Best Remote Work Jobs for Parents in 2024

Photo by Surface on Unsplash

Like everyone else, my wife and I started working remotely in March 2020. It was a huge adjustment at first because we were both used to spending 5 days in an office, and I traveled quite a bit for work. But as time passed, we fell in love with working remotely and hope to continue doing so for the long term.

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Benefits of working remotely

There are countless reasons why I love working remotely and highly recommend it, especially for parents or those hoping to start a family in the future. Here are my top four.

1. More time together

When we first started working remotely, my wife and I shared a desk and worked side-by-side. This extra time together was amazing and brought us closer together. We then became parents and added a fearless toddler to the mix.

While stressful, it has been absolutely amazing to be present for all of my daughter's "firsts," each a memory I would never trade for anything in the world. This time together is the most important aspect of working remotely for me - having the ability to spend quality time with my loved ones and serving them daily (including home-cooked meals). 

2. Less time wasted

I hate wasting time! It's one of my biggest pet peeves because, unlike other resources, you can never create more. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. To that vain, I didn't realize how much time I wasted preparing for work in an office.

Between the commute, ironing dress clothes, and preparing lunches, I save 5-10 hours weekly. When I log off work, I no longer need to fight traffic to get home. I simply close my laptop and shut the office door on the way out. 

3. Healthier

Before becoming a remote worker, my wife and I ate out often. I didn't realize until after starting to work from home that all of the weight that I was gaining was due to the unhealthy meals you get when eating out constantly.

Since going remote, we minimized our eating out and are much healthier because of it. We exercise a bit more with the time saved as well, adding to our overall health. 

4. Cost-effective

After we started working remotely, I did a deep dive into our budget and we started cutting expenses left and right. We currently save upwards of $3,000 per year simply by working remotely. We spend a fraction of what we used to on eating out, clothes for the office, and gas and car maintenance. 

Working remotely does come with a few challenges, at least for me. I have to be more conscious of not letting work and life blend together - we have a dedicated office to help counteract this, but it can still be a challenge.

I work remotely for a company that is primarily in-office, so I miss out on water cooler conversations and team-building activities. While I miss the in-person interactions with my colleagues at times, that feeling never outweighs the pros of seeing my wife and daughter throughout the day.

Sorry not sorry if anyone from work is reading this - my family needs me more. :)

Ranking Criteria for the Top Remote Work Jobs

One of the only good things that have come out of the craziness of the past few years is that employers are much more open to remote workers. Even in this tough economic climate, a quick online search will bring up a plethora of remote work jobs that are available. There's truly something for everyone as openings range across a variety of industries, skills, and background requirements.

There are opportunities to work as a contractor/freelancer, part-time, and full-time. You can even tip your toe into the water and start a side hustle first before starting full-time. Some positions require specific hours while others are on a per-project basis, allowing you to set your own schedule.

Below is my list of the top remote work jobs for parents in 2024. Each position on this list was chosen based on three factors:

1. Compensation

While you shouldn't choose your life's work on money alone, you need to feed your family. The remote jobs listed below all have the potential to make enough to put food on the table. 

2. Work/Life Balance

One of the benefits of working a remote job is that you'll be able to spend more time with your family. This goes away if you choose a high-stress career path that requires long hours. The jobs below should offer flexibility to allow you a better work/life balance.

3. Lower barrier to entry

None of these remote jobs require over-the-top education, so no need to go out and get your doctorate first. 

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Best remote work jobs

Without further ado, here are the best remote work jobs for parents in 2024:

 1. Accountant/Bookkeeper 

If you have a knack for numbers, I'd consider a career as a bookkeeper or an accountant. Duties include maintaining and recording financial records, monitoring budgets, preparing reports, handling tax filings, and acting as a financial guide. With the everchanging tax laws, these roles are in high demand and offer a steady source of income.

Corporate positions are typically available all year while personal accountants are typically only needed during tax season, meaning you can make the bulk of your money in a few months. US News reports that the median salary for accountants is just over $78k per year. 

2. Marketer

I'm a marketer by trade and love working remotely, so I'm a bit biased on this one. Marketing is actually a pretty broad catch-all term, there are several areas of marketing to consider that all require different skill sets. Growth and product marketing are two that are especially open-minded to remote work. Growth marketing relies on data-driven marketing tactics to grow a business through specific channels, such as social media or display.

Product marketing focuses on long-term marketing strategy, translating customer insights into actionable go-to-market strategies. Both sides of the house operate together to impact a company's bottom line. According to Glassdoor, the average salary is $79k per year, but there's a drastic range depending on your experience level and industry. As you climb the ranks you can easily top $100k per year.

3. Project Manager

Responsible for keeping teams and businesses on track, project managers lead and manage projects from the initial idea to the completed product. They're responsible for collaborating with the entire working team and ensuring the project is delivered on time and within budget. These positions are in high demand because as companies scale, they become more process-driven and require someone to help keep the trains moving on time. The average salary is $88k according to Indeed.

4. Data analyst 

Data analysts are critical to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large sets of key data. Being able to identify trends, patterns, and insights will help you succeed in this role. There are always openings for data analysts as companies need individuals to help them understand business performance. As this role requires fewer in-person meetings, it's an ideal role for remote work. The average salary for data analysts is $82k, but as with every other role it depends on your experience level and industry.

5. Recruiter

There's always a need for recruiters, as companies source new talent for their workforces. Primary duties include sourcing, screening, and selecting qualified candidates to be interviewed for specific roles. Additional duties may include partnering with management to understand staffing needs, writing job descriptions, and conducting interviews.

If you're someone that loves helping others and spending time on the phone, this role is a perfect opportunity. Depending on what type of recruiting you're responsible for, you may be able to travel a bit as well. An example is campus recruiting, which leads to trips to attend career fairs and employer-sponsored events.

The salary range varies but on average it lands at about $60k per year.

6. Writer / Copywriter

If you enjoy writing, consider doing it professionally! You can start your own company, operate as a freelancer for several publications, work for one company full-time, or a combination of the three. Writing is pretty extensive, but a few areas to consider are articles, online ads, social media posts, books, and other types of advertising (print, billboards, etc.). Copywriting takes it a step further as you'll not only create your own content but also conduct research and collaborate with other writers and designers.

Expect to make just shy of $63k per year on average.

7. Graphic / UX Designer

Graphic design and user experience (UX) design are two of the best remote work jobs out there if you are creative in nature and are familiar with online tools (ex. Figma). These designers focus on creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences, such as websites and apps.

While both fall under the design industry, there are some nuances between the two roles. Graphic designers primarily focus on visual aesthetics and designs. UX designers take it a few steps further as they are responsible for the overall experience from both a visual and functionality standpoint. Additional duties outside of design include user research and interviews along with strategy.

Graphic designers on average make $60k per year while UX designers pull in $95k per year.

8. Virtual Assistant

One of the fastest-growing jobs to consider is being a virtual assistant. These roles are always remote and offer the most flexible hours. Duties vary on the needs of the client but are administrative in nature. From managing schedules and appointments, responding to emails on behalf of the client, and even conducting research. 

The average salary is $75k per year but depends on your location and specialty. Due to the flexible hours, you can work it part-time as well, there's always a need.

This is also a great option to consider if you want to start a small business.

9. Sales Representative 

The term sales rep gets a bad reputation. We automatically think of a pushy car salesman or telemarketer, but in reality, that's only a very small fraction of sales representative roles. Every major company has a sales staff, all responsible for identifying prospects, creating sales presentations and presenting to clients, building relationships, and negotiating contracts.

Depending on your industry, you may specialize in consultative selling, which focuses on understanding your client's needs on a deep level and providing recommendations tailored to them versus strictly making cold calls. An example is a software solutions consultant, helping customers understand how your product can meet their needs.

A sales representative average salary is around $62k, while software solutions consultants average out at $99k. 

10. Online Educator 

If you love the idea of teaching but don't want to deal with anyone in-person, pursue an online teaching job. Especially with the education labor shortage in 2024, there are plenty of online positions available. This includes positions at all education levels, from elementary school through university.

On average, roles are being advertised for roughly $56k per year. Not bad considering you may be eligible for state retirement benefits and have summers off to spend with your family.

Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

How to find a remote job

There are many ways to find a remote work job, you just need to know where to look. Start with online job platforms such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed for job postings. One perk of LinkedIn is that you can connect with individuals at your target companies, build a relationship, and potentially get a referral for an open role.

These websites are also great because you can search by a specific job title, such as "accountant" and find narrow down search results by your remote working preference and see job postings from several employers at once.

Another route is to check out online marketplaces for freelance work, such as Upwork and Fiverr. There are a plethora of freelance opportunities available that you can pursue while working remotely, ranging from administrative tasks to marketing and legal strategy.

There's no time like the present, start searching today if you're interested in finding a remote work job. Before kicking off the job search, make sure your resume is up to date. If you’d like some assistance in this area, I’d recommend either Resume.io or TopResume. Both are really great options to help you find your next remote work gig. Plus, if you use the promo code KMONEY at checkout, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

Remote work changed our lives and I'm sure it will change yours.