If you've been keeping an eye on the remote job market in tech, you might be concerned about the trend of large companies like Amazon, Zoom, Meta, and others moving towards return-to-office (RTO) and hybrid work policies. However, it's essential to note that many smaller companies, including start-ups, are still actively hiring for remote positions and seeking remote talent to fill their skills gap.
The tech industry consistently leads in remote job opportunities. According to a 2023 paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), nearly 35% of remote jobs in 2022 were in the information technology sector. Remote.com and research by the World Economic Forum also highlight that tech roles are among the most popular for remote work, second only to finance, legal, and accounting professions.
Given the vastness of the tech industry, there are numerous career paths and opportunities to explore. Many of these roles offer lucrative salaries, with some positions paying six figures within a few years of graduation.
11 High-Paying Remote Tech Jobs in 2024
- Blockchain Developer - Average Salary: $145,000
- Mobile App Developer - Average Salary: $110,412
- Solutions Architect - Average Salary: $125,721
- Data Engineer - Average Salary: $132,531
- NLP (Natural Language Processing) Engineer - Average Salary: $121,806
- IT Project Manager - Average Salary: $103,264
- Cybersecurity Analyst - Average Salary: $120,799
- Software Engineer - Average Salary: $133,660
- Software Developer - Average Salary: $127,750
- Web Developer - Average Salary: $94,085 (can go up to $107,000)
- BI (Business Intelligence) Developer - Average Salary: $99,345 (can go up to $111,856)
Steps to Enter or Pivot into Tech
Identify Your Interests: Tech is a broad field, encompassing everything from design and project management to coding and development. Determine where your strengths lie and what excites you the most.
Skill Development: Invest in your education and certifications. This could involve attending college, participating in boot camps, or using online training resources and career certificates. Hands-on practice is crucial.
Build Your Portfolio: Start building your portfolio as you learn. This helps reinforce your knowledge and showcases your expertise. Use platforms like GitHub or Dribble to demonstrate your work.
Start with Freelance or Contract Work: Begin with freelance or contract work to build your expertise and add projects to your resume. These roles can often be performed remotely.
By strategically building your skills, staying updated, and identifying your ideal position in the industry, you'll soon find numerous remote tech job opportunities opening up for you.