If you’re looking for flexible work-from-home jobs that don’t require a set schedule, keep reading; this post has you covered!
Flexibility has become the most desirable aspect of a career. In fact, research shows that 80% of job-hunting women want flexibility in their next role.
The internet has significantly increased the supply of flexible jobs to meet this demand.
Whether you need extra income or a full-time replacement, explore these flexible work-from-home jobs that allow you to schedule work around your life, not vice versa.
1. Transcribing and Captioning
Many businesses need audio transcribed and videos captioned. Since this is time-consuming, they often outsource to freelancers and independent contractors, making it a great flexible option.
Transcription agencies like Rev pay $0.30-$1.10 per audio minute, depending on whether you transcribe audio or video. While good for starting out, it’s unlikely to generate full-time income.
For example, earning $0.30 per audio minute equals about $18 per hour of audio, which could take 2-3 hours to transcribe, considering replay time.
If serious about transcription, you can start your own business or specialize in areas like legal transcription for higher earnings.
Additional transcription jobs that offer flexible hours include VA work, which helps small businesses with tasks like admin, calendar, content, and social media management.
Start with organizations like Fancy Hands for quick gigs or explore companies like Byron, which hires experienced VAs for project work, with pay based on skills and experience.
To build a higher-income VA business, consider training programs such as the free course from Abbey Ashley of The Virtual Savvy.
3. Freelance Proofreading Work
If you love reading and have a keen eye for grammar, proofreading can be a flexible way to earn income.
Many publishers and content creators need help editing blogs, ebooks, courses, and transcriptions.
Proofreading mainly involves spotting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Additional training, such as the Proofread Anywhere course, can help you start a proofreading business.
Find work through platforms like Babbletype, Upwork, and Express Writers, or source clients independently. Meeting deadlines is key to maintaining flexibility.
4. Online Researcher
If you excel at Boolean searches and enjoy digging into data, consider becoming an online researcher.
Businesses outsource research tasks to agencies like Wonder, where you can apply, demonstrate your skills, and work on assignments via your dashboard.
Pay varies but typically ranges from $40-$62 per hour. Note that Wonder is not currently accepting new applicants, but you can monitor their site for future opportunities.
5. Customer Service Representative
If you have excellent communication skills and enjoy helping people, flexible customer service roles are abundant.
Apply through agencies like NexRep, which offers roles across industries such as food, fashion, hospitality, and nonprofits. After certification, you can work as an independent contractor earning $15-$25 per hour with flexible scheduling.
Online tutoring is another option, suitable for those with teaching experience or certifications, offering flexible hours, often during peak times like evenings or weekends.
Platforms for tutoring include various online education companies, which you can explore to start your remote teaching career.
Freelance writing is also a flexible option, with opportunities to set your own schedule. Building a portfolio and finding clients through platforms like Contena and Problogger can lead to well-paying gigs.
Translation work is ideal for bilingual individuals, with agencies like Speakt and Gengo offering opportunities to earn extra income based on language skills.
9. Short Tasks
Small, one-off tasks are perfect for side income and maximum flexibility. You can choose tasks online or go out for assignments like photographing store displays through companies like Gigwalk.
10. Social Media Manager
If you're familiar with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok, managing social media accounts can be lucrative.
This includes creating content, moderating, engaging with audiences, and running paid campaigns. Skills in Canva and Photoshop can also open opportunities in graphic design, such as logos, marketing assets, and printables.
To start, explore platforms and resources for social media management and graphic design jobs.
If you love animals, consider pet-sitting or dog walking through apps like Rover, which allows you to set your schedule and prices.
AI training jobs are also flexible, involving tasks like data labeling, research, and coding, paying from $12 to over $30 per hour. Companies offering such roles include...
For those interested in online bookkeeping, prior experience and QuickBooks knowledge are usually required. A free online course can help you start your own bookkeeping business from home.
Most jobs listed are freelance or independent contractor roles, which offer flexibility but also responsibilities like self-employment taxes and health insurance. If you prefer traditional employment, some companies provide flexible full-time roles with set schedules.
Finding a remote job with no fixed schedule is possible across freelance, part-time, full-time, or entrepreneurial paths.
Originally published July 13, 2020. Content updated August 2024.
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Corrie Alexander is a content creator and logistics enthusiast from Toronto, Ontario. She’s passionate about career development, exercise, and coffee. As a trained writer and virtual assistant, she helps bloggers and small business owners grow. Learn more at The Fit Careerist.