Best Remote Jobs That Pay Well According To Our Staff
Looking for the best remote jobs? Here's a list of gigs that offer competent pay and flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance.
- Remote work is growing; 22% of U.S. workforce remote by 2025.
- Top remote jobs: Virtual Assistant, Designer, Social Media, Customer Service, Developer, Accountant.
- Most remote jobs need communication skills, specific expertise, and sometimes a degree.
- Remote jobs offer flexibility, good pay, minimal costs, but can be stressful.
Do you dream of breaking away from the office routines to focus on working anywhere, anytime? If so, this article is for you!
A recent Forbes remote work statistics predicts that 22% of the U.S. workforce will work remotely by 2025. This is almost double 2023's current record rate at 12.7%!
If you plan to be a part of this shift, having a list of career prospects helps you fast-track your preparations. Let's look into the best remote jobs in 2023, together with their pros and cons, to narrow down your options.
6 Best Remote Jobs That Pay Well
An overview of the most lucrative remote jobs that we could find:
- Virtual Assistant
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
- Customer Service Representative
- Software Developer
- Accountant
1. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants (VAs) wear many hats but are some of the most diverse remote workers with excellent communication skills.
Common tasks involved in this job include answering customer inquiries, handling admin tasks, scheduling appointments, and transcribing audio files from meetings or presentations.
Because of the task diversity, salary ranges also vary. U.S. virtual assistants can charge an average of $17 to $44 an hour.
What You Need to Become a Virtual Assistant
Most companies and individual clients require formal education from their VAs; however, they're rarely critical of your degree as long as you fit the key requirements:
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Stable internet connection
- High level of computer literacy, preferably with CRMs and tools the employer uses
Other essential skills to become a virtual assistant include organization, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Pros
- Time-flexible
- Great pay
- Fully remote
- Minimal startup cost
Cons
- Potential for difficult clients
- No paid vacations
- Routine tasks can feel boring over time
Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
- Upwork
- Fiverr
2. Graphic Designer
Are you skilled at creating stunning graphics like print ads, logos, and posters? Why not become a graphic designer?
This is among the most flexible remote jobs that don't require you to show up and attend meetings regularly.
In most cases, you'll be provided with design briefs, which you can use to create visual concepts that meet the client's requirements.
Other responsibilities of a graphic designer include:
- Creating illustrations and layouts
- Testing graphics across different media
- Preparing drafts and design presentations
- Amending designs according to feedback
The average pay for graphic designers is $27 per hour, with experience playing a key role in how much you'll get.
What You Need to Become a Graphic Designer
A degree in graphic design is optional, but you'll need a solid portfolio to attract clients. Proficiency with design software like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and InDesign is also critical.
Having strong communication skills helps you get an edge against your competition by showcasing your ability to explain your visual concepts in lay terms.
Pros
- Full autonomy in selecting projects
- In-demand skills across different industries
- Option to work for multiple clients at once
- Time-flexible
Cons
- Clients can ask you to redo designs multiple times
- High competition
- Long hours in front of the computer
Where to Find Graphic Designer Jobs
- Upwork
- Indeed
3. Social Media Manager
Do you have a vast knowledge of different social media platforms and know how to use them to engage a target market?
In that case, becoming a social media manager can be your best remote job option.
You'll be responsible for building a company's brand voice across social media channels.
This will include overseeing the content creation process and how they relate to current market trends. Tracking social engagements and responding to followers are also part of the job.
The average salary of a social media manager is $31 an hour.
What You Need to Become a Social Media Manager
Proven experience in social media management is required for this remote work. You'll also need a solid understanding of SEO, keyword research, and copywriting skills.
A bachelor's degree in marketing or media-related courses is an advantage, but some startups don't prioritize this, provided that your experience shows your expertise.
Pros
- You're at the forefront of the latest trends
- Highly creative remote job
- More online interaction means you learn to understand consumers better
Cons
- Rapid trend changes require constant strategy revisions
- Ever-changing platform algorithms need continuous learning
Where to Find Social Media Manager Jobs
- Upwork
- Indeed
4. Customer Service Representative
Customer service reps are the foundation of a company's long-term marketing plan.
They interact with the client and manage expectations for how efficient a business is at providing service.
As a customer service officer, you'll take calls, respond to emails, handle escalations, and assist customers in setting up or troubleshooting devices.
You may also be assigned to collect data and handle product payments and returns.
The average salary of customer service reps is $17.32/hour.
What You Need to Become a Customer Service Rep
A bachelor's degree isn't required, but most companies will look for a high school diploma from potential candidates.
You must have excellent interpersonal skills and showcase patience and attentiveness to customers.
Extra skills useful for this remote work include time management, problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to breeze through tasks under pressure.
Pros
- No experience required
- Lots of opportunities for bonuses and commissions
- Enhances your interpersonal skills
- You develop problem-solving skills
Cons
- High call volume can be stressful
- Potential for irregular shifts
- Multiple responsibilities
Where to Find Customer Service Jobs
- Local remote job listings
- Indeed
- Upwork
5. Software Developer
If you're an expert in programming languages and fond of developing computer software, working as a software developer is worth considering.
Software developers are among the most in-demand remote jobs primarily fueled by tech advancements. As a developer, you'll take part in researching, designing, and building software that functions specifically as your client demands.
You'll also collaborate closely with programmers and engineers to deploy your program.
The salary range for developers varies in terms of their project complexity, but the average hourly rate in the U.S. is $51.
What You Need to Become a Software Developer
Previous work background with tech companies is advantageous on top of extensive software development experience.
Other critical requirements include proficiency in multiple coding languages, a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields, and familiarity with data structures, algorithms, and system security.
Your ability to learn new languages quickly is also essential. Other vital soft skills you'd want to consider boosting include communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
Pros
- Global demand from various industries
- Great pay
- Opportunity to expand your network while working with top management
- High employment outlook for the upcoming years
Cons
- Projects can take months to complete
- Tough competition
- Long hours sitting in front of your computer
Where to Find Software Developer Jobs
- Local job boards
- Indeed
6. Accountant
If you enjoy crunching numbers and reading financial reports, consider becoming a full-time or freelance accountant from home.
You'll work with financial managers and businesses to keep track of their cash flow, create financial audit reports, and reconcile bank statements.
Typical duties include keeping a record of sales, sending invoices, and preparing budget forecasts.
Accountants have an average hourly rate of $32.
What You Need to Become an Accountant
A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related fields is required for this job.
Having a master's degree is also an advantage. Proven experience with any accounting software like QuickBooks and a solid command of using spreadsheets is essential.
Besides the technical aspect, a successful candidate should exhibit reliability and high-quality work with less supervision.
You should be comfortable working with a team and proactively raising questions where needed.
Pros
- Long-term working opportunity
- Open positions across all industries
- Opportunity for professional growth
- Vast related employment opportunities
Cons
- Might be required to take up advanced education to further your career
- Work is mostly sedentary
- Stressful or heavy workload at certain times of the year
Where to Find Accounting Jobs
- Upwork
- Indeed
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Bachelor's Degree to Apply for Remote Jobs?
Most remote jobs require a degree, but specialization is a requirement only if you apply for specialized industries like computer and information technology.
Experience, technical aptitude, and soft skills are three areas that are critical to landing remote positions.
What Are the Advantages of Working Remotely?
Remote jobs give you more control of your schedule. You can choose the job to take and negotiate your work timeline.
This allows for increased overall productivity. The remote setup also saves you money from not having to commute or eat out often.
How Much Do Work From Home Jobs Pay?
ZipRecruiter says the national average for remote workers is $26/hour. But this depends on your job type & the number of hours you spend at it.
Higher-paying jobs like software development and engineering can pay up to $51 an hour or more.
Wrapping Up
Remote job opportunities are here to stay, and various industries are opening their doors to hybrid or work-from-home setups for both full and part-time employees.
Now is a great time to reassess your career trajectory and think about what work looks like for you.
Does working remotely sound like a setup you'd enjoy? Which of the jobs on our list made it to your prospects? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Brett Helling is the founder and owner of Gigworker.com. Having worked in the gig economy for nearly a decade, he has mastered freelance, remote, and app-based work. You can learn more about his journey in his book, "Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy", now available on Amazon.