If you’re looking for good-paying entry-level jobs you can do from home, it’s important to consider all the options. You need to know what you’re looking for in terms of pay and benefits. If you need employer-provided benefits, your starting pay will often be lower. There are jobs to consider, that have the potential for growth in the future, but most start off paying below $12-15 an hour.
There are also work at home contractor positions, where you work not as an employee, but as an independent contractor. In these positions, you are responsible for paying your own taxes, so it’s best to check with your accountant before beginning. These often pay slightly better.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, consider starting your own freelance business. Your starting pay will be higher, and you will be in control of the business. As your own boss, you get to decide which clients to work with and which ones to turn down.
Here’s a bit more information about some high-paying jobs you can do from home to help you decide which route is best for you.
Entry-Level Jobs with Benefits
Because they’re considered entry-level, these jobs won’t be as good-paying as others on the list, and there probably isn’t any flexibility for negotiating your pay. But, they do come with at least some employee benefits in addition to your wages. be sure to read the details of each job offer closely so you always know what your package will include.
To help you in your search, be sure to check out these five companies that routinely hire people to work from home.
- Apple: Apple hires remote workers for three different types of positions.
- Sitel: Sitel hires entry-level inbound call center representatives
- World Travel Holdings: World Travel Holdings hires remote customer service representatives.
- Sykes: Sykes often hires at-home sales representatives.
- American Express: American Express hires travel consultants/customer service agents to work in virtual positions.
You can find other hiring companies and job opportunities on FlexJobs.com. When checking out the job listings, be sure you pay attention to the location requirements. Some companies only hire workers from certain states or require in-person training for a couple of weeks before you begin.
Entry-Level Jobs As an Independent Contractor
Often, independent contractor positions start at a higher hourly wage. However, you will need to save some of your income to pay taxes with each year, so make sure you don’t spend all of your earnings.
Here are four entry-level independent contractor positions you can consider.
- NexRep: As an independent contractor with NexRep, you can provide customer service to a variety of companies. Pay can be up to $25 an hour depending on the assignment.
- 3PlayMedia: If you are a proficient typist, you can become an English transcription editor with 3PlayMedia. Their pay varies depending on the project, but it’s typically $10-30/hour.
Entry-Level Freelance Businesses You Can Start
Freelancing isn’t the right move for everyone, but if you want the highest earning potential, starting your own freelance business is the way to go. You won’t be limited to the wages set by other companies, and you will be able to work as much or as little as you’d like.
If that’s interesting to you, think about how you can start a business that builds on your strengths. That way you aren’t pouring time and energy into something you absolutely despise. Think about your skills, any previous experience, and what you enjoy doing in your free time. Is this an area that people would pay for? If it is, you have a viable business potential.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common, and most lucrative, freelance businesses to begin.
Freelance Writing
If you enjoy writing, consider starting a freelance writing business. Though your initial pay might be low as you gain experience, the average freelance writer’s salary is over $24 an hour. Many go on to earn six-figures a year with freelance writing!
To increase your rates, you need to:
- Provide excellent service (meet your deadlines and deliver quality work)
- Not work for content mills – most of those are on the bottom of the pay scale
- Specialize in a specific type of writing. When you’re seen as an expert, you get paid more.
Graphic Design
Can you create eye-catching designs? If you enjoy creating graphic elements, you can make a great living as a freelance graphic designer. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for this role is $57,699.
You’ll want to ensure you have a clear contract that determines exactly what your services will include. This way you don’t run into scope creep – where clients want you to do more and more without adjusting your pay.
Here are some tips on where to find graphic design work online to get you started!
Virtual Assistant
With so many possible skills to offer as a virtual assistant, you can decide to specialize or be a general VA. If you decide to specialize, here are just a few of the fields you could become an expert in:
- Pinterest management
- Social media management
- Customer service
- Email management
- Blog maintenance
- Content creation
According to PayScale.com, the average annual salary for a virtual assistant is between $14,323 – $62,318. That is a huge range! It’s because the tasks virtual assistants complete are so varied.
To position yourself for higher pay, make sure you’re targeting the right type of clients. Think about who you’d love to work for, and who can afford to pay you what you’re worth. Then market yourself accordingly. There are many virtual assistants making over $100 an hour, so once you get some experience under your belt, don’t limit your own earning potential. Specializing is a great way to command higher rates.
While you can find entry-level jobs with decent pay, starting your own freelance business is the best way to quickly move up the pay scale.