9 Best Side Hustles for Software Engineers

Earning potential: $50–$100 per hour

What is it and how it works: As you almost certainly already know, software development is the process of designing, coding, testing, and maintaining different types of software.

While most software developers are employed in full-time positions, many people and companies are also willing to hire them on a freelance or contract basis.

To succeed, you’ll need to be a skilled programmer with at least a few years of experience under your belt. It helps to know multiple languages. JavaScript, Python, and Java are perennial favorites here. C# and Go are also in demand, and you’ll need to know C/C++ if you plan on doing lower-level programming.

To be a freelancer, you also need to be adaptable—you may need to pick up new libraries and frameworks (or even whole languages) very quickly, depending on the needs of your clients and projects. You should be comfortable working independently, but some companies may also expect you to interface with their in-house teams.

Why you should consider it: As a software engineer, you already know the ins and outs of this job and have the required skills. Why not make the most of your knowledge?

How to get started: Take advantage of your professional network to find jobs. Ask your past and present clients and colleagues if they can recommend you to someone who needs your services.

You can also apply for work on online job boards (both general-purpose marketplaces and sites specifically for developers). Look into:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Freelancer.com
• Toptal
• Arc (also features full-time and contract roles)

Be aware that most freelance job boards will take a cut of your earnings. Upwork, for instance, takes a 10% commission.

Earning potential: $50–$100 per hour

What is it and how it works: Web developers create and maintain websites and web-based apps. That description encompasses a very diverse array of possible projects; you could find yourself working on anything from video streaming sites to grocery delivery and travel apps.

Web development work is divided into three categories:

• Front-end: This entails developing a website or app’s user interface—the part that users actually see. Front-end developers ensure the interface is well-designed, easy to navigate, and runs smoothly.
• Back-end: By contrast, back-end developers work on behind-the-scenes mechanisms that keep websites running, such as data storage and security. Some developers consider back-end work more challenging, although not everyone agrees with that.
• Full-stack: Full-stack developers do it all, fielding the tasks of both front-end developers and back-end developers.

Web development usually requires knowledge of JavaScript, Java, PHP, or Perl (a language that’s increasingly uncommon these days, but far from extinct). Front-end developers also need to be conversant with markup languages (i.e., HTML and CSS).

Why you should consider it: As a software engineer, there’s a good chance you already have the skills this gig requires. Even if you aren’t particularly conversant with the most popular languages used for web development, you’ll probably be able to pick them up quickly.

How to get started: First, decide what niche you’d like to specialize in and check if you need to round out your skills before applying for jobs.

Once you’re ready, you can look for clients using the process we described above: put out feelers on your professional network and search for suitable jobs on online job boards. You can also promote your services on your social media accounts.

Earning potential: $20–$70 per hour

What is it and how it works: A web designer is responsible for a website’s look and feel. They’re distinct from front-end developers in that they usually don’t do any coding themselves, focusing solely on design work (although if you have both sets of skills, you can offer them as a package deal).

Why you should consider it: As a software engineer, it can be nice to take a break from the nuts and bolts of coding and implementation and dip a toe into the design side of things.

Moreover, acquiring hands-on design experience will expand your job options and make you a more valuable asset to your company. Designers and engineers don’t always play nicely together, and the more knowledgeable you are about your colleagues’ jobs, the better you’ll be able to work with them.

How to get started: Here again, you can start by finding clients on freelancing job platforms, such as Upwork, and Fiverr.

Once you’ve gotten your name out there and built a reputation for yourself, you can move your clients off the platform to avoid paying commissions. Be careful when you do that—some marketplaces consider it “poaching” and may suspend your account if they catch you.

To sell your services, you’ll need a portfolio showing off your past design work. If you don’t have any to showcase, create a few samples. Consider making an account on Dribbble or Behance, which are popular portfolio-hosting websites.

Earning potential: $75–$200 per hour

What is it and how it works: “Consulting” is a very broad field, and it can involve many different types of tasks. Briefly, as a consultant, you’ll help software companies by providing an outsider’s perspective.

You may be called upon to do actual coding yourself, but sometimes, you’ll just be expected to review what the company is doing and make suggestions, which may be either technical or managerial (i.e., to help them streamline their workflow).

To be an effective software consultant, you need to be a skilled engineer, but you also need to be an effective communicator so that you can explain your ideas clearly.

Why you should consider it: Software consultants work closely with software engineers to solve problems. Knowing the actual practices of a software engineer’s job enables you to make better, more practical suggestions.

Depending on your contract, you may consult on a monthly or yearly basis, meaning that the job won’t consume too much of your time. Consulting is also a fantastic way to network—if a company hires you and gives you rave reviews, you’ll have a major advantage the next time you’re job-hunting.

How to get started: Your first step should be to ask your friends and colleagues to put the word out that you’re offering consulting services. Beyond that, consider creating a website to market your business and reach potential clients.

It’s worth noting that there are many firms that hire rosters of consultants and find clients for them. Working for one of those is an option, but those gigs usually require full-time commitments. This is a decent option if you’re looking for a career change, but a relatively poor option if you’re just looking for a side hustle.

Earning potential: $20–$30 per hour

What is it and how it works: As a remote technical support specialist, your main responsibility will be helping customers solve technical issues by phone, text, or email. You can specialize in solving software problems or offer general technical support.

Why you should consider it: This is a less prestigious role than the first few on our list, and it’s one that you’re arguably overqualified for. However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If finding clients sounds like more trouble than it’s worth and what you really want is something simple, consistent, and low-maintenance, this job could be a fit.

You also shouldn’t discount the benefits this role will have for your skills as a software engineer. Getting a firsthand look at what actual users struggle with will make you a better developer going forward.

How to get started: Look for companies that are hiring part-time or freelance technical support specialists. Be sure to check whether the job requires occasional on-site support (and whether their working hours fit your schedule).

If the role requires providing support over the phone, you’ll probably need a headset with a decent microphone.

You can find tech support roles on most job boards. Start with sites that focus on remote and IT-related jobs, such as:

• FlexJobs
• Dice
• TechCareers
• IT Job Pro

Earning potential: Varies (often hundreds or thousands of dollars per bug)

What is it and how it works: As a bug bounty hunter, it’s your responsibility to identify and report software vulnerabilities and bugs to the organization that hired you. You’ll earn a reward for each bug you find.

Why you should consider it: This is an exciting job if you’re interested in cybersecurity. It has a lot of overlap with penetration testing (i.e., ethical hacking), and the knowledge you’ll gain will be a significant help when it comes to developing secure applications of your own.

How to get started: To kick things off, check out this list of bug bounty programs on HackerOne, a cybersecurity company that’s very active in this niche.

Earning potential: $15–$30 per hour (more for advanced or specialized lessons)

What is it and how it works: The world is full of aspiring software engineers. You can make decent money by offering software development classes or tutoring sessions to students or young professionals who are just starting out.

Some students may want to focus on just one aspect of software engineering, such as coding with a specific language, whereas others will be interested in a general overview of the field at large.

Why you should consider it: There’s no better person to teach students about software development than a professional who’s currently working in the field. Preparing for lessons and teaching is also a good way to refresh your own knowledge.

How to get started: To start a tutoring side hustle, try searching for online tutoring jobs on platforms that connect teachers with students.

Again, don’t forget to take advantage of your personal network and ask your family and friends if they can recommend you to someone they know.

Earning potential: $75–$400 per hour

What is it and how it works: Instead of tutoring other engineers in the technical details of your field, you can also provide guidance on how to navigate the software industry itself. You can advise your colleagues on what sorts of positions to apply for, when to switch jobs, how to boost their credentials and optimize their CVs, and so on.

Why you should consider it: Again, as an experienced software engineer, you’re eminently qualified to provide this kind of advice. Career coaching can also be quite lucrative. Bear in mind that it’s not just newbies who will want your advice—some of your clients may also be highly experienced professionals who want every advantage they can get in climbing to the top of the field.

How to get started: You can either start your own independent business or land a job with a coaching company or agency.

If you want to forge your own path, your first step should be to create a website and put the word out on your professional network. On the other hand, if you’re comfortable working for another business (a less lucrative option, but also a significantly easier one), you can look for positions on employment websites like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter.

Earning potential: Widely varies

What is it and how it works: If you like the idea of passing along your knowledge but you aren’t particularly excited about actually teaching or tutoring students, you can create educational materials and distribute them over the internet to a wide audience.

Online courses usually consist of both video or audio lectures and written materials and exercises. You can create courses about coding or other software engineering skills, then sell them on online course marketplaces (listed below).

Why you should consider it: This is a challenging side gig, but if you’re motivated and are an effective communicator, it can be very rewarding. If your content really takes off, the sky’s the limit.

That said, most course creators earn relatively modest incomes, so if you go this road, keep your expectations realistic.

How to get started: Although this is a difficult side hustle to succeed at, it has a very low barrier to entry. You can get started right away and upload your content to your chosen platform whenever it’s ready.

Before you begin, do some market research to figure out what type of courses people are interested in (and what spaces are aren’t saturated with content yet). When you’re ready, you can distribute your course on one of these platforms:

• Udemy
• Skillshare
• Podia

Remember that marketing is essential to attract new audiences. Let people know about your courses by sharing them on your social media accounts.

As a software engineer, choosing a related side hustle is a safe choice, but there are also good reasons to pick other ideas beyond your occupation.