How to Work from Home: 15 Best Remote Jobs in 2021

Disclosure:This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you purchase a product or service through my exclusive links, at no cost to you. For more details, please read my full disclosure.

One of the most intriguing developments arising from the current COVID-19 pandemic has been the sudden shift towards remote work. Within a matter of weeks, companies across the globe were forced to rethink how they do business, while enabling thousands of employees to work from home. For many workers, the change is temporary. At some point, offices will reopen, and life will return to something resembling normal. 

But many people who find themselves suddenly working from home are hesitant to return. They enjoy their new working arrangement and the flexibility it provides. Regardless of your situation, if you’re interested in working remotely, the opportunities have never been greater. In this article, I’ll share with you 15 of the best remote work from home jobs out there today. But first, let’s take a look at why remote work is so appealing. 

What Is a Remote Job? 

A remote job is one that allows you to work away from a centralized location, such an office or job site. For many remote workers, this means working from home, but it can also mean working from just about anywhere in the world, providing you have access to a computer, and an internet connection. 

Benefits of Remote Work 

If there’s one word that can be used to describe a remote work arrangement, it has to be ‘freedom’. For starters, when you work from a home office or another remote location, you often get to set your own hours. If you need to adjust your schedule due to an appointment or to attend your children’s activities, you can. Freed from life in the cubicle, you can also create your ideal workspace. Whether it’s a home office, co-working space, or a local coffee shop, the choice is up to you. 

Another perk with many remote jobs is having the freedom to live just about anywhere. As long as you have a laptop and decent wifi, there are very few limits on where you lay your head. Some remote workers take advantage of something called geoarbitrage, a lifestyle (and money) hack that involves working remotely in a low cost of living area while maintaining a higher income.

Of course, we can’t forget the massive benefit of saving both time and money. When you work remotely, you can say goodbye to the daily commute, and being stuck in traffic. You also avoid the many hidden expenses of working a 9-5, things like travel to and from work, your wardrobe, and eating out. On the flip side, just imagine how much money you can save by working from home.

15 Remote Jobs You Can Work From Anywhere

Now that we’ve covered what a remote job looks like, and some of the benefits that come with remote work, here are 14 of the best remote jobs for 2021, and 1 bonus job that may surprise you. All of the jobs on the list can be done on a part-time basis, and most can be transitioned into a legit full-time career. 

1. Virtual Assistant 

If you possess strong organizational and administrative skills, you can work from home as a virtual assistant. This job is well suited to freelance work, which is why it’s often done by independent contractors. Typical duties of a VA include overseeing email accounts, managing social media channels, creating content, and responding to client inquiries. The best thing is that you can easily do it on a part time basis while holding down a 9-5. You can get started as a virtual assistant by offering your services on freelance websites like Upwork, and Fiverr. 

2. Freelance Writer

Freelance writers have incredible flexibility when it comes to working remotely. Because the work is solitary in nature, they are able to work for clients located anywhere in the world, without little to no need for an office environment. If you love to write, one of the best ways to become a freelance writer is by starting your own blog. As you gain experience writing, the content you create can serve as a portfolio for prospective clients. Income levels for freelance writers vary, but generally speaking, the more experience you have, the more money you can charge. Having expert knowledge of a specific niche helps.

3. Online Tutor 

For years, tutoring was always done in-person, but nowadays, tutors have the option to work with students online across the globe. In fact, websites like Tutor and VIPKid are designed to connect tutors with students worldwide. 

You can make good money as an online tutor, and you don’t have to be a professional teacher. Of course, the more complex the material, the more money you can make. If you have a specialized college degree or related experience, you can also charge more. You can source clients on your own, or use one of the websites mentioned above. 

4. Call Center Representative 

Many well known companies, such as Google, American Express, and Lionsbridge, hire remote employees to work as call centre agents, and to provide customer support both online and over the telephone. If you’re looking for a job that offers the flexibility of remote work as well as a steady paycheck, this can be a great option. To find opportunities, start by checking the online job boards for these organizations, and filter your search by ‘remote work’.  

5. Social Media Manager 

Do you find it easy to build a large Instagram or YouTube following? Do you love interacting with others on social media? If so, you might be able to help local businesses manage their social media accounts. Just about every business these days needs to have a strong social media presence. But most business owners don’t have the time to be posting pictures or stories, or interacting with their customers on social media. They also can’t afford to hire someone full-time for the task. 

Instead, they may be willing to pay a freelancer a few hundred dollars per month to look after their various social media channels. This is work that can be done remotely, without requiring you to be on site. The best part is that it’s very flexible, so you can choose the hours you want to work. 

6. Blogger 

I’m including this one on my list, with a caveat. You may be wondering, how is it possible to make money blogging? Well, thousands of people are working from home and doing just that, although making a living as a blogger is not as easy as some make it seem. The beauty of blogging is that there are almost no barriers to entry. For a few dollars a month, you can purchase a domain and web hosting service for your very own WordPress site. 

As your blog audience grows, you can make money through display ads, sponsored content, or selling online courses and other products to your readers. Many experienced bloggers leverage the skills they’ve developed blogging and launch freelance businesses as writers, editors, or social media managers. The possibilities are endless, but you need to be patient. It takes time to make money blogging. 

7. Graphic Designer 

Whether you are an experienced professional or a hobbyist armed with some serious Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop skills, you can work remotely as a graphic designer. Many graphic designers freelance for a large number of clients. As with other freelance jobs, you can charge higher rates as you gain experience. Having your own website where you can connect with potential clients and display your portfolio is important. 

8. Software Developer 

Software developers are in the enviable position of commanding a high salary while also being in constant high demand. Whether they are employed in the traditional sense, or do work as a freelancer, software developers can work from anywhere, given that the vast majority of their job is done on a computer. While it can take years of training to become a sought after software developer, society’s reliance on software technology means that this remote friendly job will be around for years to come.

9. Web Designer 

Much like graphic designers, web designers are able to work from just about anywhere. The job is highly competitive, but there are no shortage of individuals and businesses who require the expertise of a web designer. As a freelancer, you can choose the type of clients you want to work with, set your own rates and your schedule. It doesn’t get much better than that. 

10. Bookkeeper 

If you have experience with accounting software, such as QuickBooks, you can work remotely as a bookkeeper. Small businesses everywhere are looking for help in this area, but most don’t have the need or the budget to hire someone full-time. Instead, they add it to the list of duties of someone in the office, or they outsource to an accountant or freelance bookkeeper. You can take on as many clients as you wish while working from home. To get started, reach out to some local businesses, or offer your services in your local community’s Facebook group. Chances are, you’ll find someone who’s interested. 

11. Podcast Editor 

According to Forbes, more than 62 million Americans say they listen to podcasts each week, and there are over 800,000 active podcasts broadcasting today. Every one of those podcasts needs someone to edit the audio for each episode, and the show host may not have the time, or the expertise, to do the job. Instead, they will send the raw audio tracks to a podcast editor, who, working remotely, cleans up the recording to produce a finished product that’s ready to air. To get started, you’ll need a computer, some audio editing software, and a decent set of monitors. In fact, here’s a video that shows you how you can edit a podcast episode from start to finish using Garageband. 

12. Audio/Video Editor 

These days, more and more music and video content is being produced in someone’s basement using a personal computer and other high quality gear. But many of these content creators lack the time or the technical know-how to put the finishing touches on their own work. If you possess the right skills, you can offer your services as an audio or video editor and work with clients located around the world. If your studio is portable enough, you can work from different locations, or on the road while you travel. 

13. Online Coach 

If you are an expert in just about any field, there is someone out there willing to pay you for your knowledge. If you’re a people person who likes to teach, one of the best ways to monetize your skills is by becoming an online coach. You can work with groups, or one on one. You have control over when you work, and unlike working as a traditional employee you can set your own rates and get paid what you’re truly worth. In-demand niches for online coaching include health and nutrition, sales and marketing, and professional development. 

14. Music Teacher

If you play a musical instrument, you can make money as a music teacher. What I love about this remote job is that you don’t have to be a virtuoso, you only need to be a few steps ahead of the person you are teaching. An intermediate musician is more than capable of teaching beginners for example. In the past, music lessons have been done in person. Nowadays, you have the option of teaching online, using Facetime, Skype, or Zoom. This makes teaching music an ideal remote job, either full time or as a side hustle. 

15. The Job You’re Working Right Now

This one’s a bonus, in case you hadn’t considered it. If you’re one of the thousands of people moving to a permanent work from home arrangement due to COVID-19, the best remote job might be the one you’re working now. If you love what you do, there’s no reason to change things up. You now have the best of both worlds. A rewarding career along with the flexibility that comes with remote work. 

Drawbacks of Remote Work 

If you’re reading this and the idea of working remotely sounds exciting, there are a few things you should be aware of before you make the leap. After all, aside from the many benefits, working remotely has a few drawbacks. For starters, if working remotely requires that you leave a 9-5 job for self employment, know that you’re walking away from the predictability of a steady paycheck. Not everyone can handle the added pressure that comes with not knowing where your income will come from next month.  Also, if you’re someone who thrives in a team environment, you might find remote work a bit too solitary for your liking. Lastly, if you are self employed, you’re on your own when it comes to paying for benefits, such as medical and dental, or insurance coverage.

How to Find Remote Jobs

If you’re currently working for a company that offers remote work opportunities, consider whether there’s a work from home role that you might find suitable. If you’re happy with your current employer, sticking around means that you can maintain your workplace benefits, including medical and dental coverage, or a pension plan, if you have one. 

If you are looking for a new employer but you prefer to work from home, take a look through online job sites, individual company job boards, or within your existing network. 

Last, but not least, perhaps the best way to find a remote work from home job is by starting a side hustle alongside your 9-5. It gives you the opportunity to try something new without committing full time. This way you can slowly build an income stream until the time comes to transition from part time to full time work. 

Final Thoughts on Remote Work

There you have it, my list of the best remote work jobs for 2021. Most of them can also be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for those who want to transition to remote work, but aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to their 9-5. In the future, the opportunities to work remotely are only going to continue to grow. In fact, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, entire countries are jumping on the bandwagon, by extending temporary work permits to remote workers as a way of boosting tourism. It’s a tempting offer. 

Keep Reading: What Is Freelancing? A Guide to Freelance Work

Does the idea of remote work appeal to you? If so, what kind of jobs interest you? I’d love to get your thoughts in the comments below!

Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash