- Jobs For People
- Jobs For People Who Hate Working
- Jobs For People Who Don't Know What To Do
- Jobs For People Who Don't Speak English
- Jobs For People Who Love Reading
- Jobs For People Who Like To Organize
- Jobs For People Who Get Bored Easily
- Jobs For People Who Like To Work Alone
- Jobs For People Who Like History
- Jobs For People Who Like To Learn
- Jobs For People Who Like To Talk
- Jobs For People Who Love Sports
- Jobs For Teachers Who Don't Want To Teach
Find a Job You Really Want In
Jobs for people who don’t speak English abound in the U.S. From roles that allow you to use the language you’re fluent in, to roles that don’t require you to speak much at all, there are plenty of options no matter what your English-speaking abilities are.
In this article, we’ll share some of the best jobs for people who don’t speak English, as well as tips for what to look for in a job.
Key Takeaways:
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There are many job opportunities for people who don’t speak English, ranging from truck driver to children’s book author.
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Jobs that don’t require English often need you to be comfortable with working independently.
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Don’t be afraid to learn and practice English at your job. This will open up more professional opportunities.
The 12 best jobs for people who don’t speak English
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Average Salary: $87,000
Jobs Available: 41,006
Job Growth Rate: 8%YouTube reaches audiences of all languages, which means being a YouTube Partner — someone who creates YouTube videos and gets paid for it — is a potential job for a non-English speaker.
Typically, this job entails creating, editing, and posting content on YouTube. This content can be in any language, and you can easily add subtitles to reach other communities.
If you have an idea for interesting content and you’re determined to upload consistently, this kind of work can really pay off. For example, the site’s biggest content creator, PewDiePie, has an estimated worth of around $40 million. It does take a while to build up an audience and start making money on your videos, though, so consider starting this as a side hustle.
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Average Salary: $48,310
Jobs Available: 259,900
Job Growth Rate: 4%Commercial truck drivers spend a lot of time alone in a truck, so they can do their jobs without speaking much English at all. Commercial truck drivers make an average of $30.06 per hour driving cargo from point A to B. While you do need a CDL to start working, many states offer the test in several languages other than English.
Another great perk of this job is the benefits. These can include valuable things like medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. All of this combined puts truck driving high on the list of best jobs for non-English speakers.
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Children’s Author
Average Salary: $58,650
Jobs Available: 15,200
Job Growth Rate: 4%Writing children’s books in your native language is a great job opportunity for non-English speakers. Any child speaking any language can benefit from reading, which means there will always be a demand for books written for this age group.
There are likely many people in the U.S. who speak the same language that you do looking for books for their children and many others who want to teach their children your language.
Being successful in this line of work requires connections, skill, innovation, and a bit of luck. However, it is possible to get started as a children’s author without needing an editor, as many sites like Amazon will allow you to sell self-published books.
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Average Salary: $41,048
Jobs Available: 205
Job Growth Rate: 3%Bloggers can write on any topic in any language, making it a great job for people who don’t speak English. You can work for yourself as a freelancer or by creating your own website, or you can work for other companies that want to reach people who speak the same language you do.
Truly, the possibilities are endless with this line of work, as you can write about anything from food to travel to current events.
It can be difficult to find steady pay right away as a blogger, but with some hard work, skill, and dedication, blogging can be a great way to earn money without speaking English.
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Average Salary: $39,203
Jobs Available: 760
Job Growth Rate: 4%If you’re a skilled craftsman who is looking for a job that doesn’t require English, look no further than a career as a locksmith. These professionals install, replace, and maintain locks and provide keys and other security services.
You may need to learn enough words and phrases to communicate the basics with coworkers and customers, but other than that, it doesn’t matter what language you speak.
Most locksmiths don’t need anything more than a GED to start working. That means becoming qualified is more than possible, even if you speak little to no English, as many states also offer GED tests in Spanish or French.
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Average Salary: $37,790
Jobs Available: 41,180
Job Growth Rate: 10.5%If you live in an area that gets a lot of tourists that speak your language, you could work as a tour guide, showing them around in a language they understand. You only need to know enough English to navigate the area where you’re working, making this an excellent job opportunity if you don’t speak English.
You’ll need customer service skills to do this, and you may need to spend some time studying the area you’re showing off, but this can be a great way to earn a living without having to speak English.
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Uber/Lyft/Taxi Driver
Average Salary: $32,710
Jobs Available: 832,600
Job Growth Rate: 12%Becoming a taxi or rideshare driver is a great option for people who don’t speak English and live in an urban area. All you need is a friendly demeanor, GPS, and a basic grasp of the local area to be successful. (And a car, if you’re driving for Uber or Lyft.)
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft run differently than taxi companies. Operating through a third-party app, Uber drivers generally have more flexibility and opportunity but a less reliable income.
On the other hand, becoming a taxi driver gives you the benefit (or downside) of having a formal employer. Either way, driving people from place to place is a common gig today that allows you to earn a good living.
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Average Salary: $31,92
Jobs Available: 30,347
Job Growth Rate: 7%Working in housekeeping or laundry services is a great job for people who don’t speak English since you don’t have to talk to anyone while you work in these roles. You can clean or do laundry for private homeowners as well as for hotels and resorts, which means you’ll likely have plenty of positions to choose from.
In addition, you’ll need very little training or education before starting this job — most housekeeping workers can even start working without a GED or high school diploma –, making it an excellent option if you need a job fast.
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Average Salary: $23,099
Jobs Available: 29,947
Job Growth Rate: 2%Loving children is a universal language and can be a great career choice for those who don’t speak much English. After all, speaking English isn’t required to adequately take care of a baby. Plus, many bilingual children out there could use a caretaker, and many parents want their children to learn other languages.
Generally speaking, child caregivers provide for children when their parents are away. This includes feeding, bathing, dressing, supervising, and maintaining a safe environment for the child.
If you have experience with children and good references, many parents will pay top dollar for you to watch their kids. Plus, websites like Care.com make putting yourself out there easier than ever.
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Average Salary: $23,039
Jobs Available: 105,744
Job Growth Rate: 8%Kitchen staff members work hard and fast, but you usually don’t need to speak much English to be successful in this role. With over 100,000 kitchen staff positions in existence, you should be able to easily find a job at a restaurant whether you speak fluent English or not.
Because a kitchen staff works under the supervision of line cooks to prepare meals, this job can also be a great place to advance your cooking career. Even if you know nothing about food or the restaurant business, you’ll prepare ingredients for meals, learn how to keep the kitchen clean, and understand how a restaurant operates.
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Average Salary: $20,818
Jobs Available: 54,560
Job Growth Rate: -5%If you don’t speak English, a job in a factory might be a great option. While factory work has been declining for some decades now due to automation, there are still plenty of easily accessible factory jobs around the U.S., and they don’t usually require you to communicate much in English.
On a regular day, factory workers operate machines at manufacturing sites. While the downside of these tasks is that they tend to be monotonous, the clear upside is that you’ll need little to no education to start working.
In fact, most factory workers receive on-the-job training upon being hired. That means you can make at least $10 per hour without spending any money on programs or classes. Plus, many full-time positions in factories come with respectable benefits.
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Average Salary: $20,714
Jobs Available: 22,056
Job Growth Rate: 16%Taking care of people’s pets is a great no-English-necessary job if you love animals and have experience with them.
Not only do you not need to know much English — after all, animals can’t talk — but dog walking or pet sitting also allows you to have a flexible schedule and stay active. You’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air and the scenery every time you work, and you can even get paid to simply relax with a small cat in your lap.
Plus, there’s no shortage of clients who will need your services, which also gives you the ability to pick and choose who you want to work with.
How we decide which jobs are the best (and what to look for yourself)
It’s important to understand which factors make a job viable for non-English speakers in the U.S.
These factors include:
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Independent work. When you’re working a job that requires little communication, you won’t have to worry about speaking English regularly. That’s why cleaning, driving, and animal care roles are so easy for non-English speakers to get into.
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Using your native language. Every language is valuable, and your native language is no exception. That’s why any job that allows you to speak your language freely is a great option.
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Freelancing. Typically a form of independent contractor work, being a freelancer allows you to pick and choose the jobs that work for you while also maintaining a flexible schedule.
Remember that one of these factors might be more important to you than another, but we focus mainly on jobs that fit one or more of these criteria for this list. That way, you’ll have several different options across a wide range of industries.
Should I learn English for my job?
You can still find a lot of work even if you do not speak English. However, this does limit your career opportunities in the United States, so it all depends on what you want to do and what is realistic for you.
If possible, it is strongly recommended that you learn English, and a job that doesn’t require you to speak English but allows you to interact with English-speaking people is a great place to practice.
For example, imagine you worked in a kitchen where English wasn’t required, but most of your coworkers spoke it. Participating in conversations with other restaurant staff members would give you the chance to work on your English skills and receive real-time feedback.
The key is not to be afraid to practice. It takes a lot of courage to speak a new language. Be open to making mistakes and look for ways to improve. There are many online courses that can help you as well.
Jobs for people who don’t speak English FAQ
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Do you have to speak English to work in America?
No, you don’t have to speak English to work in America. Some job opportunities that allow you to work without speaking English include truck drivers, kitchen staff, and pet sitters/walkers. Leaning English will open up more opportunities for work while living in the U.S., however.
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How long can it take to learn English?
It can take about a year for someone to learn English. However, things such as your current level of English, how much you practice or study, and how good at you are at learning new languages can all be factors that affect you learning. Everyone will learn a new language at a different pace, so don’t give up learning if you don’t have it down right away.
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What is the most common language besides English spoken in the U.S.?
Spanish is the second most common language spoke that is spoken in the U.S. After Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarine are the most common languages spoken in the U.S.
Final thoughts
Finding a job in a heavily English-speaking country like the United States can be difficult when you’re not fluent in the language, but it’s more than possible. Any job that allows you to work independently under an employer or as a freelancer is a great start, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
When in doubt, check if your area provides common tests, programs, or licenses you need for some of these jobs in your language. You might be surprised by how bilingual state and government organizations can be.
But regardless, don’t be afraid to get out there in the job market!
References
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Heavy and Tractor -Trailer Truck Drivers Outlook
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – How do Immigrants Far in the U.S. Labor Market
- Jobs For People
- Jobs For People Who Hate Working
- Jobs For People Who Don't Know What To Do
- Jobs For People Who Don't Speak English
- Jobs For People Who Love Reading
- Jobs For People Who Like To Organize
- Jobs For People Who Get Bored Easily
- Jobs For People Who Like To Work Alone
- Jobs For People Who Like History
- Jobs For People Who Like To Learn
- Jobs For People Who Like To Talk
- Jobs For People Who Love Sports
- Jobs For Teachers Who Don't Want To Teach
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
