Skip to main content

Top 12 Work-From-Home Jobs for Seniors in the United Kingdom

6 minute read

By Alannah Koene

If you’re a senior looking for extra income or a new career, many work-from-home jobs offer convenient schedules and great work-life balances. Most remote jobs only require an internet connection, a computer and the right skill set, and you can easily find openings on company websites or job search engines.

To get started, check out the top 12 work-from-home jobs for seniors in the United Kingdom.

1. Remote Sales Representative

Responsible for communicating with leads and customers and fostering future sales opportunities, remote sales associates function similarly to their in-person counterparts. Instead of meeting customers in an office or a sales environment, remote sales associates communicate with customers via phone calls, email, instant chat and virtual meetings.

Some sales representatives have an education in business administration, marketing or a related field as well as relevant experience. While these qualifications may help you land more competitive job opportunities, priority experience and skills include communication, interpersonal skills, basic financial understanding and computer proficiency.

Sales representatives in the United Kingdom earn an average salary of £27,357.1

2. Editor or Proofreader

Remote editing or proofreading roles encompass a wide range of topics, and projects include web content, white paper essays and technical writing. Proofreaders are generally focused on finding technical errors, such as spelling or grammar, and editors are more concerned with sentence construction and language clarity.

RgStudio/Getty

To become an editor or a proofreader, you should have strong language, writing, research and creativity skills. People in these roles should also possess strong attention to detail and time-management skills.

Many in-house and freelance opportunities are available for these roles. Remote editors earn approximately £34,193 per year,2 and remote proofreaders earn £30,792 per year.3

3. Writer

If you have a solid language and writing background, consider becoming a remote writer. Many kinds of remote writing jobs are available, such as:

Some of these roles may require more experience and education than others. For example, content writers and copywriters should have a good understanding of marketing practices, and technical writers should have a background in the field they’re writing for. Although not always required, some writers have post-secondary education in English, communications or a related field.

Many writers work on a freelance or contract basis and find work through professional social networks or freelancing platforms. Salaries vary depending on the role, but remote writers earn an average of £29,537 per year.4

4. Customer Service Representative

Many companies are shifting from call centers and desk workers to work-from-home customer service representatives. As a remote customer service representative, you’re responsible for answering customer questions and resolving any conflicts or issues. You may provide technical support or help customers manage and pay their invoices. Depending on the role, you may handle customer success tasks and manage ongoing customer relationships.

There are few prerequisites for these roles. Remote customer service representatives perform most of their duties using a computer or phone and should possess basic technical skills. Other valuable skills include conflict resolution, organization and communication.

Remote customer service representatives make an average base pay of £20,584 per year.5

5. Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerks work across various industries, including finance, health care and retail. The main responsibilities of this role involve transcribing and organizing alphabetical, numerical or media data from one source to another. A typical day involves collecting and entering data, scanning and storing electronic and physical documents, reviewing data for errors and performing general administration tasks.

There are few prerequisites for data entry jobs. Successful data entry clerks are typically highly motivated, organized, attentive to detail and technologically proficient.

Demand is high for workers for contract and in-house roles. Remote data entry clerks earn an average salary of £23,969.6

6. Consultant

Across nearly every industry, consultants share valuable advice, insight and knowledge with clients. If you have significant expertise or background in a field, such as accounting, marketing or business strategy, you can continue to put your knowledge to work as a remote consultant.

Consultants generally work as contractors and enjoy the flexibility of creating their own schedules and rates. In addition to industry or sector expertise, successful consultants generally possess strong communication, analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Remote consultants earn an average of £41,199 per year.7

7. Legal Assistant or Paralegal

Legal firms hire in-house or contract-based legal assistants and paralegals to complete administrative tasks and help with legal cases. These roles are often used interchangeably, but legal assistants focus mainly on office management and supporting tasks, such as legal research, drafting documents and organizing files.

Paralegals also perform these tasks but are often more involved in legal cases and may have other responsibilities, such as interviewing clients, filing forms with government agencies and handling confidential information. As they have more advanced responsibilities, paralegals generally need an undergraduate degree or paralegal training.

Both roles require strong communication, research, analytical and organizational skills. Remote legal assistants earn an average of £20,933 per year,8 and remote paralegals earn an average of £23,507 per year.9

8. Bookkeeper or Accountant

With a basic skill set in finances, math and organization, nearly anyone can work as a remote bookkeeper. Typical responsibilities include processing payments and invoices, preparing financial statements and preparing and ensuring accuracy across financial statements.

Accountants perform many similar functions but also prepare tax documents and use bookkeeping data to provide insight to businesses and clients. As such, accountants generally need advanced accounting credentials.

Remote bookkeepers make an average salary of £24,107,10 and remote accountants earn approximately £37,855 per year.11

9. Translator

If you’re fluent in more than one language, working as a remote translator may be a good fit for you. Translators interpret written and audio information into different languages with attention to original meaning, tone, style and format. Daily tasks involve researching industry-specific terminology, proofreading translations and cross-referencing with specialized dictionaries.

Remote translators should have solid proofreading and research skills as well as familiarity with translation software. Additional experience or education may provide opportunities to more competitive roles, but it isn’t required.

Industries such as education, business and government have regular openings for translators. On average, translators make £28,056 per year.12

10. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are typically freelancers or independent contractors who provide administrative services to clients. Common duties involve scheduling appointments, arranging travel and responding to phone calls and emails on behalf of their clients. Some roles call for additional tasks, such as creating social media posts or other content.

Some virtual assistant opportunities may require a background in administrative or office settings, but requirements are otherwise minimal for these roles. Effective virtual assistants possess communication, technological and organizational skills. They make about £24,789 per year.13

11. Transcriber

Transcribers are primarily responsible for transcribing speech or audio from media, such as podcasts, dictations or videos, into written format. Typical responsibilities include communicating with clients, reviewing transcription drafts for errors or inconsistencies and handling confidential or sensitive information. Transcription job opportunities are available across a variety of industries, including legal, business, academia, law enforcement and medicine.

Although most transcription jobs have no formal education requirements, workers should have exceptional typing, reading skills and editing skills as well as proficiency in writing and transcribing software. As they often work independently, transcribers should be highly motivated and attentive to detail. On average, remote transcribers earn £31,595 per year.14

12. Online Tutor

Online tutors provide additional educational support to students and can work across a range of academic levels and subjects. Daily responsibilities generally include creating lesson plans, evaluating students and working with students through assignments and practice tests. Tutors generally work one-on-one or in group sessions via audio or virtual meetings and may provide additional support through email.

Some jobs may require tutors to possess post-secondary education related to their teaching subject, but they must at least demonstrate strong knowledge and experience. Experience in formal teaching settings may help online tutors leverage more competitive opportunities.

You can find work opportunities through tutoring or freelancing platforms. Online tutors earn about £32,899 per year.15

Alannah Koene

Contributor