Work from Home Jobs – The Definitive Guide to 31 Legit Home-Based Careers

If you’re one of the many modern men or women who dream of working from home, you’re in luck! This huge list of work-from-home jobs gives you about a million (well, actually 31, to be exact) options to choose from.

Some of the jobs you’ll read about below are entrepreneurial in nature, while others are simply “regular” jobs that often include telecommuting benefits. And the great news is that more companies are allowing their employees to work from home at least part of the time. The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Time Use Survey showed that 23% of workers do some or all of their work at home. And as more employers see the many benefits of remote work, at least part of the time, more jobs will be available that allow workers to work from home.

I’ve divided the list into categories, though some of these jobs span or simply defy categorization. But at least this should help you skip through to jobs that might actually suit your skills and interests.

Without further ado, here are the details on 31 jobs that can make you actual money working from home:

Jobs for Word Nerds

If you’re good with words, the world is your oyster when it comes to work-from-home jobs. Whether you write in one language or speak three, these jobs give you some options for leveraging the power of words to make some cash.

1. Writer

As a freelance writer myself, I can tell you that writing is definitely a good way to make money from home–if you have the writing skills. Luckily, you don’t have to be Hemingway to write great web content or marketing materials. You just need a basic grasp of grammar, a keen eye for interesting information, and a drive to get your business going.

The pay: Content Wonk’s 2018 Freelance Writers’ Survey showed that the majority of freelancers earn between $15 and $30 an hour, on average. But 15% earn between $31 and $45 per hour, and a small percentage command $150+ per hour.

Getting started: The big money comes to those who market their blogging, journalism, or marketing skills directly to editors and businesses. To learn how to do that, check out great freelance writing blogs like Make a Living Writing (blogging/marketing), The Renegade Writer (journalism), and The Well-Fed Writer (commercial writing). These are only a handful of what’s out there!

2. Editor

Freelance editing seems similar to freelance writing, but it’s a whole different ballgame. Editors obviously have a different focus from writers–cleaning material up rather than creating it from scratch. Freelance editing is a competitive field and may require some previous experience in journalism, business editing, or another field to get you in.

However, if you have a background in a highly desirable field–like medicine or chemistry–and an eye for detail, you might become a specialized editor in that field. One writer I know has a background in chemistry and biology and went on to make big bucks as a medical editor.

The pay: PayScale puts the median freelance editor’s hourly pay at just under $25, though the top salary is more like $60 per hour.

Getting started: The best way to get high-paying work is to market yourself aggressively. Inklyo has a great article on starting as a freelance editor, and you should also check out Copyediting and The Subversive Copy Editor.

3. Translator

Fewer freelancers work as translators than writers or editors. But if you’re already fluent in multiple languages–particularly if one of those languages is English–you can likely find some high-paying translation work to tackle.

Do keep in mind, though, that a good translation is about more than just converting a document from one language into another. You also need to capture the sense and feel of the original document in a new language, which can be difficult, to say the least!

The pay: Glassdoor puts the average base salary of a freelance translator at about $55,000 per year. That’s a decent income, but hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the jobs you tackle and how efficient you are.

Getting started: This article offers good insight on getting started in freelance translating, and suggests the translator job and networking sites ProZ and Translators Cafe. Other worthwhile blogs to check out include Thoughts on Translation and Translation Tribulations.

4. Interpreter

If you’re excellent with at least two languages but don’t want to do on-paper translation, interpreting might be for you. While many interpreters are jet-setters who work for big businesses, some do work from home, interpreting conversations by phone.

One company, LanguageLine Solutions, hires work-from-home interpreters who take incoming calls and work through the phone. Sometimes phone calls are interpreted directly from one caller to the next, and other times, the content is written down and then passed on.

The pay: In 2017, the median pay for a translator, according to the BLS, was about $47,000 per year or $22 per hour. And as the world becomes more connected, these jobs are growing at a quicker pace than average.

Getting started: Obviously a grasp on at least two languages (one of which could be ASL) is essential. Most interpreters have a bachelor’s degree in one language and are a native speaker of another. Interpreting businesses often require long-term on-the-job training, as well. Blogs to check out include The Interpreter Diaries and The Professional Interpreter.

Jobs for Tech Geeks

If you’re good with computers–hardware or software or web applications or whatever–you can probably find a work from home job. These skills are in such high demand that many employers don’t care where you work from, as long as the work gets done!

5. Software developer

Software developers design all aspects of various types of software. They may work in research, design, computer programming, or project management, and they’re often directed by a programming developer.

Some software developers work full-time or part-time for a company but work from home. Others are completely freelance. Most have a specialty or two, which is necessary in the broad and ever-changing world of software. Some specialties to consider include mobile development, cloud integration, and parallel computing.

The pay: If you’re looking for a high-paying work-from-home field, this is one to check out. BLS statistics show that the median pay for software developers in 2017 was $103,560, or $49.79 per hour. Also, this field is expected to grow quickly, so expect plenty of freelance and other work-from-home opportunities as a software developer.

Getting started: Many developers start out working in a traditional job and then move to a work-from-home full-time position or a freelancing business. Blogs to check out include Joel on Software and Coding Horror.

6. Web developer

Web developers are the brains behind website design. They make designs functional and deal with codes like Java, CSS, and HTML. Programming experience is all you need to become a web developer.

Some people act as both developers and designers (see below), but specialized programming needs are making this a little less common–especially if you’re dealing with larger websites. Often times, web developers develop long-term client relationships where they continue to manage a site’s back end.

The pay: Glassdoor puts the average freelance web developer’s salary at over $93,000 per year. However, beginning developers could expect more in the $67,000 per year range, while the most experience can pull in well over $100,000 per year.

Getting started: This Coding Dojo article outlines how to start a freelance web development, including how to market yourself. Blogs to check out include the David Walsh Blog, Six Revisions, and Smashing Magazine.

7. Web designer

While a web developer works with a website’s back end, the web designer works on the pieces that consumers actually see. Designers often, but not always, come from a background of graphic design, and they work with programs like Photoshop, Gimp, and Dreamweaver to create beautiful website designs.

With the right knowledge, a web designer can often both design and develop the website. In fact, being able to do both is highly useful for a freelancer! This infographic outlines the differences between these two professions, if you’re still confused.

The pay: Glassdoor puts a freelance web designer’s average salary at about $64,500 per year, with $45,000 being on the low end. This is much less than a web developer’s salary, so if you’re good at coding, you might consider adding some to your skillset so you can do a bit of both.

Getting started: Obviously, you’ve got to have some design chops before you start a business designing web pages. Must-read blogs include You The Designer, Smashing Magazine, and Six Revisions. There are many, many more great tutorial and inspiration blogs for web designers out there! You’ll notice that many of these blogs overlap with those for freelance web developers. That’s because the skillsets also overlap, to some extent. As a designer, it’s helpful to keep an eye on what’s happening in the developer world, too. As they learn to code new things, you need to learn to design for new possibilities.

8. Database administrator/developer

Another way to put geeky skills to use is to get a job as a database administrator or developer. Loads of businesses use a database for their sales processes, and even nonprofits use them for donor and program management. If you know particular database systems like Salesforce or Freshdesk, you can make good money helping businesses implement and run their databases.

The pay: A database administrator can expect to make about $87,000 per year on average, according to BLS, and developers can make well over that if they have specific coding skills. Many companies hire full-time remote administrators for their databases.

Getting started: In this business, it’s typically a good idea to specialize in one type of database. Many database companies, such as Salesforce, offer their own internal training and certification systems that can help you learn the database and develop your skills.

Jobs for Marketers

Are you good at selling products or services? Excellent with marketing tools like social media, email, and brochures? Great at interfacing with the public and helping someone put his best foot forward? These marketing-related careers might be for you.

9. Marketing consultant

Marketing consultants often have experience in some of the other jobs listed here. But they’re less focused on the details of implementation and more focused on big-picture strategies. All businesses need to do marketing, but many don’t have a full-time marketing professional to drive their strategies and campaigns.

If you have a degree in marketing or significant real-world experience, you can command high rates to help businesses with their overall marketing plans or specific campaigns.

The pay: At the high end, marketing consultants make about $82,000 per year, according to Glassdoor. But the average base pay is $50,897.

Getting started: Obviously you’ll have to start by marketing your own business to find clients. This article from The Guardian provides one consultant’s insight on becoming a freelance marketing pro. Some top blogs to check out include Get Elastic (ecommerce), Unmarketing (relationship-building), and Heidi Cohen (direct and digital).

10. PR consultant

Larger companies often have a public relations person or even a whole department. But smaller businesses don’t have these people on staff. Instead, many keep a PR consultant on retainer to interface with the media, handle interviews, write press releases, and more. PR consultants are especially important if a business has a scandal or PR problem they need to deal with. These days, most PR consultants also touch on social media, since that’s how businesses connect with the public directly.

In short, PR consultants help manage a company’s or individual’s reputation. These professionals often come from a marketing background and need solid writing and speaking skills.

The pay: As with most other consulting positions, this type can see a lot of variance in pay. But Glassdoor puts the average salary at about $54,000 per year.

Getting started: While some PR professionals found their own home-based businesses or freelance part-time, many hold down full-time jobs where they happen to work from home. Starting a PR business may require some actual experience in the field, so you may need to start by finding a flexible job with a larger PR company to begin. Blogs to check out include Brian Solis, Spin Sucks, and Dave Fleet.

11. Social media consultant

If you’re great with LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and any other up-and-coming social media outlets, you might make a good social media consultant. While many PR and marketing professionals work with social media, these consultants are specifically geared towards social media representation–usually for businesses or big name entities.

Social media consultants typically work as freelancers, though a few large businesses do hire work-from-home social media experts to manage their media full-time.

The pay: Again, salaries can vary dramatically here depending on your skillset and job description. Glassdoor notes that social media specialists make an average of $58,000, while online community managers make about $62,000.

Getting started: Clearly, familiarity with social media is essential. But more than being familiar with social media, consultants need to know how to best leverage it as part of a business’s overall marketing plan. This article on being a social media consultant includes helpful information on what the job is really like. Top blogs to check out include Convince and Convert,  Jeff Bullas, and Social Media Examiner.

Jobs for Organized People

With today’s information, schedule, and stuff overload, many people just need help staying organized. These careers are great if you’re a neatnik who can do just that. Whether you want to manage a whole team as a project manager or work with individuals to organize schedules and spaces, there’s an option here for you.

12. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants often specialize in one particular area of “assisting.” They help with everything from bookkeeping to research to database entries to billing to sending thank you notes for high-powered executives. I know one high-paid journalist whose assistant helps her find and schedule interviews for articles!

One great thing about being a virtual assistant is that you can leverage experience you already have to specialize (which means you can charge higher hourly rates) or you can just use your basic common sense and organizing skills to get started.

The pay: Virtual assistants don’t tend to make bank, but according to PayScale, they make about $15 per hour on average. On the lower end, they make more like $10 per hour, but those with specialized skills can make almost $30 per hour.

Getting started: This article is a  good place to begin. For more information, check out the Virtual Assistant Training Blog and GetFriday.

13. Project manager

In a day where business projects are more complicated and tech-saturated than ever, more and more companies are hiring project management professionals to help get things done. Project management is all about communication and organization, making it a good fit for many Type A personalities.

While most project managers don’t operate as freelancers, many do telecommute on a part-time or full-time basis. Since many project management tasks involve fielding emails and communicating with various employees and stakeholders, many projects can be managed solely or partially from home.

The pay: According to the Project Management Institute, the median salary of U.S. project management professionals in 2017 was $112,000.

Getting started: Typical project managers come out of other career backgrounds, including technology, construction, or communications. This article outlines the basics of becoming a project manager, and you can find out more at blogs like ProjectManagement.com, The Lazy Project Manager, and Project Management Tips.

14. Organizer

If your home is immaculate and The Container Store is your favorite place, you might have what it takes to become a professional organizer. These are usually people who help friends and family members get rid of junk and get things organized, too.

As people today contend with more and more information and stuff overload, professional organizers are in demand. While you can operate a professional organizing business out of your home, you obviously have to travel to other homes and businesses to do the work.

The pay: There aren’t many good statistics out there for the earnings of a professional organizer, but many charge $35-$50 per hour. Of course, not all the time you spend on this business will be made up of billable hours, but, still, this could become a decent full-time job for a neatnik!

Getting started: The National Association of Professional Organizers and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization both offer actual certification course for professional organizers. You don’t need to be certified, but having a shiny certification may help you land clients right out of the gate. And, of course, you might learn something new during training!

You may decide to get bonding or insurance, as well, just to protect you when you’re dealing with other people’s things. Bonding may be necessary if you want to organize for businesses.

Jobs for Artists

Artistic types have been known historically to work on their own from home, creating beautiful things for later public viewing. But with these many artistic career options, you don’t have to be a starving artist forever.

15. Illustrator

Freelance illustrators work in all sorts of mediums and do lots of different types of projects. What you do will mostly depend on your experience and your particular goals. As with other highly artistic fields, freelance illustration is not necessarily easy to break into.

However, illustration can be a part-time work-from-home job while you work full-time elsewhere. Or you could use your design skills to work in more-employable areas like graphics design and web design, while pulling in illustration jobs on the site.

The pay: PayScale puts the average wage for an illustrator at about $20 per hour, though well-known illustrators can make much more than this.

Getting started: This guide from various freelance illustrators can give you some tips on how to get started.. Sites to check out include Tom Richmond’s, Marloes de Vries’s, and Muddy Colors.

16. Videographer/video editor

If you have experience with a video camera and editing software, freelance videography might be for you. You might choose to specialize in shooting video or in editing video, or you might build your business around a bit of both.

Videographers may be hired to shoot video of weddings and other important events, and some freelance video editors even work for production companies who need an extra hand during busier periods.

The pay: Glassdoor puts the average salary for freelance videographers at just $23,000 per year, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts these careers in the $58,000 per year range, on average. It likely depends most on which skills you bring to the table and how experienced you are.

Getting started: Obviously, you need videography and editing skills to get started in this profession, and, as a freelancer, you also need basic marketing skills. For inspiration and to find out more about what a freelance videographer does, check out these blogs: David Perry Films, and Tubular Insights.

17. Photographer

With the rise of digital photography and ever-better consumer-grade cameras, professional photography is an increasingly competitive field. But if you have an eye for a beautiful shot and the drive to market your business, you can make a full-time living as a freelance photographer.

While many freelance photographers shoot family photos and weddings, others sell artwork photography professionally. Still others work for magazines and other major publications on a freelance basis.

The pay: The latest BLS statistics note that photographers make around $32,000 per year–or $15 per hour. However, as with other freelance professions, a photographer’s income is largely dependent on how efficiently she works and how many jobs she picks up through marketing.

Getting started: While some freelance photographers have a specialized photography degree, not all do. Some have simply taught themselves to use a DSLR camera properly and go from there. Again, though, marketing is just as important as your actual job skills. Blogs to check out include Psychology for Photographers, Photo Mint, Concentrated Photography, and The Law Tog.

18. Graphic designer

If you’re good with artistic mediums but want a bit more job security than an illustrator or fine artist, consider becoming a graphic designer. While some large companies still employ full-time designers for web and marketing work, many outsource this work to agencies or freelancers.

The great part for you is that agencies, themselves, often hire freelancers, so there’s plenty of freelance work to be had. As long as you market hard and get your name out there, you can make a decent living on your own schedule as a graphic designer.

The pay: The latest BLS statistics put graphic designer earnings around $49,000 on average, with the highest 10% earning more than $88,000.

Getting started: Though you don’t necessarily need a degree to become a graphic designer, taking some classes can help you become familiar with the latest programs and techniques. You can also choose to specialize in an area like graphic design for the web or marketing design. Blogs to read include Smashing Magazine, Design Observer, and I Love Typography.

Jobs for Entrepreneurs

While most of the jobs listed here are entrepreneurial in nature, these jobs are the most entrepreneurial (or just didn’t fit well in another category!). With drive and determination, you can turn just about anything into a business, but these options all have good potential.

19. Travel agent

If you love traveling or helping organize trips and events, this could be a great job for you. If you work as an independent travel agent, you can definitely work from home.

Most travel agents specialize in a specific type of travel, whether it’s cruises, resort stays, Disney vacations, budget travel, exotic travel, or whatever. It may help if you’re familiar with the area or type of trip you specialize in planning, so that you can give clients a real view of what to expect.

The pay: Because this is often a commission-based, entrepreneurial job, you can earn quite a bit if you work hard. But the latest BLS statistics put the median earnings for travel agents at almost $39,000, with the top 10% earning more than $62,000.

Getting started: Scams abound in the area of becoming a travel agent, as it’s often touted as a get-rich-quick scheme. There are, however, some great organizations that you can work through as an independent travel agent. Cruise Planners and Avoya are two reputable options. Another option is to learn the ropes by working with an agency before moving off to start your own business.

20. Crafter

With handmade goods in ever-higher demand, making a living as a crafter is an option for many. If you have a specific skill–whether its creating hand-stitched quilts or steampunk accessories– you can probably find someone who will buy your craft online or in person.

While it takes time and dedication to make a living as a crafter, many work-from-home individuals have managed to turn their passion into a full-time job. Just remember that besides being excellent at creating your products, you also have to know about marketing and running a business!

The pay: As with other entrepreneurial fields, your earnings here can vary dramatically. Some sellers on the popular handmade goods website Etsy make a really great full-time living from selling crafts, while others make just enough to support their crafting habit. Many of Etsy’s full-time crafters, though, say that you should expect to reinvest your business’s earnings into the business for at least the first two or three years.

Getting started: When you start a business like this one, market research is essential. You need to know who’s buying products like yours, where they’re getting them, and what they’re paying. From there, you can tailor your products to suit the market, get the word out about your business, and start selling, Blogs to check out include Craftster.org, Etsy’s blog, and Handmadeology.

21. Coach

If you’re looking to take a long-term, successful career in one specific area into a work-from-home business, consider becoming a coach. Coaches work in all sorts of fields, and the prospects for coaching are increasingly broad with the advent of new web tools.

Coaches may teach professional skills–marketing, web writing, IT development–or life skills–organization, habit formation, etc.–depending on their backgrounds.

The pay: There’s not really any “average” to be had for a nebulous field like this one. Some online, work-from-home coaches make a few bucks to pay for their morning coffee. Others make a very good full-time living. It all depends on how in-demand a coach’s services are, and how well the coach markets and sells those services.

Getting started: Becoming a coach in any particular field depends, first, on having a background in that area. Most coaches begin selling their services through a website and blog, where they attract traffic by offering excellent information in an area of interest.

22. Blogger

While many individuals start blogs as a way to talk about their favorite subjects or share family stories, it’s possible to make a part-time or full-time living as a blogger. This is a great work-from-home position, which allows you to build a business around whatever you happen to be passionate about.

Only a small percentage of bloggers consider their blog(s) to be a full-time job. However, some bloggers start out working more than 40 hours per week on their material, only to generate lots of passive income down the road.

The pay: There aren’t many statistics on what bloggers across the blogosphere make on their blog. Superstars like Darren Rowse of Problogger and Digital Photography School make well into the six figures, while more bloggers simply supplement personal or family income by working a blog on the side.

Getting started: This section on Dough Roller gives tons of information on getting started blogging. You should also check out Problogger, Copyblogger, and Jeff Goins’s blog.

23. Consultant

These days, many retirees and experts are leaving the traditional workforce to become consultants. You can consult on everything from engineering projects to training and curriculum design–whatever your specialty happens to be.

The key with consulting is that you generally need to have years of experience in the area in which you’d like to become a consultant. If your resume is loaded with high-profile projects, though, you could be well on our way to a lucrative side gig or work-from-home career.

The pay: Pay for consultants depends on what they’re consulting as. Business consultants can make $72,000 per year on average, for instance! Consultants in education-intensive areas like engineering may make even more than this, while consultants in areas like SEO and PR likely make less.

Getting started: Becoming a consultant is really as “simple” as starting your business and marketing your services. There’s obviously a lot to that, though, and one way to find out more is to check with other consultants in your niche. Moving from working for a business to consulting on your own is a big leap, so do your research before you jump.

Steady Work-at-Home Jobs

Though no job is ever a “sure thing,” these options often involve working full-time or part-time with a company, rather than working on a contract or freelance basis. If you’re looking for a job that will help pay the bills steadily, these are good options to check out.

24. Medical transcriptionist

Medical transcription was a work-from-home job before working from home was the big thing to do. Though you may not make a huge hourly wage, this job can offer serious security, since you can often be hired for a full-time telecommuting position.

Medical transcriptionists transcribe medical reports for doctor’s offices and hospitals. Their job involves interpreting information and codes just as much as copying it down, which means they do need some specialized knowledge.

The pay: The median wage for medical transcriptionists in 2017 was $32,250–or about $17 per hour.

Getting started: Though you don’t need a full degree to become a medical transcriptionist, you do need some postsecondary training–probably a certificate. As you look into certification programs, ask if the program offers job placement help. The Association for Healthcare Documentation may have some helpful information for you.

25. Call center representative

As call center technology increasingly allows representatives to work from home, this is becoming a decent work-at-home career option. While call center representatives don’t make a lot of money per hour, they also don’t need tons of training and can secure steady hourly wages working from home.

This is one area where you need to be careful to avoid scams. If any job ads ask you to pay an up-front fee to participate in the job, it’s likely a scam. Most serious call center jobs will give you access to the tools and software you need, and give you on-the-job training.

The pay: The BLS puts the average hourly wage for a call center representative at just under $16 per hour, which isn’t a bad steady job.

Getting started: Becoming a call center representative is as simple as looking through job listings and applying for jobs. You may have an easier time landing a telecommute position if you have some experience at a call center already, but this may not be necessary.

26. Paralegal

Most paralegals still work in an attorney’s office. But more attorneys are seeing the value in hiring work-from-home paralegals on an as-needed basis, or in giving their full-time staff flexible hours and telecommuting options.

Since paralegal tasks like research and document drafting are done more and more on computers, working from home is generally not too difficult. And since paralegal work takes only an associate’s degree, this is a work-from-home field you can get into easily.

The pay: BLS statistics from 2017 show that paralegals make an average of $50,410 per year, or just over $24 per hour.

Getting started: Paralegals need an associates degree to get started, so you’ll want to find a local or online program to kickstart this career. Websites to look at include the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and The Paralegal.

27. Accountant

Accountants often work from home, whether they work full-time for a business or go into business themselves. Working on a contract basis with small local business is a great way to make money while working on your own schedule.

You’ll need a degree and certification to become an accountant, depending on what type of work you decide to focus on. But once you get going, this can be a very lucrative field.

The pay: 2017 statistics from BLS show that the average accountant makes about $69,000 a year, with the top 10% earning $122,000!

Getting started: Start by getting  your degree, and then get the certification you need for your particular focus–CPA, CMA, etc. If you plan to work for yourself, be sure to learn about the marketing side of business, not just the accounting side! Check out Empower Your Business, Golden Practices for informative accountant-related reading–and to learn how to market your accounting business through a blog!

28. Insurance inspector

Insurance inspectors help investigate insurance claims for everything from home damage to car wrecks. Many insurance companies hire third-party inspections companies or independent inspectors to do this work.

Insurance inspectors can be based out of a home office, but will typically travel quite a bit for on-site inspections. This can be an interesting job, though, and a good way to get out and meet people while still working from home.

The pay: BLS statistics from 2017 show that claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and inspectors make an average of $64,690 per year.

Getting started: Some companies will require that you have a related bachelor’s degree, while others look for training from vocational schools and state-licensed training programs. You may need significant experience before you can make it as an independent, work-from-home inspector. Many companies, like SEER Insurance Inspections hire independent inspectors.

29. Home inspector

Like insurance inspectors, home inspectors can work out of a home office but will need to travel to the homes they’re inspecting in order to do their work. These individuals inspect homes for potential buyers, going through a standard checklist of items the buyers and mortgage company need to know about before the sale.

Home inspection doesn’t require a degree, but does require a certification. You’ll need to get this certification and then be prepared to market your services in order to get jobs.

The pay: One home inspector training program puts the average home inspector salary at about $58,000 per year. That’s about $450 per inspection, depending on where you live and the jobs you take.

Getting started: Again, you’ll have to have specialized training and certification for this job. American Home Inspectors Training lists the requirements by state here. Once you figure out your state’s regulations, you can figure out which courses and certifications you need.

Jobs for People Persons

If you love people and wouldn’t be happy with a work-from-home job that left you isolated, these two options are right up your alley.

30. Tutor

Here’s yet another work-from-home career that helps you leverage past experience and previous knowledge. You can tutor everything from elementary reading to college-level English and third-grade math to calculus, depending on what you’re good at.

While some tutors get their assignments through an organization, many find work through advertising and word-of-mouth. Some take students in their own homes, while others go to the students–either in their homes or in a public place like the library.

Increasingly, you can tutor online, too. Services like VIP Kid allow tutors to connect with students around the world via the web. Many of these services are specifically looking for tutors to train children in speaking and writing English.

The pay: College students and knowledgeable adults can usually charge $15-$25 an hour for tutoring services. Those with teacher training and higher-level degrees, though, could charge $40+ per hour.

Getting started: Most tutors have a particular focus–SAT prep, math, science, reading, etc.–so decide what you’re going to tutor first. If you decide to find work through a tutor search or placement service, research your options before choosing a company. Otherwise, work on marketing and getting the word out about your services locally. Blogs to read include Homework Help Today and Tutor Mentor Institute.

31. Caregiver

If you’re compassionate and love people, caregiving might be for you. Many work-from-home moms find success by creating a daycare in their own homes, while others spend evenings or overnights with local elderly people.

Depending on how you set up your business, you may actually work out of your home, or you may market from home and travel locally to actually provide caregiving services. Specialties here include infant care, nannying, babysitting, home daycare, respite care for the parents of special needs children, and elderly care.

The pay: Pay can vary dramatically in this field. The median annual wage for childcare workers in 2017 was just $23,760–but that included entry-level daycare workers, as well as daycare business owners.

Your pay will also vary depending on whether you’re working for a company or for yourself. If you work independently, all of the hourly/daily fees charged will go straight to your business, so you can definitely earn more.

Getting started: For many jobs like this, you can simply advertise your services and qualifications locally. Word-of-mouth is a great way to get started, though having a background in caregiving helps. For some caregiving jobs, like home health aide, you do need some certification. If you keep other people’s children in your home, you may also need to become certified by your state.

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