The 21 Top Side Hustles for Engineers (2025): Earn Over $1,000 Monthly

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      Engineering is a well-paying and sought-after career, yet many engineers pursue side hustles to:

      - Reduce debt

      - Save for emergencies

      - Create a more flexible budget

      - Establish an income source they can control more easily

      Fortunately, the skills and training acquired as an engineer can be beneficial for various side hustles. Before diving into side jobs specifically for engineers, consider looking into additional engineering work. You can explore remote positions by searching “engineering” on platforms such as FlexJobs.

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      The premier destination for legitimate work-from-home job opportunities. Founded in 2007, FlexJobs offers thousands of listings, including part-time, full-time, and freelance roles across numerous industries.

      Still not finding what you like? Let’s move on.

      In this article, I’ll present my favorite side hustle ideas for engineers, informed by discussions with over 500 entrepreneurs. It doesn’t matter if you specialize in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or something else. Ready? Let’s get started!

      1. **Product Licensing**

      One of the top side hustles I’ve encountered is modern invention. Through product licensing, you can sell your product ideas to major companies, who will pay you royalties for every sale they make based on your concept. There are no upfront manufacturing or marketing costs, and you can leverage the existing distribution of established brands. For example, Nate Dallas earned $300,000 from Mattel after licensing a Pictionary spin-off idea!

      2. **Tutor Engineering Students**

      With a focus on STEM education, engineers are well-equipped to assist students in understanding science, technology, engineering, and math. One reader from Side Hustle Nation reported earning $1,000 a week through a part-time tutoring business centered on ACT preparation. Platforms like Wyzant connect tutors with students, allowing you to set your own rates (typically between $20-60 per hour) and availability. This side hustle can be fulfilling as you help foster the next generation of engineers.

      3. **Customer Interviews**

      Various companies utilize customer interviews to obtain feedback on new products. Services like User Interviews and Respondent.io facilitate these interviews via online or telephone. The compensation averages between $50-150 per hour, making this a lucrative option for software engineers and other tech professionals who are sought after for paid market research studies.

      4. **Teaching Online**

      While personalized tutoring can be enjoyable and profitable, it involves a direct exchange of time for money. A more scalable side hustle is teaching an online group class on platforms like Outschool. This peer-to-peer education marketplace caters to students aged 3-18 and offers courses on nearly every imaginable subject. Jade Weatherington shared on The Side Hustle Show that she earned $10,000 a month primarily by teaching middle school English writing classes. You likely already have expertise in various science subjects like physics, biology, and chemistry, which you could leverage to create engaging classes for students.

      5. **Create an Online Course**

      Jacques Hopkins left his electrical engineering career to fully dedicate himself to his online course business. He teaches an innovative method for learning piano and generates about $30,000 in monthly sales. He attracts customers through Google and YouTube, with a percentage funneled into his paid course.

      6. **Software Consulting**

      Are you an expert in a specific software tool? One effective side hustle is providing training and support for popular software applications. My friend Brad Rice does this with Salesforce, earning over $200,000 annually on a part-time basis! With more users adopting the software, there’s an increasing need for qualified trainers. New software continually emerges, meaning even if you don’t have a specific tool in mind now, it could become a side hustle opportunity later.

      7. **Selling Spreadsheets**

      Did you know people purchase spreadsheet templates online? This could become your new side gig as an engineer — I know you appreciate your spreadsheets! Emily McDermott focuses on selling budgeting spreadsheets using Excel and Google Sheets and made over $250,000 in her first few years! You likely already have several spreadsheets on your computer that others would be willing to pay for. Consider using platforms like Etsy to find your initial customers.

      8. **Real Estate Investing**

      Real estate investing is one of the oldest and most popular side hustles. An engineer friend of mine enjoys analyzing property deals and has purchased several rental properties. While houses can be costly, newer platforms like Arrived allow you to invest in income-generating properties with as little as $100. The company pools funds to acquire rental properties, manages them, and distributes