Not everyone wants a full-time remote job. Some people just need something flexible that fits around school pickups, grandkids, a pension, a day job, or a life that is already pretty full. The good news is that part-time remote work has grown a lot over the past few years, and there are more realistic options now than ever before.
So if you are a parent trying to bring in a little extra money during school hours, a retiree who wants to stay active and pad your income, or someone already working full-time who just wants a side hustle that does not take over your entire life, you'll find there is something on this list for you.
Just know these are not get-rich-quick ideas. They are real types of work that real people are doing part-time from home, often on their own schedule.
If you are newer to working from home in general, it might also help to look at my post on work at home jobs for beginners for more ideas.
Below are twenty part-time remote jobs worth knowing about.
1. Online Research Participant
Companies, universities, and market research firms pay people to participate in studies, interviews, and focus groups, and a lot of them are done remotely now. Sites like User Interviews and Respondent are two of the better-known platforms for this.
Pay per study can range from a few dollars for a quick survey to $100 or more for an in-depth interview, so this is one worth signing up for and checking regularly.
2. Freelance Resume Writer
Job seekers are always looking for help, and a lot of them will pay someone to polish or completely rewrite their resume. AI is not always trusted for such an important task, even though it can generate a basic resume quickly.
If you have a strong grasp of professional writing and understand what hiring managers look for, this can be a very flexible and well-paying part-time option.
You can find clients through freelance platforms, LinkedIn, or by building a simple portfolio and marketing yourself directly.
3. Search Engine Evaluator
Companies like TELUS and Appen still sometimes hire people to review search results and rate whether they are relevant, accurate, and useful. It sounds technical, but it really is not. You are basically giving feedback on whether search results are doing what they are supposed to do.
Most positions are part-time by design, with flexible hours and a set number of hours per week.
4. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants handle tasks for business owners remotely. This could include managing email, scheduling appointments, data entry, customer service, social media, and more.
You can offer just a few services and work with one or two clients part-time. This is a good fit for people who are organized and enjoy helping others stay on track.
I have a very detailed e-book here on working from home as a virtual assistant with a vetted list of 50 companies to work for, but if you are interested in some options that hire right now, look at BELAY and Time, Etc.
5. Bookkeeper
If you have any background in accounting or just enjoy working with numbers, part-time bookkeeping is definitely worth considering. Many small business owners need someone to handle their books but cannot justify hiring a full-time employee.
Freelance bookkeepers can often work with several clients and set their own hours.
6. Proofreader
Proofreaders review written content for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting before it gets published. This is a good fit for detail-oriented people who genuinely enjoy reading.
You can find proofreading work through freelance platforms or by reaching out directly to publishers, bloggers, and small businesses.
I have a list of several companies frequently hiring remote proofreaders right here, and here is a link to a free webinar that gives general information on starting a proofreading side hustle.
7. Online Tutor
If you have a strong background in a particular subject, online tutoring can be a flexible and rewarding way to earn part-time income. This could include math, science, history, a foreign language, test prep, or even basic homework help.
Platforms like Wyzant and Tutor.com connect tutors with students, and you can often set your own availability.
8. Captioner
Captioners add text to video content so that it is accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some positions require real-time captioning, which takes more specialized training, but many remote captioning jobs involve working with pre-recorded video at your own pace.
Companies like Rev hire captioners regularly. You can see more companies that hire captioners here.
9. Social Media Manager
Small businesses and entrepreneurs often know they need a social media presence but have no time or desire to manage it themselves. If you enjoy platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest and understand how content works, managing social media for one or two small clients part-time is very doable.
This may be especially good if you already use social media regularly and notice what types of posts get attention.
I have more info on this type of work here if you want to learn more and find companies to apply with.
10. Data Entry Specialist
Data entry is straightforward work. You are entering information into systems, spreadsheets, or databases accurately and efficiently.
It is not the most exciting job, but it is flexible, widely available, and does not usually require much prior experience beyond basic computer skills and attention to detail.
Conduent recently posted a remote data entry position here, but I also have an e-book with more detail on working at home doing data entry and other companies to check.
11. Customer Service Representative
Many companies hire part-time remote customer service reps to handle calls, chats, or emails. This type of work is widely available across industries including retail, healthcare, insurance, and tech.
Some positions are fully flexible while others have set shift options you choose from when you apply. Keep in mind that many customer service jobs do require phone work, so always read the job description carefully before applying.
Check out this list of 17 customer service related remote jobs that are open now or were recently.
12. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing covers a huge range of work, including blog posts, product descriptions, newsletters, social media copy, website content, and more.
You do not necessarily need a journalism degree to get started, but you do need to write clearly and be able to adapt your tone for different clients. Content mills are an easy entry point, while private clients tend to pay more.
Here are 60+ sites that pay you to write remotely from home.
13. Remote Moderator
Online communities, forums, social media groups, and apps often need moderators to help keep conversations on track. This can involve reviewing posts, removing spam, enforcing community rules, approving comments, and flagging content that violates guidelines.
This is a good fit if you are patient, fair, and comfortable reading a lot of online conversation. Some moderation jobs are part-time, and many are fully remote.
Just know that depending on the company, some moderation work can involve reviewing upsetting or inappropriate content, so read the details before applying.
Here are some companies that hire remote moderators.
14. User Tester
Companies pay people to test their websites and apps and give feedback on the experience. You typically record yourself navigating a site while talking through your thoughts out loud.
Each test usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes and may pay around ten dollars, although longer tests can pay more. Sites like UserTesting and Userlytics are good places to start.
15. Audiobook Narrator
If you have a clear speaking voice, decent recording equipment, and patience, narrating audiobooks can be an interesting part-time option. ACX connects narrators with authors who need their books recorded.
Pay varies widely depending on the project and whether you take a flat fee or royalty share.
Here's more info on working remotely as an audiobook narrator.
16. Online Chat Agent
Some companies hire remote chat agents to handle customer questions and support entirely through text-based chat instead of phone calls. This is a great option for people who prefer not to be on the phone.
Many chat positions are part-time and allow you to work from a standard home setup.
These companies often have openings for work at home chat agents.
17. Pinterest Virtual Assistant
This is a niche VA role focused on managing Pinterest accounts for bloggers and business owners. Tasks include creating pins, writing descriptions, scheduling content, and monitoring analytics.
It sounds specific, but there is real demand for it, and it is a skill you can learn fairly quickly if you are already familiar with the platform.
Kristen Larsen's training on this may help you learn how to do the work as well as how to market your services effectively.
18. E-commerce Store Assistant
People who run Etsy shops, Amazon stores, or independent online shops often need part-time help with tasks like listing products, writing descriptions, processing orders, handling customer messages, and managing inventory.
This type of work can be done entirely remotely and is often project-based or flexible by the hour.
19. Micro-Task Worker
Sites like Clickworker and Amazon Mechanical Turk offer small, individual tasks that you can pick up and complete on your own time. Tasks may include categorizing images, writing short descriptions, verifying data, or completing short surveys.
Pay per task is usually small, but the flexibility is hard to beat, which makes it a decent option for filling in gaps.
20. AI Data Trainer or Annotator
This is one of the newer additions to the part-time remote work landscape. Companies building and improving AI tools need humans to review outputs, label data, evaluate responses, and flag errors.
Some positions require subject-matter expertise, while others are more general. Pay varies widely, but the demand for this type of work has been growing steadily. Of course, work availability can change quickly with these platforms, so I would not rely on just one.
DataAnnotation, Alignerr, and Outlier are some companies to look into for work.
Finding Part-Time Remote Work That Fits Your Life
The best part-time remote job is the one that actually works for your schedule, your skills, and your goals. A retiree who wants a few hours of interesting work each week has different needs than a parent trying to squeeze in earning time during nap hour, and both of them have different needs than someone already working full-time who just wants extra money coming in on the side.
Start by thinking about what you are already good at or what you genuinely do not mind doing for a stretch of time. Most of the options on this list have a fairly low barrier to entry, which means you do not need to invest a lot of time or money before you can start earning.
That said, please watch out for scams! You should not have to pay a company just to apply for a remote job. If something feels off, take a step back and research it first!
If you want more ideas beyond what is covered here, my list of 100 ways to earn extra cash online is a good next stop. And if you specifically want part-time positions with real companies rather than freelance or platform-based work, my post on part-time work from home jobs covers companies that are actively hiring.
As always, be sure to subscribe to my free email updates so you do not miss new job leads and opportunities as I share them. I send out remote job openings, side hustle ideas, and other ways to earn from home, completely free.
Good luck!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.