9 Cool Jobs That Pay $1,000 a Week
“Time is money”—that’s what I used to tell anyone that was wasting my time on the clock. Time is also precious. So, when you calculate hours of your life for pay, all of us want to be paid the most money possible for our time. The more you can make per hour, the less you may have to work if you play your cards right.
Earning $1,000 a week can be a pretty decent payday. So, we rounded up some of the best jobs that pay a thousand dollars a week and even more.
9 Top Jobs to Consider to Earn $1,000 a Week
You will need to earn $25 an hour for 40 hours a week to earn $1,000 a week. Of course, some trades have the potential to earn even more than that. Check out these awesome jobs where you can earn $1k every week.
Flight attendant
Set your sights on the skies if you want to earn the big bucks. Becoming a flight attendant is a very lucrative field to break into. In fact, according to Salary.com, the median hourly wage for flight attendants is $41 an hour, not to mention the perks of free or discounted flights and benefits. Plus, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 10% projected job growth for flight attendants from 2023 to 2033.
Flight attendants are responsible for the safety of the passengers, so part of their job is to ensure everyone follows the rules and regulations. They also provide hospitality services such as serving food and drinks. So, if getting paid to fly around the world sounds appealing, this may be the job for you.
Training required to become a flight attendant
The great news is that you don’t technically need a college degree to become a flight attendant. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED. Having excellent customer service skills is another essential skill for the job.
Many airlines provide on-the-job training, and you will need to attain a Federal Aviation Administration Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency and complete annual training to remain certified.
The main downside is that there is typically a height requirement for this job, and the range depends on the airline. So, this may not be the pick for a shorty like me, but if you meet the physical requirements, it’s a top-paying career to consider with major benefits
Massage therapist
You can potentially earn more than $1,000 a week at this job. According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for a massage therapist is $39.83 an hour—that’s $1,593.20 a week if you work forty hours.
As a massage therapist, you treat clients with therapeutic massage, and can work in various places, such as spas, health practitioners offices, or even be self-employed. So, there are many opportunities in this career field, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 18% job growth from now until 2033.
Training required to become a massage therapist
You will need to complete an accredited training program to become a licensed massage therapist. The amount of hours required varies by state, but Health Care Career College states that programs can range from 500 to 1,000 hours. Your state may also require additional certifications such as CPR training.
It can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete training. The amount of time it will take you depends on the type of program and what the state requirements are where you reside. But this can be an excellent career choice whether you want to work for an employer or start your own business.
Freelance writer
I am here to tell you that while freelance writing has its pros and cons, it’s definitely a job where you can earn $1,000 a week. Indeed reports that the average pay for a freelance writer is around $22.09 per hour, but it shows the high end at $55.47 an hour. That’s a whopping $2,218.80 per week if you are at the top end of the salary scale! So, it is possible to become a six-figure freelancer after all.
What you will write will depend on which niche you choose and the type of services you want to offer. For example, if you have experience in the medical field, you could write for medical sites and journals. It depends on what skills you can leverage, and picking something that interests you is important, too.
Training required to become a freelance writer
I am living proof that you do not need a college degree to become a freelance writer. Now, some employers or staff jobs may require a degree, but you can build a booming freelance writing business without one!
However, I recommend either investing in a freelance writing course or utilizing free resources such as blogs and YouTube to learn the necessary skills to become a successful freelancer. This can help you learn tricks of the trade much faster and help prevent costly mistakes.
Depending on the type of services you want to offer as a writer, you may need to learn specific skills such as SEO, copywriting, and email marketing. As you gain experience and hone your craft, you can increase your rate as a writer.
Editor
If you’re someone like my brother who has a death grip on grammar and an eye for detail, then you should consider becoming an editor. Although you will need to edit your work as a writer, it still goes to an editor who will polish up the piece to improve its quality and make it ready to publish.
According to Indeed, editors in the United States earn a median salary of $66,889 a year, but it can be as high as $112,239 a year. Newspapers, magazines, book publishers, and websites are all places where you can land a job as an editor. It’s even a job where you can potentially work from home.
Training required to become an editor
Many employers require a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism to be considered for the job. Typically, these types of degrees take about four years to earn.
It is possible to become an editor without a degree but it can be more difficult. If you are a writer with impeccable editing skills you may be able to work your way up in a company.
For example, I started as a freelance writer with a company and was moved up as the SEO Lead Content Manager which meant I was also in charge of editing the writer’s work.
However, having a degree will give you the advantage of getting a job as an editor over someone who doesn’t.
Game designer
If you have ever dreamed of making money from your love of video games, then this is the job for you. Designing games consists of creating different features such as characters, levels, narratives, etc. Plus, you get to test the game throughout the process, so technically, you are being paid to play.
The salary for this job is awesome too. ZipRecruiter reports the average salary for a game designer at an astounding $149,118 per year. That blows the goal of making $1,000 a week out of the water! Needless to say, the video game industry is a lucrative one, so becoming a game designer may be the route to take if you want to level up your career.
Training required to become a game designer
Although you don’t have to obtain a degree, having one can make you stand out above the competition and land a job as a game designer. A bachelor’s degree in game design, graphic design, or computer science will provide the training required to get a job in this industry.
However, there are certificates and bootcamps that offer relevant skills required to get a job without having to head to college. Just make sure to research the school to ensure it is accredited before signing up for courses. You can also check into internships for opportunities to get your foot in the door.
Teacher
Being a patient person who enjoys helping others learn can pay off. According to Indeed, the median weekly pay for teachers is $683, but it can be as high as $1,509 a week. Of course, it depends on things such as teaching position, experience, location, etc. For instance, preschool teachers typically earn less than other types of teachers in the field.
But when it comes to being a teacher, it’s best to choose which type you will be based on your skills and which field you will enjoy the most. You can still earn good money, even if it’s lower paying than the other fields.
Training required to become a teacher
Becoming a teacher is not an easy task and requires extensive education. The minimum amount of training you will need is a bachelor’s degree in education. Secondary education certifications are also available for specific fields, such as teaching history or math.
Some states even require you to pass teacher certification exams.
So, make sure to research your state to see what the requirements are. As part of your training, you will also work under the supervision of another teacher, and the number of hours will vary by state as well. But the possibility of having summers off is a pretty sweet benefit when choosing this career.
Delivery driver
It may shock you that this job made the list, but the potential earnings for this gig are incredible. According to Indeed, delivery drivers earn between $12.22 and $32.02 per hour. The amount you can make depends on the company you work for.
There are tons of companies to choose from, and you can even deliver for a gig app like Doordash or Spark. The best thing about opting for a delivery driver job with these apps is that you can potentially earn more because you earn tips.
However, if you are searching for a job with benefits, then you should check out companies like UPS or FedEx instead.
Training required to become a delivery driver
The training you will need will depend on which company you drive for. For example, if you work where you have to drive commercial vehicles, you will need a commercial driver’s license. However, a standard driver’s license will do if you don’t need to operate a commercial truck or van. In most cases, you will also need a high school diploma or GED.
Some companies may require on-the-job training, but if you opt to drive for Doordash or Spark, no formal training is required. However, you must have your own vehicle with insurance, a driver’s license, a smartphone, and pass a background check. This can be a great option for anyone wanting to make $1,000 a week without extensive training.
Social media manager
If you spend tons of time on social media, why not get paid for it? Now, there is much more to being a social media manager than just uploading cute pictures of cats. In addition to creating engaging content, you will need to schedule posts, engage with followers, analyze performance, and stay on top of what is trending to increase the size of the company’s audience.
The pay is premium even for entry-level social media managers. In fact, ZipRecruiter reports the average salary for social media managers is around $54,455 annually but can be as high as $86,500 a year. You will start on the lower end, but your salary will grow as you gain experience.
Training required to become a social media manager
This job doesn’t technically require a degree, but many employers may prefer you to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field. However, you can opt to take online courses from sites such as Coursera or Udemy to learn essential social media management skills instead.
Learning the ins and outs of various platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook can also help you gain the skills you need for the job. In addition, it helps if you build your own profiles to showcase your capabilities as a social media manager.
Virtual assistant
Working from home as a virtual assistant can be a golden ticket to earning $1,000 a week. According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for virtual assistants is $24 an hour, but can be up to $33.89 per hour. You can actually earn much more than that once you gain experience and begin charging per project rather than by the hour.
The type of work you will do depends on the services you decide to offer. For instance, some virtual assistants perform administrative tasks, while others may specialize in project management.
I specialized in Pinterest management, real estate administrative tasks, and writing services. The sky’s the limit with possibilities, and you can leverage the skills you already have to start.
Training required to become a virtual assistant
You can become a virtual assistant by tapping into skills you already have. But, learning new ones gives you more opportunities and higher pay. Personally, I took a course to learn all about Pinterest so I had the necessary skills needed to break into the field. However, I also used various skills I already had such as customer service skills, data entry, writing, etc.
Similar to freelance writing, there are tons of resources available, such as blogs and online courses, where you can learn various skills. You can also obtain a diploma or certification through accredited schools like Penn Foster College, but it’s not necessary to get started.
This is another opportunity to start your own business from a side hustle, or you can apply to work for a company if you don’t want to worry about finding your own clients.
Level up Your Salary and Start Earning $1,000 a Week!
I remember when making $10 an hour meant you hit the big time. That’s not the case anymore. But, you can boost your bank account and begin earning a bigger salary by starting one of these high-paying jobs.
Choosing one that you can start as a side hustle and grow into your own business is even better. So, get out there and start getting paid what you deserve!