Remote-Friendly Careers (2026)

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist tops this list at $193,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +6.3% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.

Desk-based occupations with high electronic communication and low physical or outdoor demands, the work-context profile that travels well to remote work.

Careers on this list
30

From 923 in the bank

Median pay on the list
$141,990

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Projected to grow
29 of 30

BLS EP, 2024–2034

Openings a year
792,700

Combined, BLS EP

How we built this list

  • Included when O*NET work context shows high electronic communication together with low physical activity and low outdoor exposure.
  • This measures whether the work *can* be done remotely, not whether employers currently allow it.
  • Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
  • The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.

The top 30 remote-friendly careers

37% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.

  1. 1. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

    Life, Physical, and Social Science

    Median pay
    $193,950
    Growth
    +6.3%
    Openings/yr
    400
    Education
    Master's

    Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  2. 2. IT Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $175,140
    Growth
    +15.2%
    Openings/yr
    55,600
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

    IT Manager salary & outlook →
  3. 3. Physicist

    Life, Physical, and Social Science

    Median pay
    $172,250
    Growth
    +4.0%
    Openings/yr
    1,700
    Education
    Doctorate

    Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  4. Median pay
    $171,270
    Growth
    +3.8%
    Openings/yr
    14,500
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

    Architectural and Engineering Manager salary & outlook →
  5. 5. Natural Sciences Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $167,220
    Growth
    +3.7%
    Openings/yr
    8,500
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  6. 6. Marketing Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $166,790
    Growth
    +6.6%
    Openings/yr
    34,300
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers.

    Marketing Manager salary & outlook →
  7. 7. Financial Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $166,570
    Growth
    +14.8%
    Openings/yr
    74,600
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

    Financial Manager salary & outlook →
  8. Median pay
    $166,570
    Growth
    +14.8%
    Openings/yr
    74,600
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

    Treasurer and Controller salary & outlook →
  9. Median pay
    $166,570
    Growth
    +14.8%
    Openings/yr
    74,600
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

    Investment Fund Manager salary & outlook →
  10. 10. Computer Hardware Engineer

    Architecture and Engineering

    Median pay
    $161,740
    Growth
    +7.3%
    Openings/yr
    4,700
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  11. 11. Lawyer

    Legal

    Median pay
    $159,670
    Growth
    +4.1%
    Openings/yr
    31,500
    Education
    Doctorate

    Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions.

    Lawyer salary & outlook →
  12. Median pay
    $149,280
    Growth
    +5.0%
    Openings/yr
    17,900
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

    Human Resources Manager salary & outlook →
  13. 13. Compensation and Benefits Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $149,230
    Growth
    +0.2%
    Openings/yr
    1,500
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  14. 14. Purchasing Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $148,080
    Growth
    +3.1%
    Openings/yr
    6,400
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  15. 15. Political Scientist

    Life, Physical, and Social Science

    Median pay
    $142,080
    Growth
    -3.1%
    Openings/yr
    500
    Education
    Master's

    Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  16. 16. Regulatory Affairs Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $141,900
    Growth
    +4.5%
    Openings/yr
    106,700
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  17. 17. Compliance Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $141,900
    Growth
    +4.5%
    Openings/yr
    106,700
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  18. 18. Computer and Information Research Scientist

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $140,300
    Growth
    +19.7%
    Openings/yr
    3,200
    Education
    Master's

    Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  19. 19. Database Architect

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $139,500
    Growth
    +8.7%
    Openings/yr
    4,000
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  20. 20. Data Warehousing Specialist

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $139,500
    Growth
    +8.7%
    Openings/yr
    4,000
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  21. 21. Software Developer

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $135,980
    Growth
    +15.8%
    Openings/yr
    115,200
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.

    Software Developer salary & outlook →
  22. 22. Aerospace Engineer

    Architecture and Engineering

    Median pay
    $134,960
    Growth
    +6.1%
    Openings/yr
    4,500
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  23. 23. Computer Network Architect

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $134,050
    Growth
    +11.9%
    Openings/yr
    11,200
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks.

    Computer Network Architect salary & outlook →
  24. 24. Training and Development Manager

    Management

    Median pay
    $133,000
    Growth
    +5.8%
    Openings/yr
    3,800
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  25. 25. Electronics Engineer, Except Computer

    Architecture and Engineering

    Median pay
    $130,220
    Growth
    +6.2%
    Openings/yr
    5,700
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  26. 26. Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialist

    Architecture and Engineering

    Median pay
    $130,220
    Growth
    +6.2%
    Openings/yr
    5,700
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Design and implement radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems used to track shipments or goods.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  27. 27. Actuary

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $130,000
    Growth
    +21.8%
    Openings/yr
    2,400
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  28. 28. Information Security Analyst

    Computer and Mathematical

    Median pay
    $129,180
    Growth
    +28.5%
    Openings/yr
    16,000
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.

    Information Security Analyst salary & outlook →
  29. 29. Astronomer

    Life, Physical, and Social Science

    Median pay
    $128,820
    Growth
    +2.2%
    Openings/yr
    100
    Education
    Doctorate

    Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  30. 30. Law Teacher, Postsecondary

    Educational Instruction and Library

    Median pay
    $128,500
    Growth
    +2.2%
    Openings/yr
    2,200
    Education
    Doctorate

    Teach courses in law.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

Remote-Friendly Careers: FAQ

What is the top career on the remote-friendly careers list?

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist leads the list with a median wage of $193,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +6.3% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is master's.

How was this list put together?

Desk-based occupations with high electronic communication and low physical or outdoor demands, the work-context profile that travels well to remote work. Included when O*NET work context shows high electronic communication together with low physical activity and low outdoor exposure. This measures whether the work *can* be done remotely, not whether employers currently allow it. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.

How much do remote-friendly careers pay?

Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $141,990 a year, from $128,500 at the bottom to $193,950 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.

How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?

None. BLS lists an associate's degree or higher as the typical entry requirement for all 30 careers on this list.