Moonlighting. Side hustle. A night job can have a lot of different names. But whatever you call it, it can be the perfect option if you’re a night owl looking for flexible hours, looking for a second job outside of the 9-to-5, or a vampire (we don’t judge). Let’s look at 15 part-time options available in the evening and through the night.
Security Guard
Security guards hold down the fort when everyone else has gone home, making sure all is well. It may not be the most exciting job around for most companies, but it’s a necessary one. For this job, it’s a delicate balance between the level-headed thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to handle breaches when they do happen, and the ability to keep alert and busy when things are quiet. If you’re an introvert, it could be an ideal night job.
What you’ll need: A high school diploma or equivalent, plus on-the-job training. You may also need to be trained in handling weapons, depending on the company and the job description.
Customer Service Representative
When someone needs help with a product or service at 2 a.m., someone else needs to be on call to assist. And when you add that many companies have customer support for all time zones, that means having to staff call centers around the clock.
What you’ll need: A high school diploma or equivalent, plus on-the-job training. Strong customer service skills are a must.
Hotel Desk Clerk
On a recent trip, I had a late flight that got in around 1 a.m., local time. I arrived at the hotel thinking that the lobby would be a ghost town at that hour, but on the contrary there was a line of people keeping three hotel check-in clerks hopping. With travelers coming and going at virtually all hours, especially in major cities, hotels need to have someone manning the front desk for late arrivals or guests who have requests or need service. Like with security guards, it can be a job where most of your time is spent reading or killing time, but it also requires being on call when the need arises.
What you’ll need: A high school diploma or equivalent, plus on-the-job training. Strong customer service skills and a friendly demeanor are extremely helpful as well.
Night School/Online School Teacher
Just like many people with day jobs or daytime obligations are seeking night jobs, many others are also seeking to work on their education at night. If you have a particular area of expertise, or teaching experience, this can be a flexible nighttime option for you. Community colleges or community centers often have night classes, and teaching online courses gives you the flexibility of teaching from anywhere.
What you’ll need: Either a degree in your field or extensive experience working in it. You should also have good communication and people skills.
Retail Stock/Inventory Clerk
In a busy store, the end of the business day can mean depleted shelves, displays in disarray, and merchandise moved all over the place. By opening the next day, these same shelves are restocked, orderly, and ready to go. Elves, perhaps? Not so much. More like hard-working retail professionals who work on this transformation overnight. Many stores employ night crews who come in during overnight hours and work on restocking, taking inventory, and ensuring that merchandise is accounted for. Many stores bulk up on their overnight staff during busy or holiday times of the year, so it can be a great seasonal option as well.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education needed to be a retail clerk, but attention to detail and customer service are both great asset skills to have in your pocket.
Warehouse Worker
If you’ve ever wondered how certain companies can ship products to you so quickly, one of the main pieces of that puzzle is “warehouse workers.” Warehouses often employ people at all hours to keep freight and merchandise coming and going to meet aggressive shipping schedules.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education to work in a warehouse, but physical stamina and the ability to lift heavy objects are often key components of the work.
Baker
Because so many of us enjoy a fresh donut or croissant for breakfast, bakers are often up at the crack of dawn (or well before), prepping and baking for the coming day. And baked goods typically have a very short shelf life, so stores, local bakeries, and commercial bakeries are often cranking through the night, churning out baked goods to be shipped out in the morning and ready for customers.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education to work in a warehouse, but there may be lengthy on-the-job training. You may also need to be certified to handle food, depending on your state’s regulations.
Freelance Writer/Editor
Freelance writers and editors set their own hours, so even if those hours happen to be at night, flexibility is a major perk of the job. These writers and editors work with clients to on specific reading and writing projects, like technical writing, educational content, books, articles, etc.
What you’ll need: At least a high school diploma or equivalent, but most likely a degree in English, writing, communications, or a related field.
Casino Dealer
It’s a well-known fact that casinos like to discourage customers from remembering that time exists outside of the building (all the better to keep them inside, spending money). That means keeping things lively and moving around the clock. Casinos have continuous shifts available, so if you live near a casino, it can be a great night job option.
What you’ll need: A high school diploma or equivalent. Strong math skills and attention to detail are also a must for most casino games, as you’ll be keeping track of money going in and out, as well as number games that range from simple to complex.
Janitor
This is another job that is hardly glamorous, but is very necessary—and perennially in demand. Nighttime janitors and cleaners are essential to virtually every business and store.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education to work as a janitor, but you should probably have a high tolerance for the “ick” factor. General maintenance skills and problem solving skills are also very helpful.
Food Server
Many restaurants (or bars that also serve food) are open very late, or even all night. They need servers to work these shifts, outside of the regular rush times of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education to work as a food server, but stellar customer service skills will help boost your tips even when things aren’t so busy. You’ll also need physical stamina and the ability to work on your feed for extended periods of time.
Bartender
If you strike up a conversation with your friendly local bartender, you’ll likely find that he or she has a whole other career outside the bar. Bartending is kind of the classic night job, given that most bars don’t even start getting lively until the evening happy hour. Bartending has great potential for tips, especially in higher-end bars and clubs.
What you’ll need: There is typically no formal education to work as a bartender, but you will need to be over 21. If you don’t know a Manhattan from a Miller High Life, you may want to take a bartending course—especially if you want to take advantage of the current cocktail trend (organic blackberry sage mojito, anyone?).
Rideshare Driver
Night owl drivers are in high demand, picking people up from restaurants, bars, clubs, night jobs, etc. and making sure they get home safely. Drivers for ridesharing services (like Uber and Lyft) can earn up to $30 an hour, plus tips.
What you’ll need: A driver’s license and a car that’s clean, presentable, and in good working order. Drivers may also be required to pass a background check.
Pizza/Food Delivery Driver
Late night snacks are a fact of life, especially on weekends. Especially now, with delivery apps like Seamless, GrubHub, and UberEats, late-night ordering is easier and more popular than ever. Apps can’t deliver food, though, so until drone delivery becomes more than a pipe dream, food delivery drivers will always be in demand.
What you’ll need: A valid driver’s license and a working vehicle.
Web Designer
Like freelance writing and editing, web designing is a gig you can likely do on your own time, from anywhere. If that means coding at 3 a.m., that’s up to you. Web designers create and maintain websites for clients on a project basis.
What you’ll need: At least an associate’s degree in graphic design or computer programming. A strong background in coding is extremely helpful as well. And because you’d be freelancing, you’ll also need the skills to pursue and maintain new client relationships.
