13 Legitimate Work-from-Home Jobs Worldwide in 2024 (Pros & Cons)

Why This Article on Remote Work from Home?

With a background in physiotherapy, I, too, had the desire at some point in my journey to work partially from home online, even though my profession wasn’t inherently suited for it.

While telehealth is possible occasionally as a physical therapist, it remains on the periphery and is not a standalone profession.

So, I had to step out of my initial field of expertise and explore the best opportunities available to me.

I realized that there were many “dream sellers.” Just like some websites tout miracle pills supposedly capable of shedding 10 kilos a month effortlessly, some people claim that it is very easy to make a living from online activities.

I wanted to write this article to try to present, as objectively as possible (with supporting data), different types of work-from-home online opportunities that I have either undertaken or studied. I aim to provide insight into the reality of these professions: do many people genuinely make a living from them?

I am specifically referring to serious and legitimate professions that one can potentially make a living from (after investment and probably a bit of luck), and not just for a simple supplementary income (even though, initially, that’s often how it starts).

Let’s delve into these 13 work-from-home-jobs that one can pursue independently, as an employee, or through intermediaries online 🚀!

1/ Online Writing, Copywriting, Community Management: Getting Paid to Write online

Mission: You write texts that will be published on websites (web writing) or social media platforms (community management).

Your clients or employers provide more or less strict instructions on the subjects and how these texts should be written.

Training: In freelancing, none is required (even a high school diploma is not necessary). In employment, a diploma of bachelor’s +2 or bachelor’s +3 is often requested.

In all cases, a good command of English (or an another language), both in written expression and spelling, is essential.

You will likely be asked for knowledge in search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and writing style that maximize the chances of an online text appearing in the top results on Google and other search engines (including YouTube and other sites).

Income (in France): In employment: from the minimum wage to $2,115 net/month.

As a freelancer: 1 web writer out of 4 earns less than $642 net/month. And only 50% earn more than $1,403/month.

Job Prospects: Many people want to switch to this profession. There is demand, but not to satisfy everyone. You will need to work hard to stand out and find a job as a freelancer or employee.

✅ Pros

• Great to get paid for writing for those who love it
• Can truly be done from anywhere with just an internet connection as equipment
• You can start without specific training (if you have the skills)

❌ Cons

• You may not necessarily write on topics of your choice or with complete editorial freedom (which led me to stop to rely more on my blog and my writings for my own account)
• You will still have to produce a large volume (write many texts every day) if you want to make a living, which can become tedious and challenging

My conclusion: If you enjoy writing and are relatively quick, this profession might be for you. It is, in fact, the profession I chose when I wanted to work more from home after the arrival of my second child.

My experience: I was a health freelance writer for about 20 hours per week for more than 3 years.

ℹ️ Web journalist or freelancer for online media are also similar professions.

2/ Coaching / Online Support / Telehealth

Mission: You guide individuals in achieving their personal or professional goals using virtual communication tools and providing personalized advice on an individual basis.

Training: You do not legally need to have a specific diploma. It is often not what is looked at in people who subscribe to coaching.

Salary: Highly variable. Many coaches do not make a living from it. (Source: personal observation)

Job Prospects: There is a lot of demand, but there are also many people who want to make a living from coaching. You will need to stand out.

✅ Pros:

• If you have expertise in a particular subject, it is a readily actionable way to leverage it
• No financial investment required

❌ Cons:

Very competitive

Coaching someone (especially if they are in distress) requires significant mental resources

My conclusion: Many people around me have taken coaching courses or tried to start coaching. I have many more examples of people for whom it did not work: they did not succeed in making a living from this activity.

My experience: For several years, I offered telehealth for my audience of people dealing with excessive sweating because I have a dedicated website on this topic. I charged €100 per hour (plus one month of follow-up by email). I had 1 to 4 call or visio per month: it was simply a supplementary activity.

3/ Virtual Assistant (VA)

Mission: Essentially, a remote secretary. But more for individuals or businesses that also operate exclusively online.

Training: None required. But essential skills in basic computer tools plus probably other more specific ones (email and newsletter management, WordPress site, platforms for content creation on multiple social networks simultaneously, etc.)

Salary: A job that, to my knowledge, is almost exclusively done as a freelancer.

Job Prospects: Many more people want to be virtual assistants than people who have occasional or regular needs for a virtual assistant.

✅ Pros:

An all-encompassing activity that can help you develop skills that you can reuse later to develop your own online business

❌ Cons:

Competition from qualified people from countries where the cost of living is lower (Madagascar, Africa, etc.)

My conclusion: Interesting for people who like to master web tools but do not see themselves launching their own services/products/online business. Finding missions is another challenge!

4/ Secretary or personal assistant 

Mission: You answer calls or emails, schedule appointments, and sometimes handle billing or other administrative tasks for liberal professions (doctors ++) or businesses.

Training: In some sectors (such as the medical field), professional training will be required. It lasts for a year, and you obtain a level 4 professional certification at the end. You need a vocational certificate or a high school diploma to access it.

Salary: There are regularly job offers above the minimum wage even for beginners. Often: €1,700 to €2,000 gross/month for 35 hours in a permanent contract.

Job Prospects: There are more job opportunities in traditional secretary than in virtual assistance. But not all jobs necessarily at 100% from home.

✅ Pros:

• Many professional opportunities in fixed-term or permanent contracts

❌ Cons:

Some people find secretarial activities repetitive

My conclusion: One of the “safer” activities on this list considering the ratio between the job offers (many) and people who want to pursue this profession.

5/ Blogger: Making a Living from Writing on Your Website

Mission: You create a website, regularly write articles that genuinely answer questions people have, and find ways to “monetize” this audience: generate income because people visit your blog and read your articles.

Training: None required if you have the skills.

Salary: An activity that is only done independently. It often takes several years to generate enough income to make a living if you don’t do anything else on the side. And for the majority, the blog remains just a hobby.

Job Prospects: Very difficult to stand out; many dream of making a living from it! Many, many more blogs are created than people who make a living from them.

✅ Pros:

• For those who love writing, it’s often the ultimate dream to “make a living from their pen” by writing for themselves, with great editorial freedom

❌ Cons:

• Very difficult to stand out as you are also competing with institutional sites or business blogs that have more financial and technical resources than you

My conclusion: If you think you will enjoy this activity even if it doesn’t bring in any money, and you have another professional activity alongside that provides you with sufficient income, this might be the activity for you!

My experience: This is my current main activity. I make a living from writing articles here in addition to occasional consulting missions (see below). It took me almost 4 years to surpass the regular net income of over €1,000 per month from my blog.

6/ Making a Living from Your YouTube Channel

Mission: Create videos, upload them to YouTube. When you reach 1000 subscribers, you can start earning a few euros per month through ads, or you can implement other solutions to generate income from your YouTube audience.

Training: No formal requirements if you have the necessary skills.

Salary: You can generate income as an independent content creator without being an employee. However, earning less than 100 euros per month from ads is common, even with tens of thousands of views.

Prospects: There are many more YouTube channels created than people who make a living from them (significantly more).

✅ Pros:

• Interesting for people passionate about sharing content orally rather than in writing.

❌ Cons:

• Monetization options on YouTube are somewhat more limited than on a website.
• High international competition.

My conclusion: Similar to blogging but in video format. If you enjoy this activity even if it doesn’t immediately generate income, and you have another professional activity that provides sufficient income, this might be the right choice for you!

My experience: I also have a YouTube channel mainly focused on rehabilitation. It allows me to diversify my income and make my content accessible to people more comfortable with the video format than with written content.

7/ Managing an E-commerce Website

Mission: Oversee and manage all operations related to the online sale of products. This includes managing the product catalog, order processing, inventory management, website configuration, customer service, online marketing, etc.

Training: No specific training required, but having skills in business management, online marketing, and understanding e-commerce platforms is beneficial.

Salary: Income depends on the size of the e-commerce site, sales volume, and profit margins.

Prospects: A growing sector as more people are buying online. However, many e-commerce sites are created daily, and not all of them succeed in generating a sustainable income.

✅ Pros:

• Wide range of possible business sectors

❌ Cons:

• You may need some initial investment (purchase of products for resale, storage space, shipping costs, insurance, software, etc.)

My conclusion: Not the easiest to set up, especially if you don’t want to invest money to get started.

8/ Monetizing Your Social Media Audience (Influencer)

Mission: Create and share engaging content on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc., to build an engaged audience. Use your influence to promote products, services, or ideas.

Training: No formal training required, but specific skills are necessary!

Salary: No salary, but income can come from brand partnerships, product promotions, and advertisements. It takes time to generate regular income, which is not guaranteed.

Prospects: Many dream of becoming influencers, but few make a living from it in proportion (according to my own estimates!).

✅ Pros:

• Freedom to create content that you are passionate about (as long as it appeals to some people!)

❌ Cons:

• Almost daily (and even multiple times a day) presence is often necessary to generate engagement.
• Closely tied to your personal brand.

My conclusion: Personally, I prefer creating long-lasting content on platforms like blogs, podcasts, or YouTube videos. I have never wanted to build an audience of this type on social media, as I don’t want to produce quickly consumable content several times a day.

9/ Selling Digital Products (Courses, Ebooks): Infopreneurship

Mission: Similar to developing an e-commerce site, but this time, you sell non-physical products such as courses, ebooks, templates, etc. You can sell your products or those of others (affiliate marketing). However, you need an audience acquired through your presence on social media, a well-ranked website, or advertising.

Training: No specific training required, but skills are necessary!

Salary: Only as an independent. There is a great variability in the income generated (some may not make a living from it).

Prospects: There is demand, but there is also a lot of competition!

✅ Pros:

• Low investment (except for time) compared to a physical product e-commerce business
• Enjoyment of helping others and living by sharing knowledge

❌ Cons:

• Time-consuming to set up (requires an audience)

My conclusion: A variation of blogging or influencing.

My experience: Since early 2023, I have also been selling ebooks online on my areas of expertise. This has generated approximately 10% of my gross revenue for the year 2023.

10/ Any Remote Job

Mission: Some companies in various sectors offer fully remote positions different from those listed here. This includes many roles like sales, project management, customer service, etc.

Training: Often requires a bachelor’s degree or higher and relevant experience. Sometimes, no specific education is required (e.g., telemarketing).

Salary: From minimum wage to over $3,000 net, depending on experience and the type of position, in employment.

Prospects: Many job offers, but not all are necessarily fully remote, and those that are 100% remote can be highly sought after.

✅ Pros:

• Wide variety of possible jobs

❌ Cons:

• You may need to negotiate for 100% remote work
• Many jobs involve prospecting, which some people do not enjoy (I’m one of them!)

My conclusion: Depending on your initial education, if you want to remain employed, this type of job may be the most relevant for you!

11/ Graphic Designer, Illustrator

Mission: Create visual works for printed materials, websites, social media, products, book illustrations, etc.

Training: Bachelor’s degree in art or graphic design often required in employment. In freelance, no degree required, but evidence of your skills is necessary!

Salary: Often higher than the minimum wage, but not easy to find salaried contracts as a beginner. Once established, salaries often exceed $2,000 net per month. In freelance, rates vary.

Prospects: Some opportunities in employment, but with competition. Many needs in freelance, but also many freelancers in the market!

✅ Pros:

• Ability to express creativity through work
• Diversity of projects and clients
• Option to work freelance or as an employee

❌ Cons:

• Competition can be strong in the design field
• Client expectations can be demanding
• Tight deadlines are common

My conclusion: For graphics or illustration enthusiasts who can also showcase their skills, this may be interesting!

12/ Consultant

Mission: Analyze the problems and needs of your clients, propose, and potentially implement suitable solutions. This can span various sectors like sales, HR, marketing, SEO, etc.

Training: In employment, you will often be required to have at least a Master’s degree in a specific field: sales, HR, marketing, finance, etc. As an independent, you may not necessarily be asked for your diplomas, but you need to demonstrate solid experience.

Salary: In employment, often over $2,000 net for beginners, with monthly net salaries that can go up to $5,000 or more for those with more experience. In self-employment, there is a wide range of incomes: some earn less than $500 per month, while others earn over $5,000 or more.

Prospects: Many job offers, especially in digital strategy consulting, recruitment, financing. It’s also possible to develop this activity freelance, as companies also have needs for missions assigned to freelancers.

✅ Pros:

• One of the highest-paid on this list

❌ Cons:

• Requires experience and real expertise

My conclusion: Requires real expertise and experience in a specific sector. Not for everyone.

My experience: Part of my current income comes from freelance Wikipedia consulting missions. I advise companies, institutions, and personalities who want to intervene on Wikipedia but don’t know how to go about it.

13/ Web Developer

Mission: You create, maintain, and enhance websites and applications using programming languages and web technologies. Development of features and resolution of technical issues.

Formation: Training is often required in employment. Short-term courses of one year, sometimes accessible without a high school diploma, or longer courses up to a Master’s degree.

Salary: Often over €2000 net per month, including in the early stages of your career. As an independent, there is the possibility of invoicing days at significant rates once established, but as always, you need to know how to market yourself and find clients!

Career Opportunities: Quite abundant, both in employment and as an independent. Currently, there are more than 15,000 job offers for “developer” on the Pôle Emploi website, compared to only 500 for “graphic designer”. In freelancing, there is still a lot of competition.

✅ Advantages:

• Abundant career opportunities
• Variety of industries you can work in

❌ Disadvantages:

• Even though theoretically everything can be done remotely, some companies still require a physical presence.
• You need to enjoy the technical aspect of these jobs.

My conclusion: The most secure professional path on this list in terms of career opportunities.

How to determine the potential earnings for these work-from-home jobs?

As you may have noticed, I provided salary or income expectations for each type of activity.

Where do these figures come from?

To give you the most reliable information possible, I looked at:

• The amounts indicated on three randomly selected current job offers on the Pôle Emploi website (the website of the main French institution that manages job searches).
• The income amounts declared by self-employed professionals practicing these activities and registered with approved management associations.

What do you need to do to find your new work-from-home job?

I hope to have provided you with information that allows you to learn more about the possibilities of working from home via the internet.

Try to see for which activity you check the most of these four criteria:

1. You think you have the necessary skills.
2. You want to practice it.
3. There are career opportunities with not too much competition.
4. You have a more or less advanced idea of how to go about finding your first freelance mission or your first salaried contract.

I’ll summarize these 13 types of legitimate job for which you can work from home online. This way, you’ll have an overview:

Occupation	Salary	Job Opportunities	Education
Online Writing, Copywriting, Community Manager	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Coaching/Online Support/Telehealth	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Virtual Assistant	💲	🟡	🎓
Personnal Assistant (Remote Secretary)	💲	🟢	🎓
Blogger	💲💲	🟡	🎓
YouTube Channel Monetization	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Managing an E-commerce Site	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Monetizing Social Media Audience (Influencer)	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Selling Digital Products (Courses, Ebooks): Infopreneurship	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Any Remote Job	💲💲	🟢	🎓🎓
Graphic Designer, Illustrator	💲💲	🟡	🎓
Consultant	💲💲💲	🟢	🎓🎓🎓
Web Developer	💲💲💲	🟢	🎓🎓🎓