work from home jobs
Updated September 30, 2021

21 Non-Sales Work from Home Jobs That Will Bring You a Steady Income

Online Jobs

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Work from home jobs are becoming increasingly attractive to people around the world.

This desire is driven by the need for a greater work-life balance and the growing attraction of online jobs.

While millions of Americans work from home at least some of the time, many are still trying to find a way to make it happen.

Many of the real work from home jobs available out there seem to be all about selling products.

Also, it can be difficult to determine what’s legit and what’s a scam where online work is concerned.

However, there are several legal and perfectly legitimate ways to make money from home. Those outlined in this article have nothing to do with sales.

For more ways to earn extra cash, take a look at these ideas for online side hustles.

1. Virtual Assistant

This job title covers a wide range of skills. This means you can apply for those jobs that best align with your interests and qualifications.

Some clients will require you to schedule appointments, send and respond to emails and book travel arrangements.

If you have experience as an admin assistant, you may enjoy this.

Other clients will need you to create web content and assist with social media management.

If you have writing skills and enjoy creating graphics and videos, this could be just the gig for you.

Some virtual assistant jobs may require you to do in-depth research and prepare reports or track expenses and make purchases.

There is really no limit to this role. Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the most legitimate work from home jobs.

2. Social Media Manager

Do you know how to use Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat for business? Can you generate significant returns on investment from online ads?

Do you have the ability to build a brand’s targeted following?

If you answered yes to these questions, social media management may be for you.

Skills like photography, videography, marketing and writing will come in handy.

Social media skills can be applied to virtually any industry.

You will be able to find work in a range of sectors since almost every business wants to expand their online reach.

If you want to work online from your laptop and phone, and you have the necessary skills, this is a fantastic role for you.

3. Email Marketing

If you know how to craft persuasive sales emails with high conversion rates, many brands and businesses would love to hear from you.

You would be responsible for creating brand awareness, promoting products and services, and building customer relations.

If you have experience helping businesses to grow through direct marketing, you will only have to learn the technical details of the different email marketing service providers.

Design skills would be an asset.

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4. Writer

If you have a way with words, there’s no limit to how much you can make online.

Businesses of every variety need content, and many don’t have the in-house resources to create it.

You can get jobs writing reports, blogs, white papers, sales emails, e-books and more.

Many companies hire freelance writers as needed but even major organizations hire full-time remote writers there days.

Given the demand for online content, you can make a steady income from home.

Be prepared to learn varied style guides if you will be working with several clients.

If you’ll be working on content for the web, make sure you are aware of search engine optimization strategies and how to do keyword research.

5. Editor

Many editors are also writers.

If you have lots of experience writing and you are prepared to learn some additional skills, you can be an editor.

You will be required to have an excellent command of English grammar and vocabulary.

Knowledge of style guides, writing conventions, and the publishing industry may be required.

The field of editing ranges from simple proofreading to developmental or line editing, and the requirements are different in each case.

Some jobs will only require you to check for typos, but others will require you to help writers improve significantly on rough drafts.

If you are new to editing, take some courses, start at the bottom, and work your way up.

It is one of the most rewarding options for working from home online.

6. Graphic Designer

If you shudder at the thought of writing and you like to express yourself in a more visual way, consider becoming a virtual graphic designer.

You can work on anything from logos to marketing materials, billboards, magazines, posters, and more.

Depending on who you are working for, you may also edit photos and layout documents.

Familiarity with Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator is a must.

Knowledge of color theory, web design, and typography will be helpful.

For more useful tips on how to get extra cash by taking online surveys and doing small tasks click here!

7. Pet Sitter

While many work from home jobs involve technology, not all do.

If you’d rather spend your time playing with a pup or a couple cats, you too can find work.

However, it probably won’t even feel like work.

Many people who are heading out of town for a few days want someone to take care of their animals.

Instead of just having a friend check on them, they hire a full-time sitter.

You would be responsible for feeding and walking the animals and ensuring they get lots of exercise.

Some pet owners will gladly bring their furry friends to your home, but others may want you to stay in their home.

Animal lovers can find work on sites like Rover and DogVacay.

8. House Sitter

Some homeowners want someone to stay in their properties while they are away. They may or may not have pets.

You may be required to keep the house clean, water the plants and tend to the pool.

Some clients may ask you to forward mail or phone calls.

Since duties vary, homeowners and house sitters typically agree on expectations before the job begins.

9. Virtual Bookkeeper

If you like practical work involving numbers and you’re still trying to figure out how to work from home, consider bookkeeping.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an accountant. You just need good computer skills and some training in bookkeeping.

You will typically work with smaller businesses who can’t afford to have full-time accounting staff.

10. English Teacher

Teaching English has emerged as one of the more popular jobs you can do from home or anywhere else.

Many people teach to gain a full- or part-time income.

You will need to a native or near-native English speaker. Some companies or students will prefer that you are from the United States or Canada.

In some cases, a university degree or TEFL certificate is necessary but this isn’t always the case.

Students can range from children all the way to business executives.

For other great ideas on how to make money online and at home, click here!

11. Tutor

If you’d rather not teach English but you don’t mind conducting some classes, maybe you can tutor in history or science.

Instead of standing at the front at a classroom, you’ll conduct live classes on Skype or record your sessions.

You can teach from elementary school up to college level.

You’ll have flexibility in choosing your class schedule. Pay varies depending on which subjects you teach.

Online tutors usually need to be experts in their field, have a university degree, or be enrolled in university.

12. Blogger

If you enjoy writing and creating other types of online content, you may want to become a blogger.

You can choose a niche topic you’re passionate about or research those areas which offer the highest financial rewards.

Bloggers typically make money from affiliate income, advertising revenue, e-books and courses, as well as speaking engagements.

Product endorsements and other brand partnerships also bring in money.

Many successful bloggers go on to teach others how to make money from blogging. This gives them another stream of income.

13. Vlogger

Vloggers focus on producing video content.

If you enjoy being both in front and behind the camera, this could be the ideal work from home job for you.

Like blogging, you will need to find a niche area in which you can set yourself apart from the competition.

You will also need to be business-minded so you can pursue varied money-making opportunities.

This is especially important if you want to make vlogging your full-time job.

Click here to find out more about how to make money from YouTube videos and how much you can get paid from that!

14. Voice Over Artist

Maybe you don’t want anyone to see you but you have the perfect radio voice.

You can get gigs voicing commercials, animated films, or audio books.

In fact, the increased popularity of audio books means narrators are in demand.

Acting experience can come in handy if you need to voice multiple characters. Mastering accents and dialects will go a long way.

Depending on the jobs you get, you may need to both read a script or book and edit the finished product.

15. Transcriptionist

On the opposite side of the spectrum, you can be paid for listening to audio files and transcribing what you hear.

Journalists, speakers and doctors and lecturers often require such a service.

You can often get work without having much experience. You just need to show you can pay attention to detail and follow instructions.

All you need to is a computer and keyboard to get started.

However, specialized fields like law and medicine do require someone familiar with the jargon.

For other money-earning tips, check out these 31 ways to make passive income while you sleep.

16. Translator

Translation can be a great way to make steady income from home if you are fluent in two languages or more.

You can translate written documents for businesses or government departments, write content in dual languages, or do multi-lingual data entry.

Some companies also hire translators to work over the phone.

Knowing multiple languages also makes you more marketable for many other online jobs.

17. Website Tester

You probably won’t make a living from this, but you can earn some money while working from home.

Website testing can be pursued in conjunction with other jobs on this list.

Companies pay online testers to ensure their websites are easy for users to navigate.

You simply have to follow the instructions you are given to make sure the site does what I should.

To make the most of these opportunities, register with about 10 different websites to ensure work is always available.

You will need a computer equipped with a microphone and webcam for most tests.

18. Real Estate Investor

Real estate investment isn’t just for rich people. You don’t have to buy a house to make money from property.

If you have as little as $500, you can invest using Fundrise.

For more information about how the program works, check out our Fundrise review.

Your money will be placed in two portfolios linked to private real estate in the United States.

You can easily see which townhouses or apartment buildings your money has been invested in.

In addition, you will be paid quarterly dividends and your income comes mainly from rent and interest payments.

19. Customer Service Representative

If you enjoy interacting with people over the phone and you have excellent communication skills, companies are looking for you.

You will need to have good computer skills and the ability to talk on the phone while looking up information on the computer.

Both full and part-time opportunities are available.

You will help customers find products they are looking for, place orders or resolve complaints.

Hotels, online shopping networks, and florists are among those who hire remote customer service reps.

20. Telephone Triage Nurse

If you thought you couldn’t put your nursing skills to work while staying at home, think again.

Companies hire registered nurses to help patients who can’t make it to the doctor or hospital.

The field is also known as telepathology or telehealth nursing.

Your role would be to help patients determine what kind of care they need just by talking to them on the phone.

You listen to their symptoms and help them decide whether to treat themselves, make an appointment with the doctor, or call the emergency services.

Telephone nurses help doctors to reduce their patient load. They also help prevent overcrowding in emergency facilities.

21. Notary Public

This may be the most unexpected work from home job on this list.

However, becoming a notary public is a great way to make extra income.

It’s also one of the most official jobs. You will need to apply to the state, pay a fee and take an oath of office.

Some states also require you to take specific training courses.

Notaries serve as impartial witnesses, verify the identity of people signing documents, and confirm that they aren’t being coerced. Such services are always in demand.

Choose the Best Work from Home Job for You

Whatever your skill set or interest, you can find real work from home jobs.

Some, like house sitting or pet sitting, don’t require any special training.

However, there are many online courses you can take to get you ready for some of the more technical jobs.

Don’t be afraid to try a few jobs before you find the one which is right for you.

What work from home job from our list have you tried or would like to try in order to earn some extra money? Let us know below!

Author:

Logan Allec, CPA

Logan is a practicing CPA and founder of Choice Tax Relief and Money Done Right. After spending nearly a decade in the corporate world helping big businesses save money, he launched his blog with the goal of helping everyday Americans earn, save, and invest more money. Learn more about Logan.

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