Finding easy jobs that pay well is not always easy. While many of us tend to think that it’s the harder jobs that offer the best pay, that’s not always the case.
Many factors are taken into consideration when determining how much a job should pay, including the number of qualifications you need, the value you bring to the company, how many people want to do that particular job, etc. Somewhere in between all of those things is a sweet spot where the job is easy but pays well.
Although some easy jobs do require some form of qualification at hand, getting such qualifications isn’t out of reach and can even be done on a part-time basis in most cases. Sometimes, all you need is a driver’s license! Many employers also offer on-the-job training, making bagging such a job even easier.
Whichever career path you take, there are many opportunities for jobs that pay well without the hassle and stress. The secret is knowing where to look.
15 Easy Jobs That Pay Well
Here are the highest paying easy jobs:
- Delivery Driver
- House Sitter
- Dog Walker
- Technical Writer
- Video Gamer Player/Tester
- Librarian
- Dietician
- Massage Therapist
- Personal Trainer
- Software Developer
- Tour Guide
- Food Critic
- Park Ranger
- Commercial Truck Driver
- Real Estate Broker
1. Delivery Driver
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent
- National Average Pay: $26.13/hr
As a delivery driver, you could be working for firms like UPS, FedEx, and other courier firms – or could be working as a driver for delivery apps and delivering restaurant orders, groceries, or packages.
Working for these delivery apps is a great way to make some extra cash – or it could even become a full-time job. All you need is a high school diploma or equivalent, and a driver’s license.
You’ll need to do some on-the-job training when you get started, but apart from that, the job itself doesn’t require any special skills or experience.
Depending on how much time you spend doing it and the company you work for, you can earn pretty good money (which is probably why it’s such a popular part-time job).
2. House Sitter
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: None
- National Average Pay: $14/hr
A house sitter’s job, as the name implies, involves sitting in someone else’s house. People tend to hire house sitters when they are going to be away for a while. Do keep in mind that the job involves a little bit more than just sitting.
As a house sitter, basic duties can include house cleaning, taking care of pets, collecting mail, and a few other things as the house owners might request. You can even find websites dedicated to introducing homeowners to house sitters with some homeowners looking for long-term sits as well.
This can also be a great job if you like to travel, allowing you to experience new places and cultures with free accommodation and a job in your pocket.
3. Dog Walker
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High School Diploma or GED
- National Average Pay: $32,362/year
As a dog walker, you’re paid to walk other people’s dogs.
If you love dogs, this can be one of the easiest jobs (and a great side hustle!). Dog walkers are paid hourly, with rates as high as $50 per hour. You can walk more than one dog at a time, multiplying the rate, but that depends on the number of leashes you can hold.
There are no formal education requirements for dog walkers, many animal care organizations will prefer applicants with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, according to the BLS.
You can find a job as a dog walker with a company with set hours and pay, or you can do it as a self-employed. Online you will also find portals that match dog owners with dog walkers helping you cut down on marketing expenses while still being able to find customers.
Having your own dog walking business can also allow you to diversify by offering pet sitting services to people going on trips. Do remember to check for any licenses and permits that might be required. According to Payscale, dog walkers earn between $26,433 and $40,387.
4. Technical Writer
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: No Specific Education Requirements (having a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or English is a bonus)
- National Average Pay: $62,362/year
Technical writers are mainly in charge of writing user and technical documentation, including manuals and other technical literature for software and hardware products. Unlike creative writers, you won’t need to come up with new ideas – the simpler and more concise the language, the better of a job you will do.
You don’t need any specific education to become a technical writer. If you have any technical or writing certificates or background, this will be of help. Knowing your way around IT systems is important, as is the ability to simplify complex IT terminology so that it can be easily understood.
While writing is mostly a solo job, some interaction with developers might be required. You might also be involved in different meetings to stay updated on upcoming changes and updates. These would need to be documented.
5. Video Game Player or Tester
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: No Specific Requirements
- National Average Pay: $101,790
As a video game tester (QA tester), you get to work with major companies testing games to make sure there are no bugs, and everything is working smoothly. As a professional video game player (aka pro gamer!), you get to compete in video game tournaments.
You’re probably wondering if I’m joking. Well, I’m not! If you enjoy playing video games, there are a few different jobs you can do as a video game player, including testing or even being a professional video game player competing in international tournaments.
To get hired as a tester, you will need some technical knowledge and an eye for detail. Many companies also offer remote work contracts. This allows you to work from the comfort of your own home.
As a professional video game player, you can make a lot of money (yep, it’s definitely on the list of high-paying jobs!). With many large-scale tournaments for e-sports and other multi-player genres, professional video gaming is a large market. Depending on the game, you might need a team or play solo with pay going as high as $15,000 per month.
Learn More:
6. Librarian
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: Master’s Degree
- National Average Pay: $52,561/year
Librarians collect, organize, and issue books, films, and other library resources. They work in libraries, museums, and schools.
If you love books, like helping people, and are interested in low-stress jobs, then being a librarian might very well be the perfect job for you. The right books can help people who are struggling, looking to grow themselves or just need a temporary escape from their day-to-day life.
Whichever librarian position you fulfill, you will be helping people in many different ways. Being surrounded by so many books is also a big plus if you’re a fan of reading. As a skilled librarian, you can make as much as $57,000 a year. Everything considered this is not bad pay at all!
Typical entry-level education is a Master’s degree (check out the American Library Association if you’re looking for more information). If getting a relevant Master’s degree isn’t an option; you can opt to become a Library Assistant or a Library Technician. While familiarity with computers might be required for either job, most employers provide training to inexperienced workers.
7. Dietician
- Degree/ Certificate Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition
- National Average Pay: $56,171/year
As a dietician, you’ll be helping clients eat better and healthier. With obesity being such a big problem, as a dietician, you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Dieticians also help people who have health issues such as cholesterol and diabetes eat healthier not to make their medical condition worse.
To become a dietician, you need a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field. Communication skills are essential, as are empathy and honesty without being hurtful. You will need to meet with clients, understand the problems they are going through, and then offer advice accordingly. Follow-ups and motivation are also essential parts of the job.
With the food we eat having a substantial impact on our quality of life, being a dietician has the potential to make a real positive change in people’s lives. In more extreme cases, a dietician’s work can save lives.
8. Massage Therapist
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: Pass an exam which is called the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- National Average Pay: $46,910/year
A massage therapist treats clients by using touch to massage the soft-tissue muscles of the body. Massage therapists rehabilitate injuries, relieve pain, reduce stress, and generally boost the well-being of their patients.
You’ll need to earn your certification to become a massage therapist, but it makes for a relatively easy job (that’s pretty well paid). Massage therapists need to pass an exam, which is called the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Once you pass the exam, you will need to apply for a Massage Therapy Licence before you can start working as a Licenced Massage Therapist (LMT).
The course lasts six months or a year, depending on if you study part-time or full-time. Once you sort out the license, you can expect a job that’s as free of stress as possible. After all, it is the job of the massage therapist to take away stress.
If you want to build your clientele, you will need to have a bit of business acumen. This will not only help you attract customers but make sure you earn a decent wage doing what you love.
9. Personal Trainer
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent
- National Average Pay: $43,046/year
As a PT, you help people achieve their fitness goals by designing a workout plan for them. You also get to spend time with clients at the gym, offering motivation and advice during their workouts.
If you enjoy spending time at the gym, becoming a personal trainer can be a fun and easy job. To become a good personal trainer, you will need to spend a lot of time at the gym. One benefit of this is that you’ll be in the best shape of your life. This is important as nobody wants a personal trainer who is out of shape.
You will need to get your certification done to legally practice. Once you become a qualified PT, you will also need to market yourself and your services to get a good amount of clients.
10. Software Developer
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology
- National Average Pay: $93,809/year
Software developers research, design, and implement programs. Their job often involves testing and evaluating new programs and deciding what needs to be changed in the existing programs. If you like working alone (and even remotely), this could be a perfect job for you.
You will need a degree of technical knowledge and probably need a bachelor’s degree in computing – but these days, you can also learn to code online as there’s an abundance of resources available.
11. Tour Guide
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent
- National Average Pay: $35,758/year
Tour guides essentially are there to guide groups of visitors to various tourist attractions or to accompany them on day trips (or even longer visits). They provide information and insights that enrich the visitor’s experience.
Being a tour guide is the perfect job for those who like to meet people and go to different places. You will need a deep understanding of the sites you tour as visitors might ask questions, and they will be looking to you for answers.
Depending on the company hiring you, you might need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to your touring duties. For more general tours, a high school diploma should be enough. To become a great tour guide, make sure you focus on your soft skills, including public speaking, time management, and organizational skills.
How much you make as a tour guide will depend on your specializations. Tour guides also tend to be busier in the high season when tourists visit the most.
12. Food Critic
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English or Related Subject
- National Average Pay: $42,667/year
A food critic is essentially a writer who’s paid to review restaurant food. They create original and engaging content that represents a particular restaurant – and evaluate the restaurant’s food presentation, serving size, flavor, etc.
Being a food critic is a dream job for many. Who wouldn’t like to try the newest and swankiest restaurants in town to then deliver their verdict? To find a career as a food critic, you’ll need to have a degree in journalism, and of course, you must be able to critique food.
Thanks to the internet and social media, you can also become a self-employed food critic. With many influencers being able to make good money giving their opinion about anything from make-up to video games, being a food critic influencer is something that is very much possible today.
Of course, you will also need some marketing and artistic skills to be able to attract and retain enough followers to make it profitable. The good news is that with sponsorships and advertising, it can actually be much easier than you think.
13. Park Ranger
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: bachelor’s degree or post-secondary education certificate and a minimum of 1-year experience at GS-4 level
- National Average Pay: $50,097/year
Park rangers patrol and supervise outdoor areas. Their job involves making sure that hikers, campers and other visitors don’t break the rules – like fire safety regulations, for example.
Being a park ranger has got to be one of the best jobs ever. Not only do you get to spend your working hours in beautiful parks, but you get to protect national treasures for generations to come.
To become a park ranger, you can qualify in one of two ways. The first route is through education, where you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a degree, then you can qualify by having a post-secondary education certificate and a minimum of 1-year experience at GS-4 level.
Once you join, there’s an academy that will help you become a ranger. Requirements can vary from one state to another. The NPS (National Park Service) has all of the information you need to know to make this dream a reality.
14. Commercial Truck Driver
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- National Average Pay: $57,712/year
A commercial truck driver essentially does long-haul trucking and will stay on the road for many days (especially during interstate routes), so it is probably a better job for the unattached.
If you enjoy driving, then becoming a truck driver might be a good job option. Entry-level drivers will need to complete on-the-job training before they can qualify (this normally takes several weeks), and a high school diploma (or equivalent). Many employers will ask for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). You’ll also need a clean driving record, of course – and to love driving, as you’ll be spending many hours behind the wheel.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 1.9 truck drivers in the United States, and nearly 100,000 are set to become truck drivers by 2028.
15. Real Estate Broker
- Degree/Certificate Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- National Average Pay: $81,902/year
Another fantastic job option if you’re looking for entry-level jobs is a real estate agent or broker. As a real estate agent, you’ll be doing your best to sell houses, which means in-person communication, lots of phone calls, as well as filing paperwork.
In terms of education requirements, all you need is a high school diploma or equivalent – but a college degree in a finance-related field could be useful. There will be on-the-job training involving classes to become certified.
Finding Easy Jobs That Pay Well
Winston Churchill once famously said that if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work again. Isn’t that the dream?
The easiest jobs to us are the ones we enjoy doing, so do make sure you choose something that involves tasks you enjoy doing.
Whether you’re looking to start fresh and need a job that requires no experience or are looking for a new career path, I hope this list will give you some ideas.
Do check out job boards like Careerbuilder, Glassdoor, and Indeed for job opportunities – and, hopefully, you’ll be able to land a job you love that also pays well.
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