If you’re a data scientist working remotely, you might find it fascinating to analyze your paycheck. According to a snapshot of remote jobs, data scientists earned about $132,000 on average. Business analysts followed with earnings of $100,000, and project managers earned $88,000.
These insights come from a study by Greenback Expat Tax Services, which reviewed nearly 6,800 job listings on Indeed from around the world. They also surveyed about 1,000 Americans interested in becoming digital nomads. Over one-third of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with cubicle life or their long commutes. Interestingly, two out of five were preparing to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle within the next year.
The curiosity about remote work arises as some roles become harder to secure due to return-to-office mandates. Despite low overall unemployment rates, many employees find it challenging to land well-paying desk jobs in the US.
More than half of the survey participants were contemplating relocating outside the US. Gen Z showed the highest interest, with six in ten considering becoming expats. For those aiming to make a comfortable switch to remote work, an income of around $72,000 is needed, according to the survey.
However, staying in the US might be advantageous for some workers, as the average remote data scientist role pays about $143,000. The US also offers the most remote work opportunities and the highest average pay for such roles at $100,000. France follows with an average pay of $90,000, and Australia at $79,000. These salaries were converted to dollars for the study.
Americans pondering an international move may want to consider Italy, Canada, and the UK, which have a robust number of remote job opportunities. The top career choices among those looking to leave the office environment include content creator and freelance writer, followed by virtual assistant and teacher.
The reasons for wanting to work remotely were straightforward: seven in ten respondents desired the ability to work from anywhere, nearly six in ten sought greater flexibility, and just over half wanted to travel or have adventures. Additionally, 50% aimed for a better work-life balance. However, only about one in four intended to work remotely indefinitely.
For some, the flexibility of remote work is crucial. Erik Braund, founder and CEO of Katmai, which creates virtual offices using video feeds, shared his experience with Business Insider in late 2023. Despite being based in the US, he worked alongside a colleague in the Netherlands since 2020. Braund noted that this virtual arrangement enabled him to balance work with his personal life better.
“I missed the first two years of my first child’s life. I didn’t miss the first two years of my second child’s life,” Braund said, emphasizing the benefits of remote work flexibility.