Top 16 Flexible Jobs for Late Risers

While the internet is filled with anecdotes about how waking up at 5 a.m. is the best thing you can do for yourself and your career, not everyone is a morning person — and that’s OK.

Plenty of jobs offer schedules ideal for the night owls among us, and some may even help you get ahead financially. Here are 16 jobs to consider if you’re not into waking with the sun.

Nurses frequently have unusual working hours, with many full-time hospital employees working three 12-hour shifts a week (as opposed to a five-day work week).

These shifts are often overnights (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for example) — so nursing can be a great gig if you don’t mind staying up until the wee hours of the morning and would prefer a three-day work week.

Writers of all different varieties can set up their schedules so they don’t have to rise early. Many news outlets, for example, have reporters working round the clock so writers can work afternoon, evening, or overnight shifts.

Depending on the gig, freelance writers may also have the ability to set their own hours.

Flight attendants often work unusual hours, sometimes crossing time zones — and at times, working extended shifts for long-haul flights (more than six hours in the air).

Flight attendants who would prefer not to work in the mornings can request that their schedules involve mostly afternoon, evening, and even overnight flights — but of course, their schedules may vary quite a bit.

Hospitality jobs run the gamut — and many jobs in the industry require night or even overnight work. Hospitality, as an umbrella term, includes all who work in the tourism industry — from hotel managers to event planners to restaurant staff and beyond.

Many hotels have staff working late nights or overnights to help check in guests arriving after hours and event planners may be able to get the brunt of their work done later in the day (particularly if they’re planning events that mostly happen in the evenings).

Working in a bar or restaurant can be a great gig for those who don’t like waking up early. Some bartenders work daytime hours, but a large majority work in the evening or night hours.

A bar shift may be from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and bartenders are often required to stay after closing time to help count earnings and tips and close up.

Paramedics work to assist patients during emergencies and may be involved in traveling to patients (in an ambulance) and caring for them on the way to a hospital. Since emergencies can happen at any time, paramedics are needed for round-the-clock shifts.

Some paramedics may request to work during the day, but others may need to regularly work evening hours or overnights (or may request to do so).

This one depends on the job. Some bakers prepare things like bread, cookies, and cakes in the evening hours so they can be fresh in the early morning, while others may start the process in the very early morning hours, meaning they’d have to be very early risers.

Landing a gig cooking late at night and even during overnight shifts can work well for late risers.

Customer service hours depend on the company you work for. These employees, who work on the phone or online (or both) to assist customers, may work standard 9-to-5 shifts, but there are plenty of jobs where late-night hours are needed as well.

Some companies have customer service lines or chats available 24/7.

With English skills, an internet connection, and a computer, you can make money on your own time by working as a transcriber. Companies like Rev hire transcribers on a freelance basis who work on (for the most part) transcribing audio into written text.

It’s a job that requires a certain level of language and typing skills, but it’s one you can do from your home during whatever hours work best for you.

Cops can work day or night shifts, or a combination of both. Departments typically have officers working different jobs round the clock — which may involve responding to emergency calls, patrolling specific areas, collecting evidence, and more.

Those who prefer not to wake in the early morning can request afternoon or evening shifts.

Like writers, editors — including those who work in newsrooms, for websites, or on a freelance basis — can often request or set their own hours.

Editors who work full-time but prefer not to be up early in the morning may request to work afternoon, evening, or even overnight hours, while those who pick up gigs on a freelance basis can arrange their schedules so they do the brunt of their work later in the day.

Drivers of all sorts can work afternoon or evening hours — from taxi/rideshare drivers to commercial truck drivers to bus drivers.

Those who drive cabs may even find they make more money in the evening/night hours, particularly if they live near a lively city where people tend to be out and about after work hours.

While some website designers work for specific companies and may have a schedule that more closely resembles a 9-to-5, those who do it on a freelance basis can often make their own hours.

These employees may be involved in creating websites, writing code, testing website features, and more — and, particularly on a freelance basis, this is work that can be done during whatever hours work best for you.

The wide world of retail has many positions that work well for those who prefer to sleep in a bit — from sales associates to store managers to customer service.

No matter the store or company, employees are often needed to work shifts throughout the day. If early mornings are an issue, workers can request the majority of their shifts be in the evening or at night.

While some security jobs involve working early morning hours, many companies and buildings need overnight security and hire guards to do things like monitor cameras and incoming/outgoing visitors, patrol certain areas, and more during the evening/night hours.

Security guards may also work at clubs, concert venues, popular bars, and other establishments that require night shifts.

Like flight attendants, air traffic controllers often work unique hours as they have to be on the clock as flights take off and land. These workers keep track of things like landings, takeoffs, and weather patterns — and communicate those to pilots and other airline staff members.

With a starting salary in the six figures and no college degree required (but intense training), it can be an excellent job to build your wealth.

For those willing to put in the time, and many hours, to get certified, working as a pilot is another airline gig that gives employees the opportunity to work later in the day if they wish.

You don’t have to be an early-morning hustler to make a good living — as many jobs are ideal for those who like to work in the afternoons, evenings, and overnights.

Some of the jobs listed here — like security and driving — may even pay more for those who are willing to take on nighttime hours.