The Top 10 Online Jobs for Students to Earn Money at Home


If you’re looking to start earning some money to pay your bills and keep the lights on, but don’t want to work at an actual job, online jobs might be the answer. A variety of services exist that will hire students with little-to-no previous experience and train them on how to complete simple tasks at home, often on their own schedule. The best part about these jobs? They can be done from anywhere in the world with an internet connection!


1) Tutoring other students

Whether you're a recent graduate, student, or just plain smart, being a tutor is an easy way to make money in your spare time. It can also be a great (and meaningful) way to dip your toe into employment while maintaining a steady flow of income—and help pave your way toward better job opportunities. Many tutoring services provide you with information on potential students and their learning style preferences so that you can easily find assignments and students who match your learning abilities and personality. By becoming certified as an online tutor, you may also gain access to higher paying opportunities through sites like TutorVista or VIPKid (as reviewed by The Penny Hoarder).


2) Getting paid to be a survey taker

There are a lot of opportunities out there for folks who want to take surveys online. While many survey jobs require you to have a certain demographic or qualification, there are also some that do not. One company called Pinecone Research consistently ranks as one of the best survey sites where you can make money taking surveys because they pay you cash and in points rather than with a gift card or with vouchers for your favorite retailers. You’ll earn points by filling out online surveys, which can be redeemed later on for cash through PayPal or for gift cards from Amazon, Target and Walmart among other places. In addition to taking live surveys, you can also invest in Pinecone’s ongoing research studies—there are more than four million members currently enrolled in their studies from all around the world.

Online jobs for students to earn money at home
Online jobs for students to earn money at home

3) Doing data entry

Just because you’re still in school doesn’t mean you can’t make money online. If you have a computer, an internet connection, and basic typing skills, you can start earning money today. Many companies pay web-based workers (sometimes called remote workers) who handle various online tasks like data entry and media downloads as well as offering customer service or acting as product descriptions. Check out some of my favorite work-at-home jobs that pay cash below!


4) Being an online translator

Most of us have been in a situation where we’ve needed someone who speaks another language. You can make money as an online translator—from English into any other tongue—and if you’re bilingual, it’s not hard to get started. Through a program like Translator Connect, you can translate short blocks of text (known as translates) and make money instantly through PayPal. Each block is usually around 20 words and you can do as many or as few translates as you want per day. The rate usually works out to between $2 and $3, so if you translate ten words every day, that adds up to roughly $70 a month depending on how much work your client needs from you.


5) Answering people’s questions

As a student, you probably have experience and knowledge in many areas. That’s why it’s easy for students to earn money answering questions online. Whether through forums or with sites like Yahoo Answers, students can make good money by helping others. Although people are often willing to pay a little bit more, you can usually find people who will hire you to answer basic questions for free—after all, they just want answers!


6) Creating YouTube videos

Many teenagers spend their time watching YouTube videos, so why not turn that time into money by creating some of your own? If you’re an entertaining person, try making a series of videos and posting them on YouTube. You could make money from display ads or end up going viral if you’re funny. Another good way to earn money on YouTube is through Google AdSense (see #4 below).


7) Playing games and getting rewarded for it

Aside from earning money, you can also make money by playing games. Who wouldn’t love playing games and getting rewarded? Tasks are usually simple and include things like solving a captcha, watching a video or even just clicking on an ad. However, it is crucial that you don’t forget about your studies when doing any of these jobs as you may end up losing a whole day without getting anything done. Still, it may be one of those little side gigs that could end up supplementing your income quite nicely!


8) Taking online surveys

Most online surveys pay between $1 and $5, but some can pay as much as $25. Surveys are a great way to earn extra cash from home or pick up some regular income. The best survey sites are ones that offer recurring surveys – these help you build your paycheck and boost your biweekly paycheck when you aren’t taking surveys. Some examples of these sites include Pinecone Research, Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Harris Poll Online. Many other reputable survey sites are available that are free to join but don’t always have jobs for students available (these may be great opportunities if you’re looking for general market research). Be sure to use trusted online resources when searching online and ensure you get paid quickly.


9) Writing articles or blog posts

Freelance writing, blogging and other online jobs can be great ways to earn money from home. A few years ago you could have easily found a job as a virtual assistant or personal assistant. However, now most companies are going with full-time employees instead of freelancers. Because of that shift many people who used to make money working from home either had their hours cut or lost their jobs entirely. So if you’re still looking for legitimate opportunities as a student I suggest browsing through FlexJobs , one of my favorite sites because they screen every single job posting they get (many sites just accept any posting). If you do find work online consider setting up your schedule so that you work during times when students typically don’t go on homework breaks.


10) Becoming a mystery shopper

Mystery shopping can be a great way to make some extra cash from home. While it isn’t technically a job, it does require you to dedicate your time and attention to get paid. Mystery shoppers are sent out on assignments—such as checking into a restaurant or visiting a store—and then provide written feedback about their experiences. Sometimes these jobs take just an hour or two; sometimes they take several days.