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Side Hustle Income Calculator | Free Earnings Projector 2026

Calculate your potential side hustle income and project monthly earnings

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What you charge (or expect to charge) per hour

Realistic hours you can dedicate weekly

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Software, tools, marketing, platform fees

Weekly Income

Gross earnings before expenses

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Monthly Income

After monthly expenses

$0

Annual Income

Projected yearly earnings from your side hustle

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How to Use This Side Hustle Income Calculator

This free side hustle income calculator helps you project your earnings before committing to a new income stream. Whether you're considering freelancing, tutoring, or starting an online business, knowing your potential income is the first step.

  1. Enter your hourly rate: Research rates for your skill on Upwork, Fiverr, or ask in industry communities.
  2. Set realistic hours: Be honest about how many hours you can actually work around your schedule.
  3. Factor in expenses: Software, tools, platform fees, and marketing all eat into profit.
  4. Review your projections: Monthly and yearly income help you set goals.

Who Is This Side Hustle Income Calculator For?

  • Stay-at-home parents: Calculate what you could earn in spare pockets of time.
  • Full-time employees: Project evening/weekend income from a side gig.
  • Aspiring freelancers: Understand if your rates support your income goals.
  • Small business starters: Validate an idea before investing heavily.
  • Gig workers: Compare earnings across different platforms and opportunities.

Popular Side Hustles and Typical Hourly Rates

Side HustleBeginner RateExperienced RateBest For
Virtual Assistant$18-25/hr$35-50/hrOrganized multitaskers
Freelance Writing$25-40/hr$75-150/hrStrong writers with expertise
Social Media Manager$20-35/hr$50-100/hrCreative content lovers
Online Tutoring$20-35/hr$50-100/hrTeachers, subject experts
Graphic Design$30-50/hr$75-150/hrCreative, design software skills
Bookkeeping$25-40/hr$50-75/hrDetail-oriented, numbers people

Side Hustle Income Calculator FAQs

How much can I realistically earn from a side hustle?

Most side hustlers earn $200-$2,000 per month working 5-15 hours per week. Your earnings depend on your skill level, chosen hustle, and time invested. High-skill services like consulting can earn $5,000+/month with the same hours.

What are the best side hustles for busy moms?

The best side hustles for moms offer flexible hours: Virtual Assistant ($18-50/hr), Freelance Writing ($25-100/hr), Social Media Management ($20-75/hr), Online Tutoring ($20-50/hr), and selling digital products (passive income potential).

How many hours per week should I work on a side hustle?

Start with 5-10 hours per week to avoid burnout. Many successful side hustlers work 10-15 hours weekly. If you have young children, consider "nap time hustles" in 1-2 hour blocks. Quality of hours matters more than quantity.

What expenses should I include in my side hustle calculation?

Include software subscriptions, equipment, marketing costs, platform fees (Upwork, Fiverr take 20%), payment processing (3%), supplies, and a portion of home office costs. Many side hustlers underestimate expenses by 30-50%.

When should I turn my side hustle into a full-time business?

Consider going full-time when your side hustle consistently earns 75-100% of your current salary for 6+ months, you have 3-6 months of expenses saved, and you have a waitlist or steady client pipeline. Never quit your job based on one good month.

Do I need to pay taxes on side hustle income?

Yes. In the US, you must report all income over $400/year from self-employment. Set aside 25-30% for taxes. You may also need to pay quarterly estimated taxes if you expect to owe $1,000+ at tax time.

Which side hustles have the lowest startup costs?

Zero-cost options include: freelance writing (just a computer), virtual assistant work, tutoring, pet sitting, and service-based businesses. Avoid hustles requiring large inventory until you validate demand.

How long until my side hustle becomes profitable?

Service-based hustles (VA, writing, consulting) can be profitable in month 1. Product-based hustles (e-commerce, POD) typically take 3-6 months. Digital products (courses, ebooks) take 2-4 months to create but earn passively after.