12 Flexible Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour or More

In today's economy, it is hard to find jobs that offer both flexibility and decent pay. Whether you are looking for a career change, a full-time income, or just want to earn extra cash, there are a plethora of occupations available that pay a living wage while not requiring you to stick to a strict corporate schedule. 

Want a job that pays well but not sure where to look? Luckily, we've compiled a list of flexible jobs that pay $20 an hour or more. 

Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour (Or More)

These opportunities combine the best of both worlds, providing a reliable income stream while affording you the autonomy to design your work schedule. The jobs listed below offer that coveted $20 per hour rate along with flexibility, opening up a world of possibilities for those pursuing financial security and the freedom to live life on their own terms.

1. Freelance Writing

A freelance writer pens articles, blog posts, or other content for a fee. They may work for themselves or contract with companies or individuals to write content.

As a freelance writer, you have the unique opportunity to work from home. You can set your pay rate and work hours, too. Many writers earn an hourly rate of at least $20 an hour and even over $10,000 per month.

Holly Johnson of Earn More Writing earns over $200,000 a year writing for brands and leading publishers online.

You do not need any education certificate or college degree for freelance writing jobs, and you can start with little to no experience. The only requirement you need is to be able to write well.

So, how do you find clients?

There are several ways to find clients as freelance writers. You can reach out to any business or brand that needs content (and, trust me, most of them do!)

Job boards are also a great way to find writing jobs. Check out BloggingPro and Problogger for a start.

Whatever method you choose, plenty of work is available for talented writers. If you have a knack for writing, consider pursuing a career as a freelance writer; you may be surprised at how much you can earn.

2. Bookkeeping

A bookkeeper tracks and records a company's financial transactions accurately. This differs from an accountant, whose primary duty is to prepare financial statements. They also prepare tax returns, which are different from the job of a bookkeeper.

Bookkeepers are essential to any business, and their services are in high demand. If you have strong accounting skills, previous experience with recordkeeping, and a passion for numbers, consider becoming a bookkeeper.

You can find clients independently (through social media, LinkedIn, or word of mouth, in which case you will be self-employed) or work with bookkeeping companies. Some of these include:

• Accounting Department
• Bateman & Co
• Bookminders

While you do not need a college degree for this job, having one is helpful.

You can earn an excellent annual salary while working from home. Many bookkeepers earn over $80 an hour, with some making over $100,000 annually.

3. Transcription

A transcriptionist is a person who listens to audio recordings and types them out. Traditionally, doctors and lawyers hired transcriptionists regularly.

But today, there is a growing demand for transcriptionists who can transcribe recorded meetings, lectures, seminars, and podcasts. You could work as a transcriptionist with solid typing and listening skills. The pay is usually decent, and you can often set your work schedule.

You can find clients independently or work with a transcription company. Some of these include:

• Rev.com
• TranscribeMe
• Scribie

4. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a person who provides administrative, clerical, or other support services to clients remotely. There are over 200 services that you can provide as a virtual assistant (VA). You can manage emails, schedule appointments, make travel arrangements, provide customer service, handle social media management, or be an affiliate manager for a brand.

There are no education requirements, and many VAs only have a high school diploma.

You can earn good money as a VA, with many earning over $20 an hour and some even making a six-figure income. If you have strong skills in any area and are looking for a flexible way to earn money, consider becoming a virtual assistant.

There are several ways to find clients, such as job boards, independent websites, and social media. You can also find virtual assistant jobs through these companies:

• Fancy Hands
• Belay Solutions
• Wing Assistant

5. Customer Service

A customer service representative handles customer inquiries, complaints, and concerns by phone, email, or chat. Many companies are now offering work-from-home customer service jobs to reduce overhead costs. You can either work in a call center or stay at home and work. No experience is required for most jobs, though many do require high school graduation.

If you have strong people skills and are looking for a job with flexible hours, paid time off, and paid overtime, consider working as a customer service rep. Some companies even offer bonuses for outstanding workers. You can find these jobs on job boards or company websites like Outplex and SiteStaff.

Another option is FlexJobs. This job board lists all types of occupations, including remote jobs.

Many customer service representatives earn over $15 an hour; some even make over $30. If you're ready to work overtime, you can get paid for that too!

6. Odd Jobs

There are several odd jobs that you can do to earn $20 hourly or more. You can deliver food, do yard work, housecleaning, lawn mowing, be a handyperson, and do other manual labor.

You can find odd jobs on websites like Craigslist or TaskRabbit. You can also ask your friends, family, or neighbors if they need help with anything.

Odd jobs are an excellent way to start making money and allow you to set your hours per week.

7. Dog Walking

If you love dogs, consider becoming a dog walker. You can earn $20 or more an hour walking dogs in your neighborhood or city. You can find dog-walking clients on websites like Rover or Wag. You can also ask your friends, family, or neighbors if they need help walking their dogs.

If you love dogs (or pets, in general), you can also look into pet-sitting services and pet care businesses where the pay is much higher. With these jobs, you will work as an independent contractor and won't receive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or vacation time.

8. Babysitting and Nannying

If you're looking for a way to make some extra money, babysitting can be a great option.

You can earn $15-20 an hour, and it's a flexible job you can do at any age. To get started, try babysitting for families in your neighborhood. It will help you gain experience and build a reputation as a reliable babysitter.

Once you've got a few clients, you can look for work on websites like Care.com or SitterCity. These websites make it easy to find families who need a babysitter, and you can usually set your hours.

9. Rideshare Driving

If you have a car, you can make money by becoming a rideshare driver. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft allow you to set your hours and earn money by driving people around town. Rideshare driving is an easy way to earn top dollar, and it's a flexible job you can do on your schedule.

To become a rideshare driver with most companies, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license and insurance. You will also need to pass a background check.

10. Fitness Coaching

Love working out? Then you can possibly make money as a fitness coach. You can earn $20 or more per hour teaching yoga, pilates, or spin classes. We recommend contacting your local gym to see if they're hiring. Besides that, you can also start online classes and one-on-one sessions with clients.

To become a fitness instructor, you must be certified in the class you want to teach. You can find certification programs near you or online. Fitness is a burgeoning industry, so this could be a great option if you want to make over $20 per hour.

11. Freelance Niche Photography

If you're a photographer, you can make between $20-100 per hour by offering services to businesses and people in your area. For many, photography started as a side hustle that eventually became a successful full-time job. 

Start by finding clients on websites like Fiverr or Upwork. You can also contact businesses directly and offer to take photos for their website, social media accounts, or other events. You will need a good camera and basic photography skills to start. You can also find online courses that can help you improve your skills.

Freelance photography is a fun way to make money on the side. Some of the best niches for photography include:

• Wedding
• Baby and Pregnancy
• Travel
• Wildlife
• Product Photography
• Event Photography

Another way to profit from the photos you take is to sell your photos through apps like Foap and Shutterstock. Numerous apps exist that empower you to monetize your photos. You can either sell them directly or showcase them on various online marketplaces.

12. Become a Professional Organizer

If you have a knack for organization, you can transform that into a money-making skill. As a professional organizer, you can earn anywhere from $25-50 per hour, or even more, by helping clients unclutter their homes and workplaces.

Launching your journey begins with creating an engaging website, a digital gateway for potential clients to discover your skills. But don't stop there; Instagram, the visual powerhouse of social media, can be your secret weapon in showcasing your transformative prowess. And for those on the hunt for their first clients, websites like TaskRabbit and Craigslist are treasure troves of opportunities, waiting for your organizing magic.

The Bottom Line

In the quest for a fulfilling and lucrative career, the journey often resembles the pursuit of a mythical golden goose. However, it's essential to understand that this pursuit is not in vain, and the above-mentioned jobs serve as a testament to that.

Realizing that your dream career doesn't have to conform to conventional paths is liberating. With diligence, research, and a willingness to explore uncharted territories, you can discover opportunities that align with your passion and financial goals.