Part 7. Earn $15–$20/Hour (Remote Customer Service Job)
LiveOps: You’re Your Own Boss… But Is It Worth It?
LiveOps is a gig-based virtual call‑center platform where Independent Contractors take inbound customer calls for brands like insurance, retail, and tele‑health. It’s flexible and remote—but the real pay can fall short of the hype. Here’s what you need to know before jumping in.
✅ How It Works
- Independent Contractor model: You’re not an employee—you sign a 1099 contract, pay your own taxes, and must pass a background check before starting (there’s a $25 fee) s.
- Space & Equipment: You need a reliable PC, stable high-speed internet, and headset. Many clients require Windows machines.
- Training and Certification: Training is mandatory and unpaid. It varies in length—sometimes weeks—before you’re approved to accept calls
- Flexible scheduling: You choose when to work, review available client programs, and log in to accept shifts or call opportunities—first-come, first-served system
Pay Structure & Earnings
- Paid per talk-minute: Compensation is based only on time spent actively on calls—not idle or training hours.
- Typical client rates: Many pay $0.25–$0.45/minute, roughly $15–27/hr based on engaged time. But actual pay/hour is usually lower when factoring waiting time.
- Reported averages: Many contractors note they earn around $16–19/hr active, but actual earnings vary widely by client, season, or call volume 🗣️ Real feedback from users:
- “Training is unpaid… if you are not on the phone actively talking …, you are not getting paid.”
- “Pay per talk time… not wise if you’re the sole income”
- “Lots of technical issues… I get paid only on talk time”
⚠️ Pros & Cons Summary
| Pros | Cons |
| Fully remote, flexible schedule | Unpaid training—even lengthy |
| Work for a wide range of clients | Paid only for active talk-time |
| Low barrier to entry | Pay dips when call traffic is slow |
| Leave when you want (without notice) | No benefits or guarantees |
| Ideal for side hustle, not steady income | Contracts can be terminated quietly |
Many users call it fine for extra cash or part-time work—but caution that it’s unreliable for full-time income.
The Real Fit For You?
LiveOps is best suited for people who:
- Want high scheduling flexibility and part-time chat-based work.
- Prefer not to manage clients or marketing, and just want to take inbound calls.
- Can treat it as a side hustle—ideal if income is supplemental.
- Are comfortable with possibly sporadic call volume and self-discipline to log in precisely when shifts open.
Final Verdict
LiveOps is legit, with transparent structures and nationwide client access. But it’s not a substitute for a steady paycheck. Think of it as gig work: you get flexibility, but also uncertainty and unpaid time.
If your goal is someday-earned active call minutes while working at night or weekends, and you’re okay with fluctuating call load, LiveOps can provide extra income.