15 high-paying side jobs for recent college graduates
Jacquelyn Smith,Joey Hadden
- FlexJobs, an online service specializing in telecommuting and remote work, recently put together a list of high-paying jobs that you can do on the side.
- To qualify for the list, each job had to be considered "flexible" — and not full-time — and had to pay at least double the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, according to the job posting.
- Brie Reynolds, director of online content for FlexJobs, says that "side jobs" are defined as anything part-time, including freelance, temporary, short- or long-term, work-from-home, or in-person flexible gigs.
- We selected the 15 jobs a 20-somethings could do on the side in their spare time.
Temporary transcript processor
Pay: $15 an hour
Description: Data-entry jobs like transcript processing are great side jobs for people who love to work independently, have solid attention to detail, and enjoy the unique challenges of data entry.
Data-entry specialists are needed to input data from a variety of sources into the correct corresponding fields quickly and accurately. Working well under pressure is a must.
Copy editor/writer
Pay: Up to $17 an hour
Description: Copy editors and writers can be responsible for the writing, execution, and proofreading of materials across digital and print platforms.
Depending on the employer, they may write and edit for marketing materials, editorial content, social media, or other types of material.
Freelance photographer
Pay: Up to $20 an hour
Description: Make no mistake: Photography side jobs require someone who is highly skilled in photography and related software for editing and retouching photos. Photography experience is almost always required, and graphic design and Photoshop experience is a plus.
Merchandise coordinator
Pay: $21 an hour
Description: You'll support a merchandising team by maintaining and updating information such as reports, samples, and updates. A small amount of merchandising experience is needed for these types of jobs.
Social-media assistant
Pay: Up to $21 an hour
Description: Social-media assistants often work part-time managing social-media channels and assisting companies with content marketing.
Video reviewer
Pay: $25 an hour
Description: Video reviewers observe and assess the classroom and instructional performance of teachers from around the country, who send videos of themselves for review.
For certified teachers in a variety of subject areas, video-reviewer jobs are a part-time way to use your skills and experience for extra income.
Online-communications associate
Pay: Up to $25 an hour
Description: Responsibilities typically include updating web content, managing social media, providing system administration, writing content, and creating reports.
Online community-management positions are a growing area for part-time work.
Nonprofit-charity fundraiser
Pay: Up to $30 an hour
Description: This job entails supporting a nonprofit and its affiliated fund-raising activities. Public-facing work experience is needed.
Software developer
Pay: Up to $30 an hour
Description: Software-development jobs are one of the most in-demand positions available today, and many offer part-time and project-based work.
Depending on the gig, you might be updating existing websites, creating new templates, helping to develop new websites and apps, or other related tasks.
Web designer
Pay: $32 an hour
Description: Web designers are responsible for the graphic design elements of websites. In these roles, designers create, update, and manage web-design elements, and they need to have design experience as well as excellent client-relations skills.
Sign-language interpreter
Pay: $36.50 an hour
Description: For those with sign-language skills and a license — which are usually state-sponsored — part-time and freelance contracts are often available.
Depending on the employer, you'll help different populations with hearing impairments communicate by providing interpretation.
Online researcher
Pay: Up to $37 an hour
Description: Online researchers support business professionals by researching questions to deliver clients with high-quality answers and personable explanations.
Excellent research skills and the ability to find quality content are a must. Expertise in certain areas as well as general knowledge of business is desired.
City-guide writer
Pay: $50 to $100 a project
Description: Travel and tourism businesses, as well as real-estate companies, often hire writers to write city or neighborhood guides with information about population size, shopping, recreation, culture, entertainment, things to do, climate, transit, and more.
Brand ambassador
Pay: Up to $23.24 an hour
Description: Companies trying to sell a products hire brand ambassadors to introduce products to new potential customers.
Resume writer
Pay: $19 an hour
Description: Resume writers work to rewrite and edit clients' resumes to help them land jobs. This job requires having an understanding of what employers are looking for across various industries.
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