Have you been scraping by on a minimum wage job – whether in-person or working from home? Nobody’s got time for that! In today’s economy, you need to pursue those positions that properly value your time, and give you the best platform from which to live well and plan for the future. I want to see every one of you find a place that lets you build a career for a fair wage – and I know the best way to get you started.
First, Let’s Talk About Minimum Wage
Do you know what the minimum wage is in your state? In case you didn’t know, it does actually vary across the United States! There’s a federal minimum wage that every state must meet – since 2009, that minimum has been $7.25. Let’s face it: that is NOT enough to get by on. While each state must pay workers a minimum hourly wage of $7.25 per hour (with some exceptions like for waitstaff), many states have elected to pay more. The highest rate is actually courtesy of the District of Columbia at $12.50. Each job I share with you today pays that rate or better!
What Jobs Usually Pay More Than Minimum Wage?
The types of jobs most likely to pay more than minimum wage do often require experience – whether that’s a couple of years in customer service or better than seven years in a particular industry. Some of the more basic jobs in transcription or moderation, for example, often wind up paying barely better than the federal minimum wage. Whenever possible, gravitate toward those jobs supported by your current job experience – or choose a job and stick with it, building up your credentials so you can move on to better-paying positions in time. Even better, establish yourself as a freelancer who can set their own rates and always, always pay yourself better than minimum wage.
Read on for my job recommendations that pay better than minimum wage.
Transcription
3Play Media is a video transcription company that also does captioning, subtitles, and audio description. They specialize in making their clients’ content more engaging and accessible. They’re looking for both English and Spanish freelance transcription editors, and you can make $10-$30 per hour depending on the project. Requirements are pretty basic and include typing a minimum of 75 WPM.
Online Teaching
gogokid – There is pretty decent money to be had teaching English online. gogokid is a site that is always welcoming new tutors with a Bachelor’s degree. Pay is reportedly $14 to $22 per hour. Early morning hours are required, but members of my community love the flexibility – and extra cash!
Customer Service Positions
Apple At Home Advisor – As an at-home customer service agent with Apple, you can expect the perks that come with working for Apple – from paid time off to discounts on their products. They also reportedly pay between $14 – $15 to their representatives who handle customer concerns via incoming calls and chat.
Brighten Communications will connect you with their clients so that you can successfully conduct your own phone-based B2B business, working with companies in finance, brokerage, technology and more. The best part is that their hourly pay rate is up to $18, and you still have the opportunity to set your own hours within the confines of Monday through Thursday, 8 AM EST – 5 PM PST.
Blooms Today hires remote independent sales reps. This one does not require a landline as you will be talking calls via VOIP. These are inbound calls. Representatives average earnings between $15 to $24 per the website.
Virtual Assistant
Worldwide 101 is looking for experienced Executive Assistants to join their team. Anyone they hire must have at least seven years of corporate experience, and their pay is commensurate with these expectations – you can earn between $18 – $20 hourly doing a variety of virtual assistant tasks once they connect you with a client.
Zirtual also is looking for assistants – or Consultants – to join their team and work as part of a virtual workforce for various entrepreneurs and startups across America. They require their Consultants to have college degrees and some experience, and reportedly pay between $12 and $13 depending on the client.
BELAY is likewise looking for professional go-getters seeking a better life-work balance to join their team of virtual assistants or bookkeepers. Their VA positions seem to revolve around true administrative work from maintaining an agenda to managing email to planning events. You don’t need a college degree to work with them either, though it’s preferred. Pay is reportedly between $15 to $18 per hour.
Social Media Moderation
The Social Element – Formerly eModeration, The Social Element regularly hires moderators from all over the world (along with help desk representatives and more). They’re often looking for bilingual moderators especially and they seem to pay between $14 – $17 depending on the position. As a moderator with The Social Element, you monitor and support client brands online, moderate user-generated content, and post client-created responses – overall encouraging positive social interactions between brands and customers.
Search Engine Evaluators
Appen, who will soon acquire Leapforce, is one of the heavy hitters when it comes to web search evaluators or social media evaluators. Essentially, in this position, you complete a set of prescribed tasks to test the effectiveness of search results within certain frameworks (like a social media site). You must work with them at least part time and they reportedly pay between $12 – $13 per hour.
Lionbridge periodically recruits for different analyst and evaluator positions – for example, they’re currently hiring map analysts to work from home in the United States. At other times, they may be hiring search engine evaluators to do the usual testing of search engine results for accuracy and relevance. It looks like their evaluator jobs pay around $13 – $14 hourly.
Miscellaneous Jobs
Freelance Writer – As a freelance writer, you can expect to pull well over $12.50 per hour, whether you’re ghostwriting blogs, providing social media content, or penning articles under your own byline. The important thing is to establish your writing credentials with publications and continuously search out work, which is easier than ever thanks to a number of excellent writing job boards.
Web Developer – If you know how to code websites and have any eye for design, you’re well on your way to another freelance position that can make you more than minimum wage. The Internet is an ever-expanding world hungering for fresh content and new ways of looking at the world – and web developers make the Internet come together in a usable way. Keep an eye on your favorite job board (like FlexJobs) for web developer work.
Coder – Learning computer languages is a great investment for your future, especially since you can turn it into a thriving business you run from home and make bank by doing. From creating apps to implementing website features, the need for coders is as vast as the Internet. Look out for job listings calling for software or app developers.
It’s time to take back your time and use it only on those remote employers who understand your worth and invest in you as a valued team member. You’re not just another cog in some machine. Use my guide to score a job that pays better than minimum wage, and build a better future with it!