Disclosure: Fiverr is a FreelanceMile partner, and that partnership affects where it appears in this guide. Some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The pros, cons and fees for every platform, including Fiverr, are my honest take.
The best side hustles for project managers sell the skills you already use at work: freelance or fractional project management on Fiverr and Upwork, PMP exam coaching, small-business consulting, project tool setup, templates and event coordination.
Start with one service, check your employment contract for conflict-of-interest rules, and price by the project or a fixed monthly retainer.
Key takeaways
- Your skills are in demand. PMI says up to 30 million more project professionals may be needed by 2035.
- Freelance PM work is the most direct fit. You sell the same planning, tracking and stakeholder skills, just to smaller clients.
- Know the platform cut. Fiverr freelancers keep 80% of cleared payments; Upwork’s fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract.
- PMP coaching has a new rule. From 1 December 2026, live PMP classes count toward the 35 training hours only from PMI-approved providers.
- Proof beats titles. When I hire freelancers, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision.
Why are project managers good at side hustles?
You already do what small clients struggle with: scope the work, set a schedule, manage a budget and keep people on track. The BLS lists exactly those duties for project management specialists.
Demand is strong too. The BLS projects 7% employment growth for project management specialists from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average.
Globally, PMI’s Global Project Management Talent Gap report (May 2025) says up to 29.8 million more project professionals will be needed by 2035.
10 side hustles for project managers
These are ranked by how directly they use your PM experience. The first three pay for the job you already know how to do.
1. Freelance project management on Fiverr
Package your work as clear fixed-price services on Fiverr: a project kickoff plan, a weekly status-report setup, or a launch checklist for a small team.
Fiverr Help says freelancers receive 80% of the client’s cleared payment, with a 14-day clearing period for most sellers.
New to selling gigs? Our easy Fiverr gigs guide shows how to set up your first one.
2. Fractional or contract PM on Upwork and Toptal
Many startups need a part-time project manager, not a full-time hire. On Upwork, the Freelancer Service Fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract, and it’s locked in once the contract starts.
Toptal describes itself as a marketplace for top project managers specializing in Agile, Kanban, Lean, technical and IT project management.
I got access to Toptal by applying through its talent application, and I’ve used Marketplace as a marketer with multiple clients there.
3. PMP exam coaching and tutoring
If you hold the PMP, you can coach people preparing for it. PMI says the exam has 180 questions and a time limit of 240 minutes.
To apply, a candidate with a bachelor’s degree needs 3 years of experience managing projects, plus 35 hours of project management training.
One rule matters if you plan to teach live classes. Starting 1 December 2026, live classes count toward those 35 hours only if delivered by approved providers.
PMI lists those as a PMI Authorized Training Partner, a China Registered Education Provider, or an eligible accredited higher education program.
One-on-one coaching, practice-question reviews and application help are a safer start. Teaching others can also count toward the 60 PDUs PMP holders need every three years.
4. Small-business operations consulting
Agencies, clinics and local businesses often run on email and memory. Map one messy process, like client onboarding, and turn it into a simple, repeatable workflow.
5. Project tool setup
Teams buy Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Monday or Notion and never set them up properly. Offer a fixed-price setup: workspace, templates, automations and a one-hour training call.
6. Sell project templates
Risk registers, RACI charts, sprint boards and status-report templates sell to other PMs. On Notion Marketplace, Notion charges an 8% fee plus 40 cents per transaction when it processes the payment.
Notion holds funds for 14 days and pays out once your balance reaches $20. If you sell on Etsy instead, check the current Etsy fees.
7. Teach an online course
Record a short course on one narrow topic, like “Running your first Agile sprint.” Before you price it, check Udemy’s current instructor revenue share or sell from your own site.
8. Event coordination
Conferences, workshops and weddings are projects with a hard deadline. The BLS lists a median pay of $61,160 for meeting, convention and event planners in May 2025, and 10% of them are self-employed.
9. Career mentoring for new project managers
Junior PMs and career changers pay for résumé reviews, mock interviews and a 30-day plan for a new role. If you’re new to freelancing, read how to start freelancing with no experience first.
10. Writing about project management
Software companies and training firms pay for blog posts, case studies and guides written by real PMs. Your work stories, with client details removed, are your edge.
Quick comparison: PM side hustles at a glance
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Side hustle | Where to find clients | Start-up cost | Rule to check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance PM gigs | Fiverr | Low | Fiverr keeps 20% |
| Fractional or contract PM | Upwork, Toptal | Low | Upwork fee 0% to 15%; Toptal screening |
| PMP exam coaching | Your network, LinkedIn | Low | Live-class rule from 1 Dec 2026 |
| Operations consulting | Local businesses, referrals | Low | Employer conflict-of-interest rules |
| Project tool setup | Fiverr, Upwork | Low | Tool licenses paid by the client |
| Project templates | Notion Marketplace, Etsy | Low | Notion 8% + 40 cents per sale |
| Online course | Udemy, your own site | Medium | Udemy revenue share |
| Event coordination | Referrals, local venues | Medium | Contracts and insurance |
| Career mentoring | LinkedIn, your network | Low | None, but set clear session scope |
| PM writing | Software and training companies | Low | Confidentiality of past projects |
How much can a project manager earn on the side?
There’s no official data on side-hustle rates for PMs, so be wary of anyone quoting one. Your best benchmark is your own full-time pay.
The BLS puts the median annual wage for project management specialists at $102,320 in May 2025, or $49.19 per hour.
PMI says PMP-certified project professionals in the U.S. earn a median salary of $135,000, and those with a PMP report 17% higher median salaries than those without one.
Price freelance work above your salaried hourly rate. You pay your own taxes, tools and unpaid admin time, and platforms take their fee.
Can you have a side hustle while working as a project manager?
Usually yes, but read your contract first. Many employers have moonlighting, non-compete or conflict-of-interest clauses.
Never work for your employer’s clients or competitors on the side, and never use company laptops, tools or confidential documents.
Read your contract and company policy
Look for outside-work, non-compete and intellectual property clauses. If anything is unclear, ask HR before you take a client.
Choose one service
“Asana setup for 10-person agencies” is easier to sell than “project management services.” Narrow beats broad.
Package and price it
Offer two or three fixed packages, like a one-week setup, a monthly retainer and a one-hour coaching call.
Get your first review
Start with a small, fast project for someone in your network, then ask for a short written review you can show new clients.
Track income for taxes
In the U.S., the IRS says you must pay self-employment tax if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more.
How do clients choose a freelance project manager?
I recruit and screen freelancers on Upwork. When I hire, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision.
For a PM, “past work” means proof: a sample project plan, a status-report template, or a short case study showing the problem, what you did and the result.
Compare where to list your services in our guide to the best freelance websites.
FAQ
What is the best side hustle for a project manager?
Freelance or fractional project management, because clients pay for the exact work you already do. PMP coaching is a strong second if you’re certified.
Do these side hustles work for product managers?
Most do. Product managers can sell roadmap reviews, user-research setup, tool setup, mentoring and writing. Toptal also lists product managers as a separate talent category.
Do I need a PMP to freelance as a project manager?
No. The BLS says certification is not always required, though it can show competency to clients. Proof of past projects matters more on most platforms.
How do I find my first freelance PM client?
Start with your network and former colleagues, then list one clear service on Fiverr or Upwork. A small first project with a review beats a big pitch with none.
Is fractional project management a real job?
Yes. It means working part-time for one or more companies on a retainer, usually a set number of hours or deliverables each month.
Sources (checked 21 October 2026)
- BLS: Project management specialists (May 2025 median pay, 2025-35 outlook)
- BLS: Meeting, convention and event planners (May 2025 median pay)
- PMI: Project Management Professional (PMP) (eligibility, exam, salary, 1 December 2026 training rule)
- PMI: Global Project Management Talent Gap (May 2025) and PMI press release
- Fiverr Help: How Fiverr works for freelancers (80% earnings, 14-day clearing)
- Upwork Help: Freelancer Service Fee (0% to 15% per contract)
- Toptal: Hire project managers
- Notion Help: Selling templates on Marketplace (8% + 40 cents, $20 payout minimum)
- IRS: Self-employment tax ($400 rule)
What to do next
Pick one service from this list, write a one-page offer, and publish it on Fiverr this week. Then ask your network for the first project.
Looking for more ideas? See our side hustles for therapists guide and side hustles 101.
