Are you a lone wolf? Do you prefer a quiet work environment? Do team meetings make your stomach drop and your fists clench?
If the answer is yes, you’ve probably dreamed of working alone. Yes, for some of us, the idea of waking up every morning and doing our own thing is the literal dream.
Finding a job that suits both your outlook and your lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard. There’s a growing trend of people doing just that.
Perhaps you're an introvert who prefers to work on your own. Or you live in a remote town where working from home alone is better because of commuting. Digital nomads who enjoy traveling often may also find the lifestyle preferable.
Or you might simply be someone who prefers to work remotely on a solo basis, and you’re not alone.
No matter what your career looks like right now, there are avenues you can explore. The truth is that there are many jobs in which you can work by yourself while still taking home a decent paycheck.
We'll check out some of the best jobs for people who like to work alone and make good money while doing so to boot.
What are the benefits of working alone?
Before we delve into the jobs where you can work alone, let’s talk about the potential benefits. Aside from not having to deal with office politics (score!), there are many reasons that you may choose to work alone. Here are some you should consider:
Working alone lets you choose your environment
If you prefer to be in a very quiet setting with no distractions, working alone is a great choice for you. You might choose to be in a home office, or you also have the option to work from a library, coffee shop, or other location that helps you do your best work.
You can choose how often you communicate with others when you work alone
When you're introverted or are just someone who doesn't like to get distracted, office environments can be the worst.
Well-meaning co-workers may come by your desk to chat multiple times a day, or you may get called into meetings with no notice.
However, when you work alone, you have more control over how often you answer email, take phone calls, or have discussions about work.
You can work alone from anywhere in the world
In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in digital nomads, as reported by Forbes Magazine.
The lifestyle choice is relatively simple. You grab your laptop and work from anywhere in the world — whether that’s a beach in Hawaii or an office in Shanghai. The choice is yours.
By learning more about the jobs where you can work alone, you have the opportunity to free yourself. Since you no longer have to commute to an office, you can work from wherever you please. If you've got major wanderlust, this is the right move for you.
You may no longer have to commute when you work alone
The average American spends more than 27 minutes commuting one way to the office. That’s 54 minutes of wasted time every working day. If you are dealing with a daily commute, looking at jobs for people who like to work alone from home is smart.
You can manage yourself and your time when working alone
Perhaps one of the most infuriating things about working with other people is being managed. If you have a line manager who is constantly breathing down your neck, chances are you would prefer to work alone instead. You can make that happen.
When you land one of the jobs where you can work alone, you will have complete control of your own time and can prioritize yourself. While you may have to hit deadlines, you get to choose how and when you complete projects.
9 great jobs where you work alone from home
Ready to fly solo? If you’re hoping to make the move, you need to look at the best jobs for people who like to work alone.
There are many roles out there that will allow you to make a good salary while also managing your own time and schedule. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you've come to the right place. Here are nine viable options.
1. Affiliate marketer
To kick off our list of jobs for people who like to work alone, here’s a creative profession - affiliate marketing. Many people don’t realize that you can make a passive income from your passions.
For example, if you happen to review video games online, you may be able to become an affiliate marketer in that field.
Affiliate marketers make an average of about $80,000 per year in the United States. That’s hardly a meager salary.
Of course, this role entails a lot of admin. You will need to have a publication with a strong existing following and reach out to advertisers to sponsor you. Get it right, and you could find that the dollars start rolling in while you work alone.
2. Pet sitter
Did you know that you could make money by looking after people’s cats and dogs while they are away? This type of occupation is perfect for people who want to travel the world and stay in people’s homes.
You can expect to make up to $30,000 per year when you become a professional pet sitter. That is decent money for a low-key job where you work alone.
However, you should also consider the perks of this pathway. Namely the fact that you get to work with animals.
Looking for pet sitter jobs? You can check out PetBacker or Rover.
3. Online sales
Online sales are one of the most direct routes to income for people who want to work alone.
To begin, you will need to decide what your products will be. You can choose from a lot of things, such as crafts you make and sell, eBooks, or furniture that you flip.
Another example is drop shipping. That means that you don’t have to buy your stock up-front, but instead, you link up with a manufacturer or stocker. So, whenever a customer buys a product from your website, it gets shipped directly to them.
Needless to say, the amount you make will depend on the success of your store. It may be worth starting this as a side hustle and then working your way up to a full-time income.
4. Transcriptionist
Do you have an eye for detail? Are you an excellent listener? If so, you can look into landing transcriptionist roles.
This is one of the most popular jobs where you work alone. And it's one that you can often do remotely when you work with an agency online.
Transcriptionists can expect to make an average of nearly $19 per hour. You listen to audio recordings and write them down word-for-word.
Accuracy is key here. For that reason, you will need to hone your skill-set before you start applying for these jobs. You can find transcriptionist jobs at Happy Scribe.
5. Accountant
There will always be high demand for accountants — and these roles are now moving online. If you have analytical and math skills, you can put them to good use here. Of course, before you kick things off, you will need to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
The average base salary for accountancy is $53,715. However, the exact amount you can make will depend on how many clients you have and your unique accountancy skill-set. You can find your own clients or get a remote job on Remote.co.
6. Photographer
If you love taking pictures on the side, you may want to turn that into a full-blown career.
Becoming a freelance photographer is a smart way to boost your income and work alone. You can make around $21 per hour when you first start out in this creative career.
7. Teaching English online
Do you love sharing your knowledge? Are you a native English speaker? It may be worth taking an online teaching qualification such as a TEFL.
You can make between $10 and $40 per hour when you are fully qualified in this field. It's worth taking a look at TEFL for courses and jobs.
8. Web designer
Creative individuals may want to look into the world of web design. While this is a niche talent, it can make you a decent amount of money while allowing you to work alone. These professionals can expect to make around $26.56 per hour when they get design clients.
To become a web designer, you'll need an understanding of graphic design, UX design, and the Adobe suite. You might want to take an evening class or gain a degree in this field.
To get started with web design, take a look at projects on UpWork and Design Job Board.
9. Virtual assistant
If you want to work alone but don’t have a specialist skill-set, you should look into becoming a virtual assistant. These online professionals can make around $20 per hour and it's one of the best jobs where you work alone from home.
Essentially, you will be someone’s right-hand person in this role. Virtual assistants often handle scheduling, emails, and other administrative tasks. To kick things off, check out jobs at a site like Belay.
Look for ways to work alone today!
Creating a job and a lifestyle that works for you is not out of your reach. In this article, we’ve given you a taste of a few professions in which you can work alone and make good money. However, the avenue you choose will depend largely on your individual skills.
If you've decided to work alone, don’t let anything hold you back. Whether you need to retrain for a new role or simply start applying, there’s no time like the present.
And while you're switching careers, consider creating a financial plan for yourself to help you organize your income. And get some great advice from the Clever Girl's Know podcast!