Introduction
With the increasingly high costs of schooling, it’s no wonder that many students have to resort to multiple part-time jobs to supplement their income. However, just because you’re working online doesn’t mean that you have to earn pennies. There are plenty of online jobs for students that can be extremely lucrative if done right.
Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a low-paying job. Check out these online jobs for students and learn how to make money online.
That being said, we know that it can be difficult to sort through all the scams and low-paying jobs to find the ones worth your time. That’s why we have done our research and shortlisted the top jobs for you. These work-from-home jobs offer you the flexibility you need as a busy student juggling academics and extracurriculars – check them out below!
1. Data Entry: $12-$20/hr.
Data entry involves inputting different types of data (alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic) into a system. While data entry jobs aren’t the most lucrative option on this list, they pay a decent wage and allow for a great deal of flexibility.
Necessary Skills
One of the best things about data entry is that you don’t need a lot of skills or experience in order to do a good job. As long as you have an internet connection, a computer, and can type at a reasonable speed, you should be fine. Good Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel skills are also helpful in this line of work, as are soft skills like being detail-oriented and efficient.
What Should You Do?
Because there isn’t much to do in way of preparation, you can jump right into applying for jobs. Look across different platforms to see which kind of data entry suits you best and which platforms are paying more.
Examples
In addition to finding data entry jobs on job boards like Upwork and Fiver, you can also use websites like Clickworker, DionData Solutions, and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk.
2. Social Media Manager: $15 – $20/hr.
Social media management involves building communities online and helping individuals and businesses with content and engagement. This is one of the top online jobs for teens because of a simple reason – teenagers and young adults are extremely tech-savvy and know different social media platforms like the back of their hands. Additionally, for those who already spend a lot of time on social media, why not make money online doing it?
Necessary Skills
The primary skills you need is a thorough understanding of the platform or different platforms you’re working on, including premium features. Since social media is there to build brand awareness, it’s important to devote time to it or learn how to automate posts.
What Should You Do?
The reason companies hire social media managers is because they’re either too busy to deal with social media or they’re not entirely familiar with the different platforms they’re on. Optimize your own social media and then show companies how you can do the same for them.
Examples
The best way to become a social media manager is to approach individuals and brands on the platform you’re pitching for. Whether you’re an expert on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or all four, approach companies and show them your skills. You can also post about your services on job boards like Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork.
3. Social Media Marketing: $15 – $20+/hr.
While social media management and marketing are related, they’re not entirely the same. They both require extensive knowledge of different social media platforms, but social media marketing focuses more on promoting products and services rather than maintaining the brand’s image.
Necessary Skills
Knowing about paid advertising and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing is an integral part of this. If you’re not already familiar with these, don’t worry – you can always take online courses on Coursera before you start applying for jobs. Knowing how to manage Facebook ads, Instagram ads, and micro-targeting are extremely important skills and can result in high-paying jobs.
What Should You Do?
If you’re not already familiar with PPC and paid advertising, the first step is to learn more about it so that you can highlight your knowledge when pitching to companies.
Examples
Like social media managing, the best way to get jobs is by highlighting your services on job boards and approaching companies directly. If you do a good job, you can also get referrals. MailChimp and GetResponse are also excellent resources to consult.
4. Freelance Writer: $25+/hr.
Freelance writing is an excellent way to make money online if you have good writing skills. When it comes to online jobs for students, this can be one of the most lucrative if you specialize in a topic and select high-paying jobs. Additionally, because freelancing allows you to make your own schedule and take the jobs you want, this leaves you plenty of time to focus on academics during exam season.
Necessary Skills
In addition to good language and typing skills, freelance writers also need to be able to conduct thorough research and write in-depth articles on niche topics. While general writing will also get you jobs, specializing in a niche and writing detailed articles on specific topics in that niche will result in you getting more high-paying jobs.
What Should You Do?
In addition to selecting a niche, you should also build a portfolio that you can show to clients when submitting bids or applying for jobs. Some freelance writers start their own blogs and use that as their portfolios.
Examples
As a freelance writer, you can submit work to blogs and magazines or focus on individual projects by bidding on jobs on platforms like Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork. Because there are plenty of content writing jobs available on these platforms, you’re sure to find something in your particular niche.
5. Video Editor: $15 – $18+/hr.
With YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok becoming so popular, it’s evident that video content is on the rise. However, all of this content needs editing. Editing videos for different social media platforms and for social media influencers is one of the most lucrative work from home jobs for students.
Necessary Skills
In addition to requiring focus, individuals need to learn how to use video editing software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere.
What Should You Do?
One of the first things to do is learn how to use video editing software and then get access to it. As a student, you can access Premiere for only $19.99/month. You should also prepare a portfolio to showcase your video editing skills.
Examples
Video editors can approach social media influencers on YouTube and Instagram directly, or use job boards like Upwork and Fiverr to advertise their services or bid for existing jobs.
6. Graphic Design: $15 – $18+/hr.
As a graphic designer, your job will be to create graphics for individuals and brands. These can include banners, brochures, pamphlets, logos, and more. You can even make money online by illustrating or through digital art.
Necessary Skills
While the main skill to know is the use of different graphic designing software, it also helps to have some knowledge in branding and marketing, especially if you’re planning to work for companies that advertise heavily.
What Should You Do?
Making a portfolio using different graphic design software is a good place to start so that you have something to show potential clients when you pitch to them. While Adobe Photoshop used to be ideal for this, it isn’t necessary anymore – even tools like Canva can help you secure jobs. That being said, knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is impressive and can help convince larger companies to hire you.
Examples
Graphic design jobs are widely available online and can be found everywhere from Freelancer to Upwork.
7. Web Design: $25+/hr.
Web designers help design websites for individuals, companies, and even NGOs. Because they can charge for entire projects instead of individual working hours, their hourly wage can increase exponentially.
Necessary Skills
In addition to knowing how to use programs like Adobe Illustrator, web design requires knowledge of UX and CSS. You should also be familiar with popular platforms like SquareSpace, WordPress, and Wix.
What Should You Do?
In addition to marketing their services, web designers should have a portfolio to show potential clients and should be prepared to be quizzed on UX, CSS, their use of platforms like WordPress, and more.
Examples
In addition to pitching to companies directly, web designers can also bid on jobs on job boards or offer their services to marketing agencies.
Conclusions
Look into these jobs if you want to switch to making money online from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re struggling to pay your way through college or are a high schooler saving up for a car, this list has got you covered – with the variety of online jobs for teens we have mentioned, we’re sure there’s something for everyone. As long as you have an internet connection and a computer, you can make money online – good luck!