By
Justin Heller
Economic opportunities are plentiful for those who think outside the box. This rings true in our 24/7, globally-connected world more than ever. You can make money in countless ways beyond the typical 9-to-5 grind with boldness and ingenuity.
One of the most popular ways to work a non-traditional schedule is with night shift jobs, roles that must be filled when the rest of the world is at rest. These jobs keep the economy churning, and you can thrive if you know how to obtain and navigate these positions.
It’s more than just working a night shift out of necessity — we want to help you find work that truly fits your lifestyle and plays to your strengths.
The question is, how do you begin your search for night shift work and alternative schedule jobs in general? It’s not something we learn in our training or education, so we’ll need extra insights from the start.
This article gives you the lowdown on all the best night shift jobs in 2022, including alternatives that give you flexibility over your schedule for ultimate economic empowerment.
There are millions of people worldwide who work the night shift in various industries, enjoying benefits you might not be aware of. Here are a few reasons you might want to try your hand at working nights in 2022.
By working off-hours and nights, you face less competition from other participants in the workforce. You can climb the latter in organizations more expediently and attain your desired position in a shorter timeframe.
You also open yourself up to different career paths and ways of working that may not seem obvious or accessible in the traditional daytime work format. Many folks start working off-hours as a necessity, only to discover that it better suits their lifestyle and strengths.
This shows that sometimes the best career opportunities appear when - and where - we may not expect them.
There are early risers, there are 9-to-5ers, and there are night owls who just naturally do their best work when the sun goes down. If you have spent years struggling to adjust to the typical working schedule, why not just work jobs that adhere to your way of life instead?
Personal preference is critical when creating your career since you want to make your experience as smooth as possible while minimizing stress and strain.
Some of us are also led to night shifts to meet the needs of family members, dependents, or other obligations that we cannot ignore. Childcare, for example, may be easier to coordinate and pay for when you work a night shift instead of paying for prime-time care.
We all have unique life demands that require different schedules, and night shift jobs allow us to experiment with various work styles to find the best configuration.
Because fewer people are willing to take on shifts outside the regular working schedule, you could earn more during nights, weekends, and other off-hours. A typical low-wage job could pay a more competitive rate due to timing and demand.
This is excellent news for anyone looking to take control of their finances, chip away at debt, or restructure their life from the ground up.
You’ll also face fewer distractions working alternative schedules and save money and time on commutes and meals. All these factors add up to more earnings and savings, which may be just what you need to turn things around for the better.
Remember that you don’t have to commit to non-traditional work forever! Even if you just work this way for a few years, it can be ideal for saving up and getting to the next level in life.
Ready to see what jobs are available for night shifts and unusual hours? The following roles are always in need of filling, no matter where you are in the world.
Emergency and protective services are intense jobs and have a higher risk than other careers, but some people simply seem built for these positions.
We’re talking about the 911 dispatchers, the police officers, the firefighters, the EMTs, and the security guards that keep our society safe and peaceful.
Furthermore, these jobs are 24/7, meaning someone must be on the front lines at all times. Holidays, weekends - you name it, there are shifts for the taking.
Let’s not forget that some of these roles have great benefits, so you can set yourself up for life if you stick to the path.
From nurses to medical assistants and personal care aides, there is unlimited demand for compassionate healthcare workers worldwide.
Every job requires something different in terms of training, so take the time to research these credentials and how to obtain them. Becoming a registered nurse, for example, takes about two years between your degree and accreditation.
There is also a strong culture surrounding this industry, and you can create a fine career without enduring years of med school.
From truck drivers to shipping and receiving coordinators, there are always workers needed to facilitate cargo moving from A to B on a massive scale. Logistics is a fascinating space with tons of potential for advancement, and the rewards for innovation are enormous.
Plus, entry-level salaries for drivers are rather impressive compared to most other overnight and off-hours jobs. You can hit the road for months and then enjoy extended time off to do as you please, a lifestyle that appeals to many.
Maybe you’re not qualified or mentally prepared to take on a professional driving role in the transport sector, but driving for a rideshare app can be a great entry-level alternative.
You’re already familiar with apps like Uber, Lyft, and various delivery services, and it couldn’t be easier to sign up as a driver and immediately start working your ideal schedule.
As an intro to the world of non-traditional jobs, ridesharing is hard to beat. If you focus on evenings and weekends, the earnings potential is there, so determine the most profitable times to work and stick to your game plan.
From restaurants to catering companies and entertainment venues, most cities need workers to fill these essential service roles.
There is so much variety here, from cooks and bakers to hosts, servers, support staff, and clerks. Many people jump between positions at first, then choose to specialize in a particular niche, building a reputation and earning more.
There will always be demand for food and fun no matter what happens in the economy, and it never hurts to have these skills as a backup plan.
Computer tech may be automated to an extent, but companies and organizations still need reliable, skilled workers to manage IT infrastructure.
We need database and network administrators to make repairs or upgrades in the middle of the night to keep systems online. The computer tech world is vast and always on the rise, so you’ll never have an issue finding work if you have the skillset.
You won’t be able to walk into an IT job, but with some training, you can attain an impressive entry-level salary in any of these in-demand roles.
With a growing gig economy and remote work becoming the norm, more people are monetizing their talents with freelancing and independent contracting.
You can get paid for everything from writing and editing to photography, video editing, graphic design, and programming. Tutoring and coaching are also in high demand, and many sites offer an on-ramp if you aren’t technologically inclined.
Best of all, these roles are very flexible in scheduling, allowing you to work on your terms, morning, evening, or night. When you can freelance in your off-hours, you become an economic powerhouse without depleting too much physical energy.
You can absolutely build a productive, balanced life while working nights and off-hours, but it might take some time to adjust.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of an alternative work style while minimizing downsides and staying healthy throughout.
We suggest using an app like Steady to find opportunities to ease you into an alternative schedule with part-time work or gigs, rather than flipping your schedule upside down all at once.
For instance, you can start driving for rideshare apps for a few evenings each week and slowly phase out morning shifts at your job. In the meantime, you can build freelance skills or start a side hustle that doesn’t adhere to a strict schedule.
Every town and city will have different options for off-hours and night gigs, so you may be limited if you aren’t in a densely populated area.
You’ll need to think creatively, and you can use Steady to discover new earning opportunities as they emerge, based on your schedule and skills. New jobs are always posted online across many apps and sites, so stay on top of those notifications.
Part of navigating this new economy is being flexible, and you may be put to the test when working off-hours at first. But soon enough, you’ll have the tools required to take on any challenge and quickly step into new roles, making you a valuable asset to any organization.
Non-traditional work can be lucrative, but you must approach it with a plan. Find out what apps pay best at certain hours, when you collect most tips, and so forth.
Ensure you don’t waste valuable hours on projects and pursuits that don’t pay the maximum amount. Play your cards right, and you can earn far beyond expected earnings potential just by being strategic.
As you navigate these jobs and piece together your plan of attack, remember to use tools like the Steady Income Passport. This will give you a top-down, automated, organized overview of your income from all sources. Or, use the Steady app to ensure you’re on the right track regarding earning, saving, budgeting, and tracking your financial goals.
What do you envision for your future, and what will it take to reach that level? Ask yourself this question so you aren’t just going through the motions.
Maybe you want to work off-hours in the short-term but see yourself in a cushy 9-to-5 job in the future. Perhaps your ultimate goal is to launch a small business with the money you save from your night shifts and side hustles.
There’s no wrong answer here, but the point is to keep yourself oriented towards a specific outcome - ensuring a better future for yourself and your family.
More people are discovering that working life doesn’t have to fit the mold we were given early on in life. It’s not just about working a night shift because you must; it’s about taking control of your schedule and lifestyle and earning money in a way that best suits you.
With the help of this guide and the resources we provide at Steady, you can finally start moving towards the career setup you want, rather than someone else’s plan for you.
It starts with trying out new approaches to work and becomes real as you attain greater financial freedom and security. Start by making a few smart moves and see how much can change for the better.
Sources:
34 Reliable Overnight Jobs | Trade Schools
Pros and Cons of Working Night Shifts | Career Addict
4 Alternative Work Schedules that Actually Work | Calendar
