Being a stay-at-home parent can be deeply rewarding, but it can also bring financial pressure and career trade-offs. If you’re used to working toward professional goals, stepping away from paid work can feel like hitting pause. 

But it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. Plenty of jobs for stay-at-home parents let you earn income while balancing demanding caregiving responsibilities and varied schedules. These side hustles can also help you keep your skills current, making it easier to transition back into the workforce if (and when) you return. 

These side hustles for stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) and dads (SAHDs) provide realistic ways to earn income without sacrificing your family’s priorities or your future career. 

Key Points 

• Side jobs for stay-at-home parents offer a flexible, realistic way to earn income without sacrificing family priorities. 
• Taking on a stay-at-home side hustle gives parents the chance to contribute financially while maintaining a sense of identity and purpose beyond caretaking. 
• Choosing a stay-at-home work opportunity based on your family’s current needs alongside your future career goals can make it much easier to return to the full-time workforce later. 
• Not every side job for stay-at-home moms and dads is legitimate or a good fit, so consider your options carefully. 

Why Flexible Jobs Matter for Stay-at-Home Parents

Nearly 1 in 5 US adults (18%) are stay-at-home parents. Many parents choose to stay home to be more present during their children’s formative years or save money on child care costs. Even so, plenty still look for flexible stay-at-home side hustles. 

Continuing to work lets you contribute financially to the household and maintain a level of financial independence. It also gives you the chance to keep your career-related skills relevant in case you go back to work when your kids are older. 

For some, having a satisfying career provides a sense of identity or overall purpose that can be hard to find elsewhere. Even part-time work can bring some variety to life, not to mention a connection with the world beyond the household. 

The best side gigs for stay-at-home moms and dads aren’t just about making money. They’re flexible enough to work with tricky schedules or other caregiving responsibilities. Even if it doesn’t turn into a full-fledged future career, starting a side job can have a positive impact on your life—now and in the future. 

What to Look for in a Stay-at-Home Job 

Not every SAHM (or SAHD) side hustle will be a good fit for you. Before committing, evaluate opportunities based on: 

• Job type: Can it be done online or in person? If it’s the latter, does the commute still fit into your schedule? 
• Hours and scheduling: Child care is demanding, especially with younger kids. Side hustles with scheduling flexibility are often a must for stay-at-home parents. 
• Startup costs: Some side jobs involve startup costs, such as software subscriptions, equipment, training, or licensing. 
• Pay and pay structure: Having clear expectations regarding pay can help you choose the right job. Compare salary ranges and pay frequency alongside startup costs and time investment. 
• Skill level and fit: Certain side jobs are geared toward early-career pros or those who are making a career shift. Others require a more professional skill set or specific education. 

It’s also advisable to watch out for jobs for stay-at-home parents that aren’t legitimate. While many flexible jobs are legitimate, scams often target parents or others seeking convenient work. Warning signs of scams include: 

• Job postings that promise unusually high pay for minimal effort 
• No formal application or screening process 
• Little to no verifiable information about the company or employer 
• Negative reviews or scam warnings on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot 
• Requests for upfront “training fees” or “starter kits” to get hired 
• Unprofessional email addresses or vague, inconsistent communication 
• Repeated or unsolicited calls, texts, or messages pressuring you to act quickly 

Doing a little research before applying can help protect your personal info and save valuable time. That might include vetting company websites and contact details or searching third-party review sites to confirm the legitimacy of opportunities. 

18 Jobs for Stay-at-Home Parents 

The “best” side hustles for stay-at-home moms (and dads) are ones that fit around your schedule and child care needs. The right fit will also vary based on your skills and short- and long-term goals. 

Here are 18 jobs for stay-at-home parents, with estimated earning ranges. 

Note: Income ranges are based on information obtained from publicly available data, including job boards and BLS data. Actual income can vary based on various factors such as experience, location, and time commitment.

Virtual Assistant Work

Estimated income range: $16 to $44/hour 

If you’re skilled at administrative work (like emailing or scheduling), consider becoming an online virtual assistant. It’s flexible work that tends to fit around school hours. Many businesses even hire virtual assistants to provide support during evenings or weekends. And getting started often requires just a reliable home internet connection and a computer. 

Customer Support or Live Chat Agent 

Estimated income range: $14 to $29/hour 

Do you have strong problem-solving and communication skills? Does the idea of helping customers with their questions or concerns appeal to you? 

If so, customer support or live chat work may be a good fit. These pros work in almost every field, so background doesn’t matter as much as you might think. These roles often accommodate working around your kids’ school or extracurricular activities. Just be prepared to commit to whichever schedule you choose. 

Freelance or Contract Work

Estimated income range: $12 to $63/hour 

Freelance or contract work gives stay-at-home parents more control over how much (and how often) they work. You can often take on projects either sporadically or continuously—whichever works best with your schedule. 

These roles are usually remote with minimal startup costs. Options include freelance writing/editing, graphic design, marketing, admin roles (like virtual assistants), and even tech support. 

Tutoring or Online Teaching  

Estimated income range: $14 to $47/hour 

If you’re an educator at heart, tutoring roles can be highly rewarding. You can typically schedule sessions based on your availability, often with the option to work one-on-one or with small groups. 

And don’t think you have to limit yourself to core academic subjects like math or English. There are also opportunities if you’ve got specialized skills in areas like art or game design. 

Selling Products Online  

Estimated income range: $10 to $31/hour 

Selling (or reselling) products online involves listing items for sale through an online marketplace or storefront. This type of work usually requires some upfront investment, since you’ll need to purchase inventory or supplies. And if you’re creating physical items, you’ll also need basic materials. 

The good news is you can work from home as often (or as little) as you’d like. There are virtually no limits on what you can sell, either. Common options include selling handmade goods like coasters, candles, scarves, or print-on-demand products (like graphic sweatshirts or stickers). Strong writing and photography skills can help your listings stand out. 

Child Care or After-School Care  

Estimated income range: $11 to $21/hour 

Other families need child care or after-school support, too. So, while you’re staying at home with your own kids, this can be an opportunity to earn extra income by caring for theirs.  

This type of work may include babysitting or providing after-school supervision. You can reach out to local families, schools, or community centers to find out whether there’s demand for child care or after-school support in your area. 

Pet Sitting or Dog Walking  

Estimated income range: $11 to $22/hour 

This is a flexible side job for moms and dads who love animals. Taking care of other people’s pets does require in-person availability, but you’ll often only need to dedicate a few hours a week to it. Plus, you get to set your schedule and how far you’re willing to travel. 

House Sitting or Home Check-Ins  

Estimated income range: $11 to $23/hour 

House sitting doesn’t necessarily mean staying overnight at someone else’s home. Many homeowners simply need someone dependable to watch their place while they’re away—either at work or on vacation. They might also need someone to water the plants, pick up the mail, or take care of the pets. 

This can be a great option for stay-at-home parents, especially if you’re homeschooling or have younger kids. You can often find opportunities through local networks or Facebook Groups. 

Social Media Moderation 

Estimated income range: $6 to $25/hour 

Social media moderators monitor online profiles for companies or influencers. They review posts and comments to make sure content follows platform guidelines and may respond to users or remove comments when needed. 

This can be a great side gig for stay-at-home moms or dads with backgrounds in social media or marketing. While some roles require real-time monitoring, others allow you to review content on a set schedule, making the work relatively flexible. 

Content Writing or Blogging  

Estimated income range: $20 to $71/hour 

This is a natural fit for stay-at-home parents with writing skills. There’s a lot of earning potential from creating articles, newsletters, website copy, or other written branded content. The biggest startup costs involve creating a professional website or signing up for paid job boards, both of which are optional. 

If you’re interested in starting your own blog, you can do that, too. You’ll need to gain traction, which can take time. Once you do, though, you may earn income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, or other monetization methods. 

Data Entry or Document Processing  

Estimated income range: $13 to $22/hour 

Entry-level data entry roles don’t usually require advanced skills, though some basic understanding of software (like Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace) is a major plus. Common tasks include collecting and reviewing data, inputting data, processing documents, and updating databases. Work is usually done remotely on a part-time basis during the day or evenings. 

Transcription or Captioning  

Estimated income range: $15 to $43/hour 

Many companies hire virtual transcriptionists on a freelance or part-time basis to convert spoken or video content into written text. These roles exist in all kinds of fields, from medical to legal, so consider choosing one based on your professional background. 

Captioning is another side hustle for SAHMs and SAHDs who don’t have a ton of time but can work on a per-project basis. Captioners create subtitles or captions across different media. This is to make the audio content more accessible to viewers. 

Online Surveys or Research Studies  

Estimated income range: Varies widely 

Online surveys usually pay in rewards points that can be converted into cash or gift cards. They might take a few minutes or several hours, with pay that often ranges from several cents to $50 per task. 

Participating in a research study is another flexible way to supplement your income. Volunteer clinical studies can pay a few hundred or several thousand dollars. However, these opportunities tend to be infrequent, making it tough to rely on them as a consistent source of income. 

Selling Digital Products 

Estimated income range: $16 to $63/hour 

Selling digital products involves creating downloadable items that customers can purchase online without physical inventory or shipping. Stay-at-home parents can sell a wide range of products, including printables, templates, planners, how-to guides, ebooks, music, or digital art.  

If you have a specific skill set or area of expertise, you may also be able to create and sell online courses. While creating products takes time upfront, digital items can often be sold repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort. 

Community Manager or Group Moderator  

Estimated income range: $15 to $44/hour 

If you’re looking for a break from kid-focused work, community management or group moderation can be a flexible alternative. As a community manager or group moderator, you help manage online forums and keep communities active and organized. 

This work is usually done remotely and allows for flexible scheduling. A background in marketing or social media helps, but it isn’t always required. Opportunities may be available through neighborhood associations, online forums, or members-only communities. 

Remote Event Support or Coordination  

Estimated income range: $17 to $48/hour 

Event planning and support roles can be highly rewarding, but also demanding. That’s why this type of work may be a better fit for stay-at-home parents with older kids or for those with more flexible schedules. 

In this role, you may help support virtual events by managing online registrations and coordinating logistics. This could mean collaborating with vendors or creating detailed itineraries and budgets. Most of the work is done online or over the phone. Some events will have an in-person element. 

Seasonal or Project-Based Tax Support  

Estimated income range: $14 to $48/hour 

If accounting appeals to you, seasonal tax support can be a practical short-term option. Demand is usually highest from January to April, but some clients need year-round support. 

Note that the IRS requires anyone who helps prepare tax returns to obtain an IRS-issued preparer tax identification number (PTIN). Earning a PTIN can also be a first step if you’re interested in becoming a tax preparer or exploring longer-term opportunities in tax or accounting support. 

Small Business Bookkeeping 

Estimated income range: $16 to $33/hour 

Bookkeepers help businesses organize and understand their financial records. Typical tasks include tracking income and expenses and managing transactions. 

This is a good job for stay-at-home parents who want to keep their career options open without committing to a full return to the workforce. The work is often predictable and usually done remotely with flexible hours. 

If you’re interested in this path, earning bookkeeping training or certification can help you build foundational skills.  

How Much Can Stay-at-Home Parents Earn From a Side Job? 

The typical side hustle brings in about $700 monthly, though actual earnings vary by: 

• How much time you commit to the work 
• Your skill level 
• How consistently you work (seasonal vs. part time) 
• Demand for the role 

While side hustles don’t always bring in life-changing money, they’re worthwhile for many stay-at-home parents. Even a few hundred extra dollars a month can help cover everyday expenses or create room to plan for your child’s future. 

And even if income isn’t your primary goal, taking on a side gig can help keep your skills relevant in case you decide to return to work (or start down a new career path). 

Can Stay-at-Home Jobs Turn Into Long-Term Opportunities 

Some stay-at-home side hustles for moms and dads stay small. They might bring in a little bit of cash and give you something else to do with your time, and that’s often enough. These roles can remain flexible and low-commitment for as long as you need them to. 

Other side jobs, however, can grow over time. Some might even blossom into a full-fledged career if that’s something that fits into your long-term goals. 

Are you interested in potentially pursuing a side hustle with career growth potential? Intuit Expert Careers outlines what those roles involve and how people often get started. That way, you can decide whether a longer-term option is right for you.   

Find Flexible Work that Fits You and Your Family’s Lifestyle 

The best jobs for stay-at-home parents support family life rather than compete with it. There’s no need to rush into something with the expectation that it will turn into a full-on career. Raising a family already comes with enough pressure. 

But you can explore your options and build your skills while balancing your other responsibilities. Go at your own pace, and try out different opportunities to see what works best for your lifestyle. 

If you’re interested in developing longer-term skills in areas like accounting or bookkeeping, online learning resources can help you explore those paths without committing right away. Educational programs, including online accounting classes offered through Intuit Academy, are designed to be flexible so you can learn while balancing other responsibilities. Find out what works for you today. 

FAQs 

How much money can stay-at-home parents expect to make from a side job?  

Stay-at-home side hustles often bring in a few hundred dollars a month. Earnings may be higher for those who dedicate more time to the gig or have a background in the field. 

How can stay-at-home parents spot scam work-from-home jobs? 

Be wary of any job posting that promises unusually high pay or is positioned as an instant hiring opportunity. You might also want to steer clear of companies with a vague or nonexistent online presence (or excessive negative reviews). And perhaps with the exception of reputable job boards, any role that asks you to pay money upfront to get hired is a strong red flag. 

Are the same type of stay-at-home jobs available to both stay-at-home moms and dads?

Yes. While there are fewer stay-at-home dads than moms, parents generally have access to the same types of side hustles. The best options depend more on individual skills and interests than on gender.