If you’ve ever dreamed of finding a job that feels simple, pays the bills, and provides work-life balance, you’re not alone. Many people define success as prioritizing work-life balance and having a low-stress career versus one that demands constant hustle. There are careers out there that offer stable pay and flexible schedules. Some even provide on-the-job training, letting you start earning right away.
From professional dog walker to librarian and beyond, you’ll find that “easy” doesn’t mean unskilled—it simply means work that fits your strengths and adheres to the kind of lower-stress lifestyle you want to live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), several of these lower-stress roles, like massage therapist and personal trainer, are projected to see solid job growth in the coming years, giving you plenty of options to explore at your own pace.1,2
Key Takeaways
- Easy careers focus on low stress, short training periods, and steady pay, not a lack of skill.
- Many of these jobs require only a high school diploma, a short certification program, and/or a state-issued license.
- Flexible scheduling and on-the-job training make great options for career changers.
- Using BLS and O*NET tools can help you compare job outlooks, entry requirements, and stress levels.
- Finding an easy career that aligns with your natural strengths and rhythms can improve both job satisfaction and quality of life.
What Makes a Career Easy?
Understanding what makes a career “easy” means looking at entry requirements, stress levels, and flexibility in the role. An easy career is usually one that doesn’t require many technical skills. For many such roles, strong communication or organizational abilities are enough. Some positions come with on-the-job training and minimal formal education.
The O*NET stress tolerance table shows occupations that score from one to five on the job zone scale, where occupations within job zones one and two require little job preparation and training, and four to five require extensive job preparation and training.3 The jobs that scored lower tend to be jobs such as baristas, housekeeping cleaners, and landscapers, and jobs that scored higher tend to be jobs like lawyers, astronomers, and biologists.
In other words, “easy” often means the work environment and schedule fit comfortably within your natural expertise. It also often means that they tend to offer flexible hours or remote options and generally allow little education or advanced credentials to get started. Some positions may even allow you to set your own schedule.
While many easy jobs could be considered low-paying, there are also easy careers that offer decent salaries and good benefits. Many easy careers do not require a college degree or a bachelor’s degree; instead, they may require certifications or training from a trade school. The cost of pursuing certifications or attending a trade school is often much lower than the cost of obtaining a traditional college degree, making these pathways more accessible.
Easy Careers You Should Consider in 2025
Here are some careers that combine lower entry barriers, manageable training, and decent salaries for 2025 job-seekers. These roles span multiple industries, emphasizing accessible entry paths over high pressure or long schooling.
All of the following salary information has been verified on ZipRecruiter as of October 2025.
Fitness Instructor
- Average salary:$61,0144
- Education needed: High school diploma, CPR/AED certification, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) personal trainer certification
Fitness instructors assist their clients on their fitness journey. This includes creating workout plans and providing physical guidance in an athletic context as well. They track their clients’ progress and update them on how they have improved. To do this job correctly, you should be familiar with anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, along with the latest exercise techniques and equipment. You’ll need to keep your clients engaged and motivated, so having good communication skills will help you retain clients as they progress in their fitness journey.
What makes this career path easy is that the hours are flexible so that you can balance work with your personal life, and you get to choose who your clients will be. Plus, if you’re passionate about fitness, then this is likely to be a really fun job too.
Librarian
- Average salary: $65,1935
- Education needed: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree and teaching certificate, depending on the state
As a librarian, your primary duty is to help customers find information and conduct research. This includes making suggestions or helping a visitor find a book when asked. These professionals also make sure the library’s database is up to date and appropriately organized. You may also be tasked with administrative tasks and creating fun, educational programs for students, children, and adults.
As a librarian, you’ll have a relatively peaceful working environment and a lot of autonomy in your daily tasks.
Private Tutor
- Average salary: $71,9786
- Education needed: High school diploma and bachelor’s degree (depending on the students you’re working with)
This role is ideal for those who enjoy teaching and sharing their knowledge with others. As a private tutor, your primary responsibility is to help students who are struggling with certain subjects. Your task will be to understand their lessons, help them with homework, and provide them with exercises so they can improve.
Tutoring can be considered an easy job because of the flexibility it provides, and at an average annual rate of $71,978 per year, it can be considered a high-paying job when compared with the national average salary of $69,846.57—according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as of 2024.7 You can choose what hours of the day you want to work, and for how long, each day. Plus, you can also decide which population you want to work with (i.e., middle school, high school, and university students).
Pharmacy Technician
- Average salary: $41,9198
- Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent and certification
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for filling prescriptions accurately. You’ll need to have a thorough eye and double-check customers’ information while also providing them with guidance on how to take their medication. Pharmacy techs are also responsible for putting in orders for supplies and medicine, and keeping track of inventory.
The nice thing about this profession is that you don’t need higher education to qualify. As long as you have a diploma, are certified, and have the necessary skills to perform this job, you’ll be qualified to obtain a position. Most employers in this field offer on-the-job training and opportunities for advancement.
Sales Representative
- Average salary: $76,6819
- Education needed: High school diploma (some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field—depending on what field you’re in)
A sales representative is someone who generates leads to sell a product by using a variety of sales strategies. You will be in charge of explaining products to customers, and you will need to sell enough to meet your sales goals. You will also have to prepare monthly reports, ensure that all sales are recorded, and give presentations to prospective clients.
A sales representative can be considered an easy position because the main facets of earning a decent salary are charisma, sales skills, and in-depth knowledge of the product you’re selling. Depending on who you work for, you may also be able to create your own schedule.
Hotel Concierge
- Average salary: $37,68910
- Education needed: High school diploma (some employers may require an Associate Degree in Business, Hospitality, or Administration)
A hotel concierge welcomes and greets guests, provides information about rooms, and makes reservations for guests’ activities both in and outside of the hotel. You’ll also answer questions about reservations by phone and email. If guests have any concerns, your job is to assist them.
Working as a hotel concierge can be considered easy if you love talking to people and fulfilling customer service requests.
Professional Dog Walker
- Average salary: $35,77011
- Education needed: None
Dog walkers are responsible for the care of pets—ensuring they are safe and get sufficient exercise during scheduled walks. Some operate independently; others join pet care platforms.
This is considered an easy job as there are no educational requirements to enter the field. If you work for yourself, you’ll be able to set your own hours and your hourly pricing. In large metro areas, if you’re willing and capable of walking multiple dogs at once, you may be able to make good money. Basic reliability and communication skills are key to success.
Taxi/Uber Driver
- Average salary: $30,96312
- Education Needed: None, but a driver’s license is required
A taxi or Uber driver will drive their customers to a designated location. This job requires that you can follow GPS directions clearly or are naturally good at navigating the roads in the region you work in. You will also be in charge of helping passengers load and unload baggage. Your customers’ safety is of the utmost importance, so you must drive appropriately and keep your vehicle in good condition.
This job is considered easy because the main task of driving a customer to their location is very straightforward. All you need is a state-issued driver’s license to get started.
Nail Technician
- Average salary: $43,13913
- Education Needed: High school diploma and state-awarded license
As a nail technician, you will provide pedicures and manicures to salon customers. This includes removing old nail polish, cleaning and shaping nails, and applying artificial nails and new polish. You will also be in charge of maintaining hygienic standards by cleaning your workstation.
Working as a nail technician can be easy because once you learn the basics, you can apply the same technique to your entire client base. There are also no analytical skills required to perform your job duties, only customer care.
Massage Therapist
- Average salary: $71,67913
- Education Needed: Postsecondary program, vocational training, and state-issued license or certification
As a massage therapist, your job is to provide your clients with a peaceful, relaxing experience through massage and restoration. Massage therapy is well known to help clients reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Massages can last anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes, so you’ll need to be able to stand on your feet and use the force of your body and hands for extended periods of time. You may specialize in deep tissue massage, craniosacral therapy, hot stone therapy, cupping, and more.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Massage therapy can be considered an easy job in the sense that you won’t need to use your mind as much as your body. Once you have learned the necessary massage techniques, all you need to do is apply them. The duties aren’t complex, but some communication skills are necessary so that you can make sure your client is enjoying their experience. It’s also worth noting that massage therapists who work independently rather than for a spa can set their own schedule and their own hourly rate.
Hair Stylist
- Average salary: $43,79714
- Education Needed: High school diploma or equivalent, vocational training, and state-issued license
As a hairstylist, you’ll wash, cut, color, and style hair to achieve the look your customer wants. Once you have trained as a stylist, you’ll need to keep abreast of style trends in the industry.
This job is easy because if you’re a creative person with strong soft skills, you will enjoy helping your customers look their best. Stylists who work for themselves can also choose how many appointments they want to fulfill each week, so they won’t be overwhelmed by the workload.
Plumber
- Average salary: $63,21515
- Education Needed: High school diploma, vocational training, and state-issued license
As a plumber, you’ll repair, maintain, and install plumbing systems and other fixtures. Plumbers may work in residential homes as well as commercial properties. You will also need to be good at problem-solving so that you can answer customers’ questions about their plumbing systems.
Some may consider this job easy because, once you have the proper training, the work can be straightforward. As long as you have the skills to solve the customer’s problems and are equipped with the appropriate tools and materials, the work environment may not be as stressful compared to other professions.
Postal Service Clerk
- Average salary: $40,80216
- Education Needed: High school diploma and passing the necessary written exam
A postal service clerk accepts packages from customers, advises them on the best shipping method, and handles payments for outgoing mail. They also sell stamps and sort packages to hand off to mail carriers for delivery.
A postal service clerk’s job isn’t considered complicated once training is complete. You’ll need strong customer service skills to excel in this position.
How to Find Easy Careers
There are many ways to find the type of “easy” career you’re looking for:
Identify Your Skills
An easy career is subjective. What’s easy for you isn’t necessarily easy for another person. So, to find your easy profession, figure out what your skills are and find a career that aligns with them. That way, once you have the job, you’ll simply be enhancing and honing skills that you’re already naturally good at.
Research a Variety of Jobs
It’s vital to read up on these different paths. For example, if you’re interested in a certain field, like tech, you should look around to see which jobs within that field are considered the easiest.
Prepare a Cover Letter
Once you know what kind of job you want, you can prepare an entry-level cover letter so your prospective employers can get to know you better. Make sure you include what it is that interests you about the job, your skills, and why you think you’ll be a good fit for the position.
Update Your Resume
Your resume is just as important as a cover letter because it lists how your experience has prepared you for the role to which you’re applying. Even if you’re applying for an easy career, you should still tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for so that you stand out from the crowd.
Prepare for Your Interview
Preparing for an interview is always important. Think about what questions you’re likely to be asked, and write down your answers for them.
Why Finding an Easy Career Is Important
It’s important to find an easy career because having a stress-free job may have the ability to increase your quality of life. Many of the above careers are considered easy because they allow you to find a good work-life balance.
Easy Careers FAQ
What’s the easiest job to get into?
There are a lot of simpler jobs you can get into, such as working as a plumber or a personal care assistant.
Are there easy jobs that pay a salary of $100,000?
There are not many jobs that pay a set salary of more than $100,000. But with hard work and commitment, you could land a promotion that may help usher you toward this pay range.
Are there easy careers for people who only have a high school diploma?
Yes, many easy careers only require a high school diploma, such as hair stylists, nail technicians, and customer care assistants.
Sources:
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm
2 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm
3 https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/result/1.C.4.b
4 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Personal-Trainer-Salary#Yearly
5 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Librarian-Salary
6 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Private-Tutor-Salary#Yearly
7 https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html
8 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Nationally-Certified-Pharmacy-Technician-Salary#Yearly
9 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Sales-Representative-Salary
10 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Concierge-Salary#Yearly
11 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Dog-Walker-Salary#Yearly
12 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Taxi-Drivers-Salary#Yearly
13 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Nail-Technician-Salary#Yearly
14 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Massage-Therapist-Salary#Yearly
15 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hair-Stylist-Salary#Yearly
16 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Plumber-Salary#Yearly
17 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Postal-Service-Window-Clerk-Salary#Yearly
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
