Chris Pyle, from Dickson County, Tenn., has been a full-time, work-from-home mechanic for over 10 years. That might sound like an oxymoron, but his paychecks don’t lie. He wakes up every day, throws on a tank top and shorts, and logs on to JustAnswer.com, where he answers strangers’ questions about their gas and diesel engine issues from the comfort of his recliner. Being an expert advice-giver on JustAnswer started as a side hustle for Pyle in 2006, but last year he made $170,500, which amounts to a staggering $14,200 a month. In just over 3 months, he earns what the average mechanic makes in an entire year, all while never having to open the hood of a car. Although the 45-year-old has to work 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week, he ultimately sets his own schedule, which he says allows him to be present with his family. While he has to file his own taxes and pay for his family’s health insurance himself, he does get to write off things like his phone, Internet service, laptop and 10% of his utility bills. Pyle says when he finishes building his new house, he plans to cut his online job down to 30 hours per week. “I have zero plans to go back to a real job unless I’m the boss,” he said.
