Remote work spans nearly every industry now, from six-figure tech roles to entry-level positions that require no degree. The best remote job for you depends on your experience level, skills, and how much time you want to invest in training. Here’s a breakdown of the most promising categories, what they pay, and how to break in.
High-Paying Remote Tech Roles
Technology consistently offers the most remote-friendly positions, and many of them pay well into six figures. Data scientist roles average around $112,000, with top remote salaries reaching $137,000. The field is growing at 34%, making it one of the fastest-expanding remote career paths available. You’ll typically need skills in Python, SQL, and statistical modeling, though many people transition into data science from adjacent fields like economics or biology through bootcamps and online programs.
Engineering managers earn an average of $181,000, with some remote positions paying up to $235,000. These roles combine technical knowledge with people management, overseeing teams of software developers. Infrastructure and DevOps engineers, who build and maintain the cloud systems that keep software running, earn up to $176,850 remotely. About 41% of DevOps roles are fully remote, one of the highest rates across all job categories.
If you’re earlier in your tech career, roles like junior web developer, QA tester, or IT support specialist offer a stepping stone. Many of these positions pay $50,000 to $75,000 and can be learned through online coursework rather than a four-year degree.
Marketing and Sales
Product marketing managers earn an average of $129,600, with top remote salaries around $165,000. These professionals develop messaging and positioning for products, run launch campaigns, and work closely with sales teams. Nearly all of this work happens on a computer, which makes it a natural fit for remote setups. You’ll generally need a few years of marketing experience and strong writing skills to land these roles.
Sales and business development positions are among the most remote-friendly jobs available, with about 45% of roles being fully remote. The work involves finding potential customers, building relationships, and closing deals, almost all of which now happens through video calls, email, and CRM software. Compensation varies widely because many sales roles include commission. A strong performer in B2B software sales can earn well over $100,000, while entry-level sales development representative roles typically start around $45,000 to $55,000 in base salary plus bonuses.
Healthcare From Home
Telehealth has created a wave of remote opportunities in healthcare. Psychiatrists working remotely can earn up to $350,000, with average compensation around $300,000. Other mental health professionals, including licensed therapists and counselors, increasingly see patients through video platforms. If you already hold a clinical license, adding telehealth to your practice is straightforward.
On the support side, remote medical scribes document patient visits in real time by listening to appointments through a secure audio feed. Several companies hire for these positions with no prior experience and provide full training. It’s a practical way to gain healthcare exposure while working from home, and it can serve as a launchpad toward medical school or clinical careers.
Entry-Level Remote Jobs
You don’t need a specialized degree or years of experience to start working remotely. Several categories are open to beginners:
- Customer support representative: Many companies hire remote agents to handle phone, chat, or email inquiries. Training is usually provided, and pay ranges from $15 to $22 per hour.
- Insurance agent (life and health): Some firms offer full training and mentorship with no prior experience required. You will need to pass a state licensing exam, which typically takes a few weeks of study.
- Online English teacher: Platforms hire teachers to work with international students. A bachelor’s degree in any subject is usually required, but no teaching credential is needed.
- Cybersecurity trainee: Companies like CrowdStrike hire trainees with just a high school diploma and zero experience, then train them on the job. These roles can grow into well-paying security analyst positions.
- Survey and research roles: Part-time positions conducting phone surveys or data collection offer flexible, on-call schedules, though hours are inconsistent.
Companies That Are Fully Remote
Some companies have built their entire culture around remote work, which means you won’t face a surprise return-to-office mandate down the road. Atlassian, the maker of project management tools like Jira and Trello, has more than 13,000 employees across over a dozen countries under a work-from-anywhere policy. CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity firm, operates as remote-first. Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, went remote-first in 2020. Toptal, a freelance talent network, has been fully remote since it was founded.
When evaluating any remote job listing, look for the phrase “remote-first” rather than just “remote-friendly.” Remote-first companies design meetings, documentation, and promotions around distributed teams. Remote-friendly companies may still favor people near headquarters when it comes to visibility and advancement.
How to Find Legitimate Listings
General job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn let you filter by remote positions, but dedicated remote job boards tend to have higher-quality listings. Sites like FlexJobs (which charges a subscription but screens every listing), We Work Remotely, and Remote.co focus exclusively on remote roles. When searching on LinkedIn, use the “Remote” location filter rather than typing “remote” into the keyword field, which pulls in unrelated results.
Be cautious with any listing that asks you to pay upfront for equipment or training materials. Legitimate employers provide what you need or reimburse you. Also watch for vague job descriptions with no company name attached, which are often lead-generation schemes rather than real positions.
Tax Rules for Remote Workers
Your tax situation depends on whether you’re a W-2 employee or an independent contractor. If you’re a W-2 employee working from home, you cannot claim a home office deduction on your federal taxes. That deduction was eliminated for employees starting in 2018.
If you’re self-employed or work as an independent contractor, you can deduct home office expenses. The simplified method lets you deduct $5 per square foot of your dedicated workspace, up to 300 square feet, for a maximum deduction of $1,500. The regular method requires you to calculate the actual percentage of your home used for business and apply that to expenses like rent, utilities, and insurance. You pick one method per tax year and can’t switch for that same year after filing.
One important limit: the home office deduction can’t exceed your gross income from the business. If you earned $1,000 freelancing but calculated a $1,500 deduction, you can only deduct up to $1,000, and the excess doesn’t carry over to the next year.