US educators earned more than $276 million from hosting on Airbnb in 2021

Key Takeaways

  • US Hosts who identify as educators on Airbnb earned $98 million hosting during the summer of 2021 alone.
  • In a recent survey, nearly 20 percent of US hosts identified as an educator or lived with one in 2021.

Key Takeaways

  • US Hosts who identify as educators on Airbnb earned $98 million hosting during the summer of 2021 alone.
  • In a recent survey, nearly 20 percent of US hosts identified as an educator or lived with one in 2021.

Educator Hosts have long been a part of the Airbnb community, and a recent survey conducted by Airbnb revealed that nearly 20 percent of US Hosts are either an educator or live with one1

In just a few short weeks, educators and their students will have returned to the classroom, kicking off an exciting new school year full of memories and milestones. And at the same time,  nearly 15,000 US Hosts on Airbnb who self-identify as educators on the platform are celebrating yet another milestone – in 2021, they collectively earned more than $276 million2.

~15,000

Number of US Hosts on Airbnb who self-identify as educators

$276M+

Collective 2021 earnings of US Hosts on Airbnb who self-identify as educators

$98M

Collective summer 2021 earnings of US Hosts on Airbnb who self-identify as educators

Meet the teacher: High school science teacher and Superhost Wendy

In 2018, current high school science teacher and “mom of three grown boys” Wendy3, together with her husband, found herself with a near empty nest, mounting college tuition bills and lots of extra space. So she remodeled her home basement in just two months, transforming it into a one-bedroom suite. Soon after listing it on Airbnb, Wendy welcomed her first guests. By 2019, she was able to use the passive income earned from enough bookings of her first listing to purchase a Victorian home next door. Within three months, she also listed it on Airbnb. Today, Wendy is a proud Superhost, with top-rated stays in the heart of Marquette, Michigan. She takes great pride sharing the best local running and bike trails with her guests. A big foodie, Wendy also enjoys sharing restaurant recommendations, though she confesses to having a soft spot for locally owned restaurants and bars – which includes her husband’s local brewery.

Extra credit: US educator Hosts collectively earned $98 million over summer months

As educators prepare for the academic year ahead, those who host on Airbnb will do so with a little extra money in their pocket. In 2021, US educators collectively earned $98 million from hosting over the months of June, July and August4, proving that the lazy days of summer can be a great time to earn passive income – money that can help cover household bills, pay for everyday expenses and fuel passion projects.

Top 10: US states where educator Hosts earned the most in 20215

  1. California ($43 million)
  2. Florida ($21 million)
  3. New York ($20 million)
  4. Texas ($15 million)
  5. Colorado ($12 million)
  6. North Carolina ($11 million)
  7. Washington ($10 million)
  8. Oregon ($9 million)
  9. Massachusetts ($9 million)
  10. South Carolina ($8 million)

As Americans continue to face rising costs, and with a potential economic downturn looming, it’s not just educators who have turned to hosting recently. Hosting is proving to be a vital tool for many, with new findings showing that new Hosts began opening their doors amidst growing inflation in Q2 2022, among other factors.

  1. Based on a survey of 87,070 Airbnb listings booked between June 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021.
  2. Based on Hosts who self-identify as teachers or professors on Airbnb with US listings.
  3. Like Wendy, every Host’s experience is unique. Your actual earnings will depend on several factors including availability, price, and demand in your area. Learn more at www.airbnb.com/host
  4. Combined earnings among US hosts who identify as educators during the months of June, July and August 2021.
  5. Combined earnings by state among US hosts who identify as educators.