With so many return to office mandates in the news lately, it may seem like we’re watching the death of remote roles as we know them. But take it from Top Applicant—there’s still hope for high paying remote jobs! Some of the biggest questions on the minds of managers and employees alike lately are about the future of remote jobs. When workers ask, our experts weigh in with our answers in this in-depth Employers Ask column!
Some Signs Point to Yes
In uncertain times, our experts turn to data for a clear look into the future of industries and job markets. In our deep dive, we’ll take a look at the latest trends and emerging opportunities. Some of the latest trends indicate that high paying remote jobs may actually be drying up.
For starters, Here are 3 signs that could point to the decline of lucrative remote work.
Productivity in the Office
In a recent study focusing on a large Asian IT services company, analysts found that productivity fell by 20% during the mandatory work-from-home period during the Covid-19 pandemic. They reached this conclusion by comparing hours from over 10,000 professionals. The study found that employees increased hours by roughly 30%, but average output remained stagnant.
To keep things unbiased, we’ll admit that 10,000 workers in one industry are a drop in the bucket compared to billions of employees around the world in thousands of different industries. However, many employers have witnessed this drop in productivity firsthand. So while working from home is still on the table for many industries, 90% of companies plan to implement return to office mandates by the end of 2024.
Face Time > Video Chat
Raise your hand if you’ve ever zoned out in a virtual meeting with your team. It’s okay, you’re not alone! A recent Gallup study revealed that engagement is on the rise amongst the workforce. However, the same study shares that engagement amongst exclusively remote workers has remained stagnant. These findings have propelled many organizations to move away from remote work back to hybrid and in-office schedules.
Simply put, connection drives productivity in a company. And who’s in charge of fostering that connection? Managers, of course! Looking deeper into the Gallup study, they suggest that managers must have a meaningful conversation with an employee (15-30 mins) at least once a week to maintain focus and productivity.
Think about the last meaningful interaction you had with a manager or an employee. How much better does it feel to hear “great work” while looking someone in the eye than into a screen?
The Great Compromise
A final sign points to the decline of high paying remote jobs as we currently know them. Hybrid roles have become a leading work arrangement among modern companies for a few reasons. According to a Gallup study, over half of polled employees preferred hybrid roles, while only roughly 1/3 preferred fully remote positions.
Additionally, employers saw the following benefits from offering hybrid roles.
- 58% reported less burn out amongst their staff.
- 50% saw improved retention.
- 31% witnessed greater productivity from their team.
However, the rise of hybrid work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Employers still face challenges in finding a balance between in-office and at-home work. Frayed workplace communication, reduced collaboration, and an overall negative impact on workplace culture all make hybrid roles a risky move. While employers may be uncertain about remote roles, our experts look to industry leaders for clarity.
Our Expert Take: Remote Jobs Are Here to Stay
Top Applicant’s team is certain that high paying remote jobs aren’t drying up any time soon. Our hiring experts know that fully remote roles have worked their way into everyday life.
From sales and virtual assistants to project management and cybersecurity, there are many work from home opportunities popping up every day. To learn more about our top opportunities in a booming job market, check out this related read!
Top Applicant’s Top 10 WFH Jobs in DFW
Where to Look
Of all the high paying remote jobs out there, we see a few industries that offer the highest salaries. To achieve the highest-paying roles in these fields, you’ll need more than just a can-do attitude. You’ll also need a degree, or at least some certification.
Here are the top industries that will continue to offer high paying remote roles well into the future.
Marketing
Art directors, data scientists, and project managers are all essential parts of the marketing industry. The best part? You rarely have to leave the comfort of your home to excel in these roles if you land a remote-based position. The worst part? This field experiences one of the highest levels of competition of the fully remote roles we’re watching, so you’ll need to bring your A-game when applying!
Development
Behind every successful app, website, or new evolution in the cyber-sphere is a talented developer. These roles have traditionally been high-paying positions for business and cybersecurity. But now, new frontiers are opening up in the world of fintech and automation that make developers even more sought after! To land a high paying remote job in this field, you’ll need to specialize in multiple coding languages, excel in problem solving, and stay up to date on all required certifications for your desired industry. Organizing your workload efficiently and collaborating effectively are also essential skills to be successful in a fully remote role.
Psychology
With the rise of telehealth across the globe, psychologists can help people from anywhere! Whether you’d prefer a fully in office, hybrid, or fully remote role, this is one of the most lucrative and flexible roles out there. But it doesn’t come easy!
Building experience as a psychologist takes years of schooling and practice. And even as an experienced psychologist, you’ll need to stay up to date with research and training to remain at the top of this field. There’s a reason psychologists typically make high salaries! As mental health services become more widely available, more opportunities for high paying remote jobs will no doubt follow suit.
In Demand Fields
To find high paying remote jobs, applicants need to focus on developing in-demand skills. Sure, typing, communication, and organization are enough to get you through the door, but to truly make a high wage, our experts recommend looking into the following areas of practice. These are some of the top earning areas we’re keeping an eye on!
Medical
Working in healthcare doesn’t mean you have to be limited to just one hospital anymore! Remote health services professionals can earn a high salary while gaining invaluable experience working through different systems, or even going into remote positions for private practice.
In addition to the flexible nature of this career path, remote healthcare workers have the opportunity to specialize in aspects of this field that truly speak to them.
These roles do take years of study and some in-hospital work to gain initial experience. However, as you progress through this exciting career path, every day comes with new lessons. Learning from each and every interaction is crucial to charting your own path in healthcare. The World Economic Forum predicts that this field will see exponential growth by 2030, which is why this is one of the top high paying remote jobs our experts are keeping their eye on!
Management
Speaking of exponential growth, management roles already enjoy more flexibility than former generations of managers could have ever dreamed of! However, to earn a top role as a fully remote business or finance manager, you’ll need a lot more than a stellar resume. Effective communication skills and exceptional thought leadership capabilities are essential to becoming a high earning manager in any business.0
Consulting, financial, and project management are the biggest areas where we’re currently noticing growth for management level remote roles. Looking to the future, we also see emergency management directors are on the short list of remote roles that will see the most growth by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum outlook study.
Engineering
Our co-founder, Eric Bruder, has witnessed the rise of remote engineering jobs firsthand! As more companies look to build the future, they’ve found that drafters, CAD specialists, and designers don’t always need to be in the office. This not only opens up engineering to a world of talent, it opens up a world of possibilities for career builders!
The Future of Hiring Is Here
The future of high paying remote jobs is still unfolding, which is why Top Applicant is optimistic that there will always be high paying remote jobs. You just have to have the right skills and the right resume to make it happen! That’s where we come in.
By building a digital resume that grows with you, our features help career builders improve their presence. We also help Top Employers find the right people for their roles faster!
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