Can TPT Really Replace Your Teaching Income in 2025?
Is it possible to replace your teaching income by selling on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)? You’ve probably seen claims like, “Take this course and earn six figures on TPT!” But how realistic is that? Let’s dig into the data behind TPT seller earnings, taking a closer look at how much sellers are really making and what it takes to succeed. If you’re wondering if TPT could be your next big thing, keep reading.
What Is Teachers Pay Teachers?
Teachers Pay Teachers is an online marketplace where educators create, sell, and buy classroom resources. Think of it like Etsy, but specifically for teaching materials. It’s a great way to share your expertise while earning extra income. Many sellers start while working full-time as teachers, uploading resources they’ve already made for their classrooms. Over time, some hope to turn this side hustle into their primary income source.
The Big Question: Can TPT Sales Replace Your Salary?
Some coaching programs and online courses suggest that teachers can replace their traditional income by selling on TPT. For some, that’s a dream come true—working from home, doing what they love. But how realistic is it today, especially with growing competition in the marketplace? To answer that, we need to take a closer look at the numbers.
Meet Mike Fuchigami and the SEOTpreneur Community
Mike Fuchigami, host of the SEOTpreneur YouTube Community, has been helping teachers navigate the shift from teaching to becoming teacherpreneurs. His mission? To break down complex concepts and share actionable insights that help TPT sellers make smarter decisions. Whether you’re just getting started or aiming for six figures, understanding the data behind what works (and what doesn’t) is the first step toward success.
How Much Did TPT Sellers Earn in 2024?
In 2024, TPT paid out an estimated $253 million to sellers. That’s a huge number, but it doesn’t mean every seller is rolling in cash. Income distribution on TPT is incredibly uneven. A small percentage of sellers make the majority of the earnings, while many others barely make enough to pay for their next Starbucks order. Let’s break it down.
How Many Active Sellers Are on TPT?
Using data from TPT’s annual yearbook and survey results, Mike estimated there were about 233,358 active sellers in 2024. Active sellers are those who earned some amount of money during the year, whether it’s $10 or $100,000. Out of these, only a tiny fraction see substantial success.
The Top Sellers: How Much Are They Making?
According to Mike’s mathematical model, the top TPT seller earned around $770,000 in 2024. This is likely a low estimate since top earnings often grow exponentially, unlike the linear model used for these calculations.
Here’s how earnings break down among top sellers:
- The top 0.01% (just 24 sellers) earned a combined $16.6 million.
- The top 0.1% (234 sellers) earned $79 million.
- The top 1%, which includes about 2,336 sellers, earned $177 million combined.
Interestingly, the top 1% of sellers earned more than the bottom 99% combined. The remaining 99%—over 230,000 sellers—split roughly $76 million.
Odds of Joining the Six-Figure Club
Earning six figures is often seen as the gold standard for success on TPT. But what are the odds of hitting that milestone? According to Mike’s analysis, only around 0.2% of sellers earned six figures in 2024. That’s 431 people out of 233,358. To put it into perspective, your odds of making six figures on TPT are about the same as a kid making it to the NHL.
Add to that the fact that some sellers in the six-figure club are spending heavily on ads, outsourcing work, or running entire teams. Their “take-home pay” could look very different after expenses.
Replacing Your Teaching Income: Then vs. Now
Longtime sellers often talk about how much easier it was to replace teaching income when TPT was less crowded. Fewer sellers meant less competition, so resources sold quickly. Now, with over 230,000 active stores, standing out is harder. For most sellers, replacing a teaching salary isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart.
Key Shifts to Increase Your TPT Earnings
To succeed on TPT, you need to think beyond teaching. Selling on TPT means running a business, and that requires some key mindset shifts.
1. Your Product Page Matters
Early on, many sellers focus solely on creating great lessons, forgetting that presentation is everything. If product thumbnails, descriptions, or previews don’t attract buyers, it’s like having an amazing book with a dull cover. Step into the buyer’s shoes—compare your products to others in your niche and ask, “Would I choose mine?”
2. Mastering TPT SEO
Getting your product to appear on page one of search results is critical. Keywords are your ticket to visibility. For example, instead of competing for a generic term like “Valentine’s Day activity” (which has 120,000 competing resources), try something more specific, like “Valentine’s Day friendship activity.” The competition is lower, making it easier to rank.
3. Follow the Money
Not all products in your store will perform equally. Use TPT SEO tools to analyze what’s working. Focus on your top performers by updating thumbnails, adjusting keywords, or improving previews to boost sales. Double down on items that consistently bring in revenue.
4. Start Small with Experiments
Feeling overwhelmed by the competition? Try small experiments. Test updated descriptions, new product covers, or even a landscape-format preview. Track your results to see what moves the needle—and do more of that.
The Reality: It’s a Competitive Landscape
Let’s be honest: selling on TPT isn’t a “get-rich-quick” scheme. It takes time, strategy, and patience to earn consistent income. And even then, there are no guarantees. Like a professional athlete, staying on top requires constant effort. If you want to make six figures—or even just replace your teaching income—you’ll need to work smarter, not harder.
But don’t let that discourage you. Selling on TPT has other rewards, like the joy of helping teachers around the world, expanding your impact beyond your classroom, and earning extra cash doing what you love. For many, that’s worth it.
Take the First Step Toward Growth
Whether you’re just starting or deep into the game, here’s the bottom line: compare your progress to where you were last year, not where others are today. Compete against yourself, focus on small wins, and keep learning.
If you’re ready to level up, tools like Mike’s TPT SEO tools and his self-serve data tool can help you make smarter business decisions. And if you’re looking for a supportive community, his YouTube channel and Facebook group are great places to connect and learn.
Final Thoughts: Play for the Joy of It
Replacing your teaching income on TPT is possible, but it’s no small feat. Treat it like climbing a mountain: focus on one step at a time, celebrate small wins, and—most importantly—enjoy the journey. Whether you’re here to supplement your income, reach more classrooms, or aim for six figures, there’s room for you in the game.
Ready to take your TPT store to the next level? Learn, experiment, and grow. With the right mindset and tools, the possibilities are endless.
