If you’re looking for a new career (or side hustle) you can do from home, there are plenty of 1099 jobs available online, meaning there’s an opportunity for virtually anyone’s skill set, regardless of previous experience or expertise.
What is a 1099 job? A 1099 worker is not a W2 employee of a company. Instead, they are called a freelancer, independent contractor, or small business owner. This means they don’t receive employee benefits, their income isn’t taxed by the company, and they’re not eligible for overtime pay, health insurance, etc.
Typically, no wage or salary is paid; instead, the company and the 1099 worker enter into a unique contract. You’ll find that many of these online 1099 jobs have their own pay structure, often (but not always) based on an hourly rate.
Instead, you get to create your own schedule, and in many cases you can work from anywhere in the world, which can give you a steady income and a flexible work schedule that gives you control over your own hours and work.
23 companies hiring online 1099 jobs
If you’re looking for online 1099 jobs, here are some select companies currently hiring gig workers in a variety of fields.
1. Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk for short) is a crowdsourcing platform where companies and individuals can post jobs that are paid per task. Gigs include answering surveys, recording audio snippets, transcribing audio files, content moderation, verifying data, and more. Each task is assigned a pay rate and comes with instructions for completion. Some gigs pay very low, but you can sort tasks by pay rate, making it easy to find work that is worth your time. US-based 1099 workers can request payment via direct deposit or Amazon gift card. Check out this Amazon MTurk review to learn more about how to make money on the platform.
2. Apps
Appen is a short-term task site that pays independent contractors for data collection and completing simple tasks. The company itself provides AI services and specializes in data annotation. It serves industries such as retail, technology, finance, and automotive.
Getting started with Appen is fairly easy. Once you’ve set up your account, you can choose from a list of tasks. Each task and project comes with instructions and expectations. Short tasks include transcription, social media reviews, content moderation, and more.
A project is a long-term assignment or part-time work in jobs such as data entry, app tester, search engine evaluator, etc.
3. Belaying
BELAY is a remote support team offering Virtual Assistants, Bookkeepers, Website Specialists and Social Media Managers. If you have expertise in any of these areas, you are a great fit for this job. BELAY does not offer training, so these roles are best suited for those with experience. As a Virtual Assistant, you will assist with administrative tasks and project management. BELAY requires you to submit an application before moving forward with the evaluation process. Once approved, you will be matched with clients. BELAY hires independent contractors in all states except California, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
4. Cambly
Cambly hires native English speakers from around the world as online English tutors. These positions help non-native English speakers practice their conversational English skills. No experience is required for these independent contract jobs, but you will need a laptop or computer with a webcam and a fast, reliable internet connection. Pay is $0.17 per minute ($10.20 per hour) if you speak to adults and $0.20 per minute ($12.00 per hour) if you speak to children. This online 1099 job allows you to work any time you like.
5. Course Hero
If you’re hungry for knowledge on a specific subject, you could work as an online tutor with Course Hero. As an online tutor, you’ll answer students’ homework and study questions online, which offers more flexibility than the average tutoring position.
No specific qualifications are required, but you must have ample evidence of expertise in the field you want to teach. Pay varies based on the number of questions answered, subject, difficulty, quality of answers, etc. According to the Course Hero website, top instructors can earn up to $1,500 per month.
6. Crowdsurf
CrowdSurf hires 1099 workers for transcription, subtitling, and translation jobs across the US and Canada. Sign up for an account and take an initial assessment to see if you qualify. Once you pass the initial exam, you can start working on freelance jobs. No prior experience is required. However, you do need to provide 99% accurate transcriptions and subtitles for videos.
7. Data Annotation Techniques
Another company hiring for online 1099 jobs is DataAnnotation Tech. The company hires freelancers from the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to work on a variety of AI tasks, including coding, creative writing, and chatbot interactions. No experience is required for these jobs, but you will need to pass an initial assessment. DataAnnotation Tech’s starting wage is $20 per hour, with higher rates for coding jobs.
8. Inbox Complete
InboxDone helps free up valuable time for people with busy email inboxes. It helps contractors read, organize, and respond to their clients’ emails. Contractors can decide the number of hours they want, and InboxDone will match them with the right number of clients.
This position requires no experience, although you will receive training. However, you must have basic knowledge of written and verbal communication skills and be a native English speaker. The starting wage for this 1099 job is $17.
9. Live Operation
LiveOps is an online-based virtual call center that helps clients assist their customers through sales and customer service. Call center representatives answer calls, assist customers, make sales, raise funds, and even provide disaster relief services.
Their independent agents can set their own hours and work from anywhere, as long as they have a good internet connection and a private workspace. They match you with companies based on your skills and availability.
To use LiveOps, you must reside in one of the states listed here and must pay for and pass a criminal background check.
10. Mod Squad
ModSquad hires independent contractors from around the world for part-time customer support, content moderation, community management, and social media marketers. These online 1099 jobs are looking for experienced professionals with strong communication skills. With ModSquad, you can choose your projects and create your own schedule. Mods says you can earn $38-49 per hour in these independent contractor jobs.
11. My BTLR
My BTLR matches virtual assistants with clients across a wide range of industries, including real estate, trades, lawyers, accountants, trade contractors, bloggers, business owners and even families. You can apply to specific listings and remote opportunities in your area.
Pay varies by position but can be up to $25 per hour. Applicants should have a high school diploma, excellent communication skills and 1-5 years of related experience.
12. Neck Reps
NexRep hires Customer Service and Sales Representatives who handle inbound and outbound phone calls. Each position has different working hours, but all representatives must have effective communication skills and connectivity.
We work through phone, email, online chat, text, and social media. NexRep is not hiring in AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, ME, MO, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA, WI. For more information about NexRep’s hiring process, please visit this page.
13. Omni-Interaction
Omni Interactions offers business customer support services. The company hires 1099 workers, trains them on how to use an online platform, and then pairs them with clients. They provide support via email, text, phone, online chat, and social media.
Omni pays its US employees who provide customer support between $14 and $20 per hour, and allows them to set their own hours and be completely flexible.
We currently have 1099 openings in Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the United States, but we are not hiring in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, or Washington DC.
14. Peachtree VA
Peachtree VA is hiring Virtual Executive Assistants to work with small to medium sized business owners to assist with administrative and operational tasks. As a high level Virtual Assistant, preference is given to those with previous experience and a bachelor’s degree.
Peachtree’s virtual assistants must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours a week and are not eligible if they are currently working or attending school full time. Contract employees earn $22 an hour.
15. Amendments
Rev has independent contractor positions for transcriptionists, closed captioners, and translators. It’s a great option for new and junior transcriptionists. There’s always plenty of work to choose from, and you can decide how much work you want to take on. To work with Rev, you’ll need to pass a competency test.
Transcriptionists are paid per minute of audio, meaning they get paid for each minute of audio they complete transcribing. Pay ranges from $0.36 to $3 per minute of audio. The faster you listen and transcribe, the more you’ll earn.
16. Shutterstock
If you’re a freelance photographer, you can make a decent income selling stock photos on sites like Shutterstock. On Shutterstock, you create an account and upload your best images and video clips for review. Once you’re approved to start selling, you can upload more photos, vectors, illustrations, and videos to sell. As a contributor, you can earn 15-40% commission every time a customer downloads an image or video. The more items you sell, the higher your commission rate. If you earn more than $35, payments are made monthly through PayPal, Skrill, and Payoneer.
17. Study.com
Study.com allows you to work on freelance projects such as lesson writing, curriculum design, homework help, research, copywriting, writing, and editing. Each project has different requirements, but you can work on these gigs any time and get paid twice a month via PayPal. Study.com has a video with step-by-step instructions for applying for these freelance positions. To find out the average salary for specific jobs, visit Glassdoor.com and select the position that interests you.
18. Studypool
The last independent contracting job on this list is Studypool. With Studypool, you can earn up to $7,500 a month by answering homework questions online. This 1099 job can cover subjects such as accounting, algebra, business, Excel, art, and marketing. Studypool accepts tutors from all over the world, but you’ll need to submit a short application to verify your area of expertise. Payment can be made via direct deposit, check, PayPal, Payoneer, TransferWise, and Western Union.
19. TELUS International
TELUS International currently has several online 1099 jobs available. One of these is an Online Data Analyst, who conducts research to determine the relevance and accuracy of online information. This job requires reviewing data from online searches and tools. This position is open only to US residents, English speakers, and those with strong cultural and current affairs knowledge.
From time to time, there are openings for online mystery shoppers. These 1099 jobs require you to spend 7-10 hours a month purchasing items from online ads and providing detailed feedback about them. You are then allowed to keep, give away, or sell the items.
TELUS International is hiring for a variety of work-from-home roles, including social media advertising evaluators, translators, and internet safety evaluators. They’re hiring in the US, Canada, and other countries, so check the TELUS International website to see if they’re hiring in your country.
20. Transcribe Me
TranscribeMe is one of the best online transcription platforms for independent contractors. They offer training and style guides, making them a great starting point for beginner transcribers. They provide transcription services to a variety of industries, including medical and legal transcription.
You can take on one project at a time, but there’s no limit to how many you can complete. You’ll be paid anywhere between $15 and $22 per hour of audio. To get started with TranscribeMe, you’ll need a computer and a stable internet connection. A headset isn’t required, but we recommend using one to make things easier.
21. Wheels
Wheel employs licensed clinicians to provide telehealth services in the fields of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse practitioners (RNs) and behavioral health specialists.
We are hiring in all 50 states, but demand tends to be highest in California, Texas, New York, Illinois and Florida. We have a flexible work schedule, but you will need to provide your own equipment, including a computer with a webcam, a high-speed internet connection and a cell phone. Earning potential will vary depending on your medical license.
22. Practical Solutions
Working Solutions is another virtual contact center that offers sales, customer support, analytics, back-office support, and even IT services. The company currently hires 1099 workers in the US (except CA, NY, PA, WA) and Canada. US workers can earn up to $19 (or more) per hour and are paid by the minute. These online 1099 jobs allow you to create your own schedule and work anywhere from 15 to 40 hours per week.
23. Worksbee
Worxbee is another high-level virtual assistant company that supports CEOs and other leaders. You need a minimum of 5 years of experience to get into this role. On the plus side, you get to decide which clients you work with, so you know if you’re a good fit, and you get ongoing training. Hourly rates start at $26. WorxBee is hiring in all US states except California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Final thoughts on online 1099 jobs
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online 1099 jobs. There are tons of freelance side hustles available in a wide variety of industries.
If you can’t find your dream 1099 job, you can search for gigs on FlexJobs or start freelancing services on Fiverr or Legiit. If you don’t want to sit in front of a computer all day, you can become a rideshare or delivery driver for companies like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or HopSkipDrive.
If you’re self-employed, your company doesn’t withhold income tax from your paycheck. To avoid tax penalties, set aside a portion of your income for quarterly self-employment taxes, payable in April, June, September, and January each year. One of the benefits of working as an entrepreneur is that you can claim business expenses on your tax return, such as mileage if you’re doing delivery work or home office expenses. Talking to an accountant or tax professional can help you fully understand your taxes and financial responsibilities.
The final thing to consider as a 1099 employee is that you won’t have the same benefits as a W-2 employee, so make sure you plan appropriately by considering self-funded health insurance and individual retirement plans.
Good luck with your job search!
Originally published on August 15, 2022. Content updated August 2024.
