Thanks to COVID-19, earning money through remote work turned into the new normal, but it didn’t last long. While the desire to work from home was high, many companies ordered employees back into the office post-pandemic. Because of this, remote gigs were tough to come by. Job competition was fierce and finding a good work-from-home gig since then has been challenging, but that could be changing. According to December 2024 data from Ladders, remote jobs that pay $250,000 or more increased by more than 18%.
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“This is not just a trend — it’s a shift that’s redefining what work looks like in high-paying markets. Despite headlines screaming about return to office commands at some big companies, the data shows remote work isn’t dead,” said John Mullinix, director of growth marketing at Ladders.
Here are four jobs with high-salary positions that offer remote flexibility and the least competition, according to Ladders’ data.
Medical Director
A medical director is tasked with overseeing the everyday operations of a healthcare facility such as a clinic or hospital and does everything from supervising the medical staff to maintaining fiscal responsibilities, including budgets and accounting, while safeguarding quality patient care.
The senior position requires at least a master’s degree in management, but many employers prefer a doctorate and the candidate must be a licensed doctor. While there’s a lot of training, education and a heavy workload, medical directors can make up to $435,000 per Indeed.
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Physician
You don’t need to work in a hospital to earn a good living as a physician. You can treat patients, make a diagnosis and prescribe medications from the comfort of your home office for a six-figure salary. According to ZipRecruiter, remote physicians earn anywhere from $97,500 to $350,000.
To become a physician, eight years of schooling is needed — four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree and another four years for a medical degree. In addition, there are three to 9 years of internships and residency programs required depending on the specialty, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Psychiatrist
Talking to a psychiatrist — a medical doctor who specializes in mental, behavioral and emotional disorders — has never been easier since many offer online services. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications and diagnose several conditions, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, autism, depression, eating disorders and more, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Becoming a psychiatrist is a rigorous but lucrative career path that requires an average of 12 years of school and training. A bachelor’s degree followed by medical school, a residency program and board certification is required before a psychiatrist can practice. While it’s a lengthy process, the national average pay for psychiatrists is $259,497 a year, per ZipRecruiter.
Solar Sales Representative
Homeowners who install solar panels can enjoy a slew of benefits, including lower carbon footprints, cheaper electric bills and potentially higher home values and solar sales representatives are instrumental in helping with the process.
For anyone with excellent communication skills, a drive to sell and an interest in renewable energy, a solar sales representative can bring home big money while educating customers on the advantages of solar. You can rake in up to $351,500, according to ZipRecruiter. A degree in a relevant field is often required, a knowledge of complex software is helpful and many companies will offer training to gain an understanding of the equipment and products.
According to Ladder’s data, more than 10% of jobs paying over $250,000 are now remote due to several factors, including the demand for a work-life balance, flexibility and cost-effective operational cuts.
“As you might expect, these exceptionally high-paying roles require extensive experience but not all of them,” Mullinix said. While most of these opportunities require eight to ten years of experience, many require fewer than five years of experience.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Jobs That Pay Over $250K This Year With Remote Work Availability
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