📝 What Is Teachers Pay Teachers?
Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) is an online marketplace where educators buy and sell original classroom resources. From lesson plans and worksheets to PowerPoints and classroom décor, TpT lets teachers earn extra income by sharing the materials they’ve created.
Whether you’re a full-time teacher looking to monetize your hard work or a retired educator with a library of quality content, TpT offers a platform to turn your knowledge into passive income.
✅ Pros of Using Teachers Pay Teachers
- Earn passive income: Upload once, sell many times.
- Empowering educators: Your work helps teachers around the world save time and improve outcomes.
- Low start-up cost: You can start with free tools and scale up as you grow.
- Flexible: Create and upload on your own schedule.
- Huge market: TpT has millions of users, offering real potential for consistent sales.
- Analytics & feedback: See what’s working and improve based on customer ratings.
❌ Cons of Using Teachers Pay Teachers
- Takes time to gain traction: Sales can be slow in the beginning.
- Commission fees: TpT takes a cut — 20%–45% depending on your membership plan.
- Marketing is on you: You’ll need to promote your store via Pinterest, email, or social media to stand out.
- Copyright issues: You must create your own content — using copyrighted images or texts can get you flagged.
- Platform saturation: Some resource types are extremely competitive (especially K-2 and ELA materials).
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much can I earn on TpT?
A: It varies widely. Some teachers make a few dollars a month; others earn six figures. The average active seller earns a few hundred to a few thousand dollars annually.
Q: Do I need to pay to join?
A: TpT offers a free Basic Seller account, which gives you 55% of each sale. The Premium account ($59.95/year) boosts your earnings to 80% and gives access to better tools.
Q: What can I sell?
A: Anything you’ve created for the classroom — lesson plans, activities, centers, digital slides, assessments, bulletin board kits, and more.
Q: Do I need to be a teacher?
A: Not officially, but most successful sellers are educators or have experience creating educational materials.
Q: Is it worth it in 2025?
A: Yes — especially if you’re consistent and focus on high-quality, in-demand resources. Niches like special education, middle/high school, and digital learning are still growing.
🧮 TpT Side Hustle Scorecard
| Category | Rating (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Earning Potential | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of Entry | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Passive Income | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Competition Level | ⭐⭐ |
✏️ Final Thoughts
Teachers Pay Teachers is more than just a side hustle — it’s a movement of educators helping other educators. While it’s not a “get-rich-quick” scheme, it’s a fantastic way to turn your everyday classroom resources into real income.
If you’re creative, resourceful, and willing to learn some basic marketing, TpT can be a fulfilling (and profitable) addition to your teacher toolbox.