The best jobs for working remotely? Imagine what you can do on a computer with a stable internet connection right in the comfort of your couch. Contrary to popular notion, remote jobs (also called telecommuting in professional spheres) are not limited to programming, application development, or customer service.
Thanks to the internet, more and more tasks can now be done offsite at the time and place of your choosing. Now, these types of employment are not privilege either; they’re just a more economical way of getting things done with minimal costs on office spaces and energy consumption.
Remote Work Now
The flexibility to work whenever you want, wherever you want, and on a less confined space is becoming one of the most enticing benefits companies offer to attract and retain employees.
Back in 2017, a report from the European Commission revealed that 9.6 percent of employees in the European Union admitted to “sometimes working from home,” while 5 percent said that they usually work from home. This year, Buffer asked nearly 2,500 remote workers about their workplace preferences. The app developer for social media management found that 99% of respondents prefer to work remotely, at least once in their careers. This year, research and advisory firm, Gartner, predicted that more than half of the United States’ workforce would veer away from the traditional office setting.
Remote Work in Different Shapes and Sizes
Before the internet graced everyone’s computers and phones, remote opportunities came in the form of mystery shopping, craft-making, and medical billing. All of those sound more of startup businesses than anything else given the investment needed to get it off the ground.
Today, offsite jobs are commonly associated with functions like customer service, data entry, email or chat support, writing, graphic design, and application development or programming. But with technology and social media’s continuous growth drove businesses to hire remote staff for traditionally office-based positions.
If you want to be part of this new wave of employees, check these best jobs for working remotely:
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Translator
The Job – Being fluent in 2 languages or more is not just handy when traveling, it can also land you a career as a translator. As the name suggests, the position requires translating written, recorded, or spoken material from one language to another. While it sounds easy, the heart and soul of being a translator is in ensuring context and meanings are maintained to avoid miscommunication.
How Much does it Pay – Compensation software and data company, PayScale, lists the average pay for a translator online job is about $20.08 per hour not including bonuses or incentives. Of course, figures may change based on the language you’re fluent in and the demand for translation services for that particular language.
What You’ll Need – As previously mentioned, it takes fluency in 2 or more languages to be a translator. Beyond that, companies who need translators (though not all) require some background or experience before hiring someone for the position.
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Travel Agent
The Job – What better way to indulge your wanderlust than to work with host agencies as a virtual travel agent? For starters, you get to plan a dream vacation complete with an itinerary and hotel accommodations. Plus, you also get the excitement of choosing flights, arrival and departure destinations, and transport to get clients in and around their vacation spot. What’s great about this is that it can start as an online virtual position and can grow to become a full-blown online business.
How Much does it Pay – According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of travel agents falls within $18.61 per hour. That’s looking at an annual salary of $38,700. Depending on the number of hours worked and the travel arrangements organized, these figures can vary from $22,370 to $42,690 annually. Depending on the market you serve, perks such as discounts and freebies can also come as part of the job.
What You’ll Need – The knack to find the best deals for flights and hotel accommodations helps a lot. Other than that, googling the position will introduce to a whole world of opportunities the travel industry can offer.
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Social Media Manager
The Job – If you think being on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat is all it takes to be a social media manager, you need to have a closer look at the role. Representing brands and companies on social media means creating compelling content that not just attracts followers but gets them to become loyal customers as well.
How Much does it Pay – The Digital Marketing Institute lists social media management as one job as a specific area of focus for digital marketing. The site reports that the average rate for freelancers for digital marketers is $33 per hour, which sums up to $69,714 yearly.
What You’ll Need – Social media engages customers on a personal level and requires a bit of everything; these include writing, editing, photography, adjustment to algorithms, and data analysis.
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Nurse
The Job – It may surprise you that medical jobs (aside from being a transcriptionist) can find its place in virtual space. Despite being patient-focused, nurses can work with insurance companies and health management firms, educating patients, managing cases, and giving out treatment authorization. Outside the healthcare industry’s sphere, nurses, and to a certain extent, pharmacists can also work as writers and editors using their industry experience and knowledge to share information.
How Much does it Pay – Being a highly-specialized field, the annual compensation for nurses may vary according to education, tenure, certifications, and education. Estimates from salary.com show that the average income for Registered Nurses (including Staff Nurse and Triage Nurse) in the United States stands at $74,443.
What You’ll Need – Nursing is a profession which means any nursing job will require a degree. Some companies also require different certifications for a specific area of expertise before hiring.
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Lawyer
The Job – Aside from representing people in court hearings or being in the middle of substantial partnership deals, lawyers can also take their expertise in the virtual space. Legal research, legal writing, patenting, and estate, among others, are some of the tasks a lawyer can work on while enjoying flexible hours. More complex jobs include contracts and grants specialist, legal counsel, and Transactional attorney
How Much does it Pay – While payment schemes differ significantly from the usual consultation-based system, lawcrossing.com lists the average compensation for virtual attorneys are at $117,469 per year.
What You’ll Need – Virtual or otherwise, being a lawyer requires a degree, mainly if the bulk of the work to be done entails binding documents.
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Teacher or Tutor
The Job – Learning and education are changing with the times. As students shift to a digital learning experience, teachers can now interact with students through virtual communications and pre-recorded lessons. The interaction may differ from the traditional system, but the basic premise remains: students get educated in subjects like Math, Science, History, and English. Online tutoring, meanwhile, is like its conventional counterpart, you work with a student who needs additional help in a particular subject but via video call or phone.
How Much does it Pay – The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the compensation for teachers and instructors at an average of $60,320 per year. The figures may also vary, considering that certain subjects command higher salaries due to high demand and inadequate people who specialize in them.
What You’ll Need – Teaching is a profession that relies heavily on credentials, so advanced degrees in academics are an advantage. Likewise, some institutions maintain high standards, so additional certifications in certain subjects are of equal importance.
Working at home or wherever you’re comfortable is a relief for the regular 9-5ers who had just had it with the daily commute. If you think you don’t have what it takes, it’s about time you step out of your comfort zone and discover a whole new world of opportunities you could be missing out on. Your career’s success might be in one of these best jobs for working remotely, for all you know.
