Obviously, being a parent is a full-time job in itself. And if you’re a single parent, it’s like working overtime, 24/7! Of course, no matter how busy you are with your kids, the bills still have to be paid, which is where the best jobs come from for moms without a degree.
Not having a college degree isn’t a deal breaker
Working to support your children is a common stressor for almost all parents. In particular, if you do not have a degree, you may worry about what this will mean for your career prospects, your earning power, and your ability to provide for your family.
But no matter what you’ve heard, there are plenty of career opportunities that don’t require a college degree. Even if you are a mother without a degree, you can still earn a good living to support your family.
It is possible to juggle work and childcare
Obviously, trying to find a good work-life balance is difficult for everyone. Notably, it is particularly challenging for women because we often have more childcare responsibilities than men.
In fact, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that women do an extra hour a day of housework and childcare than men!
Unfortunately, this work-life balance challenge is exacerbated if you’re a single mother. But don’t worry, this list includes the best jobs for single moms without a college degree!
Above all, it’s important to remember not to put pressure on yourself to be perfect. Instead, remind yourself that you can find a way to make things work for you — even if you don’t have a college degree.
Having said that, let’s get into these great functions.
Top 15 Jobs for Moms Without a Degree
College isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay. Whether you haven’t gone yet or you never plan to continue, there are plenty of ways to make a living without a college degree.
These are the best jobs for moms without a degree:
1. A childcare provider
Average salary: $27,000/year
A childcare provider takes care of children – and there are many different ways to do this. For example, you can work for an agency, work as a nanny for a specific family, or even turn your home into a daycare center.
However, keep in mind that doing so may require obtaining specific licenses depending on the state in which you live.
Most importantly, childcare providers often have opportunities to receive discounted childcare for their children, which is a huge win.
requirements:
- Love taking care of children
- Licenses in case of opening a private nursery
2. Customer Service Representative
Average salary: $36,000/year
Above all, a customer service representative serves as the direct point of contact between customers and the company.
Specifically, you are responsible for helping answer all of their questions about a product or service via phone, email, or chat.
requirements:
- If you work from home, you will need strong WiFi
- The ability to multitask
3. Sales representative
Average salary: $54,000/year
One of the advantages of working in sales is that you can work in almost any industry, for example, insurance, real estate, medical devices, automobiles, and so on. Moreover, the sky is the limit when it comes to how much you can earn a month.
Many Sales Associates work on a mix of pay and commission, which means if you’re good at what you do, you can really bring home the big bucks!
requirements:
- Some employers may require sales associate certifications
4. Hairdresser
Average salary: $28,000 per year
Hair stylist can shampoo, cut, dye and style hair. Like many jobs that don’t require a degree, there’s a lot of variation in a hairstylist’s salary.
For example, while you might start out with a low salary, with experience, you could end up working in very high-end salons where clients pay three or four figures for hair cutting and colouring.
requirements:
5. Fitness trainer
Average salary: $45,000 per year
In general, a fitness trainer is a person who provides physical training, either in a class or one-on-one.
More specifically, a fitness instructor can teach yoga, pilates, weightlifting, aerobics, and basically any type of physical exercise.
Fitness trainers usually work in gyms or fitness centers, but you can also start your own business and work as a freelancer.
Starting a business offers a lot of options, so any job that allows you to do so is one of the best jobs for moms without a college degree.
requirements:
- Fitness skills
- relevant certificates
6. Translator
Average salary: $49,000 per year
First, it is important to understand that an interpreter is different from an interpreter. A translator usually translates written texts, which must then be notarized if they are legal documents.
Conversely, the interpreter translates the information out loud in real time. In addition to other places, you can work in a hospital or in a government or educational facility.
requirements:
- Fluency in a language(s) other than English
- May require certification
7. Social media manager
Average salary: $52,000 per year
The Social Media Manager must plan, develop and implement across different social media platforms. You can work for an agency, just one company, or for yourself as a freelancer.
As a freelancer, you can work with just about anyone, including local small businesses and individuals.
requirements:
- Technology and pop culture expert
- Familiarity with various social media platforms
8. Graphic designer
Average salary: $49,000 per year
Graphic designers combine art and technology to create visuals. Once you start to think about it, you will see graphic designers work everywhere!
For example, graphic designers create brochures, logos, advertisements, social media graphics, e-books, book covers, etc. Like many creative jobs that do not require a degree, you can work for an agency, a company, or as a freelancer.
requirements:
- Technology and design skills
- Proprietary (and often very expensive) design software, such as Photoshop, InDesign, etc.
9. Writer
Average salary: $68,000 per year
If it’s something you read online, it’s probably written by a writer! Just think of all those blogs, articles, newsletters, e-books, and other written content you see every day… someone must have written them!
Best of all, as a professional writer, you can work with companies to produce content in almost any category, from lifestyle to cooking, fashion, health, technology, etc.
requirements:
- Writing savvy
- Research skills
10. Photographer
Average salary: $44,000/year
Traditionally, people imagine photographers being hired to work at weddings or take family photos. But the opportunities for photographers today are limitless!
For example, you can work with bloggers, journalists, event planners, fashion designers, and many more. Usually, photographers work as freelancers, so this is also a great side hustle to consider alongside your day job.
And any job that is a side hustle is among the best jobs for moms without a degree due to how easy it is to make money and having a flexible schedule.
requirements:
- Imaging equipment
- editing software
- Photography skills
11. Accountant
Average salary: $43,000/year
Basically, an accountant is responsible for monitoring the company’s cash flow. For example, this could mean tracking transactions, keeping copies of receipts, etc. As an accountant, you can work directly for a company or start your own business as a freelancer.
Here’s a tip: When it comes to freelancing, think local! All businesses need an accountant – this includes local, convenience stores and convenience stores.
requirements:
- Bookkeeping skills (can be learned from online courses)
- Pay attention to the details
12. Data entry clerk
Average salary: $38,000/year
A data entry clerk adds and updates data information in databases. In addition, you may also be responsible for other clerical activities, such as compiling and sourcing data.
requirements:
- Fast typing skills
- Pay attention to the details
- You may need certain computer software, such as Microsoft
13. Copyist
Average salary: $44,500/yr
A transcriber listens to audio recordings and transcribes the information, usually into a word processing program, such as Word. It is worth noting that transcribers are most in demand in the medical industry.
Additionally, like many other non-degree jobs, you can choose to work for an agency, for a specific company, or for yourself as a freelancer.
requirements:
- Fast typing skills
- Pay attention to the details
- You may need to purchase special copying equipment
14. Virtual assistant
Average salary: $59,000 per year
The virtual assistant market is growing rapidly — and it’s only expected to continue. For this reason, becoming a virtual assistant is one of the best jobs for organized moms without degrees.
As a Virtual Assistant, you provide administrative support. For example, typical duties include managing phone and email, taking notes, customer service, data gathering, event planning, and so on.
Of course, these duties will vary depending on the specific employer and whether you work for a single agency or company or as a freelance worker.
requirements:
- Strong multi-tasking, organizational and time management skills
- Basic computer skills
15. Shopper
Average salary: Miscellaneous (Instacart shopper)
Average salary: $33,000 per year (personal shopper)
You can work full time as a personal shopper, and among the best jobs for moms without a degree, it is one of the most fun and diverse.
For example, you might work as a personal shopper and help customers choose clothes, shoes, and other items such as furniture.
Or you can work with a service like Instacart. Essentially, people place their orders online, and you are responsible for going to the store, picking up the items, and delivering them to the customer. Usually, these orders are for groceries.
Unfortunately, being a shopper gives you little control over how often you can work, so you can’t predict how much you’ll earn in a day. But if you’re looking for a part-time gig, this could be a great option.
requirements:
- Get transportation
- driver’s license
The best jobs for bachelor Mothers without a degree
Work-life balance is definitely a challenge for everyone – but you play at an expert level when you’re a single mom!
In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, “a recent survey found that 9.8 million working mothers—nearly 30% more than working fathers—say they experience burnout in the workplace, with cases higher among Black, Asian, and Latina mothers.”
Furthermore, Harvard Business Review reveals that “single mothers living alone with their children were more likely than mothers in multi-adult households to say that their work productivity decreased as a result of their care responsibilities (57% to 47%).”
Finding flexibility in your career as a single mom
If you’re a single mom struggling with work-life balance, finding flexibility in your work can help make things more manageable.
Plus, having the option to decide to work from home makes things a lot easier — especially if you can control your own hours.
A shortlist of the best careers for single moms
Of the above options, these are the best jobs for single moms without degrees who want a flexible schedule:
- Child care provider
- Customer service representative
- Social Communication Manager
- Graphic designer
- Freelance writer
- accountant
- Data entry employee
- copier
- virtual assistant
You do not need a certificate to support your family!
Sure, you can find flexible, stable work that will help support your family – even if you don’t have a college degree. Despite what you might think, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started.
For example, not only can you think of ways to save money as a mom, but you can also discover how to create a great budget. Finally, be sure to check out our list of more jobs that pay well even if you don’t have a college degree!