Work from Home Jobs – The Definitive Guide to 29 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 29, to be exact) options to choose from.

Some of these jobs are entrepreneurial in nature, while others are simply “regular” jobs that often include telecommuting benefits. 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 29 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 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: The 2012 State of Freelancing Report, which surveyed hundreds of freelancers worldwide, notes that about 19% of freelance writers make $50-$59 per hour. The lowest 12% make less than $20 per hour, and the highest 14% make $100 per hour or more.

The statistics for copywriters, who write marketing material for businesses, are even higher. Only the lowest 5.1% make less than $20 per hour, and a whopping 23% make $100 per hour or more!

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. My own stepmom once worked in the pharmaceutical field, but now makes big money creating and editing medical/pharmaceutical reports from home.

The pay: According to the State of Freelancing survey, 23% of freelance editors make $30-$39 per hour. Another 23% makes $20-$29 per hour, and the lowest 7% makes less than $20 per hour. The highest 2.1% make $100+ per hour.

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

3. Translator

According to the 2012 State of Freelancing Report, about 7.6% of freelancers work as translators. 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: Businesses will pay a premium for high-quality translation. The State of Freelancing Report showed that over 50% of translators make between $20 and $39 per hour. While only 1% make over $100 per hour, nearly 37% make between $40 and $99 per hour.

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 2010, the BLS survey showed that interpreters and translators make about $43,300 per year, or $20.82 an hour. These fields are expected to grow much more quickly than average, as international businesses demand both translators and interpreters.

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 Interperter.

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 2010 was $90,000, or $43.50 per hour. Also, this field is expected to grow much faster than average, 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, Coding Horror, and Signal vs. Noise.

6. Web developer

Web developers are the brains behind website design. They make designs functional and deal with codes like Javascript 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: The State of Freelancing Report says that the bulk of web developers – 33.8% – make between $40 and $59 per hour. The lowest 6.4% makes less than $20 per hour, and the highest 3.2% makes over $100 per hour.

Getting started: This Freelance Folder article outlines how to start a freelance web development business in six months, including how to market yourself. Blogs to check out include Web Development Blog, the David Walsh blog, and Position Absolute.

7. Web designer

While a web developer works with a website’s back end, the web developer 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: A 2012 survey of freelance web designers by Freelance Jam noted that 37% of designers charge between $25 and $74 per hour, while the top 7% of respondents charged over $100 per hour.

Getting started: Obviously, you’ve got to have some design chops before you start a business designing web pages. This article from Freelance Switch gives good information on the business-side of freelance web designing. 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!

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.

8. Marketing professional

Marketing professionals – often called consultants – have a hand in some of the other jobs noted here – like web design and copywriting. But they are less focused on details and more focused on strategies. All businesses need to do marketing, but not all are large enough to have a full-time marketing person or department. So they hire freelancers.

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

The pay: A large percentage of marketing pros – 20.3% report making $70-$79 per hour, and the top 27% makes $100+ per hour. Only the lowest 1.7% of marketing professionals makes less than $20 an hour!

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).

9. PR professional

In an era where a company’s reputation can be ruined by one well-publicized online scandal, more and more businesses – small and large – work with public relations professionals. PR professionals handle interviews, media relations, press releases, and more for businesses and individuals of all sorts. Increasingly, PR pros work with social media, as well.

The main goal of a PR professional is to manage a company’s or individual’s reputation – showcasing the positive while minimizing the negative. PR pros need the marketing and writing skills common to many other work-from-home positions, as well as incredible patience and people skills.

The pay: BLS reports that public relations specialists and managers made an average of $57,700 in 2010. The need for reputation management means that this field is growing at a faster than average rate, as well.

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, PR Daily News, and Dave Fleet.

10. 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: Because this is a relatively new field, it’s difficult to pin down a real pay range. However, Indeed.com says that social media consultants earn an average of $53,000 a year. Earnings could be much less when you’re starting out, and big name consultants are sure to earn double that or more.

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, Social Fresh, 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.

11. 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 the State of Freelancing Report, they also don’t deal with the same money issues that other types of freelancers often experience – like struggling to get paid on time. Just over 1/4 of virtual assistants surveyed make $10 per hour or less, but about 50% make a decent $30-$49 per hour.

Getting started: This article from Simple Mom and this one from Entrepreneur are good places to begin. For more information, check out the Virtual Assistant Forums, The Administrative Consultants Association, and The Virtual Assistant.

12. 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, project managers in the United States in 2011 made an average of $96,384, and salaries for this profession are on the rise.

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 Shrinkonia, Work Matters, and Herding Cats.

13. Organizer

If your home is immaculate and Pinterest is your best friend, 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 content 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.

14. 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, according to a blog post by one professional freelance illustrator.

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: More than a quarter of freelance illustrators, according to the State of Freelancing report, make $20-$29 per hour. The lowest 1.5% make less than $20 per hour, and the highest 7.6% makes $100+ per hour.

Getting started: This kickstart guide from Freelance Switch can help you choose a direction and decide whether to go on your own or through an agency to find illustration gigs. Sites to check out include Tom Richmond’s, Drawing 4 Dollars, and Advocate Art.

15. 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: The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the average income for all film and video editors at $45,490 per year, or $21.87 per hour. An article from the Houston Chronicle, though, puts the average annual earnings for freelance video editors at $79,000 per year.

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, Pixelriffic, Video Producer Blog, and Sean King Photography.

16. 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 $36,000 per year – or $17.50 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.

17. 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: 2012 BLS statistics put graphic designer earnings around $44,000 on average, with the highest 10% earning around $77,490.

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 somewhat 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.

18. 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 BLS 2012 statistics put the median earnings for travel agents at $34,600, with the top 10% earning $57,400.

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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

According to Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2011, about 18% of blogs are run by independent part-time or full-time bloggers, but only a small percentage of those bloggers consider their blog(s) to be a full-time job. 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.

22. 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. Nearly half of all business consultants, for instance, reported making $100+ per hour in 2012! 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.

23. 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 2012 was $34,650 – 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.

24. 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 Houston Chronicle says that call center representatives can earn anywhere from minimum wage to $15+ per hour, depending on their specialties.

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.

25. 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 2010 show that paralegals make an average of $46,680 per year, or just over $22 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, The Paralegal Mentor, and Verbal Insanity.

26. 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: 2012 statistics from BLS show that the average accountant makes about $63,000 a year, with the top 10% earning $111,000!

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, and Don’t Mess with Taxes for informative accountant-related reading – and to learn how to market your accounting business through a blog!

27. 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 2010 show that claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and inspectors make an average of $58,460 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.

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.

28. 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.

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.

29. 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 2012 was just $19,500 – but that included entry-level daycare workers, as well as daycare business owners. In 2010, home health aides made an average of $20,000.

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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