Top Online Jobs That Earn You Real Money

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For a long time, remote work was more of a concept than a reality. While the technology was there for millions to work online, only a small number actually did. This changed drastically with the pandemic, which redefined the traditional office job. Nowadays, working from home is much more common. In August 2022, a FlexJobs survey found that about 80% of employees were either home-based or working in a hybrid model, while only 20% were working entirely on-site. This trend is expected to continue; an AT&T study predicts that by 2024, 81% of workplaces will adopt a hybrid model.

This shift is a positive change. The way we work and think about careers has been evolving dramatically since the start of the 21st century. Advances in technology are making remote work more feasible than ever, and many jobs are transitioning from traditional roles to non-traditional ones. For instance, jobs that were once strictly in-office roles are now being taken on by contractors, freelancers, and gig workers. Some of these roles are a blend of traditional jobs and self-employment, while others are leaning entirely toward self-employment.

We’ve put together this guide to highlight the best online jobs that can help you earn real money. These jobs are becoming more common due to technological, economic, and consumer lifestyle changes. We’ve categorized these opportunities into broad fields: technical occupations, web-based jobs, administrative roles, education-related professions, and specialized occupations.

To make the most of these opportunities, you need to be flexible and willing to work in various formats, whether it’s a traditional remote job, part-time work, freelance, gig work, or full-on self-employment. Pay levels for more formal roles come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook or Payscale.com, while less formal occupations have general range estimates.

Here are some of the key categories and jobs:

Technical Occupations:

• Web Designer: Designs attractive and functional website layouts. Often freelance or self-employed. Median pay is $73,760 annually. A college degree helps, but skills like CSS and HTML are crucial. Freelance opportunities can be found on LinkedIn, DesignCrowd, and 99designs.
• IT Support: Provides technical assistance to end-users. Often remote traditional jobs. Median pay is $54,760 per year. Jobs typically found on job boards.
• SEO Manager: Optimizes websites for better Google rankings. Can be a traditional job, freelance, or self-employed. Median pay is $60,270 annually. Freelance gigs often listed on Problogger and Upwork.
• Graphic Designer: Creates graphic images for websites and marketing. Available as traditional, freelance, or gig work. Median pay is $52,110 per year but can be higher for freelance work. Jobs found on Upwork, Guru, and Freelancer.
• Video Editor: Enhances and edits video content. Mostly freelance or gig work. Median pay is $48,255 annually. Freelance jobs can be found on Freelancer and Upwork.

Web-Based Occupations:

• Blogger: Creates content and monetizes through ads and product reviews. Potential earnings can range widely. Start by creating a website with an inexpensive hosting plan.
• Freelance Writer: Writes for websites and blogs. Specialization helps. Pay ranges from $50 to $500 per article. Experienced writers can make a six-figure income. Find jobs on Problogger or market services directly.
• Content Editor: Manages and enhances content for websites. Pays about $46,896 per year. Jobs found on Problogger and Craigslist.
• Proofreader: Corrects spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Pay averages $17.82 per hour but can be up to $40 for freelance work. Find jobs on Problogger or Upwork.
• Facebook Ads Manager: Manages social media ad campaigns. Freelance work that can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month. Best to market services directly to potential clients.
• Social Media Manager: Manages the social media presence of businesses. Pay averages $50,816 per year. Jobs found on Craigslist or marketed directly through social media.

Administrative Occupations:

• Virtual Assistant: Provides various business services. Pay varies from $15 to $50 per hour depending on services. Opportunities found on Upwork or People Per Hour.
• Data Entry: Enters data into business databases. Median pay is $34,820 per year. Jobs found on job boards.
• Customer Service Rep: Provides customer support. Median pay is $34,710 per year. Jobs found on job boards or specialized sites like Transcom.
• Sales Representative: Sells products or services. Median pay is $63,050 per year. Jobs found on LinkedIn or FlexJobs.
• Medical Transcriptionist: Transcribes medical reports. Median pay is $33,380 per year. Requires completing a medical transcription program.

Education-Related Occupations:

• Tutor: Provides one-on-one assistance to students. Pay averages $17.81 per hour but can be up to $50 for technical subjects. Market services to local schools or on social media.
• ESL Teacher: Teaches English to non-native speakers. Median pay is $44,982 per year. Requires a bachelor’s degree and often an ESL certification. Jobs found on school websites or ESL platforms like Magic Ears.

Professional and Specialized Occupations:

• Online Nurse: Provides medical advice online. Median pay is $73,300 per year. Requires a registered nursing degree and experience. Jobs found on healthcare recruiting sites or directly with employers.
• Accountants and Bookkeepers: Handle financial records. Median pay for accountants is $71,550 per year and $41,230 per year for bookkeepers. Jobs found on job boards.
• Technical Writers: Create specialized content. Median pay is $60,103 per year. Freelance opportunities found on Upwork or market services directly.
• Business Consultant: Offers expertise to businesses. Pay varies widely. Market services directly to potential clients.
• Real Estate Agent: Facilitates property transactions. Median pay is $62,060 per year. Requires a real estate license.

Tips for Remote Work:

1. Watch out for scams. Avoid jobs that are vague, request upfront fees, or ask for personal information early on.
2. Have a dedicated workspace at home to minimize distractions and increase productivity.
3. Ensure you have the right equipment, like a good quality computer and high-speed internet.
4. Hands-on experience is crucial for better-paying jobs, so gain experience before going remote.
5. Take your online job seriously to ensure productivity and meet employer expectations.
6. Some online jobs are hybrid, so be open to spending part-time in an office.

Final Thoughts:
Online jobs are becoming the new normal due to advances in technology and shifts in work culture brought on by the pandemic. Whether you’re in IT, education, marketing, customer service, writing, or any other field, there are growing opportunities to work remotely. Keep an eye out for scams, set up a productive workspace, and be prepared to gain experience to secure a well-paying remote job.

FAQs on Top Online Jobs:

• Industries offering the best online jobs include IT, education, marketing, administration, writing, tutoring, and more.
• Yes, there are online jobs with no experience needed, like data entry clerks or online tutors, often with on-the-job training.
• Some online jobs may require specific equipment, like a good computer or specialized software, depending on the role.