"Professional friend jobs" and "professional friendship" are searched by people who have heard the Japanese version and want the one near them. Here is what the job is, where it exists, and what it pays.
What a professional friend is#
Someone paid, by the hour, for platonic company and local knowledge: a dinner, a wedding plus-one, a day showing a visitor the city, a newcomer's first weekend. In Japan rental-friend agencies have employed professional friends for decades, with the agency setting rates and matching clients (how to become a rental friend in Japan). Everywhere else the job is freelancing on a platform: you are the business.
Where the work exists#
| Model | Who sets the rate | Cut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roavi (ours) | Freelance, in person, by the hour; people message you free | You | None |
| RentAFriend | Freelance, in person; hirers pay a membership to message | You | None from you |
| Japan's rental-friend agencies | Employed or contracted; the agency books you | The agency | The agency's margin |
| Rent a Cyber Friend | Freelance, online, per minute | You | 20% |
The work does not exist as a salaried job outside Japan, and most "professional friend" listings on job boards are either companion-care roles for older adults (a different job, through agencies) or something that is not friendship.
What it pays#
In person, most freelancers list $15 to $50 an hour, higher in expensive cities; Japan's agencies pay an hourly wage the agency sets. The month depends on volume, which depends on your city.
The skills that get bookings#
Knowing your city like a resident, not a guidebook. A second language. Reliability, which in this work means replying within the hour and showing up on time. Reading what the person actually wants: company, a plan, or just not to eat alone.
How to start this week#
Local Friend on Roavi (disclosure: our platform): you list free, set an hourly rate (most list $15 to $50; New York, San Francisco and Tokyo at the top), and visitors or newcomers to your city message you free to spend a few hours with you, platonic and in public: food, a game, a neighbourhood, a first weekend. You are paid directly and Roavi takes no commission. A person reviews your profile (18+, verified email, three real photos) before it goes live. Volume depends on your city: strong in Santo Domingo, Medellín, Bogotá, Mexico City, Buenos Aires and New York, thin in most other US cities today.
Your rate, your hours, no commission, no membership between you and the people who message.
Become a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is a professional friend?
Someone paid for platonic company by the hour: a dinner, an event, a day showing a visitor their city. In Japan, rental-friend agencies employ them; in the US and Latin America the work is freelancing on platforms like Roavi and RentAFriend, where you set your own hourly rate.Are professional friend jobs real?
Yes, with no employer outside Japan's agencies. You list on a platform, set a rate (most list $15 to $50 an hour), and are booked by visitors and newcomers. Roavi takes no commission; RentAFriend charges the hirer a membership. Income is a side income that depends on your city.