Disclosure: Fiverr is a FreelanceMile partner, and that partnership affects where it appears in this guide. Some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The pros, cons and fees for every platform, including Fiverr, are my honest take.
The best remote side jobs for extra money are freelance writing, customer service, bookkeeping, translation, virtual assistant work and online gigs like design or video editing.
Several pay $20 an hour or more at the U.S. median, but the easiest ones to start with no experience usually pay less, so pick one skill and build reviews fast.
Key takeaways
- $20+ an hour is real, but not for every job. BLS lists May 2025 median pay of $21.53 an hour for customer service reps and $24.36 for bookkeeping clerks.
- Skills raise your rate. Writing, translation, design and video editing pay more than survey and testing apps.
- Testing and survey sites pay less. Prolific sets a minimum of $8 an hour and recommends $12 or more.
- Never pay to get a job. The FTC says honest employers will never ask you to pay for a job.
- Reviews get you hired. When I hire freelancers, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision.
What are the best remote side jobs to make extra money?
Here are 15 remote side jobs you can do from home on evenings and weekends. Pay figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or the platform’s own help pages.
BLS figures are medians for employees and don’t include the self-employed, so treat them as a guide to what the skill is worth.
1. Freelance writing
Businesses pay for blog posts, emails, product pages and ads. BLS lists a 2025 median pay of $36.98 an hour for writers and authors.
BLS says 65% of writers and authors are self-employed. Start with one niche you know, like fitness, finance or software.
2. Proofreading and editing
If you spot typos fast, offer proofreading for blogs, resumes and course material. It’s a common first gig for strong writers.
Price per word or per page, and send a short free sample edit with every proposal.
3. Virtual assistant
Solo business owners pay for inbox, calendar, research and data tasks. Many VA side jobs are a few hours a week.
Watch for fake checks. The FTC warns that scammers post fake virtual assistant jobs and send checks they ask you to forward.
4. Remote customer service
BLS lists a median of $21.53 an hour in May 2025 for customer service representatives. Most need only a high school diploma, with 2 to 4 weeks of on-the-job training.
BLS also notes working from home is possible at some companies, and evening and weekend shifts are common.
5. Bookkeeping
Small businesses need someone to record transactions and reconcile accounts. BLS lists a median of $24.36 an hour in May 2025 for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.
You’ll need comfort with bookkeeping software and spreadsheets. A short online course helps if you’re new.
6. Translation
If you’re fluent in two languages, translate websites, documents and marketing copy. BLS lists a median of $28.93 an hour in May 2025 for interpreters and translators.
BLS says part-time work is common and 28% are self-employed. Certification isn’t usually required, except for areas like court work.
7. Transcription
Turn audio into text for podcasts, meetings or research. Medical transcription pays a median of $19.43 an hour (May 2025) per BLS, and it usually needs a certificate.
General transcription is easier to start but pays less, so check each platform’s current rates before you sign up.
8. Online tutoring
Tutor school subjects, test prep or a language over video calls. Your degree, a teaching background or strong test scores help you stand out.
Pay depends on the subject and platform, so compare current rates before you commit.
9. Social media management
Local businesses want someone to post, reply to comments and report results each month. Two or three small clients make a solid side income.
Start with a business you already know, and show before-and-after numbers in your portfolio.
10. Graphic design
Design social posts, logos, slide decks and ads. BLS lists a median of $30.27 an hour in May 2025 for graphic designers, and 20% are self-employed.
A portfolio of 5 to 10 real or practice projects matters more than a degree for side gigs.
11. Video editing
Creators and small businesses need short-form edits for YouTube, TikTok and Reels. BLS lists a 2025 median pay of $75,100 a year for film and video editors and camera operators.
Offer a fixed price per short video, and turn edits around within 48 hours to win repeat work.
12. Website and app testing
You record yourself using a website or app and say what you think. UserTesting says rewards vary by test type, length and customer demand, and your dashboard shows the pay before you start.
Tests are short and irregular, so treat this as pocket money, not a main income.
13. Paid research studies
Academic and market research platforms pay you to answer surveys and join interviews. Prolific requires researchers to pay at least $8 an hour and recommends $12 or more.
Respondent recruits everyday consumers and professionals for paid research, so your job title can help you qualify.
14. AI training and data annotation
Companies pay people to rate AI answers, label data and check search results. Some projects look for domain experts like nurses, coders and lawyers.
Pay and availability change often, so check current rates on each company’s official site, and never pay a fee to join.
15. Data entry
Real data entry work exists, but it’s a favorite cover for scams. Look for it inside VA, bookkeeping or admin roles at real companies.
If an offer promises big money for little work, the FTC says it’s almost certainly a scam.
Which remote side jobs pay $20 an hour?
Here is how BLS median pay for May 2025 compares with $20 an hour. Freelance rates vary, so use these as a starting point.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Job | Median pay (May 2025) | Typical entry requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writers and authors | $36.98 an hour | Bachelor’s degree for salaried roles; portfolio for freelance | BLS |
| Graphic designers | $30.27 an hour | Bachelor’s degree for salaried roles; portfolio for freelance | BLS |
| Interpreters and translators | $28.93 an hour | Fluency in two languages; often a degree | BLS |
| Bookkeeping clerks | $24.36 an hour | Some college; software skills | BLS |
| Customer service reps | $21.53 an hour | High school diploma; short training | BLS |
| Medical transcriptionists | $19.43 an hour | Certificate program | BLS |
| Research studies (Prolific) | Minimum $8 an hour; $12+ recommended | None | Prolific |
Customer service is the closest match to “$20 an hour, no experience” because it needs a diploma and short training. Everything else rewards a skill you can show.
Quick comparison: which remote side job fits you?
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Side job | Skill needed | Experience to start | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance writing | Clear writing | Samples | Flexible hours |
| Proofreading | Grammar, attention to detail | Sample edit | Quick evening tasks |
| Virtual assistant | Organization | None to some | Steady weekly hours |
| Customer service | Communication | None | Shift-based income |
| Bookkeeping | Numbers, software | Course helps | Repeat monthly clients |
| Translation | Two languages | Fluency | Bilingual people |
| Transcription | Fast, accurate typing | None (general) | Quiet, solo work |
| Online tutoring | Subject knowledge | Degree or scores | Teachers, students |
| Social media | Content, tools | Portfolio | Marketers |
| Graphic design | Design tools | Portfolio | Creative people |
| Video editing | Editing software | Portfolio | Creators |
| Website testing | Thinking out loud | None | Pocket money |
| Research studies | None | None | Spare minutes |
| AI training | Domain knowledge | Varies | Experts |
| Data entry | Typing | None | Admin roles only |
Where can you find legit remote side jobs?
- Fiverr: list a writing, design, editing or VA service as a gig, so buyers come to you.
- Upwork: send proposals to clients who post projects; best once you have samples and a few reviews.
- FlexJobs: a paid job board that says it screens every remote and flexible job for scams.
- We Work Remotely: a remote job board, strongest for support, design, marketing and tech roles.
- Toptal: for experienced pros who want vetted, higher-rate work, not as a beginner’s first stop.
I recruit and screen freelancers on Upwork. When I hire, ratings, recent reviews and past work drive about 80% of my decision, so a few early reviews matter more than a perfect profile.
What does FlexJobs cost?
FlexJobs is a paid membership for job seekers. Its pricing page lists these plans:
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Plan | Price | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| 14-day trial | $2.95 | Auto-renews at $23.95 every 4 weeks |
| 3 months | $29.85 up front | Auto-renews every 3 months |
| Annual | $71.40 up front | Auto-renews every year |
New to freelance platforms? Compare them in our best freelance websites guide, or set up a first gig with easy Fiverr gigs.
How do you start a remote side job with no experience?
You can land your first paid remote work in a few weeks if you follow these steps in order.
Pick one skill
Choose the job from the list that matches what you already do well. “Proofreading for coaches” is easier to sell than “any online work.”
Make three samples
Write three posts, design three graphics or edit three clips. Samples replace experience when clients review you.
Set up one profile
Start on one platform, add a clear photo, a one-line offer and your samples. Spread out only once you get traction.
Price to win first reviews
Charge a fair starter rate for your first few jobs, deliver early and ask every client for a review.
Raise your rate
Once you have 5 or more good reviews, raise your price for new clients. Reviews let you charge more.
Track income for taxes
In the U.S., the IRS says you must pay self-employment tax if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more.
Want options with no interview at all? See our no-interview remote jobs list, or read how to start freelancing with no experience.
How do you spot a remote job scam?
The FTC job scams page lists the warning signs. Walk away if a “job” asks you to:
- Pay for a starter kit, training, certification or a job guarantee
- Deposit a check and send part of the money back, or buy gift cards
- Receive packages at home and reship them
- Make lots of money in a short time with little work
Report job scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For federal jobs, apply only at USAJobs.gov, where applying is always free.
FAQ
Can you really make $20 an hour working from home?
Yes, in some jobs. BLS median pay is above $20 an hour for customer service reps, bookkeeping clerks, translators and writers. Survey and testing sites pay much less.
What remote side job needs the least experience?
Customer service, website testing and paid research studies. BLS says customer service reps typically need a high school diploma and short on-the-job training.
How many hours a week do remote side jobs take?
You choose with freelance work. Five to ten hours a week is a realistic start next to a full-time job.
Do I need to pay to join a remote job site?
FlexJobs is a paid membership, and freelance platforms take fees in different ways, so check each one’s current fees. Never pay an employer to get hired.
Sources (checked 23 October 2026)
- BLS: Writers and authors ($36.98 an hour, May 2025; 65% self-employed)
- BLS: Customer service representatives ($21.53 an hour, May 2025; high school diploma; 2 to 4 weeks training; working from home possible)
- BLS: Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks ($24.36 an hour, May 2025)
- BLS: Interpreters and translators ($28.93 an hour, May 2025; 28% self-employed; part-time common)
- BLS: Medical transcriptionists ($19.43 an hour, May 2025; certificate)
- BLS: Graphic designers ($30.27 an hour, May 2025; 20% self-employed)
- BLS: Photographers similar occupations (2025 median pay for film and video editors and camera operators: $75,100)
- Prolific: Underpaying studies ($8 an hour minimum; $12 recommended)
- UserTesting: How much do tests pay?
- FlexJobs pricing ($2.95 trial, $23.95 every 4 weeks, $29.85 for 3 months, $71.40 a year)
- FTC: Job scams, ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- IRS: Self-employment tax ($400 rule)
What to do next
Pick one job from the list today and make three samples this week. For more ideas, start with side hustles 101.
