Looking for jobs for independent people that pay well?
Here’s a list of some of the most independent jobs that also compensate well. If you are self-reliant and enjoy working autonomously, there’ll be a few great career paths here for you.
What Makes a Good Job for Independent People?
Note: Our scores below are based on how many of the following job characteristics apply to each job.
We looked for jobs that:
- Offer autonomy
- Aren’t prone to micro-management
- Provide remote working opportunities
- Aren’t teamwork-oriented
- Offer flexible working hours and schedules
- Provide freelance opportunities
- Aren’t prone to rigid deadlines
Best Jobs for Independent People
1. Tax Consultant
- Average salary: $80,000
- Our score:5/7
A tax consultant analyzes and provides advice on tax-related issues.
Duties include preparing and filing tax returns, payments, and reports, as well as assessing, researching, and solving specific taxing issues. You’ll have to ensure the company complies with regulations before submitting tax reports.
A bachelor’s in accounting is required along with a CPA state license. Experience with accounting software is also required.
2. Physicist
- Average salary: $120,000
- Our score: 7/7
A physicist works to understand forces, phenomena, and structures that control the natural world.
Working with data and scientific equipment, you’ll be developing, improving, and proving theories across energy, matter, space, and time. Physicists also write grant proposals and scientific papers.
A Ph.D. in physics is required to pursue your subfield. You’ll also need strong logical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills. Natural curiosity and open-mindedness go a long way, too.
3. Industrial Designer
- Average salary: $64,000
- Our score: 5/7
Industrial designers, also known as product designers, design and develop the concepts behind manufactured products.
Responsibilities include researching a product, sketching out ideas for creating it, and examining materials and production to ensure the product is safe, functional, and designed efficiently. You’ll also be overseeing the prototype awaiting clients’ approval.
A bachelor’s in industrial design is required, and you’ll need experience using related software. You’ll need logic and reasoning skills as well as creativity to sketch out initial designs.
4. Purchasing Agent
- Average salary: $52,000
- Our score: 5/7
Purchasing agents evaluate and negotiate with suppliers on behalf of the company or client.
Duties include sourcing suppliers, researching materials, products, and services, and purchasing products within the budget. You’ll also be keeping an eye on inventory levels and in charge of when more products are needed.
A degree in business administration is needed, and experience in inventory management software and programs. You’ll need strong organizational skills and decision-making skills to monitor inventory efficiently. Negotiation skills are also required for ensuring cost-efficiency.
5. Voice-over Artist
- Average salary: $64,000
- Our score: 6/7
Voice-over artists, also known as voice-over actors, use their vocal abilities to record characters, sounds, or audio needed.
You’ll be reading out loud prepared scripts, often several times in different ways. You’ll need to match your voice to the character’s age, gestures, and accent if playing a character.
There’s no formal degree required, but it’s a highly competitive career path, so you’ll need an extensive portfolio and be signed to a talent agency. Although you can have a lot of freedom choosing projects, you’ll also need the ability to take direction and be flexible with the last-minute adjustments required.
6. Network Administrator
- Average salary: $70,000
- Our score: 6/7
Network administrators, sometimes known as computer systems administrators, maintain and solve network problems that may occur.
Responsibilities include assessing a company’s network needs, installing software and hardware, and making upgrades and repairs needed. Often you’ll also be overseeing digital security.
To become a network administrator, you’ll need a bachelor’s in IT or computer science. You’ll need to problem-solve and have strong analytical skills to implement and troubleshoot network problems that may occur. You’ll also have to keep up with new technology and products.
7. Market Research Analyst
- Average salary: $66,000
- Our score: 6/7
Market research analysts research, collect and analyze data to identify changes and forecast market trends.
As a market research analyst, you’ll be assisting a company with its marketing plan by conducting research, analyzing consumer preferences, analyzing product prices, and gathering data about competitors. You’ll use this research to present a report about the best marketing strategy moving forward.
You’ll need a bachelor’s in marketing or commerce. You’ll have to have strong organizational skills to collect all the data timely and efficiently. Excellent communication skills are needed and an ability to simplify complex data.
8. Political Scientist
- Average salary: $65,000
- Our score: 7/7
Political scientists analyze political concepts and past research trends to provide insight into current political influences, policies, and events.
You’ll be part researching, analyzing, and forecasting politics by looking for patterns, collecting data, and monitoring the political climate to give strategic political advice. You’ll also be researching and analyzing social and economic trends when publishing reports or articles.
A Master’s in political science is required. You’ll need analytical and critical-thinking skills to examine and draw conclusions from data and research. It’s essential to have strong written communication skills to convey complicated research clearly.
9. Instructional Designer
- Average salary: $80,000
- Our score: 5/7
Instructional designers design educational and instructive materials and courses.
Duties include understanding the material, structuring content, and meeting objectives. You’ll often conduct additional research and create visual audio and interactive tools to optimize learning.
A bachelor’s in educational technology or instructional design is required. You’ll need a good understanding of graphic design as well as HTML, Apty, Adobe Captivate, and Ispring Suite. It’s important to be creative while also structuring materials and courses in a clear, easy-to-learn layout.
10. Statistician
- Average salary: $98,000
- Our score: 5/7
Statisticians analyze and interpret numerical data to apply models and methods to real-world problems.
As a statistician, you’ll obtain data, perform statistical tests, and analyze formulas to recommend strategic planning for a company. You’ll present your statistical findings in reports and will often need to maintain statistical databases using software programs.
You’ll need a Master’s in statistics, mathematics, or data science. An excellent mathematical aptitude and communication skills are required to analyze figures and present them to the company or client.
11. Copywriter
- Average salary: $59,000
- Our score: 5/7
Copywriters produce clear and engaging text for multiple types of content.
You’ll be responsible for creating and editing content, researching keywords, and understanding your target audience. You’ll need to proofread to ensure top-quality content.
A bachelor’s degree in English or communications is needed, as well as excellent written communication skills. You’ll be researching a lot, so you’ll need to be resourceful and analyze the research to extract the most important information.
12. Cybersecurity Analyst
- Average salary: $100,000
- Our score: 5/7
A cybersecurity analyst, also called an information security analyst, protects a company’s software, hardware, and networks from cyber threats and attacks.
As a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll be preparing and responding to cyber attacks by installing, updating, and managing new software and monitoring networks. You’ll be researching and developing security plans to detect any possible breaches.
A bachelor’s in computer science is needed, and a Master’s in information systems. You’ll also have to understand antivirus, firewalls, and IDPS concepts and software. It’s essential to have strong problem-solving skills, and you’ll need to be able to work fast under pressure.
13. Portfolio Manager
- Average salary: $80,000
- Our score: 6/7
A portfolio manager, also referred to as an investment manager, manages clients’ investments using investment strategies.
Your duties include talking to clients and laying out investment goals and objectives. You’ll be tailoring investment strategies by examining risk levels and economic trends, buying and selling investments, and ensuring regulatory standards are met.
To become a portfolio manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s in economics, finance, or business as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst certification. After this, you’ll need a FINRA Series 7 license. You’ll need exceptional analytical skills and detail-oriented skills to manage investments correctly.
There Are Careers for Independent People!
Whether you’re interested in becoming a political scientist or are better suited to being a copywriter, there’s an abundance of options that’ll still allow your independence.
Which one stands out to you?