It almost sounds insane for engineers to need extra money. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any engineering side hustles for engineers to make extra money.

Engineering is a highly rewarding and challenging field, but for many engineers, the idea of a side hustle can provide an additional outlet for creativity and income. 

The job’s difficulty comes from the need for a wide range of skills and talents that can be applied to various industries. This makes engineers some of the most well-suited individuals for various side hustles.

Are you interested in knowing what side hustles are best suited for engineers? That’s precisely what we will be talking about in this guide. So with all that said, let’s begin. 

8 Side Hustles for Engineers

Below is an overview of the top side hustles for engineers to take on. Let’s get into it.

Consulting

There isn’t a more popular engineering side hustle than working as a consultant. Engineers often have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, making them well-suited for consulting work. Therefore, engineers can offer their services to businesses, organizations, or individuals needing technical advice or solutions. 

Consulting can range from providing advice on product design to offering expert testimony in legal cases. Recently, we’ve seen a huge boost in engineering consulting gigs, so maybe you should try your luck.

Freelancing 

Engineers can use their skills and experience to offer freelance services such as design work, drafting, CAD modeling, or additional services. Freelancing comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, freelancing also provides the opportunity to make money on the side. One of the biggest advantages of working as a freelance engineer is the added flexibility. This means engineers can work on projects that align with their interests and passions while also earning extra income.

Tutoring

Engineers passionate about teaching and mentoring can offer tutoring services to students or professionals looking to improve their knowledge and skills. Tutoring can be done in person or online and can cover a wide range of engineering topics such as mathematics, physics, and programming.

The popularity of online learning platforms makes tutoring one of the best engineering side hustles. If you have a knack for it, you can even create engineering courses and sell them to people eager to learn from you. 

Starting a Business 

Engineers with an entrepreneurial spirit can leverage their skills and experience to launch their own businesses. One of the perks of being an engineer involves a hefty paycheck. Granted, this depends on where you live and other circumstances, but engineering is generally a well-paid career.

Engineers can offer a wide range of products and services to customers. Therefore, making it possible to start their own business. As a side note, engineers can also start a consulting business, pairing two side hustles into one.

Writing and Blogging 

Engineers with a talent for writing can use their skills to create technical articles, blog posts, and even books on a wide range of topics. Engineers can also turn to content creation and create content for websites, magazines, or newspapers.

3D Printing and Prototyping

Engineers with experience in 3D printing and prototyping can use their skills to create a variety of products, from custom jewelry to replacement parts. In addition, they can offer their services to individuals, businesses, and organizations that need rapid prototyping or low-volume manufacturing.

The possibility of developing 3D-printed parts and prototypes presents an opportunity for engineers to create a side hustle to sell the 3D-printed parts or prototypes to customers online. 

Home Improvement

Engineers with a background in construction or architecture can use their skills to offer home improvement services. For example, they can offer remodeling, home repairs, or landscaping services. They can even find ways to incorporate DIY into the mix. 

As they say, an engineer is an individual that knows their way around any tool.

Investing

Finally, engineers interested in finance and investing can leverage their knowledge of economics and math to invest in stocks, bonds, and real estate. If they’re finance-savvy enough, they can also use their skills to create investment strategies for individuals and businesses. 

However, it’s safe to say this is the least desirable side hustle if we consider the skills and talents that come with the career choice.

Conclusion

Engineers have a wide range of skills and talents that can be applied to various industries, which makes them well-suited for a variety of side hustles such as consulting, freelancing, tutoring, online teaching, starting a business, writing and blogging, 3D printing and prototyping, home improvement and investing. 

With a little creativity and hard work, engineers can turn their side hustle into a profitable and fulfilling career.