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14 Flexible Jobs Where You Can Control Your Own Schedule

You can find jobs that allow you to set your own hours while still making a decent wage.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Jessica Gibson

Updated Nov. 5, 2025

If you're contemplating a career change, it might be because of the money, work-life balance, or ability to work from home.

Take a look at the following jobs that allow you to control your work schedule, all while helping you increase your monthly income.

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

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Consultant

Median annual salary: Varies

A consultant can work in almost any field and can be brought in by a company to help with a specific task or project, as well as to provide detailed 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 $101,000 in median annual income.

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Web developer

Median annual salary: $95,380

Web developers can create websites, blogs, and other internet-facing products for clients. Projects might allow you to set your own hours, though you may need 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.

Travel nurse

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.

Real estate agent

Median annual salary: $58,960

Being a real estate agent could be a promising career, especially if you like meeting people. You can choose different specialties, such as residential or commercial real estate, and 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 to work as an agent.

Graphic designer

Median annual salary: $61,300

Graphic designers use visuals to help convey a client's needs, including website graphics, marketing materials, and other 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.

Tutor

Median annual salary: $40,090

Students need tutors for all kinds of subjects, and you can advertise your expertise and set your own hours based on 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 is.

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Personal trainer

Median annual salary: $46,180

If you like working out or staying in shape, you may be able to turn it into a career as a fitness trainer with flexible hours. 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.

Editor

Median annual salary: $75,260

Freelance editors may review content for publication using communication 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.

Medical transcriptionist

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.

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Tour guide

Median annual salary: $36,660

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 showing visitors around.

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

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

Translator

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, a school, a health care setting, or other business or service settings.

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

Photographer

Median annual salary: $42,520

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

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

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Interior designer

Median annual salary: $63,490

Interior designers can work as freelancers or with a company, executing a vision for clients' 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.

Virtual assistant

Median annual salary: $47,460

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

Bottom line

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.

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