The Best Work from Home Jobs for Single Moms
A recent Pew Research study shows that the number of people who prefer to work from home has risen 16% between October 2020 and January 2022—marking a decade of continued growth. Among these numbers are many single moms.
Why working from home is great for single moms
A stay-at-home job eliminates a host of concerns single moms must deal with in traditional jobs. There is no need to find childcare, you don’t have to call out from work for a sick child, and you are there for your child when needed. Add to that the money you save on childcare, commuting, and work attire and it’s a much better situation for most single moms than traditional work. This is why working from home is great for single moms.
The gig economy has changed the way people work and single moms are embracing it all across the world. If you are looking to pick up a side hustle or work full time from home, we’ve compiled a list of the best work from home jobs for single moms.
Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is as simple as keeping up with a client’s daily finances. Unlike accounting, it does not require formal education. You can get started with just a little knowledge and the right software. Entry-level bookkeepers make around $17-18 an hour.
Proofreader
If you have a degree in English or some related field, you can easily pick up online work as a proofreader—though a degree isn’t always a deal-breaker if you have the skills necessary to perform the job. Proofreaders bring in about $51,000 annually and there is virtually no start-up cost other than the software you need to do the job.
Blogger
Blogging can be a long game. How much you make will depend on the time you put into it and the popularity of the content you produce. Do your research and find something that appeals to both you and your intended audience. Successful bloggers can make as much as five figures per month.
30 “Proven” Ways to Make Money Online Blogging with WordPress
Customer Service
Home-based customer service workers do the same job as they would in an office setting. They take orders, sell products, provide technical support, handle complaints, or perhaps make reservations—tasks will vary depending on your client’s requirements. These jobs can be freelance, but sometimes you’ll find them offered as full-time employment with benefits. Pay for a remote customer service worker is usually around $20,000 annually.
Be a Home-Based Customer-Service Representative
Coding/Programming
If you have a degree in computer science, you can easily pick up online jobs as a coder, developer, software engineer, web guru, or programmer. In today’s high-tech society, those who know their way around various computer programs are in high demand. With the right skills, either from experience or online courses, you can tackle this market head-on even without the degree. Depending on the work you choose, you can make anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
How To Learn to Code as a Stay at Home Mom
Data Entry
Are you a fast typist who can pay attention to detail? If so, you can do data entry from home with very little investment. All you need is a computer and the required software to start making money. Data entry pay can vary greatly depending on the amount of work you do. A single contract can net you around $500-$800 per month, but if you can acquire several contracts, you can make a healthy living without ever leaving your house.
Work from Home with Data Entry
Transcription
A transcriptionist listens to an audio file and types what is said. The most common transcription fields are general, medical, and legal. The latter two may require some experience in those fields, but general transcription only requires that you can effectively turn spoken words into written words. A quality transcriptionist can make over $50,00 annually.
How to Do Transcription from Home
Freelance Writer
You can become a freelance writer with no formal training and no software needed. If you can create content such as articles, blogs, manuals, documents, fiction, non-fiction, product descriptions, or other such work and have access to a computer, you can work as a freelance writer using freeware such as Google docs or Apache unless your client requires a particular program. Entry pay can be low, but once you’re established, you can earn more than six figures per year.
How to Become a Freelance Writer
Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant (VA) can embrace a lot of different activities. Basically, you’re working as a remote administrative assistant for your client. You may be taking phone calls, answering emails, coordinating appointments or employees—essentially just as you would in any office doing whatever your boss needs to make them a success. The barrier to entry is low, and VAs are always in demand, making this a top choice for jobs for single moms. Pay varies depending on duties, but you can expect between $20,000 and $56,000.
How to Become a Virtual Assistant
Social Media Manager
Social media managers work to promote companies on social media platforms. This might include posting photos, videos, infographics, contests, or updates on their various social media platforms. If you have a flair for Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, this might be an ideal job for you. You can work as a direct-hire for a company or freelance for one or more companies. The average annual pay for a social media manager is around $72,000.
How to Become a Social Media Manager
Tutor
With so many people, from children to adults, using online learning, tutoring has come into high demand. The options for tutoring can range from high-level tutoring requiring a degree to simple help with elementary math or reading utilizing programs such as Zoom or Facetime. Pay will vary based on skills required and time spent. The average pay for an online tutor is $50 per hour.
A Step by Step Guide to Become an Online Tutor
Proofreader
Proofreading is just what it sounds like. After a copy editor has done their job of correcting any mistakes in a document, a proofreader will read the final product to determine that it is error-free and ready for publication. If you are good at catching mistakes and love to read, this might be an ideal job for you. Expect pay between $20-25 per hour.
Child Care Provider
Good with children other than just your own? You might consider becoming a childcare provider in our home. There can be some requirements to operate a home daycare, depending on the number of children you wish to care for and your area. However, if you are looking to open a full-fledged daycare, you might be eligible for business funding to cover the cost of turning your home into a daycare center. Pay ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 annually.
Complete Guide to Starting and Growing a Home Daycare Center
How to Find Work from Home Jobs for Single Moms
In addition to the best work-from-home jobs for single moms listed here, there are much more available. Be prepared to do a bit of work to find a job that suits your needs and qualifications. There are several ways to go about securing work-at-home jobs. Look around until you find what is right for you and apply, even if you aren’t sure you qualify. You may run into a lot of rejection, but don’t give up. Your ideal work-from-home job is out there.
- Freelance ads—Sign up for freelance sites such as Upwork or Fiverr. Avoid sites that require you to pay a fee to find work for you. Opt for those that instead take a fee after you’ve earned money.
- Job ads—Traditional job posting sites such as Indeed and Monster have a variety of remote jobs available in addition to their office-based ones. Flexjobs is geared toward remote work.
- Company sites—Looking to work for a particular company? Go to their website and find their job opportunities link to search for any remote jobs they may offer.
- Start a website—If you prefer to forge your own path, start a website where clients can purchase or hire you to provide services, content, or creations.
Finally, a word of caution. There are scammers out there who will promise you the world and then upend yours instead. Beware of scams.
Learn what to look for: How to Avoid Work from Home Job Scams
