50 Ways To Work From Home (With 21 Tips)

If you want to find a way to work from home, first you have to pick something to do from home. Do you have a passion for numbers or perhaps a way with words? Is there a way that you can take what you might have done in an office and now do it from your home office? This article offers suggestions on work-from-home (WFH) jobs and tips on how to be effective and efficient in your home job.

Related: How To Successfully Negotiate a Work-From-Home Arrangement

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Ways to work from home

Whether you’re looking to start your own business, earn extra income or want to work remotely full time, there are more ways than ever to join the WFH experience. Some may require training while others may take advantage of skills acquired if you worked outside the home. Here are 50 ways to work from home:

1. Blogger

National average salary: $15.97 per hour

Primary duties: Bloggers create written and visual content for websites. They develop content calendars, write articles and create photos and graphics. Many bloggers also perform search engine optimization (SEO) to increase website traffic and use online content management systems to develop and publish articles. Some bloggers also design and maintain their own websites. These online professionals may create content for their own blogs or independent clients' websites.

2. Bookkeeper

National average salary: $18.51 per hour

Primary duties: A bookkeeper studies a client's financial documents such as cash receipts, invoice receivables and payables. The bookkeeper is tasked with organizing this information to balance how and when the business gets paid and where it spends its money. Bookkeepers may report on spending trends or alert clients to overdue payments. Bookkeepers who maintain home offices require accounting software or ledgers, a cellphone and reliable internet connection.

Related: 37 of the Best Online Jobs

3. Brand ambassador

National average salary: $16.89 per hour

Primary duties: Brand ambassadors are marketers who represent products, services and companies. They sell products on behalf of other companies and may receive commissions or standard fees for their work. Many brand ambassadors work online. They create communities on social media or via email, and share information and images of themselves using the products or services they represent.

4. Call center representative

National average salary: $14.09 per hour

Primary duties: A call center representative is responsible for a company's communications with customers. They may communicate with customers via phone call, live chat, SMS texts or email. They handle all kinds of matters, such as account inquiries, customer complaints and support problems. The purpose of this role is to take care of inbound and outbound calls using a support ticket system. Someone in this role needs sales skills, as they may have to up-sell services and products.

5. Caption editor

National average salary: $13.44

Primary duties: Caption editors listen to audio from television programs, news, movies and live broadcasts and translate spoken words into written material. They are responsible for transcribing audio accurately. When they work on live broadcasts, they must also work quickly to avoid delays. Most caption editors use stenography programs that allow them to transcribe sounds rather than requiring them to type complete words.

6. Case manager

National average salary: $18.92 per hour

Primary duties: Case managers in health care ensure quality care to patients by matching their needs to appropriate and cost-effective services and outcomes. They help patients make decisions about their treatment, establish care plans and connect patients with providers. They continue to monitor and document patients' progress and remain client-focused throughout the care process.

7. Coder

National average salary: $20.64 per hour

Primary duties: Coders use computer languages to create websites, design webpages and build other types of visual content for their employer or directly for clients. Becoming a coder typically requires earning a degree in a computer-related field, but many online courses can teach you how to code. Coders can work either independently on various projects or for a single company.

8. Data entry clerk

National average salary: $15.05 per hour

Primary duties: Data entry clerks enter information into online databases. They typically receive files that include a wide range of information, and then enter relevant data into appropriate database fields. Data entry clerks are responsible for maintaining accuracy and working quickly.

Related: Six Simple Ways to Improve Your Data Entry Skills

9. Digital marketer

National average salary: $19.03

Primary duties: Digital marketers create and implement online marketing and advertising campaigns. They typically assess clients' marketing and advertising needs, recommend solutions and assist with writing copy and developing creative elements. Although many digital marketers work from home, some are employed by agencies, while others offer freelance services. Some digital marketers specialize in particular platforms, such as social media channels or search engine marketing.

10. Dog walker/pet sitter

National average salary: $12.05 per hour

Primary duties: Pet sitters are responsible for the care and feeding of the animals in their care. Pet sitters walk dogs, change cat litter boxes and supply adequate food and water. Some clients may require sitters to administer medication or provide alternative services for special-needs animals. Pet sitters may also care for exotic pets, such as birds and snakes. Home-based pet sitters need a cellphone, appointment-tracking software and reliable transportation to and from clients. You may also consider insurance that will protect you if you or an animal becomes injured while they are under your care.

11. ESL teacher

National average salary: $23.78 per hour

Primary duties: An English as a second language (ESL) teacher helps all ages whose first language isn't English. They help pupils speak, read and write in real-life context to help students better understand the complexities of the language. Sessions may online or at the teacher’s or student’s home.

Related: 13 Online Teacher Jobs To Consider Today

12. Financial planner

National average salary: $29.66 per hour
Primary duties: Financial planners help clients prepare for life changes including college, home-buying or retirement. They may assist in selecting investments or create and review debt consolidation plans. These planners help clients set and meet their financial goals. Home-based financial planners require access to computers and accounting and planning software, cellphone and a speedy internet connection.

13. Freelance editor

National average salary: $27.35

Primary duties: Freelance editors review articles, books, scripts and other materials submitted by writers. They alter the structure, tone or style of the material to make it easier or more interesting to read. Many freelance editors also consider pitches from writers and assign writing that meets publishers' requirements. Freelance editors typically work from home and may be employed by magazines, websites or book publishers.

14. Freelance writer

National average salary: $19.63

Primary duties: Freelance writers produce written material for websites, magazines, newspapers, books, television, radio and movies. Most freelance writers receive assignments from clients and create content that meets the specifications, which may include word counts, tones or styles. They typically work for a range of clients, and they may specialize in creating content for one or more industries, such as beauty, lifestyle or health.

15. Home inspector

National average salary: $22.98 per hour
Primary duties: An inspector checks homes for structural integrity and compliance based on codes and regulations. Home inspectors check residential infrastructure including the exterior and interior of homes. They check for faults or defects in electrical and plumbing systems as well as water quality and they recommend repairs or alterations. To work from home, inspectors need access to appointment and reporting software, a cellphone and reliable transportation to and from clients.

16. Insurance agent

National average salary: $24.41 per hour

Primary duties: Insurance agents in the medical field help individuals and businesses enroll in health insurance plans. Agents gather information and make recommendations based on clients' needs. They also help with renewals or changes to health policies to ensure continued or additional coverage.

17. Massage therapist

National average salary: $31.12 per hour

Primary duties: Individual clients meet with a massage therapist to seek relief from pain, stress or physical ailments. A massage therapist gets to know a client's health and medical symptoms to assess their needs and develop a treatment plan. They are trained to manipulate muscles and tissue for therapeutic and stress-relief benefits. The supplies for a massage therapist working from home include a massage table, cellphone and appointment software.

18. Medical biller

National average salary: $16.76 per hour

Primary duties: Medical billers complete, review and process medical claims to obtain reimbursements from insurance companies for patient services rendered. Onsite experience is often needed before you can work from home. It's important to know medical terminology, have familiarity with healthcare procedures and diagnoses and understand what codes to apply to each.

19. Notary Public

National average salary: $14.60 per hour

Primary duties: A notary public is a person who acts as a witness and authenticator to the signing of documents. They are commissioned by the state government and may also administer oaths and collect affidavits. A notary public can work for their own business, banks, schools, as a court reporters, in real estate or as an administrative support worker.

Related: Notary Public Certifications: What You Need To Know

20. Online customer support representative

National average salary: $14.85 per hour

Primary duties: Online customer support representatives assist clients via email and chat portals. They answer customer questions and provide information about products and services. Many online customer support representatives also process client payments and returns. They generally rely on scripts to ensure that they provide accurate and consistent information for customers. Online customer support representatives also document interactions with clients and maintain client support tickets.

21. Online teacher

National average salary: $14.89

Primary duties: An online teacher provides instructional programs to students on the internet. Some online teachers focus on students from grades K-12, while others specialize in adult learners or corporate programs. Also referred to as a “remote teacher” or “virtual teacher,” an online teacher develops curriculum, lesson plans and examinations for students. They deliver lectures, answer questions and grade homework and tests. An online teacher also monitors students' progress by maintaining their records of finished assignments, grades and online classroom participation.

22. Online tutor

National average salary: $25.30 per hour

Primary duties: Online jobs are available to tutor students from elementary school through college. Most require at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject. Some require a teaching certification. This is a great opportunity for former teachers who prefer to teach online either full or part time.

Related: Top 15 Online Teaching Jobs

23. Property claims adjuster

National average salary: $21.51 per hour

Primary duties: Property claims adjusters assess property damage or injuries for insurance claims. Adjusters interview witnesses and the claimant. They help determine if and how much the insurance company will pay. Adjusters may specialize in a specific field, for instance, medical cases, catastrophe claims, vehicles or property.

Related: 13 Jobs in the Insurance Industry

24. Recruiting specialist

National average salary: $13.93 per hour

Primary duties: Recruiters may work from home for recruitment agencies or a company to recruit new employees. They must have a thorough understanding and knowledge of current employment standards and applicable legislation. Potential recruiters may benefit from holding an undergraduate degree or diploma in human resources management or business administration.

Related: How To Become a Recruiter

25. Seamstress

National average salary: $14.50 per hour

Primary duties: A seamstress repairs or alters garments by replacing buttons, zippers, pockets and linings. A seamstress may alter the fit of a garment by adding or subtracting length or width. Sewing services may include custom-made garments according to the exact measurements of the client. Wedding dresses and men's suits are often created or altered by a seamstress. Besides sewing machines, a home-based seamstress uses phones to communicate with clients, and garment design software or books.

26. Student mentor

National average salary: $14.22

Primary duties: Student mentors guide students throughout their educational journey. They assist students with educational planning, maintain accurate records and monitor academic progress. These professionals also offer advice regarding major life choices, such as picking a career or choosing a college. They proofread and approve students' final research reports before submission. Student mentors perform evaluations on students' strengths and weaknesses in different projects and give recommendations for improvement. They also help students build their self-esteem and motivation.

27. Test scorer

National average salary: $15.15 per hour

Primary duties: A test scorer grades and evaluates academic work according to a scoring guide. They grade for schools or programs such as TOEFL, PRAXIS, GRE and Advanced Placement Program. A test scorer assesses both written and verbal answers. These professionals also ensure all test takers have the proper instructions prior to taking an exam. They help resolve student feedback on test instructions, forms and miscellaneous exam items. Test scorers assemble and review tests and operational test forms and lead scoring activities to recognize exemplary students and audit scoring sessions.

28. Transcriptionist

National average salary: $16.67 per hour

Primary duties: Transcriptionists turn audio recordings into written documents. They listen to dictation and spoken notes, and they transcribe them accurately. Some transcriptionists then add the documents to files or attach them to records. Most transcriptionists specialize in working for clients in the medical or legal industries.

29. Translator

National average salary: $23.81 per hour

Primary duties: Freelance translators change written material from one language to another. They are responsible for maintaining the original meaning as well as its structure, style, tone and sentiment. These professionals typically use computer-assisted (CAT) tools that allow them to build libraries of translated words, phrases and passages. Translators must be able to read at least two languages fluently, and they must also understand slang, colloquial terms and cultural references in both languages.

Related: Guide To Getting Online Translation Jobs

30. Travel Agent

National average salary: $15.64 per hour

Primary duties: Travel agents sell travel services to their clients for upcoming trips. This often includes vacation packages, accommodations and transportation. Once these items are selected, the agent puts each of these pieces together to create the client's requested trip. The agents work as a middle man between the client
and the supplier of travel services.

Related: 15 Companies Hiring for Online Travel Agent Jobs

31. Virtual assistant

National average salary: $19.08 per hour
Primary duties: Virtual assistants provide administrative support for clients. They may answer correspondence, manage inboxes, provide customer support or assist with social media. Some virtual assistants also schedule appointments, maintain calendars and book travel for clients. Many virtual assistants provide general support, but some specialize in areas like social media or inbox management. Virtual assistants work online and do their jobs via email and digital applications.

Related: What Is a Virtual Assistant?

19 other ways to work from home

• Assembler

• Contact tracer

• Crafts, printables or products

• File and video transcriber

• Fundraiser

• Game designer

• Mortgage loan originator

• Online coach

• Online events coordinator

• Payroll assistant

• Reservations agent

• Remote data engineer

• Resume writer

• Social media moderator

• Special events planner

• Survey agent

• Virtual customer service or “chat” agent

• Website designer

• Website content evaluator

Related: Search for remote jobs on Indeed

21 tips to be productive while working from home

If you're new to working from home, also known as “WFH,” you may need to change your habits and routines to make working from home a success. Maybe you need some fresh ideas regarding when to work, where to work and how to create a work-life balance Here are 21 tips to make working at home a pleasant and productive experience:

1. Maintain regular hours

When you reported to an office, you had set hours when you were expected to work. The same is true if you work from home. Set a schedule and stick to it as best you can. One of the benefits of WFH is flexibility when the job allows it. You may start work earlier one day because you have a dental appointment that afternoon or you work late so you can attend your child’s school play. However, try to have a set start and finish time.

2. Dress for the day

To increase your chances of being at your most productive, dress for the day as if you're going into the office. If you work in your pajamas, you may feel more inclined to relax and slack off during the day when you should be getting work done. Try dressing for work and you’ll likely find you're more focused. Plus, if you have to be on video calls, you'll already be in appropriate attire.

3. Establish a routine

When you worked in an office, you probably had a routine. Perhaps you started with a cup of coffee. Maybe you answered your emails before you tackled the day’s project. Following a similar routine at home will help you be on-task.

Related: How To Stay Organized When You Work From Home

4. Keep your phone on silent and out of reach

Consider putting your phone on silent and placing it out of sight to avoid distractions. If you don't want to miss a phone call, change your phone settings to only allow notifications from specific numbers.

5. Time block your calendar

When you time block your calendar, you're telling yourself when to complete certain tasks. Time blocking is a great way to make sure you're balancing your work and personal responsibilities and, if you share your calendar with virtual co-workers, they can see when you're available, making it easy to schedule meetings with you.

6. Create a work playlist

One of the benefits of working from home is that you're able to listen to music without headphones or annoying your co-workers in the office. Now is a good time to consider creating different playlists of your favorite music. You may prefer a specific genre of music or a particular artist for certain tasks. Everyone is different, so find the music that helps you focus and stay motivated, then switch it up when you change tasks.

Read more: 20 Ways To Improve Your Work Environment

6. Have a dedicated workspace

When you work from home, it can be hard to separate work and your personal life unless you're intentional about setting boundaries. One way is to have a dedicated workspace that isn't used for anything else except your work. If you have an extra room in your home, you may want to make it your office or establish a corner of your bedroom with a desk. You may not have room to dedicate a particular space. If so, just make sure you try to only work from your office “area.” You could get distracted if you work from your kitchen countertop one day, your bed the next and back to your desk the third day.

7. Let others know your work schedule

If you live with others, like family or roommates, make sure they know what your work schedule is. They need to know when they shouldn’t distract you or interrupt your work. Explain that even though you are physically at home, you are still responsible for getting your work done and meeting your manager’s expectations. Let them know that they can interrupt you only in emergencies.

8. Take breaks

When you worked in an office, you had break times and you took them. As a WFH employee, you should give yourself time during the day to walk away from the computer screen and phone. Take a full 30 minutes or hour for lunch, plus a break in the morning and afternoon. If you’re sitting at the computer, stand up and move to get your blood circulating at least once an hour. It also helps to take your eyes off screen regularly, even if it's only 10 or 20 seconds.

9. Set timers

When you work from home, timers can help you stay on task and take breaks. You can set a timer for how long you want to work on a specific project. Once the timer goes off, you know it's time to step away for a quick break. This can help you come back to the task with renewed purpose.

Related: 10 Time Management Apps To Organize Your Projects and Keep You on Track

10. Sign out of social media accounts

Social media, while useful for many things, can be a large distraction for many. Sign out of your accounts, so you don't feel the temptation to visit and scroll. If you visit social media sites, make sure it's only for a short time, otherwise you may spend more time than you intended and have to jump back into work without taking a true break away from the screen.

11. Find a creative space to work

Many jobs that you do remotely give you the flexibility to work outside your home. Take advantage of this opportunity and find a place to work like your local coffee shop, a park, a public library or a coworking space with other remote professionals. Stepping away from your office at home can improve your creativity, focus and productivity, and keep you motivated.

12. Ask for what you need

If you work for a company that supports your WFH setup, they may provide you with equipment similar to what you had at the office. After all, they want you to be productive no matter where you’re working from. Don’t hesitate to ask for the right monitor, keyboard, mouse, chair, printer, software and whatever else you need. Companies with established WFH policies often have a budget for home office equipment, so ask what it is and how often equipment is updated.

13. Overestimate the time tasks will take

It's common for tasks to take longer than you think they will, which can be discouraging. Try overestimating how long you think something will take so that when you do complete it under your established deadline, you'll feel accomplished. When you're able to commit to and deliver in this way, it can set the tone for a positive work environment.

14. Find ways to automate tasks

When you're working from home, it's easy to feel bogged down by the tedious tasks you are responsible for. Explore ways to automate these tasks so you're mostly working on things that require your attention. Some ways to automate your tasks include creating workflows, setting up email filters and using an automatic meeting scheduler.

15. Build your momentum

Because you probably don't have the same level of motivation throughout your entire day, structure your tasks in a way that helps you build momentum in your work. For example, you may choose to complete really simple tasks first because you feel motivated by a checkmark on your to-do list. With the easy work done, you may feel more ready to conquer the most time-consuming or complicated tasks next.

16. Stay connected with co-workers and managers

While working from home comes with many benefits, you may feel isolated. It's important to stay in communication with your co-workers and managers so you feel like a part of a team. Some companies with a remote work culture usually offer ways to socialize. For example, they might have channels in a team messaging app or have regular online video chats. A simple check-in with others can boost your confidence and inspire you to work harder.

17. Plan your day the night before

Take some time during the last 15 minutes of your workday to plan how your next day will go. Do things like writing out a task list and time block your calendar so that when you start your day, you know exactly what you'll be working on and when. While this schedule is a great starting point, it'll also help you adjust accordingly if something unexpected comes up.

18. Sign up for training and conferences

Even though you work from home and may not be as privy to the same in-person training as your co-workers in the office, ask your manager if you can sign up for online training and conferences. If your co-workers are learning more about the industry and growing their skills, you should try to do the same so you don't feel behind.

19. Show up for online meetings

As a WFH employee, you’ll certainly be drawn into more online meetings. Be sure you “show up” for meetings since your absence can be tracked. Also, speak up to let others know you’re there and listening. A simple “Hello” or “Thanks, everyone” can go a long way to assuring co-workers and managers that you’re still part of the team even if you’re not at the office.

20. Set expectations

When you start working remotely, it’s a good idea to establish expectations with your manager. Make sure you understand what your manager is looking for, how they will measure your success, how often you should check in and how they prefer to receive work updates from you. This will help guide you in knowing if you're being as productive as you need to be, and will also alleviate the stress that may come from not knowing how you're performing.

Related: Ways To Become Indispensable at Work

21. Establish a work-life balance

One of the most important things you can do when you're working from home is to establish a healthy work-life balance. With it, you can prevent undue stress, burnout and low productivity. With a work-life balance, you're able to attend to both your work and personal responsibilities and be successful at both. You should also be happier at work, positive in interactions with your co-workers and have greater loyalty for the organization you work for.