9 Jobs for Better Work-Life Balance

Flexible hours. The ability to work from home. More paid time off. Free nights and weekends.

Ask anyone what a healthy work-life balance looks like to them and you will get varied answers. For example, while some relish the opportunity to nab a job that allows for remote work, others find full-time remote work to be challenging. 

The reality is that work-life balance is not inherent in any job, occupation, or work style. Instead, it means something different for each of us and is as much the product of our own efforts as the parameters of our jobs. Nonetheless, there are some flexible jobs that could make achieving work-life balance easier than others. 

In this article, you will find a list of jobs that offer the potential for good work-life balance alongside detailed information about their pay, how to get one, and what kind of unique opportunities they offer jobholders. 

Top industries for work-life balance

There may be no “best” work-life balance job, but there are some occupations and industries that offer more flexibility than others. 

A study conducted by Glassdoor Economic Research reviewed millions of employee comments posted on the job-seeking platform from March 2020 to September 2021. In addition to identifying a list of the highest-rated companies for work-life balance, the study also identified the top five industries with high work-life balance ratings based on employee reviews [1]: 

1. Tech 

2. Real estate 

3. Aerospace and defense

4. Finance

5. Insurance

Each of these industries received highly favorable work-life balance scores from employees by providing innovative programs, such as the ability to work from anywhere, flexible working schedules, and unlimited paid time off. 

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9 high-paying jobs for better work-life balance 

The list below takes these insights into account and includes a range of jobs in the above industries. Each of the jobs below also features an individual average salary that is well above the average in the United States (according to Glassdoor, as of June 2022).

1. Data analyst

Average salary: $63,260 base pay, plus $29,516 in additional compensation [2]

Data analysts collect, clean, study, and model data to help organizations and businesses make informed decisions. Their work spans many industries, including business, finance, medicine, and government.

The job of a data analyst is related, though distinct, from that of a data scientist, which tends to ask bigger questions of data and also design original experiments surrounding data. While you will likely need to get a master’s degree to become a data scientist, you could start a career as a data analyst by either formally studying it in college or building skills on your own or through a certification or credential.

As a data-heavy role that involves computers, the job of a data analyst might appeal to those who enjoy working with numbers and are looking for a position that can likely be done remotely.

Read more: How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree)

2. UX or UI designer 

Average salary: $81,188 base pay, plus $19,923 in additional compensation (UX designer) [3]; $79,664 base pay, plus $24,488 in additional compensation (UI designer) [4]

User experience (UX) designers oversee every aspect of a product’s design from a user experience standpoint. User interface (UI) designers, meanwhile, design all the screens that users go through on an app, website, video game, or virtual menu. 

Becoming a UX or UI designer often means building a portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills. Gain or refine these skills in numerous ways: through flexible online courses, in a certificate program, or with a college degree in a relevant field.

The job of a UX or UI designer will likely appeal to those who enjoy creative fields with a practical research-oriented angle. Furthermore, many aspects of UX and UI design are also able to be conducted remotely, meaning it is a job that lends itself to working from home. 

Read more: UI vs. UX Design: What’s the Difference? 

3. Real estate agent 

Average salary: $99,297 base pay, plus $38,111 in additional compensation [5]

Real estate agents work with clients to buy, sell, and rent properties. In addition to conducting a significant portion of their working days outside of the office at properties, real estate agents also typically get the benefit of setting their own work schedules.

In order to become a real estate agent, you will likely need at least a high school diploma and gain state licensure. Prior to getting your license, you will likely need to take real estate courses at the community or four-year college level.

Becoming a real estate agent might appeal to individuals who enjoy client-facing sales roles that allow them to have control over their own schedule. 

4. Statistician 

Average salary: $73,637 base pay, plus $23,728 in additional compensation [6]

Statisticians analyze data to help businesses and other organizations understand trends and make decisions. Like the closely related roles of data scientist and data analyst, statisticians can find work in a wide variety of fields, including health care, public safety, and even sports. Most statisticians have a master’s degree in either statistics or mathematics.  

The role of statistician will likely appeal to those who enjoy working with numbers and are looking for a job that allows for the possibility of working from home. 

5. Web developer

Average salary: $72,663 base pay, plus $32,308 in additional compensation [7]

Web developers build and maintain websites, such as this one. Using a range of design and programming skills, web developers ensure that sites function properly for clients and visitors.

In order to become a web developer, you don’t necessarily need a degree, but some employers might prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. That said, you can become a web developer with either a high school diploma or an associate degree.

Web developers can either be freelance or work in-house for a company, meaning it could potentially offer flexible employment models. If you enjoy working with computers, then becoming a web developer might offer you the opportunity to work remotely with a flexible schedule.

Read more: What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

6. Financial advisor

Average salary: $120,956 base pay, plus $48,853 in additional compensation [8]

Financial advisors help clients manage and plan their personal finances. Some of the responsibilities of the role include helping clients set short and long-term goals, invest, and maneuver tax laws.

In order to become a financial advisor, you likely need a bachelor’s degree and will need to undergo on-the-job training with a supervisor to gain key skills. Optional professional certifications, such as those offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, may help you gain valuable credentials, and special licenses are required for those who wish to buy or sell bonds, stocks, or insurance policies.

In addition to working in corporate settings, many financial advisors also work as freelancers with their own clients. If you enjoy working with numbers and want a job that offers the possibility for a flexible work schedule, then you might consider a career as a financial planner. 

7. Corporate recruiter

Average salary: $63,199 base pay, plus $27,702 in additional compensation [9]

Corporate recruiters handle the hiring of talent, including sourcing and screening candidates, for companies and other organizations. Through their work, recruiters must be good at working with other people, identifying client needs, and locating strong candidates for corporate positions.

In order to become a recruiter, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as in human resources or business. In some cases, employers might prefer candidates with related work experience as a human resources assistant or customer service representative.

Occasionally, corporate recruiters must travel for their work to attend job fairs. As a result, becoming a corporate recruiter might appeal to individuals who enjoy traveling, working with people, and having the opportunity to conduct business outside of the office. 

Read more: 10 In-Demand Jobs You Can Get with a Business Degree

8. Project manager

Average salary: $73,859 base pay, plus $18,327 in additional compensation [10]

Project managers organize, plan, and execute projects while working within budgetary and scheduling constraints. Their project-based skill set allows them to work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, tech, business, and government. 

Requirements for project managers vary from project to project and employer to employer. Some employers might prefer that you have an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Science in Management (MSM), though this is not always required.

If you are someone who is good at planning, organizing, and working with others, then a role as a project manager could offer the opportunity for flexible remote work. 

9. Social media manager

Average salary: $50,266 base pay, plus $23,500 in additional compensation [11]

Social media managers handle all aspects of the social media presence of a company, organization, or individual. As a result, they are tasked with ensuring their clients stay on-brand and on-message when posting material and responding to commenters.

While there is no specific credential required to become a social media manager, employers might prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as marketing, business, or communications. You could also start building the needed skills through a Professional Certificate as either an alternative or a supplement to a college degree.  

If you are someone who enjoys marketing and using social media, then you might consider a career as a social media manager, a job that can often be done remotely—occasionally even from your phone. 

Read more: What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree? 11 Job Paths

Next steps

Build the skills companies are hiring for in remote-friendly industries like project management, UX design, social media management, and data analysis by earning a Professional Certificate from industry leaders such as Google and Meta. Join Coursera for free and begin learning at your own pace from anywhere with an internet connection.

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