The 10 Best Jobs For New Moms

Being a new mom can be a job in itself, and you may not think there’s time for a regular job, but there are some good jobs for new moms. There are different factors to take into consideration such as your hours and what benefits you will get for you and your baby.

To help you find a job to help take care of your children, we have gathered the top ten best jobs for new moms. We’ve also included tips on what to look for in a job as a new mom and on how to find one of these roles.

Key Takeaways

• The top three best jobs for first time moms are proofreader, social media strategist, and baking entrepreneur.

• When looking for a job as a new mom, look for a position with predictable hours, useful benefits, and work you’ll enjoy doing.

• When you’re a new mom applying for a job, communicate your boundaries early on, look for a flexible and supportive environment, and go easy on yourself.

The 10 best jobs for new moms

1. Fitness Coach

   Average Annual Salary: $38,462
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 309,800

   Being a fitness or nutrition coach is surprisingly an excellent job option for new moms. Not only can it create a sustainable flow of income, but helping other people get in shape could be an ideal way to get into the headspace for your fitness journey after welcoming a new child.

   It’s an ideal position if you are a new mom because it often allows you the freedom to poach your clients and set your schedule or rely on the stability of an established gym depending on their preferences.

   In this position as a fitness or nutrition coach, you get to know your clients to better understand their current health status and goals. After gathering a firm understanding of their clients, you will develop fitness and/or diet plan that targets their specific goals and struggles.

   Many fitness and nutrition coaches work on a freelance basis, and there are many opportunities to secure clients who want training on a remote basis through video chat. Alternatively, for new moms who want your job to be a time for you to get out in the world, there is an abundance of in-person jobs for fitness coaches as well.

   The responsibilities of a fitness or nutrition coach include:

   • Conducting initial and follow-up assessments

   • Providing guidance for how to reduce or eliminate unhealthy habits

   • Conducting seminars for larger groups of clients virtually or in-person

   • Creating health, diet, and fitness plan that’s tailored to fit the client perfectly

   • Providing support throughout a client’s fitness journey

   Find Fitness Coach jobs near me

2. Tax Preparer

   Average Annual Salary: $51,020
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 62,600

   Being a tax preparer is an excellent option for you as a new mom because you will be working during tax season. Most people moan and groan when tax season rolls around because they’re forced, once again, to participate in the mind-numbing process of filing.

   A tax preparer acts on behalf of clients to properly assemble and submit their taxes. Using your knowledge of tax law and the filing system, you make sure that your client is paying the correct amount in taxes, including all relevant deductions, or receiving the maximum return.

   Being a tax preparer is a great gig or full-time position for new mothers with a bit of accounting insight because it’s very versatile. Tax preparers can work at accounting or law firms with a defined schedule, a tempting benefits package, and time to socialize at the office.

   Alternatively, you can choose to work on a freelance basis and create your schedule with a list of clients. With a median pay of $25.34 an hour, the position also pays proportionality for the task of tax preparation.

   The responsibilities of a tax preparer include:

   • Explaining the process of tax preparation to clients in an easy-to-understand way

   • Collecting financial records that are needed for taxes like pay stubs and income statements

   • Inputting client data into chosen tax return software or databases

   • Using federal, state, and local tax law to decide deductions and the amount owed or earned on the return

   • Using customer service skills to strategize their tax preparation services

   Find Tax Preparer jobs near me

3. Dog Boarder

   Average Annual Salary: $31,626
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 332,700

   For new moms who would prefer to make your money spending time in the company of animals rather than humans, creating a dog daycare or being a dog border can be the perfect solution. While some people work in larger facilities as an attendant at a dog daycare, it’s also very possible to start your own business with this focus.

   Dogs are a key member of the family. When people go on vacation or need care for their furry family member for a few hours a day, they want to leave them with someone they can trust. Few things are more reassuring in this situation than the comfort and expertise of a mother.

   As a parent of a human baby, clients know that they can entrust you with watching their animal baby.

   One of the awesome things about earning money by running a dog daycare or boarding facility is that the job doesn’t come with the typical office politics. While you might have to exchange pleasantries with dog-owners for a few minutes at pickup and drop-off, most of the workday will be spent around wagging tails and barks of glee.

   This can provide a much-needed break from caring solely for a new baby and a healthy stream of income from doting dog parents.

   The responsibilities of a dog daycare or border include:

   • Providing adequate food and water throughout the day

   • Walking the dogs daily

   • Grooming and bathing when required

   • Maintaining a safe and clean kennel space

   • Supervising dog socialization and playing for safety purposes

   • Creating a record of all the times that each dog was fed and walked to show owners

   • Providing training to dogs if required

   • Keeping owners updated on the dog’s well-being

   Find Dog Boarder jobs near me

4. Proofreader

   Average Annual Salary: $49,392
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 6,610

   Proofreading is an excellent job if you’re a new mom who enjoys reading and has advanced English skills. Proofreaders will analyze a piece of writing before it is published.

   You can work for companies or individuals to ensure that all the written material they put out, from copy to books, is perfect down to the last detail.

   The position requires a strong understanding of grammar, spelling, and the English language in general.

   Proofreading is one of the best jobs for new moms because it provides a fairly high average wage at $25 an hour, and the field is quite flexible. Depending on your preferences, you can work in person to complete this job or find opportunities remotely.

   Oftentimes, in proofreading positions, you are given the freedom to set your schedule and simply adhere to a final deadline of when your work is due. This provides the wiggle room necessary in case you need to take your baby to a doctor’s appointment or are simply too tired one afternoon to do any work.

   The responsibilities of a proofreader include:

   • Reviewing articles, documents, or books for grammar, spelling, and cohesive style

   • Fact-checking written statements for accuracy

   • Ensuring that all submitted writing is not plagiarized

   • Analyzing text to determine whether it meets the needed voice and tone

   • Suggesting edits and changes when needed

   • Meeting project deadlines for editing projects

   Find Proofreader jobs near me

5. Baking Entrepreneur

   Average Annual Salary: N/A
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: N/A

   If you’re a new mom who loves to bake, it’s a great way to make some extra money while taking care of your kids at home. For every exciting festivity that happens in a person’s life, there is a dessert item that needs to go with it: holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and divorce parties. There is a baked good out there for just about every occasion.

   Being the person who creates these pieces of edible art can lead to a lengthy and sustainable career. While some bakers work at establishments, plenty of others decide to be baking entrepreneurs from their home kitchens. While this might start as a small side gig, it can turn into a fully functioning business after a few satisfied buyers.

   Baking is a fitting job for a mom who needs a bit of fun in their day but also wants to get involved in entrepreneurship. Additionally, successful baking entrepreneurs can earn up to $1,187 per week on average working full-time.

   The responsibilities of a baking entrepreneur include:

   • Sourcing local or distant clients through various techniques

   • Building up a menu of perfected dessert recipes

   • Baking according to standard safety procedures

   • Decorating baked goods according to occasions like birthdays or graduations

   • Packaging items in a neat, clean and secure way

   • Cleaning the baking space thoroughly

   • Delivering or shipping baked goods to customers in a way that maintains freshness

6. Social Media Strategist

   Average Annual Salary: $62,339
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 35,059

   If you’re a stay-at-home new mom who scrolls social media every day, working as a social media strategist is the perfect job for you.

   Social media allows a company to communicate and receive feedback from its current customer base and expand it in the future. Your job as a social media specialist is to ensure that a company or individual’s social media presence is strong and working towards its goals.

   There is a good chunk of people who are sitting on the basic skills and experience needed to begin a career as a savvy social media strategist. With a little honing in on these abilities, it’s a very achievable and high-paying job that can easily be worked from home if need be.

   The capacity for social media strategists to learn as they go, coupled with the flexible schedule and impressive pay, make the job a good fit for new moms There are also a lot of free resources available online to learn more about social media and how to use it deliberately if you’re new to the field.

   The responsibilities of a social media strategist include:

   • Discussing with the employer to determine their exact marketing goals

   • Developing a well-thought-out social media plan for achieving defined targets

   • Publishing relevant and intriguing content on social media accounts

   • Ensuring that all information on social media accounts is accurate

   • Collaborating with product development co-workers, writers, and designers

   • Monitoring user engagement and assessing social media strategies for success

   • Staying educated on the best social media practices

   Find Social Media Strategist jobs near me

7. Freelance Makeup Artist

   Average Annual Salary: $42,487
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 3,131

   Becoming a freelance makeup artist is an excellent job for new moms who love makeup and want to put their creativity and artistic skills to use. Being a makeup artist gives new moms the chance to mingle with people while accomplishing their work at home or in a salon.

   Everyone wants the chance to look their absolute best on the special occasions that occur throughout their life; however, not everyone has the makeup abilities to make that a reality. Luckily for those who aren’t as skilled in the art of eye shadow and contouring, there are talented freelance makeup artists to get the job done.

   As a freelance makeup artist, you will consult with your clients to understand the style they’re going for. Your goal is to make your clientele feel comfortable and look beautiful.

   Being a freelance makeup artist is a terrific job opportunity for new moms, and it’s the type of position that allows you to foster a business in a field that’s always flowing with eager clients and pays an average of $32.48 per hour.

   The responsibilities of a freelance makeup artist include:

   • Consulting with clients to determine their makeup preferences and style

   • Enhancing a client’s natural beauty using the tools of makeup

   • Taking the occasion and setting into consideration to craft the ideal look

   • Providing makeup services for movie sets and television shows when required

   • Staying up to date on the latest makeup trends

   • Sharing makeup knowledge and recommendations

   Find Freelance Makeup Artist jobs near me

8. Search Engine Evaluator

   Average Annual Salary: $106,930
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 2,858

   If you’re a new mom who has a degree in computer science and has great analytical and communication skills, working as a search engine evaluator is the perfect job for you while you are home taking care of your child.

   Many internet users take it for granted when they type into the magic search bar “What is the fourth closest planet from the sun?” and are presented with the top, vetted response of “Mars.”

   However, there’s a lot of tinkering that happens to make fitting search result in the first thing you see on the screen. One of the professionals who assists in making sure internet searches are refined and relevant is a search engine evaluator.

   Working as a search engine evaluator is commonly worked as a remote position and can also pay up to $55.29 per hour. The job is very flexible because it tends to be worked on a project-to-project basis, meaning that it gives you the opportunity to work for a solid block of days and then spend a bunch of time with your family.

   The responsibilities of a search engine evaluator include:

   • Analyzing the effectiveness of online search engines like Google

   • Determining qualitative measurements that illustrate the relevance of results

   • Staying educated on web search trends

   • Deciding how useful web search results are

   • Providing recommendations for improving web search results

   • Presenting relevant findings to supervisors after evaluation

   Find Search Engine Evaluator jobs near me

9. Product Review Writer

   Average Annual Salary: N/A
   Estimated U.S. Job Openings: N/A

   Being a product reviewer writer can be fun and fulfilling for new moms who like writing and sharing their opinions. In the position of a product review writer, you will receive various types of products, you will put them to the test in your own life, and then share your positive or negative experiences with the item to inform other buyers.

   Usually, a product review writer will focus their career on a particular type of product. As such, new moms are the perfect candidates to receive, evaluate and write about the myriad of baby products available on the market.

   This makes it a unique and excellent job opportunity for you as a new mom because you can make an income from receiving free products that you can use for your children. On top of that, product review writers earn a healthy average salary of $28.85 per hour, and the vast majority of the work can be completed from home.

   The responsibilities of a product review writer include:

   • Receiving products to test out in your daily life and gathering an unbiased opinion on them

   • Writing up pieces of 500 to 2,000 words that are full-length reviews, deals coverage, gift guides, and how-tos

   • Collaborating with other writers, editors, and proofreaders

   • Proposing pitches for new topics when required

   • Finding stock imagery to accompany articles

   • Following best SEO practices to ensure ranking

   • Proofreading and editing the finished written pieces before submission

10. Remote Contact Tracer

    Average Annual Salary: $43,913
    Estimated U.S. Job Openings: 200,000

    Becoming a remote contract tracer is an excellent job option for new moms that need a reliable source of income but would prefer a position where they can work remotely from home. Due to the nature of their duties, contract tracing positions are worked remotely.

    The role of a contact tracer is to interview people that are confirmed to have COVID-19 or likely have it in order to gather their symptoms, exposure, and who else they’ve been in contact with.

    The service provides crucial information about COVID-19 to organizations like universities or the government.

    The role also plays a pretty decent average hourly rate of $20-$25 and only requires employees to hold a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, most positions as a contract tracer come with all the benefits that your family will need, like health insurance and time off.

    The responsibilities of a remote contract tracer include:

    • Conducting disease investigations and contract tracing sessions

    • Monitoring the situation of people diagnosed with COVID-19

    • Providing people with public health guidance like where to get tested and quarantine information

    • Entering interview data into a disease surveillance system

    • Following policies provided by public health officials

    Find Tracer jobs near me

Qualities new moms should look for in a job

The typical job seeker has a collection of qualities that they’re hoping to find in their new position, such as a high salary, the potential for overtime, and paid vacation days. When you’re searching for a job as a new mom, there are specific qualities you should keep an eye out for about the company and position you’ll be taking on.

1. Stable and predictable hours. If there’s one quality that you want in your life as a new parent, it’s predictability. When you’re on the hunt for the best job as a new mom, predictable hours are crucial. You want to know exactly how much you’re going to be working and when to to schedule the necessary childcare.

   Additionally, you don’t want to commit to a job that’s going to be requesting you to come in during your days off or have you stay hours past your scheduled shift. Ask questions during the hiring process to figure out if a job opportunity is going to come with predictable hours.

2. Useful benefits for you and your family. While everyone is keen to find a job with an exorbitantly high salary, sometimes benefits can be even more valuable. New moms, in particular, might find that they value a job’s benefits package highly.

   Examples of common benefits that can be useful for new moms include:

   • Health, dental, and life insurance

   • Paid holiday, vacation, and sick time off (PTO)

   • Paid medical leave

   • Tuition reimbursement or assistance

   While working through the hiring process, make sure you gather all relevant information about the benefits you’ll receive. Additionally, it’s possible to negotiate these benefits later on if they’re not offered off the bat.

3. A position you’ll enjoy. The notion of finding an enjoyable job might sound a little far-fetch, but it’s a reality for lots of people.

   That doesn’t mean you must find every task you do in your job thoroughly fun, but you should pick a position that sparks your interest a little. At the very least, choose a job that you don’t completely hate.

   If you’re an extrovert, look for a job that deals with people regularly, like being a salesperson or a life coach. Alternatively, if you prefer to work alone, go for a position as a proofreader or translator. Consider your personal preferences and play to them.

   Being worn out is inevitable as a new mom, and working at a job you can’t stand can lead to total burnout.

Tips for finding a job as a new mom

Taking on the challenge of finding a job as a new mom is a little intimidating, but it’s totally doable. When taking steps to get hired after recently having a baby, utilize the following tips to make the most of your job search.

1. Communicate your realistic schedule. It’s equally important for potential employers and new mom job seekers to have a clear understanding of the expected schedule. It’s not a big deal if you’re only available to work for 15 hours a week or need to come in for work after 11 AM, but these details need to be communicated in advance.

2. Set your boundaries early. Another thing to be clear about with possible employers is your boundaries. Distinct boundaries are important for all job seekers to set, but once again, this is something that new moms should focus on a little more heavily.

   Explain what you’re offering as an employee early on to avoid any confusion and misunderstandings later on.

3. Seek out a flexible and supportive environment. You want your job to enhance your life for the better as a new mom, not make it even more stressful. One way to increase your chances of having a stress-free work experience is by seeking out a flexible and supportive work environment.

   Throughout the hiring process, there will be little clues that let you know whether this is the type of environment you’re in for.

   A company that has a particularly supportive environment might outline all the ways that they assist new hires with getting up to speed, explain that they have regular team meetings to check in with everyone or mention that they value their employee’s work-life balance.

   Reading reviews online from former employees at a company can also help you figure out if the environment is the right fit for you.

4. Cut yourself some slack. Finding a job is always a weighty endeavor, and juggling motherhood with the search can make it feel like you’re struggling to stay afloat. One of the keys to sourcing a job as a new mom is being patient and going easy on yourself.

   There is an endless stream of professional opportunities out there for the taking, with more new jobs becoming available every day. Stay focused and cut yourself some slack during the process of discovering the ideal position for you and your family.

The best jobs for new moms FAQ

1. How can I make extra money after having a baby?

   Working a remote job such as a proofreader can be a great way to earn some extra money after having a baby. Working in a freelance position is another great way to earn some money after having a baby because you can often create your work schedule and work when it’s best for you.

2. How do you survive unpaid maternity leave?

   Evaluating your budget and saving ahead of time or getting a remote position are the best ways to survive unpaid maternity leave. If you have the ability to save money before going on maternity leave, it’s an excellent way to spend that time not working with your baby.

   If you have to work, working in a remote position is an excellent way to earn some extra money while on unpaid maternity leave. Working remotely means that you can be home bonding with your newborn while also recovering from having your baby.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.” Accessed on September 13, 2022.

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.