The 20 best jobs for stay-at-home moms and dads

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Nicolas Cesare

By Nicolas Cesare

SEO Content Writer

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Balancing your career and family is a huge challenge. But the rise in flexible work options offers a light at the end of the tunnel for professionals raising families.

Hybrid and remote jobs offer more flexible scheduling, letting you take care of the kids while you earn a paycheck. Almost 90 percent of parents working hybrid and remote jobs said their work arrangements gave them more time with their children, according to the Modern Family Index from Bright Horizons and The Harris Poll.

Learn the best jobs for parents wanting to spend more time with their children, how to balance work and family and tips to find the best job for you.

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20 Perfect Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads

Here are some of the best full-time and part-time jobs for stay-at-home parents, including average pay. These roles frequently offer hybrid work or other flexible arrangements that allow parents to stick to a schedule that works for their lifestyle.

1. Babysitter

Average salary: $22.68/hr for one child (UrbanSitter)

Job Requirements: Babysitting requires no college degree and your time as a parent counts as job experience.

Best for: Parents with young children who love the work that comes with parenting.

Do you enjoy structuring your child's day with fun enrichment activities? Run a babysitting business out of your house to spend more time with your children while practicing all the skills you've developed as a parent.

Other parents without flexible work will rely on you for childcare services. You will:

Provide for children's needs
Prepare and serve healthy meals fit for each child's stage of development
Develop and lead fun activities to keep children occupied
Maintain a tidy and comfortable living space for the children
Help with some learning and schoolwork as needed

2. Bookkeeper

Average salary: $50,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Bookkeepers need a bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance or a related business field. Professional certification like a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Bookkeeping Certification from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) may be necessary for more advanced positions.

Best for: Parents with an eye for detail who already have some finance or accounting experience.

Cloud-based accounting software tools like Freshbooks and Xero make bookkeeping work more flexible than ever.

Bookkeepers ensure their employers' financial records are complete and consistent, across things like payroll and invoices. In this role, you will:

Maintain financial transaction records in compliance with the law
Develop bookkeeping procedures to ensure financial records are rigorously kept
Balance company books to check for discrepancies in records
Prepare financial reports for other stakeholders in the company
Comply with federal, state and local regulations relevant to your company

3. Business Analyst

Average salary: $92,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Business analysts need a bachelor's degree or higher in economics, finance, computer science or another field with plenty of applied mathematics. Experience with some scripting and database management languages like Python and SQL is also helpful.

Best for: Parents with analytic minds who like explaining complex topics in straightforward terms.

Business analysts split their time between working independently to turn raw data into actionable insights and presenting their findings to other stakeholders in the company. That makes the role perfect for parents who want a hybrid work arrangement.

Analysts use their mathematical skills to evaluate efficiency and productivity. The average business analyst will:

Carry out analytics projects evaluating business initiatives and looking for opportunities for improvement
Develop and modify software tools to streamline the analysis process
Provide business forecasts to aid decision-making
Report findings to other stakeholders in plain language

4. Content Writer

Average salary: $57,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Content writers typically need a bachelor's degree in English or another field with lots of writing, but a strong portfolio is sometimes enough. Regardless of education level, content writers should have readily available examples of written work online for hiring managers to evaluate.

Best for: Parents with a gift for communication who can handle working on a deadline.

Content writers populate the internet with written content that helps readers. They sometimes work with editors or strategists for feedback and guidance, but otherwise, they're very independent. They can work flexibly as long as they meet their deadlines.

Content writers spend most of their time at the computer, researching and writing. Common duties include:

Write long-form blog articles using Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Research industry topics and interview subject matter experts (SMEs)
Proofread written copy for accuracy and flow
Pitch ideas for new content that align with larger marketing goals
Upload content through a content management system (CMS)

5. Customer Service Representative

Average salary: $46,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Customer service reps don't need any formal training or college degree. But they should have good interpersonal skills and lots of patience.

Best for: Parents who can take customer calls while their children are napping or enjoying quiet time.

Thanks to increased connectivity and call management tools, customer service reps can take calls at home. They can work fully remote or take hybrid arrangements.

Customer service reps spend almost all their time on the phone. They:

Use their training and company scripts to help customers with problems
Maintain a calm, polite disposition
Talk with customers to engage their interest
Follow documentation procedures to keep written or audio recordings for customer calls

6. Data Entry Clerk

Average salary: $40,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Data entry clerks only need basic computer skills like typing and experience with tools like Microsoft Excel.

Best for: Parents with keen eyes for detail and children who don't need constant supervision.

Like many other jobs, data entry has gone virtual. Parents with a computer at home and good typing skills can work as data entry clerks while their children play or nap in the other room.

Data entry clerks convert physical and handwritten records into digital formats. In an average day, they:

Enter assigned information into the computer system in a timely manner
Follow data entry protocols to keep the database clean and efficient
Manage workflow so that high-priority items are entered into computer systems first
Avoid duplicate data entries
Discuss opportunities to streamline the data entry process with coworkers and managers

7. Editor

Average salary: $69,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Editors need a bachelor's degree in English or a similar field. They should also have proven experience following the AP Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style or other style guides.

Best for: Perfectionist parents with the flexibility to take work as it comes in and turn it around quickly.

Editors work closely with writers and other communications professionals. But remote working tools like video conferencing and cloud-based writing software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs make them very flexible collaborators.

Editors review written work as it comes in. They:

Proofread writing for accuracy, efficacy and consistency
Set their organization's tone and style
Make strategic decisions about what kind of stories or written content to produce
Manage teams of writers
Ensure that writers deliver work according to deadlines

8. ESL Teacher

Average salary: $2.80 and $15/hr (TEFL.org)

Job requirements: ESL teachers need a bachelor's degree in any field, though English or education are best, and an ESL or TESOL certification.

Best for: Parents who are digital nomads, traveling to foreign countries with their families.

Many countries need native English speakers to teach English as a second language (ESL) to their populations. These jobs can take you all over the world, making them an option for parents who travel a lot, like military spouses.

ESL teachers spend most of their time in the classroom, teaching students of all age groups. They:

Prepare lesson plans to help non-English speakers learn the language
Lead class sessions, walking students through English concepts
Teach students about culture in English-speaking countries
Evaluate student progress and report to parents and other school officials

9. Graphic Designer

Average salary: $62,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Graphic designers need a bachelor's degree in graphic design or art. Plus a portfolio of graphic design work to demonstrate their ability to hiring managers.

Best for: Parents who want to show their children that their artistic aspirations can become a career.

Graphic designers collaborate with art directors, other designers and marketing professionals. But they are also very independent. They can spend hours working on a project without talking to another coworker.

Designers create graphic elements for company marketing materials, products and internal communications. In an average day, they:

Follow design briefs to create graphics that align with stakeholder expectations
Balance multiple graphic design projects at once
Adjust and update designs based on feedback from the art director
Follow company guidelines about colors and layouts
Collaborate with writers to produce marketing materials like billboards or magazine ads

10. Network Administrator

Average salary: $85,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Network admins need a bachelor's degree in computer science. Some jobs may ask for a master's degree in networking or a related field. Experience with networking and cloud tools like Juniper, Cisco, Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Best for: Parents with advanced technology skills who can turn their focus to work in a network emergency.

Thanks to cloud computing, network admins are no longer tied to physical server rooms and local networks. They can manage computer systems from their own homes, with their children in the next room.

Network admins manage the hardware and software aspects of networks. They keep the computer systems companies rely on running smoothly and securely. In an average day, a network admin will:

Install and maintain network servers and software
Monitor network systems for potential security breaches
Deploy new tools on company networks to patch vulnerabilities or streamline procedures
Evaluate network activity and identify areas for improvement
Set up and maintain user accounts for other employees

11. SEO Specialist

Average salary: $67,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: SEO (search engine optimization) specialists should have experience optimizing websites to rank well for online searches. An SEO certification from Google, UC Davis or a marketing company like HubSpot can help your job search.

Best for: Parents with strong analytical mindsets and the adaptability to keep up with search engines' changing algorithms.

SEO specialists refine websites so they rank better in search engines like Google. They can work for a single company or on their own as freelancers. In either case, they're extremely independent.

In an average day, SEO specialists will:

Collect data about how many people are coming to websites through search engines
Track and report on initiatives to improve search engine traffic
Perform keyword research to identify opportunities for improvement
Oversee link-build strategies to earn links from authoritative websites
Evaluate website architecture to ensure it follows search engine guidelines

12. Social Media Manager

Average salary: $67,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Social media managers should have experience using popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, formerly Twitter. A bachelor's degree in marketing or another business field is also helpful, but not always required.

Best for: Parents who love posting family updates to social media.

Social media managers work almost exclusively from their phones and computers, writing and publishing updates to corporate social media accounts. They:

Follow audience trends in social media to find opportunities for viral posts
Create and execute social media strategies that align with marketing goals
Create content for company social media accounts
Collaborate with influencers to improve brand awareness
Monitor social media accounts and engage with user comments

13. Software Engineer

Average salary: $123,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Software engineers need a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, math or a related field. They should be familiar with at least one popular programming language in their area of specialization, like C#, Java or Python.

Best for: Parents with sharp analytic minds who want a high-paying career that is on the forefront of remote and hybrid work initiatives.

Tech is widely recognized as one of the best fields for remote and hybrid work. And software engineering is one of the most in-demand jobs in the field.

Software engineers write computer programs for billions of users. Their responsibilities vary based on their specialization and industry, but typically they:

Write code throughout the software development life cycle
Brainstorm coding solutions to problems with other engineers
Proofread and edit code for errors or inefficiencies
Respond to bug reports with new code that solves the reported issue
Document software features for users

14. Online Tutor

Average salary: $56,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Tutors need a high school degree and excellent knowledge of the subjects they want to tutor. Tutors for more advanced subjects might need a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field. Online tutors must be comfortable with video conferencing tools to meet with students.

Best for: Parents who did well in school and are good at explaining complex topics.

Online tutors can use video conferencing to meet with students from the comfort of their own homes. This also makes tutors more flexible than before, since they don't have to commute to and from tutoring sites.

Tutors have lots of freedom to decide how they work, but they will typically:

Educate students on academically valuable subjects
Help students with coursework from school
Help students develop good study habits
Communicate with parents about their student's academic progress and challenges

15. Project Manager

Average salary: $93,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Project managers need a bachelor's degree, but not in a specific field. They may also need a project management certification, like the CAPM or PMP.

Best for: Parents who can use their experience raising children to manage chaos in the workplace.

Project managers use their subject matter expertise and management skills to make sure teams finish projects before deadlines and within budgets. They're often in contact with other employees, but remote collaboration tools like Zoom, Teams and Slack let them work from home.

Their regular duties and responsibilities include:

Develop projects that achieve company goals
Organize teams to complete projects
Monitor project progress and assist teams in meeting expectations
Evaluate work to ensure it meets stakeholder expectations
Ensure workers have everything they need to complete projects

16. Recruiter

Average salary: $90,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Recruiters need excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Experience with human resources software like applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Best for: Parents who are good at balancing ongoing conversations with multiple people.

Companies hire recruiters to find the best talent for their other open roles. Recruiters set their own schedules most of the time, planning their own interviews with candidates.

In an average day, a recruiter can expect to:

Review incoming resumes and comparing them with the company's ideal candidate
Reach out to promising candidates and schedule interviews
Communicate with hiring managers about their expectations
Interview candidates to evaluate their skills

17. Transcriptionist

Average salary: $54,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Transcriptionists are fast and accurate typers. Experience with word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs is also essential.

Best for: Parents with great attention to detail and multitasking abilities.

Transcriptionist work can be very flexible. Look for roles that deal mainly with audio and video recordings—rather than live calls and events—and you can transcribe whenever your schedule allows.

Transcriptionists convert audio into text format. They:

Listen to recordings and transcribe them quickly and accurate
Proofread transcribed texts for errors
Follow client style guides

18. UX Tester

Average salary: $83,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: UX (user experience) testers need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Some employers might accept previous UX testing experience or extensive computer science knowledge in lieu of a degree.

Best for: Tech-savvy parents who are good at offering constructive criticism.

UX testers work on software development teams alongside software engineers and other computer science experts. These teams frequently communicate digitally through video conferences or task management tools like Jira.

UX testers evaluate software products to make sure they're ready for the average user. They:

Test new product features to ensure quality, reliability and useability
Create and follow test scripts to ensure consistency across the testing process
Write Python scripts to automate some parts of software testing
Ensure software engineering quality across all products

19. Virtual Assistant

Average salary: $51,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Virtual assistant is an entry-level position, so it doesn't require any degree. However, previous experience as an administrative assistant and experience with MS Office will help you find virtual assistant jobs.

Best for: Parents comfortable with digital communication who have great organization and time management skills.

Virtual assistants take all the duties typically associated with an administrative assistant and move those online, so they can help people from anywhere.

Virtual assistants manage scheduling and communications for business executives. They:

Answer and route phone calls
Schedule meetings and send calendar reminders to relevant parties
Draft communications like emails and formal letters
Manage their supervisor's time to improve efficiency

20. Web Developer

Average salary: $88,000 (Glassdoor)

Job requirements: Web developers need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a certificate from a web development boot camp. They should know the major programming languages for the web, including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. More specialized web development jobs might also require experience with languages like PHP and SQL.

Best for: Tech-savvy parents

Many web developers work as contractors, giving them the independence to pick up work on their own time. Even if they work as a full-time developer for a company, they can still work remotely and practice lots of independence in their day-to-day life.

Web developers use computer code to create the websites billions of people use every day. They:

Write HTML, CSS and JavaScript code to convert design briefs into interactive websites
Evaluate website code for bugs and inefficiencies
Collaborate with graphic designers and content writers to execute their ideas on web pages
Ensure website compatibility across platforms, including desktop PCs and mobile phones

stay at home father working

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Reasons to Consider Stay-at-Home Mom and Dad Jobs

Spending more time with your family is the number one reason to get a job that fits with your role as a stay-at-home parent. If you're still not sure, take these things into consideration:

Daycare costs. Putting your child in daycare while you're at work is becoming more and more expensive. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor says that daycare for just one child can cost over $15,000 annually.
Better grades. A study in the Journal of Labor Economics found that children with at least one stay-at-home parent perform better in school.
Dual incomes. If you work from home while your spouse goes into the office, you can earn all the benefits of having two streams of income without making childcare sacrifices. Perfect for parents wanting to retire early.

How To Balance Work and Parenthood

Being a flexible stay-at-home parent who works goes both ways. There are things you can do at work to make family life easier and there are things you can do at home to make work life easier.

To do well at work:

Designate office space. This is somewhere that your kids should not be during work hours. It's your place to focus on work.
Set a routine. Figure out your work hours. If your job is flexible, you can schedule these around things like picking the kids up from school or taking them to soccer practice. The important thing is to create blocks of time with minimal distractions whenever possible.
Communicate. If you have younger children, they probably don't understand that your job pays for the roof over your heads. It's your responsibility to communicate that work is important, set boundaries and ensure your family knows your availability.
Work with your spouse. You might be the stay-at-home parent while your spouse goes to the office, but childcare is still a shared responsibility. You don't have to do everything. If you have an important work meeting, communicate with your spouse to see if they can take over kid duty during that time.
Be kind to yourself. Balancing work and family is incredibly difficult. There will be times when you mess up and one or both suffer. That's normal. Pick yourself back up and carry on.

Where To Find Stay-at-Home Mom and Dad Jobs

Check out our roundup of the best job search apps. For parents looking for flexible work, we especially recommend:

Indeed's vast jobs database and excellent search features make it easy to find exactly the job you're looking for.
Glassdoor's company reviews they collect from employees can help see if employers match your expectations for flexible work.
FlexJobs specializes in remote and hybrid work. You need to pay a fee to see their full job listings, but you won't waste your time scrolling through jobs that don't have flexible work arrangements.
UpWork connects freelancers with clients. You can bid for projects and choose your own schedule.

Don't just rely on job apps. If you're looking for something local, like tutoring or babysitting jobs, get in touch with other parents in your community. They might need your services.

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