There’s so much talk about working from home these days, but for some reason, people think it’s a pie-in-the-sky dream made up of fairy tales and rainbows.
I’m here to set things straight and give you the truth about real work from home jobs and how much you can earn in these occupations.
1. AI Trainer
One newer work from home job category is that of the AI Trainer. With all these new AI tools on the market, companies need humans to research, test, and train them to ensure they provide factual and safe answers. Some of these remote jobs for AI Trainers are very basic, involving tasks like recording your voice, pronouncing words, or adding title tags to images. Some of the more advanced AI training roles require knowledge in subject areas like biology, chemistry, coding, or the medical or legal field.
To get started as an AI Trainer, you’ll usually need to take and pass an AI assessment exam to prove your expertise, attention to detail, and research skills. Online, you’ll find both part-time and full-time opportunities, as well as 1099 and W-2 work arrangements.
The average annual salary for an AI Trainer varies greatly depending on the tasks you complete and areas of expertise. According to ZipRecruiter, AI Trainers can earn as little as $12.54 per hour, and as much as $59.35 per hour.
To start working as an AI Trainer, explore CrowdGen by Appen, DataAnnotation Tech, TELUS Digital, and Welocalize.
2. Bookkeeper
Working from home as a Bookkeeper is an excellent career option if you’re detail-oriented and enjoy working with numbers. Some standard bookkeeper tasks include managing accounts payable and receivable, recording transactions, financial reporting, and other clerical tasks.
Businesses of all sizes need bookkeepers, so the opportunities are plentiful! You can choose to work from home as an employee, an independent contractor, or start your own bookkeeping business.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a bookkeeper is $49,210. Like many career paths, pay will vary depending on the company’s size and industry. And, of course, if you start your own business or freelance, you can often set your own rates.
A background or degree in accounting is helpful, especially if you’re looking to work with larger companies, but it’s not always necessary. If you’re starting from scratch or looking to switch careers, a quick online course could teach you the tools and skills you need to succeed as a bookkeeper.
To find remote bookkeeping jobs, explore 1-800Accoutant, AccountingDepartment.com, and BELAY.
3. Customer Service Representative
One of the most popular work from home jobs is the customer service role. Many companies hire Customer Service Reps to handle inquiries and complaints from home. Usually, all that is needed is a hard-wired high-speed internet connection, a smartphone for two-factor authentication, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to help people.
According to the BLS, the average salary for a Customer Service Rep is $42,830, although top earners can pull in much more working in a specialized area.
Remember—as with most jobs, the bigger the company, the higher the salary you can expect. Some of the top-paying industries for Customer Service Reps include tech support, healthcare, medical, and sales roles. And if you have a few years of experience under your belt, consider climbing the corporate ladder into a higher-paid position like Customer Success or Account Manager. For entry-level roles, expect pay rates to be around $13-$19 per hour.
Amazon, American Express, Apple, TTEC, U-Haul, and Williams-Sonoma are a few companies to check out for hiring opportunities. For more companies that offer remote call center gigs, see this page.
4. Data Entry Specialist
There are remote data entry jobs out there, but you definitely need to watch out for scams with this type of work. But if you’re a fast and accurate typist, able to type 60 WPM, you can make anywhere from $11 to $28 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. For these positions, you’ll need to have a high school diploma, proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Sheets, and a high level of attention to detail. I’ve found that the best place to find this type of work is through staffing agencies.
Here are some staffing agencies that hire remote workers for data entry work:
For more data entry positions, check out this post.
5. Freelance Writer
The best thing about working as a Freelance Writer is that the topics to write about are endless! There are as many writing opportunities out there as there are interests, so you’re bound to find something you enjoy, whether that’s writing about food, gardening, travel, movies, or engineering.
Job opportunities for Freelance Writers vary wildly. If you turn to content mills or freelancing sites, you can expect to earn around $20-$50 per article or blog. While you CAN make a living this way, if you’re a speedy writer, you’ll have the most success finding clients on your own.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for Writers and Authors is $72,270, and if you can bring in passive income with your blog (which you’ll want for self-promotion anyway!), the sky is really the limit!
Are you ready to dive in? Check out this BIG list of paid Writing Gigs and Opportunities to get started.
6. Graphic Designer
Like Freelance Writers, Graphic Designers can work on a wide range of projects, from logo designs and social media ads to posters, landing pages, product packaging, templates, printables, and so much more. As a Graphic Designer, you can choose to freelance or find full-time or part-time W-2 employment. Some companies will require a degree in graphic design, while others will judge you based on your portfolio of work. If you don’t want the hassle and expense of getting a college degree, taking an online certification course and creating a portfolio of work is an alternative route.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Graphic Designers earn an average $61,300 annually. To find work from home opportunities as a freelancer, you can explore platforms like Behance, Dribbble, and Fiverr, or if you’re looking for W-2 employment, look at advertising, marketing, and publishing agencies for remote work.
7. Human Resource Specialist
With most companies, large and small, hiring for this role, HR tends to be a recession-proof occupation. To get started on this career path, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree in HR. However, at some companies, you may be able to work your way up into an HR role, particularly if you worked as an Administrative Assistant or Payroll Associate.
Depending on where you work and how many years of experience you have, the salary range for this work from home job is from $72,910 annually, with HR Managers earning $140,030 annually. Remote HR jobs can easily be found through staffing agencies like Kforce and Adecco or major employers like Hubspot and Toptal.
8. Lawyer
Yes, even lawyers can work from home! With the boom of the freelance and on-demand economy, many platforms connect attorneys to projects and clients needing one-off help. But there are also lots of remote full-time jobs available, too!
Pay rates vary greatly depending on the practice specialty, experience level, and the type of position. On the site, Hire an Esquire, average freelance rates range from $20-$200 per hour. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a remote lawyer is $100,626 annually, with top earners making $138,000 a year.
To find remote job opportunities, you can explore your favorite companies to see if they have any openings, your state’s bar website, use staffing sites, or job boards like FlexJobs, Axiom Law, Law Crossing, or Law Jobs.
9. Medical Coder and Biller
As our population grows, the need for qualified Medical Coders and Billers increases as well. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for Medical Records and Health Information Specialists is projected to grow at a rate of 7% in the next ten years. You will need specialized training for this remote career. However, it can quickly be completed online in as little as 4-6 months.
Medical Coders can work as independent contractors or as W-2 employees. Each work at home arrangement has its pros and cons. You’ll have greater flexibility as an independent contractor, but you’re responsible for paying your own taxes. Take all factors into consideration before determining which route you’ll take. On average, Medical Billers and Coders earn $50,250 annually.
To find remote work as a Medical Coder and Biller, check out CVS Health, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group for positions.
10. Nurse
There are many real work from home jobs for all levels of Nurses: LVNs, RNs, and NPs. Some of the most popular positions include Case Managers, Online Educators, Writers, Triage Nurses, Utilization and Review RNs, and more! Depending on your education, years of experience, location, and the type of job, pay varies greatly. From group discussions I’ve seen online, some companies try to low-ball Nurses, stating it’s a work from home position. Other Nurses have no problem negotiating what they were making bedside or more!
According to Glassdoor.com, full-time Telehealth RNs earn anywhere from $81,000 to $114,000 annually. Part-time roles, like this one for Wheel, pay RNs $29-$36 per hour. To find online Nursing jobs, you can explore insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, or niche-based remote job board sites like The Remote Nurse and Nurse Fern.
11. Proofreader
As a work from home proofreader, you’ll be tasked with reading and correcting a wide range of materials, from articles and web content to project reports and legal documents. How much you can earn depends heavily on the industry you work in and the additional skills you bring to the mix, such as medical or legal knowledge.
That said, the average proofreader earns $48,790 annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the top-paying industries are the legal, educational, and advertising. However, many proofreaders work in media with online and print publishers and can expect to make around $19.88 per hour.
Sound intriguing? This free webinar will teach you more about proofreading and help you determine if it’s the right career for you.
12. Sales Representative
Sales can be an excellent work from home career for those who are extroverted, motivated, and have top-notch communication skills. One of the major upsides to working in sales is that you’ll generally earn a base salary and commission, so if you’re persuasive, you can earn excellent money. If you have the right personality, many companies are willing to train you as well.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sales Representatives earn an average of $74,100 annually, with Sales Managers earning $138,060 annually. To find a work from home sales position, look at your favorite companies and brands, or search job boards like NoDesk, BuiltIn, and FlexJobs.
13. Social Media Manager
If you enjoy interacting on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and TikTok, there is an ever-growing need for Social Media Managers, Consultants, and Moderators. Some companies will require a marketing or advertising degree, but others accept workers who have extensive knowledge and experience with the various platforms.
Depending on the work arrangement (freelancer, employee, or business owner), your education, and years of experience, Social Media Managers earn, on average, $73,980 annually. Of course, if you choose to be an Influencer or Content Creator, there is no limit to how much you can make. Judy Travis, an Influencer who creates YouTube videos, earns millions from her parenting and beauty content.
To find freelance social media gigs, look at BELAY, VaVa Virtual Assistants, and ModSquad. For W-2 positions, check out advertising and marketing agencies, publishing platforms, and staffing agencies.
14. Transcriptionist
Transcriptionists take the spoken word from audio files or video recordings and type out precisely what it says. These transcriptions are used for various purposes, such as video captions, documentation of medical appointments or police interviews, court proceedings, and more.
While no specialized education is needed to work as a Transcriptionist, training in a particular field, like medical or legal transcription, will lead to better pay and job opportunities. You must be able to type fast, though! Typically, at least 60 to 70 WPM.
General Transcriptionists, who most frequently transcribe video captions, police interviews, and other less technical material, earn about $59,447 annually.
Something to keep in mind with entry-level transcription jobs is that the pay is often per audio minute. One audio minute can take anywhere from three to four actual minutes to transcribe, so make sure you do the math before accepting an offer.
However, if you enjoy transcription and can stick with it through the entry-level gigs until you gain experience, it can be a flexible and well-paid remote career. If you already have a bit of experience under your belt, consider looking into legal transcription.
15. Tutor
Tutors generally work part-time hours, usually at night or early mornings when students are not in class. But depending on the season and age of the student, you may also be able to work more traditional hours. Pay rates for Tutors vary depending on the age (elementary, middle, high school, college students, or adults) and the subject matter. Most tutoring companies will require you to provide proof of expertise or to pass an onboarding examination.
Here are some companies that hire online Tutors and average earnings:
16. Virtual Assistant
Being a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a great work from home job option. What I like about it is that you get to work with all kinds of people, from small business owners to content creators. You could even become an Assistant to an owner of a big company; who knows!
You get to choose whether to work as a W-2 employee, a freelancer, or even start your own VA business.
The type of work you do depends on your skillset, but Virtual Assistants handle everything from administrative tasks like making phone calls and managing email to research, writing, and managing social media accounts.
That being said, VA pay rates vary based on your skills, experience, and the company you work with. You can charge by the hour or by the project. If you own your own business, the choice is entirely up to you (whereas if you’re an employee, it will most likely be an hourly pay rate). According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for a VA is $27.16.
To work as a 1099 worker, look into companies like BELAY, InboxDone, and Worxbee. For W-2 roles, look at Boldly and Virtual Assist USA.
17. Website Tester
One flexible work from home gig is testing websites and apps. From large companies to small businesses and bloggers, anyone with a website wants to ensure their site is user-friendly and accomplishes its goals. That’s why they hire people to test out their sites and give third-party reviews as to what’s working and what needs improvement.
You’ll need basic equipment like a computer or smartphone, a high-speed internet connection, and a microphone and webcam to get started. The pay rate for these jobs varies, but it’s typically about $2-$90 per test. Tests usually run between 5 and 90 minutes.
To become a Website Tester, look at companies like Playbook UX, User Interviews, and UserTesting for these freelance gigs. For more sites that will pay you to test out websites and apps, check out this list of website testing companies.
Real Work From Home Jobs: Conclusion
Earning a living wage while working from home has never been more accessible. While these are only some of the most popular work from home jobs, the possibilities are endless as remote work becomes more widely available.
As with any job, always do your research to ensure any opportunity is right for you before taking the leap. When working from home, you also have to take into account not only the money you’re earning but the money you’re saving by working at home.
The top area most people will save is no doubt gas to get to and from work, but you’ll also save in other areas—no more buying special work clothing, lunches out, or coffee on the go. Working at home means you can wear your sweatpants (or my favorite attire, pajamas!), have leftovers for lunch, and make a pot of coffee at home.
If you’re not finding your dream role, many job boards and companies allow job seekers to sign up for job alerts. Take advantage of this free email communication, and you’ll be one of the first to know about remote job openings in your desired occupation.
