a way to create an additional revenue source to supplement your social worker income.
Developing your own YouTube channel is easier than most people think. All you need is the right strategy to build a successful channel.
You can create videos around any topic you like. Stay in your niche, or pick any of your non-work-related passions. As your audience grows, you’ll be able to generate revenue through ads, affiliate marketing, subscriptions, donations, or brand sponsorships.
Where to Find Jobs:
Sign up for my free email course on how to start a successful YouTube channel even if you have no prior experience.
How Much Money Can You Make?
$400-$2,000/month
Resource to Learn More:
3. Create an Online Course
Creating online courses is another way to share your expertise with the world. But, unlike blogging or becoming a YouTuber, it doesn’t require you to engage as much with your audience.
Using a platform like Skillshare, you’ll be able to earn a constant flow of revenue without putting in too much work. Creating and selling an online course can also be a great source of passive income since you only have to create the course once, but you can sell it over and over.
Your course can be on any topic in which you’re knowledgeable. You can use platforms like the ones below to create and market your course online using simple tools designed for beginners.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$1,000-$6,000/month
Resource to Learn More:
4. Leverage Your Expertise as a Social Worker
There are many work-related side hustles for social workers. All you have to do is search through job boards and job marketplaces like the ones listed below to find something that matches your area of expertise.
Here are some examples of side hustles related to social work:
- Witness: Your expertise can be leveraged to assess situations in court proceedings.
- Victim Services: You can use your skills in concert with lawyers, hospitals, or local law enforcement to help victims of violent crimes such as domestic abuse.
- Reviewing Case Files: Offer your services to not-for-profits to help with client evaluation, either through reviewing files or by meeting and interacting with the clients themselves.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$25-$45/hour
Resource to Learn More:
5. Sell Crafts On Etsy
Etsy is a retail online store for handmade, vintage, and custom products. You can use the platform to set up an account and sell products in any genre you like.
For example, if you have a wood crafting, beading, or jewelry creation hobby, you can sell your creations to a ready-made audience of interested buyers.
You’ll be able to build a beautiful Etsy store using a simple drag-and-drop builder, and all the tools you need to market your products and collect payments are built right into the platform for your convenience.
Below is a list of additional online retail marketplaces where you can sell your handcrafted goods. An excellent side hustle for couples also since two people can make a lot more goods than just one person.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$100-$400/week
Resource to Learn More:
6. Make Money As a Public Speaker
Speaking in public is often a significant part of a social worker’s profession. So why not leverage your experience as a speaker to earn money on the side?
If you have good presentation skills, you can get paid to speak at events like conventions, conferences, community colleges, etc. You can work with an association or seek out local venues looking for guest speakers on social issues.
You’ll be able to give talks either in person or online using teleconferencing platforms like Zoom.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$800-$2,500/gig
Resource to Learn More:
7. Become a Life Coach
There are various types of life coaching, including spiritual, personal, or financial life coaching. As a life coach, your job will involve helping people navigate their personal and career challenges.
You will be able to use your knowledge and expertise to guide people toward their desired goals, and the better you get at it, the more you’ll be able to charge. This is an ideal side gig to make extra money by simply sharing your experiences in life.
You can set up a website for free on any of the platforms below to showcase your services and start generating leads for your new business.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$25-$80/hour
Resource to Learn More:
8. Offer Consulting Services
Another excellent side hustle for social workers is to offer consulting services to help businesses and other organizations with a variety of issues, such as organizational development, marketing, human resources, and so on.
If you can help organizations assess their needs and develop strategies to improve their daily operations, you will be paid very well for your time.
You can also use your social work skills to provide training and support for the business’s employees, which also offers you a way to maximize your income.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$25-$45/hour
Resource to Learn More:
9. Sell Books Online
Selling books online can be a really lucrative side hustle. In general, there are four types of books that are most profitable: old textbooks, modern first-edition books, out-of-print used books, and collectibles/antique books.
You can find these books on online marketplaces like eBay or Craigslist, secondhand or thrift stores, such as Goodwill, and garage sales, or at flea markets.
Sell them on Amazon, eBay, or on your own eCommerce website. Alternatively, you can sign up to sell your books on specialized marketplaces depending on the types of books you want to sell.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$400-$1,200/month
Resource to Learn More:
10. Sell Photos
If you love photography, this can be a rewarding and creative side gig for you. To get started, all you need is a decent camera and photo editing software.
You don’t even have to invest anything – your smartphone will do, and there are lots of popular editing platforms that offer free versions or a free trial. You can test out a few different ones before committing to a paid subscription.
Once you’re set, start taking photos in whatever niche you choose, edit them to polish and enhance the visuals, and then sell them on sites like the ones below.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$100-$400/week
Resource to Learn More:
Freelance Side Hustles
According to recent statistics, nearly two in five (39%) adults in the US have a side hustle or second job.
Here are some of the best side hustle opportunities that allow you to earn good money while maintaining control over your schedule.
11. Become a Freelance Trainer/Coach
If the gym is your favorite place to be, then this side hustle is a natural fit. You can start earning money as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, or coach.
Work with clients one-on-one or in group sessions. Conduct classes in person or online. Decide what works for you, and then get to work finding clients for your new freelance fitness training business.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$80-$150/session
Resource to Learn More:
12. Take On Ghostwriting Gigs
Freelance writing is big business these days. A ghostwriter’s job involves creating content for businesses and social enterprises. As a social worker, you’ll be paid to create online content pertaining to your topics of expertise. This includes things like video scripts, blog posts, emails, and social media posts.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$100-$400/article
Resource to Learn More:
13. Work As A Virtual Assistant
Many businesses and individuals outsource their work on the internet. Why not get in on this trend and earn a healthy income as a virtual assistant?
You’ll be paid to do tasks such as reading/answering emails, creating, scheduling, and responding to social media posts, making travel plans, and so on.
There are plenty of websites that connect virtual assistants with clients in need of those services. Sign up on a few of those platforms to start earning right away. You can even take on multiple clients to maximize your VA earnings each week.
The virtual assistant side gig is great for men who are looking for some extra income. But fret not, it’s equally a good side hustle for women as well!
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$25-$50/hour
Resource to Learn More:
14. Get Into Customer Service
Working in customer service is one of the easiest ways for social workers to earn money online. You already have the people skills, now all you have to do is leverage them to get paid.
You’ll be able to determine your own hours and work remotely from the comfort of your own home. Not only is this job easy, but it’s also low commitment, too.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$10-$50/hour
Resource to Learn More:
15. Become a Social Media Manager
If you spend a lot of time on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest, you probably already know enough to be able to offer your services to help small businesses and busy professionals manage their social media presence.
Your job will involve creating and scheduling content, engaging with followers and fans on the brand’s social media pages, and possibly even creating and managing ads.
If this sounds like something you might enjoy, use these sites to find clients and start earning right away.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$15-$50/hour
Resource to Learn More:
16. Become a Freelance Graphic Designer
If you have graphic design talents, you can put them to good use to earn some extra income during your hours off work.
You may need to upgrade your skills, but the good news is that there are plenty of free resources you can use, including YouTube videos, how-to blog posts, etc. Once you’re confident enough, look for small gigs on freelance marketplaces and start building your portfolio.
The better you get at what you do, the more you’ll be able to charge for your graphic design services.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$25-$150/hour
Resource to Learn More:
17. Earn Money As An Online Tutor
As a social worker, you have a range of skills that you can tap into to make more money on the side. For example, you can offer your services as a tutor to help social work students pass their licensing exams.
If you’re experienced in any other subjects, yu might even find tutoring jobs in your local community college or university.
The best part about helping students with their continuing education in this way is that you’ll be able to set your own hours and rates.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$15-$60/hour
Resource to Learn More:
Low Effort Side Hustles for Social Workers
18. Participate in Website and App Testing
Companies pay users to test their websites and apps to see if they are working properly. This is a great side hustle for you if you’re adept at using the latest technology. You’ll get paid to test websites and apps for bugs and give honest feedback to the developers. This is a relatively easy way to supplement the income from your full-time job.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$20-$120/test
Resource to Learn More:
19. Pet Sit on the Weekends
Pet sitting is one of the best side hustle ideas for anyone who loves dogs, cats, and other pets. You’ll be able to earn money while relaxing and enjoying some soothing downtime.
Sign up on apps like Wag and Rover to find a steady stream of clients for your pet-sitting business.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$20-$30/hour
Resource to Learn More:
20. Do Odd Jobs
Are you good with your hands? If so, put your DIY talents to the test and make extra money doing odd jobs in your area.
You can take on simple tasks like helping people move, fixing gutters, or painting fences. If you have the skills for it, you might take on more complex jobs, such as home interior painting or landscape gardening.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$500-2,000/week
Resource to Learn More:
21. Offer House Cleaning Services
A cleaning business is a great side hustle because it’s easy to start but also infinitely scalable. You can start earning right away by signing up on multiple house-cleaning apps like the ones below.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$500-$1,500/week
Resource to Learn More:
22. Become an Event Organizer
Social workers have excellent people skills. You can put yours to use by becoming an event organizer or party helper.
If you have ever been part of a committee for something like a school dance or work conference, then you know how stressful organizing such events can be. Schools, companies, and families will happily pay you to organize and coordinate preparations to save them the hassle.
You can advertise your services as an event planner on social media, your own website, or on local job boards to find clients.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$800-$3,500/project
Resource to Learn More:
23. Run Errands
Running errands can be a very lucrative side hustle. It involves helping people with their household tasks. You’ll get paid to do things such as food delivery, doing some light house cleaning, moving stuff, helping with gardening tasks, and so on.
Browse through the tasks pages on the websites below to see what might interest you. Take on jobs you enjoy and you’ll bring in a few hundred dollars each month without adding to your stress load.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$10-$25/hour
Resource to Learn More:
24. Become an Airbnb Experiences Host
Airbnb hosts earn money by offering extra rooms in their homes for rent. As an Airbnb Experiences host, you’ll be able to earn extra money by offering to host activity-based opportunities, such as shared meals, city tours, yoga sessions in the park, and so on.
If you are someone who likes meeting new people and planning events, this could be a fun way for you to make extra income on the side.
Where to Find Jobs:
Becoming a host on Airbnb Experiences is a straightforward process. All you need to do is sign up on the platform, create a unique profile, and describe your experience. You can then set your price, and once approved, you will be able to start accepting bookings and managing your experience through the Airbnb platform.
How Much Money Can You Make?
80% of every experience that’s booked through the Airbnb platform.
Resource to Learn More:
25. Rent Out Equipment
If you have old equipment in your home that you don’t know what to do with, why not rent it out to make some extra cash?
You can rent out all types of equipment, including sporting equipment, gym equipment, baby equipment, cooking tools, gardening tools, etc.
Rather than buy brand-new equipment, people will pay you to be able to use your equipment so they can save money, and you’ll create a passive income stream for yourself.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$400-$1,500/month
Resource to Learn More:
26. Turn Your Space Into Extra Cash
Do you have unused space in your home? If so, you can turn it into extra cash by renting it out as storage or parking space.
This is known as the “Airbnb of storage”, and it allows you to earn passive income from your spare rooms, basements, garages, closets, sheds, and driveways.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$100-$400/week
Resource to Learn More:
27. Rent Out Your Car
If you’re anything like the rest of us, then your car sits idle for over 20 hours a day on average. You can use apps like HyreCar and Turo to make money by renting out your vehicle when you’re not using it.
Where to Find Jobs:
How Much Money Can You Make?
$20-$25/day
Resource to Learn More:
From dog sitting to ride-sharing and taking up work-related side gigs, you can earn extra money in your off hours with these awesome side hustles for social workers.
Choose the right side hustle for you depending on how much cash you need and how fast you need it, and get started earning right now.