Working from home has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the internet and advancements in technology, many jobs can now be done remotely from the comfort of your own home. For those looking to work remotely in the United States, there are many great options across a variety of industries.
Customer Service
Customer service roles are one of the most common remote jobs available. With call center software, customer service agents can answer calls, emails, chats, and social media messages from home. Some examples of customer service positions that can be done remotely include:
- Customer service representative
- Technical support specialist
- Call center agent
- Customer complaint specialist
Customer service agents usually need strong communication skills, product knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and computer proficiency. Many companies hire remotely for customer service roles, including major corporations like Amazon, Apple, and Delta Airlines. The pay for remote customer service jobs ranges from $12-$25 per hour on average.
Sales
Sales is another field that lends itself well to remote work. With modern CRM software, video conferencing, email, and phone service, sales professionals can prospect, sell, and manage accounts from anywhere. Common remote sales roles include:
- Account manager
- Business development manager
- Sales representative
- Sales consultant
- Inside sales agent
Strong salesmanship, relationship building, and communication skills are needed for remote sales roles. Pay varies greatly in sales, with some remote positions offering salaries and others being commission-based. According to ZipRecruiter data, average pay for remote sales jobs ranges from $42,500-$121,500 annually.
IT and Software
Technology jobs often involve working on computers and managing systems remotely, making IT and software development well-suited for telecommuting. Some examples of tech jobs that can be done from home include:
- Software developer
- QA tester
- Web developer
- IT support specialist
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Database administrator
- UX/UI designer
Technical skills, coding languages, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are usually required for remote tech jobs. According to Glassdoor, software developers and web developers can earn $68,000-$117,000 per year working remotely.
Writing and Editing
Freelance writers, editors, translators, and content creators can all do their work from home. Common remote jobs in this field include:
- Writer
- Editor
- Translator
- Content marketing specialist
- Copywriter
- Technical writer
- Blog writer
Strong writing skills and mastery of language are essential for these remote writing and editing jobs. Pay varies greatly depending on experience and position. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for remote writing jobs ranges from $36,000-$76,000 per year.
Accounting and Finance
Many accounting and finance professionals work with digital documents, databases, and accounting software that allows their work to be done from anywhere. Here are some remote jobs in accounting and finance:
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Bookkeeper
- Financial analyst
Number aptitude, accounting knowledge, and attention to detail are critical skills. Pay depends on the position, experience, and CPA status, but the average salary for remote accounting and finance jobs can range from $45,000-$90,000 annually according to ZipRecruiter.
Project Management
Project managers coordinate teams, oversee timelines and budgets, track progress, and manage projects to completion. With online project management software, web conferencing, email, and other remote work tools, project managers can successfully telecommute. Some remote project management jobs include:
- Project manager
- Program manager
- Product manager
- Implementation manager
- Solutions manager
Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills are essential for remote project management roles. According to Glassdoor, project managers earn an average salary of $66,000-$152,000 per year for remote work.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants provide administrative and clerical support to clients remotely. Some typical tasks virtual assistants handle include email management, data entry, scheduling, travel coordination, and more. Being a VA requires superb organization, communication skills, and the ability to work independently. Average pay for virtual assistants is $16-$25 per hour according to ZipRecruiter.
Education and Training
The growing capabilities of remote learning platforms and video conferencing have created online teaching opportunities. Some remote jobs in education include:
- Online teacher
- Private tutor
- E-learning course creator
- Training and development specialist
Teaching skills, subject matter expertise, technologically savvy, and presentation abilities are useful for remote education jobs. According to Salary.com, virtual teachers make $39,000-$87,000 per year on average. Pay for private tutors averages $20-$65 per hour.
Telehealth
Telehealth allows patients to access healthcare remotely using technology. As a result, many healthcare jobs can now be done from home. Some examples include:
- Telehealth nurse
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Medical coder
- Behavioral health counselor
Healthcare skills, training, licensing, and certification are required for telehealth jobs. Average pay varies by profession, but telehealth nurses earn around $70,000 per year according to ZipRecruiter.
Real Estate
Real estate professionals utilize tools like video tours, digital documents, and remote closing solutions to conduct transactions remotely. Some remote real estate jobs are:
- Real estate agent
- Real estate virtual assistant
- Transaction coordinator
- Listing coordinator
Real estate knowledge, sales skills, and digital tools familiarity are useful in remote real estate work. Pay structures vary, with real estate agents earning commissions and assistants earning hourly rates or salaries. The average pay for real estate assistants is $16-$26 per hour according to ZipRecruiter data.
Human Resources
HR professionals handle employee records, interviews, onboarding/offboarding, benefits, compliance, and other workforce needs that can be managed remotely. Some HR positions for remote work include:
- HR manager
- HR coordinator
- HR analyst
- Benefits administrator
- Payroll coordinator
HR knowledge, digital literacy with various software, communication abilities, and analytical skills are useful in remote HR roles. Remote HR jobs pay approximately $50,000-$90,000 per year on average based on data from ZipRecruiter.
Legal
Paralegals, legal secretaries, and other legal professionals can manage records, conduct research, organize files, and support attorneys through remote work arrangements. Some examples of remote legal jobs include:
- Paralegal
- Legal secretary
- Legal researcher
- Legal writer
- Compliance officer
Expertise in legal procedures, terminology, research, and software programs are essential for remote legal jobs. Average pay ranges from approximately $40,000-$80,000 according to ZipRecruiter salary info.
Marketing
Digital marketing tools and online media platforms empower marketing professionals to work from anywhere. Some remote marketing jobs include:
- Social media manager
- SEO specialist
- Email marketer
- Digital marketing specialist
- Content marketing manager
Relevant marketing skills, creativity, analytical abilities, and communication skills are useful in remote marketing roles. Marketers earn approximately $42,000-$91,000 per year for remote work according to Glassdoor salary data.
Graphic Design
Most graphic design tasks involve creating digital graphics, designs, and layouts on computers, enabling remote work. Examples of remote design jobs include:
- Graphic designer
- Web designer
- Creative director
- Art director
- Illustrator
- Multimedia artist
Creativity, design skills, and mastery of programs like Adobe Creative Cloud are essential for remote design roles. According to PayScale, graphic designers make around $40,000-$68,000 per year on average for remote work.
Data Entry
Data entry involves inputting data into digital databases and spreadsheets that can be accessed remotely. Most data entry specialists work from home part-time for supplemental income. Pay averages $14-$18 per hour for remote data entry jobs. Fast typing skills and proficiency with data entry programs are required skills.
Transcription
Transcription involves listening to audio files and typing the contents into text documents. Legal, medical, and general transcription services hire freelancers to work from home. Pay averages $15-$25 per hour, with higher pay for specialized legal/medical experience. Fast, accurate typing and listening skills are essential.
Translation
Fluency in multiple languages allows translators to work from anywhere translating documents, audio files, websites, and more between languages. Specialized knowledge of a technical field is also useful. Pay averages $20-$50 per hour for remote translation work.
Scoring
Educators and other professionals can score assessments, tests, and other evaluative materials remotely. Scorers must be trained and familiar with grading standards. According to ZipRecruiter, remote scorers earn $33,000-$65,000 annually on average.
Tax Preparation
CPAs, accountants, and other finance professionals can prepare tax returns for clients during tax season remotely using tax software. Attention to detail and tax expertise are imperative. Pay averages $45-$65 per hour according to ZipRecruiter.
Consulting
Consultants provide expert advice and project work to clients across many industries. With knowledge of their specialty and remote work tools, consultants can work from anywhere. According to Glassdoor, remote management consultants earn $77,000-$207,000 per year.
Advantages of Remote Work
There are many potential benefits to working remotely:
- No commute saves time and money
- Flexible schedule
- Can work from anywhere with internet access
- More autonomy
- Fewer office distractions
- Comfort of working from home
- Access to broader range of jobs
Challenges of Remote Work
Working from home also comes with some potential disadvantages:
- Loneliness or isolation
- Lack of social interaction
- Harder to collaborate
- Requires self-discipline
- Managing a home office
- Separating work from home life
- Technical/communication issues
Keys to Succeeding at Remote Work
If you want to thrive in a remote job, here are some tips:
- Define your home office space
- Set a schedule and stick to it
- Stay organized and avoid distractions
- Over-communicate with team
- Use video conferencing to collaborate
- Don’t isolate yourself – socialize
- Ask for help when needed
- Be patient with technical issues
- Ensure your tech setup supports your work
Conclusion
Working remotely opens up more possibilities for your career than being limited to local on-site jobs. With so many jobs now able to be done from home in the digital age, you can find remote work across fields like customer service, sales, marketing, technology, finance, real estate, education, healthcare, and more.
While remote work has its benefits and challenges, with discipline, planning, and commitment, many find having a successful career working from the comfort of home is incredibly rewarding.
