Many mothers are juggling family, careers, and their personal lives while feeling like they can’t get it all done. One solution to this problem is finding a job that is working-mother friendly. The hard part is finding good-paying careers that meet this high bar. After all, many companies demand 10-hour days, or worse. Fortunately, there are options for working mothers, no matter what you like to do. Here are 12 great career options for mothers.
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Accountants
Full-time accountants earn over $70,000 a year. Those who become auditors can earn even more. Both these financial professionals have stable careers which makes them a great option for mothers.
Bookkeepers balance the books of their employers and clients. Many accountants can work from home, so you could get a chance to save on babysitting. You can generally predict when you’ll need to ramp up your hours based on the financial cycle, such as at the start or end of the month when handling invoices or handling monthly and quarterly reports.
Dental Hygienist
Not only do dental hygienists enjoy great schedules, but they’re very well paid as well. The average dental hygienist earns more than $70,000 a year. It is not hard to find part-time jobs and flexible schedules. This allows many dental hygienists to balance work and family or even eliminate their need for childcare.
Midwifery
If you’re already a mother, you have a natural connection to women who are pregnant, nursing, or seeking to become pregnant because you’ve already been there. Furthermore, pregnant women benefit from using midwives in many ways.
The greater level of engagement has been shown to reduce the risk of premature birth for pregnant women. On top of that, women who use midwives experience fewer complications during labor, even when they’re classified as high risk. Their odds of having a C-section are similar to those of women who are cared for by a doctor. Yet they are less likely to need an epidural or episiotomy. This makes childbirth easier for women on average.
As a midwife, you could also work as a childbirth educator. You could earn several hundred dollars per head for a 6-week course. Lactation consultants teach new mothers how to properly breastfeed their children. They earn anywhere from $25 to $40 an hour.
You may have already chosen a career in nursing because it is a great choice for mothers. If you are already an active registered nurse, you could get an online midwifery degree from a school like Baylor University. You could go from a BSN to a DNP in roughly three years. A post master’s DNP takes around two years.
School Teacher
A lot of moms work as elementary school teachers. The main benefit is that your work schedule is similar to that of your kids in school. You get weekends, school holidays and summer breaks off with the kids. If you need to work longer to get work done, you can generally take the papers and lesson plans home. The average elementary school teacher earns roughly $57,000 a year.
You could also decide to become a high school teacher. One point in favor of teaching high school students is the higher pay rate. The average high school teacher earns around $60,000 a year. You could also teach a specific discipline. Some disciplines such as math and science pay better than average. Note that you’ll also get the same perks as an elementary school teacher such as getting the same days off from work as your kids have off from school.
Sales Representative
A sales representative’s role varies based on the industry or field they work in. Some sales jobs can be done from home, while others require travel. The average sales rep earns around $60,000 a year. However, there is no limit to what you can earn. Pay is based on your accomplishments, not the hours worked. This job is an excellent choice for those who are good at influencing others.
A career in Human Resources Specialists
Human Resources specialists may manage current employees or recruit new employees. One of the things that make this such a great option for mothers is the stable schedules.
HR professionals rarely have to work overtime. They are generally able to take vacations and get holidays off. However, the job requires excellent people skills. Fortunately, strong communication skills and empathy tend to be strong points for moms. One point in favor of working in HR is that the average pay rate is around $60,000 a year.
Photographer
The average photographer earns a little over $30,000 a year, though this can vary wildly. Many photographers work freelance. You can pick and choose projects and work as much or as little as you’d like. That means you could choose which weekend events you cover and which you have off.
A career in Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents may help buyers find their new homes, help current owners sell their homes, or assist renters in finding the right apartment. You’ll have to earn a real estate license to work as a real estate agent. One benefit of being a real estate agent is that you have a flexible schedule. However, you have to be able to meet clients when they’re available. You may need to be on call during nights and weekends. On the other hand, this may reduce your need for childcare. The average real estate agent earns a little under $50,000 a year.
Career in Fitness Trainer/Fitness Instructor
The average salary for fitness instructors is $40,000 a year if you’re doing it full-time. You can work in gyms and fitness centers, or you could visit clients in their homes. You can typically set your own hours. You could work in a specialized niche and charge a higher hourly rate, too. For example, prenatal fitness instructors can charge anywhere from $50 to $100 a class. You’ll only need to complete the necessary training workshops to get certified.
A career in Event Planner
Event planners help to plan events from weddings to professional conferences to birthday parties. Event planners may work with vendors and meet with clients, but they can do a large part of their job from home. You can also set your own schedule, though you’ll have to do what is necessary to facilitate the client’s event.
Grant Writers
If you have writing skills, you could also consider working as a grant writer. Grant writers put together grant proposals. They need to have strong writing, organization, and research skills. Many, if not all grant writers can work from home. You can work part-time or full-time. It depends on how many clients you have.
Working moms have busy lives and it can seem like an impossible struggle at times. However, you can find ways to earn a living while still having enough time for yourself and your kids.
