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Work-from-home jobs are the holy grail of making extra money. They don’t just help you earn more; they also help you create a work schedule that fits into your busy life.
If you’ve been searching for work-at-home opportunities, however, you already know there is a catch. Finding legitimate work-from-home jobs is tough because, quite frankly, there is a lot of garbage out there.
This guide was designed to help you find legitimate work-at-home jobs that can help you earn real money. No shady MLM schemes. No selling junk at parties with your friends. We’re talking about real jobs where you can make at least $10 an hour or more—sometimes much more!
These online jobs are all good opportunities to work from home, typically on a part-time basis to start. Many of them involve you starting your own business—a business that could grow into a full-time gig. Regardless of the path you choose, they are all real work-from-home jobs that could help you put cash in your pocket.
Are you ready to cut through the bull and learn some real ways to make money from home? Let’s get to it!
If You Want to Make a Quick Buck…
Want to make a quick buck for doing practically nothing? Taking paid surveys can help.
Let’s be clear, though: taking surveys will not make you rich. You can’t depend on them for a part-time job either. (For those, you’ll need to keep scrolling.) However, they can be a decent way to make some extra pocket change while you’re surfing channels at night.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Survey Junkie – Get paid in cash or gift cards to take surveys and share your opinion about a variety of products and services.
- Toluna – Earn cash or gift cards by giving opinions about popular brands like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Expedia, and more. You can even earn money from your iOS or Android device.
- Lifepoints – This is another popular survey company that pays cash for your opinions about popular brands. Topics include things like sports, travel, health, and more.
Again, taking surveys is not meant to be a full-time job. This works best as a supplement to the things you’re already doing. For more, you may want to check out this piece on ways to save money fast.
Work-at-Home Jobs with Unlimited Income Potential
Home-based work can be separated into two categories: jobs where you work for yourself (and have unlimited income potential) and jobs in which you work for somebody else (with an income ceiling). Neither type necessarily requires you to work full-time. However, these are all online jobs, which means you’ll need a high-speed internet connection in order to work from home.
If working at home is your dream, you should definitely consider starting your own business. Again, don’t think that this has to start out as a full-time job. You can work any of these jobs part-time, helping you to make extra money on the side.
On one hand, working for yourself is great because you have more flexibility and freedom. Your income potential is typically limited by the type of work you do, the amount of work you can get done, and the number of clients you have. That also means that you only get paid by doing the work and completing projects.
Self-employment, whether part-time or full-time, is usually best for self-starters who love the challenge of tackling problems and creating new streams of revenue. For this section, we’ve included a list of training resources after each job.
#1) Freelance Writer
Want to work from home and earn real money? Freelance writing is one of the best ways to make it happen. It also provides one of the quickest returns.
Freelance writing has completely changed our lives. For years, we worked great jobs in a funeral home. However, those jobs also demanded tons of time and exceptional amounts of emotional energy. We found ourselves working nights, weekends, and holidays, getting called out at all hours of the night, and missing countless family events. These were good jobs, but they grew tiring.
Holly fell into freelance writing on a whim. She submitted several pitches for guest posts and ended up landing a few clients. After roughly 6 months of freelancing on the side, she was making enough money to replace her income and work at home full-time. Now, she makes over $200,000 a year from writing alone. Not bad for a home-based business, eh?
How Much Do Freelance Writers Get Paid?
As I mentioned above, freelance writers can make an incredible amount of money. It all depends on the quality of their work, the niche in which they write, and their experience level.
In the beginning, most freelance writers make anywhere from $25 to $100 for a 500- to 1,000-word article. After a while, writers generally increase their rates, and many earn over six figures a year.
It’s really a great way to make extra money because you can work as many or as few hours as you’d like. Best of all, you can work from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
Where to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
You may not realize it, but online freelance writing jobs can be found in a bazillion different places. Think about it: every website needs somebody to write content. From business websites to blogs, writers can find jobs at thousands of different online locations. While they’re not always the highest-paying, online writing jobs can also be found on various job boards.
Training Resources for Freelance Writers
One of the best things about freelance writing is that you don’t need any special degrees to do it. While a background in journalism or English may help, you definitely don’t need it to become a freelance writer. Most of the freelancers I know don’t have a degree that relates to writing. In fact, some have no college degree at all.
Check out our guide to becoming a freelance writer to learn more.
#2) Proofreader
Proofreading is another legit work-from-home job where you can actually earn real money. Again, this is something that you can do from almost anywhere in the world, provided you have an internet connection.
As a proofreader, you’ll be asked to proofread all types of content. Proofreaders look for errors on documents, books, blog posts, and more. It’s a great work-at-home opportunity for somebody who has a decent command of the English language and an exceptional eye for detail.
Proofreaders can work as “general proofreaders,” or they can specialize in certain areas, such as proofreading transcripts for court reporters. While there are generally more jobs available to general proofreaders, those with specialized skills and training can typically charge more for their services.
How much do proofreaders get paid?
Depending on the type of proofreading you’re doing and the number of clients you have, you could easily make over $2,000 a month proofreading. Before focusing on other areas of her business, our friend Caitlin Pyle turned her proofreading business into a full-time, $50,000-a-year job. That’s a really nice gig, especially since it’s home-based work.
Where to Find Proofreading Jobs
Like virtual assistants, proofreaders can find jobs with almost any business that publishes content online. They provide a second set of eyes for publishers and can help them create content that looks more polished and professional. Those with specialized skills, like transcript proofreading, can also find work proofreading transcripts for court reporters.
Training Resources for Proofreaders
If you want to turn your obsession with proofreading into a work-at-home business, our friend Caitlin has a free informational workshop to get you started. You’ll learn how to sharpen your proofreading skills, tips for marketing those skills, and how to find jobs as a professional proofreader.
Get started as a proofreader with this free workshop!
#3) Blogger
If you believe everything you read on the internet, you’d think that making money by blogging would be a piece of cake. While it is a legitimate work-from-home job, making money from a blog isn’t as easy as it seems.
Building a profitable blog takes time and a lot of hard work. You can’t just throw up a new blog and expect to start earning thousands in your first month. In fact, there’s absolutely no guarantee that you’ll make any money at all. Blogging is a long-term investment that most people should try simply because they enjoy writing.
That’s not to say that blogging isn’t a real work-from-home option. I personally know dozens of people who make more than six figures a year from their blogs, including my own family. In fact, I’d highly encourage you to start a blog if you feel inclined. Eventually, it can be a great source of residual income. Just don’t go into it thinking you’re going to make a ton of money right out of the gate.
How much do bloggers get paid?
Blog income is notoriously difficult to predict, fluctuating wildly from one month to another, especially when first starting out. The simple truth is that most bloggers don’t make any money for at least the first several months. More likely, they probably won’t be profitable for a year or longer.
With that said, bloggers can expect to make a few hundred dollars a month, up to tens of thousands. A blogger’s salary completely depends on their niche, their audience, and how skilled they are at promoting either their own products or somebody else’s.
For example, in 2019, I made over $500,000 in revenue on this blog alone. Don’t believe me? Just follow the link to check out our annual income report. While my website is certainly near the top of the heap, it isn’t unusual for bloggers to make over six figures a year.
Where to Find Blogging Jobs
Bloggers typically own their own websites and make money by selling their own products or advertising others. Advertising revenue is generated through advertisements, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
In addition to their own blogs, many bloggers look for online writing jobs. Freelance writing provides a steadier stream of income than blogging, and it is easier to start making money quickly, making it a great way to supplement your income as you grow your own blog.
Training Resources for Bloggers
Starting your own blog is relatively easy. To get started on your own, just use our free step-by-step tutorial to build your first blog now.
For some in-depth training about making money with a blog, our friend Michelle created a course called Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. In this course, you’ll also learn the ins and outs of making money from your blog through affiliate marketing! It’s a great course for both beginners and experienced bloggers, and we think you’ll find a ton of value in it.
For more free information about blogging, check out my free blogging course by joining below!
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#4) Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant, also known as a VA, is another great online job that can help you make money from home. Like freelance writing, all it takes is an internet connection and a drive to succeed to get started.
Pretty much every serious blogger and online entrepreneur I know has at least one virtual assistant. Think of a VA like an administrative assistant at a regular office building, except they are working remotely. Duties can include practically any administrative task you can think of, including handling emails, bookkeeping, completing sales, customer service, editing websites, and much more. Specializations in areas like social media management or online ad management are another option.
Kayla Sloan, who happens to be one of the most in-demand virtual assistants I know, believes being a VA is one of the best work-from-home jobs for moms who stay home (or dads, for that matter).
“What I love about being a VA is that you can work as much or as little as you want,” says Sloan. “Since it’s completely online, you can work from home, and nobody ever has to know if you’re wearing real pants!”
How much do virtual assistants get paid?
Depending on their expertise, skill level, and duties, virtual assistants generally make anywhere from $10 to $75 per hour. Starting out, our friend Kayla made about $16 an hour, which is really good considering that she no longer had expenses for commuting, clothing, and more.
As her skills have improved, she has gradually increased her rate. “Now, I’m earning five figures [a month] with my full-time VA business, which is five times what I used to make at my old-day job!”
Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
As I noted, VAs have tons of opportunity to find online work from blogs, businesses, and more. Generally speaking, the best jobs often come as a result of client referrals and word of mouth. However, job boards like Upwork are another good place to get your foot in the door.
Training Resources for Virtual Assistants
Again, you don’t need any specialized degrees to start a virtual assistant business. By learning a few online skills that business owners need, you can create your own at-home job that allows you to work whenever you want.
With that said, there are certainly a few tricks to getting your foot in the door. Our friend Kayla’s new course called “$10K VA” teaches you the exact steps she has used to make a consistent $10,000 a month. She covers topics like pitching clients, creating efficient systems, pricing your services, and more. It’s a great opportunity to hit the ground running by learning from one of the best VAs around. Learn more about the $10K VA course here.
#5) Voiceover Artist
Do you enjoy performing? Want to get paid to talk? Becoming a voiceover professional may be a great gig for you.
Voiceover performers use their voices to make money. They get paid to work on anything from radio and TV commercials to movies. These days, you may even find voiceover (VO) work for ads on Spotify, YouTube, and more!
How much do voiceover artists get paid?
Voiceover can be a very lucrative profession for the most successful performers. In fact, my friend Carrie Olson makes a full-time living as a voiceover artist.
At the top of the scale, voiceover pros in big-budget movies can make millions per job. With that said, it’s more likely that you’ll make somewhere in the range of $20 to a few hundred dollars an hour, depending on your skill and experience.
Where to Find VO Jobs
Voiceover jobs aren’t super easy to find, and it definitely helps to know the right people. Like with other professions in the arts, it is important to build your skills and start networking right away. Consider getting some voiceover training and possibly joining a Facebook group with other VO professionals. Check out this free guide on how to get started in voiceover!
Training Resources for Voiceover Artists
To land voiceover jobs, you’ll need the right training and equipment. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources out there to get you started.
My friend Carrie Olson offers free VO resources, voiceover coaching, and an intensive course called Voiceover Success. She’ll help you find the right equipment and get the right training so you can start landing voiceover jobs quickly. Learn more here.
#6) Transcriptionist
Do you have great typing skills, an eye for detail, and a relatively good command of the English language? Working as a transcriptionist may be a good fit for you.
As a transcriptionist, you will transcribe either video or voice recordings into written words. Although medical transcription is what usually comes to mind, the fact is that there is now a far greater need for general transcriptionists. With businesses and bloggers increasingly turning to podcasts and video to reach their audiences, these mediums are often turned into written content for marketing purposes or training materials.
Transcriptionists can work from home, have the benefit of setting their own hours, and enjoy the freedom that comes with being their own boss. Best of all, this is another job that you can do either part-time or full-time.
How much do transcriptionists get paid?
Salaries for transcriptionists vary widely by experience and field. Most general transcriptionists report making between $10 and $25 per hour, with the median rate seeming to fall somewhere in the $15 an hour range. Legal transcriptionists can generally charge more as it is a more specialized field.
Transcriptionists often get paid “per audio minute.” So, while you may be making $1.00 per audio minute (or $60 per audio hour), it’s important to remember that your actual hourly rate will not work out to that amount.
Where to Find Transcription Jobs
Because of the booming popularity of audio and video, transcriptionists are finding work through a variety of different means. Many companies hire transcriptionists to turn their audio or video recordings into marketing or training materials. Video marketers (think YouTubers) may also hire transcriptionists to transcribe their recordings into written form so they can sell their services and products online. Law firms and government agencies also hire qualified legal transcriptionists to work for them.
Training Resources for Transcriptionists
Although starting your own home-based transcription business may seem like an easy task, the truth is that there is a lot more that goes into it than meets the eye.
Transcribe Anywhere is a great course for aspiring transcription professionals looking to turn their work-from-home dreams into reality. The course covers the essential technical skills every transcriptionist needs, including time-saving tools to boost your efficiency. You’ll also learn how to find work and build your at-home business from the ground up. Get started with a free introductory transcription course by following the link above.
#7) Web Designer
For those with the technical skills and an eye for graphic design, starting a career in web design is one of the best work-from-home jobs there is.
These days, every business needs a website to succeed. Of course, most business owners have neither the time nor the skills to create a website that looks attractive and is easy for their customers to use. Bloggers, clubs, organizations, and more all need websites as well. That’s where a web designer comes in.
With just a few skills and the ability to deliver quality work, you could easily make money from home by designing websites. Better yet, you get to work for yourself and set your own hours, and your income potential is virtually unlimited.
How much do web designers get paid?
Like other online jobs where you work for yourself, the amount of money you make is directly related to your skill level and the number of clients you can land. According to Salary.com, the median salary for web designers is over $73,000 a year. That is great money, especially when you consider that you’ll be working from home.
Where to Find Web Design Jobs
Many of the best web design jobs come from customer referrals.11 Legitimate Work However, a great way to get started is by listing your services on websites like 99designs or Fiverr. Here, you can connect with thousands of potential customers who are searching for the exact services you offer. You may also have the opportunity to upsell them after they purchase your introductory offer.
Training Resources for Web Designers
11 Legitimate Work Although some online and technical colleges offer degree programs in web design, many of the skills you need can be self-taught. However, there are some technical design elements that you’ll need to learn and that can help you stand out. Before investing thousands in a degree program, you may want to check out some of the web design courses on Udemy instead.
#8) Odd Jobs
Doing odd jobs may not sound that exciting, but if you’re dedicated, it can be one of the most profitable work-from-home jobs around.
There are literally hundreds of tasks that people don’t want to do.11 Legitimate Work And whenever there is a need, you can find ways to profit from it.
Whether it is raking the yard or putting together a TV stand, you can make real money doing odd jobs for others. Sure, you can’t always enjoy the comfort of working from home, but you can certainly do some of your work there. Plus, getting paid to work for yourself is better than heading to the office any day, right?
Where to Find Odd Jobs
If you want to make money doing odd jobs, you’ve got a few options to find work. First, you can always try the old-fashioned way of going door to door and distributing flyers. If you’d like to get more exposure and spend less effort, you can also list your services on sites like TaskRabbit or Craigslist.
Home-based Jobs for Other Companies
If working for yourself sounds like a major pain, don’t worry. There are still plenty of real work-from-home jobs in which you can work for an established company. These are more traditional jobs where a company hires you and pays an hourly wage. Typically, these jobs involve addressing customer questions and making calls that are directed virtually to your own phone.
11 Legitimate Work Working remotely for an established company is similar to working a desk job, except you get to work at home. Most jobs require you to chat with customers online or via the phone, but their biggest draw is the fact that you’ll earn an hourly wage and receive a (relatively) steady paycheck. You’ll usually be asked to work regular hours, but you can do it in your pajamas if you’d like. Even better, some companies might actually provide you with benefits.
The vast majority of these jobs require no special degrees or education. Since most positions require on-the-job training, we’ve replaced the “Training Resources” section with a “Job Resources” section at the end of each listing.
Find Legit Jobs at FlexJobs. If you want the flexibility of working from home but the security of working for an employer, FlexJobs is a great place to start. Each job listing has been screened to make sure it is legit. Learn more here.
#9) Online Tutor
With the online education space exploding, online tutoring jobs are a great way to make money from home. With the right set of skills, this can easily be a lucrative part-time career.
11 Legitimate Work Online tutors are needed for a wide variety of subjects. Some jobs require you to tutor high school or college students in what can be considered “standard” subjects. Other tutoring jobs, like teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), require interaction and instruction with students from around the globe. These types of positions are more specialized and may require additional training.
11 Legitimate Work Although there are plenty of legitimate work-from-home jobs for online tutors, some of the jobs you’ll find are a bit scammy. Save yourself some time and effort by sticking to reputable companies when applying for jobs online.
How much do online tutors get paid?
According to Glassdoor, most online tutors make between $10 and $15 an hour, although some more experienced and qualified tutors can make as much as $20 an hour. As usual, salaries often depend on your educational background, skill level, and expertise.
Where to Find Online Tutoring Jobs
11 Legitimate Work Online teaching jobs can be found at a number of different websites across the web. For general tutoring, websites like Tutor.com and Varsity Tutors are good places to start. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to complete a video interview before being hired.
Training Resources for Online Tutors
In some cases, online tutoring jobs may require a bachelor’s degree or professional certificates.11 Legitimate Work However, some jobs only require some sort of “informal” teaching experience, like tutoring, coaching, or mentoring. For those interested in teaching English as a foreign language, earning an online TEFL certificate may be a good investment.
#10) Customer Service Representative
Do you enjoy helping others, have great interpersonal skills, and like to talk on the phone? A career as a customer service representative may be right up your alley.
11 Legitimate Work Many companies hire customer service representatives to assist customers while working remotely. Rather than requiring you to report to a call center, these jobs allow you to work from home, provided you have the necessary equipment. Generally speaking, you’ll need a landline telephone, a computer, and access to the internet.
Although you might be required to work during certain hours, you do have the flexibility of working from home. With that in mind, these jobs are not always a good fit for stay-at-home mothers and fathers. Because you’ll be speaking with customers via phone, you’ll need a quiet space to work.
How Much Do At-Home Customer Service Representatives Get Paid?
11 Legitimate Work Working an at-home customer service job generally pays between $8 and $15 an hour, depending on your skills and experience. Those with specialized skills or who know multiple languages may be able to command higher rates.
Where to Find Work-from-Home Customer Service Jobs
Customer service reps are hired by all types of different companies. You can search for jobs at well-known companies like Amazon and American Express or on reputable job boards.
Job Resources for Customer Service Representatives
If you think this type of home-based work is something you’d like to pursue, you can use these links to search for companies that are consistently hiring:
#11) Technical Support Representative
If you are somebody who is relatively tech-savvy and enjoys solving technical problems, working at home as a technical support specialist may be for you.
11 Legitimate Work This is another area where large, often tech-focused, companies are consistently looking to hire remote workers. Like customer service agents, tech support specialists are focused on answering customer questions and solving their problems. However, tech support is more specialized, so it does require a little knowledge about working with the product.
How Much Do Technical Support Representatives Get Paid?
11 Legitimate Work Like most work-at-home jobs, the amount of money you make depends on your experience level and any specialties you may have. According to Salary.com, annual salaries for technical support representatives range from roughly $29,600 to $43,300, with a median salary of $34,400 a year. That breaks down to about $16.50 an hour, but again, this figure varies widely.
Where to Find Work-from-Home Tech Support Jobs
In addition to large tech companies like Apple and Dell, at-home jobs for technical support representatives are available from any number of large companies that sell products with any type of technological component to them. 11 Legitimate Work Keep in mind that technology isn’t just limited to electronics. Companies selling any type of product with working parts may need technical support representatives to help customers with problems operating the product.
Final Thoughts: Are Work-From-Home Jobs Real?
Here’s the short answer: Yes, you can work from home and make real money.
11 Legitimate Work With so many scammy work-at-home job “openings” out there, working from home tends to get a bad rap. However, there are hundreds of legitimate ways to make money from home. While not an all-inclusive list, the nine jobs above are great ideas for starting a home-based career.
FAQs
Can I really make money with legitimate work-from-home jobs?
Yes. Although not all work-at-home jobs are real, there are plenty of legitimate ways to make money from home. In fact, many people earn their entire living by working from home.
What are some legit work-from-home jobs?
Let’s face it: Not all work-at-home jobs are legitimate. If you know where to look, however, there is plenty of opportunity to make real money from home
11 Legitimate Work
For example, there are hundreds of ways you can work from home if you are willing to be your own boss. Freelance writing, becoming a virtual assistant, and doing odd jobs are just a few ways you can earn money from home by working for yourself.
Many large companies will pay you an hourly wage to work remotely as a customer service representative, technical support specialist, and more.
How much can I make with work-at-home jobs?
Like all jobs, the amount of money you make working from home depends on a number of factors, including the type of work you’re doing, your skills, and whether you’re working for a company or for yourself.
Creating your own work-at-home business is a great way to work from home. 11 Legitimate Work If you’re successful, you’ll also enjoy the benefits of unlimited income potential. On the flip side, working for yourself also means you have to go out and find work or sell your services, so there are no guarantees you’ll make any money.
11 Legitimate Work If you prefer more stability in your paychecks, there are plenty of legit work-from-home job opportunities available through established companies. However, the comfort of a steady paycheck may be worth it to you.