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If you’re interested in finding a new way to earn a living or supplement your income, you might wonder: what are the best independent contractor jobs? Don’t worry. We’ve saved you some time and compiled a list of our top picks here. So, dive in and find the right gig for you!
If you’re interested in landing a job as an independent contractor, start your search on ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click.
What Are Independent Contractors?
Independent contractors are self-employed small business owners or freelancers. They earn money by completing work for clients, not an employer. Independent contractors:
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Direct their own work
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Sometimes have schedule and location independence (especially if they complete projects remotely on their computer)
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Pay their own taxes (their clients don’t withhold tax from their pay)
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Can write off their business-related expenses at tax time
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Secure their own benefits (they’re not eligible for their clients’ employee benefits because they’re not employees)
Being an independent contractor may seem less stable and predictable (your income will fluctuate based on the projects you take on). However, if you work with multiple clients at once, you have income diversification by default, which gives you more financial assurance than relying on income from just one employer. Plus, independent contractors can earn more than employees if they have in-demand skills, charge appropriately for their expertise, and work efficiently.
Pro Tip: If you’ve never been an independent contractor before, you might want to take some freelancing courses or read up on how to become a freelancer.
9 Of The Best Independent Contractor Jobs
Here are nine of the best independent contractor jobs:
Delivery Driver
Median National Salary: $29,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 1.4 million+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 12% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Delivery drivers transport people and goods to a set destination. As a delivery driver, you may bring customers groceries, take-out meals, or online purchases.
Related: Postmates Delivery Driver Review
Photographer
Median National Salary: $38,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 110,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 17% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Photographers take and edit photographs of people, places, and events. As a photographer, you could capture images of a bride, a newborn baby, a home for sale, a stunning landscape, a college graduation ceremony, and more.
Landscaper
Median National Salary: $35,000+
Education Required: None (but some companies may require a high school diploma or equivalent)
Number of Jobs: 1.2 million+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (as fast as average)
Job Duties: Landscapers ensure that property grounds are attractive and safe. As a landscaper, you could cut grass, trim trees and bushes, plant flowers, and more.
Mason
Median National Salary: $48,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 280,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 2% (decline)
Job Duties: Masons build structures out of bricks and concrete blocks. As a mason, you could help construct a wall, home, or business.
Roofer
Median National Salary: $47,000+
Education Required: None (but some companies may require a high school diploma or equivalent)
Number of Jobs: 153,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 5% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Roofers install, replace, or fix roofs. As a roofer, you may work on residential or commercial properties.
Plumber
Median National Salary: $59,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 469,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 5% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Plumbers install and fix plumbing systems in buildings. As a plumber, you may work at homes or businesses.
Carpenter
Median National Salary: $48,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 942,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 2% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Carpenters build structures out of wood. As a carpenter, you may frame a house, build cabinets, or create custom furniture.
Electrician
Median National Salary: $60,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 729,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% (as fast as average)
Job Duties: Electricians install, fix, and maintain electrical systems. As an electrician, you could work on residential or commercial buildings.
Real Estate Agent
Median National Salary: $48,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 518,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Real estate agents help their clients buy, rent, or sell properties. As a real estate agent, you might specialize in brokering deals for either residential or commercial properties.
Where To Find Independent Contractor Jobs
You can find independent contractor jobs in various places. Here are three websites you should check out:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is an online marketplace where you can quickly find and apply for independent contractor jobs, or gigs. Just enter your search terms, filter your results, and submit your resume to the best matches.
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is a well-known job aggregator that pulls gig listings from all over the internet and displays them with one search. The platform functions similarly to ZipRecruiter in that you can search and apply for jobs without leaving the website.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
LinkedIn is the leading social media platform for professionals. You can use the website to find and apply for gigs, advertise your services, and connect with potential clients.
For more information, check out our LinkedIn review.
Pro Tip: If you want to expand your search for the best independent contractor jobs, check out our suggestions for the best freelance sites.
The Bottom Line
If you want to become self-employed or earn some extra cash, it’s a smart idea to look into popular independent contractor jobs. But, before you start your job search, consider revamping your resume through one of our picks for the best resume writing service. Then, you’ll be ready to apply for exciting gigs through ZipRecruiter!