11 Jobs With The Most Down Time

Here’s a question: What is the ideal perk when looking for a job?

Some of you might ask for extra pay, paid leaves, or perks but one thing that’s often overlooked when discussing job perks is downtime.

Having additional downtime can not only help you reduce stress, but it can also help you focus on other things in your life. 

So, if you’re wondering what are the jobs with the most downtime, you are in the right place! Let’s look at some of the ideal jobs with the most downtime. 

1. Librarian 

Tasked with organizing and managing the library books and resources, a librarian’s job is mainly to assist people visiting the library. As a librarian, you have to assist people coming to the library searching for a text or a book. 

Since people don’t need much help at a library except for finding books, librarians have a lot of free time on their hands.

Unless you’re working at a particularly busy library, there isn’t much to do. While it may get busy occasionally, it usually remains quiet, and there isn’t much to do. 

With schools, institutes, and specialized public libraries scattered across the country, finding a job as a librarian isn’t as difficult.

Considering that not many people plan their visits to the library often, becoming a librarian can offer the downtime you’re looking for.

2. Receptionst

In this role, you’ll often find yourself stationed behind a desk, answering phone calls, greeting visitors, and sometimes managing appointment books.

You might work in different settings, from corporate offices and dental clinics to law firms and, of course, hotels during the nighttime.

At hotels, especially during the quieter night shifts, you’d be responsible for check-ins, check-outs, and assisting guests, but there can be lengthy stretches without much to do.

You don’t need a fancy degree to be a receptionist, but good communication skills are a must. Many start as receptionist with a basic high school diploma and learn the specifics on the job.

However, customer service training or courses in communication can give you an edge.

For nighttime hotel roles, like the one your friend had, multitasking is key, as it can allow you to juggle between work responsibilities and personal tasks like studying.

Regarding pay, receptionists have a varied range, largely dependent on the type of establishment and location. As of 2023, the median annual wage for receptionists is around $38,000 a year wich translates to $18 an hour.

3. Computer Support Service 

IT companies mainly focus on delivering prompt and ideal services. However, electronics can malfunction anytime, so having a support staff is necessary. 

When working as a computer support specialist, you’re always caught up on work until all computer systems remain optional and if there are no user issues.

You sit on standby unless there is a computer-related issue at the organization. Once the issue is resolved, you can go back to standby and enjoy your downtime. 

A System administrator also shares the same scope of responsibility as a customer support service. Hence they both have the same amount of downtime.

So, if you possess computer knowledge and can solve any computer-related issues, becoming a computer support specialist can be a pretty chill job.

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4. K-12 Teachers 

Being a school teacher gives you a lot of downtime on your hands. Your task is mainly to deliver and help students prepare with the educational instructions.

Occasionally, you might have to draft teaching resources, create presentations, and fulfill class duties. 

Apart from drafting resources and study materials, you will also have to grade assignments and partake in meetings with faculty and parents. You might also have to attend a few development workshops depending on your employer. 

As a teacher, your workday only lasts six to seven hours. When compared to other full-time jobs, these working hours are comparatively low.

While sometimes you might have to work evenings on special occasions or school events, you also get weekends off. 

In addition to the weekends, you also get breaks and holiday offs from school. The cherry on top is a well paying job with summers off where you get a two- or three-month summer vacation every year!

5. Overnight Security at Closed Facilities

Your main station would typically be a desk, equipped with the essential tools of the trade: surveillance cameras, communication devices, and sometimes, perks like a computer or a TV.

While the facility is usually devoid of regular occupants, the tech keeps you connected and entertained.

Now, it’s not all about sitting around. Periodic rounds are a must. In some places, like the one you mentioned, there’s a routine of visiting each floor every couple of hours.

This isn’t just for security reasons, but it also helps to stretch those legs. If you’re in a multi-story building, that’s a mini workout right there, ensuring you’re not sedentary all night.

The pay can be a pleasant surprise. A $19/hr is a good salary for working just the weekends.

And the real jackpot? Those precious quiet hours. For students or anyone with a remote side hustle or project, this downtime is golden.

7. Pilot 

If you’re thinking about a job that pays well and has a lot of time off, becoming a pilot is a great option, especially for women who want to earn good money without a degree. Pilots fly and navigate helicopters and planes. What’s more, they get plenty of time to relax because of strict rules about how many hours they can work. The FAA says pilots can’t fly more than 32 hours a week and 100 hours a month. They also need to rest at least eight hours between flights and take a full day off every week.

This means pilots have a good balance between work and free time. The job isn’t just about flying, though. Pilots sometimes get to transport important people, carry special cargo, and lead rescue missions. It’s a job full of different experiences. And you never know, you might even meet a famous person! With a chance to make over $90k and these benefits, being a pilot is definitely worth considering.

8. Bank Teller at a Small Local Bank

You might imagine busy city bank branches with long lines and constant chatter. But at a small local bank, things are quite different and a lot more laid-back.

In this role, you’d help customers with everyday tasks: making deposits, withdrawing money, or answering questions about their accounts.

Some days, you might only see 20-30 customers over an entire 8-hour shift. That’s a lot of quiet moments.

So, what do you do when the branch is silent? It’s the perfect chance to dive deeper into the bank’s services and offerings.

This knowledge can come in handy when you want to give customers some advice. If you’re still studying or just enjoy reading, the downtime is perfect for that.

Getting started as a teller in a smaller bank usually isn’t a huge challenge. Most times, all you need is a high school diploma, a friendly attitude, and a way with numbers.

New hires often get trained on the job, and there’s typically a more experienced teller around to show you the ropes.

9. Flight Attendant 

For flight attendant’s job you don’t need prior experience.

Airline companies hire them to ensure the passengers’ well-being and follow a certain procedure in case an emergency befalls. 

As a flight attendant, you must inform passengers about safety protocols and ensure they stick to them.

Apart from safety regulations, your job is to serve food and drinks and to look after the needs of any passenger with special needs. 

Flight attendants often find their role to be a low stress job that pays well. They usually enjoy plenty of downtime between flights and during layovers. Even while flying, there’s not too much work for attendants once they’ve made sure all passengers are seated and their needs are taken care of.

Nighttime flights are usually less busy and also have a lot of downtime. While you cant request a nighttime flight, there is still a lot of downtime to enjoy, even with the usual flights. 

10. Firefighters

Another cool job having the most downtime is becoming a firefighter. Firefighters are an important part of our society and are expected to provide rescue services for people and animals.

You have to run into burning buildings to rescue victims, drive emergency vehicles, and save the day by putting out some fires. 

However, off-call firefighters have little to do except cleaning and maintain their equipment. The department might occasionally ask you to conduct training drills or write a report about emergency calls. 

Typically, firefighters work 10 hours on-call and get 14 hours off. But being a firefighter can be difficult at times. You might have to work long shifts and might get called away for work in case of an emergency.

This might not be the highest paying job out there, but there are a lot of side hustles firefighters can start to make extra cash in their free time.

11. Surveillance Operators

This is a job that requires patience, attention to detail, and sharp observational skills. Although there might be periods of inactivity, those quieter moments are balanced out when something catches your eye and you need to act swiftly.

These operators are essential in various sectors, from shopping malls to corporate buildings maintaining safety protocols.

They collaborate closely with security personnel, and in situations that raise red flags, they’re responsible for notifying the appropriate teams to handle potential issues.

Now, let’s talk numbers. A salary of $21 an hour can be pretty attractive, especially if you live in an area where the cost of living is moderate.

Over a typical full-time week, this would amount to a decent paycheck. Plus, given the indoor, climate-controlled environments where surveillance operators typically work, it’s a comfortable job physically.

Training for this position usually involves a mix of on-the-job experience and formalized courses on security protocols and surveillance technologies.

As you gain more experience, you might even find opportunities for advancement within larger security operations.

Final Words 

Having a role with some extra breathing room can be both relaxing and rewarding.

Not only do you get to pocket a paycheck, but you also get some valuable “me-time” during the clock hours. Just think about how you can make the most of those quieter moments.

Maybe read that book you’ve been putting off, learn a new skill, or even just kick back and relax.

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