29 Freelance Services You Can Offer as a Stay-at-Home Mom
So many moms I know are interested in being just a little bit “more” than stay-at-home moms. Whether it’s because they want some extra spending money, miss their corporate job (yet want to stay at home for their kids’ sake), or are simply bored while their kids are gone all day at school, a lot of moms are looking for something productive to spend their time on.
And while there are plenty of lists online about “how to make money from home,” most of them center around really low-paying, mind-numbingly boring work — such as data entry, filling out surveys, or selling used clothes on eBay.
So, today, I’m bringing you a list of 29 freelance services that you can offer as a stay-at-home mom. These are “real jobs” that can actually generate a great, full-time income.
Just FYI, this list is focused exclusively on services that you could provide to other businesses, and doesn’t cover home-based businesses that sell goods or would require hiring any employees. (But if you’re looking for businesses that you can start from home, then you can check out this article.)
Plenty of these jobs you can do with skills you already have or can easily teach yourself. However, some of them are more specialized. Jobs that need more advanced/professional training are marked with a plus (+) sign. Jobs that are regulated and require certification are marked with an asterisk (*).
Okay! Let’s get into it! Here are 29 freelance services you can offer as a stay-at-home mom:
1. Academic Researcher and Writer +
If you have a background in academia as a teacher, professor, or grad student, then you can make money as a freelance academic researcher and writer. Clearly, this job does require some level of specialization, but this is great if you do have the required experience and skills, because it means that there’s a lot less competition than there is for more general freelance writing jobs.
Academic researchers and writers generally earn $25 – $55 per hour ($50,000 – $110,000 per year). If you’re interested in finding freelance jobs in this field then consider looking on Upwork.com, Indeed.com, or contacting specific academic journals directly.
2. Accountant*
As indicated by the asterisk, this is a regulated job that may require certification. However, anyone who learns how to perform accurate bookkeeping services can work as an accountant. Without certification, accountants can be employed by smaller companies which need more budget-friendly services. Non-certified accountants can typically earn $15 – $25 per hour ($30,000 – $50,000 per year).
With additional education and testing, accountants can obtain Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status and raise their rates. CPA’s generally earn $30 – $50 per hour ($60,000 – $100,000 annually).
3. Animator +
Becoming an animator can allow you to do fun, creative work from home and get paid well for it! Animators need software skills, creative skills, and the ability to work well with others. You can learn the necessary skills through many online education programs, in a traditional university setting, or even teach yourself (though that is more challenging for this more specialized job).
Animators typically earn $25 – $45 per hour ($50,000 – $90,000 annually), though their potential positions and salaries are greatly dependant on their skill level and experience.
4. App Developer +
As the app market has exploded over the last few years, the industry has become increasingly competitive — but also potentially more and more lucrative. These days, in order to succeed as an app developer, you need a good working knowledge of programming languages as well as the ability to work well with others.
Development of apps generally requires several programming languages, including Java, PHP, HTML5, and C#, as well as Adobe Flash Lite, Python, and others. Because so much knowledge is required to develop great apps, programmers often work on projects in teams with other developers, with each team member focusing on specific aspects of the job.
Freelance app developers earn between $30 and $60 per hour ($60,000 – $120,000 annually). While app developers can earn more by developing their own apps, doing so is certainly more of a gamble. As a freelancer, you have a contract that says you WILL get paid. If you develop apps for yourself, you might make millions… or you might make nothing.
5. Architect*
While freelance architects certainly can work from home, this is a field which requires both significant education and certification. Architects typically attend traditional universities for 5 – 7 years, and then must pass architecture certification exams for the specific state in which they wish to work as an architect.
There are many different types of architects, including residential, commercial, landscape, interior, green, and others. Architects typically earn $30 – $50 per hour, or $60,000 – $100,000 annually.
6. Article Writer
If you’re a decent writer, then there are thousands of publications which would appreciate your services. Becoming an article writer requires NO specialized skills at all.
Publications look for articles on every topic under the sun — from cooking to pet care, beauty to agriculture. What that means for you is: there are endless opportunities of topics you could write on, regardless of your skills or experience.
However, your ability to write on different topics certainly influences your pay rate. More competitive, less specialized topics, such as beauty, household, and yard maintenance pay about $0.01 per word (roughly $6 per hour), whereas other topics, such as medicine, automotive repair, or technical art forms, may pay three or more times that rate.
Writing articles certainly isn’t the most lucrative opportunity on this list, but it can be a great, easy way to dip your toes into the world of freelancing and start earning money while you’re still developing your skills.
You can find freelance writing jobs on https://www.fiverr.com, https://www.upwork.com, or http://www.hirewriters.com/.
7. Blogger
How do bloggers make money? By providing interesting content that brings people together, and then marketing to that audience.
If you enjoy writing (or even creating videos or recording podcasts) and have a topic you love, then this can be a great way for you to spend your time and make some money in the process.
Blogs tend to do the best when they’re focused on a specific topic (such as cooking, gardening, parenting, organizing, dogs, etc.).
Be aware that it can take quite a while to start earning money from a blog — consistency is the name of the game. However, with a good strategy (especially when it comes to marketing your blog) most blogs can earn a couple thousand dollars per month by the end of their first year.
(Considering starting an income-producing blog? Here are 13 things I wish I'd known when I started blogging.)
8. Book Designer
After an author writes a book, someone has to format the words to look nice on the pages of the book (whether it will be published traditionally in print or digitally as an ebook). The skill of book designing isn’t very complex, so once you learn the basics you can help many publishing companies or independently publishing authors release attractive, functional books.
If you’re more creative, you can also offer cover design services for an additional fee. Book designers typically charge $200 – $400 for basic formatting or $500 – $1000 for cover designs. A full-time book designer can earn around $72,000 annually.
9. Bookkeeper +
Bookkeeping is more advanced than basic math, but the required skills can easily be learned in less than a year through any community college or numerous online programs. Bookkeepers help businesses track and organize their finances, and can be part- or full-time.
Bookkeepers typically charge $15 – $30 per hour, which equates to $30,000 – $60,000 annually. To get started as a bookkeeper, first enroll in basic bookkeeping classes. Once you have you’ve learned the necessary skills, you can look for employment on job boards (such as Indeed.com) and by attending networking events, such as those hosted by your local chamber of commerce.
10. Business Strategist +
A business strategist helps other businesses figure out their best course of action. In order to be able to do this well, you need to have both some “book learning” and some practical experience in the world of business, preferably in upper management or ownership.
Freeland business strategists tend to charge $50 – $300 per hour, but only do billable client work for about 10 – 20 hours per week. Their annual income can range anywhere from $60,000 – $500,000 per year, depending on how good they are at strategy.
(By the way, business strategy services are one of the 10 ways I actually make money.)
11. Business Writer
If you have knowledge and experience about the business world, but aren’t quite ready to start taking on private clients (or simply don’t enjoy working with clients), then you might consider being a business writer instead.
As a business writer, you can provide articles to numerous online and print publications. This work typically pays $10 – $30 per hour, for an annual salary of $20,000 – $60,000.
Check this out >> Five Ways to MAKE MONEY On Facebook
12. CAD Technician +
Computer-aided design (CAD) technicians – also known as drafters – create the technical drawings and plans used in the construction and manufacturing industries. For example, CAD design technicians will use a CAD-related software program to convert engineer and architectural designs into blueprints. In addition to having an understanding of how to operate CAD software programs, technicians must also understand engineering and architectural techniques, manufacturing systems, product data management, and building information modeling.
CAD Technicians earn, on average, $55,000 per year (or $28 per hour). To become a drafter, most individuals start by obtaining an associate’s degree, then professional certification.
13. Comic Illustrator
Working as a comic illustrator is a fun, creative, and collaborative way to earn a living! Freelance comic illustrators work with independent writers or small teams, and earn $50 – $200 per page, for an annual income of $15,000 – $80,000.
14. Computer Programmer +
Computer programming is a wide field with many different specialties. A computer programmer figures out the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging/troubleshooting and maintaining the source code of computer programs.
These days, there are many ways to learn the skills you need to become a programmer, including traditional college options and dozens of online certification programs. Full-time computer programmers earn an average of $65,000 – $95,000 annually.
15. Content Writer
Every website has to be filled with “content” to help their visitors out, and somebody has to write all those words!
Every website has a specific target audience and requires different content. That means that, as a content writer, your work has the potential to vary quite a lot from day to day, giving you an enjoyable creative outlet.
Content writers don’t typically need any formal education, and earn $8 – $25 per hour ($16,000 – $50,000 annually).
16. Copywriter
“Copy” is the industry name for text used to sell products and services. The writing on the back of a cereal box? That’s copy. The words on a billboard? Yep, that’s copy too.
If you’re a creative thinker and good writer, then working as a copywriter can be an enjoyable and profitable venture. Copywriters tend to charge per project, with an hourly rate of around $50 – $100, but only about half their “working time” is typically billable client hours which means that their annual incomes range from $50,000 – $200,000.
17. Customer Service/Phone Support
Most large, international companies like Google, Apple, Verizon, and Amazon have massive customer service teams and many home-based employees.
These companies are always hiring people to help serve their customers better. If you enjoy helping people, don’t mind talking on the phone, and want some simple work you can do for a predictable check, then this might be the job for you! Customer service reps earn about $12 – $15 per hour ($24,000 – $30,000 annually).
18. Editor
Editing is the process of reviewing and correcting written material to improve accuracy, readability, and fitness for its purpose, and to ensure that it is free of error, omission, inconsistency, and repetition. As an editor, you can help independent authors and publishing companies get their books ready to be published.
Editors are typically pad per word, so the faster you can work (while still being accurate), the more you can earn. Standard rates range from $0.02 – $0.04 per word for an average salary of $48,00 – $72,000.
19. Facebook Ads Manager
If you find marketing and selling interesting, and you enjoy tech and analytics, then becoming a Facebook ads manager might be a great fit for you.
Ad managers help businesses of all sizes to advertise their services on Facebook, the world’s largest social network (and second largest advertising platform). Ad managers typically charge per ad campaign and earn an average of $600 – $1000 per client per month, for an annual income of $35,000 – $120,000.
(By the way, Facebook ads management is one of the 10 ways I actually make money.)
20. Fashion Blogger
Fashion bloggers attract an audience to their website with attractive pictures of their daily attire, outfit ideas, and opinions on new trends. They earn money primarily through brand sponsorships. Income varies greatly, depending on the size of the blog’s audience.
21. Fashion Designer
Fashion design is a competitive industry, but there is always room for truly great designers. If you’re interested in pursuing this as a career, then there are two routes you can consider.
The first is the traditional route of attending art school, getting an internship, and slowly working your way up the ladder.
Alternatively, you can teach yourself design, and start creating your own clothes to sell online or in local boutiques. Over time, you can gain credibility and exposure for your work, and eventually work as a freelance designer for other brands.
22. Fashion Stylist
We see pretty pictures of outfits in ads, magazines, and all over the internet — but no matter how much clothing we buy, many of us struggle to put together polished outfits.
Enter, the fashion stylist. Stylists help clients figure out what to wear and how to wear it. They give consults to help clients know how to dress their body shape and figure out what they should buy to compliment the rest of their wardrobe.
Fashion stylists typically charge $25 – $50 per hour and do 20 – 30 billable hours of work per week, for an annual income of around $50,000.
23. Film Editor +
With the onset of the internet age, the film industry has exploded with thousands of independent producers. All these films need to be edited, and doing so is a very time-consuming process that requires a skilled professional.
While video editing is a fairly common skill, film editing (i.e. editing physical, analog film stock for movies) is a much more specialized skill that commands higher prices. Film editors typically earn $30 – $50 per hour, for an annual income of $55,000 – $100,000.
24. Game Developer +
Developing games is definitely a technical, challenging skill to learn, but it can also be a lot of fun if it aligns with your passions.
In order to become a game developer, you must learn several coding languages and practice, practice, practice. It can take a few years to become proficient enough to actually design games well.
Once you have the required skills, you can design games for yourself or for others. If you make your own games, there’s no way to predict how much (or how little) you might earn — it all depends on how addictive of a game you develop and how well you market it.
On the other hand, if you go the freelance route, you can earn a more consistent income of about $30 – $45 per hour, depending on your skill level.
25. Google Ads Manager
Every time you run a search on Google, the first few results are “sponsored” which means that companies have paid for top placement. Some companies create and manage these ads themselves, but many prefer to bring in outside experts who can help them get the best results.
Google ad managers typically charge $500 – $1500 per client, per month, for an annual salary of $50,000 – $150,000.
26. Grant Writer
Non-profits are potentially eligible for any of thousands of different grants. Grant writing refers to the practice of completing an application process for funding provided by an institution such as a government department, corporation, foundation or trust. Such application processes are often referred to as either grant “proposals” or “submissions.”
Grant writing is a somewhat technical skill to learn, but once you know how, it isn’t so much complicated as it is time-consuming. Non-profits often prefer to hire professional grant writers, because they don’t have the time to invest themselves, but hiring someone for a few hundred dollars to help them acquire a grant worth thousands is obviously worthwhile.
Grant writer earn $60,000 – $75,000 per year, on average.
27. Graphic Designer
Attractive graphics help motivate people to make purchases, which means that graphic designers are always in high-demand, both online and off.
You can become a graphic designer by going the traditional university route, or by teaching yourself with online courses and tutorials.
There are many different graphic design specialties, including web design, font design, product packaging, marketing materials, and more. Web designers’ salaries vary greatly, but most commonly range from about $25 – $50 per hour.
28. Health Writer
If you have a background in medicine (perhaps an unfinished degree), sports, or health fields, but no longer actively practice your profession, then becoming a health writer might be a great way for you to earn a bit of money from home.
Health writers aren’t required to have any special qualifications, though these can certainly increase the rates you can charge. Writers are typically paid by the word, commonly at a rate of $0.01 – $0.03. Writers can earn about $10 – $20 per hour, depending on how fast and well they can produce content.
29. Illustrator
If you’re creative and artistic, then becoming an illustrator could be a great opportunity for you! Whether you design digitally or with pen and paper, there is a big market for illustrations for all sorts of publications.
Illustrators generally charge $40 – $200 per illustration, depending on the size, complexity, and how many illustrations the client requires. Depending on how quickly an illustrator works, they can earn $20,000 – $80,000 per year.
If you’re interested in becoming a freelance illustrator, you can create a profile on www.fiverr.com or www.upwork.com and start bidding on jobs. As your portfolio grows in size, you’ll find it will become easier and easier to get clients, and that you’ll be able to continually increase your prices.
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