The Best Jobs For Self Employed Workers

While many like to work for a company, others also find great pleasure in being their own boss. Being self-employed means that you can pursue your passion and make money on your own terms, deciding when, how, and where to work. Whether you’re looking to work part-time, full-time, remotely, or in an office, there are no shortage of self-employed jobs out there for you to start building your career as an entrepreneur.

Running your own business is no easy feat, but with the right job and attitude, your opportunities for success are endless.

The Best Industries For Self-Employed Jobs

1. Real Estate

• Average salary: $54,270
• Job Description: Being a real-estate agent means making sure that the property is in top condition and showing the apartment to potential renters or buyers. This is one of the most popular types of self employment.
• Required skills: Knowledge of the market and how to sell, as well as how to be personable and communicative.
• Education: No formal education beyond a high school diploma, however, most states require a license.

2. Farming

• Average salary: $68,050
• Job Description: Farmers and ranchers use both traditional and modern techniques to grow either fruits and vegetables or tend to livestock.
• Required skills: Knowing the land and the livestock.
• Education: No formal education required.

3. Brickmasons

• Average salary: $50,000
• Job Description: Brickmasons use bricks, concrete blocks, and stones to build structures such as buildings and walls.
• Required skills: Physical strength and hand-eye coordination.
• Education: A high school diploma as well as some vocational courses, with different licenses required in each state.

4. Food Service Management

• Average salary: $48,560
• Job Description: Self-employed food service managers operate either their own catering services or restaurants.
• Required skills: Customer service skills and detailed oriented.
• Education: A high school diploma, and possibly some college experience in the field.

5. Construction Painter

• Average salary: $35,950
• Job Description: Construction and maintenance painters are required to paint all kinds of buildings and walls. This trade is one of the most common types of self employment.
• Required skills: Strength, balance, and physical dexterity.
• Education: A high school diploma helps, and the specific skills can be learned at trade school or on the job.

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6. Carpenter

• Average salary: $49,630
• Job Description: Carpenters tend to have a wide variety of tasks including installing structures and constructing frameworks.
• Required skills: Detailed oriented and physical stamina.
• Education: No formal education after high school, but some states require a certification.

7. Lodging Manager

• Average salary: $47,680
• Job Description: Running an apartment or bed and breakfast and managing it for guests to stay at. Some people even rent out rooms in their homes, making it one of the most common self-employed jobs from home.
• Required skills: Organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Education: Lodging managers generally tend to get a degree in hotel management, either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. Some also gain experience from working in a hotel.

8. Tile Setters

• Average salary: $38,980
• Job Description: A tile or marble setter applies tiles to floors, walls, and all kinds of surfaces.
• Required skills: Color vision and physical stamina.
• Education: No formal education is needed, but an apprenticeship or prior experience is always a plus.

9. Social Media Consultant

• Average salary: $60,635
• Job Description: Social media consultants generally help companies or individuals to build their internet presence and get more clients.
• Required skills: Strategic planning and a creative mindset.
• Education: In general, a bachelor’s degree is required in either marketing, public relations or communications.

10. Artists

• Average salary: $65,860
• Job Description: Artists can either be craft artists, painters, sculptors, and even animators. It requires being creative and making unique works.
• Required skills: Creativity and an understanding of various art concepts such as color theory, composition, etc.
• Education: Most professional art jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree.

11. Massage Therapists

• Average salary: $41,420
• Job Description: Massage therapists treat clients with their touch as they manipulate the soft tissues and muscles to relieve pain and help with relaxation.
• Required skills: Physical stamina and communication skills.
• Education: A massage therapist certification that takes generally up to two years.

12. Writers

• Average salary: $52,151
• Job Description: Writing articles, books or other materials. Editing existing work or researching topics.
• Required skills: Excellent grammar and spelling skills.
• Education: Generally a writer needs at least a bachelor’s degree in English, literature or communications.

13. Graphic Designer

• Average salary: $49,174
• Job Description: Graphic designers use a variety of software to create graphics for websites and advertisements, including logos and other digital materials.
• Required skills: An understanding of design software programs.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in graphic design.

14.Photographer

• Average salary: $36,580
• Job Description: Using cameras and a variety of photography equipment to take professional pictures for special events or companies.
• Required skills: Strong background in photo editing and camera skills.
• Education: Sometimes a high school diploma is enough, but an associate or bachelor’s degree is helpful.

15. Makeup Artist

• Average salary: $34,625
• Job Description: Applying makeup on actors, models or for special events such as weddings.
• Required skills: Knowledge of cosmetics.
• Education: Some clients may require a cosmetology license.

16. Developer

• Average salary: $89,582
• Job Description: A developer uses different coding languages to maintain or design websites, applications, and all kinds of software systems.
• Required skills: Knowledge of programming languages.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science.

17. Event Planner

• Average salary: $34,741
• Job Description: Event planners generally manage all the details of an event, such as coordinating food and entertainment and booking a venue.
• Required skills: Organizational and communication skills.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications or public relations.

18. Personal Trainer

• Average salary: $59,000
• Job Description: Building workout programs for the fitness goals of clients, and helping them reach those goals.
• Required skills: Knowledge of exercise science, a positive and motivational attitude.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in exercise science or kinesiology.

19. Driver

• Average salary: $45,071
• Job Description: Drivers pick up passengers from designated locations and help them get to their location of choice. Self-employed drivers often work as personal chauffeurs.
• Required skills: A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Education: High school diploma is preferred.

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20. Career Coach

• Average salary: $43,524
• Job Description: Career coaches help their clients plan their future career path and decide what their professional goals are.
• Required skills: Familiarity with the job market, as well as listening skills.
• Education: At least a bachelor’s degree, but many career coaches have master’s degrees or doctoral degrees.

21. Tutor

• Average salary: $23,867
• Job Description: Tutors conduct private lessons to help students improve their academic performance in a variety of subjects either virtually or in person.
• Required skills: Excelling in the subject you tutor and interpersonal skills.
• Education: At least a high school diploma.

22. Nanny

• Average salary: $34,728
• Job Description: Nannies provide childcare in the home of the client. Responsibilities vary from family to family but generally include helping parents around the house and with the children.
• Required skills: Understanding of children, patience, as well as a CPR certification.
• Education: Specialized certification or an associate degree is helpful.

23. Deliver Groceries

• Average salary: $29,930
• Job Description: Working as a self-employed grocery delivery person means taking the requested groceries and dropping them off at the client’s house.
• Required skills: A driver’s license and physical strength.
• Education: No formal education is required, but a high school diploma is recommended.

24. Videographer

• Average salary: $56,679
• Job Description: Videographers make professional videos for a wide variety of purposes and also use editing software to perfect projects.
• Required skills: Well versed in videography and highly creative.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree is highly encouraged.

25. Business Consultant

• Average salary: $65,892
• Job Description: Business consultants help companies improve their performance by providing them with professional advice.
• Required skills: Experience in the area you specialize in, as well as communication skills.
• Education: At least a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance or marketing.

26. E-Commerce

• Average salary: $200,000
• Job Description: Selling products online in order to make a profit from them.
• Required skills: Business skills.
• Education: A high school diploma is recommended, while courses or degrees in business is always helpful.

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Getting Started

Getting started on your own business can be both overwhelming and exciting at the same time. It’s important to dream big, set the bar high, and never sell yourself short.

Make a commitment to your goal, and stick to it despite the bumps that may come along the way. It’s all a learning process, and throughout you will figure out the best ways to successfully become a self-employed business owner through trial and error.

The first and most important step in getting started is setting yourself a realistic budget of how much you are capable of investing in your business and what all of your potential costs will be.

Consider consulting with those in a similar field as you to understand everything that your self-employed business entails. In nearly all types of self-employment, there are often hidden and unexpected costs that come with opening and maintaining a business.

How to Work for Yourself

There are endless types of self-employment, and by taking such a path, you can avoid many of the common problems that people find in traditional companies.

Be Your Own Boss

Being your own boss means you decide how things are going to be done without having to report back or check in with someone above you.

Put In The Hours

For some, sitting in an office from 9 to 5 every day is too constraining, and doesn’t leave them enough time and flexibility for the things that are truly important to them such as family. Working for yourself still means putting in the hours, but doing it when it works best for you.

Driving To Work

Many people find the drive to work to be a huge stressor, especially so during the morning rush hour. Those that work for themselves often don’t have to make this commute.

Your Progression Is On You

While working for yourself has its obvious benefits, it also means that your progression is on yourself only. You won’t be getting promotions by a boss.

Cash In

Being self-employed means that sometimes you lack control over your income, and is not always as stable as working for a company with a monthly paycheck.

Benefits of Self-Employment

Being self-employed means choosing your own hours. Many people also enjoy the option to work from wherever they like. Being self-employed also tends to come with tax advantages and gives you more control of your income, with endless potential.

It’s also a chance to choose who you work with and truly follow your passion. For anyone that’s looking for a career change, self-employed jobs can be a great option!