Some people find themselves more alert, and better prepared to face challenges in the evening hours. These night owls are better suited for working the night shift. Did you know that in some industries you get paid a slightly higher hourly rate for night shifts because of shift differential?

Other benefits of night shift jobs include easier commute, quieter working conditions, and less of a chance of management standing over top of you.

What kind of work is night shift work?

All night shift jobs are not created equally. It can depend on the type of job, the title, or even the location. The overnight shift tends to be a more peaceful shift for some but may be more chaotic for others. Ask the First Responders and they will tell you that the night shift on weekends can be more fast-paced. Here are some of the jobs that you might consider the night shift for:

  • A registered nurse in a nursing home.
  • The crew that waxes the supermarket floor.
  • Security guards.
  • Hotel auditor/front desk person.
  • Bartender/server in a bar.

Many of these jobs are full-time with competitive wages or better and may be available for people who do not have a lot of previous experience in the field.

What are easy jobs or gigs you can do during the night?

The night owls that like to have even more flexibility with their schedule may prefer to work as their own employer by doing freelance or gig work. They can still make decent money and use their best skills, but they may not have to deal with as many customers or may be able to work another job during the day.

Night jobs are also perfect for people who are still in school or for parents that would rather work alternating shifts so that they save on childcare expenses.

These jobs may make you an independent contractor, meaning you are basically your own boss and not an employee. Here are some of the types of jobs that you can get as an independent contractor and how to get them:

  • Freelance writer. Create content, write an eBook, and write a blog. The opportunities are endless and the pay can vary wildly. Some writers are paid per project while others may be paid by the word. Find jobs on sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
  • Drive for Lyft or Uber. Apply directly on the websites. Take advantage of bonuses, and special offers, and make the most of your rides.
  • Be a nighttime visiting nurse through an agency. Many positions involve just being there in case the client needs something and giving the night medications. The rest of the time may be just quiet time that you can use to do another side gig like taking surveys with Swagbucks. Apply for nursing positions directly through local agencies or with specialized staffing sites like Allied Healthcare.

You can also sign up for the latest job alert messages with Indeed.com and set your preferences for only overnight jobs.

What is the best night shift?

The best night shift jobs pay the most per hour without the hassle of meetings, managers, and the chaos of day shifts. You can find virtually any type of job with overnight shifts available from highly trained jobs like Emergency Room doctors to more entry-level positions that may only require a high school diploma and some job training.

Best Night Jobs, No Degree Needed

If you are just starting out on your career path and are not getting anywhere with your job search, expand your search criteria to say that you are willing to work night shifts. You may be able to get the following jobs without a degree and with little to no experience:

  • Home Health Aide
  • Security Guard
  • Warehouse Clerk/Restocker
  • Janitor/Housekeeping

Best Night Jobs, Certificate, or More Required

For the following jobs, you will need a certificate, a degree, or a license. These are highly trained jobs that must still be performed at night.

  • Vet Technician
  • News Anchor
  • Paramedic/EMT
  • A dispatcher for Emergency Services

What jobs can only be done at night?

What is a job that can only be done at night? Vampire. You cannot be a vampire during the day. Sorry, Mr. Cullen. You do not count. There are very few jobs that do not have a day, afternoon, and nighttime shift. Even businesses that are not open twenty-four hours may have a skeleton crew that performs repairs, cleaning, restocking, and other tasks at night.

Conclusion

An employer usually loves to see someone who is willing to work the night hours especially if that person will work over the weekend as well. For many positions, these hours are a great time to learn the basic skills of the job without the distractions that daytime workers must face.

There are many benefits to working at night including the easier commute, the higher wages, and the slower pace. If you prefer to only work at night, make this clear during the hiring process. Explain why this is important to you. If the job requires split shifts or rotating shifts, it may not be the right fit for you.

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