Not all high-paying jobs require endless stress and long hours.
While some careers demand intense effort, there are actually quite a few that offer a good balance of work and reward. Whether it’s flexibility, low-pressure environments, or minimal hands-on labour, these jobs allow you to earn a decent bit of dosh without feeling completely drained. If you’re looking for something that pays off without taking over your life, here are a few jobs that require minimal effort but offer solid financial rewards. You might want to consider getting into one of these fields, if you’re not already.
1. UX research participant
Companies constantly need real users to test their websites, apps, and software. UX (user experience) research participants get paid to share their opinions, test features, and answer questions about usability. It’s low-effort work that pays surprisingly well for the time spent. Many platforms, like UserTesting and Respondent, pay between £30-£100 per session. If you qualify for high-paying studies, you could easily make a few hundred pounds a month just by clicking through websites or answering questions on video calls.
2. AI prompt engineer
With AI dominating every industry, prompt engineers are in high demand. The role involves crafting the right inputs to generate high-quality outputs, which is pretty cool. No hardcore coding skills are needed — just creativity, problem-solving, and a basic understanding of how artificial intelligence models work. Some companies pay up to £200,000 per year for top-tier prompt engineers. Many remote freelance gigs also offer great pay, making it one of the easiest, most future-proof jobs out there in 2025.
3. Voice-over artist
If you have a clear speaking voice, you can make serious money recording voice-overs for ads, audiobooks, explainer videos, and more. You don’t need a professional studio, just a good microphone and some free editing software will do the trick. Freelancers on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork charge anywhere from £50 to £500 per project. Once you build a portfolio, this job requires minimal effort while bringing in a steady income.
4. Notion template creator
Notion is the go-to productivity tool for millions of users, and people will gladly pay for pre-made templates that make their lives easier. If you enjoy designing workspaces, task planners, or budgeting tools, you can sell them on platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, or your own website. The beauty of this job is that once a template is made, it sells passively. Some creators make over £5,000 a month from a handful of well-designed templates. It’s a one-time effort that keeps paying off.
5. Online course creator
If you’re good at explaining things, turning your knowledge into an online course can be incredibly lucrative. Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, and Skillshare allow you to create a course once and sell it over and over again. Popular topics include personal finance, marketing, coding, fitness, and even hobbies like photography. Some course creators make six figures a year with minimal ongoing effort beyond occasional updates.
6. Digital product seller
From planners and templates to printable wall art and budget spreadsheets, digital products are an effortless way to make money. Once you create them, you can sell them indefinitely on platforms like Etsy or your own website. Since digital downloads don’t require inventory or shipping, your work is done after the initial creation. If you market them well, they can generate passive income for years.
7. Remote customer support (chat-based)
Traditional call centre jobs can be exhausting, but chat-based customer support roles offer a much easier alternative. Many companies now hire remote workers to handle customer inquiries through live chat or email, no stressful phone calls required. These jobs often pay between £15-£25 per hour, and since you’re just typing responses, the workload is light. Some companies even let you work flexible hours, making it a great low-effort job with a solid pay cheque.
8. Affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting products online. If you have a blog, a YouTube channel, or even just a well-curated social media page, you can make money by recommending products and including affiliate links. High-ticket affiliate programs in finance, software, and tech can pay hundreds per sale. Once your content is up, the commissions keep rolling in without extra effort, making it a great long-term income stream.
9. Stock photo seller
If you enjoy taking photos, selling them on stock photo websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images can provide ongoing income. The best part? Once a photo is uploaded, it can keep earning money for years. Some photographers make thousands a month from old images, with minimal work beyond occasional uploads. The trick is to focus on in-demand content like business, travel, and lifestyle photography.
10. Virtual property manager
Property management used to require in-person work, but these days, many landlords hire virtual managers to handle bookings, screen tenants, and schedule maintenance remotely. If you have good organisational skills, you can do this job without ever visiting a property. Some virtual property managers earn up to £50,000 a year by managing multiple rentals from their laptops. With short-term rental platforms booming, the demand for remote property managers is only growing.
11. Transcriptionist
Transcribing audio into text is one of the easiest ways to make money online. Websites like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript pay freelancers to turn podcasts, interviews, and videos into written content. While AI transcription tools exist, human editors are still needed to correct mistakes. If you type quickly, you can make decent money with minimal effort, especially in legal or medical transcription, where rates are higher.
12. Computer-generated art seller
Source: Unsplash Digital art tools like Midjourney and DALL·E have made it possible to create stunning digital artwork with minimal effort. Many people are now selling computer-generated prints, posters, and album covers online. By uploading designs to print-on-demand services like Redbubble or Society6, you can make passive income without handling production or shipping. Some computerised art sellers make thousands a month just by knowing how to create and market the right designs.
13. YouTube faceless channel owner
Source: Unsplash You don’t need to be on camera to make money on YouTube. Faceless channels — where creators use computer-generated voices, animations, or stock footage — have exploded in popularity. These channels cover topics like finance, history, and tech, earning ad revenue without requiring the creator to film anything. Once a video is uploaded, it can generate income for years. With YouTube automation tools, running a faceless channel is now easier than ever. Many creators make £5,000+ per month with minimal effort beyond setting up the content workflow.
