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You might consider yourself an early bird if you wake up between 4 AM and 6 AM. As an early bird, there are some specific early morning jobs that are available to you where you can get the majority of your work done while the rest of the world has several hours left of their work day.
AdvertisementsThese jobs start early in the morning and end earlier in the afternoon. Some early morning jobs pay better than traditional 9 to 5 jobs as it can be more challenging to find workers who will come in early.
In this article, we’ll discuss 20 of the best early morning jobs for early birds.
Let’s jump right in.
1. Airline Ticket Agent
Airline ticket agents check in customers arriving at the airport early to prepare for their upcoming flight.
As an airline ticket agent, you’ll help process passengers’ bags, verify their tickets, and set them up with any assistance they may need to get to the gate.
AdvertisementsThis early morning job may begin at 4 AM or earlier, so if you’re an early bird, this might be right up your alley.
According to Comparably, the average airline ticket agent in the 50% range makes $36,663 per year.
2. Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers work at all hours, so some of them will need to cover the earliest of flights.
Your job as an air traffic controller is to monitor aircraft movement and direct them around the airspace. You’ll also direct grounded planes as to what taxiways to use, which gates to taxi to, which runways to use, and transfer pilots to other controllers as they pilot their plane.
In order to be an air traffic controller, you need to have a degree and go through comprehensive training at the FAA academy.
According to Salary.com, the average air traffic controller makes between $67,181 and $100,923 per year.
3. Flight Attendant
On the topic of aviation jobs, being a flight attendant can be an early morning job if you’re assigned morning flights.
Even a flight that boards at 7:30 in the morning will board 30 to 45 minutes earlier, meaning you will have to be on the plane and ready to go well before.
The requirements to be a flight attendant vary by airline, but most of the time, you will only need a high school diploma or GED.
You may be away from home overnight as a fight attendant if you are on flights that span many hours.
AdvertisementsThe median salary for a flight attendant, according to Salary.com, is $80,503.
4. Pilot
Airline pilots go through years of training before they reach the status of captain. With that in mind, airline pilots can earn exceptional salaries for their time.
Sometimes, you’ll have a choice as to which routes you want to fly, and taking less popular routes in the early morning might be just right for you if you’re an early bird.
According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots was $93,300 per year in May 2020. The median salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $160,970.
5. TSA Agent
The last air travel-related job we’ll cover in this article is TSA agents, which can work early shifts at airports.
AdvertisementsTSA agents screen passengers and their luggage to look for items that are forbidden on airplanes. You’ll commonly work at security checkpoints that separate the airport’s common areas from the gates.
Having excellent customer service skills is essential as a TSA agent.
The average pay for a TSA agent varies based on your pay band, but you can expect between $29,413 to $42,019 per year on the TSO D band.
6. Blogger
A blogger can work at just about any hour, including first thing in the morning before anyone wakes up.
Blogging can be a lucrative early morning job that replaces your full-time income though it’s a challenging endeavor.
The reality is, a study showed that approximately 81% of all bloggers never earn $100 in the lifetime of their blog and that 5 to 8% of bloggers make a full-time income.
That said, earning money as a blogger requires you to write comprehensive and helpful content for your readers.Advertisements
You’ll also want to learn SEO and monetize effectively.
Some ways to monetize as a blogger include:
- Ad revenue: Ezoic is an ad platform with no traffic requirements meaning you can earn revenue while your blog is still young.
- Affiliate marketing: Affiliate marketing is when you are paid to promote other people’s products and services. Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is an excellent course on affiliate marketing, developed by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, who at one point earned upwards of $50,000 in a month from affiliate marketing alone.
- Sponsored content: This is when you get paid to write content for other companies.
- Products and services: You’ll develop one or more products and services to sell to your readers. This can often be the most lucrative way to monetize your blog.
7. Freelancer
Freelancing is a job that can be done early in the morning or any other time.
The term “freelancer” is a bit of a catch-all which can include many jobs, commonly online jobs, that include things like proofreading, content writing, being a virtual assistant, consulting, and more.
As a freelancer, you’ll have your choice of what you do, who you work with, how many hours you work, and what you charge.
To be successful in freelancing, you’ll want to have a portfolio and network effectively, as most niches are highly competitive.
You can find work in places such as Facebook groups, Fiverr, Upwork, and on job sites like FlexJobs.
8. Baker
Foods like muffins and bagels are typical for early morning commuters, and as a baker, this means you’ll need to be up before the crack of dawn to bake.
One option is to work for a bakery, though you’ll want to get some experience first.
You could also consider opening a baking business. If you go this route, be sure you understand all local laws and regulations of the food business in your area.
Working as a baker, you can expect to earn between $14 to $20 per hour, says Salary.com.
9. Barista
Another early morning job in the food service industry is being a barista.
Baristas serve coffee and other drinks to customers, often during the morning rush, meaning you might have to be at work at 4 AM or earlier.
As a barista, not only do you serve customers, but you’ll be in charge of running the register while keeping a bright, cheery smile on your face.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average barista earns $13 per hour, but your wage will vary based on location and experience.Advertisements
10. Mail Carrier
Mail carriers work for the post office and often start their shifts very early in the morning to organize mail for their route.
To be a mail carrier, you’ll need to either be 18 years old or older or 16 years old with a high school diploma. You’ll also need to be a US citizen or permanent resident, have a driver’s license with a clean record, and be able to pass several screenings.
While many mail carriers drive to deliver the mail, some in crowded cities may walk.
It’s typical for a shift to begin as early as 4 AM when you’re a mail carrier, though later shifts do exist.
The national average pay for a mail carrier is $22 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
11. Truck Driver
Commercial truck drivers are paid by the mile and therefore need to cover the most amount of miles in the least amount of time to maximize their pay.
To do this, it makes sense to drive in the wee hours, such as in the middle of the night and the early hours of the morning.
Being a truck driver generally means being away from home for a few days at a time, especially if you travel across the country.
That said, you can earn solid pay delivering goods. Currently, Indeed states that the average truck driver salary in the US is $70,842 per year.
12. Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors start their days early in the morning as they prepare to do their routes to pick up trash.
AdvertisementsAs a garbage collector, you’ll either drive the truck or assist in dumping waste into the truck, where it will be transported to a transfer station or dumping location.
While this job might not be the most glamorous, it does come along with fair pay.
As a garbage collector, you can expect to earn an average pay of $44,608 per year, according to Comparably.
13. Factory Worker
Being a factory worker generally doesn’t require much in the way of qualifications and early morning shifts are often high in demand.
You’ll want to be in good shape as a factory worker as you may be on your feet and moving around for your entire shift.
Having additional skills such as the ability to drive a forklift will help you pick up more hours and earn more money.
AdvertisementsThere is a wide array of pay as a factory worker due to there being so many different types of responsibilities that fall under the umbrella job title.
14. Uber / Lyft Driver
There are millions of Uber and Lyft drivers worldwide, and as a rideshare driver, you can work your own schedule.
Some commuters may require a ride to work in the morning which makes being a rideshare driver great if you’re an early morning riser.
Additionally, you can generally make great pay if you drive people to a nearby airport, which is common early in the morning.
Lyft drivers report an average pay of $24 per hour or more after tips and bonuses.
15. Food Delivery Driver
Food delivery drivers work for apps such as Instacart, and as an Instacart driver, you’ll have the freedom to choose when you work, including early in the morning.
Instacart is a personal shopping app where you’ll earn extra cash while shopping and delivering groceries and other goods for customers.
Delivering early in the morning may be more lucrative as fewer other drivers are willing to work those hours.
AdvertisementsYou earn money for the delivery and keep 100% of the tips.
16. Grocery Store Stock Person
Stock people work in the early hours and overnight to ensure the grocery store has plenty of food for customers coming in that day.
As a stock person, your job is to unload trucks, get stock loaded on palettes, and get palettes out to the floor where stock is loaded onto shelves.
Being a stock person can be physically demanding, but the requirements to be one are generally just a high school diploma.
The average grocery store stock person earns $14.58 per hour, according to Indeed.
17. Dog Walker
Dogs need to be walked in the morning, and if you live in a neighborhood with many dogs, this might be a great early morning job for you to do.
Using the app Rover, you can connect with dog owners who need dog walking services in their area.
With Rover, you set your rate, up to $30 per hour, and when you work, and you’ll be matched up with those needing your services.
Walking multiple dogs at once is one way to earn more money per hour.
It’s possible to earn over $1,000 per month using Rover and walking dogs as a side hustle.
18. 911 Operator
911 operators are mission-critical team members that get emergency personnel to situations as quickly as possible.
AdvertisementsAs a 911 operator, you’ll receive emergency calls from individuals and route necessary fire, police, and ambulances to help them.
To be a 911 operator, you’ll need training in multiple disciplines, including:
- Basic telecommunications
- Suicide intervention
- Mapping software
- Critical incident stress
- Domestic violence
- Roleplaying
- Advanced First Aid
There are several other courses you’ll be required to take.
This rewarding job pays between $13.85 and $21.54 per hour.
19. ESL Teacher
ESL teachers may do their jobs over video calls such as with Zoom. You also may be teaching English to people in other countries, so due to timezone differences, it’s possible you’ll work this job very early in the morning.
Being an ESL teacher is a rewarding job as you’ll help others learn a new language that will open new opportunities for them.
Some of these jobs pay upward of $30 per hour.
20. Personal Trainer
Personal trainers work both in gyms and remotely through apps like Zoom.
As a personal trainer, you’ll help your clients become more physically fit while creating a custom training plan for them based on their needs and goals.
You’ll most likely need certification to work as a personal trainer, and having additional training in CPR and first aid is helpful, especially if you do in-person training.
Salaries range greatly for personal trainers, but if you start your own business, it’s possible to charge $40 to $70 per hour session.
Wrapping It Up
AdvertisementsIn this article, we discussed 20 early morning jobs that you can do if you’re an early bird. While some of these jobs pay better than others, there’s a wide range of jobs to pick from based on your qualifications and situation.
For more information, check out this article on 190+ side hustles you can do in your spare time.