The COVID-19 pandemic led to many shuttered offices, forcing companies to adapt to working remotely. Even as shutdowns have lifted, the effect has lingered. There are now far more companies that allow employees to work from home.
Adapting to change is tough, but some careers are better suited to this new shift than others. We’ve compiled a list of some great remote-work options if you’re looking for inspiration.
Remote work before and now
While some people have always worked from home, it wasn’t very common. Working from home was reserved for a certain type of employee, often part-time or freelance. Many who worked from home did it for childcare or accessibility reasons.
During the pandemic, going into the office wasn’t an option — or a desire — for many.
But now that working from home is viable, many people are drawn to remote job opportunities.
According to a survey by UpWork, almost 57% of Americans are working from home part-time. The same survey found that 42% of Americans work remotely full-time, which is projected to rise.
What are the benefits of working remotely?
Like any situation, online jobs have their perks and drawbacks. Let’s start with the benefits:
- Financial savings. Both employees and employers save money with work-from-home setups. No commute means employees don’t have to spend on gas, transit passes, or vehicle maintenance — all of which add up over time. Companies can also save money on real estate, utilities, and office equipment.
- Improved health. Workers’ physical well-being can also improve. Less time commuting means more time for physical activity, less exposure to illness, and more opportunities to eat healthier food.
- Work-life balance. Clocking out at the right time can be difficult at first. But managing your own schedule allows you to create a routine that suits your lifestyle.
- Boosted productivity. You might think working from home exposes you to all manner of distractions. But a FlexJob survey found that half of respondents were more productive at home than at the office. Some employees also report greater creativity working remotely.
- Work from anywhere. Remote work gives you access to a wider range of jobs. Your company doesn’t even have to be in the same time zone — just sign on at the right time, and you’re off to the races.
But working from home is not all roses and butterflies. Here are some of the drawbacks:
- Meaningful social interaction decreases. Cultivating relationships via video conferencing platforms or chat groups isn’t the same as in-person interactions. Over time, this can put you at risk of loneliness and isolation — two significant factors that can harm one’s mental well-being.
- Company culture can be lacking. Donuts in the break room, birthday parties, impromptu lunch gatherings — these interactions help build rapport between you and your colleagues. But it’s more difficult to feel part of the company culture if you don't see them daily.
- Boundaries are harder to set when working from home. Unless you set rigid boundaries for yourself, disconnecting is difficult. You might be tempted to work during leisure time or a bit extra at the end of the day. This makes finding a healthy work-life balance that much more challenging.
This new era has seen many career categories grow. Remote jobs skyrocketed for IT, health-centric roles, sales, accounting, and marketing. Together, this is reshaping the workplace.
14 best remote jobs to consider
With so many types of roles done remotely, and with some creativity and a good manager, you can make WFH work for you. Some positions are particularly well-suited to the digital shift.
Listed below are 14 of the best work-from-home jobs if you're looking to make the transition and be a remote worker.
1. Web developer or software engineer
As a web or software developer, you can work on anything from website design to search engine algorithms. But becoming any kind of programmer will require extensive training. That means you’ll need more than a high school diploma — developers typically have a post-secondary degree in computer science.
People with these skills are hired to consult or join companies full-time in many industries. The median wage for this career in 2020 was $77,200.
2. Translator
Translating documents from one language to another is a wonderful work-from-home opportunity. This work doesn’t require any in-person contact, and you can work with various organizations, including schools, courts, and hospitals.
All translators must be fluent in at least two languages and should possess a degree in language studies. The median wage in 2021 was about $49,000.
3. Paralegal
A paralegal is a legal assistant. They help lawyers with research and preparing official documents. Paralegals can work for law firms or the government.
To become a paralegal, you’ll need a diploma in legal studies, typically issued by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). You can also take an official post-secondary law degree, but it isn’t mandatory. The approximate salary for this job is around $56,000.
4. Tutor
Thanks to many technological innovations, teaching students digitally is easier than ever. Platforms like Google Classroom, Google Docs, and Zoom, and messaging apps like Slack, Asana, and WhatsApp, allow students, teachers, and parents to keep in contact.
Demand for tutors with the communication skills to deliver lessons online is high and likely to increase over the next few years. Requirements for tutors vary, but they typically must have a bachelor’s degree and complete state-level certification.
Tutoring can be your full-time job or a side hustle, and your rate can vary widely depending on what subject you are teaching and your experience level. The average wage is around $25 an hour, with a median annual salary of just under $51,000. These numbers also vary widely from state to state.
5. Social media manager
Having an online presence is vital for all organizations. Nonprofits and private companies alike rely on individuals to create social media content and promote their brands.
Despite many being tech-savvy these days, candidates with a degree in communications or public relations, marketing, or journalism, stand out amongst the rest when hiring. Having a strong portfolio is also a great advantage.
You can make as much as $65,000 per year in this position.
6. Writer or editor
If you fancy yourself a wordsmith, a writing job could be a good fit. Here you can flex your research, proofreading, and communication skills as you produce content for online publications or company blogs. You could also find work in journalism, literature, technical writing, or grant writing.
Many English writers/editors work as freelancers so they can keep a diverse portfolio of clients, but some companies hire writers full-time.
This job is well-suited to remote work because writing is a solitary activity, anyway — no meetings or hallway team huddles required. You can make an average of $68,000, depending on your pricing and the type of writing you do.
7. Graphic designer
A graphic designer is a great option for detail-oriented creative souls. In this career, you may create logos, brochures, advertisements, or book covers.
A certificate or four-year degree in visual arts or graphic design is usually needed to acquire graphic design skills. A strong portfolio of previous work will also help you land a job — especially if you’re going the freelance route.
But this is a fun and creative job. If you can swing it, your yearly could hover around $50,000.
8. Event planner
This role may require traveling to assess locations and be on hand at events. It likely isn’t completely remote. But if you have an internet connection and a phone line, you can fulfill many responsibilities at home.
You have to be comfortable working with new tools to collaborate virtually because you will be working with others. Hospitality, management, or customer service background makes you a great candidate for event planning.
There aren’t set education requirements for event planners. You may have an advantage with a degree or training in business, public relations, communications, or hospitality.
The median income is just over $49,000.
9. Bookkeeper
Many accounting and other data entry jobs are digital, not paper-based. And most bookkeepers have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in math, writing, or communications.
Detail-oriented individuals who have experience with numbers or commerce will excel in this role and earn about $45,000 a year.
10. Registered nurse
Advancements in health care practices are continually occurring due to demand. Registered nurses can provide care from home, including consulting, dealing with insurance claims, being an educator, case management, and emergency and mental health support through call centers.
A four-year undergraduate degree in nursing is required to practice this type of medicine. Nurses earn $77,600 per year on average.
11. Customer service representative
Instead of working in a call center, many customer support representatives work from home now. Their responsibilities include answering customer phone calls and responding to emails. They also help troubleshoot problems for clients.
Usually, all you need to get started is a phone line and CRM software. Some jobs require more advanced training, especially if you’re providing technical support, but many companies will provide paid training to entry-level candidates.
The average salary for a remote customer service rep is around $34,000 per year, but it can be much higher if you have specialized knowledge.
12. Virtual assistant
Among other duties, virtual assistants schedule meetings, maintain contact lists and respond to emails for their clients. As the title suggests, they act like secretaries but without the desk in front of the office. They might also do more behind-the-scenes work than the average secretary.
This is a particularly useful service for large and small businesses that don’t have a storefront. They’ll hire virtual assistants to support an important executive or provide administrative aid to an entire team.
You can do this as a part-time freelancer or full-time. The average salary for this role hovers around $58,000 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
13. Travel agent
Individual travelers are used to booking their own tickets online, but sometimes organizing trips to multiple destinations is tricky. And for corporations that require regular business travel, flight booking is a full-time job.
Enter the virtual travel agent. In this job, you’ll help book flights, hotels, and vehicles for busy jet setters. You would work primarily over the phone and through email, so you can easily work from a home office.
Remote corporate travel agents have an average salary of almost $57,000 per year.
14. Animator
There’s more content needed than ever before, which bodes well for freelance animators out there. In this job, you can animate clips for web videos, commercials, educational content, video games, and more.
This is a complex profession that requires years of experience and training. Diplomas or degrees in design will help you break into the industry. But because all animation tools are computer-based, you could work from your couch if you really wanted to.
You could earn an average of $64,000 in this creative employment opportunity.
Where to find work-at-home jobs
Depending on your field, you could ask your current employer about working from home. They may be willing to accommodate. Alternatively, recruiters will post remote jobs on any of these job boards:
You’ll have to be careful, though. Not all remote postings are on the level. Here are some green flags to find only legitimate work during your job search:
- The hiring company is an established organization
- The ad doesn’t ask you to reply to a blind email address
- HR reps are available if you have questions
- The job description mentions company benefits and vacation policies
- There’s a robust application and interview process
- The employer can clearly outline the job duties and expectations
- They care about whether you have work samples or references
The bottom line
Events of the last two years have led to a significant restructuring of our personal and professional lives. When abrupt and long-lasting change occurs, we can feel lost and struggle to find meaning in what we do.
BetterUp is here to help you find your purpose again. That may mean a career shift — or transitioning from an in-person role to one that’s remote. Our coaches are here to steer you through your options and help you determine the best step for you. Our goal is for you to live passionately and reach your full potential.
