I'm on a Florida Teacher Salary, but My Side Hustles Bring In $20K a Year

In Florida, where teacher salaries rank among the lowest in the nation, high school English teacher Raquel Carey has built her own blueprint for financial success—by embracing the power of side hustles. At just 26 years old, Carey wears many hats: educator, coach, tutor, content creator and entrepreneur. Her full-time job is in teaching, but after-hours she works hard to make money that allows her to chase long-term goals, support her family and maintain financial stability. "I've been an educator for the past three years, working as a high school English Language Arts (ELA) teacher," Carey told Newsweek. "My journey with students, however, started long before my teaching career began." From teaching Sunday School at 13 to coaching soccer, tennis and the Brain Brawl academic team at her current school, Carey has long found joy in guiding and mentoring youth. But as the cost of living rises, her dedication to education has had to come with a financial plan.

"For me, side hustles are about more than just staying afloat; they are my pathway to building a secure future," she explained. Carey's side hustle strategy is all about having multiple income streams—from selling lesson plans on Teachers Pay Teachers, tutoring students for standardized tests, selling items on Facebook Marketplace and coaching school sports. But her most impactful income stream has come from content creation, particularly on TikTok. "I wear many hats when it comes to my side hustles, but my biggest endeavor is creating educational and lifestyle content on TikTok," she said. "This platform has opened doors to brand collaborations, user-generated content (UGC) and creative opportunities." Through the TikTok Creator Program and TikTok Shop, Carey has not only built a digital presence, she has also built financial momentum.

Making $20,000 On Side Hustles

"In February of last year, I earned five figures by live-streaming daily," she said. "But this pace was not sustainable." Now, she focuses on content she's passionate about and works with brands she genuinely supports. These side ventures bring in more than $20,000 annually—income that has gone a long way toward achieving personal milestones. "The income I generated through TikTok Shop and brand collaborations helped pay for my dream wedding in Mexico City," Carey said. "Without these additional earnings, milestones like our wedding and honeymoon might have been out of reach." Carey's hustle mentality isn't new. She put herself through community college by working multiple jobs, later taking out loans to finish her degree in Southern California. After moving cross-country in 2022 to pursue teaching, she juggled grad school and medical challenges while living alone for the first time—delivering pizzas after school just to stay afloat. "As a child, I started selling snacks in school in order to earn extra cash," she said. "Whether it was proctoring SAT exams, babysitting, tutoring or coaching youth sports, I always found ways to supplement my main income." Now, with a firm foundation in teaching and a thriving side business portfolio, Carey is committed to helping others explore what's possible beyond a single paycheck. "I wholeheartedly encourage others—especially educators—to explore side hustles," she said. "They can be transformative, helping people navigate financial challenges and achieve goals." Her advice? Start with what you love. "Whether it's coaching a youth team if you love sports or exploring creative outlets on platforms like Etsy or Redbubble, the best side hustles are those that bring joy and balance to your life," she said. "It's not just about the money, it's about creating opportunities and building a brighter future."