Are you a project manager looking to boost your income? Do you feel your skills are underutilized outside your 9-to-5? Many project managers like you seek extra cash while leveraging their expertise. Your project management skills are in high demand across various industries. Here are some of the best side hustles for project managers.
9 Best Side Hustles for Project Managers
1. Freelance Project Management
The market for freelance project managers is booming like never before. Companies everywhere need skilled professionals who can handle critical projects without adding permanent staff.
Your day job experience is more valuable than you think. Companies will pay premium rates for specialists who understand their industry. A manufacturing project manager I know charges $125 per hour for factory optimization projects.
Start by choosing a specific industry niche—healthcare, technology, or construction—and pick what you know best. Then, create detailed profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn. Focus on your specific expertise and proven results.
Begin with smaller projects to build your portfolio. Many of my clients start with $500-$1,000 projects. Within six months, they're landing $5,000+ contracts. The key is delivering exceptional results and asking satisfied clients for referrals.
2. Event Planning
Your project management skills align perfectly with your event planning needs. Both roles demand careful timeline management, vendor coordination, and strict budget control.
Start with business events in your industry. They value professional project management approaches more than private events do. Focus on conferences, product launches, or corporate retreats. Your experience tracking metrics will set you apart.
Many companies allocate $10,000-$50,000 for critical corporate events. They need someone who speaks their language. Your background in milestone tracking and stakeholder management makes you the perfect candidate.
3. Business Coaching and Consulting
Your project management expertise solves problems many businesses face daily. They struggle with efficiency, organization, and delivery - your areas of strength. These may include:
Management System Implementation
Help companies transform their project management approach. Guide businesses in selecting and implementing project management software. Many companies waste money on tools they don't use effectively, and your expertise can fix that.
Train teams to use new systems effectively. Create custom workflows that match each company's needs. Focus on practical, actionable solutions.
Process Optimization
Show businesses how to streamline their operations. Use your experience spotting bottlenecks and implementing solutions. Create standard operating procedures that boost efficiency. Help teams reduce waste and increase productivity. Your project management background gives you unique insights.
Develop tracking systems that measure improvement. Companies love seeing clear ROI from consulting investments.
Team Leadership Training
Share your expertise in leading teams and managing stakeholders. Many companies struggle with project team dynamics. Create training programs that transform team performance. Focus on communication, conflict resolution, and project delivery skills.
Offer ongoing coaching to ensure new practices stick. This creates long-term consulting relationships and steady income.
4. Selling Online Courses
The e-learning market keeps growing rapidly. Your project management knowledge is perfect for online education. Consider James, a PMP-certified project manager I advised. He created a certification prep course. His first launch brought in $12,000. Now, he earns $3,000-$4,000 monthly in passive income.
Start small with a focused course on one topic. Test it with a limited audience. Use feedback to improve before scaling up. Your real-world experience matters more than perfect production quality. Share actual project challenges and solutions. Students value authenticity over polished presentations.
5. Virtual Project Management Assistance
Small businesses need project management help but often can't justify full-time staff. This creates perfect opportunities for flexible side work. Offer services like project planning, team coordination, and progress tracking. Work remotely and help multiple clients succeed. Focus on businesses in industries you know well.
Many small businesses will pay $500-$1,500 monthly for part-time project management help. They need your expertise but not your full-time commitment.
6. Social Media Management
Your planning and organizational skills transfer perfectly to social media management. Companies need structured approaches to their online presence. Create content calendars that align with business goals. Manage posting schedules across multiple platforms. Track engagement metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.
Start with small businesses in your network. Many will pay $750-$2,000 monthly for professional social media management. Your project management background helps you deliver measurable results.
7. Selling Digital Project Management Tools or Templates
Transform your workflow knowledge into digital products others can use. This creates passive income opportunities.
Project Templates
Create and sell templates for project plans, risk registers, and status reports. Many professionals gladly pay for tested, efficient tools. Design templates that solve common project challenges and include instructions and best practices. Price points of $27-$97 work well for quality templates.
Productivity Tools
Develop spreadsheets, checklists, and tracking systems. Focus on tools that save time and reduce errors. Create packages for specific industries or project types. Bundle related tools together. Offer both basic and premium versions.
Resource Planning Tools
Build tools that help teams allocate resources effectively. These solve a standard project management challenge. Include features for tracking utilization and capacity planning. Add dashboards for easy monitoring. These can command higher prices, often $147-$497.
8. Content Creation
Your experience gives you valuable insights to share. Create content about project management and leadership. Start a blog focused on practical project management tips. Share real stories and solutions from your career. Monetize through advertising and affiliate marketing.
Launch a YouTube channel teaching project management skills. Many creators earn $1,000-$3,000 monthly through ads and sponsorships. Focus on solving specific problems.
9. Investing in Real Estate
Apply your project management skills to real estate investing. This creates long-term wealth and passive income mainly through:
Property Renovation Projects
Manage renovation projects to increase property values. Your skills in vendor management and timeline control reduce costs. Create systems for evaluating and executing renovation projects. Build reliable contractor networks. Many project managers earn $10,000+ per flip.
Rental Property Management
Use your organizational skills to manage multiple properties efficiently. Create systems for maintenance, rent collection, and tenant communication. Start with one property and scale gradually. Many begin with a small rental generating $200-$500 monthly profit.
Real Estate Development
Take on larger projects like small development deals. Your experience managing complex projects gives you an advantage—partner with investors who need project management expertise. Focus on specific property types or locations. Build a portfolio over time.
Conclusion
Your project management skills open doors to numerous side income opportunities. Start with one that matches your interests and available time. Test, learn, and adjust your approach.
Remember to begin small and scale gradually. Focus on delivering value and building relationships. Your project management background gives you advantages in any business venture.
Choose a side hustle you genuinely enjoy. Build systems to manage it efficiently. Success comes from consistent effort and innovative growth strategies.
Also Read: How to Become a Successful Pinterest Manager
