With the summer break approaching and already here for some districts, US teachers and educators have an opportunity to earn extra income by hosting on Airbnb. Like other Americans, teachers have had to navigate the rising cost of living, often on tight salaries. To help make ends meet, teachers have taken to hosting on Airbnb as an option to help supplement income during summer months and beyond.
In 2022, teachers collectively earned more than $330 million1 — including $110 million2 during the summer months alone. This money helps provide a meaningful boost in income when class is not in session, and can help cover household bills, pay for everyday expenses, and fund hobbies outside of the classroom.
Educator Hosts have long been a part of the Airbnb community, and we are proud to welcome more teachers and educators to the platform. In 2022, the number of US educators hosting on Airbnb increased by nearly 10 percent3 compared with the previous year, underscoring the fact that more and more teachers are taking advantage of the economic benefits of home sharing. In the US, the following states have the highest percentages of Hosts who self-identify as teachers or professors4.
Kansas
Washington, D.C.
Illinois
Massachusetts
New York
Vermont
Maryland
Louisiana
Oregon
New Mexico
For this report we are highlighting the Top 10 US educators hosting on Airbnb. These Hosts had the most check-ins in the US and an average rating of 4.8 stars (out of 5) or higher in 2022.
Meet the top 10 US teachers and educators5 hosting on Airbnb
“After retiring from 23 years of teaching, coaching, and working as an Athletic Director I decided to list my backyard yurt on Airbnb and literally, overnight, I was jettisoned into the perfect part-time gig for myself and family. I love meeting folks from everywhere imaginable and providing them with a special place to stay, while supplementing my income, caring for my property and incrementally adding beauty, function and equity to my favorite destination: Home. Being an Airbnb Host has helped me stay positive, hopeful, and optimistic as a senior citizen.”
Michael Cromie, Retired Physical Education Teacher in Portland, Oregon
“During the pandemic, life slowed down a lot for my family, and we were fortunate enough to find a home that we loved and bought. It had a Mother-In-Law unit attached at the back that we planned to use for storage, but instead we decided to turn it into an Airbnb. Being a Host has allowed us to generate some extra income that we use for paying down our debt and making improvements to our home.”
Jennifer Allman, High School Art & Physical Education Teacher in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“I am a 4th grade teacher in Hawaii and my husband works for the Department of Defense. We love living in paradise but it comes with its challenges. The mortgage is expensive and bills are high, leaving us with limited funds each month. I turned to hosting on Airbnb to make extra money on the side and it has been a fantastic experience over the past 6 years. I genuinely enjoy meeting and interacting with people from different parts of the world and learning about different cultures and sharing my own. The additional income has helped us afford our monthly mortgage and save for our family’s winter and summer vacations, allowing us to travel all over the world.”
Diwa Conner, Fourth Grade Teacher in Volcano, Hawaii
“When I put an addition on my home back in 2007 to move my mom in, having an Airbnb hadn’t even crossed my mind. When she moved to a care facility, though, it seemed like a logical use for the space. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. When the pandemic began, I was able to retire from my teaching job (a little earlier than I had planned!) and use the income to supplement my retirement. And as it turns out, I love being a Host!”
Sue Findlay, Retired Elementary School Technology Teacher in Charleston, South Carolina
“I have taught kindergarten and first grade for the past 17 years and I am currently the reading specialist and ELL instructor at our local elementary school. When I noticed my town was becoming more popular with travelers, I wanted to open my home and offer a special and unique place for guests to stay. Hosting on Airbnb has positively impacted my life and has given me the opportunity to meet many diverse and interesting individuals. The extra funds help me to make ends meet. Teaching and hosting for Airbnb fulfills my professional and personal needs and gives me great satisfaction!”
Sylvia Smith, Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher in Bisbee, Arizona
“In 2019, my family and I bought our dream house complete with a Mother-In-Law suite in the basement that my mom frequently stays in when she visits. Unfortunately during the pandemic, the school I worked at closed unexpectedly and before I knew it, I had turned the space into a classroom and welcomed 12 students into my home during the 2020-21 school year! After the dust settled, we decided to list the space on Airbnb and almost two years later we have no plans to stop! We love giving people the opportunity to see Iowa differently instead of as just a state to drive through to get to their destination. Guests frequently see wild turkeys, deer, birds, and other wildlife in our backyard. Hosting with Airbnb has given me the freedom to work part-time pursuing my educational passions, allowing me to spend more time with my husband and two young kids.”
Katy Severe, Adjunct Professor and Tutor in Des Moines, Iowa
“When we bought our first home it had a storage shed in the backyard that was initially modified into a music space. Once Airbnb became more popular we realized that with a central location in a city like Austin, an Airbnb made a lot of sense. We further modified the space and created a studio Airbnb with access to all Austin has to offer. Hosting on Airbnb has had a huge impact on our lives as it has afforded us the opportunity to travel throughout the states much more than we were able to do before, including trips to Disneyworld with our two wonderful children.”
Robert Becker, High School Teacher in Austin, Texas
“Hosting on Airbnb has been a lucrative endeavor for my fiance and I, and has allowed us to experience a taste of entrepreneurship through Airbnb’s platform. It has been a great success since we started hosting in February 2022. It has been a pleasure hosting our guests and we have enjoyed providing them with a safe and comfortable refuge during their travels. We plan to continue hosting on Airbnb to help fund our retirement.”
Rebecca Williams, Elementary School ESL Teacher in St. Louis, Missouri
“Becoming an Airbnb host back in 2017 literally changed my life. I was thrown into a scary financial situation and did not want to have a roommate, so I thought I’d test out Airbnb. Best decision ever! I immediately had steady extra income as well as the company of others in my home. I’ve been fortunate to meet people from all over the world, and have made wonderful connections with others. I’ve met some of my best friends through the hosting process. As a teacher, many of us have some sort of side hustle and I’m grateful to say Airbnb is mine. It’s been a tremendous blessing to me in a multitude of ways.”
Lori Madden, English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher in Nashville, Tennessee
“My husband and I enjoy hosting guests in our nature-surrounded Quiet Waters Cottage near Lehighton, Pennsylvania. We started hosting once our children moved out and we had the extra space and have loved it ever since. The additional income we earn has allowed my husband to retire early, and I’ll be retiring as well in a few months. Providing hospitality to guests and sharing our beautiful and serene property with visitors from around the world brings us so much joy. Airbnb allows guests the opportunity to experience a town more like a local would and less like a tourist. We take pride in our cottage and love to recommend our favorite hiking and biking trails, whitewater rafting adventures, local wineries, and restaurants to our guests.”
Carolyn Albright, Elementary School Teacher in Lehighton, Pennsylvania
Hosting is now easier than ever
Airbnb has made it easier than ever to become a Host with Airbnb Setup and over 25 new features and upgrades for Hosts. For those looking to become a Private Room Host, Airbnb recently introduced Airbnb Rooms, an all-new take on the original Airbnb that helps guests travel more affordably, connect with people and have authentic experience, and get to know their Hosts. In 2022, over 25 percent of US teachers on the platform were private room Hosts6. In the current economic environment, we believe this idea is more important than ever.
These teachers understood the assignment by taking advantage of hosting on Airbnb, and guests are giving them A+’s all around. Make your home do the work this summer by signing up to Host on Airbnb.
Every Host’s experience hosting is unique. Host booking numbers may vary widely depending on many factors, including availability, price, acceptance and cancellation rates, and the demand in the listing location.
The post US educators are earning extra income by hosting on Airbnb appeared first on Airbnb Newsroom.
