You Don't Have To Go Into The Office To Earn Good Money
The pandemic seems like a distant, awful memory, but it spurred several huge societal changes, one of which was the widespread introduction of work-from-home jobs. While many of these jobs could have been done from home much earlier, the pandemic forced us to rethink how and where we work. Five years on, these are some of the most popular WFH jobs.
You're Working From Home, Then Suddenly...
You've been asked to return to work in the office. For many, this might mean a different length of morning commute than before, or suddenly needing to find childcare for your kids, or even buying a new car. Along with the headache that being forced to return to the office will bring, for most positions, it's not necessary for you to be in the office.
Here's What To Do If You're Asked To Return To The Office
Despite the many reasons why you don't need to be in the office to be productive at work, some bosses like to see their workers in the office. If you've been asked to return to work at the office (despite no loss of productivity in the last five years) while working from home, you can do a few things instead of caving to the demand.
Ask To Work Remotely Part-Time
While maintaining full-time employee status, you could ask your boss if they'd allow you to work remotely three days a week while coming into the office for the remaining two. It's a good compromise that demonstrates a willingness to bend to company policy, but doesn't give up remote work entirely.
Demonstrate How Difficult It Would Be To Come Into The Office
If they're not amenable to you working half remote, half in-office, you may need to put your foot down and clearly demonstrate how difficult it would be for you to suddenly be required to come into the office for work—finding childcare, transportation, additional associated expenses, etc. See if they're willing to offer you a raise to compensate for this new requirement. If they're still unmoved...
Photo By: Kaboompics.com, Pexels
It May Be Time To Look For A New Job
If management is still unmoved by your pleas and demonstrative difficulty at getting into the office effectively, then it may be time to start looking for a new job. We have some recommendations below for work-from-home positions that offer excellent salary options.
Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing is one of those work-from-home jobs that was all the rage a few years ago, but whose popularity has somewhat slipped recently. As an affiliate marketer, you'll earn your money through others using affiliate links to purchase products. These can be affiliate links on a blog you write, or in the descriptions of YouTube videos. Affiliate marketers can earn $82,000 annually, with very few startup costs.
Bookkeeper Or Accountant
If you love numbers and finances, then maybe a career as a bookkeeper or accountant would be right up your alley. Whether you're helping people do their taxes or working for a company, as long as you have a stable internet connection, you can set up as a bookkeeper or accountant. You can even get your certification online. The average salary for a Chartered Professional Accountant is $68,000 annually.
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers are in high demand as the world reckons with the prevalence of artificial intelligence. Another certification that you don't need a four-year degree for, computer programmers need expert knowledge of CSS, Java, and other tech languages, but can otherwise work from anywhere! Whether freelancing or working full-time for a company, computer programmers can earn an average of $114,000 annually.
Travel Agent Or Advisor
If you love to travel and want to help others live out their travel dreams, consider becoming a travel agent or advisor. With a little training and a keen eye for the best deals out there, you could be well on your way to your next destination—and earning an average annual salary of $90,000.
Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives, or CSRs, are often some of the first jobs people have. But in today's world, they're almost all done remotely for large corporations through contracts with CSR companies. If you think you have the patience and skills to help people navigate problems over the phone, consider becoming a CSR. It's a great launching pad into the customer service world and could net you an annual salary of $48,000.
Graphic Designer
Did you always have a paintbrush in your hand as a young'un? If so, then transition those artistic skills to the digital world and become a graphic designer. You can either go to school for graphic design, or simply start out on your own as a freelancer. You could work for individual companies as a freelancer, or work for a large corporation as part of their marketing department. Graphic designers who work full-time earn an average annual salary of $65,000.
Music Instructor
Musicians are probably some of the most talented people you know. If you're a musician and are looking to make some extra money, maybe it's time to teach others how to play as well as you do! Music instructors who work from home can either take students in-person or virtually. Whether in-person or virtual, you could make as much as $55,000 per year.
Seamstress Or Tailor
Sewing is a lost art, or so they say. That's why seamstresses and tailors are in high demand. If you're a small-time seamstress who's used to repairing your kids' clothing, consider taking your talents to the next level and offering your services professionally. Busy seamstresses and tailors often make about $48,000 per year.
SEO Expert
If you're immersed in the world of search engine optimization and understand how to make businesses more visible online and more profitable as a result, consider offering your services to businesses as an SEO expert. You'll be exclusively working from home and as long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can average about $65,000 per year.
Social Media Manager
Social media is the communication of the present. It's how we remain interconnected with friends and family thousands of miles away. It's also how companies market their products and services most effectively. This requires the skills of social media managers—people who understand how social media works and how it can be used to bring in more customers to businesses. If you're a social media-savvy person, consider becoming a social media manager. You'll be working entirely online and could earn an annual salary of $65,000.
Stylist
If you understand clothing, hairstyles, and have an eye for new fashion trends, there are plenty of people out there who will throw money at you to help them stay "in style". You could work remotely as a stylist for a celebrity or VIP, ordering outfits, sending them to a client, and then advising on what looks best. Stylists can make an average of $40,000 per year.
Telehealth Worker
If you have a background in healthcare, and were a Nurse Practitioner or Registered Nurse but have recently moved or want to slow down your work schedule, try transitioning to the role of a telehealth worker. This will allow you to work from home and see patients virtually. While it may not be as hands-on, it's a perfect opportunity for those who require more flexibility in their work schedule. Telehealth triage nurses earn an average of $88,000 annually.
Transcriptionist
If you've got a good ear and fast fingers, then you can make great money as a transcriptionist. Listening to an audio recording and typing out the words on the page with supreme accuracy is all part of the job of a transcriptionist. You can either work independently, even finding lucrative contracts for transcribing audiobooks, or work full-time for a company. Transcriptionists can make an average annual salary of $55,000.
Translator Or Interpreter
If you can speak a second or third language, you can make great money as a translator or interpreter. You can use your language and typing skills to translate documents for everyone from NGOs to the federal government. Translators aren't required to have an American Translators Association certification, but it could go a long way toward netting you that average annual salary of $57,000.
Virtual Assistant
If you know a busy businessperson, chances are they have an assistant that helps them with things like scheduling appointments or meetings, crafting social media posts, and so on. Virtual assistants are in high demand in an increasingly busy world and can earn an average annual salary of $55,000.
Public Relations Professional
If you have a degree in public relations, you could find full-time work online as a public relations professional within a company, firm, or government entity. PR professionals are masters at crafting speeches, running ad campaigns, writing press releases, and business promotion. As a PR professional, you'll likely work entirely online (particularly if you work for a PR firm) and can earn an impressive annual salary of $53,000.
Virtual Recruiter
Recruiting qualified people to work at jobs when there's a labor shortage is no mean feat. In-person recruitment is also generally a thing of the past, which is why virtual recruiters are now one of the most sought-after jobs in the WFH sector. Virtual recruiters help companies make decisions about who to hire and who to pass on. Many companies now use AI to weed out bad resumes, but a virtual recruiter could still earn $65,000 annually.
Virtual Therapist
If you're a licensed professional counsellor and are just getting back into the workforce after taking some time off, you could make the same money as an in-person therapist while offering your counselling services online over Zoom. Virtual therapists who take clients from out of their state require a special license, but once you've got that, you're good to go! Virtual therapists earn an average annual salary of $65,000.
Voice Acting
If you've always been told that you've got one of "those acting voices," why not put it to the test? Voice acting for television and movies can become an extremely lucrative career, but will require some upfront investment in a studio space with soundproofing, top-quality microphones, and audio equipment. However, you'll be making about $90,000 a year if you go full-time, so it'll pay for itself in no time.
Website Testing
Most beautifully crafted websites that you visit today weren't always that way. No, before they were tested by website testers for their efficacy, they were likely clunky, slow, and not at all user-friendly. Website testers are professionals who understand how websites should look, operate, and run smoothly. Website testers often have an industry-specific background and test websites for efficacy within their industry. But, as a website tester, you could earn upwards of $65,000 annually.
IT Support Specialist
We all need help with our computers sometimes, which is when we call on IT support specialists. These are IT professionals with a knack for problem-solving. From incorrect passwords to Cryptolocker scams that threaten whole networks, if you're an IT support specialist, you could earn a living from the comfort of your couch, and an average annual salary of $49,500.
AI Trainer
Artificial intelligence is an industry that's only growing, projected to grow by $1.3 trillion over the next decade. But Artificial intelligence is only as good as its human trainers, which is where your next job could be. If you understand artificial intelligence systems, you could land a job as an AI trainer. Whether you work freelance or full-time, it could be a very lucrative career, with an average salary of $86,000 per year.
Photo Or Video Editor
If you're a dab hand with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, or any other photo or video editing software, there are photographers and videographers who will hire you to help them edit images and videos. It takes a lot of time to process images and videos and those in the industry can spend hours and days working on it. Or, they could hand the project off to you! Full-time editors can make up to $65,000 annually.
Intellectual Property Attorney
Attorneys of all sorts can do most of their work from home, but intellectual property attorneys can work entirely remotely. Unlike traditional lawyers who often wind up in court, IP attorneys can do all their work from the computer. You could make over $150,000 a year without having to leave home.
Data Entry Clerk
Data entry clerks used to be strictly office-based jobs working for a company or in a doctor's office, but thanks to the internet, they can now do all their work from the comfort of their own home. Some data entry clerks can work 9 to 5 jobs, while others have a more flexible schedule. If you're a quick typist with an eye for detail, data entry clerk positions could pay an average annual salary of $42,000.
Child Caregiver
Every parent everywhere is screaming out for more childcare in their local area. If you like kids and have the requisite childcare certifications, you could offer childcare for parents in need from the comfort of your home. You'll need licensing and insurances to begin offering them from your own home, but that may be easier (and more cost-effective) for you than renting a space or working for someone else. Childcare providers can earn an average annual salary of $35,000.
Career Or Life Coaching
If you've lived a particularly interesting life or have an interesting perspective on life that you think may benefit others, consider becoming a virtual career or life coach. You don't have to take certifications or courses, but the accreditations they offer will lend you credibility when you first meet with your clients. Life/career coaches can make an average annual salary of $69,000.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com, Pexels
Writer Or Editor
If you've got a gift for words and language, you might find great work as a writer or editor. Whether full-time or freelance, almost all writing and editing positions for companies are exclusively online. No need for the office commute for you, just pull up to your desk in the morning and start writing! You could earn an average annual salary of $69,000.
Baker, Chef, Or Caterer
If you love to cook or bake for your children, or are a master of preparing food at family gatherings for large numbers of people, consider opening your own at-home bakery or cooking service—whether for community gatherings, private parties, or even to sell your baked goods at the local farmer's market. You'll need to acquire the requisite licenses and insurances, but once you have them, you're good to get baking from the comfort of your home.
Workers Are More Productive At Home
In the last few years, multiple long-term studies and surveys have confirmed that workers are more productive at home than they are in the office. In some studies, productivity rose by 13% overall. In the US, 21% of Coloradoans work from home, meanwhile just 8.2% of workers in Louisiana work from home.
Which Work From Home Job Do You Do?
Do you work from home? What's your WFH position? Let us know what you did if your boss asked you to return to the office, or what you'd do if they did. If you had an ideal WFH job, what would it be?
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