30 Jobs for Stay At Home Dads

Published on: November 29, 2023

Updated on: November 1, 2024

Life as a stay-at-home dad can be pretty challenging, especially since finding people who can relate to your challenges is hard. One major issue you’re likely facing is making a living while spending as much time as possible with your kids.

Thankfully, plenty of jobs and side hustles suit stay-at-home dads very well. You can find a wide range of roles that fit any personality type, whether you’re an extrovert who likes talking to new people or an introvert who prefers creative work.

This guide will walk you through 20 different jobs and side hustles that you can explore to improve your life. Along the way, you’ll discover how many people are in the same position as you and how you can all benefit from taking on home-based jobs and side hustles.

Key Takeaways

Stay-at-home parenting is not a new concept, but what is new is the increase in how many dads are staying home.
Stay-at-home dads can find flexible jobs at home in a more work-from-home economy.
The most common stay-at-home parent jobs include data entry, customer service, proofreading, and writing.

Blog Contents

How Many Stay At Home Dads Are There?

The life of a stay-at-home (SAH) dad is challenging in many ways, which can make you feel isolated at times. However, one thing that you might find comforting is the knowledge that you’re not alone.

According to Pew Research Centre, the number of dads in this role has climbed significantly since the 1980s. Back in 1989, dads only accounted for 11% of stay-at-home parents.

However, that number has jumped up to 18% now in 2023 and is projected to increase. In other words, stay-at-home dads are a lot more common now than many people might think, even dads themselves.

This information is helpful in many ways. Firstly, many people find it comforting to know that others are going through the same challenges as they do daily.

More importantly, it also means much more information about how dads can navigate their challenges. That’s especially true thanks to the internet and online support groups where stay-at-home dads can share information.

What Are the Benefits of Stay At Home Jobs?

The challenges of recent years have forced many people to work from home. Despite how many restrictions have been lifted, workers worldwide refuse to give up their remote work arrangements because of the unique benefits they offer.

Some of the most essential benefits of work-from-home jobs include the following:

Lower costs. Firstly, working from home reduces many of the costs you’d normally spend going to a regular job. For example, you won’t have to pay so much for gas, parking, or food if you work at home instead of an office.
Flexibility. Working from home also frees up a lot of time in your day, giving you plenty of flexibility. For example, you can complete essential errands between work tasks, like preparing meals for your children or cleaning your home.
Independence. Work-from-home jobs are also known for providing you with more autonomy. That means you can decide how to spend your time without a boss looking over your shoulder, making you a more effective and efficient worker overall.
Better parenting. When you combine all of the unique benefits above, you can provide your children with better parenting. They’ll enjoy having more personal time with you, and you can take a much more hands-on approach to parenting.

These benefits have been enough to make many male and female parents want to work from home to be closer to their kids.

Still, dads used to traditional 9-to-5 work arrangements might need help finding where to begin searching for a home-based job.

5 facts about stay-at-home dads

20 Jobs for Stay-At-Home Dads

There are plenty of options out there for jobs and side hustles that you can choose from to make additional side income. Many of them are flexible, allowing you to try them on as part-time work before committing to doing them full-time.

So, check out how to make money with these 20 stay-at-home dad jobs and try to find the ones that suit you the best:

1. Customer Service Representative

Suppose you like interacting with new people and don’t mind speaking on the phone. In that case, the first role you’ll want to consider is that of the customer service representative.

These jobs are flexible, meaning you can find part-time and full-time opportunities with many organizations. They enable you to earn by answering calls and emails right from the comfort of your home.

2. Data Entry Specialist

Dads who are more introverted and prefer not to deal with people all the time can also consider working as a data entry specialist.

In this kind of role, you focus on updating various databases with information. For example, you might spend time keying customer names, phone numbers, and other details into a system so other employees can access them easily.

3. Recruiting Coordinator

Large organizations always look for new people to hire across many different roles. As such, many of them hire recruiting coordinators who can work from home instead of having to come to the office.

Your primary responsibility in this role is to work with job candidates and hiring managers. For example, you’ll contact them to schedule an in-person interview with someone from the company.

4. Proofreader

As you’ll see throughout this list, many work-from-home jobs for dads involve the field of writing. In this first example, you could work as a proofreader who checks other people’s work.

You are responsible for looking for grammatical mistakes and other issues, and highlighting them so they can be corrected.

5. Writer or Blogger

Of course, you can also make money by being the person who does the writing in the first place.

You’re truly spoilt for choice regarding the type of media you want to write for. For instance, you could write novels, contribute to newspaper or magazine columns, or start a blog.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to writing, as every field you can think of requires written content in some shape or form!

6. Transcriptionist

Being a writer requires a certain degree of creative thinking, and only some enjoy doing that. If you prefer a writing job that doesn’t need much original thought, you can consider working as a transcriptionist.

Simply put, this job requires you to listen to recordings of people talking and writing down what they say. So, to be good at this role, you’ll need to be more of a good listener rather than a creative thinker.

7. Virtual Assistant

Remember: there are countless people out there working from home. Some work remotely for large organizations, while others run their own businesses.

What many of them have in common is that they need assistants, and that’s another type of role you can take on!

As a virtual assistant, you’ll work from home and help them set up appointments, make phone calls, and do everything else an assistant might do.

8. Online Teacher or Tutor

Believe it or not, you can turn almost any skill or specialized knowledge into a job. Thanks to the internet, the online teacher or tutor role has grown significantly.

Gone are the days when you could only teach languages online (though you can still make a living doing that!). These days, people are looking for online tutors in music, accounting, cooking, and more.

Whatever skill you have, someone out there wants to learn it from you!

9. Accounting Clerk

Accounting and bookkeeping are now tasks that are often done remotely. If you have qualifications in this area, you can turn it into a side hustle or a full-time job.

For example, you can work remotely for an established company or sell your skills on a freelance basis.

Remember: even regular people need an accountant’s help regarding their taxes!

10. Graphic Designer

Aside from being a writer, another popular work-from-home job is that of a graphic designer. This is a popular side hustle for creatives who already work full-time and want to work on more exciting projects in their free time.

However, stay-at-home dads can also take this on as a side hustle after gaining the basic skills needed to get started!

Graphic designer jobs can range from straightforward tasks like designing logos and business cards to more complex jobs like designing apps and billboards.

11. Health Coach

Despite how much information there is for getting healthy, people still need more help and support. You can come in as a health coach to provide guidance and encouragement.

Remember: you’re not replacing doctors and genuine medical advice in this role. You provide customers with helpful information and help them stay on track with their personal goals.

12. Marketing Specialist

E-commerce, or the business of selling things online, is an incredibly lucrative industry. It also requires people with many different skills, including marketing specialists.

Here, you’ll help clients with their marketing strategy to make more potential customers aware of their products and services. This job is one of the few on our list that can turn into a lucrative career for stay at home dads.

13. Social Media Specialist

You’ll love this role if you’re a big fan of social media. Businesses of all sizes require social media specialists to help them build the right following and capture people’s attention.

As a stay-at-home dad, you’ll find these roles are doable from wherever you are, even if you’re at home taking care of your kids.

14. Travel Consultant

Let’s suppose you’re someone in the travel industry or you’re an avid traveler yourself. In that case, one side hustle or full-time job you’ll want to consider is being a travel consultant.

In a nutshell, you’ll help travelers plan their ideal trip, including planning their sightseeing, transportation, accommodations, and more!

15. Web Designer

Another skill that you can pick up with minimal time and turn into a job is web design (this can also be a long-term career for stay at home dads). This role requires you to design websites for clients that look good on both computer screens and mobile devices.

You don’t need a degree to become a web designer, as you can take plenty of online courses to get started.

16. Amazon Reseller

Male stay-at-home parents with a knack for sales can also consider side hustling as an Amazon reseller. In this role, you’ll find popular products that people buy on Amazon.

Then, you’ll source the product from manufacturers or sellers and make it available on your own Amazon store.

17. Etsy Creator

Naturally, you can also make your own products instead of reselling something someone else made. Etsy is a perfect platform, especially if you enjoy making arts and crafts.

Etsy is an excellent place to find buyers interested in handmade goods and vintage items.

18. Pet Sitter

So far, you’ve seen that many side hustles are based on people needing help. Another area you can help with is pet sitting.

You can find clients both online and in-person for this. For example, you can advertise your services online or work for your neighbors directly.

Pet parents hire sitters to keep their animals company and feed them while they’re unavailable, perhaps while traveling.

19. Transcriber

Have you watched a YouTube video or something on Netflix and seen subtitles? Those are prepared by transcribers who watch those videos and write down what’s being said.

That is another work-from-home role that you can take on as a dad, both in full-time and part-time positions.

20. Website Tester

Last but certainly not least, you can also make a living as a website tester. As the name suggests, your job is to test a website for technical errors while proofreading for mistakes in the content.

How Do You Transition To Having a Side Hustle?

No matter which job or side hustle you choose above, there will be a transition period that you’ll want to prepare for. This is when you’re adopting a new way of working and must balance your family responsibilities with your new job.

So, there are a few things you’ll want to remember as you adjust to your new side hustle or job.

Firstly, set clear boundaries between your work life and your family life. For example, designate a specific area as your home office and only use it for work.

Besides that, set and maintain strict working hours. Doing that will prevent your work from taking over time spent with your kids.

In conclusion, the life of a stay-at-home dad comes with its unique set of challenges, from feeling isolated to juggling parenting responsibilities while making a living. However, the increasing trend of stay-at-home dads, now comprising 18% of stay-at-home parents, offers a sense of solidarity and a growing online community for shared support.

The transition to a side hustle requires careful consideration of boundaries, both physical and temporal, to ensure that work commitments do not encroach on quality family time. By embracing these opportunities and strategies, stay-at-home dads can navigate the challenges and reap the rewards of a fulfilling work-from-home lifestyle.

5 Side Hustles Perfect for Working Dads

Being a dad already means juggling work and family time. These side hustles fit into those precious pockets of free time without sacrificing quality moments with your kids.

1. Home Inspector

Weekend-only appointments available
Average earnings: $65-85 per inspection
Start-up needs: Certification course ($500-800)
Perfect for: Former contractors or DIY enthusiasts
Pro tip: Specialize in pre-sale inspections for the best return on time

2. Mobile Car Detailing

Flexible scheduling around your lunch break or weekends
Earning potential: $100-200 per detail
Initial investment: Basic supplies ($300-500)
Family bonus: Teach your kids about entrepreneurship while washing cars
Smart approach: Focus on regular clients in your neighborhood

3. Test Scoring

Evening hours after kids' bedtime
Typical rates: $30-55 per hour
Zero startup costs
Work from home, no commute needed

4. Local Sports Photography

Perfect for weekends while watching your own kids' games
Equipment needed: Good camera ($500-1000)
Average package price: $150-300
Built-in market at youth sports events
Bonus: You're already at the games anyway

5. Rental Property Maintenance

Predictable weekend schedule
Monthly income: $500-1000 per property
Skills needed: Basic repairs and coordination
Start with 1-2 properties near home
Can involve older kids in age-appropriate tasks

Remember: The best side hustle is one that doesn't feel like a sacrifice of your family time. These options let you earn extra income while still being present for the important moments.

5 Real Jobs for Stay at Home Dads

If you are a stay at home dad looking for a real career rather than just some side money in between diaper changes, here are some serious jobs that pay.

Remote Project Management

Project management offers a robust career path with significant earning potential. Stay-at-home dads can pursue certifications like:

PMP (Project Management Professional)
Scrum Master Certification
PRINCE2 Certification

These credentials can lead to high-paying remote positions in technology, construction, healthcare, and consulting industries. Many companies now fully embrace remote project management, allowing dads to build substantial careers while maintaining family flexibility.

Cybersecurity Professional

With the growing demand for digital security experts, cybersecurity presents an excellent career opportunity. Stay-at-home dads can:

Obtain certifications like CompTIA Security+
Pursue advanced certifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Specialize in areas like network security, ethical hacking, or security analysis

Many cybersecurity roles offer remote work options, with average salaries ranging from $90,000 to $120,000 annually.

Telehealth Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration has evolved to include significant remote work opportunities. Stay-at-home dads can:

Pursue a healthcare administration degree
Obtain certifications like CHAA (Certified Healthcare Access Associate)
Specialize in medical coding, healthcare IT, or remote patient care coordination

This field offers stable employment, competitive salaries, and the ability to work remotely while making a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Data Science and Analytics

Data science is a growing field with excellent work-from-home potential. Stay-at-home dads can:

Complete online degree programs in data science
Obtain certifications from Google, IBM, or Microsoft
Specialize in areas like business intelligence, machine learning, or data analysis

With bootcamps and online learning platforms, dads can transition into this high-paying field that offers significant remote work opportunities.

Technical Sales Engineering

Sales engineering combines technical expertise with sales skills, offering:

Flexible remote work options
High earning potential (base salary + commission)
Opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and software industries

Further Reading:

Best remote jobs for teenagers to earn money online

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