I’m a big believer in the extra level of communication and relationship-building that comes from having an in-person office job, but it’s not for everyone. Work-from-home jobs have exploded in the past few years, and Americans’ enthusiasm for remote work is still going strong.
It’s easy to see why: The best work-from-home jobs can offer more flexible hours, freedom to travel, nonexistent commutes, and a shorter trip to the refrigerator. And believe it or not, people are still getting work done!
In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of enterprises say there’s been an improvement in productivity, while 94% of employees report their productivity feeling the same as or higher than in the office.1
If that sounds like you, maybe it’s time to make this whole working-from-home gig a permanent thing. Are you ready?
Best Work-From-Home Jobs
Here are 15 work-from-home jobs to look at. (Keep in mind, the pay for each of these jobs will vary based on your level of experience and degree level.) Chances are, if you’ve got a talent for any of these positions, you can find opportunities to get hired at a legitimate work-from-home company.
- Transcriptionist
- Meeting Planner
- Virtual Assistant
- Tech Support Specialist
- Tutor
- Customer Service Representative
- Nurse
- Social Media Manager
- Writer
- Graphic Designer
- Accountant/Bookkeeper
- Teacher
- Video Editor
- Fitness Instructor
- Financial Coach
1. Transcriptionist
This remote job involves typing written information, like doctors’ medical notes, court proceedings, professors’ lectures and even television closed captioning.
Job description: A transcriptionist will listen to or watch audio or video files and type up what they hear. Sometimes, they even do it in real time for live broadcasts, like sporting events or award shows.
Average pay: $19 hourly2
Who it’s perfect for: People who can type accurately and quickly and listen closely are a great fit. A background in English or secretarial work are a definite plus for this legitimate work from home job.
2. Meeting Planner
Any guesses at what a meeting planner does? That’s right—plans meetings (and conferences). These meetings or conferences could be either in-person or virtual.
Job description: Like event planning, this remote job is about making sure everything for a meeting—timeline, budget, materials, travel arrangements, location, speaking schedule, etc.—is taken care of and runs smoothly. Even if the planner works off-site or from home, they need to be in close communication with on-site staff and personnel so they can help solve any problems that might come up.
Average pay: $62,265 annually3
Who it’s perfect for: Someone with event management and planning experience who’s organized, great with logistics and customer service, and has soft skills would thrive in this work-from-home job.
3. Virtual Assistant
People in upper-level roles (like executives) can be busy and focused on big-picture to-do items, so they often need someone to organize and handle the tasks they don’t have time for. That’s where a virtual assistant comes in.
Job description: A virtual assistant handles regular office duties, like replying to emails, data entry, scheduling meetings, and organizing calendars, from the comfort of their own home.
Average pay: $17 hourly4
Who it’s perfect for: People who are highly organized, take initiative, thrive on multitasking, and enjoy helping others stay on schedule will do well in this role.
4. Tech Support Specialist
If you’re super tech savvy and able to explain technical things to all of us common folk out here, then a job in tech support might be the right fit for you.
Job description: A tech support specialist deals with things like virus removal and computer crashes. Depending on the company, the specialist might focus on fixing problems with certain products (like audio equipment or computers) or helping customers with network problems (like cable internet support).
Average pay: $55,165 annually5
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Who it’s perfect for: The tech wizard—and I mean that respectfully—who loves everything technology and problem-solving would be great at this job.
5. Tutor
When you hear the word tutor, you might think of the class valedictorian who stays after school to teach other kids in the library. But these days, anyone can work from home as an online tutor and make decent money doing it.
Job description: A tutor teaches students a certain skill or subject using online video conferencing.
Average pay: $20 hourly6
Who it’s perfect for: A former teacher or educator, anyone with specialized knowledge of a specific subject, or someone who finds joy in helping others learn will enjoy working as a tutor.
6. Customer Service Representative
When you call up your favorite store’s customer service department, you probably picture the person you’re talking to working at a cubical in a big call center. But these days, that isn’t always the case. Plenty of big-name companies use remote employees for customer service, making it one of the best work-from-home jobs.
Job description: A remote job in customer service might mean you’re helping someone place an order or walking a customer through the return process.
Average pay: $15 hourly7
Who it’s perfect for: People with a whole lot of patience—and, of course, those with a knack for talking to others and problem-solving—will enjoy this work-from-home job.
7. Nurse
If you have a nursing degree and are looking for jobs you can do from home, listen up! Did you know you can work as a nurse over the phone to help your patients?
Job description: A telephone triage nurse speaks with patients and tends to their needs via the phone or online chat. A lot of times, they help patients decide whether they need to see a doctor, head to the emergency room, or just pop an aspirin.
Average pay: $84,001 annually8
Who it’s perfect for: A nurse who’s patient and compassionate—and would rather work from home than in a hospital or medical office environment—is a great fit here. Search for “best work-at-home companies for nurses” to find medical groups hiring for this high-paying remote job!
8. Social Media Manager
People will pay you to spend time on social media all day. Oh yes, it’s true. But they’re paying you to manage their social media, not scroll your Instagram mindlessly. Big difference!
Job description: A social media manager helps clients maintain and grow their social media accounts. This could range from replying to comments and direct messages to preparing content and scheduling posts that drive engagement.
Average pay: $55,248 annually9
Who it’s perfect for: Someone who knows multiple social media platforms like the back of their hand, can generate and increase user interaction, and is skilled in growing platforms will thrive doing this! It’s one of the best home jobs for tech savvy and content-driven creatives (and a good option for teens).
9. Writer
The pen is mightier than the sword, so put that pen (or keyboard) to work slicing and dicing up some content! Many writers work from home full time. But writing is also one of many great creative side jobs you can work from home in your spare time.
Job description: Freelance writers get to write on a variety of topics for their clients. Their work can range from writing content and editing to researching and fact-checking. The writer has a lot of flexibility to get the work finished during whatever time is best for them—as long as they meet the deadline.
Average pay: $25 hourly10
Who it’s perfect for: Someone with a love and talent for writing and experience in the field will love a work-from-home job as a writer.
10. Graphic Designer
You’re a creative who craves designing different types of work for a broad range of clients. Working for the same company year after year might not offer you that variety, but calling your own shots as a freelance graphic designer sure can.
Job description: Design anything from brand logos to ads for clients through print or digital media.
Average pay: $30 hourly11
Who it’s perfect for: The creative designer who doesn’t want to be tied down by a nine-to-five office gig should give this option a try. When it comes to best home jobs for creatives, this one can’t be beat.
11. Accountant/Bookkeeper
Are you a numbers person? Then you’re in luck! Most people don’t want to deal with the hassle of crunching the digits and balancing the books. Plenty of businesses will gladly pay you to take care of all of that for them. And sometimes it’s worth their while to hire someone to take care of these things remotely instead of in the office.
Job description: The ways accountants and bookkeepers spend their days can vary—but usually these professionals handle anything from managing the budget and paying bills to filing taxes and doing internal audits for the company.
Average pay: $55,371 annually12
Who it’s perfect for: Someone with a passion for math and a strong attention to detail would thrive in this work-from-home job.
12. Teacher
Anyone who teaches others for a living is a saint. It’s not an easy job, but it’s so important. These days, many colleges, high schools and even elementary schools are shifting to online teaching, which is great news if you’d like to work from home while still making an impact through education.
Job description: Teach, guide and interact with others as they learn new skills and information you provide.
Average pay: $52,071 annually13
Who it’s perfect for: Anyone with certifications or a background in teaching would have a lot to offer in this work-from-home job.
13. Video Editor
If you’ve got plenty of raw video footage, you can edit it while working from home. Working as a video editor, you can set your own schedule and take on multiple projects at a time (depending on your deadlines).
Job description: Splice together video footage to make one professional, streamlined piece of video content.
Average pay: $51,731 annually14
Who it’s perfect for: Creative types with film, production or an audio/visual background can become a work-from-home video editor.
14. Fitness Instructor
We all know how important staying active is, but going to a gym to pump iron, run on a treadmill, and sweat in a crowded group setting doesn’t work for some people (can you blame them?). And that’s why those people want virtual fitness instructors. You can lead a class and help a client reach their fitness goals without ever setting foot in a gym.
Job description: Instruct others in virtual fitness classes and one-on-one training right from your home.
Average pay: $21 hourly15
Who it’s perfect for: Fitness junkies with a heart for teaching others will knock this one out of the park.
15. Financial Coach
Here at Ramsey, we’re really serious about helping people take control of their money. That’s because getting a solid plan for your money impacts every single aspect of your life. If you get fired up about helping people with money too, then maybe you have a future as a financial coach. Based on data reported by our Ramsey Preferred Coaches, you could make $100–200 per coaching session!
Job description: Meet with clients to advise and educate them about money habits and making choices to reach their future financial goals.
Average pay: $44,219 annually16
Who it’s perfect for: Someone with the heart of a teacher who wants to guide and empower people to win with money would be great at this.
How to Spot a Work-From-Home Job Scam
Of course, for every legitimate work-from-home job, there are a ton of scams lurking out there. Here are three things to look out for so you can avoid false or fraudulent job listings:
1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Does the job you’re looking at claim you’ll make $400,000 right away? Uh, that should be a big red flag. If something sounds out-of-this-world awesome and you can’t believe it’s true—it probably isn’t.
2. If there are complaints about the company, look out.
We live in the age of Google, so do your research about the company you’re interested in. See what pops up about them on Glassdoor and the Better Business Bureau. You’ll have to take some reviews with a grain of salt (disgruntled employees and all), but you should look out for people calling the company or team out as scam artists. The best work-at-home companies will have testimonials about the awesome culture and reviews from staff that you can trust.
3. If they make you pay money to “work for them,” run.
Look, some of the best work-from-home jobs will require you to have a degree or pass a certification of some kind. That’s not what I’m talking about here. When a company wants you to pay them $49.95 a month to “work” for them or invest $500 to secure a spot in their entry program, that should raise a red flag.
Work From Home and Start Reaching Your Goals
Work-from-home jobs can be a great option for parents juggling work and childcare. They’re also great for professionals who value the flexibility of working remotely and independently outside of a traditional nine-to-five office space and schedule. And really, there’s only one way to find out if a work-from-home job could be a good fit for you—and that’s to try it out!
Before you make a commitment to a new work-from-home job, consider a few things first: Do you crave the hustle and bustle of a group work environment? Do you enjoy spending long stretches of time alone, or would hours of silence drive you crazy? Does your home environment allow for a dedicated workspace, or do you get distracted by pets and laundry and the TV in the background? These are some important lifestyle factors you’ll want to think about before working from home.
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