remote homework grader jobs

Become a Grader

Deliver high-impact feedback to the students who need it most., if you are….

• Passionate about helping students learn
• A strong writer with excellent communication skills
• Highly dependable

We’d love to meet you! Read on to learn more about this unique, 100% remote work opportunity. This is a great match for undergraduate and graduate students looking for flexible part-time work!

Applications are now open for the 2023-24 school year.

JOIN US IN THE FALL!

Applications are now closed. Join the list to be notified when applications open again for the fall semester!

Apply to Become a Grader

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Why Graders Choose Marco Learning

Convenient and flexible.

No more commuting or finding a carpool. Work from the comfort of your home or dorm or favorite coffee shop.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Giving students personalized feedback has one of the biggest impacts on their learning.

PRACTICAL, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Develop professional skills and receive frequent feedback and coaching.

How It Works

Claim an open assignment on the Assignment Board.

Grade and provide feedback on the student work using a rubric, prompt and the teacher’s grading instructions.

Wait for the teacher to approve your work and provide a rating and review just for you

Graders grade assignments that require high-quality, rubric-based scoring and feedback. Most assignments we support are writing assignments for English and Social Studies classes, and Graders should expect this to be the primary work available to them. For standard writing assignments, you’ll score and provide feedback on each student’s strengths and areas for growth, as well as share summary thoughts for the teacher on the class’s overall strengths and growths. We support some science, math, psychology, computer science, and other subject work as well. Graders can apply for additional qualifications to gain access to these subjects.

Grading is flexible – pick up the assignments that work for your schedule! We ask that Graders be prepared to dedicate an average of at least 6 hours per week during the school year (Sept-Dec and Feb-May). That equates to grading approximately four class assignments per month. Regular grading is win-win: Teachers and students benefit from your practice and experience, and you’ll build habits that make the work easier and more efficient

We open applications during two application periods. Fall semester applications will be open mid-July through mid-September, and spring semester applications will be open early January through early March. ( These windows are subject to change based on Grader needs ) You can expect to hear back from us about one week after submitting your Application Activity.

You can claim assignments on the Assignment Board or you may receive requests for assignments in the grade levels and subjects you are qualified to grade. Graders can improve their rankings with proven track records of effective feedback and dependability.

The Marco Learning team reviews every assignment before sending it along to the teacher. We’ll evaluate how well your work meets expectations for effective feedback and provide ongoing coaching and development to ensure highly effective feedback for students. The classroom teacher you are working with on a given assignment also has the opportunity to rate you on four metrics: quality of feedback, quality of scoring, professionalism, and an overall rating. The teacher also provides qualitative feedback and coaching to help you improve.

There is no in-person interaction; all the assignments and rubrics are digital, and communication occurs through the website. This means that you can work wherever and whenever you like.

The starting pay rate for Graders is $14 per hour of grading. Graders who prove to consistently meet or exceed expectations can earn $16 per hour. In addition, some advanced work comes with an hourly pay increase, and there can be “surge pricing” for certain courses or assignments with short turnaround times. Grading time calculations are based on assignment length and any special teacher requests, and they include time to become familiar with the prompt and rubric.

Graders love Marco Learning

“The system is easy to use and the feedback and support from the team is awesome! I enjoy the amount of work that was allowed for pick up and the process for raises/promotions.”

– Psychology Masters student at Southern New Hampshire University

I recommend grading to everyone I meet. I’ve had this job for three years now, and I never plan on leaving. I kept it when I started my first full-time job for extra cash, and it ended up getting me through an unexpected layoff from the pandemic. It’s made me a better writer and editor, and I regularly use it in job interviews. Plus, I love getting to give students specific and actionable feedback that I wish I had received. I seriously love working here, and I never want to leave!”

– Music and Business major at the University of Florida

“By being taught to grade others’ papers by strictly following a rubric and making sure student writing exemplifies what’s required, I have been able to greatly improve on my own writing which has definitely been noticed by my professors in class.”

– Political Science major at Purchase College

“I love the feeling that I contribute to the K-12 learning experience for students. The Marco Learning team’s communication is great and personal! I thought it was a robot when I first started, but nope! Graders also receive coaching for how to give feedback that is stellar!”

– Music Education major at the University of Central Florida

“I have loved working for Marco Learning! It provides a great opportunity to build my own schedule and work a convenient part time job from home. I also love how it enables me to practice my own writing and editing skills, and I enjoy helping make a difference in the lives of middle and high school students.”

– Neuroscience major at College of William and Mary

“I love getting to view students’ work and provide them with specific, actionable feedback! As an aspiring teacher, I recognize how important it is to provide students with feedback on their written work. Thank you to Marco Learning for allowing this platform to be very accessible and for always encouraging Graders!”

– English Literature major at the University of Central Florida

“Marco Learning is a platform that simultaneously provides convenience and benefits to teachers, K-12 students, and college students. College students are able to have a convenient and flexible part-time job, while teachers are able to devote more time to other aspects of their job and K-12 students receive high-quality feedback that will allow them to grow rapidly.”

– Human Biology major at USC

“Marco Learning does a wonderful job at encouraging the graders to utilize our full potential to truly help both the students and teachers. Additionally, I have felt cared for as an individual during my time with Marco Learning as opposed to a disposable worker as I have at many other jobs.”

– Chemistry major at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Application Process

• Create Your Profile

The online application process starts with your relevant experience and coursework, academic performance, and passion for helping students. (~10 mins)

The Work at Home Wife

Helping you work at home and make money online

Get Paid to be an Online Test Grader

August 14, 2024

One  work-from-home job loved by many in my community is contracting as an online test grader. In this position, you are working online grading tests, essays, and other papers. In many cases, these essays are submitted as part of standardized tests like the ACT or SAT. In some cases, they are in conjunction with Engish as a Second Language, or ESL , studies.

To qualify for many of these positions, you often need a bachelor’s degree. Some companies allow that degree to be in any subject. Others may be looking for specific degrees like English. Make sure you read through the company’s current job openings for specifics.

Online grading work opportunities are seasonal in most cases. We see many companies hiring in the fall and spring as this is when most standardized testing is done. That being said, don’t be afraid to check for openings in the off-season as well. And once you are accepted as an online scorer, most companies will invite you back year after year provided you do a good job and meet the workload requirements.

Also See: Get Paid to Test Websites

8 Legit Online Grading Jobs

1. measurement, inc..

Measurement, Inc. is one of the most popular scoring jobs with my readers. They require a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Their projects include test items in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and other areas.

For most remote positions with this company, they do expect you to work Monday through Friday for the duration of your temporary contract. Their busy season is March through June. Available hours may vary by project.

Onsite positions are usually open year-round. Hiring for remote work is typically done from November through March. Openings were listed on the site at the time of writing this post.

Pearson is a well-known name in the learning community. They hire tutors , at-home test developers, online test scorers, and more. The company was named as a Top 100 Company with Remote Jobs by FlexJobs  and they have a solid review rating on Glassdoor of 3.6 out of 5 stars.

Opportunities vary throughout the year and some may be  location-specific . Most positions are temporary and project-based. A bachelor’s degree is required.

One of their most recent scoring openings was for an edTPA Scorer. This particular test makes sure new teachers are ready for the classroom. This was a more specialized scorer job and required not only a bachelor’s degree but also teaching experience or experience working with teachers.

You can often find Pearson’s most recent needs and requirements on FlexJobs .

Educational Testing Service, or ETS, provides scoring and test development for a variety of tests from student leader proficiency tests to high school equivalency exams (examples: Pravis, GRE, TOEFL.) As such, the requirements can vary greatly for each position. Some positions require a bachelor’s degree. Some require a Master’s. Some require applicants to possess a current teaching certificate while others do not.

4. Write Score

The Write Score site states that orientation for their scoring season will begin in late July to early August though positions are available throughout the year.

Unlike other companies, Write Score only requires a two-year degree and the ability to pass their qualifying test. They do accept resumes for their waitlist and applicants are contacted as needed.

ACT hires Readers to read and score student papers for the ACT Writing Test. This is an opportunity to read and score anytime and from any personal computer.

The site states this is performance-based work. Your earnings will depend on the accuracy and number of essays scored. The company does say Readers can earn $12 per hour or more.

To qualify, you will need a bachelor’s degree or higher, reside in the U.S., and have current teaching experience. Teaching English to high school students (junior and senior level) is preferred.

6. Creative English Solutions

Creative English Solutions, or CES, provides evaluations for students wishing to take the TOEFL, Testing of English as a Foreign Language, and TOEIC, Test of English for International Communication. As such, applicants must be native English speakers and possess a University degree.

Positions at CES offer a lot of flexibility. Though they do ask for a commitment of at least 10 hours per week, Evaluators can accept and decline assignments as they wish and on their own schedule.

In addition to hiring Evaluators, CES also hires freelance writers and voice actors.

7. Literably

Literably is a little different in that their scorers evaluate oral recordings of elementary students. Transcriptionists listen to student audio recordings and transcribe errors.

This position does not require any experience or special degrees. You simply need to pass their sample tasks. As with most transcription jobs, pay is based on performance, speed, and accuracy.

This is a flexible position and you can set your own hours.

8. ALTA Language Services

If you possess native fluency in another language, ALTA Language Services currently has several testing evaluator positions available. These are typically on-demand, part-time positions.

A degree is required, as is a minimum English proficiency level of a 2+/2+ on the ILR proficiency scale. As with most companies in this industry, training is required and paid.

At the end of the day, you aren’t going to get rich as an online test grader. At the time of writing this post, most positions offer average pay of $10 to $13 per hour. That being said, it can be flexible, fulfilling work at home for the right person. Most people report being happy with these positions. The biggest complaint is often that the work isn’t available year-round, but many consider it a nice supplemental income source.

About Angie Nelson

Angie Nelson began working from home in 2007 when she figured out how to take her future into her own hands and escape the corporate cubicle farm. Angie’s goal is sharing her passion for home business, personal finance, telecommuting, and entrepreneurship, and her work has been featured on Recruiter, FlexJobs and Business News Daily.

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Seasonal Assessment Scorers

Opportunities for remote test scorers with paid training provided: $18/hour.

Cognia is always searching for individuals interested in joining our scoring team. As a member of our team, your academic background and expertise will serve as the foundation to promote student learning.

You will score student responses to standardized tests from the comfort and convenience of your home. The scores you assign will be reported to our clients, helping identify gaps in student learning and influencing student achievement around the world.

Our peak season is April–August but we have opportunities throughout the year. You will be hired on a per-project basis and may qualify to work on multiple projects throughout the season. The current pay rate for this work is $18/hour . Working as a test scorer may also serve as the perfect gateway for advancement to higher-paid positions as team lead and supervisor.  

Job duties:

Read, evaluate, and assign scores to student responses to test questions (items) related to English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies.

Before scoring, you will be required to:

• Become familiar with scoring software and virtual communication tools
• Attend paid training sessions related to each content area and item being scored
• Meet qualification standards by passing a test after each item training

During scoring, you will be expected to:

• Apply established scoring guidelines and scoring instructions
• Accept and apply performance feedback regarding your scoring accuracy and production
• Maintain established accuracy and productivity standards

Technical skills:

• Basic computer operation
• Use of common web browsers and virtual meeting software

Educational requirements:

• For most projects: Bachelor’s degree required
• For select projects: Successful completion of 48 college credits with classes related to the content area being scored

Please submit your resume for consideration

ivetriedthat

10 Ways to Get Paid to Be an Online Test Grader

If you’re looking for a work-from-home opportunity that you can do from your home office (or probably anywhere), any time of the day, and not have to talk to other people (at least, not every day), being an online test grader is a job that you should consider.

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Online test graders read and score assessment tests, papers, or essays. Test takers are usually college students, but you may be assigned to score tests taken by high school students or even by professionals.

You’re given a standard set of scoring rules and rubrics by the individual, school, or organization administering the test. You may also be asked to provide constructive feedback for the test taker.

Today, you’ll learn how to get a job as an online test scorer: what you’ll need, what it takes, and where to apply so you can start your new work-from-home career soon.

What You Need To Work As An Online Test Grader

Test grader jobs will differ depending on the company you’ll work with. But whatever company you end up working with, you’ll need the following tools, skills, and qualities to be successful:

• Your own computer or laptop with up-to-date operating systems (confidentiality clauses usually mean you can’t use public or shared computers)
• High-speed internet connection
• High-quality headphones (for audio exams and in case conversations with your employer are needed)
• Fair and unbiased
• Can apply scoring guides and rubrics
• Able to meet deadlines
• Detail-oriented
• Self-motivated

Company-Specific Requirements

• Education: usually requires a bachelor’s degree in any field
• Experience: preferred, but not usually required
• Training: normally free; you may or may not be paid while undergoing training
• Qualifying Exam: may be required to take

10 Legitimate Sites That Offer Online Test Grader Jobs

1. flexjobs.

I highly recommend starting your job search on this job board.

FlexJobs is not your ordinary job board; they actually vet each and every one of the companies that want to post remote and flexible job opportunities on their site.

Aside from high-quality job opportunities, you can take advantage of their career coaching and remote courses to help you get your dream job.

Go through the jobs under the Education & Training category and find online test grader openings that you can apply for.

2. ACT Online Scoring

The American College Test (ACT) is a standardized test taken by high school students, either during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. ACT scores are assessed by colleges and universities to make decisions on whether to admit students.

The ACT exam is administered by the ACT organization, which is always looking for test graders to evaluate the written portion of the ACT.

To apply as an online test grader, a bachelor’s degree is required and high school teaching experience is preferred. Successful applicants are paid $12 per hour and there are additional incentives for top daily and weekly performers.

Strong performers can also eventually see their pay increase as they become faster and better at scoring ACT essays. Those better scorers might even be invited to work directly with ACT on generating material for future tests.

3. College Board

College Board is a non-profit organization whose programs aim to prepare high school students for college and connect them to college opportunities.

Some of their programs that you should be familiar with are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program.

The AP Program offers college-level courses and exams to high school students that let them earn some college credits, saving money and time and demonstrating students’ motivation to study and succeed.

To earn college credit, AP students need to take the AP Exam for that course. Most include a free-response section that requires AP teachers and college faculty from all over to world to score.

This is where you come in.

College Board regularly hires AP Exam Readers for the following subjects:

• Comparative Government and Politics
• Computer Science Principles
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Spanish Language and Culture
• U.S. Government and Politics
• U.S. History
• World History

Applications are accepted year-round, but invitations are only sent to qualified readers between February and May. Scoring is done during certain dates in June.

Aside from getting paid to work remotely, being an AP Exam Reader has professional benefits, too, if teaching is your day job.

However, the job is periodical and not available all year.

4. Literably

This site works with teachers and K-8 students to evaluate students on their reading comprehension and ability.

As a Literably scorer, you’ll listen to audio recordings of students reading aloud, phonetically transcribe what is said/read, and grade those recordings. For example, if you hear a student pronounce newsreel as “nessreal,” you should write “nessreal” down.

If you want to get a lot of transcription work with Literably, you’ll need to sign on between the hours of 8am and 3pm, when school is in session. If you wait until the evening, most of the recordings will have been transcribed and scored by other Literably contractors.

The pay with this site is $10 per hour. However, if you live or intend to work in the states of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, or New Jersey, you can’t work with Literably.

5. Measurement Incorporated

This North Carolina-based company prides itself on being a leading provider of educational assessment services, such as scoring essays, developing testing methodologies, and providing innovative solutions for state governments, other testing companies, and various organizations.

Measurement Incorporated posts occasional openings for readers/evaluators on its website. The readers/evaluators score student responses to English language arts, mathematics, science, and other subjects.

At the beginning of a project, readers/evaluators receive paid training. Each project lasts 2-4 weeks, with the heaviest workload given from March to June.

They require you to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to join as a temporary staff member.

While MI doesn’t list its pay rates for these positions, Glassdoor reports that MI pays around $11 per hour.

Pearson is one of the most well-known companies in this list, as it has been around for 50+ years and has been recognized by reputable educational institutions as a leader in testing, scoring, and assessment.

Keep in mind that Pearson requires its scorers to have at least a bachelor’s degree. If you pass the training and testing phases, you’ll need to devote at least 30 hours/week to the job.

Most temporary positions open up from February to June. Pay is $12/hour, with the potential to earn bonuses for speed and quality of assessments.

Pearson also offers something to its part-timers that few work-at-home companies do: health insurance. Once hired with Pearson, you can obtain insurance coverage not only for yourself but also for your entire family.

7. Educational Testing Service (ETS)

ETS develops, administers, and scores exams for students and professionals that colleges, universities, and licensing authorities use to admit students and teachers.

This company is similar to Pearson in that Raters score educational exams and essays. Unlike Pearson, however, remote Raters work on a project-by-project basis. Thus, you must undergo the whole application process for each project you want to work in.

Once approved, scorers sign up for set work shifts. The extra certifications and applications might be worthwhile, though, as some ETS scorers claim to make up to $20/hour.

Because ETS scorers score exams like the GRE, TOEFL, and PRAXIS, you are required to have completed at least a bachelor’s degree before applying. You’ll also have to train to use their proprietary software for scoring exam responses, as well as take a certification test.

The extra steps can prove to be worthwhile, though; some ETS Raters claim to make up to $20 per hour.

8. WriteScore

WriteScore works with schools and other learning institutions to provide learning resources, assessments, and their results to help teachers know their students’ strengths and weaknesses.

This site pays its scorers to review and grade essays submitted by students in elementary, middle, and high school. Scoring season is from late July to early August, but they accept applications all year round and place them on a waitlist. As positions open up, they contact people from the waitlist.

You are required to have at least a two-year college degree in any field to be considered. Applicants undergo orientation then take qualifying tests. Once you pass the final qualifying test, you can begin scoring actual student responses.

Payment varies and depends on how quickly you can turn around your work; however, the range is $9-$15/hour.

Cognia is a global network of educators aiming to improve education for all learners by assisting schools with certifications, implementing professional learning programs, and designing assessment resources and solutions to understand students’ strengths and weaknesses.

They regularly hire seasonal assessment scorers to read and evaluate student responses in English, math, science, and social studies.

You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree, have completed at least two college-level courses in your chosen subject, complete a training course for each content area, and pass qualifying tests to be accepted as an online test grader.

Exact compensation isn’t published, but from Glassdoor.com, the average starting pay is around $15 to $16 per hour.

10. Data Recognition Corporation

DRC is an information management company providing assessment solutions in the education sector, as well as survey services, data and document solutions, and licensure and certification exam administration for various industries.

They hire temporary test scorers who work as online test graders for the standardized tests they administer to Common Core students in elementary through high school.

From their careers page, you’ll be redirected to a recruitment website.

Take note of the location indicated, as even though this is a remote position, you might be required to attend training at a physical location.

The positions pay an average of $18 per hour.

Apply To Become An Online Test Grader Today!

If you enjoy flexing your mind and reasoning skills while helping students and other test takers, you should definitely consider becoming an online test grader.

As you’ve seen, the demand for online test graders is seasonal, as certain exams and standardized tests are only given at certain times throughout the year. Also, the hourly rate ranges from $10 to $20 per hour, which is on the low end of the pay scale.

Thus, unless you’re lucky to snag a full-time, year-round position, being an online test grader probably won’t replace your day job as your main source of income. But you can make enough at a time to build a little nest egg for emergencies or investments.

Other education-related jobs

If online test grading doesn’t sound like a good fit for you but you’re interested in other education-related jobs, here are some articles that might help you:

• Online Jobs for Teachers
• Online English Teaching Jobs
• Online SAT Tutoring Jobs

Have you tried applying as a remote test grader or scorer? How was the overall experience? Share your thought with us in the comments!

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University of wisconsin–madison, 8th grade homework assistance/tutor.

Apply now (opens in a new window) Job No: 24641 Division/Organization: Sarah Faust Job Type: Local Student Jobs Remote Eligbility: Not Remote Location: Private Residence Madison (far west side), WI 53562 (not on bus line) Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $20.00 to $30.00 Job Categories: Child Development and Care, Education and Training

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Working from home allowed him to be a more engaged dad. Now it’s over

PHILLY FAREWELL TO HYBRID WORK

Andrew DiDonato, a construction plan review specialist with Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections, stands near City Hall on July 22, 2024. After four years of working a hybrid schedule, he's been called back into the office five days a week. Rachel Wisniewski for NPR hide caption

Return-to-office policies are getting stricter, upending the lives of those who had gotten used to working from home.

Employers are stepping up the number of days their employees need to show up in person, arguing it promotes stronger social connections, better collaboration and fairness in the workplace. A survey last year by the professional services firm KPMG found two-thirds of CEOs predicting a full return to office by 2026.

In the city of Philadelphia, it's already happening.

This summer, the city's new mayor Cherelle Parker made good on her promise to give residents a government they could "see, touch and feel," ordering all municipal employees back to the office five days a week .

On July 15, several thousand city workers bid farewell to the hybrid work schedules they'd had since 2020 and returned to their daily commutes.

Andrew DiDonato takes the train home from Philadelphia's Suburban Station on July 22, 2024. Rachel Wisniewski for the NPR hide caption

Remote work was a pipe dream until it became the new normal

For Andrew DiDonato, who reviews residential building permits for Philadelphia's Licenses and Inspections Department, the commute is 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on train delays.

He'd been doing that two days a week until last month. The other three days, DiDonato worked from home.

It was a schedule he never would have thought possible before the pandemic, when remote work was something people would joke about.

"Like the pipe dream of flying cars," he says.

As luck would have it, his department was ready to go fully online when the pandemic hit. Just two days before COVID briefly shuttered its offices in March 2020, the city rolled out a new online permitting system, which had been in the works for years. Instead of having to come in to apply for permits, residents could now do everything online.

The timing couldn't have been better for him and for the city's residents, all stuck in their homes.

"Within months, everyone was using it," says DiDonato.

These nurse managers were burnt out. Then their hospital gave them a 4-day workweek

He quickly found he could do his job just fine on a hybrid schedule.

What he discovered he was doing better was parenting. It was a revelation.

Freed from the daily commute, DiDonato no longer had to leave the house every morning before the kids were awake.

That opened up more options for his wife Ashley, who’d stayed home since their third child was born. She got a part-time job working early mornings at a fitness center.

"It was one of those moments where something perfect falls in your lap," she says. "It was exactly what I needed."

Andrew DiDonato looks on as his wife Ashley pulls their daughter Rosalie's hair back to match her dad's in their home in Philadelphia on July 22, 2024. Rachel Wisniewski for the NPR hide caption

Being around for breakfast, homework, afterschool clubs

Now it was Dad who got the mornings going, getting the kids up, feeding them breakfast and talking about the day ahead.

"All those extra conversations I get to have with my kids during those little moments I was gone for," says DiDonato. "I'm hearing about what they're concerned with about school, what they're excited for."

At the end of the work day, instead of the tiresome train ride home, he was helping with homework and volunteering with after-school clubs. His oldest, 10-year-old Rosalie, joined the school play, the musical Moana Junior.

Drawing on his years in construction, DiDonato built Moana's boat for the set.

"It was a real life-sized boat," says Rosalie, beaming at her dad.

Andrew DiDonato's three children Rosalie (in white t-shirt), Liliana (sitting) and Massimo (standing) on the boat he built for Rosalie's school play, Moana Junior. Andrew DiDonato hide caption

The family got used to this more balanced life.

"It wasn’t something we had for a couple weeks or a couple months," says DiDonato. "It was four years."

And now, it’s gone. With DiDonato back in the office full-time, Ashley has had to cut back her hours at the fitness center and pick up a Sunday shift.

"We’re forced back into these systems that are no longer working for us," she says. "It feels like it’s taking a step backwards."

The Municipal Services Building where Andrew DiDonato works in Philadelphia. Rachel Wisniewski for the NPR hide caption

City leaders embrace a different philosophy

In Philadelphia, city officials acknowledged the return-to-office decision wasn't driven by concerns about productivity. Rather, it was in pursuit of what they called a leadership philosophy.

Mayor Parker has cited the many thousands of city employees — sanitation workers, social workers, the water department — who never had the ability to work from home.

"I need us all right now to make a sacrifice for our city," she said at a press conference this summer.

Philadelphia workers have to show up in the office today, flying birds or not

Parker has also made clear she wants the city’s return-to-office plan to be a model for private-sector employers, part of her effort to make a more economically vibrant Philadelphia.

"That’s the ultimate goal," she said.

Andrew and Ashley DiDonato with their children (from left), Liliana, Rosalie, and Massimo outside their home in Philadelphia on July 22, 2024. Rachel Wisniewski for the NPR hide caption

"Can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."

This leaves DiDonato at a crossroads.

He's worked for the city for seven years and likes his job. It comes with some pretty great benefits, including health care for the family, a free train pass and a pension to look forward to.

But these days, he's asking himself: Is all that worth the cherished family time he’s giving up? After living the hybrid life for four years, he’s not sure he can go without.

"It’s one of those things where you can’t put the toothpaste back in tube," he says.

• return to office
• hybrid work
• Philadelphia
• work life balance