Some jobs lend themselves to flexible arrangements (like telecommuting, part-time, or temporary work) more than others. If you’re a medical transcriptionist, a customer service representative, or a graphic designer, you probably already know that your occupation translates well to working from home, for example. But what about jobs that seemingly require a physical presence, whether it’s in the classroom or the operating room? Don’t be so fast to assume that working from home, on a full- or part-time basis, is out of the question. FlexJobs’ latest list, 25 High-Potential Flexible Jobs for 2016, shows that many jobs provide opportunities to earn money while skipping the commute – at least some of the time.
(Photo Credit: Aleera/Flickr)
Of course, even looking beyond the usual telecommuting and part-time jobs, some fields are more likely to offer flexible opportunities than others. FlexJobs notes that healthcare, tech, and finance dominated the list of flexible jobs for the coming year. But that doesn’t mean that people working outside those fields should despair of finding a job that lets them work on their own terms.
“While some industries are better represented here than others, it’s important to note that flexible jobs are available across a wide range of career fields – from marketing to insurance, legal to healthcare, education to research, and many others,” said Sara Sutton Fell, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs, in a statement.
Here are just a few flexible jobs you might not expect to see on a list like this, together with their median annual salaries, typical education required, and occupational outlook, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
1. Accountant
Median Annual Salary: $47,563
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Occupational Outlook 2014-2024: 11 percent growth
Type of Flexible Work Available: Telecommuting, part-time, temporary, seasonal, freelance
Median Annual Salary: $41,561
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree (many schools require a Master’s Degree)
Occupational Outlook 2014-2024: 6 percent growth
Type of Flexible Work Available: Telecommuting, part-time, freelance
Median Annual Salary: $86,211
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s Degree
Occupational Outlook 2014-2024: 31 percent growth (grouped with Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives in the Occupational Outlook Handbook)
Type of Flexible Work Available: Part-time, flexible schedule, telecommuting, occasional, temporary
Median Annual Salary: $66,560
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Occupational Outlook 2014-2024: 34 percent growth
Type of Flexible Work Available: Part-time, flexible schedules, telecommuting, occasional
5. Surgeon
Median Annual Salary: $249,410
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Occupational Outlook 2014-2024: 14 percent growth (grouped with Physicians in the Occupational Outlook Handbook)
Type of Flexible Work Available: Telecommuting, part-time
Have a look at FlexJobs’ full list for more information, job openings in these fields, and other occupations that allow flexible work schedules.
Tell Us What You Think
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I work in corp finance and I have friends in all positions mentioned in this article and we all are able to work remotely when needed. So, yes, it is very true each of those positions allow for flexibility and telecommuting. I’ve filed more than one report from the beach on multiple occasions. The only drawback is your not going to be calling in sick, because your boss will still expect you to log in and do your job whether… Read more »
It’s all very well that you discuss careers that require a very high education, which means it is NOT relevant to the average reader. Maybe you should have also mentioned careers that don’t require a higher education (i.e. private investigator; virtual administrator; researcher; sub-contacted paralegal; etc…)….
Telecommuting Surgeons? Maybe in a decade it will be reality and we will get surgeries over internet…
The key to this article is in the heading “…flexible jobs YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT”. So with this info we can learn how to MAKE these careers flexible. Always a good read, thank you!
Most of your comments show a lack of intelligence at every angle. All of grow up and get some help.
I think it’s funny that they show a picture of a Mom and her child on the computer, pretending she is working, and one of the “flex” jobs is a surgeon…lol. I am a Physician Recruiter so it is 100% true, but a little misleading for the article.
Yes , article is accurate. Physical Therapist ‘s are performing exercises and training through a TV monitor that is set up in the patient’s home . The VA has started such a program . The Doctor’s and the nurses use it also. I have friends that are RN’s and they work from home . I think you all need to check out services before you bad mouth the author. I think they do their homework well. I love the information… Read more »
Looks like the comment by Gabe Flores wasn’t looked over by his editor. Moron
Boy, you guys are harsh! Okay, it’s not a very in-depth article, but as with all blog articles, but it’s a helpful guide into not-so-obvious industries and resources with the various links. The author expressly talked about positions that offer not strictly telecommuting, but a blend with flexible hours, part-time, occasional, etc. Of course, she’s not talking about a full-time permanent position with benefits–many of these types of positions are contract, temporary, part-time or, as in the case of a… Read more »
Can someone define “flexible” for me. I believe it would mean work your own schedule. I don’t think if there are emergencies at the ER that a surgeon can just say ” well I don’t think I’ll work today, call someone else”. I would assume flexible would be more of the personal trainer or yoga instructor type. Or how about a part time cook as stated in an ad in a newspaper. I think I might go to a school… Read more »
I kept waiting for the big reveal that this was leading to big joke or that today is “opposite day”. The author is either drunk, stupid, or both. If you’re going to simply make stuff up at least choose careers that aren’t the antithesis of your subject matter. How many other articles have I read here are as equally factually baseless but less obviously so?Unsubscribing.
While I agree that the jobs listed definitely don’t align with the title, I would never be so mean as to call the author names or insult her intelligence. I do, however, think that Pay scale should refrain from sending us emails with false attention catching titles. I think actually investing the time and effort towards researching and producing quality articles would better benefit your audience.
This is a sad waste of time. please explain how a physical therapist can phone it in? Or a surgeon… just because you phone it in does not mean everyone else can.
Please stop writing articles while drinking. Just seek help.
What garbage. On what planet does Jen Hubley Luckwaldt live?
This article is a ridiculous waste of time to read. I’m very close to unsubscribing from this site. The articles are NOT helpful at all, are riddled with opinions rather than facts and filled with utter drivel. A SURGEON IS NOT A FLEXIBLE POSITION. Anyone who writes this has an IQ bordering on moron level. Elementary school teacher is NOT A FLEXIBLE POSITION. You have to be there EVERY day school is open. It is not part time. It is… Read more »
This article is a joke. There are no feilds that they had discussed in the introduction. Plus they are probably the most recognized flexjobs out there. Looks like yet another half ass article passed through another Editor. This was a waste of time. Thanks.