Remote Part Time Jobs That Pay $20+ an Hour (and How to Spot the Fake Ones)
You may have a few hours free after class, family responsibilities, or another job, but you still need work that pays fairly. Remote part time jobs can offer that flexibility, and some do pay $20 or more an hour. The key is to focus on roles where your skills match the work, check how pay is calculated, and verify each employer before you share personal information.
Remote part-time jobs that can pay $20+ an hour
Pay depends on your experience, location, schedule, and whether you’re hired as an employee or an independent contractor. National wage figures are useful reference points, but they are not guarantees of what a remote part-time opening will pay. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports occupation-wide medians, not remote or part-time rates.
1. Customer service representative
Remote customer service jobs involve helping customers by phone, email, or chat. Some employers hire for part-time shifts, including evenings and weekends. The BLS reports a national median wage of $21.53 an hour for customer service representatives. Actual offers vary, and entry-level roles may pay less.
Look for experience requirements, scheduled hours, training details, and whether the role is phone-based or chat-based. If you have relevant skills, browse customer service jobs.
2. Online tutor
Tutoring can suit students, teachers, retirees, and professionals with strong knowledge of a school subject, test, or language. The BLS reports a national median of $20.84 an hour for tutors. Rates can differ by subject and experience, while freelance tutors may spend unpaid time preparing lessons or finding students.
Search for subjects you can confidently teach, such as algebra, writing, or exam preparation. Check whether the role sets a schedule or lets you choose your availability. Explore tutor openings.
3. Bookkeeping support
Part-time bookkeepers may organize transactions, reconcile accounts, prepare invoices, or help small businesses maintain financial records. The BLS reports a national median of $24.36 an hour for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks. This figure covers the occupation overall, not just remote or part-time jobs.
Experience with spreadsheets or accounting software can help. If a job is freelance, include time spent communicating with clients and managing records when you work out your effective hourly rate. Browse bookkeeper jobs.
4. Virtual assistant
Virtual assistants (VAs) help businesses with tasks such as scheduling, inbox organization, document formatting, customer follow-up, and data entry. Pay varies widely: general administrative work may start below $20, while specialized support (such as calendar management, bookkeeping, or customer relationship management (CRM)) may pay more.
Ask what tasks the employer expects and how many hours are available. For freelance work, remember to account for time spent finding clients and handling administrative tasks.
5. Technical support
Remote technical support workers help people solve software, device, or account problems by phone, chat, or email. The BLS reports a national median of $30.24 an hour for computer support specialists overall, but part-time openings may have different rates and schedules.
This can be a good target if you already have troubleshooting experience or are comfortable learning specific tools. Check whether the job requires technical knowledge, fixed shifts, or weekend availability.
6. Transcription
Transcription involves turning recorded speech into written text. Some roles are remote and flexible, but pay may be based on audio minutes or completed assignments rather than time worked. The BLS reports a $19.43 an hour median for medical transcriptionists, so transcription is not a reliable route to $20 an hour for everyone.
Before accepting a per-audio-minute rate, estimate how long it takes you to transcribe and review a typical recording. Poor audio and specialized terminology can slow the work down. Medical or legal transcription may require additional knowledge or training.
What $20 an hour means in practice
At 20 hours a week, a $20 hourly rate comes to $400 in gross pay per week, or about $20,800 over 52 weeks if you consistently get those hours. That is before taxes, unpaid time, or work-related costs.
Ask whether the rate applies to all working time, including training, meetings, and required preparation. If you’re an independent contractor, you may also need to set aside money for taxes and cover your own equipment or software. A high advertised rate is only useful if the hours are available and the pay terms are clear.
How to spot and avoid work-from-home job scams
Scammers often use remote-work listings to ask applicants for money or personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises job seekers not to pay to get a job. Take these checks before you apply:
- Never pay upfront. Be wary of fees for applications, training, equipment, starter kits, or access to assignments. A legitimate employer generally does not require you to pay to start work.
- Be cautious of vague descriptions. A real listing should explain the tasks, expected hours, qualifications, and pay method. “Easy online work” with little detail is a reason to pause.
- Verify the company and vacancy. Search for the employer’s official website and look for the same opening on its careers page. Contact the company using details listed on its own website, not only a number or email supplied by a recruiter.
- Watch for fake-check requests. Do not deposit a check and send money back, buy gift cards, or purchase equipment from a specific seller using money you were sent. A check can appear to clear and later be rejected, leaving you responsible for the funds.
- Protect sensitive information. Don’t share bank details or your Social Security number with an unverified recruiter. Employers may need this information during secure onboarding, after you have confirmed the offer and hiring process.
The FTC also warns about fake recruiters who contact people unexpectedly, provide few details, and then request money or use fake-check tactics. If something feels rushed or unclear, stop and verify it independently. Read the FTC’s full advice on job scams.
Practical tips for finding legitimate remote part-time jobs
A focused search can save time and help you compare offers fairly.
- Choose a role that fits your existing skills. Start with customer service, tutoring, bookkeeping, virtual assistance, transcription, or technical support. Add specific skills to your search, such as “QuickBooks,” “math tutor,” or “chat support.”
- Use targeted search terms. Try phrases such as “part-time remote customer support,” “evening online tutor,” or “remote bookkeeping assistant.” Specify your state if the listing may be limited to certain locations.
- Check the schedule and pay details. Confirm the hourly rate, how many hours are available, whether shifts are fixed, and whether training is paid. For contract work, clarify whether you’re paid by the hour, task, or completed assignment.
- Compare the listing with the employer’s website. Check that the job title, duties, and recruiter details match. Save a copy of the listing so you can refer to its terms later.
- Use more than one route. Browse current part-time job listings and check each posting for remote eligibility. You can also set up job alerts so relevant openings are easier to track.
If you’re also considering part time work near me, compare local roles with remote ones. Remote jobs can save commuting time, but some require fixed shifts, a quiet workspace, or residence in a specific state. Read the full description before you apply for part time jobs, and tailor your resume to the duties listed.
Frequently asked questions
Can remote part-time jobs really pay $20 an hour?
Yes. Customer service, tutoring, bookkeeping, technical support, and specialized virtual assistant roles can reach or exceed $20 an hour. Pay varies, and national occupational medians are not promises about a particular remote opening.
Which remote part-time job is best if I have no experience?
Start with roles that use skills you already have, such as customer service, basic administrative support, or tutoring in a subject you know well. Check each listing for training and experience requirements; entry-level rates may be lower than $20 an hour.
Is transcription a dependable way to earn $20 an hour?
Not always. Some transcription work pays by the recording rather than by the hour, so your actual earnings depend on speed, audio quality, and available assignments. Calculate your pay using the full time you spend working.
Take the next step
Remote work can fit around other responsibilities, but pay, hours, and legitimacy all matter. Choose a role that matches your skills, verify the employer, and compare the actual schedule and pay terms, not just the headline rate. When you’re ready, search remote part-time openings on Part Time Jobs Near Me.