Being able to work from home is also important for parents, which can make raising your kids or helping them with school work a bit less challenging.
However, not all remote work is created equal for working moms an dads! Below I’ll cover the best stay home jobs for moms and dads to consider, which can provide good pay and more flexibility.
The State of Working From Home
In recent years, the remote working industry has totally boomed.
With the rise of the gig economy and easier access to online jobs; people all over the world can now compete internationally in order to earn.
In fact, 40% of us now rely on the gig economy to generate the majority of our income, with some even taking on multiple part-time roles.
Alongside the current outlook, the future is also looking bright; with more than 80% of large corporations planning on increasing their use of the flexible workforce.
Benefits of Working From Home
So what are the benefits of working online?
For parents especially, increased flexibility means you can spend more time around your children and have more control over working hours.
Perhaps you work during school hours or maybe you’d prefer a night time job- the point is, it’s your choice and when convenient for you.
Plus, you may experience some mental health benefits too. Working from home can be more enjoyable and productive than a typical 9-5.
90% of remote workers said they felt more morale and motivation compared to previous job situations, which is likely to have an impact on overall productivity and work quality at these companies.
Finally, all of the jobs we have listed can be done by a male or female (plus there are others out there that might interest you).
More than 50% of freelancers report that they would never go back to an office job, no matter the compensation on offer. It’s a stat that’s hard to argue with.
However we know that not everybody will share that mindset, so in this article, we looked at jobs with a solid salary range (which can vary based on experience and skills) and a decent flexibility schedule.
The Best Stay at Home Jobs for Moms or Dads
Truth is, there are much broader opportunities to work online now than there have ever been before.
Flexible working is so accessible and many traditional jobs can be adapted for remote working too. Here are some of the best stay at home jobs for moms and dads to consider.
1. Transcriber
A transcriber simply notes down what somebody else is saying. They create a speech record in situations like court or take notes in meetings.
Since the majority of meetings have moved over to Zoom or other video conferencing software these days; there’s still a high demand for transcribers.
Beware though; you’ll likely be working in real-time so would need some short handwriting or fast typing skills in order to excel at this role. The typical pay is approximately $15 per hour.
2. Customer Service Rep
With the rise of remote companies comes remote clientele; who still require high-quality outreach and service.
Customer service representatives can work over the phone, via email, or on live chat programs in order to solve issues and retain their clients.
This is considered more of an entry-level role and might hold more typical hours, but may offer progressions and upskilling opportunities that other roles do not.
The typical rate of pay as a customer service rep is approximately $14 per hour. But you can make much more pending experience and job requirements.
3. Virtual Assistant
The virtual assistant industry has absolutely boomed over the last few years, with more and more of those with general administrative skills moving online.
Tasks involved in this role are varied but may include data input, content creation, blog writing, calendar scheduling, and more.
This job can be in both freelance or employed capacity depending on your preference, and general VA’s average an hourly rate of $20 per hour.
However, those who specialize in particular programs or skills (such as a technical VA or a graphic designer VA) will find their rates could increase up to approximately $50 per hour.
4. Translator
Fairly obviously, translator jobs will suit those who are at least bilingual in their language skills. This work is likely to be reading and writing-based, and there is a high demand as companies become more global.
There is a wide variety of content to translate, including white papers, e-books, articles, websites, and more.
Some companies may require you to have a translation qualification; while others will just need proof of your language skills.
The average salary of a translator in the U.S. currently sits at just over $46,000, although some freelancers will be earning a lot more.
5. Graphic Designer
For those with the skills and training; roles in graphic design can easily be done remotely and pay at the top end of the scale.
Graphic designers create visual concepts, bringing ideas to life by using technical software and programs. This could be e-books, display ads, print materials, etc.
The average salary for a graphic designer employed in the U.S. sits at a tidy $45,000, while freelancers at the top end tend to make a more lucrative living.
6. Copy Editor
Copy editors are sticklers for grammar and perform proofreading for all forms of writing (i.e. ‘copy’) within their role.
Alongside editing copy for spelling and grammar reasons; copy editors may also choose the more persuasive or better-suited language for each piece.
Some copy editors specialize solely in website proofreading, while others may do books. Copy editing roles look different at every company and for every client.
The average salary for an entry-level U.S.-based copy editor is $30 per hour, with lots of progressions as experience is gained.
7. Event Planner
Event planning may have come to a bit of a standstill this year, but the multi-billion dollar industry will soon return and provide work once again.
Depending on your specific role; event planning can include structuring and co-ordinating different conventions, selecting vendors, caterers, and venues.
The role may be specialized in corporate events or focus on weddings and honeymoons, for example. The average event planner in the U.S. receives an approximate wage of $49,000 in their early career.
8. Writer
“Writer” is a very broad term, but covers those of us who use words to explain ideas (just like me, right now!).
Some of us are content writers, with a specialization in blogs and articles and an extra consideration for search engine optimization. You’ll also know about magazine writers, newspaper writers, and book authors.
You can even get paid to write product descriptions for Amazon, eBay, and Etsy stores, for example. To get each of these jobs requires different levels of skill, but on average, an entry-level writer will make an average of $50,000.
9. Content Marketer
Most of us consume tons of content every day through our social media apps, including in instagram posts, tiktok videos and internet infographics.
Have you ever thought about who is creating that content? These marketers come up with the overall strategy and goals of their content alongside the graphics and posts themselves.
Usually, someone in this role will also track and collect statistics about the impact of their work, reporting on key metrics. A content marketer can expect to receive a salary of approximately $50,000.
10. IT Support
An IT Support worker’s main role is to oversee the IT operations in a workplace and solve issues as they come up.
This definitely qualifies as one of the more traditional office roles and it may be hard to envisage this role working remotely as it is very hands-on.
But, IT support roles can be carried out over the phone or online, with the same levels of effectiveness. Those in this job can expect to receive annual compensation of approximately $44,000.
11. Bookkeeper
Unlike an accountant, a bookkeeper does not require any specific qualifications and is not bound by a compliance-heavy industry standard.
The role of a bookkeeper is to clearly report the incomings and outgoings of a company, overseeing all financial transactions.
It will suit someone with an analytical mind or those who are great at paying high attention to detail. Typically in the U.S., an entry-level bookkeeper will make approximately $44,000.
12. Tutor
As a tutor, you can expect to interact with children and teenagers outside of their school hours in order to help them excel with learning.
Performed via Zoom, you might be tutoring domestically, but there is also a big demand for English tutors working in foreign markets.
For example, there is a great demand in China for native speakers to tutor online, and the time zone difference can work out perfectly for after-school hours. Tutors working under well-known US agencies can expect to make between $15-$30 per hour.
13. Sales Rep
If you’re a competitive individual who’s confident in their abilities; perhaps a commission-based sales representative role may suit.
In this role, you may be working from a sales script in order to call or email warm prospects and turn them into customers. Y
ou may also be assigned to retain current customers or upsell; and will likely be given training.
The median salary for Sales Reps was $58,000 in 2018 but has risen since. And don’t forget the commission potentials pending the company you work for.
14. Data Entry Clerk
Requiring minimal qualifications, a data entry clerk can work from anywhere with just internet access and attention to detail.
The role might include entering account data or sorting information from one program to another. And the job may also involve compiling different sets of data into reports and presenting them to other team members.
Data entry clerks can expect to make around $13 per hour with minimal experience.
15. Online Teacher
An online teacher provides a similar service to a tutor, but is often more qualified as the role requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
Also known as remote or distance learning; students will interact with the teacher in either a 1 on 1 session or similar to a normal classroom setting.
With the events of 2020, demand for online teaching is like never before, so those qualified should easily find work. The average pay you should expect to receive will be around $40 per hour.
16. Start An Online Business
If you’re willing to go it alone, then starting an online business can be a good way to earn a living for stay-at-home parents.
There is such a large range of paths to take too, for example, you could start a blog (like this one!).
Alternatively, dropshipping is a popular form of online business, with business owners bypassing production to market and sell products made elsewhere while taking a cut.
Amazon FBA is another version of this, with sites like Etsy catering towards handmade creative suppliers.
Unfortunately, there is no average salary for this type of work as it completely depends on which route you take and the level of success. But there is a reason why so many people are getting into the industry.
17. Fitness Instructor
In recent years, social media has developed the fitness industry to shape the health and fitness trends we see today.
Due to the reach of social media, it means more and more fitness instructors, personal trainers and coaches have gone virtual.
This means lower expenditure (no studio hire or brick and mortar gym), and higher income, as they are able to reach customers all over the globe. As a base rate, a fitness instructor can expect to receive approximately $36,000 per year.
18. Web Designer
For the more technologically creative, web designer gigs offer lucrative compensation.
As a fairly new industry mainly run by freelancers, there is high demand and low competition compared to some of the other jobs on this list.
The role can involve the structural design of websites along with page design, branding, and copy.
Technically, you can start in this industry without any formal qualifications, but you are likely to require a strong portfolio of work before getting a client. A newer web designer will earn around $52,000 per year.
19. Programmer
For those with an interest and knowledge of coding, programmer jobs involve the maintenance of mobile apps and websites.
The role is for those highly skilled, but there are a number of beginner courses and resources available for anyone wanting to learn and get into the industry.
As well as the creation of apps and programs, programmers also troubleshoot issues and perform testing to integrate their products with other software. $84,000 is the average salary for a computer programmer working in the US.
20. Recruiting Coordinator
A recruitment coordinator deals with the hiring process for companies.
Usually an employee role, a typical recruitment coordinator will write and advertise job specifications, find and qualify candidates, perform interviews, and potentially start the hiring process too.
They work with others in the human resources department, and on average, make approximately $30 per hour.
21. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are responsible for growing brand awareness, increasing conversions, and tracking interactions through various platforms.
Working closely with a content marketer, they may also be responsible for strategy, graphics, scheduling, and copywriting within the captions.
A social media manager likely doesn’t need formal training or qualifications but would need a strong portfolio proving their impact for companies within their chosen industry or niche.
Social media managers can be employees or freelancers, and typically make approximately $44,000 per year.
22. Virtual Travel Agent
Virtual travel agents can work from anywhere in the world, even the beach! Their job is to take your vacation ideas and plan, book and oversee the trip to ensure it goes off without a hitch.
But beware, some virtual travel agent jobs can be scams or multi-level marketing companies, which require you to build up a downline of others in the team and don’t guarantee a good income.
A legitimate virtual travel agent can expect to make in the region of $49,000, and the role may include commission on top of a base wage.
23. Photographer/Photo Editor
It’s easy to pick up a camera and call yourself a photographer, but those in this role will also need a good rapport with their clients and be able to fully understand their vision.
Photo editors require similar skills, as well as software knowledge and the ability to edit photos to the requirements of their customers.
A freelance photographer is likely to make around $33 per hour, and the job may also include travel, which could be a perk.
Best Places to Find Legit Stay At Home Jobs
One thing you want to avoid is work from home scams or multi-level marketing scams that advertise false promises.
Instead, you want to find legit jobs that can offer you great gigs as part-time jobs or full-time pending your needs. Below are a few websites where you can find remote and freelance opportunities.
FlexJobs
The FlexJobs network offers legitimate, screened work-from-home opportunities perfect for parents who require a little extra flexibility.
Essentially a job board, the site allows you to filter results based on the industry, job type, and even how remote the job actually is.
For example, you can choose a part-time telecommuting or a fully remote job. To join, the site does have a membership fee, but this covers the cost of screening each and every job posting to ensure applicants are not wasting their time with scams.
Read my FlexJobs review to learn more about the platform and costs.
Remotive
Similarly, Remotive displays over 1,800 jobs, which are all remote-only and can be taken on by international applicants. The jobs are sorted by their role, including categories such as:
- Customer service
- Software development
- Business, and more
The company also offers various community channels, through Slack, Twitter, LinkedIn and more.
WeWorkRemotely
WeWork are well-known for their co-working spaces, but did you know that they also offer remote job opportunities?
Again, they categorize their job opportunities based on the skills required and boast a community of over 2.5 million visitors. The site is free for applicants, but costs companies to advertise.
Indeed
Indeed are one of the most popular job sites, as they cover both location-based and remote roles. To search for a work-from-home job, simply type remote into the location bar.
Beware, as some of these roles are not fully remote or require citizenship from a particular country to apply.
ZipRecruiter
Similar to Indeed, ZipRecruiter is a more broad job search site that offers a range of remote and non-remote jobs. They serve companies in multiple industries and have millions of job postings.
To search for stay at home jobs, simply type virtual or work from home in the search bar. You’ll then get a list of current positions in that space.