The 15 Highest Paying Side Jobs

If you’re finding it tough to make ends meet, you might consider taking on a second job. But if you’re going to add more work hours to your week, then those hours should earn you decent pay.

As reported by Business Insider, the telecommuting and remote work experts at FlexJobs picked 15 gigs that you can do part-time or on a freelance basis from home or on the road. In some cases, these jobs may pay more than your current job – which will give you pause for thought. All wages are in US$.

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1 / 15

Curriculum Writer

If you've got a background in education, you can make $50 an hour helping develop educational materials for schools and other institutions.

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2 / 15

City Guide Writer

There's a surprisingly big market for people who can write guides to cities and neighbourhoods. According to Business Insider, clients for this type of work range from businesses in the travel trade to real estate companies. You can pocket $50-100 per project.

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Business Consultant

Consulting has always been a good side gig. Business consultants can make $48 an hour dispensing advice, creating efficiencies and improving performance. However, you'll need plenty of experience in a specific sector.

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Sign Language Interpreter

This part-time job can pay up to $36 an hour. If you've got the skills and the required accreditation you can find plenty of opportunity in this growing field. You'll feel good about what you do, too.

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Web Designer

If you've been travelling the hostel circuit, you've likely seen them: web designers working for good money on the road. According to Business Insider if you've got a talent for designing websites and keeping them looking fresh, you can make $32 an hour.

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Software Developer

Another common nomad/telecommuting side job is developing software. As long as you can get online, you can get work. You can make $30 an hour working on anything from creating website templates to developing smartphone apps. Be prepared for long days and nights.

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Online Communications Associate

Generally speaking, online communications associates manage websites. If you can update content, take care of social media and know a thing or two about metrics, then you can earn up to $25 an hour on the side.

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Video Reviewer

Another great 'remote' job is video reviewing. But you won't be watching TV shows or movies. Instead, says Business Insider, you'll be watching and critiquing the performance of teachers who submit videos for review. You can pocket $25 an hour if you're a certified teacher.

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Merchandise Coordinator

These short-term jobs require a bit of experience. But you'll earn $21 an hour assisting a merchandising team and updating reports.

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Bilingual Legal Assistant

If you've got some extra time, legal experience and language skills, this is the perfect side job for you. Business Insider reports that bilingual legal assistant jobs are generally project based, but they can come up often. Pay averages about $21 per hour.

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Lead-Generation Specialist

If you've got the motivation and communication skills, Business Insider says that you can make some extra cash as a lead-generation specialist (also known as appointment setters). You can make $20 an hour generating quality leads for sales teams. The best part? You don't have to close.

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Freelance Product Photographer

With the proliferation of camera phones, you'd think that there wouldn't be much opportunity for photography gigs. But Business Insider says that skilled photographers and photo editors can make $20 an hour shooting products. There's also money to be made shooting events.

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Bookkeeper

Paperwork… ugh. That's why we have bookkeepers. If you happen to be a QuickBooks whiz and know how to balance the books, you can find side bookkeeping jobs taking care of the paperwork for businesses big and small. The average wage is $19 an hour.

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Copy Editor/Writer

Do you like to write? Why not work a few hours here and there as a writer or copy editor. If you have proven skills and solid grammar, you can make $17 an hour anywhere in the world. According to Business Insider, there are lots of projects available – from writing marketing bumf to social media.

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Temporary Transcript Processor

Temporary Transcript Processor is a fancy way of saying data-entry clerk. If you're fast and accurate, you can take home $15 an hour. This is another job that is easy to do while travelling. But bring earplugs if you're staying in a hostel!