Best Self-Employed Jobs for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Is Being Self-Employed Worth It?

It depends on who you ask. Personality, goals, financial situation, skills, and industry trends can determine if self-employment is worth it for each person. However, the best self-employed jobs offer flexibility and control over your workload, allowing you to pursue your passions while making money.

When I first quit my job as a KYC Compliance Officer for a telecommunication company, I was scared. Don’t get me wrong: I was happy to stop the long commute and escape office politics. But I was also leaving the safety net of a monthly salary, among other benefits. 

This is one of the downsides of self-employment. I soon felt better when I realized I’d work remotely on the most appealing projects.

Becoming an entrepreneur is scary. But fortune, they say, favors the brave. If you can muster the courage to start a business, you may be surprised at the great things you can achieve.

Ready to take the plunge? Here are the best self-employed jobs in 2023.

17 Best Self-Employed Jobs in 2023

1. Freelance Writing

Becoming a freelance writer is one of the best self-employed jobs. Leaving my 9-5 job as a KYC Compliance Officer to become a freelance writer has not only given me the flexibility I need — but the peace of mind. I decide who I want to work with at my pace, and I get to be my own boss.

As a writer, you write content for various clients on a project-by-project basis. You’ll work independently, typically from home or a remote location. 

Freelance writers may specialize in a particular type of writing, such as copywriting, content writing, technical writing, or journalism. They may also work across multiple niches and industries depending on their interests and skills.

Getting started as a freelancer requires a portfolio of writing samples showcasing your skills and experience. In the beginning, I was desperate to get clients, and I was prepared to write about almost everything. This often resulted in low-paying gigs.

Need a writer to craft a blog post about cats, I was ready! Create a landing page for a furniture business: I have done that. 

I soon realized that the more I niche down, the higher chance I have of attracting high-paying clients. So, I decided to focus on a specific niche and created samples. 

In terms of finding clients, Problogger has been massive. Most of the companies I have worked with were from this job board. Social media platforms and freelance marketplaces such as Upwork and Fiverr can also help you find writing jobs.

Skills/requirements:

• Strong writing skills
  
• Creativity
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently
  
• Research and adaptable
  
• Strong communication skills
  

Average salary/earnings: $46,378 per year

2. Blogging

Bloggers write blog posts regularly for their blog or a company’s blog. They write about their interests or expertise and share their insights, opinions, or experiences with their audience.

This is actually one of the best ways to make money writing online.

Tim Sykes of timothysykes.com earns $1 million monthly from his blog. Chiara Ferragni, the owner of The Blonde Salad, a fashion blog, makes $250,000 monthly, and the CarAdvice blog makes $125,000 for the founder, Alborz Fallah.

We’re not saying if you start a blog today, you’ll begin making millions, but blogging is an excellent way to be your own boss and make money online. Plus, you can grow your blog into a profitable business with consistency.

Skills/requirements:

• Strong writing skills to create engaging and informative blog posts.
  
• Research skills to find credible sources and gather information on the topics you write about.
  
• Basic knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization) to optimize your blog posts for search engines and increase visibility.
  
• Social media skills to promote your blog and interact with your audience on various platforms.
  
• Analytical skills to track and analyze blog traffic and engagement metrics to improve your blog’s performance.
  

Average salary/earnings: Bloggers can make money through various methods, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, advertising, or selling products or services. However, a blogger’s earning power depends on multiple factors, such as the niche, audience size, and monetization strategies.

3. Selling Digital Products

Selling digital products is a lucrative self-employed job that allows you to create and sell your own digital products, such as e-books, courses, templates, or software. You can leverage your expertise and knowledge to create valuable and unique products that solve your audience’s problems or fulfill their needs.

The beauty of selling digital products is that you can automate the sales process and earn passive income while you sleep. 

Once you create a product, you can sell it multiple times without additional effort or resources. Moreover, you can scale your business by creating more products or expanding your audience reach through marketing and advertising strategies.

Skills/requirements:

• Expertise in a particular niche or topic to create high-quality and relevant digital products.
  
• Creativity to design and develop appealing and user-friendly products.
  
• Marketing skills to promote and sell your products effectively.
  
• Basic knowledge of e-commerce platforms or tools to set up your online store and manage transactions.

Average salary/earnings: The earning potential of selling digital products varies depending on the product type, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and audience size. However, successful digital product creators can make nearly $100,000 per year.

4. Web Designer

As a website designer, you create visually appealing and functional websites for clients or your own business. You use various tools and programming languages, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress, to design and develop websites that meet client’sclients’ needs and preferences. 

Web designers may also offer website maintenance, optimization, or security services.

Skills/requirements:

• Knowledge of web design tools
  
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  
• User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design
  
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
  
• Communication and collaboration skills
  

Average salary/earnings: $60,910 yearly

5. Graphic Designer

As a graphic designer, you create visual concepts using various software tools to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate your audience. You may work on projects such as logos, brochures, advertisements, social media graphics, or website designs. 

Graphic designers need to always stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies to offer innovative and relevant solutions to their clients.

Skills/requirements:

• Proficiency in design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign
  
• Knowledge of design principles
  
• Creativity
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
  
• Time management: organization and planning
  
• Understanding of printing processes
  

Average salary/earnings: $58,437

6. Virtual Assistant

According to a study, the Virtual Assistant market is set to grow by $4.12 billion. 

Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the best be-your-own-boss jobs. You provide administrative and technical support to clients remotely. You may schedule appointments, manage emails, social media accounts, data entry, research, or customer service.

The best thing about VA jobs is that almost anyone can do it. If you were previously employed in another company or industry, you have a skill a business wants. And if you have no job experience, there a many VA online training courses to help you get started.

Skills/requirements:

• Proficiency in office software and tools
  
• Time management and multitasking skills
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Customer service skills
  
• Basic knowledge of social media platforms and digital marketing
  

Average salary/earnings: $51,531 per year

7. Interior Designer

As an interior designer, you create functional and visually appealing spaces for clients, such as homes, offices, or commercial buildings. 

You use your creativity and knowledge of design principles to select colors, furniture, lighting, and accessories that reflect the client’s style and preferences. The best part: you can work from home while helping people bring life to their spaces.

Skills/requirements:

• Knowledge of design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or 3D Max
  
• Knowledge of design principles and building codes
  
• Creativity
  
• Project management
  
• Budgeting and cost estimating
  

Average salary/earnings: $41,500 yearly

8. Home Brewery

Do you enjoy making cocktails? Do you like analyzing every ingredient and discovering how it contributes to the flavor? If your answer is yes — here’s a business idea to help you become self-employed: start a home brewery.

With the rise of craft beer culture, there is a growing demand for unique and flavorful brews. Home brewers can experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create their own signature beers.

Moreover, this is one of the best jobs that can be a side hustle or a full-time business.

Skills/requirements:

• knowledge of brewing equipment, sanitation, and regulations
  
• Recipe development
  
• Physical labor
  
• Patience
  
• Business skills
  

Average salary/earnings: $38,123 yearly

9. Event Planner

Another small business you can start on your own is an event-organizing business. You’ll give your clients a memorable day by coordinating and executing various events, such as weddings, corporate events, or parties. 

Event organizers may also ensure compliance with legal and safety regulations. This job can also be done from home, and you can offer your services to individuals and organizations.

Skills/requirements:

• Strong organizational and project management skills
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Creativity and attention to detail
  
• Negotiation and budgeting skills
  
• Flexibility and adaptability
  

Average salary/earnings: $53,325 per year

10. Career Coach

A career coach helps individuals with their career goals and development. The role of a career coach is to guide, motivate, and support individuals as they navigate their career paths, from exploring career options to finding new employment opportunities.

Skills/requirements:

• A background in human resources, counseling, or a related field
  
• Strong communication skills
  
• Active listening
  
• Analytical skills
  
• Interpersonal skills
  
• Organizational skills
  
• Knowledge of career development principles and practices
  

Average salary/earnings: $71,328

11. Personal Trainer

You don’t need to be in the exact physical location of your clients to provide personal training services. You can offer your services remotely through video calls, online classes, and virtual consultations.

Your job is to help your clients achieve their fitness goals through personalized training programs. You’ll assess clients’ fitness levels and develop customized training programs based on their goals, fitness levels, and preferences. Personal trainers also offer nutritional advice and guidance to help clients meet their fitness goals.

Skills/requirements:

• Certification from a reputable fitness organization, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
  
• Knowledge of fitness and nutrition
  
• Excellent communication skills
  
• Active listening
  
• Interpersonal skills
  
• Organizational skills
  

Average salary/earnings: $50.977 per year

12. Virtual Therapist/Counselor

If you have a background in psychology or counseling, becoming a virtual therapist or counselor can be a lucrative self-employed job. You can provide therapy sessions to clients from the comfort of your own home through video calls or messaging platforms.

As a virtual therapist, you’ll help clients overcome mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. You’ll also provide guidance and support to help them improve their overall well-being.

Skills/requirements:

• Licensing and certification in the state or jurisdiction where your clients reside
  
• Active listening
  
• Empathy
  
• Strong communication skills
  
• Familiarity with digital communication tools
  
• Flexibility and adaptability
  

Average salary/earnings: $41,245 per year

13. Online Merchant

One of the best-paying self-employed jobs is running an online store. As a digital merchant, you’ll sell physical products through your e-commerce website or platforms like Amazon or Etsy. This job can also be a side hustle if you’re still unsure about self-employment full-time.

However, understanding your target audience and their needs is crucial to creating appealing product listings and optimizing sales.

Skills/requirements:

• Strong business acumen
  
• Understanding of e-commerce platforms and technology
  
• Product selection and sourcing
  
• Inventory management
  
• Customer service
  
• Marketing and advertising
  
• Data analysis
  
• Time management
  
• Financial management
  
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
  

Average salary/earnings: $68,900 a year

14. Tutor

One of the most popular work-for-yourself jobs is tutoring. Whether you want it to be a side hustle or a full-time gig, tutoring can be a great way to break into the entrepreneurial world.

Tutors help students with homework, prepare for exams, and improve their grades. 

You’ll assess their learning needs and develop customized lesson plans based on their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. Tutors also offer study skills and test-taking strategies to help students succeed academically.

Skills/requirements:

• Expertise in a particular subject or academic area
  
• Excellent communication skills
  
• Active listening
  
• Interpersonal skills
  
• Organizational skills
  
• Patience and empathy
  
• Flexibility and adaptability
  

Average salary/earnings: $80,121 a year

15. Content Creator

Content creators produce and share various forms of content, such as videos, podcasts, blog posts, social media posts, music, or artwork, to engage, entertain, inform, or inspire an audience.

In today’s digital age, anyone can become a content creator and share their creations with a potentially vast and global audience. It is one of the self-employed jobs that require no qualifications.

According to a study by Harris Poll on behalf of Leggo, more American kids wish to be YouTube stars when they grow up than astronauts. This is unsurprising because many content creators and curators on platforms like YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, and Twitch rake in thousands of dollars monthly.

Content creators are also so influential that brands often pay them to gain access to their target audience. But behind the glamour and glitz, much hard work and consistency goes into building a successful personal brand.

Skills/requirements:

• Creativity
  
• Consistency
  
• Technical skills such as video editing, graphic design, or audio production
  
• Willingness to take risks, experiment, and monetize your content through various channels, such as advertising, sponsorships, or merchandising.
  
• Adaptability

📚 Further reading: What Skills Do You Need to Become a Content Creator?

Average salary/earnings: $61,988 yearly

16. App Developer

As an app developer, you’ll design, develop, and test mobile applications for platforms like iOS or Android. This job requires technical skills such as programming languages, software development kits, and user interface design.

Skills/requirements:

• Proficiency in programming languages
  
• Understanding of mobile platforms
  
• Familiarity with development tools like Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), debugging tools, version control systems, and collaboration tools
  
• Knowledge of design patterns
  
• Strong problem-solving skills
  
• Communication skills
  
• Continuous learning
  

Average salary/earnings: Over $100,000 per year

17. HR Consultant

The role of a Human Resource Consultant is to help clients find and hire the right employees by developing job descriptions, sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, and managing the onboarding process.

You would help clients develop and implement training and development programs for their employees to help them improve their skills and knowledge and increase their job performance.

This 100k self-employed job also involves helping clients stay up-to-date with legal and regulatory requirements related to employment, such as labor laws, health and safety regulations, and equal employment opportunity requirements.

Skills/requirements:

• HRM knowledge and expertise
  
• Communication skills
  
• Organization skills
  
• Training and development skills
  
• Leadership
  
• Problem-solving skills
  
• Compliance expertise
  

Average salary/earnings: $129,735 per year

Be Your Own Boss

Self-employment offers many opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and make a living from their homes. 

Whether you become a writer, blogger, digital product creator, or career coach, you need the right skills, mindset, and strategies to succeed in your chosen field.

Remember that self-employment requires discipline, perseverance, and continuous learning to stay competitive and relevant in the ever-changing market. 

So, if you’re ready to take the leap and start your self-employed journey, go ahead and explore the possibilities that await you!

FAQ