If you’re a stay-at-home mom or dad, you may have wondered if it’s possible to juggle your house and child duties with stay at home jobs.
Whether you’re looking for a small supplementary income or a substantial primary income, you’ll be pleased to know that there are more stay-at-home jobs out there than ever before.
Since most job tasks can be done online and more employers are allowing their employees to work from home or hiring remote freelancers, there’s never been a better time to make money on your own terms.
The biggest advantages of working from home are that you can choose how much work you take on and when you do it. This is perfect for stay-at-home parents – you might prefer to work in the evenings once your children have gone to sleep.
26 Best Stay at Home Jobs (for Moms or Dads)
Here are the top stay at home jobs:
- Bookkeeping
- Proofreading
- Virtual Assistant
- Data Entry
- Transcription
- Customer Service Rep
- Chat Agent
- Virtual Receptionist
- Virtual Travel Agent
- Social Media Manager
- Baby Equipment Rental
SHOW ALL
Admin & Data Entry Jobs
1. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is a traditional job that can be easily migrated online since minimal client interaction is needed. If you’re good with numbers and organized, it could be a viable path for you and luckily, every business needs a bookkeeper, so there is not much lack of options when it comes to finding online bookkeeping jobs.
If you have a wide network, you might be able to offer your services to people you already know. But don’t fret, if not, you could use a freelancing website. You can expect a wage of at least $20 an hour, as this is a specialized service.
2. Proofreading
If you’re looking for a slightly more high-paid job, becoming a freelance proofreader could be a good option. Of course, more skills are needed to justify the higher earning potential. Being a proofreader isn’t easy – you’ll need excellent grammar – but if you feel confident with writing and grammar, then it could be an excellent fit for you.
There are lots of proofreading jobs listed on Flexjobs that you can secure as a remote employee (which involves working for a company from home), but it’s easiest to find work as a freelancer on websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
You can learn more about proofreading and how to get started in our post on online proofreading jobs.
3. Virtual Assistant
Many individuals and businesses choose to seek help for tasks that are basic yet time-consuming. These activities may include customer service, administration, photo-captioning, or typing.
Since you can perform all of these tasks from a computer, virtual assistants can easily do them.
Becoming a virtual assistant is a great career option for anyone who is confident in their digital skills and enjoys performing a wider variety of tasks. There’s also plenty of work available since more and more companies are choosing to outsource specific tasks to focus on the creative direction of their business.
To learn more and find jobs, check out how to become a virtual assistant. If you’re seriously interested in diving deep to learn about being a virtual assistant and building your own business, here’s the best course I’ve found. It’s an investment, but it’s an investment in yourself and your future.
4. Data Entry
Data entry is one of the oldest online jobs that has existed. Robots still aren’t capable of transferring information from scanned photos and PDFs into typed form, so human intelligence is needed.
This makes data entry the perfect flexible job for anyone who feels they lack the specific skills needed to perform some of the more specialized jobs on this list – anyone who knows how to use a computer is capable of a data entry job.
The great thing is that most roles are part-time and allow you to choose your hours, so it’s easy to fit the work in with caring for your children.
Unfortunately, due to the accessibility of data entry, it can be competitive to find jobs. The best-paying companies have long waiting lists you’ll need to stay on before you get offered a job. However, if you can afford to be patient, then it could be well worth the wait.
You can find out more about becoming a data entry specialist and the different companies hiring in our post on data entry jobs.
5. Transcription
Transcription often falls under the category of data entry, but it’s a more specialized skill and offers the chance to earn more money. Instead of transferring information from one source to another, you’ll be transcribing audio or video clips into writing.
The speed and accuracy of your typing are, therefore, pivotal – you’ll generally be paid by the audio minute rather than hours worked, and the number of mistakes you make could also affect your pay.
You can find most transcription jobs by signing up to websites that look for transcribers and sell the products directly to other companies. Some sites pay better than others, but if you have no experience, you may struggle to get accepted into some of the better-paying agencies.
Some of these companies include:
Customer Service Jobs
6. Customer Service Representative
It might be tempting to dismiss the idea of becoming a customer service agent, but this is an easy and relatively lucrative online job. It might be difficult to answer the phone if you’re caring for very young children all day, but it’s a good option for those with older children or kids who go to school.
Hilton, Apple, and Amazon are three companies that pay decent salaries to hire remote customer service reps – you can find many more job opportunities by checking Flexjobs.
7. Chat Agent
Customer service is moving increasingly from phone calls to messaging services, which will be a relief to anyone who would prefer not to talk to customers directly. The main requirement is the ability to type quickly.
The Chatshop,SiteStaff, and Ginger.io are three companies that regularly hire chat agents and pay around $10 an hour.
However, one major disadvantage is that they’ll only pay you for the time you’re chatting to a customer rather than the time you’re online, which might get frustrating.
8. Virtual Receptionist
The primary jobs of a receptionist revolve around using a computer and answering the phone – these are both roles that you can easily perform in the comfort of your own home.
Businesses realize this, and more roles as virtual receptionists are becoming available.
Smith Ai hires virtual receptionists for both part-time and full-time positions (20-40 hours a week). The primary responsibilities are taking phone calls and answering webchats, and you can make $10 an hour.
9. Virtual Travel Agent
A travel agent is another traditional job that you may be surprised to hear can be performed solely online – after all, this is a role that revolves around talking to customers.
However, consultations don’t necessarily have to be in-person. They can also happen via phone calls or chats.
Three companies that regularly look for new agents are Travel Planners International, Nexion, Outside Agents, and Avoya.
In the long term, you might even be able to start your own travel agency, which would significantly boost your earnings.
10. Social Media Manager
As more businesses migrate online, and their social media presence becomes increasingly more valuable, many companies are struggling to cope. If you’re an experienced social media user, you might be able to help them as a remote worker job.
Uploading and captioning posts and replying to messages might sound like an easy task, but companies have lots of other tasks to worry about, so they may need to outsource somebody. This is one of the fastest growing SAHM jobs due to every business seeing more value from social media engagement.
You can find remote work as a social media manager on websites like Flexjobs.
Writing & Editing Jobs
11. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a popular choice for single parents due to its flexibility. It’s entirely up to you how much work you take on and when you want to complete it. Similarly, to proofreading, you can find work on freelancing websites.
The amount you can earn from freelance writing varies enormously, from $0.01 per word to over $1 per word – the rate you set is up to you. As you build up your portfolio and testimonials, you should be able to increase your rate gradually.
As with any freelancing, you’ll probably find that you go through phases of feast and famine. When applying for jobs, you may struggle to find any work for a while, then suddenly receive multiple assignments at once.
This way of working may not suit some people, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll probably find it easier to achieve balance.
Learn More:
- How To Become a Freelance Writer
12. Blogging & Affiliate Marketing
For those with minimal knowledge, the difference between freelance writing and blogging can be confusing. In reality, the two are completely different.
Freelance writing involves writing a commissioned piece for a client who pays you; somewhat confusingly, this can include writing a blog post. However, if you’re writing your own blog, you’ll make money in an entirely different way.
It’s up to you to set up income sources on your blog. The most popular – and profitable – is the use of affiliate marketing.
If you make blog posts that mention any goods or services, you can often include affiliate links – that means that if anyone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you’ll get a cut of the profit. Affiliate revenue can add quickly up if you build an audience. Here’s a list of the best affiliate programs, so you can see what type of products and services you can promote as an affiliate. Blogging is also one of our favorite passive income ideas.
Some people get turned off by the idea of ‘selling,’ but think of it as helping out your readers by giving them genuine recommendations. There are other ways to make money, too, such as selling online courses or placing advertisem*nts on your website, and more. Here’s a deep dive into how to make money blogging.
The advantage of blogging is that you’ll probably be able to find a profitable niche related to interests or activities you currently have or do and which relate to your life as a parent.
Parenting and cooking are two popular niches that easily lend themselves to setting up affiliate links. Of course, you can explore different niches too! To learn more about blogging and affiliate marketing, you can sign up for my . If you sign up, you’ll receive a daily lesson from me over the next 7 days covering how to start, grow, and make money with a blog.
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13. Medium Writer
Medium is a website that allows anyone to publish articles and earn money if enough people read them. This means that not only can you work from home, but you don’t even have to work for a client or boss – it’s completely up to you when and what you write. Of course, the more content you put out, the more you’ll be able to earn.
Due to the flexibility, many single mothers have found success as Medium writers, some of whom earn thousands of dollars a month. However, it’s impossible to achieve success overnight as you must build up an audience first.
Teaching Jobs
14. English Teaching
If you’re a native or near-native English speaker, then English teaching can be an easy source of income. Other than your language ability, all you’ll need is a microphone and webcam for your computer to ensure interaction with your pupil.
Since it’s your responsibility to arrange lesson slots with your students, it’s easy to fit teaching in with your other duties as a stay-at-home parent.
There are various websites designed to connect you with pupils where you can find job opportunities:
15. Test Scoring
As the number of tests students have to take increases steadily and teachers become overworked, test scoring is something that has to be outsourced. Test scoring is a seasonal job, so it can be ideal for anyone looking for flexibility in their work rather than a fixed schedule.
Some of the most popular remote job websites hiring graders are Measurement Inc, Write Scoreand Literably.
An added advantage is that becoming an expert in marking schemes and gradings could help your child in the long run!
16. Tutoring
Private tutoring is the best-paid teaching job you could find since the skillset is so specialized. You’ll need in-depth subject knowledge – a bachelor’s degree is good proof – and some knowledge of school curriculums.
Being an online tutor carries a lot of responsibility, so it might seem daunting if you have no experience or you haven’t tutored in a while. However, if you’re willing to go through a steep learning curve at the beginning and read around your subject, trying it out would be worth the high hourly rate.
Much like English teaching, you’ll be free to set your schedule, which makes it an ideal path for a stay-at-home mom or dad.
Chegg is a great website to tutor via video calls. Still, if you prefer to communicate your ideas in writing, you could use Studypool instead, which focuses on providing written homework solutions.
Buying & Selling Jobs
17. Flip Items From Flea Markets
For anyone with a good eye for quality, who gets a thrill out of bargain-hunting, flipping items from flea markets can be a profitable option.
All you need to do is look out for items selling at a low price that you could make money from selling elsewhere.
However, to be able to make a significant amount of money, you’ll need to have an information advantage – if not, you can end up losing money. Attending lots of flea markets can also be quite time-consuming. However, if your children enjoy attending, it could be a fun trip out to incorporate into your routine.
18. Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA)
Buying to sell can be a great way to earn some extra income, but many people are uncomfortable at the prospect of holding a large amount of stock until it sells.
Selling on Amazon can involve a lot of uncertainty since an initial investment is required, and you never know when you’re going to cash in on the return. As a stay-at-home mom or dad, this can be a stressful situation.
That’s where Fulfilled by Amazon comes in. Instead of having to hold your stock until it sells, you can ship everything to Amazon immediately and get reimbursed instead of having to wait until the items sell. You’ll make less profit as a result, but it’s a fair trade-off for the security.
What can you sell? Anything you find on sale at local shops that you think could sell for more on Amazon.
19. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a similar concept to fulfillment by Amazon, but one step further removed. Not only will you not have to hold an inventory, but you won’t even need to physically touch your stock in the first place.
You can open up a shop using Shopify or a similar platform and list their existing stock – the supplier will handle everything for you.
You’ll earn the difference between what the platform charges you and what you charge the customer. Once everything has been set up, it’s a passive income source.
If dropshipping sounds confusing and you want to learn more, check out this course on Udemy.
20. Selling on Etsy
Becoming an Etsy seller is up there with some of the most flexible jobs on this list – and it can also be very lucrative if you’re good at what you do.
You’ll have complete control over when you create your products, so if you have a busy period, you don’t have to continue working other than posting items when you get the chance.
Another great stay at home job on Etsy is selling Etsy printables – which are items you create once and then get paid whenever someone buys them. The bachelorette and party Etsy printables niches are popular and can be very profitable as a home mom job.
Other Stay at Home Jobs
21. Search Engine Evaluation
Search engine evaluation is unique for being well-paid yet low-skilled. If you’re reading this, chances are you already know how to search on the internet – that means you’re perfectly qualified to be a search engine evaluator.
You’ll be asked to search for keywords and evaluate the results according to guidelines. You can look for work on sites like Appen, Lionbridge, and iSoftStone. It’s challenging to make a full-time career out of search engine evaluation, but it’s a great side hustle for extra cash.
22. Graphic Designer
The idea of being a ‘graphic designer’ might sound scary, but it’s more accessible than you’d originally think.
Many businesses are simply looking for somebody who can make basic graphics for their social media accounts using platforms like Canva and PicMonkey – even if you haven’t heard of these websites yet, they’re easy to master with a bit of trial and error. You can then start to offer your services on freelancing sites.
If you feel comfortable with Adobe Creative Cloud then your earning potential will be far higher as you can perform more typical graphic designer roles, but this isn’t strictly necessary.
Learn More:
- High-Income Skills to Earn More Money
Non-Online Jobs
23. Rent Out Your Space with Neighbor
Neighbor is an online peer-to-peer platform that connects renters with available storage space. It’s been dubbed the “Airbnb of Storage” and allows hosts to rent out extra space to store everything from cars to boats to business inventory.
Once a renter finds a storage space that suits them, Neighbor connects the two parties. From there, you can determine the rental period, how the renter will access their stuff, and any other details.
Renters make monthly payments within the app, and the host collects funds through a connected bank account.
Learn More:
- Read our full review of Neighbor
24. Daycare Business
You may have decided that paying daycare fees isn’t worth it for you, but plenty of other parents are looking for people to look after their kids.
Why not put your experience to good use and cash in on this by setting up a daycare business? It’s also a great opportunity for your children to make new friends.
Since this is a mom job that entails serious responsibility, you won’t be able to get started straight away – you’ll need to jump through some hoops first before you can register.
But don’t let that put you off. For a small fee, you can take this course to find out more and walk through the basics. You can earn a lot of money by launching a daycare business.
25. Laundry
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, then the chances are that you’re also spending a decent amount of time doing laundry – but you may not have realized this is also something you can commercialize.
Many people are busier than ever before and willing to pay to buy back some of their time. Through the Laundry Care app, you can sign up as a provider and get matched with local customers. There’s a small fee ($30) to receive your sign-up kit, but once you get started, it’s possible to earn hundreds of dollars a week.
Doing laundry may not be the most thrilling job in the world, but it’s worth considering since it’s so accessible.
26. Baby Equipment Rental Business
If you have your child(ren), you probably know a thing or two about baby equipment. You might even still have some lying around. If you live in a popular tourist destination, you might be in luck.
Babyquip is a website that connects holiday-makers with locals who can supply them with the equipment they need.
Running a baby equipment rental business is a great way to earn some extra income from items you already own.
What Jobs Are Best for Working from Home?
The option you choose depends on your goals: how much money you’re hoping to make and whether you’re looking for a full-time career or a side hustle.
It’s possible to build a career from specialized skills such as social media marketing or by creating a business such as a successful blog. However, this will take many months – if not years – to reach peak success.
If you see working from home as a temporary option, you may prefer a more low-maintenance job such as data entry or buying and selling on a small scale.
Check out our list of the best selling apps you can start using today.
What Is The Most Profitable Work From Home Job?
In general, the best-paying stay at home jobs are those which require the most specialized skill set. A doctor earns far more than a shop assistant because they had to complete years of training to fulfill their position – the same principle applies online.
Data entry work is much less lucrative than graphic design. However, you can earn a high hourly rate from most online jobs if you’re willing to put the time into honing your skills and growing your own business.
On the other hand, if you would prefer a quick and easy way to earn some cash from the comfort of your own home, there are opportunities available as simple as taking surveys.
Which Companies Are Offering Work from Home?
Just a few years ago, finding companies that hired people to work from home full-time was relatively difficult. However, the pandemic changed that in a big way.
While Covid was difficult on many fronts, when it comes to working, the pandemic really transformed how we view the office. Companies were forced to get creative with tech and collaboration.
Then, the “Great Resignation” happened, and companies had to continue offering flexible work in order to attract and retain top talent.
These days, it’s easy to find jobs you can do from home. A small selection of companies with active remote roles are:
- Amazon
- American Express
- Cigna
- Dell
- General Electric
- Oracle
- Stripe
- Wells Fargo
- Xerox
How Much Does Amazon Pay You to Work from Home?
With so many employers now hiring remote workers, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Amazon is amongst them. There are generally hundreds of positions available on the virtual locations section of the Amazon job website.
These roles are legitimate work for job seekers. Since Amazon is ultimately a remote company—it operates mostly online and through warehouses— it only makes sense that they’re open to hiring remote workers at an average of $24/hour.
A lot of the positions are quite specialized and not suitable for everyone. Ultimately, Amazon is a tech company, and the positions it needs to reflect that. If you’re a programmer or developer then you’re in luck; if not then you might find
Stay At Home Jobs Are Flexible
Hopefully, you’ve now realized to work a flexible job as a stay-at-home parent. It might be challenging to start a new venture at the same time as providing childcare, but if you start now, you’ll thank yourself later.
Even if you originally planned to carry out remote work as a temporary solution for extra money, you might end up deciding to pursue this way of working permanently.
Learn More:
- Best Stay at Home Jobs for Men
