In Kenya, the rise of digital technology has created countless opportunities for individuals to earn a steady income through online jobs that pay hourly.
Whether you’re a student looking to make extra money, a stay-at-home parent seeking flexible work, or a professional aiming to supplement your income, online jobs offer a practical solution.
With reliable internet access and the right skills, you can tap into global markets and work with clients from anywhere in the world.
This guide explores some of the best online jobs that pay hourly in Kenya, helping you find legitimate and rewarding opportunities tailored to your expertise.
Online Jobs That Pay Hourly in Kenya
As technology continues to evolve, more people in Kenya are exploring online jobs as a viable way to earn a living.
The flexibility, potential for high pay, and the ability to work from home or anywhere with an internet connection make online jobs an attractive option.
Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, or professional looking to supplement your income, there are numerous hourly-paying opportunities available.
This article delves into the top online jobs that pay hourly in Kenya, the platforms to explore, and tips on how to get started.
Freelance Writing and Editing
Freelance writing and editing are some of the most popular online jobs in Kenya.
Businesses, blogs, websites, and content creators require skilled writers to produce articles, blogs, product descriptions, and other types of written content.
If you have a flair for writing and can craft compelling content, this could be an excellent opportunity.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, ProBlogger, Textbroker
- Average Pay: $10 – $25 per hour, depending on experience and expertise
- Skills needed: Writing skills, grammar, research abilities, SEO knowledge, and creativity
Tips for success:
- Create a strong portfolio showcasing your writing samples.
- Specialize in a niche such as health, finance, or technology to command higher rates.
- Learn SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to improve your content’s visibility online.
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is an excellent option if you have a strong grasp of a particular subject or skill.
With an increasing number of students seeking academic help or learning new skills online, tutoring has become a popular online job.
Whether it’s teaching English, mathematics, science, or other subjects, there’s a high demand for online tutors, especially for students in international markets.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Preply, Tutor.com, Chegg, Cambly, Skooli
- Average Pay: $10 – $30 per hour
- Skills needed: Expertise in a particular subject, communication skills, patience, and a reliable internet connection
Tips for success:
- Focus on subjects or skills that are in demand, like English or programming.
- Be patient and adaptable in your teaching methods to cater to different learning styles.
- Get certifications or qualifications in your subject area to increase your credibility and attract more clients.
Transcription
Transcription jobs involve listening to audio files and typing them out.
These jobs are in high demand, especially in the medical and legal fields.
If you have good listening and typing skills, transcription can be a rewarding way to earn an hourly income.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Rev, GoTranscript, TranscribeMe
- Average Pay: $5 – $20 per hour
- Skills needed: Excellent listening and typing speed, attention to detail
Tips for success:
- Practice transcribing to increase your speed and accuracy.
- Specialize in niches like medical or legal transcription to earn higher rates.
- Ensure you have quality transcription tools and a quiet workspace to minimize distractions.
Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) provides administrative support to businesses, entrepreneurs, or busy individuals.
Duties can range from managing emails and scheduling meetings to handling social media accounts and performing research tasks.
Virtual assistants enjoy the flexibility to work from home while earning a decent hourly wage.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Belay, Time Etc, Upwork, Fancy Hands
- Average Pay: $7 – $20 per hour
- Skills needed: Organizational skills, communication, time management, knowledge of office software
Tips for success:
- Be proactive and efficient in managing your clients’ tasks.
- Specialize in certain services like email management or social media management to increase your value.
- Build long-term relationships with clients to ensure consistent work.
5. Data Entry
Data entry involves entering, updating, and managing data for companies.
It’s one of the easiest online jobs to start, requiring basic computer skills, attention to detail, and accuracy.
While the pay may not be as high as other freelance jobs, data entry can be a good option for beginners.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Clickworker, Amazon Mechanical Turk, Freelancer
- Average Pay: $5 – $15 per hour
- Skills needed: Basic computer skills, attention to detail, speed typing
Tips for success:
- Focus on accuracy and meeting deadlines to build a solid reputation.
- Look for jobs that offer long-term contracts to ensure steady work.
- Ensure you have a reliable internet connection to complete tasks without interruptions.
Customer Support and Chat Support
Many companies outsource their customer support needs to remote workers.
These positions involve answering customer inquiries via phone, email, or chat.
Customer service jobs can be highly rewarding, especially if you enjoy problem-solving and helping people.
How to get started:
- Platforms: LiveOps, Tawk.to, Arise, Upwork
- Average Pay: $10 – $18 per hour
- Skills needed: Strong communication skills, problem-solving, patience, and a friendly attitude
Tips for success:
- Stay calm and professional when dealing with frustrated customers.
- Learn about the products or services you’re supporting to provide accurate information.
- Flexibility is key, as some customer service jobs require night or weekend shifts.
Social Media Management
Social media management involves handling the social media accounts of businesses, brands, or individuals.
Social media managers create and schedule posts, engage with followers, and track performance metrics.
If you’re creative and have experience with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, social media management could be a great hourly-paying job.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour
- Average Pay: $10 – $30 per hour
- Skills needed: Social media expertise, communication skills, content creation, analytics knowledge
Tips for success:
- Stay up to date with the latest social media trends and algorithms.
- Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to streamline posts.
- Develop a content strategy for your clients to boost engagement and brand visibility.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is a highly in-demand skill in the online job market.
From designing logos and social media posts to creating website graphics and promotional materials, graphic designers can earn good money by working with businesses, marketers, and influencers.
How to get started:
- Platforms: 99designs, Canva Creator Program, Upwork, Fiverr
- Average Pay: $10 – $50 per hour
- Skills needed: Graphic design software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), creativity, attention to detail
Tips for success:
- Build an online portfolio to showcase your best designs.
- Specialize in specific design areas like branding or web design to stand out.
- Stay creative and be open to feedback from clients to improve your work.
Web Development and Programming
If you have web development or programming skills, you can earn a substantial income by building websites, applications, or software for clients.
The demand for developers is growing, and businesses are constantly looking for talented individuals to help them build and maintain their digital platforms.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Toptal, Upwork, Freelancer, GitHub
- Average Pay: $15 – $50+ per hour
- Skills needed: Knowledge of coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, etc.), problem-solving, and software development experience
Tips for success:
- Stay updated on the latest web development trends and technologies.
- Create a professional portfolio or GitHub profile to showcase your projects.
- Take on smaller projects to build your reputation before taking on larger contracts.
Translation Services
If you’re bilingual or multilingual, translation services offer great hourly pay.
Businesses, content creators, and websites often need documents, websites, or marketing materials translated into different languages.
Kenyan workers fluent in both local and international languages have a distinct advantage in the global market.
How to get started:
- Platforms: Gengo, ProZ, Upwork, Freelancer
- Average Pay: $10 – $30 per hour
- Skills needed: Fluency in multiple languages, writing skills, attention to detail
Tips for success:
- Specialize in certain industries like legal or medical translation for higher pay.
- Ensure you have a strong command of both languages and understand cultural nuances.
- Build a portfolio showcasing your best translation work.