27 Best Jobs for Stay at Home Moms & Dads That Pay Well
Being a stay-at-home parent doesn’t mean sacrificing your career or financial goals. The remote work revolution has created more opportunities than ever to earn good money from your kitchen table while your kids play nearby.
The job market has shifted dramatically. Remote work isn’t just a trend—it’s become standard for millions of professionals. This change has opened doors for parents who want to contribute financially without sacrificing precious time with their children.
You don’t need advanced degrees or years of experience to start. Many of these jobs welcome beginners and provide training. What you need is dedication, basic computer skills, and the ability to balance work with parenting duties.
Working from home offers unmatched flexibility. You can attend your child’s school play at 2 PM and finish work after bedtime. You can handle sick days without scrambling for childcare. Most importantly, you’re present for those unexpected precious moments that happen throughout the day.
Let’s explore 27 legitimate jobs that can help you earn substantial income while staying home with your kids.
Why Parents Love Remote Work
Working from home eliminates commuting costs, work wardrobe expenses, and daily lunch purchases. Many parents save $200-500 monthly just by not leaving the house for work. You’re also there for first steps, first words, and all the little moments that make parenting special.
The key is finding work that matches your family’s rhythm. Some parents work during nap times, others prefer early mornings or late evenings. Remote work lets you choose when to be productive.
Remember, you’re not just a parent—you’re a skilled professional who happens to be raising children. Your organizational skills, multitasking abilities, and problem-solving experience are exactly what many employers need.
Best Jobs for Stay at Home Moms and Dads
1. Virtual Assistant
Handle administrative tasks for busy professionals and small business owners. You might manage emails, schedule appointments, handle social media accounts, or organize travel plans.
Virtual assistant work has grown tremendously as entrepreneurs recognize they need help but can’t afford full-time employees.
Tasks can be done anytime during the day—answer emails during breakfast, schedule social media posts during naptime, handle research while kids watch shows.
Many successful virtual assistants start with one client and gradually build a roster of regular customers. Some eventually earn more than traditional office jobs with complete schedule flexibility.
Average pay: $15-25 per hour
Skills needed: Organization, communication, basic computer skills
Best for: Parents who love helping others stay organized
2. Freelance Writer
Create content for blogs, websites, marketing materials, and social media. You can write about topics you know well or learn about new subjects as you go.
Content demand has never been higher. Every business needs website copy, blog posts for SEO, social media content, email newsletters, and marketing materials. This creates endless opportunities for skilled writers.
Writing offers incredible flexibility. Work on articles during quiet moments and research topics while kids are occupied. Many writers earn full-time income working part-time hours by building relationships with clients who provide steady work.
Average pay: $20-50 per hour
Skills needed: Good writing skills, research abilities, meeting deadlines
Best for: Parents who enjoy expressing ideas through words
3. Online Tutor
Share your knowledge by teaching students online. Tutor in subjects you’re strong in, help with homework, or teach English to international students through platforms that connect tutors worldwide.
Online tutoring exploded in popularity as remote learning proved highly effective.
Students of all ages need help with everything from elementary math to college-level courses. You don’t need teaching credentials for many positions—just subject knowledge and the ability to explain concepts clearly.
Sessions can be scheduled around your family’s routine. Some parents prefer morning sessions before kids wake up, others work evenings when kids do homework or after bedtime.
Average pay: $15-40 per hour
Skills needed: Knowledge in specific subjects, patience, communication skills
Best for: Former teachers or parents with strong academic backgrounds
4. Social Media Manager
Help small businesses manage their online presence. Create posts, respond to comments, plan content calendars, and grow their following across different platforms.
Social media management is perfect for parents because you can batch content creation and schedule posts in advance.
Spend two hours Sunday creating a week’s worth of content, then monitor and respond to comments throughout the week.
Success comes from understanding different platforms and their audiences. Instagram requires visual content, LinkedIn needs professional posts, and TikTok demands creative videos. Each platform has unique best practices and optimal posting times.
Average pay: $15-30 per hour
Skills needed: Understanding of social media platforms, creativity, basic design skills
Best for: Parents who spend time on social media and understand engaging content
5. Bookkeeper
Help small businesses track finances without needing a full-time accountant. Handle invoices, expense tracking, and basic financial reports using software like QuickBooks.
Bookkeeping offers steady, recurring income. Once you establish client relationships, they typically need ongoing monthly services, providing predictable income.
You don’t need an accounting degree—several online courses teach the basics, and many businesses train you on their systems.
Work involves organizing financial transactions, reconciling bank statements, preparing invoices, and generating reports that help business owners understand their financial position. It requires accuracy and organization but offers excellent earning potential.
Average pay: $18-25 per hour
Skills needed: Attention to detail, basic math skills, organization
Best for: Parents who like working with numbers and staying organized
6. Customer Service Representative
Handle phone calls, live chats, and email support for companies that hire remote representatives. Many positions offer benefits and flexible schedules that work well for parents.
Customer service has evolved with technology.
While some positions require phone work, many companies now offer chat and email-only positions better suited for parents with young children. Help customers solve problems, answer product questions, and sometimes process orders or returns.
Companies like LiveWorld, ModSquad, and The Chat Shop specialize in flexible customer service positions. Many representatives eventually move into supervisory roles or specialize in technical support, which typically pays more.
Average pay: $14-20 per hour
Skills needed: Communication skills, patience, problem-solving abilities
Best for: Parents who enjoy helping people solve problems
7. Graphic Designer
Create logos, social media graphics, website designs, and marketing materials for businesses. Modern tools make graphic design accessible to beginners willing to learn.
Design work can be done entirely on your schedule.
Brainstorm ideas while kids play and execute designs during focused work time. Many designers work in batches, creating multiple designs in concentrated sessions.
The field includes everything from simple social media graphics to complex brand identity packages. Tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and Figma make professional-quality design accessible to self-taught designers who learn through online tutorials.
Average pay: $20-40 per hour
Skills needed: Creativity, basic design software knowledge, visual communication understanding
Best for: Artistic parents who enjoy creating visual content
8. Transcriptionist
Convert audio and video files into written text, including medical records, legal documents, interviews, and business meetings.
Transcription work is perfect for parents because you can pause and resume as needed. If a child needs attention, stop the audio, handle the situation, and return to work without missing deadlines.
The work requires good listening skills and fast typing—most transcriptionists type at least 60 words per minute.
Different transcription types pay different rates. General transcription pays less than specialized fields like medical or legal transcription, which require additional training and industry terminology knowledge.
Average pay: $15-22 per hour
Skills needed: Fast typing, good listening skills, attention to detail
Best for: Parents who can focus on audio while managing household activities
9. Online Course Creator
Turn your expertise into income by creating online courses. Whether you know about parenting, cooking, crafts, or professional skills, people will pay to learn from you.
Creating courses requires significant upfront work but can generate income for months or years afterward—perfect for parents who want to build something that pays while they sleep.
Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, and Skillshare make it easy to host and sell courses.
Successful course creators start with existing knowledge and gradually expand into related topics. The key to success is solving real problems for your audience with specific skills students can immediately apply.
Average pay: $500-5000+ per course
Skills needed: Expertise in a subject, basic video creation, teaching ability
Best for: Parents with specialized knowledge or skills they can teach others
10. Proofreader
Review written content for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Publishers, bloggers, and businesses all need proofreading services.
This work can be done entirely on your schedule. Proofread articles during naptime or review documents after bedtime. The flexibility makes it ideal for parents with unpredictable schedules.
Different proofreading types pay different rates. Academic proofreading typically pays more than blog post proofreading but requires more specialized knowledge. Many proofreaders start with content agencies, then build direct client relationships for better pay.
Average pay: $18-30 per hour
Skills needed: Excellent grammar and spelling, attention to detail, style guide knowledge
Best for: Parents who naturally spot errors in written content
11. Web Developer
Create and maintain websites for businesses and individuals. While requiring technical skills, many resources can help you learn coding from scratch.
Web development offers excellent flexibility and high pay.
Work on projects during quiet moments and communicate with clients via email. Most development work doesn’t require real-time collaboration, making it perfect for unpredictable parenting schedules.
Learning web development takes time and dedication, but many successful developers are self-taught using free resources like freeCodeCamp and paid courses on platforms like Udemy. Building a portfolio of websites is essential for attracting clients.
Average pay: $25-75 per hour
Skills needed: Programming languages, problem-solving skills, attention to detail
Best for: Tech-savvy parents willing to learn new skills
12. Data Entry Specialist
Input information into databases, spreadsheets, or online systems. While not the highest-paying option, it’s straightforward work requiring minimal training.
This job works well for parents because it doesn’t require phone calls or meetings. Work whenever you have free time, making it perfect for unpredictable parenting schedules.
Tasks vary widely—input customer information, transcribe handwritten documents, update product catalogs, or verify information accuracy.
Many positions are project-based, allowing you to take on work when you have time and capacity. While data entry doesn’t pay as much as specialized skills, it’s an excellent way to start earning immediately.
Average pay: $12-18 per hour Skills needed: Fast typing, attention to detail, basic computer skills Best for: Parents who want simple, flexible work without a steep learning curve
13. Email Marketing Specialist
Help businesses communicate with customers through email campaigns. Write newsletters, create automated email sequences, and analyze campaign performance.
Email marketing remains one of the most effective forms of digital marketing, creating steady demand for specialists who understand how to create engaging campaigns that drive results.
Work involves writing compelling subject lines and email content, designing templates, segmenting subscriber lists, and analyzing metrics.
Email marketing can be done entirely on your schedule. Write emails in advance and schedule them to send automatically. Success comes from understanding what motivates people to open emails and take action.
Average pay: $20-35 per hour
Skills needed: Writing skills, marketing principles understanding, basic technical knowledge
Best for: Parents who understand what makes people want to read and respond to emails
14. Voice Over Artist
Lend your voice to commercials, audiobooks, explainer videos, and phone systems. Many voice over artists work from home studios as simple as a closet with good acoustics.
Voice over work offers excellent pay for relatively short time commitments. A 30-second commercial might take an hour to record and edit but pay several hundred dollars. Recording can be done when your house is quiet, and you can re-record if interrupted by children.
Building a voice over career requires creating demo reels that showcase your range and abilities. Find work through online platforms, talent agencies, or by marketing directly to businesses needing voice over services.
Average pay: $200-1000+ per project
Skills needed: Clear speaking voice, basic recording equipment, acting ability
Best for: Parents with pleasant speaking voices who enjoy performing
15. Online Researcher
Research competitors, find contact information, gather market data, and compile reports for businesses. This work requires good internet search skills and attention to detail.
Research work is perfect for parents because it can be paused and resumed easily.
Gather information throughout the day and compile reports during focused work time. Projects vary widely—research potential clients for sales teams, compile industry trend information, verify contact information, or gather data for academic studies.
Success requires knowing how to find reliable information quickly and organize it in useful ways. Many researchers specialize in specific industries or research types for higher pay.
Average pay: $15-25 per hour
Skills needed: Research skills, attention to detail, information organization ability
Best for: Parents who enjoy digging into topics and finding information
16. Pinterest Manager
Help businesses use Pinterest to drive traffic by creating pins, optimizing boards, and developing strategies to grow followers.
Pinterest management is perfect for busy parents because work can be batched and scheduled in advance. Create a month’s worth of pins in a few focused work sessions.
Pinterest drives significant traffic for many businesses, especially in lifestyle, food, fashion, and home improvement industries.
Success requires understanding Pinterest’s algorithm, creating visually appealing pins, writing SEO-optimized descriptions, and analyzing performance metrics to improve results. You also need basic graphic design skills to create attractive pins.
Average pay: $15-30 per hour
Skills needed: Pinterest understanding, basic design skills, marketing knowledge
Best for: Parents who use Pinterest personally and understand what makes pins successful
17. Online Community Manager
Manage online communities for businesses, including Facebook groups, forums, and Discord servers. Moderate discussions, answer questions, and keep communities engaged.
Community management can often be done from your phone, making it easy to stay connected throughout the day.
Respond to comments during kids’ activities or while waiting for appointments. Foster positive interactions, enforce community guidelines, share relevant content, and help members connect.
Different communities require different approaches. A professional networking group needs different management than a hobby-focused community. Many community managers work for multiple clients, managing several communities simultaneously for diversified income.
Average pay: $18-28 per hour
Skills needed: Communication skills, online community understanding, conflict resolution
Best for: Parents who enjoy facilitating conversations and building online relationships
18. Affiliate Marketer
Promote products you believe in and earn commissions when people buy through your links. This can be done through blogs, social media, email lists, or YouTube channels.
Affiliate marketing takes time to build but can become a significant income source.
Work on it whenever you have free moments, making it perfect for parents with unpredictable schedules. Success requires building an audience that trusts your recommendations by only promoting products you genuinely believe in.
You can promote products many ways—writing blog posts, creating social media content, sending email newsletters, or making videos. The key is providing value to your audience while naturally incorporating product recommendations.
Average pay: $500-10,000+ per month (highly variable)
Skills needed: Marketing knowledge, content creation, relationship building
Best for: Parents who enjoy recommending products and have an audience to share with
19. Online Survey Taker
While not a full-time income source, taking surveys provides extra spending money. Companies pay for consumer opinions on products and services.
Surveys can be completed during spare moments—while waiting for appointments, during kids’ activities, or before bed. This flexibility makes them perfect for busy parents.
The pay per survey is typically low, but surveys require minimal skill and can be done while multitasking.
Legitimate survey companies include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Pinecone Research. While surveys won’t replace full-time income, they can provide $50-200 per month with minimal effort.
Average pay: $1-5 per survey
Skills needed: Honest opinions, basic computer skills
Best for: Parents who want easy extra income without commitment
20. Podcast Editor
Help podcasters edit their shows by removing background noise, adding music, and preparing episodes for publication. This technical skill is in high demand.
Podcast editing can be done entirely on your schedule, and you can pause work whenever needed. Most podcasters are flexible about deadlines as long as you communicate clearly.
Work involves using audio editing software to clean up recordings, remove filler words, add intro and outro music, and ensure consistent audio levels.
Many podcast editors work with multiple shows, providing steady recurring income. Once you establish relationships with podcasters, they typically need ongoing weekly or monthly editing services.
Average pay: $20-50 per hour
Skills needed: Audio editing software knowledge, attention to detail, good listening skills
Best for: Parents with technical interests who enjoy working with audio
21. Online Fitness Instructor
Teach fitness classes via video calls or create workout videos for online platforms. Specialize in yoga, strength training, dance, or any fitness area you’re passionate about.
Online fitness instruction offers complete schedule flexibility.
Teach live classes when convenient or create pre-recorded content anytime that works for your family schedule. The pandemic accelerated the shift to online fitness, creating lasting demand for virtual instructors.
You can teach through established platforms like Peloton or ClassPass, or create your own online fitness business. Some instructors offer one-on-one virtual training sessions for premium rates.
Average pay: $20-60 per hour for live classes
Skills needed: Fitness knowledge, teaching ability, basic video equipment
Best for: Parents with fitness backgrounds who want to help others stay healthy
22. Travel Planner
Help people plan vacations, business trips, and special events. Research destinations, book accommodations, and create detailed itineraries.
Travel planning can be done entirely online and on your own schedule.
Research destinations during quiet moments and communicate with clients via email. Work involves understanding clients’ preferences and budgets, researching destinations and accommodations, coordinating bookings, and providing detailed travel information.
Many travel planners specialize in specific trip types or destinations. Some focus on family vacations, others on luxury travel, and some specialize in particular regions or countries.
Average pay: $15-40 per hour
Skills needed: Research skills, attention to detail, travel resource knowledge
Best for: Parents who love planning trips and have travel experience
23. Resume Writer
Help job seekers create compelling resumes and cover letters. Many people struggle with presenting their experience effectively and will pay for professional help.
Resume writing can be done entirely on your schedule, with projects usually completed within a few days.
Work involves interviewing clients about their experience, understanding their career goals, and crafting documents that highlight their strengths and achievements.
Different industries and career levels require different resume approaches. Many resume writers charge per project rather than hourly, allowing you to earn good money for relatively short time investments.
Average pay: $50-200 per resume
Skills needed: Writing skills, hiring process understanding, different industry knowledge
Best for: Parents with HR experience or strong writing skills
24. Online Moderator
Moderate online forums, social media groups, and comment sections for businesses and organizations. Remove inappropriate content, answer questions, and maintain community guidelines.
Moderation work can often be done from your phone and doesn’t require set hours.
Check in on communities throughout the day during natural breaks in your parenting routine. Monitor online spaces for inappropriate content, spam, or guideline violations while facilitating positive discussions.
Many moderators work for multiple communities, providing diversified income and backup if one client relationship ends. The work is typically ongoing, providing steady income.
Average pay: $12-20 per hour
Skills needed: Good judgment, communication skills, online behavior understanding
Best for: Parents who spend time online and understand community dynamics
25. Digital Product Creator
Create and sell digital products like printables, templates, stock photos, or digital art. Once created, these products can be sold repeatedly without additional work.
Digital product creation requires upfront time but can generate passive income for months or years—perfect for parents who want to build income streams that work while they sleep.
Popular products include printable planners, social media templates, stock photography, digital art, and educational resources.
You can sell through platforms like Etsy, your own website, or marketplaces like Creative Market. Success requires understanding your target market and creating high-quality products that meet their needs.
Average pay: $100-5000+ per month (highly variable)
Skills needed: Creativity, basic design skills, target market understanding
Best for: Creative parents who want to build passive income streams
26. Online Language Tutor
Teach your native language to international students via video calls. Many platforms connect language tutors with students worldwide.
Language tutoring offers flexible scheduling and the opportunity to meet people from different cultures. You can often set your own rates and choose students who fit your schedule.
Work involves conducting conversation practice, explaining grammar rules, helping with pronunciation, and providing cultural context.
You don’t need teaching credentials for many positions, though they help. What matters most is fluency in your native language and the ability to explain concepts clearly.
Average pay: $10-25 per hour
Skills needed: Language fluency, teaching ability, cultural knowledge
Best for: Bilingual parents who enjoy teaching and cultural exchange
27. SEO Specialist
Help businesses improve their search engine rankings by optimizing websites and content. Research keywords, analyze competitors, and implement strategies to increase online visibility.
SEO work can be done entirely remotely and offers excellent growth potential as you develop expertise.
The field constantly evolves, keeping work interesting and challenging. Work involves keyword research, content optimization, technical website improvements, and link building.
Many SEO specialists start by learning basics through online courses and practicing on their own websites. SEO work often involves long-term client relationships, as improving search rankings is an ongoing process providing steady, recurring income.
Average pay: $25-60 per hour
Skills needed: Search engine understanding, analytical thinking, technical knowledge
Best for: Parents interested in digital marketing and willing to learn technical skills
Making It Work: Strategies for Success
Working from home with children requires developing systems that help you succeed despite unique parenting challenges.
Creating Effective Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries between work and family time. Physical boundaries help—even if your “office” is just a bedroom corner, having a designated workspace signals when you’re working. Time boundaries are equally important. Communicate your work schedule to family members and stick to it as much as possible.
Managing Interruptions
Interruptions are inevitable when working from home with children. Create a system for urgent vs. non-urgent interruptions. Teach older children the difference between emergencies and preferences. Build buffer time into your schedule—if you think a project will take two hours, block three hours.
Building Professional Relationships
Communicate proactively with clients and colleagues. Since they can’t see you working, keep them informed about your progress and availability. Be honest about your situation when appropriate—many clients are parents themselves and understand the challenges.
Scaling Your Income
Focus on developing skills that increase your value. If you start as a general virtual assistant, consider specializing in areas like social media management that command higher rates. Build systems that allow you to work more efficiently and consider passive income opportunities.
Ready to Start Working
Ready to begin your work-from-home journey? Here’s a practical action plan to help you get started.
Step 1: Assess Your Situation
Honestly evaluate your current situation, including skills, available time, childcare needs, and financial goals. List your existing skills and experience—don’t underestimate abilities you’ve developed through previous work, volunteer activities, or personal interests.
Step 2: Choose Your Path
Based on your assessment, choose one or two opportunities that best match your situation. Start with jobs that match your existing skills rather than trying to learn entirely new fields. Consider time requirements and flexibility of different options.
Step 3: Prepare for Success
Set up a dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a room corner. Ensure you have reliable internet and necessary equipment. Create professional profiles on relevant platforms—LinkedIn is essential for most professional opportunities.
Step 4: Start Small and Build
Begin with small projects or part-time opportunities to build experience and confidence. Focus on delivering excellent work rather than maximizing income initially. Ask for feedback and testimonials from early clients.
Step 5: Scale and Grow
Once established, focus on growth and optimization. Gradually increase your rates as you gain experience and positive feedback. Look for opportunities to specialize in higher-paying niches and create systems that allow you to work more efficiently.
Your Future Starts Now
Working from home as a parent isn’t just about earning extra money—it’s about creating a career that fits your life rather than forcing your life to fit around work. The opportunities are real and growing as companies increasingly recognize that talented people need flexible work arrangements.
Your skills are more valuable than you think. The organizational abilities, multitasking skills, and problem-solving experience you’ve developed as a parent are exactly what many employers need. The journey won’t always be easy, but thousands of parents have successfully built careers from home.
Start where you are, with what you have. You don’t need perfect conditions or extensive experience to begin. You need commitment, realistic expectations, and willingness to learn and adapt. Your children are watching—they’re seeing a parent who doesn’t give up on dreams and finds creative solutions to challenges.
Choose one opportunity from this list, take the first step, and begin building the flexible, fulfilling career you deserve. Your family’s future and your own professional fulfillment could depend on the action you take today.