Since 2020, remote work has become more and more normalized. In fact, in 2023, an astonishing third of all new US job listings were for remote positions, highlighting a significant shift in how and where we work.
This trend opens up many opportunities for those wanting to ditch the traditional office setting. As we discuss the best industries for remote work, we’ll explore where the opportunities are booming and include some tips on how to find remote work.
Main Takeaways
- The best industries for remote work are technology, marketing, sales, administration, education, finance, and professional services.
- Unsurprisingly, skilled jobs such as doctors, IT managers, and marketing managers are among the highest-paid remote jobs.
- Statistics prove that more and more workers prefer working remotely, and more than 70% report higher productivity levels when working from home.
1. Technology
It comes as no surprise that the technology industry is at the forefront of remote work. This sector’s adaptability to remote work is largely due to the digital nature of the work, allowing professionals to work from anywhere – as long as they have a reliable internet connection.
As a result, tech companies are increasingly open to remote setups, recognizing the benefits of accessing a wider talent pool and offering employees a better work-life balance.
Best Tech Jobs for Remote Work
Software Developer/Engineer: Software developers and engineers are in high demand for remote roles. They design, develop, and maintain software applications. The average salary for a software developer/engineer in the US is between $74,000 to $190,000 a year.
Technical Support Engineer: These professionals assist with technical issues and troubleshooting. The average salary for a technical support engineer is about $50,000 to $130,000 a year.
Cloud Engineer: Cloud engineers work on cloud computing platforms and services. On average, they can earn around $111,000 to $170,000 per year.
QA Engineer: Quality Assurance engineers who ensure the quality of software products earn an average of approximately $60,000 to $130,000 per year.
Web Analyst: Web analysts collect and analyze data from website visitors. The average salary for remote web analysts ranges from $52,000 to $110,000 a year.
Cybersecurity Positions: These include roles like analysts, managers, and engineers, where most of the top cybersecurity jobs pay around $85,000 to $170,000.
DevOps Engineer: Remote DevOps engineers who streamline software application delivery have an average salary of about $130,000 per year.
2. Marketing
Another growing industry for remote work is marketing, which is adapting to digital platforms and diverse communication channels. This flexibility has opened up a range of remote job opportunities in marketing, especially within marketing startups.
The field requires a mix of creativity, problem-solving skills, and a strong understanding of digital trends and consumer behavior. In the United States, marketing jobs are expected to grow by 10% from 2020 to 2030, with 35% of full-time employees having the option to work remotely and 23% having the option to work remotely part-time.
Best Marketing Jobs for Remote Work
Digital Marketing Coordinator: Digital marketing coordinators focus on developing and executing digital marketing campaigns. The average salary for a digital marketing coordinator is between $50,000 and $70,000 a year.
Market Research Analyst: Market research analysts focus on gathering and analyzing data on consumers and market trends. They earn between $43,000 and $140,000 in the United States.
Content Marketing Manager: Content marketing managers are responsible for creating, publishing, and promoting content to engage customers. The average yearly salary can range from $68,000 to $170,000.
Digital Marketing Executive/Manager: Digital marketing executives or managers manage digital marketing strategies and teams. An average salary generally ranges from $50,000 to $160,000.
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): CMOs oversee marketing strategies and execution across various platforms. They earn an average of $300,000, with salaries generally ranging from $91,000 to $500,000.
Social Media Manager: Social media managers manage social media content and engagement and have an average salary of $38,000 to $140,000.
Email Marketing Manager: Email marketing managers focus on email marketing campaigns through audience targeting, list growth, and performance analysis. They earn, on average, $55,000 to $120,000 per year.
3. Sales
The sales industry is also well-suited for remote work, leveraging digital tools and communication technologies to connect with clients and make sales. Sales jobs require a lot of autonomy, and remote positions specifically allow those in sales to focus without distractions, which is conducive to meeting and exceeding sales targets.
Best Sales Jobs for Remote Work
Account Executive – Mid Market: An account executive focuses on managing client relationships and sales strategies. A salary in this position may range from $75,000 to $170,000 annually.
Commercial Account Executive: This role involves handling business-to-business sales and account management and has a salary ranging from $70,000 to $200,000 annually.
Account Executive – Public Sector: A public sector account executive specializes in sales to government and public sector clients and has an average salary of $100,000 a year, with this amount ranging from $60,000 to $300,000.
Sales Operations Manager: Sales operations managers manage sales operations and strategy implementation. This role is often a remote and hybrid role and has an average salary of $90,000 to $120,000.
4. Administration and Support
Like other sectors, administration and support roles have adapted well to remote work environments. In fact, these roles are perfect for freelancers as well. These positions, integral to the smooth operation of businesses, often involve tasks like scheduling tasks, meetings, and appointments, travel arrangements, answering phone calls, and more.
With advancements in digital communication tools, administrative professionals can carry out their duties as efficiently as they would in an office setting.
Best Administration and Support Jobs for Remote Work
Virtual Assistant: The average salary for remote support roles like a virtual assistant is approximately $40,000 to $50,000 annually.
Administrative Support: For more general administrative support roles, the average salary is about $33,000 to $42,000 annually.
Data Center Administrator: These administrators manage data center operations with an average salary of $55,000 to $130,000 annually in the US.
5. Education
In the world of education, remote work has opened up various opportunities for professionals, with a range of positions available and salaries varying depending on the role and expertise. With a big boom after the COVID-19 lockdowns, educators can now facilitate virtual classrooms. Here’s a breakdown of some common remote jobs in the education sector.
Best Education Jobs for Remote Work
Remote Teacher: Remotely working teachers have adapted to deliver education through online platforms. They plan lessons, teach students, and assess progress virtually. The average salary for a remote teacher is approximately $52,000 to $70,000 per year. Note that the salary highly depends on other factors, including experience, location, and subject area taught.
Online Special Education Teacher: Special education teachers working remotely address the needs of students with a variety of learning challenges. The average yearly salary for this role is around $50,000 to $80,000.
6. Finance
In the finance sector (financial startups included), remote work is increasingly popular, offering a range of job opportunities with competitive salaries. Professionals in this industry can conduct virtual meetings, analyze data, and execute transactions with a simple Internet connection. Here’s a glimpse into some of the roles within this industry.
Best Finance Jobs for Remote Work
Financial Analyst: Financial analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data, creating reports, and providing insights that help businesses make informed decisions. They generally earn between $54,000 to $120,000 a year.
Financial Planner: Financial planners help individuals manage their finances, plan for retirement, and make investment decisions. They have an annual salary that ranges from $50,000 to $180,000 a year.
Average Salary Range for Remote Finance Jobs: Across the board, remote finance jobs offer an average salary of about $92,631 annually. This range indicates the diverse opportunities and potential for high earnings.
7. Professional Services
In the broad professional services sector, remote work has significantly expanded with the help of virtual meetings, project management tools, and shared digital platforms. The professional services sector, encompassing fields such as consulting, legal, and marketing, offers a variety of roles with diverse responsibilities and competitive salaries. Here’s a detailed look at some key positions within this industry.
Best Professional Services Jobs for Remote Work
Payroll Tax Specialist: Specializing in payroll taxes, these professionals handle full-cycle payrolls and manage the financial aspects of various employee compensations. The average salary for a payroll tax specialist is between $55,000 and $88,000.
Legal Project Manager: Managing the execution of legal projects within a firm, legal project managers ensure that internal workflows are optimized and projects meet client standards. The average salary for this position ranges from $65,000 to $160,000.
Technical Customer Success Manager: These professionals aim to reduce customer churn and enhance the overall customer experience. The average salary for a technical customer success manager is around $80,000 to $120,000.
HR Manager: An HR manager oversees and directs the human resources activities of an organization, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations and supporting organizational goals and a positive workplace culture. The average salary for an HR manager is between $70,000 and $130,000.
Highest Paying Remote Jobs
Here are some of the highest-paying remote jobs.
- Physician: $215,000 to $350,000
- Psychiatrist: $200,000 to $350,000
- IT Manager: $60,000 to $170,000
- Financial Manager: $60,000 to $170,000
- Marketing Manager: $77,000 to $170,000
Tips for Finding Remote Jobs
Do you want to jump into the fray and join the ever-growing workforce by becoming a remote worker yourself? Here are some tips for finding remote jobs:
- Choose an industry/field that supports remote work: Look for fields where remote work is a possibility while considering your background and current industry.
- Research companies before applying: Understand the company’s track record with remote work and look for keywords like “remote” or “telecommute” in job listings.
- Network heavily: Utilize your network and check remote work groups on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to learn about opportunities and gather insights.
- Look for job listings from 100% distributed/remote companies: Target companies that are entirely remote, ensuring all their positions are remote-friendly.
- Know the difference between “remote” and “work from home”: Understand how job listings may vary based on these terms.
- Demonstrate great communication: Be clear and responsive when communicating with potential employers, as this is absolutely crucial for remote roles.
- Prove you’re a self-starter: Show that you can work independently and take initiative, which is another essential skill for remote work.
- Practice common job interview questions: Be prepared for questions about remote work and your suitability for such roles.
- Have a great home office setup ready to use: A dedicated, distraction-free workspace is important for remote work.
- Look for entry-level remote work if you don’t have experience: If you’re just jumping into the workforce or looking to explore a new sector of work to become fully remote, look specifically for beginner-friendly remote jobs.
Are Remote Contracts Better for Businesses?
Remote contracts are increasingly viewed as beneficial for businesses for several reasons. Firstly, the shift toward remote work has been marked by a significant increase (24% by 2022) in the number of workers who prefer working remotely, while interest in on-site work fell by the same margin. This trend suggests a growing acceptance and effectiveness of remote work contracts.
Additionally, 77% of remote workers report higher productivity levels when working from home, and remote workers typically earn, on average, $4,000 more annually. This indicates not only improved worker satisfaction but also the potential for higher-quality output.
The benefits extend beyond mere productivity. Remote work has been linked to enhanced career growth opportunities, with the percentage of people finding career advancement easier in a remote setting increasing from 14% to 36% within a year.
Furthermore, remote employees tend to be happier and less stressed, which translates into a better work-life balance overall. This improved satisfaction is good for both the employees and the business, as happier employees are generally more creative, engaged, and loyal to their employers, thereby reducing turnover costs and fostering a more stable, productive work environment.
A final benefit is that the flexibility offered by remote contracts allows businesses to tap into a broader talent pool, not limited by geographical constraints. This can lead to more diverse and skilled teams. The overhead costs associated with maintaining physical office spaces can also be significantly reduced, allowing businesses to allocate resources more efficiently.
Going Remote
Remote work has transformed how we approach our jobs, offering flexibility and new opportunities. Businesses and employees alike are embracing this shift, leading to a more balanced, productive, and satisfying work life. As technology advances and companies continue to support remote roles, this trend is set to grow.
References
https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-hiring-trends/demand-for-skilled-talent/remote-job-trends
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-jobs
https://thinkremote.com/remote-digital-marketing-jobs/
https://builtin.com/jobs/remote/sales
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-center-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
https://www.velvetjobs.com/salaries/remote-support-salary
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Remote-Teacher-Salary
https://findstack.com/resources/remote-work-statistics/
https://buffer.com/resources/insights-2023-state-of-remote-work/
