The other week I got that dreaded call from the nurse’s office at my kids’ school. “Your daughter is sick and needs to be picked up,” I was told. Immediately I knew that I would need to alter the rest of my day. Even though I felt a pang of anxiety about the stuff I wouldn’t get done, I mostly felt grateful that I have such a flexible job that allows me to pick up my kid from school on a whim.
I’m guessing that you are also a busy parent, trying to juggle all the things. You might be hoping to find a flexible job that will allow you to spend more time with your family. Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to outline below my top 10, flexible jobs for moms that pay decently and best of all, are expected to grow faster than average in the next decade:
1. Dental Hygienist
This job makes it to the top of my list of flexible jobs for moms because first, it pays really well (median salary of $87,000/year), and second, it’s an in-demand job that is expected to grow faster than average in the next decade. Not to mention, this role allows for part-time hours and typically operates during the day or normal business hours.
You will need to acquire the necessary education and training for this job. Also, you’ll likely need an associate’s degree and the required licensure (this varies by state) which can take up to three years. However, once you’re done, you’ve got a well-paying, flexible career that’s not going to be replaced by robots anytime soon.
2. Market Research Analyst
The job market for market research analysts or marketing specialists is expected to grow faster than average, with opportunities increasing as more social media platforms gain popularity. Salaries vary based on location, experience, and whether you work as a freelancer or an in-house employee. The average pay for an in-house social media manager in the U.S. is roughly $68,000 per year, with the potential to earn over $100,000 per year in senior positions at large companies. Freelancers can adjust their rates based on experience, ranging from $25-$35/hour for juniors to $125-$250/hour for experts.
If you have a knack for research and analysis and writing, along with a passion for creativity and helping companies grow, this is an area worth exploring. If you are seeking more entry-level positions in marketing, you can also research roles like marketing assistant, SEO analyst, or content creator. Many of these types of jobs allow work-from-home opportunities, making them ideal for busy moms. Once you build your skills and credibility working for an organization, you can go freelance and set your own hours and pay!
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3. Teacher / Educational Assistant
These career paths make the top of my flexible jobs for moms list as well because they offer the exact same schedule that your children will have during their school years. I’ve seen so many moms working at my kids’ school, doing jobs ranging from teacher, instructional aide, school counselor, noon aid, front office support assistant, nurse’s aide, and many more jobs I can’t even think of at the moment.
If you want a job that will allow you to drop off and pick up your kids every day, working for a school is seriously the way to go! Not to mention these jobs are also not going to be replaced by robots anytime soon. There’s always going to be a need for educators at every level, ranging from daycare to preschool to K-12.
I know what you’re probably thinking: the pay is crap. Well, yeah. Educational jobs do have a tendency to not pay the best. But what’s lacking in pay more than makes up for in flexibility and other types of benefits like health, dental, and disability, to name just a few.
4. Data Analyst / Research Analyst
If you are a numbers person and you enjoy analyzing information and using it to help people and companies, I encourage you to look into these types of jobs. With technology and data continuing to explode at unprecedented rates, companies need data analysts now more than ever to analyze all of the information and make sense of it. These types of analyst roles have a huge projected growth in the coming decade.
These types of jobs offer lots of flexible work opportunities, including hybrid and work-from-home as well as flexible schedule options. Also, analysts can work in practically any field, including education, government, and private sector. Pay for these types of jobs depends on the level of the position, but entry-level analyst roles tend to be around $70,000 per year. From there the salary can increase to around $100,000 and more annually.
5. Virtual Assistant
Based on the job title alone, it’s pretty obvious why I included this career path on my list of flexible jobs for moms. There is so much variety in the types of roles and job tasks you can have with being a virtual assistant. You could be answering phones and doing scheduling, or more specific tasks like social media marketing or even event planning. The average salary isn’t too bad at around $69,000/year.
My best advice if you are interested in this type of job: do your homework. Start by visiting job search databases like FlexJobs, and Freelancer.com. Read virtual assistant job postings to get an idea of what type of work tasks sound appealing (and conversely, which ones don’t). I got hired once as a virtual assistant and I was tasked with organizing thousands of electronic files. Needless to say, that is not my cup of tea. I should have done my homework. Sigh.
You can also visit LinkedIn and search under the “People” tab. Find people doing virtual assistant types of jobs. Connect with them and ask if they would be willing to chat with you about what they do, which is called informational interviewing. You never know, they might just know of an opening and pass your resume along!
6. Tutor
This is an excellent job for teachers or subject matter experts to transition to after being a classroom teacher. Most tutors work remotely and do sessions with students online, making this one of the best flexible jobs for moms option. If you have experience and training in a subject, you can charge upwards of $50 to even $100 per hour for your services.
Many tutors work for themselves as freelancers, or they might even own their own company. If you want to be your own boss in addition to a flexible schedule, this is a good route to take. If you’re not so psyched about owning a business, you can always work for a company as a contractor.
7. Massage Therapist
Maybe it’s how stressed out and busy our society has become, but there is a huge demand for qualified massage therapists! This is definitely a physical type of job ideal for folks who don’t mind being on their feet working for long periods of time. But if you don’t mind getting your hands a little oily, I highly recommend considering this amongst the flexible jobs for moms.
Massage therapists can often set their own hours if they work for a company or hotel. Or, similar to the virtual assistant role, you can also work for yourself. At $50,000 average salary per year, this isn’t the most lucrative career path, but it could also be a great part-time gig to supplement your income.
8. Software Developer / App Developer
If you’ve got a degree in computer science or computer engineering, and/or you are passionate about writing code and developing new products, this is a very exciting career prospect. The average salary for these types of roles is around $100,000 which makes these types of jobs even more appealing. Also, most roles can be done remotely.
To be a software developer or app developer you don’t need a specific degree. It does help tremendously if you have a technical degree in your back pocket. However, if you have a natural knack for software and app design, you might just need to acquire technical certifications and coursework to add some credibility to your resume.
9. Medical Assistant
I am using the term “medical assistant” to refer to a large variety of positions that are all in high demand like physical therapy assistant, physician assistant, surgical assistant, etc. These jobs, similar to dental hygienist, offer job security and allow parents to work during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
These jobs do require training and certification, but it typically only requires 2-3 years until you can secure a job as a medical assistant. The pay range will depend upon the specific job, but to give you an idea, the average annual salary for a physician assistant is roughly $125,000 per year. Not too shabby!
10. Blogger / Vlogger / Content Creator
Since this is currently what I do as a busy mom, I have to include it in my top ten list of flexible jobs for moms. Plus, I honestly feel like this is the most flexible job for moms. Now, before I gush more about how flexible this gig is, let me say that this job takes time to go from a hobby to a steady income.
I started my blog about four years ago and I’m still working my way toward a steady monthly income. But it’s happening. I’m selling products I have created and it’s an incredible feeling! But, like I mentioned, it takes time and lots of hard work to make this an income stream.
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That’s why I typically encourage moms to start a blog or vlog as a side hustle. Or, if income isn’t a big factor for you, this is could be a great route to go in terms of a flexible jobs for moms. It’s especially true if you’re an entrepreneurial type who loves to write or make videos and use your creativity to share information about a topic that you’re passionate about.
In Conclusion
If you are a mom who is returning to the workforce after raising kids, or maybe you want to make a career change, hopefully this post has given you some ideas about flexible jobs for moms that might be a good fit for you.
Starting a new chapter in your career can be both exciting and scary as shit! Try to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been, and where you want go next. Do some self-assessment before trying to rewrite your resume and jump cold turkey into a new career. And don’t forget about informational interviewing and networking, which are probably the best ways to get genuine feedback about what it’s like to work in a particular job.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are some flexible jobs for moms that pay well?
Some flexible jobs for moms that pay well include virtual assistance, freelance writing, and online tutoring. These roles allow moms to work from home or set their own schedules while earning a competitive income.
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How can moms find flexible jobs that accommodate their schedules?
Moms can explore job search websites that specifically cater to flexible work options, such as FlexJobs or Indeed. Additionally, networking within professional and community groups can help discover opportunities or connect with companies that offer flexible positions.
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Are there any flexible job for moms that provide work-life balance?
Yes, there are several flexible job options that prioritize work-life balance for moms. Some examples include remote customer service roles, part-time consulting, or starting a home-based business. These options allow moms to have more control over their time and accommodate family responsibilities while still pursuing a fulfilling career.
Remember, it’s important to thoroughly research any job opportunity and consider factors such as legitimacy, compensation, and compatibility with personal circumstances before making a decision.
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Will I need a whole new degree to get a good flexible job?
It depends on the career path you are targeting, but typically, you don’t need to go back to school and get a whole other bachelor’s or master’s degree. That said, if you are motivated to go back to school and you enjoy learning, earning a degree will not hurt you in any way and can only help you get your dream flexible job!
