With rising inflation and increasing prices, having an extra income is practical for meeting expenses. For example, the daily minimum wage in NCR is around ₱610 or ₱12,810 per month. While this may suffice for a single professional, it is insufficient for a family of four with kids and school expenses.
In the Philippines, earning money through online jobs is increasingly popular. As of 2023, approximately 1.5 million Filipino freelancers are registered on international online platforms for freelancing services.
Working from home is feasible and advantageous — it gives you a sense of independence and flexibility as you carry out your tasks. Below we will share ten legit ways on how to earn money online, plus five websites to find some amazing work opportunities.
10 remote jobs to earn money online
Here are some popular and profitable ways to get extra bucks — all you need is a stable internet connection, a laptop, and your skills and availability.
1. Website development
In simple terms, web development involves creating, designing, and maintaining websites. It requires a combination of programming languages, technical skills, and creativity.
Web development is a legitimate way to earn money online as more businesses seek to establish their online presence. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for web developers also increases.
Hence, web developers can use this trend and offer services to local and overseas companies to earn a sizeable income.
Filipino web developers are highly sought after by overseas companies, specifically those in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Quality work and cost-effectiveness make Filipino web developers a valuable asset to these companies.
How much does a web developer make in the Philippines?
In 2023, a freelance web developer in the Philippines earns an average salary of ₱65,750 per month. But, this figure may vary depending on the developer’s skills, experience, and location.
Freelance web developers may also have fluctuating incomes due to the nature of project-based work. But at least you know how much you can earn every month.
2. Graphic design
Graphic design is creating visual content to communicate information or messages. This includes creating designs for logos, websites, advertisements, packaging, and much more.
It’s a highly sought-after service as businesses need high-quality designs that stand out from the competition, and graphic designers are the ones who provide these designs.
Overseas companies pay higher rates for quality design work, meaning that Filipino designers can earn more than they would working with local clients.
Additionally, working with overseas companies can open doors to new opportunities, allowing designers to expand their portfolios and gain valuable experience.
Graphic designers can work on various types of designs, including:
- Logos – a symbol or design that represents a company or organization
- Websites – including website layouts, graphics, and images
- Packaging – designs for product packaging, labeling, and marketing material
- Advertising materials – including brochures, flyers, and billboards
- Digital marketing – including social media graphics, email templates, and digital ads
How much does a freelance graphic designer make in the Philippines?
Upwork says graphic designers charge from $15 to $150 per hour. That’s roughly ₱825 per hour to ₱8,250 per hour, depending on the skill, location, and experience. You can earn more if your clients are based overseas as they are willing to pay more than local clients.
3. Online ESL tutoring
English is a global language, and speaking it fluently can open doors to better job opportunities, academic pursuits, and business ventures.
Non-native speakers from Japan, China, and South Korea see the value in improving their English skills, and they seek out online tutors to help them.
So, how does online ESL tutoring work? It’s actually quite simple. As a tutor, you would need a stable internet connection, a working computer or laptop, a quality headset with a microphone, and your teaching materials. There are various platforms where you can sign up as a tutor and set your own schedule and rate per hour.
How much does an online ESL teacher make in the Philippines?
As for earnings, it depends on the platform you choose and your experience as a tutor.
Some platforms offer a fixed or hourly rate, while others, like private tutoring, allow you to set your rate. On average, though, you can earn anywhere from ₱216 per hour to ₱766 per hour.
4. Freelance writing
Freelance writing allows individuals the freedom to work from home or anywhere with an internet connection. As a freelance writer, you can offer various content, including articles, blog posts, website content, e-books, white papers, and more.
Filipinos are great content writers because of our proficiency in the English language, our creativity, and our strong work ethic. Many international companies outsource their content writing needs to Filipino freelancers because of our high-quality work and affordable rates.
How much does a freelance writer make in the Philippines?
As a freelance writer, you can earn a substantial amount depending on your niche, expertise, and years of experience. The average hourly rate for freelance writers in the Philippines is ₱110, but experienced writers can charge up to ₱485 or more.
Others charge per word at $0.10 (₱5.5) to $0.20 (₱11), making this freelancing job profitable for veteran ones.
5. Virtual assistant jobs
A virtual assistant, or VA, provides administrative or other professional services remotely.
A variety of tasks can be assigned to a virtual assistant, depending on your area of expertise and the employer’s needs.
These tasks can range from:
- Administrative work, such as email management, scheduling appointments, and managing social media
- Specialized functions like graphic design, website creation, and content creation.
- Customer service and technical support, as well as marketing and sales support
Currently, the United States is the biggest employer of virtual assistants, followed by the United Kingdom and Australia.
However, there is an increasing demand for virtual assistants in the Philippines due to the relatively low cost of labor, proficiency in English, and high level of education.
How much does a virtual assistant make in the Philippines?
As a general guideline, a beginner virtual assistant in the Philippines may charge around $3 (₱165) per hour, while an experienced virtual assistant may charge $8 – $10 (₱440 – ₱550) or more per hour.
However, these figures are averages and can differ based on individual circumstances and the specific tasks they perform.
6. Social media manager
Being a social media manager is not as easy as it sounds. You must manage social media marketing campaigns and day-to-day activities such as creating, curating, and publishing content.
Here are some of the tasks you will handle:
- Content creation – In charge of developing engaging content to keep followers entertained. Content writing and copywriting skills are required.
- Community management – Support professionals in responding to inquiries and comments that are posted on different channels.
- Data analysis – Evaluate the effectiveness of the social media campaigns and analyze data to identify ways to improve interaction and engagement.
Social media managers primarily focus on building relationships with the audience and creating brand awareness in the long term.
How much does a social media manager make in the Philippines?
The earnings of a social media manager may vary depending on the experience and work requirements. Others are paid by the hour, while some are paid on a monthly basis.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary is ₱47,500 per month, while the average freelance social media manager rate is $5.82 (₱320).
7. Audio transcription services
Audio transcription services involve converting spoken words into written text. This type of service is typically used for meetings, interviews, podcasts, and other recording materials that must be transcribed.
As an audio transcriptionist, your tasks include listening to the audio recording, typing what is being said, proofreading your work, and submitting the completed transcript to your client.
You must have excellent listening skills, typing speed, attention to detail, and language proficiency.
How much does a freelance audio transcriptionist make in the Philippines
Transcription services in the Philippines have various niches, ranging from general to medical and legal audio files. However, the average rate per hour of an audio transcriptionist is ₱152.05, according to PayScale.
8. Remote customer service representative
Over 500,000 Filipinos now work in customer service positions in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. With the emergence of online work or work-at-home jobs, some call center agents have ventured into the world of customer service representative jobs in the comfort of their homes.
Remote customer service jobs are the same as BPO jobs – the only difference is the employee stays home.
You need a computer and a stable internet connection. However, just like typical call center jobs, you may need to work night shifts depending on the time zone of the customers you cater to.
How much does a remote customer service representative earn in the Philippines?
According to Glassdoor, a remote customer service representative in the Philippines earns an average salary of ₱24,700 per month in Manila. This can go as high as ₱30,000, roughly the same as a regular call center agent.
9. Affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing is a type of online marketing wherein you promote a particular product or service on behalf of a company in exchange for a commission.
In physical terms, think of it as a referral system.
Here’s how it works: you sign up to be an affiliate for a company, and then you receive a unique affiliate link. You then share this link with your followers, and when they click on it and make a purchase, you earn a commission.
This commission varies depending on the company, the product, and your agreement with the company, but it can range from 1-6% or even more.
Here are three ways to earn money from affiliate marketing:
- As a TikTok affiliate, you can promote a product or service related to your content and receive a commission through your affiliate link.
- Another way is through Involve Asia, an affiliate marketing platform in Southeast Asia that connects influencers and publishers to over 600 global brands. You can join Involve Asia for free and promote products and services through your blog or social media accounts.
- Earn direct commissions from Shopee and Lazada affiliate programs. Promote products through your social media accounts or website, and you earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link.
How much does an affiliate marketer earn in the Philippines?
It’s hard to tell the exact figures if you’re planning to target local affiliate marketing platforms, but according to Commission Academy, affiliate marketers earn an average of $1,660 per month – around ₱91,300 if we consider the forex at $1 = ₱55.
However, an Involve Asia affiliate marketer posted on a Facebook group and claimed that she has a pending payout of around ₱11,700 — all from her one-month effort in promoting products on a Facebook page organically — meaning without paid ads.
But don’t get your hopes up when you see other affiliate marketers’ earnings, as income may vary depending on your social media channels and ways of promoting items online.
10. Online selling
Online selling is a way to sell products through the Internet. It’s similar to traditional selling, but instead of having a physical store, you use digital platforms to market and sell your products.
The most common platforms for online selling in the Philippines are Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook marketplace.
- Shopee and Lazada – To sell on Shopee and Lazada, you need to create an account and register as a seller. After registering, you can upload your products with their description, photos, and prices. The platform handles shipping fees and payment arrangements.
- Facebook marketplace – You need to join groups where members are interested in your products. After joining, you can post your products with their description, photos, and prices. The buyer and seller make the transaction, payment, and shipping arrangements.
- Others through online or live selling – Some sellers create their website or use other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for live selling.
How much does an online seller make in the Philippines
It’s hard to predict how much one can earn from online selling. The potential income for online sellers depends on the quality and demand of their products, marketing strategies, and customer service.
However, there are success stories of Filipino online sellers who have earned thousands and even millions of pesos.
Remember that earning potential varies, and success in online selling takes hard work, dedication, and a good business plan.
5 Best Freelance Online Job Sites In The Philippines
- OnlineJobs.ph – is a prominent local online and remote freelancing job marketplace in the Philippines. The clients are primarily from overseas, and the platform focuses on connecting Filipino freelancers with international clients. Most jobs available are full-time, but part-time and project-based opportunities can also be found.
- Upwork – is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses with freelancers who have specific skills. It is popular among Filipino freelancers for finding remote work opportunities. Upwork offers various job categories, including web development, graphic design, writing, and more.
- Freelancer – is another global platform where freelancers can find project-based work. It offers various job categories, such as web development, graphic design, and writing. Freelancers can bid on projects and negotiate their rates with clients.
- Fiverr – is a popular freelance platform focusing on digital services, such as digital marketing, web development, and social media management. Freelancers can create their own “gigs” and set prices, allowing clients to purchase their services directly.
- LinkedIn – is a global professional networking platform serving as a job site in the Philippines. It allows users to create a professional profile, connect with potential employers, and apply for job opportunities directly through the platform.
Final thoughts
All in all, making money online is an excellent way to generate income for anyone in the Philippines.
Of course, you must first decide which one of these 10 legit ways on how to earn money online is best suited for your lifestyle and skillset.
Do you have what it takes to be a web developer?
Would virtual assistant or freelance writing be more suitable for you?
You could make money through audio transcription services or by running social media manager campaigns.
Various websites provide remote customer service representative opportunities for those just starting. Moreover, becoming an affiliate marketer also provides extra rewards — some of the freelance online job sites are great places to look for them.
So tell us, which one of these online jobs would you like to try first? Let us know in the comments below.