INSIDE: I’ve rounded up the best remote jobs for 2021, including the highest-paying ones and a list of companies that are frequently recognized as great employers.
You can remote work anywhere with an internet connection these days — at home, on the road, or even in the corner cafe.
It sounds like a dream come true … though you might have some questions about remote work before diving in a job search.
Are the job openings actually legitimate work, or are they scams? Do the positions pay well? Are you qualified for a remote role?
Today, we are sharing some of the best kinds of remote jobs out there in 2021 — which ones are popular, which ones pay well, and even which companies to consider working for.
Ready to apply? We will also let you know where to start looking for remote job postings.
What Are the Highest-Paying Remote Jobs?
Everyone has their opinion as to what qualifies as a high-paying remote job. What may be a good salary for one remote worker may fall short for someone living in another part of the country.
According to Indeed, good options for high-paying telecommute jobs include:
- Graphic design
- Travel agent
- Tutor
- Freelance writer
- Accountant
- Translator
While many of the highest paying remote jobs require extensive training and experience, many entry-level positions don’t pay too shabby.
And even within these broad industries, you should expect the salary range to vary widely. One remote company may barely pay a living wage, while another may offer great pay and even benefits.
When it comes to remote job openings, always keep some skepticism in mind. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you know who you are dealing with before handing over any personal information.
Other In-Demand Remote Jobs
Whether your skills are entry-level or expert, there’s a remote position out there for you. A few popular remote job opportunities in today’s work environment include:
- Customer service representative
- Virtual assistant
- Social media manager
- Project manager
- Freelance writer
- Sales
- IT
- Accounting
- Education
- Healthcare
And within these broad job descriptions, you will find additional roles to consider. For example, in the education sector, companies are hiring remote workforce members as teachers, tutors, content writers, test graders and more. The same goes for healthcare. A remote company may outsource work to registered nurses, billing coders, medical scribes, and transcriptionists.
Keep in mind that a single role that would encompass many tasks in a traditional work environment may be broken down into several very specialized jobs in the remote world. Don’t be afraid to dig deep during your research as a remote job seeker.
Best Work From Home Companies
Just like defining a “high-paying telecommute job,” the best work from home company is a matter of personal opinion. However, there are some companies that year after year rise to the top of the list among remote workers.
Every year, FlexJobs puts together a list of its top 100 remote opportunities. You’ve probably heard of many of the companies on this year’s list, which includes:
- UnitedHealth Group – recently hiring coders, client managers and customer service reps
- Lionbridge – almost always looking to add to their micro task teams of ad, map and search analysts in addition to translators and raters
- Amazon – seasonally hiring stylists and customer service reps
- Aetna – recently recruiting registered nurses, customer service reps and health concierges
- Pearson – frequently looking for tutors and test graders
- CVS – recently looking for billing specialists and customer service reps
- Paylocity – payroll, accounting and HR jobs
- Upwork – most recently looking for marketing and finance experts
If you are ever unsure about a remote company, Glassdoor and Indeed both allow employees and contractors to leave reviews about their experiences. Don’t be afraid to check those out.
Just remember, unhappy employees are more apt to leave reviews than happy ones. Read between the lines. Are the complaints truly something serious, or are they a matter of personal opinion or difference in personality?
Don’t use someone else’s petty personal spat as a reason to steer clear of a particular remote job. Every person’s experience will be different. Don’t pass up a great remote opportunity because someone didn’t get along with a supervisor you may never encounter.
How to Find Remote Jobs
If you are wondering how to find an online job, there are many reputable remote job websites to keep an eye on during your job search.
As mentioned previously, FlexJobs is a great site to join. The site does require a paid membership, but all of its job listings are vetted for legitimacy. That means you don’t have to worry about scams. Also, the advanced search feature allows you to quickly identify listings that meet criteria you may be looking for, such as employee vs. freelance work, full-time vs. part-time, education or experience level, and more.
You can also find job openings to become part of a distributed team on a remote job board like Indeed and remote.co.
Benefits of Remote Job Opportunities
There are many benefits of remote working:
- Save money on gas as there’s no commute
- More available time in the day as there’s no commute
- Save money on work attire and eating out
- Ability to customize your workspace to your needs
- In some cases, a flexible work schedule
That isn’t to say there are not any drawbacks to a home job, however:
- Family and household distractions
- Feelings of isolation
- Lessened communication with remote team members
- No IT team
- Lack of focus
Is a Remote Job Right for You?
As with anything, some people will thrive in a digital nomad job, and others will struggle. Your personality will determine your success as a remote employee.
If you’re able to stay motivated working on your own and want to enjoy the benefits of remote work, give it a shot!
