Entry-Level Remote Jobs Pay More Than You Might Think
Six figures in some cases.
For job seekers holding off on applying for remote jobs because they assume they pay less at the entry level, new data suggests it may be time to reconsider.
A new report from Resume Genius, based on an analysis of 78,158 remote job listings, found that several entry-level remote roles offer average salaries ranging from $72,653 to nearly $120,000.
Software engineer tops the list, with an average entry-level remote salary of $119,883, followed closely by outside sales representative at $116,667 and data scientist at $112,138. Those aren’t niche outliers but, rather, roles that are actively being hired for, with strong projected job growth to match.
The demand for data scientists, for instance, is projected to balloon by 34% through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data analyst (22% growth) and board certified behavior analyst (17%) also made the list, the latter being a notable non-tech standout averaging $84,143.
The common thread across these roles is their reliance on digital tools, analytical thinking or consulting skills—work that doesn’t necessarily require being in the same room as your manager to do well.
“Many job seekers assume remote work at the entry level means accepting lower pay, but the data tells a different story,” says Nathan Soto, Career Expert at Resume Genius. Certain roles, he points out, don’t require the same kind of in-person onboarding that more hands-on jobs do, meaning employers are comfortable hiring remotely from day one. “Candidates can access competitive salaries without waiting to build years of in-office experience first.”
The data challenges the assumption that entry-level and remote are competing goals. For the right roles, they’re not.