25 Best Night Jobs in 2021

There are many reasons to trade in your day shift for a night job.

If you’re a night owl and struggle to get up in the morning, a student that takes classes during the day or you’re looking for a way to save money on childcare expenses, a night job might be for you.

The choices for an overnight shift go beyond reporters, nurses and police officers. Plenty of options exist to bring in a paycheck after the sun goes down. Which night job is right for you?

 

Top Night Jobs to Make Extra Money

Jobs are available for every skill level and personality type. If you want a part-time night job or one you only work on the weekends, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Highway Toll Booth Attendant

State governments set up toll booths and collect cash from drivers in exchange for traveling along certain interstate highways and turnpikes.

The state hires people to collect money around the clock, which makes being a toll booth attendant an excellent option for an overnight shift. Collecting money as a toll booth attendant is an entry-level position.

Average pay: $12.35 an hour [Source: Payscale]

2. Freelance Writer

Being a freelance writer means you can work whenever you want. If you have a passion for writing and grammar, this could be the best night job for you.

Average pay: $22.99 per hour [Source: Payscale]

3. Babysitter

Babysitting is a popular job for a teen. But it isn’t reserved for those under 18. Adults can make money by watching kids too.

Good babysitters are hard to find. Most daycare centers cater to the 9 to 5 crowd, leaving parents who work the night shift in a tough spot.

There isn’t usually any formal education required. Finding kids to watch could be as easy as posting on Facebook that you’re looking for work as a babysitter or hanging up a flier at your local library.

Average pay: $11 per hour [Source: BLS]

4. Baker

Supermarkets, gas stations and big chain stores like Panera Bread and Subway need someone to get baked goods ready for business the next day. As a baker, you’d work during the night shift to prepare bread and pastries.

How much you make depends on your experience and location.

Average pay: $43890 per year [Source: Salary.com]

5. Virtual Assistant

Working as a virtual assistant can give you the flexibility you need to work when you want, even if that means completing tasks while everyone else is asleep.

Virtual assistants work from home to support companies or individuals who are your clients.

Average pay: $15.98 per hour [Source: Payscale]

6. Teach English Online

If you can speak English, you could make money by teaching others the language. Online tutoring companies provide a platform to help Chinese students learn to speak English, and they supply lesson plans for you.

With the difference in time zones, China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time. Chinese students are ready to learn when they get off school at 3:00 p.m., which is about 3:00 a.m. in the U.S.

You don’t need to know any Chinese because the courses are fully immersive. You could earn up to $22 or more an hour teaching English online.

7. Casino Dealer

Casinos are open 24 hours a day and are in need of dealers for games like Blackjack.

Although the hourly rate might not be impressive, casino dealers can also make $200 per day in tips.

Even if you worked just three days a week, you could more than double your salary in tips.

Average pay: $34,045 per year [Source: Glassdoor]

8. Merchandise Stocker

Merchandise stockers unpack inventory to place on store shelves according to a preset layout. You may be responsible for receiving product shipments and counting inventory to make sure nothing is missing.

And if the store is open late nights, you might also help shoppers locate items, answer questions or provide other customer service functions.

9. Store Clerk

Stores often need a night crew to do more than stock shelves and check inventory. Gas stations and convenience stores also need a clerk to run the cash register when customers come in after dark.

Short-term training is usually all that’s required. Most stores provide on the job instruction after you accept the position.

Average pay: $10.69 per hour [Source: Payscale]

10. Night School Teacher

Adults can attend night school to take personal enrichment, academic or vocational courses. Teaching a night school class could help you earn extra money around your other obligations.

College students could cash in on the opportunity, too. As a night school assistant teacher, you could reinforce lessons and review material with students. 

11. Pizza Delivery Driver

Delivering pizza is a great way to get paid for driving your car. In addition to your hourly rate, customer tips can put more money in your pocket.

Expand your delivery services to include all restaurant food with a gig from Uber Eats. This way, you set your own schedule and can choose which deliveries you make.

12. Bartender

Want to make money fast? Consider being a bartender. Restaurants hire servers to take care of drink orders during happy hour and into the late-night hours.

You can earn larger tips in a sit-down restaurant or high-end establishment. Depending on where you find employment, the tips you receive could outpace your hourly wage. 

13. Warehouse Worker

Companies ship materials day and night, which makes being a warehouse worker an excellent option for a night job.

Work the night shift as a warehouse worker, and if you have training as a forklift operator, your hourly pay could be even higher.

Average pay: $18 per hour [Source: Salary.com]

14. Uber or Lyft Driver

Rideshare services are gaining popularity as a side hustle. Whether you drive for Uber or Lyft, your schedule is flexible. Drivers say overnight hours and early morning shifts are where the money is at because most people are at home in bed during that time.

Some people have been earning money by driving for years. Ryan Begin is one of them, and he shares insider tips on how to make the most money as an Uber driver.

15. Hotel Desk Clerk

Guests rely on the front desk clerk for information and to bring towels or toiletries to their room. If you don’t mind being alone for most of the night, you could work the third shift as a hotel desk clerk.

You should have good communication skills and be courteous when helping customers on the phone and at the desk.

Average pay: $10.93 per hour [Source: Payscale]

16. Customer Service Representative

Every business, no matter how big or small, needs someone to take care of their customers. Common tasks include handling complaints, processing orders and answering questions.

You might find an overnight position at a call center, insurance office, moving company or hospital. If you have excellent customer service skills, put them to work and earn more than $16.00 an hour.

17. Hospital Intake Worker

Urgent care centers and emergency rooms are open 24/7. They hire staff to sit at the information desk to answer questions and help patients get the care they need. You can expect to earn around $16 an hour.

Since this is an office-type role, you don’t need medical training. However, experience in a healthcare setting or knowledge of medical insurance can help you land a job as a hospital intake worker.

18. 24-Hour Gym Attendant

Gym memberships aren’t cheap. If you find a job at a gym, you might save money on a gym membership and get paid to work there at the same time.

Especially in large metro areas, overnight gym access and nighttime fitness classes are in high demand. ZipRecruiter reports an average annual salary of $22,528, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. If you have fitness training or an instructor certification, you could bump your pay to $39,820 per year by teaching gym classes.

19. Material Handler

If you don’t mind physical labor, working a night job as a material handler could be a good fit for you. Factories and warehouses need employees to get products and parts where they need to be for production lines and customer shipments.

It requires no formal training, although you should be physically fit, so you’re able to perform the work. With an average hourly pay of $14.40, you could earn a decent income as a material handler.

20. Caregiver

Family members often struggle to find someone to take care of their loved ones overnight. Being a caregiver can give the family a lot of relief. You might help people with disabilities, chronic illness or cognitive impairment.

It’s a good idea to become CPR and first aid certified, so you’re prepared in case of an emergency. You may need to pass a standardized test to work in some healthcare facilities and hospital agencies.

21. Proofreader

Do you have an eye for detail and love grammar? Proofreading can be a good career choice. You can make money as a proofreader in your own time, making it an excellent option for a night job.

How much you earn depends on your experience and the clients you have. Starting, you might make $20 or $30 an hour, but your rates can increase to $65 per hour or more.

22. Manufacturing Worker

Manufacturing facilities are known to hire third-shift workers. The hourly pay averages $15.78 an hour, according to the BLS, and most places will give you a night shift premium on top of that.

The work can be physically demanding and may require you to stand or sit for long periods.

23. Fast Food Clerk

Fast food is a good choice if you want to eat out for cheap. It’s also an option if you’re looking for a night job since most chain restaurants are open 24/7. You could get paid over $10 an hour as a fast-food clerk.

The position is usually part-time, and you’ll get on-the-job training. There should be plenty of jobs available since the demand for food and beverage service workers is expected to grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028.

24. Data Entry Specialist

Excellent typing skills could land you a great night job as a data entry specialist. The average hourly rate is $13.19, but you could make up to $18 an hour.

Businesses in every industry, from mom-and-pop shops to government and corporate organizations use data entry clerks. If you know how to use Microsoft Office and have a knack for spreadsheets, this could be the right choice for you.

25. Janitorial Services

It may not be the most glamorous job to do, but working as a janitor can put cash in your pocket. The hourly pay averages $12.55. The tasks can be physically demanding but rarely require specialized skills.

Cleaning up could be an inside or an outside position, but you’re more likely to be indoors if you’re scheduled for the night shift. Offices hire workers to clean during the nighttime hours, so business operations aren’t disturbed during the day.

Summary

Not everyone is a morning person. Even night owls can have a chance to make more money. The old adage that says “the early bird gets the worm” doesn’t always hold true. If you’re more suited to a night job, one of these is sure to spark your interest.

What are your favorite options for working a night job? Let us know in the comments below.