14 Interesting Jobs That Let You Make Your Own Schedule

Reasons for changing jobs may include wanting better pay, the ability to work from home, or a more flexible schedule.

If you're ready to break free from your 9-to-5 job, whether you want to go rogue full-time or simply increase your monthly income, the following jobs can allow you to set your own hours.

Editor's note: Income statistics are courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Median annual salary: Varies

A consultant can work in almost any field and can be brought in by a company to help them with a specific task or project as well as get detailed help and expertise in a particular field.

As a consultant, you can decide which projects to take on and how many hours you want to devote to each project, depending on your client's flexibility. 

Your pay may also depend on your particular field. A business or finance consultant, for example, can make more than $90,000 in median annual income.

Median annual salary: $95,380

Web developers can create websites, blogs, and other internet-facing products for clients. Projects might allow you to work your own hours, although you may have to be available to clients at specific times.

You may need a bachelor's degree, but it's not necessary as long as you have the design and computer skills to build websites to a client's specifications. 

The BLS expects an 8% growth rate of jobs in the field.

Median annual salary: $93,600 

Travel nurses can work in homes and private settings as well as hospitals and other health care areas. Their work is still in demand after a surge in the need for travel nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses usually need a postgraduate degree or training program to get a position in the field. Registered nurses tend to make a median annual salary of $93,600, according to the BLS, but travel nurses can make more than that. 

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Median annual salary: $58,960

Being a real estate agent could be a good career, especially if you like meeting people. You can choose different specialties, like residential or business real estate, and can focus on particular areas of interest. 

And while you may be able to work your own hours, be aware that agents may have to work on nights and weekends to show homes and retail spaces to potential buyers.

The median annual salary could fluctuate depending on whether you earn a commission for the sale or purchase of a home or office space. You'll also need a license from your state in order to work as an agent.

Median annual salary: $61,300

Graphic designers use visuals to help convey a client's need for things like website graphics, marketing pieces, and other necessary art direction for client projects.

You may need a bachelor's degree to be a graphic designer, but it might not be necessary if you're working as a freelance designer. Taking on this job and its flexibility could earn you a median annual salary of $61,300.

Median annual salary: $40,090

Students need tutors for all kinds of topics, and you can advertise your expertise and set your own hours depending on the students' needs. A background in education is helpful but not necessary.

You may be able to build on the median annual salary depending on how in-demand your specialty is or how in-depth your knowledge goes.

Median annual salary: $46,180

If you like working out or staying in shape, you may be able to make it into a career with flexible hours as a fitness trainer. Your work may include teaching classes to a group of students or working one-on-one with individuals on a structured training plan.

Fitness trainers usually only need at least a high school diploma to start working in the field.

Median annual salary: $75,260

Freelance editors may review content for publication using communications skills for print, online, or broadcast media, as well as other venues that need concise wording to convey a message.

Editors usually need a bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, but it may not be necessary for freelance work. You can expect to set your own hours, depending on your clients.

Median annual salary: $37,550

A medical transcriptionist specializes in transcribing recordings for medical professionals and medical records. You may need specific certification in medical transcription, but you can work for a variety of medical professionals in different health care settings.

You may be able to get a higher salary for your work depending on where you work and, of course, how many hours you put in.

Median annual salary: $36,060

Becoming a tour guide may be a great option if you enjoy history and showing off different locations to guests. Perhaps you live in an area with museums or historical sites that lend themselves to having visitors you can show around. 

You also may want to consider becoming a guide who works on a regular basis with traveling tourist groups.

A tour guide's salary can vary depending on location.

Median annual salary: $59,440

Can you speak another language fluently? If so, you might want to consider becoming a translator. Translators take information in a foreign language and change it into a language a user can better understand. 

You can translate in places like a courtroom, school, health care setting, or other types of business or service.

Translators can certainly work as freelancers or for a more established company.

Median annual salary: $42,520

Photographers use their skills to take pictures for publications, personal use, or other professional or personal needs. You'll have to be proficient in understanding photo composition as well as different types of camera equipment and different techniques.

Photographers can work on a freelance basis or get a position with a specific company. 

Median annual salary: $63,490

Interior designers can work as freelancers or with a company, executing a vision for clients for their interior spaces. You may work with clients by designing spaces or sourcing materials such as flooring, paint, furniture, or accessories.

You can design your own hours depending on your client's needs and take on several projects at a time to get ahead financially. 

Median annual salary: $47,460

Want to work from home and set your own hours? Look for a position as a virtual assistant. You can perform administrative and clerical tasks for your clients, such as scheduling appointments, making travel plans, responding to emails, and more.

A job change may be a good way to set your own hours and find ways to make extra money in addition to, or instead of, your current job.

Before you start looking for a job with flexible hours, it's a good idea to identify skills and topics that are best suited for you first.

Find a way to fit those skills into a position that will turn your hours into earnings and make your time more your own.