21 Best Self Employed Jobs for Freedom & Flexibility
In today’s job market, self-employed jobs offer the luxury of freedom and personal satisfaction that’s hard to find in traditional jobs.
The shift toward a gig economy and remote work has opened up numerous avenues in various job sectors.
If you have a passion for technology, there’s a big world of digital jobs awaiting; if you’re inclined toward the creative arts, writing and other expressive fields are the best choices.
Making a living with self-employed jobs is possible while you pursue your passion project, share your expertise, or offer specialized services. For me, my self-employment journey started when I started my blog, and it’s been the most fulfilling experience.
Today I am sharing a list of self-employed jobs that are flexible and high-paying.
Key Takeaways
- Self-employment offers passion-driven work with the benefit of flexible scheduling.
- There are many opportunities, from tech to the creative arts, that offer self-employment.
- If you want to succeed in getting a self-employed job, then learning new skills and gaining experience can be helpful.
- With self-employed jobs, you are responsible for your taxes, whether you work as an independent contractor or a freelancer.
21 Best Self-Employed Jobs
#1. Software Developer
As a software developer, you can work on a variety of projects, from creating mobile apps to developing software solutions. For this job, you need to be proficient with programming languages such as Python, Java, or C+. Check websites like Toptal for software developer roles.
#2. Web Design
Web design combines technical coding skills with an eye for design to create engaging websites. Your understanding of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) principles ensures websites are both attractive and functional. Thorough knowledge of HTML and CSS is necessary to get started in this career.
Skillshare is the best resource to learn web design and get started in this creative career.
#3. Freelance Writing
If you are great with words and have the skill to craft a good piece of writing, then freelance writing can be your calling. As a freelance writer, you can build a diverse content portfolio, ranging from articles and eBooks to scripts. Your freelance career is defined by your ability to produce high-quality writing that appeals to your target audience. Here are some of the best places to start your freelance writing journey.
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#4. Blogging
Blogging is one of the careers that can give you financial freedom and the flexibility to work whenever you want.
The key to being successful in blogging is selecting niches that you are knowledgeable about or have a strong interest in. This will help you share your expertise with others. You can also utilize platforms for freelancers like Upwork or Freelancer to find writing gigs or start your own blogging site to showcase your work.
I worked in a remote job for many years, and I wanted to share different ways to work from home. That’s when my blog started. If you want to know how to start a blog, here is a short guide.
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#5. Editing and Proofreading
If you have an eye for detail and a solid grasp of grammar, professional editing and proofreading can be excellent self-employment paths. Your main goal is to polish and enhance a writer’s work without altering their unique voice.
To get started with this, you need to:
- Highlight your proficiency in grammar and style guides.
- Offer your services on freelance marketplaces or create a professional website to attract writers needing editing or proofreading.
- Keep up with the latest editing software and tools to offer efficient and high-quality results.
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#6. Graphic Design
As a graphic designer, you create the visual identity for businesses, including logos and branding materials. Mastery of design software and an understanding of color theory and typography allow you to produce compelling visuals that capture a brand’s essence.
Some of the essential tools for graphic design are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
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#7. Bookkeeping
As a self-employed bookkeeper, you handle the day-to-day financial records of businesses, using tools like QuickBooks to manage transactions accurately. Your role involves producing financial statements that are crucial for decision-making. This is one of the top careers that can give you high pay and the luxury of working from home. Learn more about how to become a bookkeeper here.
#8. Tutor
As a tutor, you can provide personalized education in any subject you are good at. Many legit companies like BookNook, Cambly, and Chegg hire online tutors with at least one year of experience to teach kids online. For more information about the requirements, check the company website. Here is a list of the top remote tutoring companies.
For more passive income, you can create courses on platforms like Udemy, Shillshare, or Coursera and share your expertise.
#9. Photographer
Photography is not just a job; it’s a creative art form. It’s a skill that can be learned through practice, and it gives you a chance to showcase your creativity. I side hustle as a travel photographer and have done many projects over the last few years.
You can take the freelance route and start a photography business from home. Here are some of the ways you can make money as a photographer:
- Sell prints
- Create photography courses
- Organize photography tours
- Take up commission work
- Start a photography blog
#10. Child Care Provider
If you love working with children, then think of starting your own childcare business from home. This is one of the flexible self-employed jobs that is flexible and does not involve traveling. Though you don’t need to have a degree to start this job, some states have requirements, so check the requirements before you start. Having some experience caring for children and the right setup can help you start this business.
#11. Translator
Translators utilize language skills to bridge communication gaps and simplify the content. Translators and interpreters can work freelance, collaborating with different clients or agencies. Even if you are a beginner in this field, you can sign up for platforms like Freelancer or Upwork to land small projects to build experience. There are many online translation companies that hire freelance translators.
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#12. Hairstylist
Did you know that hairstylists earn around $34,000 to $90,000 per year? It’s a creative profession where you enhance the beauty of your clients and give them a new look. To become a hairstylist, you must have at least a high school diploma with relevant training. It would help if you also got a state-issued license to start a hair styling salon.
#13. Transcription
Transcription is one of the top self-employed jobs that gives you great income and flexibility. The job involves converting audio files to text with good precision and accuracy. Transcription has three categories: legal, general, and medical transcription.
To start a transcription from scratch, you need to have a good typing speed (60 wpm or more), accuracy, knowledge of the terminology, and good command over the English language. If you want to know more about this career, then take this free webinar that gives you all the details, like the pay, how to get clients, and the work involved.
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#14. Voice Acting
Voice acting is a fun job and can be done without any expertise or qualification. Being a voice actor means giving background voice to different online media like cartoons, TV commercials, announcements, events, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. There are many freelance websites like VoiceBunny, Voices.com, and Voice123 that advertise projects for freelance voice artists.
As for the pay, freelance voice artists charge up to $200 per hour, depending on their experience. To take a deep dive into voice acting, enroll in this free webinar.
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#15. Dog Treat Baker
Speaking of starting a business, a dog treat baking business is another job that’s enjoyable if you love dogs. In my opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than baking treats for your pets. What if you could turn this into a booming business? Great, right?! Well, my friend Kristin Larsen teaches how to start a dog bakery business from scratch and earn money on the side.
She gives you all the tips and tricks you need to start this business, including where to sell your products, how to get clients, and even tasty recipes.
#16. Interior Designer
As an interior designer, you can transform houses into dream homes. It is a creative job that can give you a high income. To become an interior designer, you need to have a degree in interior design or architecture, take the qualification exam (NCIDQ), and gain some experience to start your own interior design business.
#17. Grocery/Food Delivery
Do you love shopping and taking your time to find the right products? If that’s you, then try becoming a grocery shopper. Grocery shoppers find the right products and deliver the stuff to the customers.
To become a grocery shopper, you need to have patience, be mindful of customer requirements, and be organized. Other requirements include having a car, scooter, or bicycle; a phone; a driver’s license; etc.
You can apply to companies like Shipt and Instacart to get hired as a personal grocery shopper. Alternatively, you can also deliver food via Doordash or UberEats.
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#18. Flea Market Flipper
Did you ever find a great-looking piece of furniture lying on the curbside? Well, if you have a keen eye for turning junk into valuable stuff, then you can try flea market flipping. In simple terms, finding good pieces of junk and flipping them to make a profit is flea market flipping.
I honestly feel this is one of the unique businesses that can give you the freedom and money to be your own boss. If this is something you want to explore, here is a free webinar that teaches how to get started in thrift store flipping.
#19. Personal Trainer
Are you passionate about fitness? If yes, then this could be your home business. The dynamics of personal fitness have changed a lot since the pandemic, and there is huge demand for personal trainers. All you need is a high school diploma and an online training certification to start your business. With good marketing and networking, you can gain clientele and scale your business. You can teach in gyms, schools, at home, or online.
#20. Life Coach
As a life coach, you work one-on-one with clients to aid in personal development, navigating career paths, and achieving life goals. Your role involves setting clear goals and creating a positive mindset. Though you don’t need any specific qualifications to become a life coach, you do need relevant training and certification. Here are some simple steps to becoming a life coach.
#21. Real Estate Agent
Becoming a real estate agent involves obtaining a license, which requires completing a pre-licensing course and passing a state exam. As an agent, your role involves evaluating and marketing the property and guiding clients through the buying or selling processes. The potential pay is usually 3–5% of the sale price of the property. It helps to have some sales experience for this job.
Final Thoughts
As a self-employed individual, you have flexibility and control over your work. These jobs not only give you the freedom to decide your schedule, but they also give you financial stability and the best work-life balance. I hope you find the career you love in the above list.
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