Flexible jobs that let you work on your own schedule have been a game-changer for me, especially as I approach 40 and find my priorities shifting. Balancing meaningful work, family time, and a little space for personal growth feels more important than ever, and flexibility has become key.
I’ve put together this list of flexible jobs that are ideal for working moms or anyone feeling the pull toward a fresh start. These roles let you set your own schedule, earn a steady income, and create a work-life balance that actually works for you. Each job on the list comes with insights on what skills are needed, how to get started, and where you can find training resources to help you make the leap—so you can feel confident moving into a new phase of your career.
In writing this article, I’ve drawn from my own journey toward finding balance and flexibility in my career. Shifting priorities and the need for a more adaptable schedule inspired me to research and compile this guide. These job options aren’t just practical—they offer the freedom to build a meaningful work-life balance on your own terms.
Catherine CookeUpskillwise Advisor
1. Virtual Assistant
Overview: Virtual assistants support businesses by managing emails, scheduling, social media, and customer service.
Skills Needed: Social media strategy, analytics, content creation.
Training: Skillshare offers courses on social media strategy and branding. Coursera has social media specialization programs from top universities.
Salary: $30,000 to $60,000 annually, with rates around $20-$50 per hour.
2. Freelance Writer
Overview: Freelance writers create content for blogs, websites, marketing materials, and more. Perfect for those who love to write and have a knack for storytelling.
Skills Needed: Writing, editing, SEO basics.
Training: Coursera offers courses in creative writing and SEO, helping you start building an online writing portfolio. Udemy also has specific freelance writing courses to get started quickly. If you are undecided on either platform, you can compare the two.
Salary: $30,000 to $70,000 annually, with rates around $20-$100 per hour.
3. Freelance Photographer
Overview: Freelance photographers capture moments, products, or scenes for clients in various industries. This role allows for flexibility in selecting projects and scheduling photoshoots based on availability.
Skills Needed: Photography, editing, and photo retouching.
Training: Skillshare offers courses on photography basics, editing, and client management. MasterClass offers classes taught by renowned photographers like Annie Leibovitz, covering photography techniques and creative processes.
Salary: $25,000 to $70,000 annually, with rates around $20-$50 per hour.
4. Online Tutor
Overview: Online tutors teach students of all ages in subjects ranging from languages to math, with flexibility to set hours based on availability.
Skills Needed: Subject expertise, teaching ability, patience.
Training: Coursera offers specialized teaching courses, while Skillshare has various classes on tutoring strategies.
Salary: $25,000 to $65,000 annually, with hourly rates from $15 to $40.
5. Social Media Manager
Overview: Social media managers create and curate content for businesses, managing their online presence and engaging with audiences on flexible schedules.
Skills Needed: Social media strategy, analytics, content creation.
Training: MasterClass offers content from top social media experts. Skillshare has courses on social media strategy and branding
Salary: $35,000 to $70,000 annually, with hourly rates around $20 to $50.
6. UX Designer
Overview: UX Designers work to enhance user satisfaction by improving usability, accessibility, and interaction flow. This role often allows for remote work and flexible hours, especially for freelancers.
Skills Needed: UX research, wireframing, prototyping, knowledge of design tools (like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD).
Training: Coursera offers UX Design Specializations from top universities. DataCamp offers principles of UI/UX design related to data visualizations.
Salary: $60,000 to $100,000+ annually, with rates from $30 to $75 per hour.
7. Life Coach
Overview: Life coaches work with clients on goal-setting, productivity, and mindset, often allowing for self-set schedules and remote sessions.
Skills Needed: Active listening, emotional intelligence, goal-setting and strategic planning, mindset and motivation techniques.
Training: Mindvalley provides personal growth and coaching courses, including certification paths that cover essential coaching techniques and emotional intelligence, ideal for developing a coaching practice.
Salary: $40,000 to $100,000+ annually, with rates typically from $50 to $150 per hour.
8. Web Developer
Overview: Freelance web developers design and build websites for clients across industries. This role allows for flexible scheduling and remote work, making it ideal for freelancers who want to manage their own workload.
Skills Needed: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, responsive design, basic UX/UI principles.
Training: Udacity offers a Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree, covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design. Advanced courses are also available for backend and full-stack development.
Salary: $50,000 to $100,000+ annually, with hourly rates typically from $30 to $80 per hour.
9. Content Creator
Overview: Freelance content creators develop engaging multimedia content, such as blog posts, social media videos, and digital graphics, to boost online engagement for brands. This role allows for flexible, remote work and provides the freedom to manage project deadlines independently.
Skills Needed: Writing, video editing, social media strategy, creativity, and SEO basics.
Training: Mindvalley offers courses focused on creativity, storytelling, and personal branding, including guidance from experts like Steven Kotler and Lisa Nichols, which can be helpful for crafting engaging and impactful content.
Salary: $35,000 to $70,000 annually, with hourly rates typically from $25 to $60 per hour.
Last Thoughts: Flexible Jobs For Working On Your Own Schedule
Finding a flexible job that lets you make your own schedule has been life-changing for me, and I hope this guide gives you confidence to explore a path that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a role that complements family life, personal goals, or simply a new direction as you approach 40, these options offer the balance so many of us are seeking. Each job has unique skills, training paths, and potential for growth, making them adaptable, no matter where you are in your career journey.
Remember, investing time to upskill—whether through Coursera, MasterClass, DataCamp, or other platforms—can open doors to opportunities that work for you, not the other way around. And as you embark on this journey, know that it’s not only about finding a job but creating a career that aligns with the life you want.
FAQs
One of the most flexible job options is working as a virtual assistant, where you can manage tasks like scheduling, email management, and social media for clients—all from home and often on your own schedule. Other highly flexible roles include freelance writing, online tutoring, graphic design, social media management, and web development, many of which allow you to choose your hours and work remotely. If you’re looking for consistent flexibility with room to grow, roles like virtual assistant or freelance work are great places to start!