18 jobs that pay at least $35/hour and have flexible hours

If you’ve ever had to beg a boss for time off to deal with a sick kid, aging parent, or your own burnout, you know “flexible hours” isn’t a cute perk, it’s survival. A job you can schedule around school pickup, side hustles, or your own health is worth a lot. 

The good news: you don’t have to give up real money to get that kind of control. Plenty of careers pay around $35 to $45 an hour and still let you work nights, weekends, part-time, remote, or on your own terms.

Here are 18 jobs where you can earn solid money and have more say over when you work.

1. Registered nurse

Nursing can be intense, but it can also be one of the most flexible careers once you’re licensed. Recent data show median pay around $93,600 a year, or about $45 an hour.

Hospitals, clinics, home-health agencies, and telehealth platforms all need nurses 24/7. That means you can often choose 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, nights or days, weekdays or weekends. Many nurses work three 12-hour days and have four days off. Per-diem and travel roles also pay a premium while letting you accept only the assignments that fit your life.

To get started, you’ll need an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing plus a license. From there, you can move into specialties (ER, labor and delivery, oncology, school nursing, telehealth) and pick jobs that match your preferred schedule. With an aging population and ongoing shortages, demand is expected to stay strong, which gives you more leverage to ask for the hours you want.

2. Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists clean teeth, check for gum disease, and coach patients on oral health. Median pay is in the mid-$40s per hour, with annual wages around $94,000.

The real selling point: many hygienists are part-time or work in more than one office. Dentists often need coverage a few days a week, or evenings and Saturdays. That means you can stack days, work only mornings, or pick up one extra day a week to hit your income goals. Job listings commonly advertise flexible shifts and weekend roles because offices want to serve patients outside standard 9-to-5 hours.

You’ll typically complete a 2–3 year accredited program and pass licensing exams. Once you’re in, you can negotiate your hours like a contractor: 2 days with one practice, 1 with another, maybe an occasional Saturday clinic when you want extra cash.

3. Diagnostic medical sonographer

Sonographers use ultrasound to take internal images, think pregnancy scans, heart studies, or checking organs. Median pay is just under $90,000 a year, or about $43 an hour.

Hospitals and imaging centers run early mornings, evenings, and sometimes overnight. Many hire sonographers on 3- or 4-day schedules, part-time, or on-call. There is also a growing travel sonographer market, where you take 8–13 week contracts across the country and negotiate your shifts and time off between assignments (see national travel healthcare recruiters’ job boards).

Training usually takes 1–4 years depending on whether you choose a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s program in diagnostic medical sonography. It’s hands-on work that relies on judgment and patient interaction, exactly the kind of job that’s hard to hand over to a robot.

4. Radiologic technologist (X-ray and imaging)

Radiologic technologists operate X-ray and related imaging equipment for injuries, chest scans, and more. National median pay is about $77,660 a year, or roughly $37 an hour.

Because imaging is needed around the clock in emergency departments and hospitals, techs can work nights, weekends, or compressed schedules. Many pick evening or night shifts for shift differentials (extra pay per hour). Others work in outpatient centers that offer extended hours, giving you options like four 10-hour days or part-time work. Travel imaging roles add even more flexibility for people who want to take breaks between contracts.

Most programs take about two years and lead to an associate degree plus certification. From there, you can specialize in CT, mammography, or fluoroscopy, which can boost your pay while keeping similar scheduling options.

5. Nuclear medicine technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists use small amounts of radioactive material to create detailed images for diagnosing diseases. Median pay lands around $92,500 a year, or about $44 to $45 an hour.

These techs are in hospitals and imaging centers that run early mornings, evenings, and sometimes weekends. Because the skill set is specialized and demand is steady, there’s room to negotiate shifts. Many techs work four 10-hour days, part-time, or sign up for on-call rotations instead of a strict Monday–Friday schedule. Travel and PRN (as-needed) roles let you pick assignments and build in time off when you want it (see major healthcare staffing agency job boards).

Training usually means a 2–4 year program in nuclear medicine technology plus certification. It’s a technical, patient-facing job that relies on safety judgment and hands-on skill, making it much harder to automate.

6. Respiratory therapist

Respiratory therapists help people breathe, from premature babies in the NICU to older adults with lung disease. Median pay is a little over $80,000 a year, or about $39 an hour.

Respiratory care is another 24/7 service. That opens up night, weekend, and 12-hour shift options, plus per-diem and travel roles. Many therapists build schedules like three nights a week, or every weekend with weekdays off, helpful if you share childcare or just prefer being off when everyone else is working (see travel RT and PRN job listings on healthcare staffing sites).

Most jobs require at least an associate degree in respiratory therapy and a license. The aging population and higher rates of chronic lung conditions mean long-term demand, which gives you bargaining power for flexible hours.

7. Speech-language pathologist

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) treat speech, language, and swallowing issues in kids and adults. Median annual pay is in the mid-$90,000s, which works out to roughly $43–$46 an hour depending on the year of data.

SLPs often split their time between schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practice. That mix lets you build a schedule that works for your life: school-year only, three long clinic days, or telepractice sessions in the evenings after kids are in bed. Many SLPs move into part-time private practice or contract work to have control over caseload and hours (see professional association and teletherapy platform listings).

You’ll need a master’s degree and state license, but you don’t need to work 50+ hours a week to make good money. As awareness of speech and language issues grows, so does demand for services, especially in schools and healthcare.

8. Audiologist

Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing and balance problems. Recent data show median pay around $92,000 a year, or roughly $44 an hour.

Many audiologists work in outpatient clinics or private practices with daytime hours. But there’s a lot of room to design your schedule, especially if you own your practice or contract with multiple clinics. Some providers see patients just three or four days a week, others offer one late evening, and telehealth options are expanding for follow-ups and counseling.

This role usually requires a professional doctorate (Au.D.) and state licensure. The population is aging, more people are using hearing aids, and noise-related hearing loss is common, so the demand is not going away any time soon.

9. Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people regain independence in daily activities after illness, injury, or disability. Median pay is just under $100,000 a year, in the high-$40s per hour.

OTs work in hospitals, schools, rehab centers, and home health. That creates many scheduling options: part-time school-based jobs with summers off, home-health roles where you stack clients into certain days, and PRN roles where you only accept visits that fit your calendar. Some OTs run their own private practices or small clinics and can literally set their own hours.

You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree and a license, but this is very human, hands-on work. It’s about coaching, problem-solving, and adapting tasks to real lives, all things that are hard to automate.

10. Chiropractor

Chiropractors treat neuromuscular issues, often focusing on spine manipulation and related therapies. Median pay is about $79,000 a year, or around $38 an hour.

Most chiropractors are self-employed or work in small practices. That means real control over hours: you can see patients three long days a week, keep evenings open for late workers, or close the office every Friday. Some chiropractors specialize in sports, pregnancy, or workplace ergonomics and split time between offices and on-site client visits.

Becoming a chiropractor usually requires a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and state licensing. Once you’re up and running, your income depends heavily on how many patients you see and how you set up your schedule, which is exactly the kind of leverage you want if flexibility is your priority.

11. Clinical or counseling psychologist

Clinical and counseling psychologists provide therapy, assessments, and mental health care. Median pay for these specialties is in the mid-$90,000s, around the mid-$40s per hour.

Roughly a quarter of psychologists work in private practice, where they set their own hours and choose how many clients to see. Many build schedules around school days, evenings only, or four-day workweeks. Teletherapy has exploded since 2020, so you can see clients from home across time zones, adding even more schedule flexibility.

You’ll need a doctoral degree, supervised clinical hours, and licensure, so this is a long road. But for people who want both high earning potential and control over their calendar once they’re established, psychology can deliver.

12. Technical writer

Technical writers turn complex information into clear manuals, instructions, and documentation. Recent wage data put median pay around $91,670 a year, or about $44 an hour.

Many technical writers work remotely for software companies, engineering firms, or healthcare organizations. Others freelance or contract, juggling multiple clients. That setup offers genuine flexibility: you can work early mornings, late nights, or in short bursts around family care, as long as you hit deadlines. Some full-time roles still keep standard hours, but hybrid and remote job postings are common in this field.

Most employers want strong writing skills plus some technical knowledge, which you can gain through work experience, certificates, or a related degree. As long as humans need to understand complex tools and systems, there will be a demand for people who can explain them clearly.

13. Web developer

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications. Median pay for web developers is around $90,930 a year, roughly $44 an hour.

This is one of the classic flexible careers. Many web developers work fully remote, either as employees or freelancers. Freelancers in particular have control over which projects they accept and when they work, you might code late at night, work four days a week, or take a month off between contracts if your finances allow (see freelance platforms and remote job boards).

You don’t necessarily need a computer science degree. Plenty of developers are self-taught or come from bootcamps, then build portfolios. As long as you can deliver quality work, clients and employers care more about results than when you’re online.

14. Market research analyst

Market research analysts study data on customers and competitors to help companies make decisions. Median pay is around $76,950 a year, or roughly $37 an hour.

This work often happens on a laptop: designing surveys, crunching data, creating reports. Many roles are remote or hybrid, which usually comes with flexible start and end times as long as you attend key meetings and hit deadlines. Some analysts move into consulting or freelancing, taking on project-based work that they can time-block around other responsibilities.

Most jobs require a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, statistics, or a related field. Demand is projected to grow faster than average as companies rely more on data to make decisions, which should keep pay strong and remote-friendly options flowing.

15. Operations research analyst

Operations research analysts use math and modeling to help organizations solve problems, like setting delivery routes, staffing levels, or pricing. Median pay is in the low-to-mid $90,000s, around $43–$44 an hour.

Because the work is computer-based and often project-focused, operations research roles are common in remote and hybrid setups. Teams may care more about output than clock time, so you may be able to shift your workday earlier or later, or compress hours into four longer days. Some analysts turn into independent consultants, picking clients and workload to fit their personal life.

You’ll generally need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in math, engineering, computer science, or a related field. If you like data, problem-solving, and quiet focus time, and you want a job that can be done from almost anywhere, this is worth a look.

16. Occupational health and safety specialist

Occupational health and safety specialists help keep workplaces safe, from factories to hospitals to offices. Median wages for specialists are around $83,900 a year, roughly $39–$40 an hour.

The job combines fieldwork and desk work. You might do site visits, inspections, and training sessions, then write reports from home. Many employers offer flexible schedules because work can be planned ahead, you can batch inspections into a couple of long days and use the rest of the week for writing and admin. Some specialists work as consultants, choosing which clients to take and how many hours to bill (see environmental and safety consulting firm job descriptions).

Most roles require a bachelor’s degree in safety, engineering, or a related field. As regulations evolve and companies try to reduce accidents and liability, this field is expected to grow faster than average.

17. Writers and authors

Writers and authors create books, articles, marketing copy, scripts, and more. Depending on the industry and data source, median pay clusters around $70,000–$80,000 a year, which works out to roughly $35 an hour for full-time work.

The flexibility here is obvious: many writers are freelance or self-employed. You choose your clients, projects, and schedule. Even staff writers and content strategists are often fully remote with flexible hours, as long as they meet deadlines and attend virtual meetings. You can write early mornings before kids wake up, during school hours, or late at night when the house is quiet.

There’s no single degree requirement. A portfolio of solid work matters more. Income can be uneven at first, but once you have steady clients or a publisher relationship, you can smooth things out, and you never need to ask anyone’s permission to take a Tuesday off.

18. Real estate broker

Real estate brokers help clients buy, sell, and sometimes manage properties. Median annual pay is about $72,280, roughly the mid-$30s per hour using a full-time estimate, but earnings can be much higher because pay is often commission-based.

This is one of the most flexible careers on the list. You set your own appointments, open houses, and office hours. Want to work only school hours? Focus on weekday showings. Prefer evenings and weekends? Target busy buyers and open houses. Many brokers start part-time, keep another income stream, and ramp up as their client base grows. Some move into managing other agents or specializing in commercial or luxury markets.

You’ll need pre-licensing education and a state exam, then time working as an agent before qualifying as a broker. Income swings with the housing market, but if you’re comfortable with commission pay and networking, this path offers rare control over both time and earning power.

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