Online Part Time Jobs: 20 Great Ideas with a Flexible Schedule

Part-Time Work at Home Jobs

The following online part-time jobs will have you working for someone else.

1. Transcription

In this position, you are transcribing an audio file into text. Most companies pay by the audio minute, which means your rates can vary depending on how long it takes you to transcribe the file. There are a few companies that hire with no previous experience.

• Rev is a company that allows you to work from home, work when you want, and transcribe interesting content! Earn flexible income transcribing audio. Rev provides all necessary training.
• Ubiquis – Ubiqus offer US-based workers opportunities to become home-based transcribers. Transcription projects vary in length and type, they include legal, medical, and various other documents. The work is part-time and offers flexible hours. Candidates with 1 to 5 years of experience are preferred. Applicants need a computer and internet access, after that, you have the option to work from anywhere, anytime.
• Tigerfish – Tigerfish seeks U.S residents to join their team of at-home transcribers. A quick typing speed and attention to detail and important for this position. In order to work for Tigerfish, you must have access to high-speed Internet and a Windows-based computer. As an independent contractor, you will be able to choose your own work schedule and hours with Tigerfish.
• TranscribeMe – Transcribeme offers very flexible year-round work for independent contractors. Projects usually consist of transcribing short 1-2 minute clips, so you can work in your downtime from home or wherever you choose. All you need is a computer and internet access. To earn extra money you can take on longer transcriptions like legal and medical documents. According to its website, earnings start at $15-22 USD per audio hour.

For even more options, see this list of 23 Transcription Jobs

2. Personal Stylist

Personal styling services is a growing industry. Personal stylists use their fashion expertise to hand-pick clothing items to be sent to their clients. You don’t need to start your own fashion company, however. There are a few established companies that hired stylists who work from their homes (or a local coffee shop). Many of these positions are location-specific.

• Stitch Fix – If you love fashion and live near certain major US cities, then Stitch Fix may have your perfect work-from-home job! Stitch Fix hires home-based stylists to help curate fashion and clothing for subscribers. Once hired, workers must attend on-site training. Stylists must have a computer, high-speed internet, and knowledge of social media. Most stylist positions are part-time.

3. MicroJobs

If you truly don’t need anything other than a little spending money, microjob sites can be an option. The pay tends to be pretty low, but the workload is entirely up to you. Work as much or as little as you would like. Log in and pick up work whenever you have a few minutes.

• Amazon Mechanical Turk – Amazon is always hiring freelance remote workers to assist Amazon Mechanical Turk clients. Tasks for this job are varied and include helping companies choose product images, deleting multiple images, and filling out surveys. Work can be completed in your spare time from anywhere you can access the internet. Pay varies per task, and you can take on as many projects as you like.
• Figure Eight – Figure Eight is hiring online contributors to assist with various online tasks and projects. Tasks might include categorizing social media posts, transcribing audio, and selecting fitting images for products. You can select as many tasks as you like and have the flexibility to start and finish them as you please. All you need is a computer and internet access, and you can work from anywhere.

4. Remote Call Center

Technology has made it easy for companies to outsource their customer service to remote representatives. Calls can be forwarded to landlines or even through your computer.

Many work-at-home customer service positions pay around $10 to $15 per hour. Many companies ask for a minimum hourly commitment. That may be 10 hours per week or 10 hours per month. Check the contract prior to accepting a position. If you work a traditional 9-to-5, you may be happy to find out the hours most companies are heavily looking to cover are nights and weekends.

Some of the most popular companies hiring remote customer service workforces include Alorica, Sitel, Amazon, U-Haul, and Sutherland. You can find a more thorough list here.

5. Travel-Related Customer Service

Many soon-to-be work-at-home agents come from a travel background or would simply like to. There are a number of ways to feed your travel bug, working with customers to plan vacations and book reservations.

• Alaska Airlines – Alaska Air hires reservation sales agents to work from home in certain US cities. As a reservation sales agent, you will answer income customer questions via phone, make and modify reservations, and assist callers with website navigation. Applicants should have a high school level education and at least two years of experience in customer service. Pay starts at $12.33 per hour. Currently, Alaska Airlines is only hiring workers located in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona.
• World Travel Holdings – World Travel Holdings offers work as a home travel sales professional and customer care representative. Perks of this job include having the freedom to work from home, paid time off, and access to travel discounts. Extensive paid training and ongoing work training are provided. World Travel Holdings provides you with the equipment you need, like a computer, headset, and keyboard, for a refundable $250 deposit. Previous customer service experience is preferred. Applicants must be legal to work in the US and reside in a state in which they are currently hiring.
• American Express – American Express hires experienced team leaders as virtual managers for travel and lifestyle services. Employees in this position will lead a team to achieve and exceed sales goals and evaluate team performance. Direct leadership experience is necessary, and a travel background is preferred. Applicants must be legal to work in the US, high-speed internet, and have a quiet home office.

Also see: Work from home travel agent – 30 jobs to consider

6. Online Tutoring

Tutoring is one of the best remote jobs for those seeking extra income. Most sites that hire contractors allow you to work as much or as little as you would like. You will need high-speed internet and a webcam. If teaching a traditional school subject like Math, you will likely need a teaching degree. However, many English as a Second Language, ESL, and tutoring sites do not have such a prerequisite.

Depending on the subject, online tutors can earn anywhere from $8 to $25+ per hour. Here you can find a list of sites that hire tutors.

• Italki – Italki offers speakers of any language an opportunity to become a language tutor. Applicants living anywhere in the world are welcome, making it a very flexible job for travelers. Tutoring sessions are conducted via Skype or free VOIP software. You will leave feedback for the student after each session. Tutors are able to set their own price per lesson, Italki takes a 15% fee. Applicants must have a computer, high-speed internet, and a headset.
• Brainmass – If you are an expert in a particular field, you may be able to turn your expertise into profit with Brain Mass. Applicants may register as Academic Experts if they are currently working on or have obtained a Masters or PhD. Students will seek you out for help directly, or you can create an academic ebook. Payments are issued monthly via PayPal. Applicants must be legal to work in the US or Canada.

7. Search Engine Evaluation

Search Engine and Ad Evaluator positions are a favorite among my community. No phone is required. In these positions, you will be rating search and ad results for relevancy and quality. Many of the sites hiring evaluators, such as Lionbridge and Appen do have a minimum hourly commitment, but you are allowed to work on your own terms and schedule.

8. Virtual Assistant

There are quite a few people who would eventually like to transition into self-employment, but they aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into getting their own clients just yet. There are a number of companies that hire freelance subcontractors for things like general virtual assistance, social marketing, and more. For the virtual assistants:

• Time, Etc – Time, etc., hires experienced virtual assistants and executive assistants an opportunity to work from home. Applicants must be available to work at least 3 hours each week. Peak hours are Monday through Friday. 2-3 years of experience in a similar position is required. Virtual assistants must have a quiet working space, a computer, high-speed internet, and an office software suite.
• BELAY – Belay offers independent contractors work-from-home positions as virtual assistants or bookkeepers! Belay works with many different clients and will assign you to a job best suited to your skills. Part-time and full-time positions are available, depending on the contractor you work with. New hires will have paid training as well as continued training and assistance when needed. A Bachelor’s degree and previous experience as an assistant are preferred but not required.
• Worldwide101 – Worldwide101 offers many stay-at-home jobs to experienced workers. Positions include executive assistants, writing and editing, marketing, and project management. Workers are expected to have a minimum of 7 years in the field they are applying for, a computer, and high-speed internet. Schedules are flexible, and hours vary per contractor. Benefits such as paid vacation and parental leave are offered. Applicants must be US citizens and live in the US.

Also see: Tips on becoming a virtual assistant

9. Social Media Manager

Do you know your way around forums and the latest social media platforms? Almost every company can benefit from having an online presence, but most don’t have the time or budget to hire someone in-house. That means they turn to remote jobs to handle the day-to-day moderation and customer service issues.

Social media management combines the best of several worlds; writing, customer service, and marketing. And there’s such a big need today with everyone from bloggers to big businesses needing someone to man their Facebook Pages and Twitter profiles. Social media managers may handle everything from responding to comments on social media to increase engagement and community outreach.

What makes Social Media Management perfect for part-time is the tools available to make your job so much easier. Social media apps allow you to check profiles and make updates anywhere. Scheduling and automation tools like Hootsuite make it easy to schedule a month’s worth of updates in less than an hour.

While some positions at big businesses may require a formal degree, many online entrepreneurs and bloggers are more interested in results and hands-on training. Though typically low-paying, there are companies like ModSquad, ICUC, and Appen that hire for social media positions; you’ll make more money breaking out on your own.

Also see: How to become a social media manager from home

10. Freelance Writer

Freelance writing is one work-from-home industry that rarely requires a degree or previous experience. It also offers a very flexible work schedule in most cases. You can work whenever and wherever you see fit as long as you can meet your deadlines. There’s no punching a clock. Its low level of entry and flexibility make it a popular choice for those looking to make money working from home part-time.

While there are many sites that consistently hire freelance writers for ongoing work, the big money comes from contracting your own clients.

Just a few companies that hire freelance writers:

• About.com
• Shmoop
• Adecco
• 24 Seven
• Magoosh
• Bustle
• Brit + Co
• Pearson
• Oyster.com
• Upworthy
• Meredith

Also see: Freelance writing jobs for beginners

11. Accounting

This is another position that requires a formal education in most cases, but many women have an accounting background.

• Accounting Department – Accounting Department (formerly known as Balance Your Books) provides full-time bookkeeping jobs for US citizens. Applicants must be experienced credentialed finance professionals. Bookkeepers must currently live in the US and be legal to work. This position includes benefits like health coverage, a 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. Experience with Quickbooks and Bookkeeping is necessary, and applicants will be asked to pass a test on both prior to hiring.

Also see: Where to find work from home accounting jobs

Looking for additional work-at-home job opportunities? I highly recommend FlexJobs, which offers high-quality, researched leads daily. 

Part-Time Home Business Ideas

While many of the above positions can be turned into freelance service businesses, there are several other home business options perfectly suited for part-time.

1. Seller/Reseller

I love the Amazon FBA program for those looking to start a reselling business. You purchase the products to sell and ship them to Amazon. Amazon then stores and ships them when an order is placed.

Jessica recently shared with us her massive success on the platform. She was able to quickly replace her 9-to-5 income and bring her husband home to join the family business. They now enjoy a full-time income, working just 5 hours per week most of the year.

Jessica has also started sharing her tips and methods. You can get more information on the Amazon FBA Program here. Here are a few other places you can sell stuff online:

• eBay
• Facebook Groups
• Depop

2. Direct Sales

Many women have found success through social selling or home party planning opportunities. These replicated business models allow people to get started with a small investment, and training is most often provided at no further charge. Depending on your consultant agreement, you may be able to sell via a consultant website, at-home parties, and social media.

The varieties of products available run the gamut from jewelry to clothing to food. One of my personal favorites is Stella & Dot. The key to success is choosing a product you love and can stand behind 100%. Your part-time income depends on it!

Read my story on how direct sales bailed me out of over $35,000 in debt

Local Business Ideas

Don’t just look online when it comes to part-time home business options. You can also go local and often have less competition!

1. Uber

Uber is an awesome opportunity for those who love meeting new people and driving around town. If you have reliable transportation, you could earn some pretty good money driving people to their next destination.

2. Healthy Homemade

The health and artisan industries are huge right now. That opens the door to those making soaps, all-natural foods, and even selling essential oils through direct sales companies like Young Living.

3. Child Care

Don’t think childcare businesses are all about full-time care. Consider offering special outings or weekend services – at times when regular childcare isn’t so readily available. And last-minute calls? Always charge at a premium.

4. Fitness Industry

While we may be in the midst of holiday feasting right now, come January 1, everyone is going to want to drop any extra pounds fast. If you have a background in nutrition or fitness, consider offering weight loss consulting or fitness coaching. Team Beachbody even offers a replicated business model for those wanting to become fitness coaches part-time.

5. Budget Consultant

In just a few short weeks, people are also going to start worrying about how to pay off holiday debt. If personal finance is your specialty, consider offering one-on-one consulting, group speaking gigs, or even specialty classes like couponing. Many local libraries or coffee shops are open to allowing this type of gathering if you have a bit of an expert reputation in town. Ether is a site that will allow you to get paid for sharing advice with others.

6. Handywoman and Housecleaning Services

While housecleaning is a tried and true – and always in demand – home business idea, don’t overlook domestic repairs and duties just because you are a lady. You can decorate, hang lights, and do minor household repairs, just like a man. There are even franchise opportunities available through companies like Amazon Home Services. TaskRabbit is also a great place to pick up one-off tasks.

7. Blogger

While blogging may not lead to immediate income, it can be a great opportunity for those willing to make the time investment now and reap the rewards for years to come. You can literally have a blog up and running in less than 20 minutes. You can then create content on your own schedule and have your official launch when you are ready for the world to see your work.

To succeed in blogging, you need to choose a topic you love so much you can talk about it for years to come. This passion is what will drive sales. You can earn money through affiliate marketing, referral marketing, selling your own products, and blog sponsorships.

• Legitimate Ways to Make REAL Money Blogging
• How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 7 Steps

Creative Ways to Find Even More Online Part-Time Jobs

Here are even more great ways to find part-time remote work.

1. Reach Out to Your Personal Network

We always seem to be embarrassed to ask for work. Ridiculous! You may be missing out on some great opportunities in your own community and working for people you already know and trust. And if your friends are like me, hearing that one of my friends is out there hustling to make their dreams come true gets you some big respect points in my book.

Hop on Facebook or pick up the phone and let your friends, family, and colleagues know you are looking for a few hours of work, and you can do this, that, or the other thing. If you are available for a specific task, feel free to post it in your local Facebook Buy/Sell Group if the rules allow.

2. Pitch Those You Would Like to Work With

After reaching out to your personal network, start brainstorming a list of people and businesses you would like to work with. Send a personal email letting them know why you like their business, what services you have to offer and why you think you would be a good fit professionally.

3. Check Out Craigslist

I love scoping out Craigslist for unusual and interesting part-time gigs. You will often find a nice variety and mix of one-time and ongoing gigs.

You do need to take some safety precautions when working with strangers.

• Always meet in a public place (and always let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back)
• Make sure you are being paid upfront or on the same day as the service
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

4. Ask for Referrals

If you didn’t ask past clients for referrals the first time around, don’t worry. There’s an easy way to ease back into that discussion. Send a quick email letting them know how much you enjoyed working with them. Tell them you have an opening for a new client and were hoping you could get a testimonial if they were happy with your work. If they respond with a testimonial, tell them thank you, and if they know of anyone in need of your services, please feel free to pass your contact information along. Painless!

5. Join a Few Facebook Groups

I love, love, LOVE Facebook Groups for picking up freelance work. There is a Closed Group for everyone these days, from webpreneurs to real estate agents to women bloggers. Identify your ideal client and find out where they are hanging out online. Join the Group and start watching for cries for help. Do not walk into a Group as a newcomer and start soliciting clients. Wait for the invite.

6. Attend a Networking Event

In addition to Facebook Groups, find out where your ideal clients are hanging out in real life. Are there professional Meetups in your city that you can attend? Are there conferences nearby that have a freelance marketplace or networking hall?

Some people feel better working with people they “know.” Get out of the house, even if you are looking for at-home work.

7. Subscribe to FlexJobs

FlexJobs is an online job board that caters to telecommuters. Their listings are high-quality, researched, and work from home. A lot of big-name companies post their remote positions here. It’s a membership-only site, but it’s super affordable, and one job will more than pay for your registration fee. And you can cancel anytime. Check out FlexJobs here.

8. Stalk Social Media

I’ve seen some really clever ways to stalk social media for job openings and opportunities to pitch your services over the years – everything from the not-so-shocking #hiring hashtag to search for phrases like “I hate my job” by career and business coaches. Check out the obvious, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box as well.

Easy Extra Cash Opportunity

Working at home successfully is all about maximizing your online time for profits. If you are new to my site, I highly recommend the opportunities and resources below.

• Rakuten – I love, love, love Rakuten (formerly Ebates). Earn cash back for your online shopping. And, the program is free! They will even give you a $10 gift card just for signing up.
• Swagbucks – This program has come a long way from its earn-for-search beginning. Today you can earn SB for completing surveys, watching videos, and more. Redeem your SB (aka Swagbucks) for cash or gift cards. (Members redeem approximately 7,000 gift cards per day!) Get a $5 signup bonus when you earn 2500 SB in your first 3 months.