40 Legitimate Work-From-Home Jobs With No Startup Fee

Updated April 18, 2024

While there are many work-from-home job opportunities in the workforce, not all allow you to start free-of-charge. If you're interested in starting your career without worrying about added expenses, knowing which remote jobs come without a startup fee makes it easier to narrow down your search. In this article, we explain how to find legitimate work-from-home opportunities and list 40 legitimate work-from-home jobs with no startup fees.Related: Everything You Should Know About Working From Home

How can you find legitimate work-from-home opportunities?

When looking for remote employment, you may come across a few scams. In order to find worthwhile opportunities, you can employ certain strategies to your job search. Use these tips to help you find legitimate work-from-home jobs in the workforce:

Use remote job boards. While you can always use a regular job board, a remote job site can help you narrow down your job search. Searching with this method typically presents you with vetted companies you can trust.
Read the job posts carefully. Read every remote job post and description thoroughly. Avoid jobs that seem too good to be true or that ask for your personal information.
Ask your network. Let your network know that you're looking for remote employment. If you're lucky, your network may know of work-from-home opportunities at legitimate companies.

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Legitimate work-from-home jobs with no startup fees

When you look for work-from-home jobs, consider your experience, skills and interests. Then, look for opportunities that match your qualifications. Consider these legitimate work-from-home jobs without a startup fee:

1. Customer service representative

National average salary: $38,964 per yearPrimary duties: Customer service representatives answer customer questions via phone, email, online chat, mail and social media. They verify their account information, process refunds, orders and exchanges and provide customers with information regarding a company's products.Related: Learn About Being a Customer Service Representative

2. Pet sitter

National average salary: $39,246 per yearPrimary duties: Pet sitters take care of a someone's pet while they're away. They feed them, groom them, bathe them and entertain them until their owners return.

3. Data entry clerk

National average salary: $40,389 per yearPrimary duties: Data entry clerks input information into a computer. They gather information and ensure the accuracy of the data.Related: Learn About Being a Data Entry Clerk

4. Call center agent

National average salary: $33,948 per yearPrimary duties: Call center agents respond to customer calls. They answer their questions, take their orders and provide them with helpful information. Call center agents also handle their product or service complaints.

5. Driver

National average salary: $57,916 per yearPrimary duties: Drivers typically transport people from one location to another. They perform maintenance checks on the vehicle, pick up and deliver purchases and determine the best navigation route.

6. Teacher

National average salary: $45,468 per yearPrimary duties: Teachers prepare lesson plans and materials for instruction. They administer tests, assign homework and help students achieve their academic potential. Teachers also grade assignments and inform each students' parents about their academic performance.Related: Learn About Being a Teacher

7. Transcriptionist

National average salary: $34,270 per yearPrimary duties: Transcriptionists listen to audio files and take shorthand notes based on what they hear. They review their transcriptions before finalizing them and keep them organized for use later on.

8. Mystery shopper

National average salary: $45,273 per yearPrimary duties: Mystery shoppers determine the quality of a company's products, the company's customer service and its store environment. They submit reports based on their findings.

9. Blogger

National average salary: $37,062 per yearPrimary duties: Bloggers generate post ideas, write blog posts and edit their content before publication on their blog. Then, they publish their posts and promote them on social media.

10. Pet groomer

National average salary: $48,414 per yearPrimary duties: Pet groomers bathe a variety of animals. They have several grooming duties including detangling their hair, checking for skin conditions, trimming their nails, cleaning their ears and brushing their teeth.

11. Telemarketer

National average salary: $60,583 per yearPrimary duties: Telemarketers cold call people with the goal of soliciting donations or making a sale. They answer calls from prospective customers and use scripts to make the best sales pitch.Related: Learn About Being a Telemarketer

12. Tax preparer

National average salary: $55,985 per yearPrimary duties: Tax preparers meet with their clients and prepare and submit their tax returns. They also audit tax forms and advise their clients regarding the tax preparation process.Related: Learn About Being a Tax Preparer

13. Animator

National average salary: $70,820 per yearPrimary duties: Animators use several images to create the illusion of rapid movement. They often work in film, television or in video game development.Related: Learn About Being an Animator

14. Babysitter/nanny

National average salary: $57,656 per yearPrimary duties: Babysitters take care of a child or children while their parents are away. They change their diapers, prepare their meals, entertain them and make sure they get to bed on time.Related: Learn About Being a Babysitter

15. Social media assistant

National average salary: $53,255 per yearPrimary duties: Social media assistants create social media posts, develop campaigns and use analytics to determine the success or failure of a social media campaign. They also research competitive brands and develop a company's online voice and image.

16. Bookkeeper

National average salary: $50,820 per yearPrimary duties: Bookkeepers maintain a company's financial records. They update and maintain the company's ledger, record its transactions and process its payments.Related: Learn About Being a Bookkeeper

17. Tailor

National average salary: $38,203 per yearPrimary duties: Tailors alter, modify and repair a variety of clothing garments for their customers. They take their customer's measurements, help them select the right fabric and schedule their fittings for alterations.

18. Virtual assistant

National average salary:$40,842 per year$39,728 per yearPrimary duties: Virtual assistants perform many clerical and administrative tasks. They respond to emails and phone calls, schedule meetings, make their travel plans and organize their manager's calendar.

19. Graphic designer

National average salary:$50,656 per year$40,272 per yearPrimary duties: Graphic designers create logos and designs for their clients. They meet with clients to determine their needs and to better understand their brand voice. They may create logos or design for menus, invitations or advertisements.Related: Learn About Being a Graphic Designer

20. Content writer

National average salary: $51,994 per yearPrimary duties: Content writers create marketing copy to promote a company's products or services. They perform research to better understand the topic they're writing about and use a content management system to prepare their drafts.

21. Freelance writer

National average salary: $74,316 per yearPrimary duties: Freelance writers create written copy for clients or companies on a non-contractual basis. They write on particular topic and edit their content as needed. They may also work alongside editors to improve their writing.

22. Interpreter

National average salary: $46,852 per yearPrimary duties: Interpreters take a message in one language and convert it into another language. They translate both oral and written communication.

23. Tech support specialist

National average salary: $54,916 per yearPrimary duties: Tech support specialists provide technical support to their clients or various businesses. They help with hardware and software issues and assist with installations and repairs.Related: Learn About Being a Technical Support Specialist

24. Social media manager

National average salary: $55,933 per yearPrimary duties: Social media managers grow their company's social media presence. They develop social media campaigns, create social media content and stay informed about the newest social media tools and trends.Related: Learn About Being a Social Media Manager

25. Proofreader

National average salary: $50,263 per yearPrimary duties: Proofreaders edit written content for spelling, grammar, punctuation and overall readability. They review written work and serve as a final quality check prior to the content's publication.

26. Personal trainer

National average salary: $49,966 per yearPrimary duties: Personal trainers create exercise plans for their clients. They demonstrate exercises, modify them to meet their clients' needs and monitor their client's progress. Personal trainers essentially work to improve their client's fitness and health.Related: Learn About Being a Personal Trainer

27. Translator

National average salary: $47,985 per yearPrimary duties: Translators read or listen to material in a source language and turn it to a second language. They make sure the meaning of the material or message remains the same.

28. English as a second language (ESL) teacher

National average salary:$45,711 per year$47,902 per yearPrimary duties: ESL teachers provide instruction regarding the English language. They prepare lesson plans to meet their students' needs and adapt to their learning style and speed.

29. Copy editor

National average salary: $39,501 per yearPrimary duties: Copy editors proofread text for grammar, spelling and adherence to style guides. They verify the factual accuracy of the content and ensure the content meets all editorial policies.

30. Travel agent

National average salary: $46,825 per yearPrimary duties: Travel agents create travel arrangements for their clients. They book lodging, handle their transportation and advise them about their destination's cultures or activities.Related: Learn About Being a Travel Agent

31. Freelance editor

National average salary: $71,677 per yearPrimary duties: Freelance editors read and proofread content on a non-contractual basis. They ensure the copy meets their client's standards and correct any grammar or spelling errors.

32. Store shopper

National average salary: $52,645 per yearPrimary duties: Store shoppers handpick items that a customer orders from a store and deliver these items to their residence. They also process payments through the phone or via an online app and respond to customer complaints and concerns.

33. Tutor

National average salary:$39,217 per year$51,938 per yearPrimary duties: Tutors help students prepare for tests, help them with their homework assignments and help them improve their study habits. Tutors also provide students with motivation as needed.Related: Learn About Being a Tutor

34. Accountant

National average salary: $59,606 per yearPrimary duties: Accountants prepare their client's accounts and tax returns. They analyze accounts, audit financial information, compile financial statements and ensure the accuracy of financial records.Related: Learn About Being an Accountant

35. Writer

National average salary: $57,379 per yearPrimary duties: Writers create content for a variety of readers. They choose a subject that interests readers and perform research to better understand the subject they're writing on.

36. Copywriter

National average salary:$58,458 per year$61,811 per yearPrimary duties: Copywriters write copy for a variety of mediums such as newsletters or blog posts. They aim to understand their client's requirements in order to make their products or services more appealing to consumers.Related: Learn About Being a Copywriter

37. Sales representative

National average salary: $69,403 per yearPrimary duties: Sales representatives promote products and services to prospective customers. They contact both new and existing customers, organize store shelves, attend sales meetings, demonstrate products and maintain a good relationship with prospective and current customers.Related: Learn About Being a Sales Representative

38. Voice over actor

National average salary: $57,853 per yearPrimary duties: Voice over actors lend their voices to characters in a movie, commercial, TV show or video game. They perform vocal exercises to prevent damage to their vocal cords and often work independently in a recording studio.

39. Therapist

National average salary: $61,727 per yearPrimary duties: Therapists help treat mental health disorders. They develop treatment plans based on their clients' needs and monitor their progress.

40. Consultant

National average salary: $75,020 per yearPrimary duties: Consultants perform research and conduct interviews to better understand a business' practices. They identify issues to determine how to solve them and provide suggestions to the company's executive leaders in an attempt to improve their business practices.