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For many people, getting up bright and early is the best way to get a jump-start on their workday. A quick run, followed by a shower and a cup of coffee, gets these early birds off on the right foot.
If you find yourself in the latter category as a morning person, your career options are plentiful as well.
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16 Best Early Morning Jobs
Here are some ideal jobs for early birds.
Airport-Related Jobs
1. Flight Attendant
Want to spend your days in the air, but have no desire to become a pilot? Airlines need flight attendants to keep everyone safe on the plane in addition to serving drinks and meals, cleaning up and helping people use those tricky in-flight entertainment systems.
This is a great job for early risers, since a 7 a.m. flight starts boarding far earlier, and flight attendants need to be there well in advance. While airlines have different requirements, generally you need to be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Estimated Pay: Salaries can range from less than $50,000 per year to more than $116,000, with the median annual income being $79,869.
2. Airport Ticket Agent
When people need to check in two hours before their early flights, airline ticket agents need to be there to greet them, help them check their bags and offer assistance in getting to their gate.
This is also one of the best early morning jobs for travel lovers with other commitments, like kids to pick up from school and other regular obligations. You can often work at one airport and keep a somewhat regular schedule, yet you can still have a lot of travel perks.
Early morning shifts can begin at 4 a.m. or even earlier, so this is definitely a job for an early bird. Of course, some shifts last late into the evening hours as well, so be sure to find out the specific schedule of any position before committing.
Estimated Pay: ZipRecruiter says ticket agent salaries have been seen as low as $17,500 and as high as $89,000. The average ticket agent in the U.S. makes $41,484 per year.
3. TSA Agent
If you don’t mind the potential of a little drama while enforcing security protocols, a TSA agent position could be a good fit.
TSA agents screen passengers, cargo and bags for dangerous and prohibited items, as you know if you’ve ever been through an airport. They also keep passenger traffic moving through the security checkpoint entering terminals. The TSA says the ideal agent is a people person, dependent, adaptable, observant and detail oriented.
Estimated Pay: Airport security-related salaries within the TSA range between $28,000 – $42,000 per year – the “d band” on the TSA’s pay scale. With each increasing pay band, TSA employees make more money, with the highest topping out at $172,500 for the most high-ranking positions.
4. Air Traffic Controller
Someone has to direct all those early-morning flights. While air traffic controllers work all hours of the day, some have the opportunity to start before the sun rises.
As an air traffic controller, you will monitor and direct aircraft movement, control ground movement on airport and taxi runways, issue landing and takeoff direction, and transfer flight control to other nearby towers.
Air traffic controllers must have a degree from an Air Traffic Training Initiative Program, as well as having completed courses at the Federal Aviation Administration academy.
Estimated Pay: The median pay of air traffic controllers in May 2021 was $129,750 – which comes to $62.38 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some people swear they produce their best work after 10 p.m. And these night owls have plenty of career options.
Food Industry Jobs
5. Baker
Since picking up a muffin or croissant is a morning ritual for many, someone needs to be there nice and early to make sure the tasty treats are ready.
You could start your own baking business or work for someone else, but either way, working at a bakery is a good way to start your workday in the early morning hours. To get this gig, you should have food service and baking experience, though some bakeries will train people eager to learn the ropes.
Estimated Pay: The salary for bakers ranges between $29,800 to $40,763 with the average annual income coming to $35,200, according to Salary.com.
6. Barista
Every morning, hordes of uncaffeinated workers stop at their local cafes for a cuppa joe to help them start their day. Baristas and cafe workers have to be at work bright and early to get everything ready.
Job duties typically include preparing drinks, serving customers, cleaning and running a cash register. Restaurant and barista experience is helpful, but many coffee shops are willing to train the right person who can have a smile on his or her face at 4 a.m.
Estimated Pay: Baristas are typically paid hourly wages which come to a median of $24,514, Salary.com finds.
7. Supermarket Stocker
If you venture into your local supermarket in the early morning hours, you’ll likely see a stock team working hard at filling the shelves and getting groceries ready for people to pick up that day.
To keep the aisles clear for shopping rushes, supermarkets typically have crews working late or early shifts stocking the shelves. Be ready to do some heavy lifting during your shift as you organize and stock a variety of cans and boxes.
Estimated Pay: The average stocker gets paid just under $14 an hour for an annual total of $26,930.
On-the-Road Jobs
8. Mail Carrier
Spend your workday making the rounds and delivering letters and packages to people along your route as a mail carrier. People who work for the post office have to show up for the early morning shift to get the mail organized and ready for the day before they hit the road and start delivering. Many shifts end in the early afternoon.
To qualify for this gig, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a good driving record and be able to pass a number of screenings (including criminal, drug and medical checks).
Estimated Pay: The majority of mail carriers make between $25,382 to $37,603 with the national average at $36,036.
9. Truck Driver
You don’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic if you’re a truck driver. That’s why many drivers start early (think 4 a.m. or earlier) to beat the rush and get a start on their days on the road.
To qualify for a driving job, you need to obtain a commercial truck driving license, pass medical exams and demonstrate the attention to detail and aptitude needed to safely maneuver your huge vehicle through tricky situations, like heavy traffic, bad weather and big cities.
Estimated Pay: The average base salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is $69,054, per Indeed.
10. Refuse and Recyclable Materials Collector
Refuse and recyclable materials collectors start their days long before you hear the trucks rumble through your neighborhood first thing in the morning. Trucks typically have drivers and helpers.
If you’re driving, you will need a commercial driver’s license. While experience is preferred, drivers and helpers typically learn the details of their jobs as they work, including how to operate dumpster trucks and side-loaders. Refuse collection experience is preferred, especially for drivers, though helpers can have diverse backgrounds, including construction and manual labor. Many of these jobs also require people to pass a background check and drug test.
Estimated Pay: As with any other job, garbage collector salaries vary by state. But the national average comes to $15 per hour or $30,000 annually.
With more than 2 million drivers working for Uber and Lyft these days, the rideshare industry isn’t going anywhere. If you’re a sociable person who would love to set your own flexible schedule, then driving for rideshare might be one of the best early morning jobs for you.
Early birds who live near an airport can definitely benefit from travelers trying to get to their early morning flights. Requirements include the obvious: a driver’s license, proof of vehicle registration and insurance, and a Social Security number.
Estimated Pay: Keep in mind that many Uber and Lyft drivers only work part-time. However, rideshare drivers who work full-time hours make a median annual salary of $37,102.
Office Jobs
12. Morning News Producer
If you love working with people in an intense environment, consider becoming a morning news producer. The producer typically runs the show and organizes the director, studio crew, reporters, field crew and photographers, getting everyone ready to put together a high-quality newscast each day. Duties include monitoring the wire for stories, finding leads, communicating with everyone, making sure the timing is right, and editing and organizing the show so the flow is perfect.
You’ll need relevant experience for these positions, and a college degree in broadcasting is very helpful, in addition to good communications skills and social media savvy.
Estimated Pay: A morning news producer’s salary can range from $16,500 to as high as $121,000 per year. The national average is $51,172, ZipRecruiter reports.
13. Freelancer
Freelance writers typically set their own hours and work whenever they have the time or find the inspiration. For this job, you need to be able to write well and adhere to deadlines. No formal training is required, but having a collection of published clips is a good way to get your foot in the door. This is also a great option because you work remotely and have the option to work in a different time zone. The office is in New York but you’re in California? No problem.
If you work for a design firm, you typically have to keep office hours, but if you work as a freelance graphic designer, you can largely keep your own hours, aside from specified times to meet with clients. This means you can wake up at 4 a.m. and work until noon if that’s the schedule that best suits you. You need a good eye for design, and many find a college degree in graphic design or a related field to be very helpful.
Estimated Pay: The national average for a freelancer is $67,169 per year, which works out to about $32 an hour for part-timers. In the freelance world, salary ranges vary greatly depending on your chosen field (e.g. writer, designer, programmer, etc).
These are the best freelance websites for all sorts of specialties.
14. 911 Operator
If a tense, high-drama morning position is what you are looking for, then you might think about becoming a 911 operator.
These resilient men and women receive calls for ambulance, police and fire department assistance while also dispatching emergency personnel to the source of the call. They also log their calls, track emergency vehicles and provide detailed information on reports of events that happened during their shift.
Requirements can vary by state, but most 911 operators have a college degree in a related field, like criminal justice, emergency management or communications. During training, operators learn a variety skills including advanced first aid and CPR, basic telecommunications, suicide prevention, critical incident stress and more.
Estimated Pay: The median salary for a 911 Dispatcher in the U.S. is $43,000 per year. (Salary.com)
Physically Active Jobs
15. Personal Trainer
Personal trainers can set their own hours, which works out well for many early birds – as most clients prefer early morning sessions.
To get a job in this industry, you’ll likely need a personal trainer certification, as well as a first aid and CPR qualification. While your hours might lean heavy toward early morning, you’ll still need to be available other times throughout the day. You can either work directly for a gym or go solo with your own personal trainer business.
Estimated Pay: According to PT Pioneer, personal trainer salaries vary widely based on hours worked and region of the country. The salary range falls between $23,000 and $76,000 per year.
16. Military Member
“In military basic training, there’s no such thing as sleeping in,” Military.com says. “You’ll get up at 5 a.m. every single day.”
Joining the armed forces is a huge commitment. But if you don’t mind the early hours while serving your country, then the military might be a great option. You’ll also receive other great benefits, like health care, free food and housing, paid vacation, tuition assistance and a guaranteed retirement.
Estimated Pay: Service members are paid based on years of service and rank. Base pay can start in the mid-twenties and gradually increase to six figures for long-tenured service members. Keep in mind that the military also pays a housing allowance and other financial perks that also increase as tenure grows.
Kristen Pope is a freelance writer for The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Robert Bruce contributed to this article.
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