You don’t need a background in tech to kickstart a lucrative side hustle from the comfort of your home. There’s a plethora of sought-after, non-tech side gigs you can undertake remotely to pocket some extra cash — some of which can fetch rates as high as $100 an hour.
FlexJobs, renowned for its array of remote and hybrid work opportunities, has observed a consistent uptick in remote, part-time positions for non-tech roles like virtual assistants, accountants, and customer service representatives in recent months, according to FlexJobs lead career expert Toni Frana speaking to CNBC Make It.
To assist those keen on diving into a side hustle FlexJobs has pinpointed seven in-demand gigs that can be tackled from home, culled from listings from over 58,000 companies on its platform posted between July and December 2023. These roles boast numerous active listings and provide remote, part-time prospects.
Here are seven coveted side hustles that can be carried out from home, along with their respective compensation, as outlined by FlexJobs, with salary approximations from Payscale:
Virtual assistant ($18 per hour)
Bookkeeper ($20 per hour)
Customer service representative ($16 per hour)
Accountant ($23 per hour)
Technical writer ($26 per hour)
Social media specialist ($19 per hour)
Video editor ($22 per hour)
While the weekly commitment varies from role to role, most positions on FlexJobs’ roster call for a dedication of 10-25 hours per week. Some of these side gigs, such as video editing, bookkeeping, and customer service, don’t necessitate a bachelor’s degree, notes Frana. Instead, she adds, recruiters often assess candidates based on their prior work experience and soft skills.
“There are core soft skills people look for across all of these roles: an ability to meet deadlines, strong communication skills both in writing and on the phone, being a self-starter, problem-solving and, of course, foundational technology skills,” Frana elucidates. Certain remote side hustles can command rates exceeding $100 per hour, contingent upon your proficiency level and the project at hand.
For instance, bookkeepers on Upwork may bill as much as $175 an hour or even $300 an hour for select projects. For virtual assistant positions necessitating specialized skills — whether it’s crafting email campaigns or building WordPress sites — “you’re often talking at least $100 [per hour] and up,” as previously highlighted by Angelique Rewers, founder of the consulting firm BoldHaus, to CNBC Make It.
The most notable perk of pursuing one of these remote side hustles, according to Frana, is the flexibility it affords. You can opt for freelancing and set your hours, or, if applying for a part-time role, Frana notes that many employers allow you to tailor your schedule as needed.
