10 Profitable Freelance Jobs for Former Military Members

Freelance work has been increasing in popularity for some years, but the COVID-19 pandemic gave millions a taste of what working from home was like. As the world returns to work, many people are choosing to branch out on their own instead and embracing the work-from-home model completely. This is good news for veterans, who often struggle to adapt to corporate cultures and being in an office all day. Veterans are also perfect candidates for many jobs that require knowledge of teamwork, the ability to work under pressure, and discipline. Making the transition into the civilian workforce is, therefore, easier for veterans who do freelance work in the comfort of their own homes. Here are the top ten most profitable freelance jobs for veterans.

Interpreter/Translator (average salary $60,000 for non-certified)

Many former military members pick up language skills in the countries where they were stationed. If they learned foreign languages well enough, they can become freelance translators or interpreters after the service is through. Many people have posted their resumes as translators and participated in different freelance projects that involve languages they speak, such as written or verbal translations.

A big advantage here is that veterans had the opportunity to experience the culture of the foreign country, so they can speak with proper tone and even with a dialect!

Web developer (average salary $71,996)

The growth of the web development field provides a lot of freelance projects for everyone interested. Veterans are also well suited for designing websites if they are interested in the technology. Similar to freelance writers, web designers do not need an advanced degree (a couple of months of web design training should be enough) and a lot of resources to begin.

Choosing a web developer job for veterans is a good idea because the industry is booming! It currently employs more than 250,000 people, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this number is supposed to increase by at least 20,000 by 2020. A perfect time to enter the field, right?

Teacher or Tutor (average salary $15.03 per hour)

This one is pretty simple. If you have advanced expertise in something, you can teach it to others. All you need to have is lesson plans and a computer with an Internet connection. The expertise that can be taught can be various, from high school math to Mandarin.

Mobile app developer (average salary $78,232)

Another profitable career in the area of web development. You will need to learn some good training for it, though. However, after several months of learning, you will enter a fascinating area that always needs new talent and fresh ideas. Typical job descriptions include the development and testing of mobile apps for various platforms, such as iOS and Android.

This job could be perfect for you in case you have a passion for apps with awesome functions.

Web researcher (average salary $57,000)

This freelance job is also relatively simple and requires extensive Internet research of topics provided by the employer. Many web researchers work from home and earn a pretty decent salary. Another plus is that popular job boards like Indeed.com have a long list of offers for anyone interested in getting involved with this job.

Photographer (average salary $25.54 per hour)

If you have an interest in photography, then you should definitely become a freelance photographer. Most of these professionals report very high levels of job satisfaction because they have lots of fun during the photo sessions! For you, as a former military member, this can be an interesting change of pace and an exciting opportunity to communicate and enjoy the company of others.

If you’re interested, here is the job description, tasks, career paths, job listings, and other useful information from Payscale.

Customer Service Specialist (average salary $14.22 per hour)

This occupation is not as popular as the ones mentioned above but it still pays very well. It could be a good option for you if you feel the need for communication (you are going to do a lot of talking, that’s for sure). According to Payscale, people who are engaged in this field don’t have a lot of years of experience, so veterans with limited or no experience will be gladly accepted.

This occupation also offers many different career paths, such as office manager and executive secretary.

Logo designer (average salary $48,140)

This is another good career option for those who love design because these professionals use illustrations, fonts, colors, and layout to visually communicate a message or a product. There are many freelance opportunities available on the Internet for those who prefer to work from home as independent contractors on a per-project basis.

Check out this logo design guide to get an idea of what needs to be done here.

Writer (average salary $24.62 per hour)

Another area great for veterans is freelance writing. It requires a computer, an Internet connection, and a willingness to work. Although some writing education should be obtained, it does not require a lot of time to start working. Veterans can find many writing projects online for producing blog posts, how-to articles, and product descriptions. Also, if you are good at writing college papers, you may consider a professional essay writing service as a variant.

There are many freelance writing jobs available on the Internet, so don’t hesitate to apply if you are a former military member.

Social media manager (average salary $51,613)

The responsibilities of these professionals include the facilitation of social media tasks, communication with vendors and customers, and management of social media profiles. This job can easily be done from home because only a computer with an Internet connection is required.

Feel free to browse through all these career opportunities and make sure that your future occupation perfectly fits your character and passion. There are many opportunities for veterans out there, so get involved!

For companies interested in hiring veterans, listing your available positions on our job board ensures exposure to thousands of qualified candidates for a nominal fee. Click here for more information or to create an employer profile.

Author bio:  

Kurt Walker joined a team of paper writers three years ago, and he’s been offering coursework help and assignment help to students ever since. As part of a London-based custom writing agency and assignment service, he’s able to travel the world while offering research paper writing help and thesis help. He is mostly focused on topics related to education, productivity, and technology, but he also writes College-Paper.org reviews.