Best Careers for Single Mothers

Being a single mom comes with a few more challenges than other parents may experience who have a partner. That doesn’t mean that single mothers cannot live a great life and make enough money to provide for themselves and their children. They can. A lot of it comes down to making sure you pick a career that will help you earn a good living and give you the flexibility that to care for your kids. Knowing some of the best careers for single mothers is the best place to start.

Choosing a career that will allow you to easily enter the field, provide you with a good salary, and give you the time needed to be a mom is crucial. There are plenty of careers to choose from that will give you all that and be something that you will enjoy. When it comes to choosing a career path, avoid only thinking about the salary. That’s not enough, because you also want to enjoy life and be happy.

When you consider what career path you want to take, be sure to think about what you would enjoy, and could see yourself doing for hours per week for years. It should be something that you will enjoy doing, or at least not hate, so that you will be happier in life. The key to finding the best careers for single mothers is to determine which one will make you happier and help take care of your family.

Best Career Options for Single Mothers

Below are some great career fields to consider if you are a single mother. This is a starting point, so be sure to explore them further if you find one that you are interested in. Search online job ads to see if there are places hiring in your area, what they are paying, the hours required, and what is required to qualify for the job.

Esthetician – Our skin is our largest organ and you can make a good living help people take care of it. Estheticians help people take care of their skin, by providing facials, as well as doing waxing. Becoming a licensed esthetician typically requires a program that varies in length by state, ranging from around 220 hours to 600 hours. Depending on where you live, within a couple of months you can become estheticians. Most work for spas or for themselves. The cost of a program to become an esthetician varies, ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on the length of the program. Estheticians who work for someone usually make a base salary, plus commission and tips.

Nurse – This one of the most popular career paths for women and often for single mothers. Nurses make a good living and they often work 12 hour shifts, which provide them with more days to be at home. Other nursing jobs may be in a doctor’s office, Monday through Friday during daytime hours, which some people prefer. There are numerous options of where to work and what type of hours you can have. The average nurse earns around $77,000 per year. Most nursing jobs require a four year degree, but there are some entry level ones that accept a two year degree. Nurses work in a wide range of settings, including schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices, surgery centers, etc.

Dental hygienist – Helping people keep their teeth clean and healthy can be a lucrative career field. Plus, it is one that typically does not take a long time to enter. Dental hygienists typically complete a two year degree program, or a certificate trade program. The average dental hygienist earns around $78,000 per year, and they usually have good working hours. Most dentist offices are only open during the week and are closed in the evenings and on weekends.

Paralegal – If working in the legal field appeals to you then this may be a career path you want to consider as a single mother. The average paralegal earns around $60,000 per year, and to enter the field you can usually start in an entry level legal assistant position or complete a paralegal program. Most paralegal programs are through trade schools and are a year or less, while other programs may offer a two year degree.

Surgical Tech – This is a position that is always in demand, offers a variety of shift options to choose from, various workplace settings, and a good salary. Surgical techs work with surgeons as part of their support team during surgeries. Programs range from trade school programs of a year or obtaining a two year degree. The average surgical tech earns around $77,000 per year.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer – People in these positions conduct ultrasounds on people, including those who are pregnant or being tested for health conditions. The program to become a diagnostic medical sonographer ranges from 1-2 years, depending on where you are, and the average annual salary is around $78,000. Those in this field can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, imaging centers, pregnancy centers, etc.

Entrepreneur – Owning your own business can provide you with the flexibility you crave and the money earned has unlimited potential. Take an inventory of your skills and interests and see where they overlap. If you have a skill in something that can be monetized then create a business and go for it. There are plenty of businesses that single moms can start that will provide them with a good income, hours, and plenty of options. Some ideas to explore include starting a cleaning company, in-home daycare center, reseller business, photography, dog walking, social media management, virtual assistant, web design, graphic design, subscription services, and more. There are many small business ideas to consider.

In addition to these career paths, look into the trade school options in your area, as well as the certificate programs offered through your local community college. Most will offer some career paths that are easy to enter, affordable, do not take a lot of schooling, and will provide a good income.

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