Working from home seems like the ideal situation. There’s only one problem: you’re not quite sure where to begin. Not every job can transfer from a traditional workplace to a home office.
Never fear, we’ve compiled 16 of the most readily avilable and legitimate jobs you can do from home, and where to apply for them.
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1. Customer Service Representative
One of the most readily available remote-friendly industries is customer service. Tons of companies provide out-of-office employees with the technology and training they need to answer consumer questions.
If you have experience as a customer service representative, you have a great shot at getting this type of work. You can also play up the skills you have that will serve you well in the position. Excellent phone etiquette, listening skills, and patience are attributes to highlight on your resume and in your cover letter, as they’re vital to your success in this career path.
Companies that hire remote employees in this field include Alorica, Amazon, Apple, Contentrix, TTEC, U-Haul, and Williams-Sonoma.
2. Bookkeeper
How do you feel about numbers? If you know you can handle the responsibility of calculating a company’s expenditures with extreme precision, then a career in this field could be on the books.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a certified accountant to obtain work as a bookkeeper. Instead, you need to prove that you have the right math skills and attention to detail, as well as knowing how to use standard software programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as accounting software like QuickBooks.
For remote bookkeeping positions, consider companies like BELAY and VaVa Virtual Assistants, which hire independent contractors, or Intuit and Supporting Strategies, which offer W-2 employment.
If you think bookkeeping could be the right WFH career path for you, check out this free online training from the Bookkeepers.
3. Data Analyst
Another great occupation for aspiring remote workers is that of the data analyst. As the job title suggests, data analysts use a programming language called SQL to build queries that pull specific data from a database for analysis. Once the correct data has been extracted from the database, the data analyst creates various charts and graphs so that business owners and teams can make informed decisions based on facts and numbers.
To become a data analyst, you can get a bachelor’s degree in an area like computer science, or you can take a certification program to learn the skills needed. This position tends to be a good fit for individuals who have excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail. According to Indeed, the average salary for a data analyst is $84,604 annually.
To find remote work opportunities as a data analyst, explore sites like DataAnalyst.com, DataJobs.com, Dice, and FlexJobs.
4. Data Entry Clerk
Are you able to type quickly, maintaining a high level of accuracy? Then, working from home as a data entry clerk might be your calling.
To start, all you’ll need is a computer and internet access. Different assignments might require downloading additional software, but many companies use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for their data entry needs. Besides that, you’ll need to be fast-moving and detail-oriented, which makes this task excellent for work from home moms. Even with a bit of noise, it’s easy to enter the information into a spreadsheet. Check out companies like Axion Data Services, Conduent, and Gainwell Technologies for remote data entry and collection positions.
5. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is perhaps the most natural profession to take home with you. In fact, many writers find the workplace environment creatively stifling, so the flexibility of remote working allows them to perform their job in a more stimulating environment.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to establish a career in this field. You can start a blog and wait for ad revenue to roll in, although this means you won’t be bringing cash home right away. You can also pitch your services to small businesses, magazines, and other bloggers, where you’ll receive compensation once your idea is approved, written, and posted. Some companies need help with copywriting for marketing materials like newsletters and other consumer-related text.
Start by searching local job boards; some writing gigs and permanent positions are available via Craigslist. A national search for freelance opportunities would work, too, since you’d be able to contribute virtually, regardless of where a company is headquartered. Be sure to check out Holly’s massive list of paid writing jobs, too!
6. Graphic Designer
For those with a creative flair, graphic design work is plentiful in today’s digital world. With a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to social media, marketing, advertising, and large corporations that keep their marketing departments in-house. Companies like Brafton and Coalition Technologies hire remote graphic designers.
If self-taught, you can easily offer freelance web design services using sites like Fiverr, VaVa Virtual Assistants, and Dribbble. As a graphic designer, you may create business logos, product packaging, social media graphics, ad campaigns, printables, websites, and so much more. As a freelancer, you can choose to charge by the project, by the hour, or on a monthly retainer. Of course, if you have a fantastic work portfolio and want to work as a W-2 employee, you can also check out the work from home opportunities mentioned above.
7. Medical Coder and Biller
Would you like to work from home in the healthcare field, but don’t want to go to school for an extended period of time? Medical coding and billing is a home-based career you can train for online in as little as 4-6 months. As a medical coder and biller, you’ll code medical diagnoses and procedures on bills so that companies can obtain prompt and proper payment from insurance providers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical coders and billers earn an average of $50,250 annually. If you would like to work from home as a medical coder and biller, check out companies like CVS Health, Insight Global, and UnitedHealth Group.
8. Nurse
If you’re a nurse (LVN, RN, or NP) with an active license, there are lots of part-time and full-time job options you can do from home! Whether you want to do case management, triage, medical record review, sales, or telehealth visits, there are many opportunities for nurses to work remotely.
Companies like CVS Health, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group are always hiring, so they are good places to start your job search. You can also check out this list for more legitimate work from home jobs for nurses of all levels.
9. Proofreader
If you have an excellent grasp of the English language and have an eagle eye for catching spelling and grammar errors, working as an online proofreader might be your calling. Typically, proofreaders focus on correcting mistakes, but in some roles, they may fact-check, conduct research, and make rewrites. When you work as a proofreader, you can choose to work full-time as an employee, or you can provide freelance proofreading services. For many full-time positions, you’ll need an English or journalism degree. Freelancers often do not need a degree, but they must prove their expertise by taking and passing a qualification test.
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken an English class, you may want to brush up on your proofreading skills by taking an online course. To see if proofreading is your dream work from home job, check out Caitlin Pyle’s free proofreading webinar.
To find remote work as a proofreader, check out Express Writers and Upwork.
10. Recruiter
Any experience in human resources or the art of recruiting will bring you success in this well-paying role. You could earn as much as $154,000 annually, screening candidates and helping place them in the proper position within a particular field or company.
You can work for yourself, but you shouldn’t branch into self-employment unless you’ve proven your recruiting chops within another company for several years. Otherwise, working remotely for someone else will still be a lucrative, flexible venture. Once you build up a good reputation and client base, you can easily branch out on your own.
Although we mentioned that HR or recruiting experience is preferred, some companies will train the right individuals. What is essential is the ability to listen to your clients and candidates, allowing you to quickly determine who is suitable for which company and why. If you’re interested in working from home as a recruiter, check out The Planet Group, Kelly Services, and Tested Recruits.
11. Sales Representative
Another popular job that you can do from home is working as a sales representative. The great thing about this occupation is that if you have the right personality (extroverted, ambitious, excellent communication, professional, and competitive), many companies will hire and train beginners. As a sales rep, you’re goal will be to acquire new customers, increase sales, and nurture existing clients.
One of the main perks of working as a sales representative is that you’ll usually earn a base salary, plus commission, which means you can make excellent money. One thing to note is that some companies hire for straight commission roles, so be sure to understand the payment structure before accepting a position.
Here are some companies that hire remote sales professionals: Conduent, Teleperformance, and Toptal.
12. SEO Specialist
One in-demand marketing specialty where you can work from home is in the search engine optimization (SEO) field. In this area of expertise, you help companies and brands obtain more traffic from search engines by applying SEO techniques. SEO is a broad field that encompasses marketing, technology, researching keywords, writing, and more. Many companies that hire SEO specialists will want applicants to have a marketing degree or certification. Google offers a digital marketing certification through Coursera that’s worth checking out.
SEO is a field that is constantly changing, so if you’re a creature of habit, this may not be the ideal work from home job. However, if you enjoy a challenge and always learning something new, this niche continues to grow. For remote jobs as an SEO specialist, check out Semrush, Ahrefs, and Brafton.
13. Social Media Manager
According to a recent report, one of the most in-demand marketing occupations in North America is that of the social media marketing specialist. This is excellent news if you know how to use these platforms and harness their power. Unlike traditional marketing positions, many companies are willing to hire individuals without a degree if they have a proven track record of handling and growing social media accounts. I know many moms who have stayed at home with their kids, started blogs and social media accounts, and then returned to the workforce in high-level marketing roles.
If you understand how to create content and generate engagement using platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, social media management is a great job you can do from home! If you’re looking for part-time roles as a social media manager, you can look at companies like BELAY, ModSquad, and LiveWorld. Need a full-time remote job with benefits? Explore Brafton or IZEA.
14. Transcriber
As the name implies, a transcriptionist types out what people are saying. The task of remote transcription is slightly different, though. Rather than attending a meeting or hearing and keeping notes, you’ll be turning audio or visual recordings into written documents.
To get this type of work, you must be a fast and accurate typist, as you will most likely be transcribing in a word processor and sending the file to your boss when you’ve finished. To that end, you’ll need a working computer and high-quality headphones. Some transcribers also have a foot pedal so they can stop and start their recordings without moving their hands from the keys.
Because this work requires you to focus, you’ll have to work in a quiet environment with few interruptions. As such, this might not be the best job for a stay-at-home parent who’s minding kids while working. Of course, you could squeeze the transcriptions around your child’s schedule, which makes this a great option once the kids start school. See CrowdSurf, Rev, TranscribeMe, and Tigerfish for remote transcription positions.
15. Tutor
If you’re a teacher, student, or expert in a subject like math, you can make good money tutoring students of all levels online. With some tutoring companies, you’ll book 30-minute live sessions with students, and with other companies, you’ll answer homework questions via email or online chat programs. There are even some platforms like Cambly, which allow native English speakers without any experience to help non-native speakers practice their conversational English skills.
Most tutoring positions are part-time gigs that offer a lot of flexibility. To begin working from home as a tutor, you’ll need to prove your expertise by submitting your academic credentials. Check out companies like Course Hero, EF, and Studypool to apply for independent contractor positions.
16. Virtual Assistant
If you have any administrative or clerical experience, you’re in luck! You no longer have to go into an office to serve as someone’s assistant. Instead, you can take tasks virtually through many reputable sites, including BELAY, Byron, and Zirtual.
It turns out you can do many assistant-type tasks while in your pajamas. Think about it: You can piece together expense reports, call in catering orders, plan travel, organize calendars, and more, all from your home computer. When applying, be sure to mention any experience you have with these types of tasks, whether you’ve done them for the good of your own family or a past job. You’ll need to have a computer, phone, and a good internet connection to make this job work for you and your new boss.
Check out this informative article for more on becoming a virtual assistant.
Jobs You Can Do From Home: Conclusion
These 16 occupations are just the beginning. Whether you want to work part-time hours, full-time hours, freelance, or even switch careers, you can make money and work from home. All you have to do is find the right position, get to work, and thrive in the place you love most — your home.
Need more inspiration? Here is a list of 99 top work from home career and business ideas!
