Every year Virtual Vocations posts thousands of telecommuting jobs across all U.S. states. However, some states tend to be more conducive to remote work than others. In our list of Top 20 Remote Work States in 2018, we name the year’s best states for telecommuting and virtual work.
Top 20 Remote Work States in 2018
Approximately 5.2% of all U.S. workers work at home, according to 2017 U.S. Census data. Though you can find remote jobs anywhere in the nation, some states earn recognition for being the most telecommute-friendly.
Which states are the most conducive to flexible and remote work arrangements? We compiled our list based on the following statistics:
- Top industry data from 24/7 Wall St.
- Annual mean wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS) May 2018 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
- Telecommuting population data (percentage of workers who worked from home) from the U.S. Census 2017 American Community Survey
- Data from the Virtual Vocations Job Board concerning which locations boasted the most telecommute job openings
20. Connecticut
View All Connecticut Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
The Connecticut Department of Labor predicts 5.9% employment growth (111,164 new jobs) across all industries through 2026. The department expects management, office administration, education, and healthcare occupations to account for a significant portion of new jobs. It just so happens that these high-demand professions have telecommute options at many of the state’s top companies.
Top Industry: Insurance
Annual Mean Wage: $60,780
Telecommuting Population: 5.1%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Accountant, insurance claims auditor, underwriter, data consultant
19. Tennessee
View All Tennessee Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Nashville, Tennessee is often called the “Birthplace of Country Music” and the “Songwriting Capital of the World.” It’s also ranked as the fourth-strongest metropolitan area in the nation. However, businesses like FedEx and LifePoint Health that hire remote working residents also contribute to the Volunteer State’s economic success.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $44,660
Telecommuting Population: 4.9%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Product manager, healthcare consulting attorney, supply chain business analyst
18. Minnesota
View All Minnesota Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
The Land of 10,000 Lakes also happens to be the land of prosperous employment. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is among the 25 best the nation. Companies like Capella Education Company, Edmentum Inc., Prime Therapeutics, and UnitedHealth Group consistently hire telecommuters across a range of professions.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $54,200
Telecommuting Population: 5.9%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Adjunct teacher, business analyst, database administrator
17. Colorado
View All Colorado Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Colorado currently has the most work-at-home professionals than any other state. From tech to tourism and bioscience to art, this state has remote jobs for every occupation in every industry. Workers with various skills and backgrounds find fulfilling telecommute careers that give them plenty of free time to hit the slopes and enjoy local craft brews.
Top Industry: Oil and Gas
Annual Mean Wage: $55,820
Telecommuting Population: 8.5%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Sales development manager, faculty member, accountant
16. Washington, D.C. (Surprise!)
View All Washington, D.C. Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Although the District of Columbia isn’t technically a state, it’s strong presence in the remote work scene was too obvious to exclude from our list of the Top 20 Remote Work States in 2018.
As of September 2017, just over 15% of all federal employees lived in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas, proving that not all D.C. residents work for the government. Others are employed by top companies like Danaher, Capital One, and Northrop Grumman. As you might guess, such companies regularly hire telecommuters.
Top Industry: Education
Annual Mean Wage: $87,920
Telecommuting Population: 7.4%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Brand and product marketing specialist, school occupational therapist
15. Arizona
View All Arizona Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity predicts that there will be 542,795 new jobs in the state by 2026. Thus, remote workers can look forward to continued growth and increased employment, especially in healthcare, education, and professional and business services.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $49,290
Telecommuting Population: 6.3%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Clinical manager, medical coder, account manager
14. Ohio
View All Ohio Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
They say Ohio is “The Heart of It All.” Telecommuters certainly think so. Though the Buckeye State takes pride in college football traditions, big-name corporations like Convergys, Cardinal Health, and Nationwide Insurance are headquartered in Ohio and frequently hire remote workers.
Top Industry: Insurance
Annual Mean Wage: $48,220
Telecommuting Population: 4.2%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Data scientist, training specialist, procurement services lead
13. Washington
View All Washington Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Washington is the fifth fastest-growing state in the U.S. thanks, in part, to mega-companies like Microsoft and Amazon that employ thousands upon thousands of workers. Skilled telecommuters in the Evergreen State have the upper hand when searching for remote work with both big businesses and small firms.
Top Industry: Publishing (including software publishing)
Annual Mean Wage: $$59,410
Telecommuting Population: 6.3%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Software engineer, special projects writer, nurse case manager
12. Maryland
View All Maryland Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
According to U.S. News, Maryland ranks second in the nation for economic opportunity and equality – remote workers included. TEKsystems, Marriott, John Hopkins University, and Lockheed Martin are among the numerous telecommute-friendly companies with headquarters and hubs in the Old Line State.
Top Industry: Telecommunications
Annual Mean Wage: $58,770
Telecommuting Population: 4.9%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Proposals manager, accountant, teacher of the visually impaired
11. New Jersey
View All New Jersey Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
New Jersey is sometimes called the “Crossroads of the East” for its diverse industry and ability to deliver goods quickly to surrounding states. The Garden State is also home to legendary musicians and performing artists, Princeton University, and influential pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations. Telecommuters in Jersey have their pick of the litter when it comes to remote jobs from reputable companies.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $58,210
Telecommuting Population: 4.6%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Biostatistician, education specialist, healthcare fraud auditor
10. Massachusetts
View All Massachusetts Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Massachusetts reliably ranks as the most educated state in the nation, where nearly half of all residents hold at least an associate degree. However, many telecommute-friendly employers hire workers with a range of educational backgrounds – from high school diploma all the way up to post-doctorate degrees.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $63,910
Telecommuting Population: 5.3%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Marketing communication specialist, online mental health coach, systems security engineer
9. Pennsylvania
View All Pennsylvania Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Pennsylvania is where America’s first governmental leaders signed the Declaration of Independence. It’s fitting, then, that nearly 303,000 working residents enjoy the freedoms that telecommuting provides. Remote workers in the Keystone State can earn a reliable income while balancing time with family and fun.
Top Industry: Telecommunications
Annual Mean Wage: $50,030
Telecommuting Population: 5.0%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Sales engineer, clinical quality management analyst, strategic sourcing manager
8. North Carolina
View All North Carolina Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
North Carolina consistently ranks as the best place to do business in the U.S. due to low operational costs and corporate tax rates. Plus, companies like Lenovo and PRA Health Sciences recognize the economic advantage of remote workers and hire thousands of telecommuters throughout the state.
Top Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Annual Mean Wage: $47,200
Telecommuting Population: 6.1%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Clinical research associate, nurse advocate, digital marketing director
7. Georgia
View All Georgia Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Did you know that Georgia is a top location for television and film production worldwide? It’s also a peachy place for remote workers to relax, enjoy nature, and find a range of telecommute jobs in industries like healthcare, technology, and education.
Top Industry: Telecommunications
Annual Mean Wage: $48,280
Telecommuting Population: 5.8%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Speech-language pathologist, product manager, cybersecurity architect
6. Virginia
View All Virginia Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Since the very first settlement in Jamestown in 1607, America’s birthplace has grown to over 8.47 million people and has become a hub for over 700 international companies. These days, residents can find remote employment in just about every industry.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Annual Mean Wage: $55,310
Telecommuting Population: 5.4%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Medical coder, software administrator, mortgage loan officer
5. Illinois
View All Illinois Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Though Illinois is the 25th largest state according to geography, its GDP ranks fifth in the nation. The Prairie State is home not only to giant companies like Boeing and Caterpillar but also to startups, providing an excellent space for telecommuters to achieve work-life balance and design the professional and personal lives that best suit their needs.
Top Industry: Insurance
Annual Mean Wage: $53,790
Telecommuting Population: 4.9%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Front-end developer, inside sales specialist, customer manager
4. Florida
View All Florida Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Who wouldn’t want to work remotely in a subtropical climate? Telecommuting Floridians get the best of both worlds: reliable income and the freedom to enjoy their beautiful state. Plus, companies like Citrix Systems, Fidelity National Financial, and HSN (the Home Shopping Network) seek native gators to keep business moving and customers happy.
Top Industry: Healthcare
Telecommuting Population: 6.1%
Annual Mean Wage: $46,010
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Solution architect, customer care representative, bilingual health coach
3. New York
View All New York Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Whether you live upstate or in the Big Apple, New York is hungry for remote workers. With companies like American Express, Deloitte, and McGraw-Hill Education chomping at the bit, you’ll never be short of a telecommute job.
Top Industry: Banking
Telecommuting Population: 4.3%
Annual Mean Wage: $61,870
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Quality assurance analyst, software developer, registered dietician
2. Texas
View All Texas Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
Texas is the largest continental state geographically and has plenty of room for remote employees, freelancers, and independent contractors. The Long Horn State is also home to leading telecommute-friendly companies like Dell, AT&T, and USAA.
Top Industry: Oil and Gas
Annual Mean Wage: $49,720
Telecommuting Population: 5.1%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Recruiter, sales development representative, business continuity manager
1. California
View All California Telecommute Jobs at Virtual Vocations
California is the most populous U.S. state and home to some of the world’s most influential technology companies like Apple, HP, Cisco, Intel, and Oracle. Aside from tech, Cali excels in education, real estate, and financial services. Come rain or drought, remote jobs persevere and help keep all your California dreams alive.
Top Industry: Information Technology
Annual Mean Wage: $59,150
Telecommuting Population: 6.0%
Trending Telecommute Jobs: Software developer, data analyst, project manager
How to Find Telecommute Jobs in Your State
Even if you don’t live in one of the 20 telecommute-friendly locations on this list, you can still apply to telecommute jobs in your home state or any other U.S. location. Many remote jobs cross time zones and state lines so that employers reduce staffing limitations and expand their talent pools. However, some companies do have location requirements and only hire residents of their state or specified cities.
To search for remote jobs in your state, use the Location filter in the Virtual Vocations job database and check the “Location” tag in each listing. If the location states “Nationwide,” then you can apply from anywhere in the U.S.
Contact Information for Top 20 Remote Work States in 2018 Report Inquiries
Please visit Virtual Vocations social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube for additional remote work content and conversations.
iStock Photo Credit: 1. Geber86; 2. MStudioImages
