Small business

Work-from-Home Jobs that Actually Work

lady-on-computerWorking from home is becoming the norm for plenty of people these days. And they aren’t limited to mothers alone. Even people who wish to cut back their commute or plan to open up a new business right from home also find that working from home can be a real luxury! The staggering growth of technology has made working from home possible and these kinds of jobs abound in many sectors, from health care to creative arts to IT. Here's a look at some of the best work-from-home jobs that are the most popular and can actually rake in good bucks!

Computer Programmer

Information-Technology is probably one of the first fields that led the work-from-home revolution. The demand for computer programmers is on the rise and the pay is great. For tech companies, employees working from home translate into massive savings such as smaller office and parking space and saving on office expenses such as coffee and stationary. And this also means the company can hire resources located anywhere in the country, so that means a better and bigger workforce with reduced expenditure on employee housing. There are plenty of IT professionals who enjoy working as consultants for major tech companies while being based at home. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for computer programmers is approximately $71K.1

Web and Graphic Designer

If you have the talent for graphic designing and are well versed in the latest web designing software, this is the field for you. Almost every kind of business has its own website, so the demand for web designers isn’t waning anytime in the future! Design websites and blog pages while working as a freelancer or start your own company that specializes in this field, right from the comfort of your home. You can earn by the hour if you work as a freelancer. Graphic designers usually earn $20 per hour, according to the BLS.2

Medical Transcriptionist

Medical transcription is one of the top career paths from the health care industry that's booming as a work-from-home job. Typing and transcribing the doctor's and nurse's notes and memos and including them in the patient's medical history requires potential candidates to possess excellent knowledge of medical jargon and be proficient in anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology. It's one of the most lucrative work-from-home jobs with a healthy paycheck. Transcriptionists can make up to $15 an hour, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.3 If you're looking at taking this up as a career; take a look at what Career Step offers. Its online training courses in medical transcription are specially designed to cater to the growing demands of the health industry.

Freelance Writer

If you have a love for languages and a penchant for writing on a variety of topics, then this job is for you! This field doesn’t require any specific academic background. If you have an eye for detail and some writing or editing experience, you can flourish in this line of work. There are plenty of opportunities for people who wish to pursue this field, as a copywriter, a magazine editor, and even publish their writing on blogs and websites. You could even use your talent to write movie scripts, advertisements, song lyrics, the list is endless. The BLS states that writers can make $26 an hour, not bad at all!4 Problogger is a website that has several openings for freelance bloggers. Then there's Elance.com, where you can get quality assignments for decent customers at great bids!

Market Research Analyst

These professionals predict marketing and sales trends by gathering consumer data, analyzing it using statistical software, and preparing and presenting reports for the management. Their work usually involves sitting alone and working away at a computer, and hence this calling is slowly gaining popularity as a work-from-home job. BLS states that market research analysts make $29 per hour, a great figure especially for a work-at-home job!5

Is working from home as easy as it's made out to be? You do have the luxury of a ten-step commute and sitting down with your laptop in your flannel pajamas, but it still requires a great deal of motivation and should be treated with the same kind of professionalism as a regular 9-5 office job. Set aside a dedicated space in your home that's relatively free of distractions, answer only important phone calls when you're working, and always stay connected to your manager and team and keep them updated about the progress you’ve made.

Working from home isn’t for everyone, especially those who want to be surrounded by people all the time! What do you think about working from home, or telecommuting as it's popularly known? Have ever worked from home, part-time or once in a while, for whatever reasons? Let us know what it takes to be a successful telecommuter, no matter what your chosen career path is!

Sources:

1) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm

2) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Arts-and-Design/Graphic-designers.htm

3) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-transcriptionists.htm

4) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm

5) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm

One Comment

  1. Darrel P. Russell

    A very good article indeed! Yes, I’m a telecommuter; a digital marketing professional and my job gives me the chance to work from home. I telecommute because I live in the middle of nowhere, which makes the drive to any regional office facility tiresome and expensive. Because of this, I don’t have to rise up before the sun. There’s no need to dress up or drive through the chilly morning fog to get to the office. Telecommuting is my choice of work and I’m happy to have chosen this field of work. And while I’m at it, I save a lot of money!

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