Work-from-home jobs were on the rise well before the coronavirus forced businesses to vacate their work spaces. Now, the demand for remote work is greater than ever.

Julia Pollak, labor economist for online employment marketplace ZipRecruiter, says the firm’s work-from-home job postings have risen sixfold, from under 2 percent to more than 12 percent of the listings. She expects this trend to continue.

“Employers are much happier with the work-from-home experience than they expected,” Pollak says. “This could stick. Employers seem to be embracing this new reality, now that they’ve had experience with it. It worked better than they thought and they’re under tremendous pressure to cut costs.

FlexJobs, a marketplace for remote jobs, has seen a 50 percent rise in site traffic from one year ago.

“We are likely at a tipping point where some level of remote and flexible work will become a long-term and important component of a healthy organization, both in emergency preparedness and regular operations,” says Brie Reynolds, career development manager and coach at FlexJobs.

Working from home has benefits for both workers and employers. Studies by Global Workplace Analytics, a San Diego research and consulting firm, have shown that telecommuting saves employers and workers time and money, reduces stress, increases productivity, lowers exposure to office colds and flus, and helps the environment by reducing the number of commuters.

Going into 2021, it is important to have these work-from-home jobs in mind and make yourself better qualified to take advantage of them. But before we look at the jobs, we will discus some things you need to keep in mind when it come to work-from-home jobs.

• How to Recognize And Avoid Work-From-Home Scams
• 8 Highest-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs
• Top 11 Legitimate Work-From-Home Jobs Perfect For 2021
• 30 Companies With Work From Home Jobs
• 10 Easy Online Jobs for Teens

How to Recognize And Avoid Work-From-Home Scams

for every real work-at-home job, there are dozens of frauds. Scammers try to steal your identity and/or money by getting personal information that a new hire would be expected to give an employer, such as a Social Security number or bank account number.

Read Also: 10 Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Parents

When considering a work-from-home job, put up your scam-detection radar. “First and foremost, trust your gut,” advises Christine Durst, who runs Rat Race Rebellion, an online job site that caters to the work-at-home and virtual workforce. “Almost every scam victim I’ve spoken with says, ‘I sort of felt like something wasn’t right.’”

Durst says to look for these signs that you are dealing with a legitimate employer:

• The hirer is an established company.
• The job ad includes the company name and does not ask applicants to reply to a blind email address.
• Human resources personnel are available for questions.
• There is mention of company benefits and vacation policies — information commonly associated with “real” employment.
• There is an application and interview process, not simply an emailed offer.
• The employer can detail the job duties and expectations.
• References/work samples are requested.

Work-at-home scams are always in season. Here are a few common warning signs to look for:

• Social networks are a hot spot for work-at-home danger. One company called Easy Tweet Profits claims you can make up to $873/day online. They even claim one person earned $400,000/year using their method of tweeting your way to success. The catch? By signing up for their program you agree to be charged just under $50 per month! There are a whole host of other companies with similar names (usually involving “make money” or “make profits”) that suggest social networking can be a cash cow. But their game is all the same: Whether you’re talking about something you see on Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, Twitter or whatever’s the next hot thing, you’ve got to be wary.
• Phony job listings on legit job-hunting websites. One fraudulent group was listing fake jobs on CareerBuilder, which is an otherwise respectable site. The group was charging a big fee for a background check before consideration of any applicants. Federal, state and local authorities received more than 17,000 complaints filed by people who were ripped off by this particular group. And that’s just the number of people who found their way to complain. Who knows how many others were taken?
• Pitches to be your own boss. A lot of people go to help-wanted sites, find an opportunity that looks good and then contact the supposed employer. It turns out to be a pitch for owning your own business, with promises of huge money. Unfortunately, the only ones making money are the people pushing startup kits for a fee.

8 Highest-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs

Several industries, including tech, finance and medicine are now providing increased flexibility to its employees in an effort to hire and retain top talent. Job search site Glassdoor highlights that telemedicine, an industry which allows medical professionals to communicate with patients remotely, is expected to grow 19% between now and 2025.

Let us now take a look at some of the highest-paying work-from-home jobs currently available in its database. Each of these positions offers a wide salary range depending on experience, but they all offer the potential to earn $90,000 per year, or more. 

1. Physician

Salary range: $119,000-$303,000

Description: According to Glassdoor, physicians must have a bachelor’s degree, at least four years of medical school and roughly three to seven years of residency training.

2. Senior Software Engineer

Salary range: $94,000-$166,000

Description: According to job sites, senior software engineers must have a deep knowledge of a number of different programming languages, as well as knowledge about software development and computer operating systems.

3. Client Services Director

Salary range: $76,000-$160,000

Description: According to Glassdoor, client services directors help to maintain long-term relationships with clients and find solutions to client issues.

4. UX Designer

Salary range: $62,000-$130,000

Description: UX designers design and test the user-friendliness of a product and the branding of a product to ensure that it is enjoyable for consumers.

5. Project Manager

Salary range: $51,000-$111,000

Description: Project managers are tasked with ensuring that projects are completed on time, helping to solve specific roadblocks that team members face and monitoring the overall budget for a project.

6. Full Stack Web Developer

Salary range: $50,000-$117,000

Description: According to Glassdoor, full stack web developers must be proficient in several computer languages, and they must be able to work with databases, servers and systems engineering.

7. Business Development Manager

Salary range: $49,000-$118,000

Description: Business development managers are responsible for creating sales opportunities with both existing and new clients, as well as creating new business strategies for a company to increase its sales.

8. Account Manager

Salary range: $39,000-$90,000

Description: According to Glassdoor, the responsibilities of an account manager can vary depending on industry. But, in most cases, account managers are tasked with managing and solving client issues, reaching company sales targets and maintaining a good relationship between the client and the company.

Top 11 Legitimate Work-From-Home Jobs Perfect For 2021

1. Freelance Writer

A home-writing career is at the top of the list because you can stretch your writing talents, distinguish you from being a specialist on what you’re involved in and discover new stuff all the time.

Consider how much the worldwide site has to give in writing: the landing page for each client, a summary of each marketed commodity, papers on tying the knot of a sailor, a comment about whether you are going to produce your own cheese. You can play a part in it and be paid for it as well. 

If you have a computer, internet access and the right credentials and/or experience, there are work-from-home opportunities for people with writing, editing skills, proofreading and fact-checking skills.

Bloggers, journalists, technical writers and editors who know how to plan and present content and meet deadlines face a competitive market.

Median annual wage (writer): $63,200

Median annual wage (editor): $61,370

2. Computer support specialist

Corporations, nonprofits, call centers and many other businesses hire computer support specialists to work remotely.

Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics and co-author of “Undress for Success: The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home,” names computer support specialist as one of her top work-at-home jobs.

The BLS projects 10 percent growth in this field through 2028 as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software.

Median annual wage (computer network support specialist): $63,460

Median annual wage (computer user support specialist): $52,270

3. Website tester

Sites like UserTesting.com and Userlytics.com pay people to test different websites and mobile apps, then share their feedback. UserTesting.com pays testers $10 per 20-minute test. Testers then share their feedback in a video.

“Companies want to make sure that the user experience is a good one, and the boardroom is not always the best place to get unbiased feedback,” Durst says. “So, they use services like this to get insights from people who come from the demographic pools that are in their target markets.”

Opportunities for this work, sometimes called “remote usability testing,” may be limited. This is more of a side gig.

4. Registered nurse

The growth in “telehealth,” which is health care services delivered remotely through computers and mobile devices, has given registered nurses opportunities to work from home.

“With more insurance companies adding ‘new parent support lines’ and ‘telephonic triage’ and other phone options that help meet their customers’ needs without having to visit a doctor’s office, there’s been a big increase in demand for registered nurses,” Durst says.

The BLS projects 12 percent growth in this field.

Median annual wage: $73,300

5. Software developer

Software developers create the applications or systems that run on a computer or another device. They apply the principles of engineering, analytics and computer science to develop and test all kinds of software and applications.

Many software developers are employed by firms that deal in computer systems design and related services, manufacturing, or for software publishers.

The BLS projects 21 percent job growth for this field. It’s one of the top job listings on ZipRecruiter.

Median annual wage, according to ZipRecruiter: $86,523

6. Graphic designer

If you have experience designing logos and T-shirts or using computer software to create brochures, advertisements and book covers, you could make good money working from home.

Websites like Fiverr.com and 99designs.com can help you meet potential clients who need your services. How much you earn will depend on the scope of the project and your experience. The BLS projects 3 percent growth in the field.

Median annual wage: $52,110 per year

7. Medical transcriptionist

A medical transcriptionist listens to voice recordings from doctors and other healthcare workers and transcribes them into written reports. A transcriptionist can work for a hospital, doctor’s office, a third-party service or be self-employed.

The expansion of healthcare services is expected to drive demand for this job, but a slight decline is projected due to technological advances and outsourcing.

Median annual wage: $33,380

8. Insurance sales agents

Many people find it easy to shop for insurance online, but they often need to talk to a licensed insurance rep to help them choose the right policy.

Insurance companies are increasingly outsourcing their incoming phone calls to contact centers, which then have to hire or contract with licensed insurance reps “because state laws mandate that only licensed agents can ‘sell’ policies,” says Rat Race Rebellion’s Durst.

So, if you see an ad on TV for a life insurance company and call the number on your screen, there’s a good chance you’re talking to someone who is working from home.

“As you can imagine, it can be quite difficult for the contact centers to find people with the proper credentials, so the job ads are all over the place,” Durst says.

The BLS projects 10 percent growth in this field.

Median annual wage: $50,940

9. Franchise owner

Owning a business can be a good path to working from home. For an initial investment, franchises offer an established business with brand awareness, a business model, a territory and maybe even access to capital.

There are franchise opportunities in mailing and shipping, cosmetics, travel, marketing, employment and staffing, retail and many more industries.

Franchises can cost a lot of money, but there are opportunities for less than $50,000, says Jania Bailey, CEO of FranNet, a franchise marketplace. “You might be able to get financing from the (Small Business Administration) or the lenders the brand works with. It’s a little more affordable than people think. If it takes $100,000, you might need $20,000.”

Above all, Bailey says, don’t limit yourself. Franchise opportunities are not limited to small cottage industries.

10. Social media specialist

It’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to have a presence on social media. If you have a knack for using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you could work from home by helping businesses promote their brand and their products through social-media marketing. This job is in the top 20 for postings at ZipRecruiter.

Median annual wage, according to ZipRecruiter: $50,088

11. Marriage and family therapist

Marriage and family therapists usually work full time and many have private practices. Online video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Skype make it possible for therapists and their patients to talk without either of them having to commute.

The BLS growth outlook for this profession is “much faster than average,” with 22 percent growth projected over 10 years.

Lisa Marie Bobby, founder and clinical director of GrowingSelf.com, a Denver-based marriage, family therapy and life-coach practice, has been meeting patients online since 2010. She says it’s easier and is a more efficient use of time.

“It’s a 45-minute meeting versus a three-hour event that you have to find time for,” she says, adding that online therapy sessions are more conducive to regular attendance and reduce patient no-shows.

Median annual wage: $49,610

30 Companies With Work From Home Jobs

According to a report from the Society for Human Resources Management, 69% of organizations allowed employees to work from home at least some of the time in 2019 — more than three times the share of companies who allowed telecommuting 20 years ago.

Many remote workers are highly compensated (nearly a quarter earn $100,000 or more) and they tend to be happier in their jobs. A combination of factors, including improved worker satisfaction, greater productivity and more efficient use of company resources, are some reasons why the ability to work from just about anywhere is one of the biggest workplace trends to watch for in 2021 and beyond.

A job listing site analyzed its database of over 54,000 companies and identified the ones that posted the highest number of remote jobs in 2019, suggesting they’ll continue to hire a large amount of remote workers in the new year. Jobs on the site can be advertised as being a either part-time or full-time remote work arrangement.

Dell: The famous computer brand is expanding its ranks to include new executive positions, as well as cybersecurity workers and engineers for automated systems.

The following positions are available at Dell right now:

• Data Center Sales Executive
• Cybersecurity Operations
• Infrastructure Automation Engineer

Github: Github is one of the most popular open-source coding platforms, as well as a social networking destination for software engineers. It has openings for several developer positions in enterprise infrastructure, as well as writing jobs.

The following positions are available at Github right now:

• Ecosystem Content Writer
• Senior Software Engineer, Enterprise Infrastructure
• Solution Architect

Amazon: Most of Amazon’s recent hires included delivery drivers and warehouse workers. But the company is still offering several work-from-home positions for human resources and management.

The following positions are available at Amazon right now:

• Database Solutions Architect
• HR Contact Center Administrator
• Recruiting Manager

Apple: Apple needs no introduction, but one of the company’s biggest innovations has been its support and service division under Applecare. Apple is hiring at-home workers to handle tech support questions and training for customers.

The following positions are available at Apple right now:

• At-home advisor
• Creative
• Specialist

Citizens Bank: One of the most prominent banks in the country, Citizens Bank is looking for at-home workers that can assist customers with mortgage-related matters. There are also openings in network engineering.

The following positions are available at Citizen’s Bank right now:

• Home Mortgage Business Support Consultant
• Home Mortgage Compliance Associate
• Manager Network Engineering

Crowdstrike: As one of the nation’s top cybersecurity firms, Crowdstrike is looking for experienced software engineers and recruiters, as well as product managers with marketing experience.

The following positions are available at Crowdstrike right now:

• Product Marketing Manager, Public Sector
• Senior Software Engineer
• Senior Technical Recruiter

Adobe: The developers and creators behind programs like Photoshop and Flash, Adobe is looking for remote workers to help with technical support, business solutions and senior customer service representatives in the healthcare domain.

The following positions are available at Adobe right now:

• AEM Technical Consultant
• HealthcareBusiness Solutions Architect
• Senior Customer Success Manager – Healthcare

Aetna: One of the biggest healthcare companies in the U.S., Aetna is looking for registered nurses, data scientists and social workers who can work remotely to serve clients and patients.

The following positions are available at Aetna right now:

• Case Manager Registered Nurse
• Lead Data Scientist
• Social Worker

Phillips: Developer behind multiple award-winning appliances and devices, as well as a major multinational conglomerate. Phillips is currently hiring for leadership roles and supply chain engineers.

The following positions are available at Phillips right now:

• Market Business Leader – CT, AMI Precision Diagnosis
• Senior Manager, Scientific Communication
• Senior Supply Chain Quality Engineer

PRA Health Sciences: Pharmaceutical-industry company adding new roles for data specialists and analysts.

The following positions are available at PRA Health Sciences right now:

• Biomarker Data Specialist
• Clinical Trial Manager
• Pricing Analyst

Randstad: This human resources and staffing agency is currently hiring call center representatives and senior-level positions for various companies.

The following positions are available at Randstad right now:

• Call Center Representative
• Mortgage Underwriter
• Senior Pega Developer

Red Hat: This software company is adding new developer roles to help with design, development and production.

The following positions are available at Red Hat right now:

• Enablement Platform Lead
• Leadership Learning Development Architect
• Senior Specialist Solutions Architect

Robert Half International: One of the largest staffing companies in America, Robert Half International is now hiring corporate-level positions.

The following positions are available at Robert Half International right now:

• Client Services Representative
• Digital Marketing Coordinator
• Full-Stack Developer

Salesforce: Businesses across multiple industries rely on Salesforce software to manage customer relationships. The company is now hiring employees for sales recruitment and developer roles.

The following positions are available at Salesforce right now:

• Digital Transformation Strategist
• Program Engagement Lead
• Sales Recruiter

SAP: This enterprise software development company is currently hiring new leadership roles, as well as developer positions.

The following positions are available at SAP right now:

• Chief Enterprise Architect
• Global Program Manager
• Growth Channels Solution Lead

Service Now: This cloud IT business is now hiring new employees for various leadership roles within the company.

The following positions are available at Service Now:

• Digital Analyst – Customer Success
• Expert Programs Delivery Senior Manager
• Senior Global Campaign Manager – Customer Success

Slack: Slack provides secure internal communications for workplaces, and its software is more crucial than ever during quarantine. The company is adding several remote manager positions.

The following positions are available at Slack:

• Customer Success Manager
• Customer Success Manager (Public Sector)
• Principal Customer Success Manager

Soliant Health: This healthcare staffing company is hiring doctors, teachers and other specialists for students and children in need.

The following positions are available at Soliant Health right now:

• Child Psychiatrist
• Intervention Specialist
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Stryker: This medical solutions company is hiring for leadership roles, as well as recruitment specialists.

The following positions are available at Stryker right now:

• Marketing Development Director
• Neurosurgical Sales Representative
• Recruiter

Syneos: This medical company is hiring research scientists and medical writers who can break down complex subjects into understandable copy.

The following positions are available at Syneos right now:

• Clinical Research Scientist
• Content Manager
• Principal Medical Writer – Clinical Pharmacology

Thermo Fisher Scientific: A biotechnology company looking for skilled data engineers and sales specialists with a deep understanding of science.

The following positions are available at Thermo Fisher Scientific right now:

• Customer Experience Specialist
• Senior Data Engineer
• Technical Sales Specialist in Molecular Biology

Tricida: This pharmaceutical company is now hiring for executive-level positions.

The following positions are available at Tricida right now:

• Executive Director, Government Affairs and Policy
• Senior Director, Commercial Systems
• Senior Director Contract Strategy, Pricing

TTEC: This company operates numerous business-consulting services, and is looking for technical support representatives and engineer roles to be filled.

The following positions are available at TTEC right now:

• Property and Casualty Licensed Agent
• Senior Network Engineer
• Technical Support Representative

UnitedHealth Group: One of the nation’s biggest insurance providers, UnitedHealth Group is currently hiring care nurses and other essential workers.

The following positions are available at UnitedHealth Group right now:

• Inpatient Care Management Nurse RN
• Splunk Architect
• Veterans Administration Relations Specialist

Upwork: This online marketplace for freelance workers is currently hiring executive-level workers to oversee operations.

The following positions are available at Upwork right now:

• Senior Director of Product Management
• Senior Product Designer – Acquisition, Onboarding
• Senior Product Designer

Vocovision: This remote teletherapy practice is currently hiring teachers and doctors to work directly with clients over video calls.

The following positions are available at Vocovision right now:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher
• School Psychologist
• Speech Language Pathologist

Walgreens: One of the country’s biggest pharmacies, Walgreens, is now hiring remote workers to handle the increased volume of calls due to COVID-19.

The following positions are available at Walgreens right now:

• Call Center Customer Care
• Call Center Specialist: Work from Home
• Call Center Specialist

Williams-Sonoma: A popular home decor company, Williams-Sonoma, is adding additional customer service staff to its rankings to handle the increased demand for online orders.

The following positions are available at Williams-Sonoma right now:

• Customer Service Agent
• Customer Service Associate
• International Customer Service Associate

Zoom: The essential video-chat service is beefing up its workforce for sales and support. Naturally, the company is supporting a number of at-home roles in each field.

The following positions are available at Zoom right now:

• Zoom Phone Account Executive
• Zoom Phone Sales Manager
• Zoom Phone Specialist

Outschool: Outschool is hiring experienced teachers to host and instruct online classes across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.

The following positions are available at Outschool right now:

• English Instructor
• Math Instructor
• Kindergarten Teacher

Despite the dour outlook for employment, plenty of companies are still hiring. You just need to find the right fit.

The work you do during these times from your home office will not only leave a major impression on your new employer, but it’ll also be something you can take with you wherever you go in the future. Rather than wait for help, you took initiative and adapted to the strange new world of remote work.

And who knows, perhaps these kinds of remote jobs will become the norm in the near future. At the very least, they’re much cheaper to run than a full office.

10 Easy Online Jobs for Teens

Even if you’re below the legal age to work in your area, some of these online opportunities may be available to you. We made sure the websites listed here are legitimate, but recommend caution whenever you share personal or financial details over the Internet. Also, be sure to request parental permission if you need to use their information.

Here are ten ways you can make money virtually anywhere:

1. Writer

We know you probably do enough writing at school, but if you enjoy it or plan to pursue writing as a career, freelancing is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Many content sites are looking for freelancers to create short-form or long-form articles in exchange for some money. 

Swagbucks allows you to get paid in cash or gift cards for all the things you typically do online: watch videos, play online games, search the Web, and online shopping! 

In an ideal world, we all would get paid for clicking around online, but Swagbucks is one of the very few that rewards normal Internet users with compensation.

3. Seller

Next time you clean your room, think about what you don’t need anymore — and how it could be reused. If you have books, clothes, electronics, or collectibles that no longer serve you, they may be good to sell on Craigslist, letgo, eBay, or Amazon. 

Read Also: Secrets to Home Business success

Make sure to research the current value (and condition) of each item so you don’t over or undersell them. If you constantly have a lot of stuff to sell, you’ve got a lucrative side business.

4. Phone Call Reviewer

Here’s another odd way to make money online: listening to phone calls by businesses. Humanatic is a platform where people earn money by listening to and reviewing phone calls for quality assurance, then sorting them into categories. 

No need to get on the phone yourself or transcribe anything! They only pay out via PayPal, so you’ll need a PayPal account to get involved with Humanatic.

5. Customer Service Representative

Many companies seek reps who can assist customers during certain days and time periods. Methods of customer service include email, phone, and live chat. You’ll need a strong Internet connection and the ability to work some unconventional hours.

6. Freelancer

A musician? Can you create logos on Photoshop? Offer your services! You get to create your own rates and packages, plus you’ll get paid right away once you’ve completed an order.

7. Tutor

We’ve said tutoring is one of the best jobs you can do as a teen, and it’s even cooler when you can do it online! If you’re interested in teaching English to a global audience, you can become a teacher on Skype via VIPKID. 

8. YouTuber

By enabling monetization on YouTube videos, you can earn money with AdSense. Becoming a content creator on YouTube is not just a way to earn money, but a great way to boost your online profile. 

Whether it’s playing video games, performing musical covers, or doing beauty tutorials, the possibilities are endless. Just be original and find out what you’re best at!

9. Survey Taker

It may sound silly, but surveys pay off! Surveys work like focus groups, except they’re online. Be sure to fill out any personal information as accurately as possible so that you can get the surveys that are most relevant to you and your interests. 

After all, it’s best to be able to talk about the things you care about most. Check out MoneyPantry and Survey Satrap for some sites to check out.

10. Music Listener

Listening to music allows users to listen to song clips, rate, and review them in exchange for cash. This is a fun way to discover new artists as well! The platform pays out via PayPal once you’ve made a minimum of $10.

Slice the Pie allows users to listen to song clips, rate, and review them in exchange for cash. This is a fun way to discover new artists as well! The platform pays out via PayPal once you’ve made a minimum of $10.

Finally

There are more opportunities to work from home than most people know. Start by checking with the companies known to hire for remote positions, like those on the list above. Then be prepared to create an effective workspace, and implement the type of discipline that will be essential to making your work-at-home venture a successful one.