Top Jobs for Homeschool Parents
If homeschooling is a long-term plan for your family, or you’re considering transitioning to a career to better support homeschooling, here are some of the best career paths for homeschooling families. Having a stay-at-home parent is a great option if that possibility is available to you. Otherwise, remote and flexible work tends to lend itself better to modular learning.
For more information on job opportunities for homeschool families and the best companies to work for, see our blog on “Cool Gigs for Homeschool Parents.”
1. Flexible Full-Time Careers
Careers with high flexibility tend to be more compatible with homeschooling. Companies are increasingly seeing how offering employees flexible, remote work leads to higher productivity and employee retention. Some of the most successful career tracks we’ve seen for homeschoolers include:
Entrepreneur: Running your own business allows for maximum flexibility. Whether it's an online store, consulting, or a local service, being your own boss means you can schedule work around your homeschooling needs.
Investor: Engaging in stock market investments, real estate, or other financial ventures can provide a steady income with the flexibility to manage your own schedule.
Nurse (and other health professions): Many healthcare jobs offer flexible shifts, part-time work, or even remote options like telehealth, making it easier to balance work and homeschooling.
Software Engineer: With the tech industry leading the way in remote work, software engineers often enjoy flexible hours and the ability to work from anywhere.
Teacher: If you have a teaching background, tutoring, or teaching at online schools can be a great way to combine your professional skills with your homeschooling routine.
Truck Driver: For families with one parent often at home, truck driving can be a lucrative option. Many companies offer flexible schedules that can align with a homeschooling lifestyle.
Server (and other hospitality professions): These jobs often come with variable hours, allowing for flexibility in scheduling work around homeschooling duties.
2. Flexible Freelance Work (In-Person)
Working as an independent contractor can help families set their own schedule and devote more or less time to working as education, childcare, and financial needs evolve. Here are some freelance jobs that work well for homeschool families:
Catering: Starting a home-based catering business can be a flexible way to earn income while managing homeschooling responsibilities.
Doordash Driver: Food delivery services offer the flexibility to work as much or as little as you want, fitting in around your homeschooling schedule.
Private Tutor: Leveraging your skills to tutor other children in your area can be a great way to earn income while staying engaged in the educational field.
Uber Driver: Driving for ride-sharing services can provide flexible income opportunities without a strict schedule.
3. Remote Work
Even better is a job that does not require a parent to be on-site and is also flexible.
Bookkeeper: Many businesses need remote bookkeepers to manage their finances, offering a steady income with flexible hours.
Online Teacher: Teaching online classes can provide a steady income and the ability to work from home, making it easier to manage homeschooling duties.
User Testing: Companies pay for feedback on their products, which can be done from home on your own schedule.
Technical Writer: Writing manuals, guides, and other technical documents can be a lucrative and flexible career option.
Tech Jobs (Engineer, Marketing, Design): Many tech roles offer remote work options, providing the flexibility needed to balance work and homeschooling.
4. Shared Goods and Services
Sharing what you have can save time and make homeschooling possible. Here are some ways homeschoolers have successfully leveraged their resources for additional income:
Rent Out a Spare Room (or an Entire Home While You Travel): Platforms like Airbnb allow you to earn income from unused space in your home.
Homeschool Another Child: Integrating another child into your homeschool routine can provide additional income while sharing educational resources.
Host a Home-Based Preschool: Starting a small, home-based preschool can be a rewarding way to earn income while engaging in early childhood education.
Sell Used Goods on Amazon or eBay: Decluttering and selling items online can provide a flexible way to earn extra income.
5. Passive(ish) Income
Making passive income can take a little work in the beginning but lead to great returns. Here are a few ways to earn income while you sleep (or teach your kids):
Create a Homeschool Curriculum and Share It Online: Developing and selling educational materials can provide ongoing income with minimal maintenance.
Create a Blog with Affiliate Links: Writing a blog on topics you’re passionate about and including affiliate links can generate passive income.
Sell Photography Online: If you have a knack for photography, selling your photos on stock photo websites can provide a steady stream of passive income.
Flip Retail Products: Buying products at a discount and reselling them online can be a profitable venture with flexible hours.
Rent Out Household Items: Websites like Fat Llama allow you to rent out everything from cameras to camping gear, providing passive income from items you already own.
Write an E-Book: Sharing your knowledge or stories through an e-book can generate passive income over time.
Summary
Homeschooling is much more affordable than many realize. Since mastery hours only take 1-2 hours a day and parents make exceptional teachers, the most significant expense to consider is childcare. When taking into account the costs and benefits of homeschooling, be sure to factor in costs of living and think about whether living in another area, or close to friends and family, could save money. In the meantime, start taking advantage of all the wonderful free homeschooling resources and the culture of resource sharing that this flexible approach to homeschooling makes possible.
What’s Next?
One of the reasons modular learning has become more affordable is because of the software and online resources that have emerged to support this path.
In the next post, we’ll share some of our favorite software and tools to support high-quality, cost-effective modular learning and set up an environment conducive to learning.
