Want a $20k/year self-employed job?
Here’s a list of 12 realistic self-employed jobs that can generate up to $20k in a year. In other words, these jobs can make you about $1,700 in a month. To get jobs like these with a college degree wouldn’t be hard at all. You can even work as a bartender and still make up to $1,700 in a month. That’s not a big deal. But I won’t be listing any 9 to 5 on this blog ever. So we’re stuck with high-paying self-employed jobs.
While these jobs can make you up to $20k a year or $1,700 a month (or $60 a day), they’re also the kind of jobs that can generate $100k a year or a month for you. It depends largely on how you go about them, and what your growth strategy is. There’s no revenue ceiling with any of these businesses.
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This means you can earn as much as you want as long as you keep expanding, upgrading, and growing. Without further ado, here’s your list of 12 jobs that pay $20,000 a year (or up to $83k a month).
12 Best Jobs that Pay $20,000 a Year without a Degree
Blogging
Blogging is one of the best online jobs that pay $20,000 a year, and a lot more than that. Earning $20k a year with a blog means you’re earning approximately $1,700 a month. It’s quite a feasible feat, and a ton of bloggers start generating this much from their blogs within the scope of 12 months into their blogging career.
The best part is you can build a blog in the background of your life while running a full-time job. It’s like a financial security that you own, just in case anything happens with your full-time job, you won’t be frustrated.
It takes some time to build a new blog from scratch. But doing this, you’re slowly building a real business online that can formulate a financial license rigid enough to let you quit your day job.
Want to learn how to start blogging and making money off it today?
Read the full guide to starting a successful blog from scratch.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a cool online business where you start an online store, connect it to another mega shopping store using a set of dedicated plugins, import products from that store, add prices to original prices of products you imported, promote your store, and then make money when people buy things from your store.
You don’t need to write a line of code, or house an inventory. The other megastore handles packaging and shipping. You don’t even get to see the physical product.
Earning $20k a year from dropshipping is possible if you’re able to quickly scale your business by leveraging on content marketing or paid ads.
Freelance Writing
If you’re good at writing, you can make a lot of money writing as a freelancer on Fiverr, Upwork, or get writing jobs on Indeed.com. There’s also Clearvoice.com and Flexjobs.com to get high paying freelance gigs. On the other side, you can directly write to get jobs from top paying clients through cold pitching.
Freelance writing is a great option, but this is only if you love writing. If you’re like me, a content creating lover, then you’ll definitely find freelance writing interesting and challenging at the same time.
It’s not some online business where you have to pay money to start first. As a freelance writer, you’re able to get more gigs with a competent portfolio on freelance marketplaces.
Another great thing about freelance writing is that you can work for different freelance clients and get paid multiple times in a row. You’re a self-employed writer who earns off writing online and you don’t pay tax. That’s a sweet one.
Depending on how much you charge per word, you can earn up to $1,500 dollars for a single writing gig. If your rate is $0.2/word, then you get 2 cents for every word you write.
If you write up a 2,000-word article for a client (if requested), that’s $400 dollars. With a rate of $1 per word (which is possible for pro writers with cutting edge portfolios), you get $1,000 dollars for every 1,000-word article, and $200 dollars for a 200-word piece.
Real Estate
The enduring necessity for shelter and mobility in human life ensures a perpetual demand for residential spaces, whether it’s the need for a permanent residence, the choice to rent, the prospect of relocation, or the desire to explore new cities during vacations.
This sustained demand creates a robust and enduring marketplace for real estate, encompassing activities such as buying and selling properties and providing opportunities for profitable ventures.
Becoming a realtor, for instance, is a viable avenue to tap into this thriving real estate industry. As a realtor, you have the opportunity to invest in properties and leverage their value to generate substantial income. It’s not uncommon for skilled real estate professionals to realize earnings of $20,000 or more annually through the art of property transactions.
Now, let’s consider a scenario where you may not have the substantial capital required to purchase properties outright. You can still embark on the journey to build wealth in the real estate domain through alternative means. One such approach involves referring potential buyers to property owners, a practice known as referral marketing.
By facilitating successful property transactions, you can earn generous referral commissions, which in some cases can amount to thousands of dollars per transaction. This method allows you to progressively accumulate wealth and establish a foothold in the real estate market, even without significant initial capital.
Book Authoring
Authoring books transcends being just a job; it evolves into a fulfilling and enduring career path. Once your debut book finds its way onto the shelves, it has the potential to create a continuous stream of income through its sales, steadily accumulating rewards for your hard work.
Crafting a compelling book demands an investment of time, energy, and creativity. It’s not merely about typing words onto pages, but about weaving a narrative that captivates readers, making it an art form that is worth every moment spent in its creation.
However, the journey doesn’t end with the completion of your manuscript. To ensure your literary creation stands out in the vast expanse of the digital and physical realms, it is imperative that the quality of your work is impeccable.
Whether you opt to share your book with the world as an e-book or a physical copy, its content and presentation must be of the highest caliber to leave an indelible mark on your readers, ensuring that they return for more.
For the record, it is one of the self-employed jobs that pay $20,000 a year (without a degree). Not as a job though, but as a side hustle (generating passive revenue).
Laundromat
Operating a successful Laundromat can be a lucrative venture, potentially generating an annual income exceeding $20,000. As a self-employed entrepreneur in this industry, it’s essential to implement a well-thought-out strategy to not only attract a larger customer base but also provide top-notch services to foster client retention.
Managing a Laundromat can be both rewarding and challenging, given the diverse range of customers you’ll encounter. Thus, mastering the art of customer service is crucial to your business’s success. Learning to communicate effectively, handle difficult customers with tact, and consistently exceed their expectations can set you apart in this competitive market.
In addition to traditional customer service skills, it’s imperative to leverage the power of the digital realm to expand your Laundromat’s reach. Building a robust online presence through a professionally designed website and active social media engagement can significantly boost your visibility.
Utilizing digital marketing strategies, such as search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising, can further amplify your business’s online footprint.
Furthermore, embracing eco-friendly practices and modernizing your equipment can not only attract environmentally conscious customers but also improve operational efficiency. Offering amenities like contactless payments and mobile app-based services can enhance the overall customer experience and set your Laundromat apart from the competition.
Ecommerce
Do you own a retail shop?
Then you can expand your business and make more money by building an ecommerce store as an extension of your retail store online. Since you have the inventory, you can easily ship products across the country or to a different country with the help of shipping firms. You can also do this if you don’t have a retail store.
What’s most important in starting an ecommerce business is essentially having an inventory of the products you want to sell and setting up a policy statement on your ecommerce platform to inform customers about your mode of operation.
To avoid the risk of running at a loss with a physical inventory, you can build an ecommerce store around digital products like online courses, designs, music, and other digital items you can sell for money.
Pet-sitting
If you’re in search of jobs that pay $20,000 a year or more, and you don’t hold a college degree, one viable option to explore is pet-sitting. This flexible and rewarding occupation allows you to earn money by looking after animals, making it an appealing choice for many individuals, particularly those who have a genuine fondness for pets.
Pet-sitting can encompass a variety of tasks, such as caring for animals in the owner’s absence, taking them for walks, providing companionship, and ensuring their well-being. While it may not require a formal education, it does demand responsibility and a compassionate attitude towards animals.
One of the great advantages of pet-sitting is the enjoyment it can bring, especially if you are an animal enthusiast. Interacting with pets can be both fulfilling and pleasurable, making it a fulfilling way to make a living.
To get started in the world of pet-sitting, you can begin your search for available opportunities in your local area. Popular online platforms like Craigslist, Indeed, or specialized freelance marketplaces such as Rover.com are excellent resources to find pet-sitting gigs. These platforms often list a wide array of pet-sitting jobs, and you can choose the ones that align with your schedule and preferences.
Landscaping
Landscaping experts enjoy the benefits of being self-employed, and their income potential is quite substantial due to the demand for their services. Unlike some professions, landscaping is not oversaturated with professionals, which means that competition remains relatively low.
Moreover, the field of landscaping requires a unique blend of creativity and technical skill. Many people lack the artistic eye and knowledge of plant varieties and design principles needed to excel as a landscaper. This scarcity of creative talent in the industry opens up opportunities for those who possess these essential qualities.
If you have a talent for landscaping, there are various avenues for promoting your skills and securing lucrative opportunities. Social media platforms provide an excellent space to showcase your previous projects and attract potential clients. By building an online presence and engaging with your audience, you can establish yourself as a reputable landscaping expert.
Additionally, you can actively seek landscaping gigs through job platforms like Indeed.com. Many homeowners and businesses frequently post landscaping job listings in search of professionals who can transform their outdoor spaces. Scanning such job listings in your area can help you discover new projects and expand your client base.
Graphics Designing
If you possess a talent for graphic design, there are numerous avenues available to leverage your skills and potentially generate a substantial income.
One option is to create captivating graphic designs and showcase them on popular online platforms like Etsy or Amazon, or even explore various other e-commerce websites that specialize in purchasing and selling designs. This approach allows you to tap into a global market and monetize your creativity by offering a wide array of design assets, from digital art to merchandise templates.
Alternatively, you can take a more independent route by establishing yourself as a freelance graphic designer. Freelancing offers not only creative freedom but also the potential to earn a significant income. Platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr provide a thriving marketplace where businesses and individuals are constantly seeking talented graphic designers to fulfill their design needs.
With determination and a strong portfolio, it’s entirely possible to earn a substantial annual income, reaching up to $20,000 or even more, while working on diverse design projects for a broad spectrum of clients.
This path allows you to fine-tune your skills, build a strong client base, and develop a sustainable career in the field of graphic design, offering both financial rewards and professional satisfaction.
Proofreading
Are you skilled at refining grammar and assisting individuals in perfecting their language? If so, you can turn your linguistic prowess into a lucrative income stream, potentially generating up to $20,000 annually without requiring a formal degree.
To harness the potential of this skill, consider becoming a professional proofreader and leveraging platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to secure proofreading assignments. With the demand for quality content on the rise, it’s possible to earn as much as $50 per hour for your proofreading expertise.
By offering your services through online freelancing platforms, you can tap into a diverse clientele and build a rewarding career in the realm of grammar and language refinement.
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Course Sales
If you possess a deep knowledge in a particular subject, the potential to capitalize on your expertise is significant. By creating and offering courses on platforms like Udemy or Thinkific, you can not only share your wisdom but also generate a substantial annual income, potentially reaching up to $20,000 or even more.
Udemy and Thinkific are renowned as premier platforms for individuals with specialized knowledge to share their insights through comprehensive courses. The reach and accessibility of these online education platforms provide an ideal environment for you to showcase your expertise and monetize your skills.
Moreover, the beauty of these platforms lies in their scalability. You’re not limited to a single course; you can create multiple courses across a range of topics, broadening your revenue potential. As these courses gain popularity, you can watch them continue to generate income for you, resulting in a sustainable and growing source of revenue.
So, if you’re an expert in a particular field, don’t just keep that knowledge to yourself. Share it with the world, and in return, you can potentially earn a substantial income while helping others learn and grow. The possibilities are vast, and the rewards can be significant.
12 Best Jobs that Pay $20,000 a Year without a Degree – Summary
These are no small revenue-generating jobs. If you want to make up to $40k a month or a week with these jobs, whether it’s starting a Laundromat or proofreading, you can. And while earning $40k a week isn’t an easy feat with these jobs, $1,700 a month can be a starting step to greater earnings. It certainly won’t take you a lot of time before you start making significant progress with any of the jobs on this list.
They’re realistic, and don’t generate peanuts in the long run unless you don’t invest any serious effort to build them. Some of the jobs, particularly the online jobs, won’t cost you much.
Offline jobs will cost you a lot more and will definitely pose more challenges than the online jobs. The bottom line remains vivid; you’re prone to making $20k a year with every job on this list.