Do Teachers Get Paid in the Summer? Complete 2024 Guide

Do teachers get paid in the summer? If you want to pursue a teaching career, you may have asked yourself this question for a while.

We agree that teachers deserve to get paid all year round, but do they? Does having a break from school mean you’ll have a break from pay too?

This post gives all the answers you need. I have also included some side hustle ideas you could dive into in case your teaching job doesn’t pay all year round or you’re looking for ways to supplement your income.

Do Teachers Get Paid in The Summer?

Most teachers don’t get paid over summer break but they can choose to receive their paycheck all year round. Teachers can choose to get paid using the 10-month pay structure or the 12-month pay structure. Most teachers take a prorated salary to keep a steady income throughout the year. 

Schools offer two payment structures: the 12-month pay structure and the 10-month pay structure. 

The 12-month structure offers pay throughout the year. Teachers who choose the 10-month system get paychecks during active terms. This means that there’s no pay during the two-month summer break.

The monthly pay is slightly lower for the 12-month structure because the amount is stretched to cover the whole year. However, this doesn’t mean teachers get paid during the summer break since the overall amount in a year is the same in both cases. 

If you’re considering joining the profession as a teacher, reviewing the job listings of the schools you’re interested in teaching is essential. 

What If You Work Extra in the Summer?

Some schools have summer programs like camps, summer schools, and sports. You’ll get paid if you’re asked to work during this time. This payment is a bonus that isn’t part of your annual salary.

Consider taking up tutoring jobs during the summer to earn some extra cash.

However, you don’t have to work during this period. You can take time off to recharge and relax. You can also use the time to venture into other opportunities or hobbies.

Do Teachers Get Paid During Winter Break?

Teachers are typically paid 180-190 days per calendar year. The winter break falls within the school calendar, during which teachers receive their wages. Technically, teachers get paid for the contracted days, and this doesn’t include summer break, winter holidays, and spring break. 

Their pay for the 180 school days is spread out over 10 or 12 months. This way, the teacher gets paid all year round or for ten months.

Getting their pay spread throughout the year doesn’t mean teachers get paid during the winter break since the amount is slightly lower.

Do Teachers Get Paid During Holidays?

Several holidays occur within the school calendar year. They include the following:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 18th January
• Independence Day: 4th of July
• Labour Day: 6th September

Generally, teachers get their pay during the school period depending on whether they opted for the 10-month or the 12-month system. 

This, however, doesn’t mean they get paid for the holidays. Their pay for the 180 school days is either spread out for ten or twelve months.

Do Teachers Get Paid Overtime?

Teachers aren’t typically paid overtime. However, teachers can get paid after performing additional tasks such as taking on a sport, camp, or summer school.

If you’re a teacher and stay after school, you won’t get paid overtime, even when you stay longer to organize your classes or prepare a project for the following day.

It’s worth mentioning that different school districts offer teachers different pay levels. You’ll earn a high salary if you teach in a school district where teachers enjoy a high pay level and are tenured. This is also true for teachers who’ve been in the profession for many years.

How Many Days Off Do Teachers Get?

Most teachers get between 12 and 15 work weeks off every year. This is the time when teachers aren’t actively involved with students.

On average, professionals work 230 days yearly, and teachers are only contracted to work 180 to 190 days a year. On top of this, teachers get 5 to 10 days off sick or personal leave, holidays, weekends, spring break, winter break, and summer break every year.

It’s important to note that teachers don’t get paid during summer holidays, meaning they earn less than others receiving an all-year-round salary.

Unpaid Responsibilities for Teachers During the Summer Months

Teachers have many unpaid duties that they work on during the summer months. These include:

Lesson Planning

Because the curriculum must be changed every once in a while, it can be overwhelming for you to change the lesson plans for an upcoming class. This is also true for new teachers who spend even more time preparing for the coming school year during the summer months.

New teachers and those changing subjects can easily get overwhelmed if they fail to prepare a carefully arranged lesson plan.

Classroom Preparation

If you remember entering your new classroom in elementary, you may have noticed it was well-decorated and organized. Teachers do this painstaking work and sometimes spend their money on supplies.

Every new school year sees teachers spending a couple of days preparing their classrooms.

Continuing Education for Licensure

Most states require teachers to take continuing education classes to retain a teaching certification.

For instance, if you’re a teacher from Texas, the state requires you to take 150 hours of Continuing Professional Education every five years. Even though a couple of school districts pay for the classes, almost none compensate for the time.

You may also pursue special certifications or advanced degrees which need college coursework. Many teachers do this during their summer break because it’s nearly impossible to fit in classes when the school year is in progress.

Best Summer Jobs for Teachers

If you’re a teacher or intend to join the teaching field, you no longer have to worry about unpaid summer breaks. There are many summer jobs for teachers you could consider. 

Most of these jobs only require a little effort to start. You don’t need an educational background or experience to start making money.

Here are some of the best work-from-home jobs and side hustles you could take up during the summer to supplement your income. 

1. Online Tutoring

One of the online jobs you could venture into is online tutoring. The job is flexible and helps you keep your skills sharp. You could use your teaching experience to help students who need extra help with specific subjects.

The good thing is that you get to set your schedule and rates. You can also maximize your pay by tutoring as many students as possible in multiple subjects.

You can earn up to $1,500 monthly as a Course Hero tutor. Another website you could check out is BookNook.

2. Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to make money as a teacher during summer break. As a VA, your duties would include:

• Conducting research
• Social media management
• Clerical tasks like updating calendars
• Administrative assistance
• Answering calls
• Booking hotels

You can find virtual assistant jobs at FlexJobs and Upwork.

3. Start a Blog

Another side hustle idea to consider is starting a blog. It’s an excellent summer job if you’re passionate about a particular subject. 

You can make money through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate links.

Blogging is a natural fit for educators because you already have much knowledge to draw from. The best part is you don’t need experience to start. You only need a simple website and start publishing posts.

You can kickstart your blogging career on web hosting companies like BigScoots and SiteGround for a lightening speed blog.

4. Freelance Writing

If you’re a teacher who enjoys writing, why not venture into freelance writing? You can create content for publications like blog posts, product descriptions, or website copy.

Knowledge of structuring articles, good grammar skills, and research abilities would help you navigate this field. 

Your teaching experience and vast knowledge of several academic subjects may come in handy in writing educational content and writing pieces for academic journals. 

You can apply for freelance writing tasks on job boards like Fiverr and Upwork.

5. Proofreading

Another excellent side hustle idea for teachers is becoming a proofreader. You’d be required to review documents to eliminate spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.

The advantage of working as a proofreader is you can work from anywhere. Many businesses and individuals also seek someone to proofread their documents, so you’ll likely get plenty of gigs.

And if you want to become a full-time proofreader in the future, consider taking a proofreading course.

6. Start a Bookkeeping Business

This is a great way to earn money during the summer, especially if you’re keen to detail and have excellent organizational skills.

Your job description would entail organizing financial records for different companies and businesses, including creating invoices, data entry, and working with spreadsheets. 

Bookkeeping pays well. It can go a long way in supplementing your income and ensuring smooth summer days. Check out Bookkeeper to kickstart your bookkeeping business.

7. Transcriptionist

Are you a teacher with excellent listening and typing skills? Transcription could be the right side hustle for you. You can use your skills to earn a few dollars during your summer break. 

Transcription involves converting audio or video files into written text. It’s even better if you can type fast. This will enable you to complete as many jobs as possible and earn as much money as possible.

One advantage of transcription is you get to choose your niche. You can focus on subjects you’re conversant with within the educational field. Also, like any other online job, you can work from anywhere if you have stable internet.

To start a part-time transcription career, check out Transcribe Anywhere.

8. Online Course Creator

This is one of the best part-time jobs you can venture into almost effortlessly because you’re already experienced in course creation.

It’s an excellent side hustle for summer breaks, considering you control your prices, margins, and schedule.

If you already have existing teaching materials, you could start by converting them into an online course. Alternatively, you can create a new course from scratch.

Create and Go is a great place to start. This website teaches you the basics of creating an online course. They give you tips on choosing suitable topics and marketing them.

9. Summer School Teacher

Have you considered teaching summer classes for extra cash to cushion the unpaid summer breaks? 

Many parents enroll their kids in summer classes because of the fear that they may lose previously learned information and fall back in their classes.

Many school districts also offer summer programs to help students catch up on their schoolwork. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to improve your teaching skills while helping kids achieve their goals. 

Most of these classes are smaller. Therefore, you connect with every kid and take a personal interest in their progress. You’ll find that this may be more effective than regular classes.

Check with your local school district to find options available for summer school.

10. Summer Camp Instructor

Working as a summer camp instructor is a fun way to earn money during the summer break.

Many camps offer programs geared toward academics such as math, science, and engineering. You can put your teaching skills to use. Also, working with kids outside the conventional class setting may help you improve your skills and develop new perspectives.

Check with your school district to find options and start earning money as a summer camp instructor.

11. Become a Rideshare Driver

Becoming a rideshare driver in your spare time is an easy way to earn extra cash during the summer break. 

One of the most significant benefits of becoming a rideshare driver is the flexibility and ability to work on your schedule. 

Here are several rideshare companies you could work with:

• Uber: Sign up online and share the required documents, like your driver’s license. To be eligible, you must be at least 21 years and have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S. Once you’ve signed up; you must pass a background check. 
• Lyft: Complete the application on their website to become a rideshare driver for Lyft. Like Uber, you have to be at least 21 years old to apply. You’ll also need to pass a background check before you start the job. If you’re using your car, you must provide proof of insurance. 
• Curb: You must complete a form on the website and then schedule a verification appointment. To start, you only need to provide documents like a hack license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance.
• Wingz: You must be at least 21 to register on Wingz. You must also pass a drug test and own a smartphone.
• HopSkipDrive: To become a driver with HopSkipDrive, you must be at least 23 years old. You also have to have a good driving record. In addition to this, your vehicle should be a 4-door vehicle less than ten years old.

12. Become a Food Delivery Driver

Another summer job for teachers is becoming a food delivery driver for companies such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. The advantage of becoming a food delivery driver is choosing your schedule. 

Here are some companies to consider:

• DoorDash: DoorDash requires you to be 18 years or older. You must provide your driver’s license and Social Security number and consent to a background check. You can use any kind of car, scooter, or bicycle for deliveries. Here’s how to make $500 a week with DoorDash.
• Uber Eats: You must be at least 18 years old, have a bicycle or motorbike, and have a smartphone to work with Uber Eats. Here’s how to make $1,000 a week with Uber Eats.
• Grubhub: You only need a car or bike, a valid driver’s license, and a smartphone to start. You must also be 18 years or above.
• Postmates: You need a driver’s license, Social Security number, and a state-issued ID for car, scooter, and bike delivery. On top of this, you must be at least 19 for car and scooter delivery and 18 for bike delivery.
• Caviar: Like DoorDash, Caviar requires you to be at least 18 years, have a working vehicle, and have at least two years of driving experience. You must also have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.

13. Become a Delivery Driver

If you enjoy driving, working as a delivery driver may be a viable option. You can work in different fields like food, textiles, or home goods. 

To become a delivery driver, you must have a driver’s license and have a clean driving record. Next, you need to pick out a company to work with. 

Here are some of the best driving apps to make money:

• GoShare: Depending on your vehicle type, you can earn between $45 and $168 per hour on GoShare. The platform pays you within four business days.
• Amazon Flex: Download the app, set up your account, and search for available delivery blocks in your area. You can earn up to $25 per hour with jobs like Amazon Flex. If Amazon Flex isn’t in your area, you may be placed on the waitlist until opportunities open up.
• Gopuff: You must be at least 21 to work with Gopuff. They have the advantage of having a centralized pickup location, and their website makes the signup process easy.
• Roadie: You can earn an average of $13 per trip delivering with Roadie. You can make even more on long-haul journeys. 
• Shipt: This platform pays via direct deposit. You can choose to get your money instantly deposited to your account up to five times a day or weekly.
• Senpex: You can earn up to $23 per hour on this site. Payment is made weekly. Some of the requirements you need to meet include being fluent in English and being able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Dispatchit: With Dispatch, you must have strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and professionalism. Payout is made weekly.

14. Walk Dogs for Cash/Become a Pet Sitter

Pet sitting involves caring for pets while the owner is away. You’ll need to give them food, water, and medication. Walking the dog is also part of the job description.

You can either care for the pets at your place or the owner’s place. You may be required to work during the day or overnight. 

This is an excellent opportunity to earn money during your summer break, especially if you’re an animal lover. Rover is the best place to get pet-sitting jobs.

15. Sign Up for GPT Sites

GPT sites pay you to complete easy tasks like watching videos, filling in surveys, and watching ads. This is an excellent way to earn extra cash since the tasks are almost effortless.

Some of my favorite GPT sites that have earned me a few extra bucks during my spare time include:

• Branded Surveys: This website allows you to earn money through online surveys. The threshold cashout is 500 points. You can redeem your points for gift cards or PayPal money.
• Swagbucks: Swagbucks pays you for watching ads, playing mobile games, searching the web, and shopping for cashback.
• Rewarded Play: This platform rewards you with Amazon gift cards for playing mobile games.
• KashKick: This online rewards site allows you to earn money by taking surveys, playing games, and watching videos. The threshold cashout amount is $10.
• Mistplay: Like Rewarded Play, Mistplay allows you to earn from playing mobile games. They pay you through Amazon or Google Play gift cards.
• Survey Junkie: Complete surveys and earn points you can redeem for PayPal cash and gift cards.
• Prime Opinion: This website also pays you to take surveys.

Tips To Maximize Your Income During Summer Break

Not getting paid in the summer because you’re on the 10-month payment system? Here are great budget tips to ensure you have enough money to sustain yourself over summer break.

• Find ways to earn extra cash: Earn money through online tutoring, starting a blog, or teaching summer classes. You can also sign up for GPT sites like Branded Surveys.
• Save money during summer break: Subtract cash from your pay and channel it toward future savings. This money can help you handle emergencies in the future. These saving hacks will help you get started.
• Create a budget for the summer: It’s wise to keep tabs on your spending habits. This way, you can be more responsible and stick to your budget.
• Find affordable vacations and summer activities: Don’t spend a fortune to have fun. You can find several fun summer activities that are within your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Teachers Get Paid Weekly?

The pay structure for teachers varies by state and district. Some are paid bi-weekly. Most teachers, however, are paid monthly, which is either spread out over 12 or 10 months.

Do Teachers Get Unemployment in the Summer?

There are several jobs that teachers can do to earn during the summer break. They include:

• Online tutoring
• Starting a blog
• Teaching summer classes
• Signing up for GPT sites like InboxDollars

Do Teachers Get Paid in the Summer When They Quit?

Typically, teachers don’t get paid in the summer. Depending on the contract, they receive their pay for 12 or 10 months a year. When you quit, you can get your pay for the months you worked.

Do Substitute Teachers Get Paid in Summer?

Substitute teachers working in summer schools and camps get paid during the summer. 

Do Public School Teachers Get Paid in Summer?

Public school teachers don’t get paid during the summer break. Teachers choose to receive their paychecks over 10 or 12 months. 

The 12-month system covers the summer, but it’s not the same as getting paid during the summer. This is because, in this case, the pay for the number of days a teacher works in a year is spread out to cover the 12 months.

Do Assistant Teachers Get Paid in The Summer?

The pay varies depending on state and district. Assistant teachers will get paid in the summer if they work in summer school programs.

Final Thoughts

Do teachers get paid in the summer? Typically, they don’t. If you’re a teacher or intend to become one, your unpaid summer weeks should be the least of your worries.

There are many side hustle ideas you can venture into to earn extra cash during the summer. For instance, you can teach summer classes, become a freelance writer, or sign up with GPT sites like Branded Surveys and Swagbucks.

If you’re looking to pay a few bills or start a teaching career, summer side hustles offer endless opportunities to get paid in the summer.

And if you need lucrative side hustles, consider signing up for DoorDash or Instacart. You’ll earn a decent hourly rate delivering food and groceries and tips for providing exceptional service.