5 High-Paying Entry-Level Remote Jobs (and How to Apply)

Remote jobs offer greater flexibility, including the ability to complete your work from home without having to commute to an office.

You can often find remote roles at any experience level, including entry-level, which refer to jobs that may require some experience but typically not a lot. These jobs are more formative, allowing you to gain important experience, skills, and training from your work.

In this article, we'll review five entry-level jobs that offer remote positions paying higher than the median annual salary in the United States. We'll also discuss how to find remote jobs and tips for applying when you don't have any experience.

5 entry-level remote jobs 

The five careers outlined below are entry-level positions that offer the opportunity to work remotely and provide an average annual salary above the national median in the US [1]. These positions are also projected to grow in the next decade.  

1. IT support specialist

IT support specialists help others set up their computers, troubleshoot technical problems, and maintain computer systems for businesses and other organizations. While some IT support positions require individuals to work on-site, many others allow them to work remotely through a combination of voice chat, messenger apps, and virtual assistance technology that can remotely access connected computer systems. 

• Job outlook: The job outlook for IT support specialists is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that 49,200 new computer support specialist jobs will be added between 2022 and 2032 for five percent job growth [2]. Glassdoor puts the average annual salary for an IT support specialist at $63,097 [3].

• Requirements: The requirements to become an IT support specialist vary by role and company. While some might prefer a candidate with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, others might only require an associate degree or a professional certificate. Regardless of education level, IT support specialists should be prepared to continue learning throughout their careers as technology routinely changes [2]. 

Learn more: 10 Entry-Level IT Roles and What You Can Do to Get Hired

Consider enrolling in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate to learn to use systems like Linux and Domain Name Systems, provide end-to-end customer support, perform common IT support tasks, and more.

2. Data analyst 

Data analysts collect and interpret data to answer questions and solve problems for businesses and organizations. Data analysts can work in a wide range of industries, such as finance, medicine, and government. The digital nature of their work means that data analysts can do much of their jobs remotely with a computer and internet connection. 

• Job outlook: The job outlook for data analysts is extremely positive. While the World Economic Forum ranked data analysts as one of the top emerging jobs in 2020, the BLS notes that between 2022 and 2032 market research analysts will grow by 13 percent, operations research analysts by 23 percent, and mathematicians and statisticians by 30 percent [4,5,6,7]. According to Glassdoor the average salary for data analysts is $80,451 [8]. 

• Requirements: Becoming a data analyst requires an ability to sort and interpret data. While some employers might prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, others might be willing to hire those with relevant training but no degree. In some cases, you might find it beneficial to get a professional certificate.

Consider enrolling in the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate to advance your skills in this field. Inside the program, you can learn how to use tools like Excel, Python, and Tableau, as well as build a portfolio to showcase your work.

3. Web developer

Web developers design, code, and manage websites. There are several web developer roles. Front-end developers design the visual layout of websites, while back-end developers are responsible for coding them. Full-stack developers design and code websites, while webmasters manage and update them. The online nature of web development means that it can be done as easily from home as in an office. 

• Job outlook: The job outlook for web developers is positive. According to the BLS, web developers are projected to grow by 16 percent between 2022 and 2032 [9]. Glassdoor sets the average annual salary for web developers at $89,249 [10]. 

• Requirements: You don’t need any specific degree to become a web developer, though some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Key skills that web developers need include knowing multimedia publishing tools, HTML, and other programming languages like JavaScript [9].

To learn about the web design side of things, check out Web Design for Everyone: Basics of Web Development & Coding, a specialization from the University of Michigan.

4. Social media manager 

Social media managers handle all aspects of a business’s social media account, including posting marketing materials, cultivating an online following, and analyzing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. As a job purposely focused on online marketing, social media managers can typically work remotely from home or on the go.

• Job outlook: The job outlook for social media managers is positive. According to the BLS, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are projected to grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032 [11]. The average salary for a social media manager is $70,779 [12].

• Requirements: Typically, many companies prefer that social media managers have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as advertising, business, or communications [11]. While many large companies typically employ experienced social media managers, entry-level positions can be found at smaller companies and businesses. These smaller jobs can lead to better opportunities in the future. 

Setting measurable goals is an important part of social media marketing and management. Watch this video for ideas on KPIs (key performance indicators).

5. Project coordinators 

Project coordinators handle the concrete aspects of a project to ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently. As a more junior position to project managers, project coordinators can advance into a more senior role, overseeing projects from beginning to end, once they have acquired the necessary experience. Although some positions require employees to be onsite, many project coordinator and manager positions can be done remotely over the internet. 

• Job outlook: The job outlook for project coordinators is positive. According to a report by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the project-oriented sector is expected to grow by 33 percent with 22 million new jobs globally by 2027 [13]. Glassdoor cites the average annual salary for project coordinators to be $61,492 [14].

• Requirements: To become a project coordinator you don’t need a specific degree, although some employers might prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the industry in which they operate. In some cases, professional certification in project management can help applicants gain the necessary skills to obtain an entry-level position as a project coordinator. 

Consider the Google Project Management Professional Certificate to break into project management and build foundational skills:

Additional entry-level remote jobs

Take advantage of the list below, which highlights entry-level roles across in-demand fields, like computer science and data analysis, to find more job titles you can pursue as a remote applicant.

• 5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs

• Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs

• Entry-Level Data Analyst: What They Do and How to Get Started

• 5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs

• 7 Finance Entry-Level Jobs

• Your Guide to Landing an Entry-Level Marketing Job

• 6 Entry-Level Sales Jobs

Where to find entry-level remote job opportunities

Generally, there are two ways to find remote jobs online: through an online job platform or through a company’s dedicated job posting page. Below is a step-by-step guide for both. 

Job platforms

1. Visit a job posting site. Many companies advertise remote positions on job platforms in order to reach a wide range of potential applicants. The following are some of the most popular: 

• Remote.co

• FlexJobs

• LinkedIn

• Monster

• ZipRecruiter

• Indeed

2. Search. Search the term “entry-level remote” or “entry-level remote [name of position]” on the platform of your choice. For example, if you were looking for an entry-level IT job, you would search for “entry-level remote IT.” You can also search for the job title that interests you and input "remote" for location.

3. Match and apply. Browse the job list, identify the listings that best match your aspirations, and apply to them.

Learn more: 10 Remote Work-From-Home Jobs that Pay Well

Company job pages

1. Visit a search engine. Common search engines include Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. 

2. Search. Search for “[name of company] jobs” on the search engine. For example, you might search “Google jobs” to find their dedicated job posting page. 

3. Match and apply. Once you are on the company’s job page, you can search for any available remote positions just as you would on a job posting website. Apply to those that match your profile.

4 tips for applying to remote jobs without experience

Remote jobs can be highly competitive. To help you put your best foot forward, this list contains some tips on how to apply to them. 

1. Tailor your resume with keywords.

Today, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter job applications. These systems search through applications by searching for keywords that match the original job description. Unfortunately, many people may find that their application gets rejected because they didn’t tailor their resume to the job. 

To avoid that potential problem, go through the job listing and identify the key skills and experience. Once you have identified the ones that match your own skill set and work experience, use the exact phrasing for each skill in your resume.

Learn more: Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

2. Emphasize your transferable skills.

Your transferable skills are the skills that you take with you from one job to another. These can be technical skills, such as coding or design, or soft skills like communication and teamwork. Highlighting your transferable skills from your previous work, internship, or extracurricular activities could help the employer recognize that you already have the required skills, even if you don’t have the required work experience. 

If you have prior work experience but not in the area you are applying, you should highlight the relevant experience you have from a previous job. For example, if you are applying to be a project assistant, then you might highlight the organizational skills you used as a manager in a restaurant or as a stage manager in a school production. 

3. Highlight your remote qualifications.

Remote work offers a lot of flexibility for employees but requires discipline. Successful remote workers are able to manage themselves, schedule their own time, and plan projects without constant input from others. 

When you are applying, highlight the precise reason you are right for the job while also highlighting why you will be a good remote worker. Those may include: 

• Organization 

• Focus 

• Ability to work alone 

• Strong written communication skills 

• Planning 

• Asynchronous collaboration 

Coursera offers several courses focused on remote work. Taking any of these can be a great way to sharpen your remote work skills and present your abilities during an interview:

Learning to Teach Online

How to Manage a Remote Team (free!)

Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age

4. Put together a portfolio.

If you lack work experience in the area that you're applying to, consider putting together a portfolio. One of the benefits of a portfolio is that it allows you to showcase your abilities in lieu of prior work experience. Employers tend to hire people with prior direct work experience, but portfolios can also demonstrate your ability to get the job done.

Construct a portfolio from either school, work, or independent projects. For example, A web developer might create a portfolio consisting of work they did in an educational program or on a personal project.

Advance your skills with Coursera

Whether you are looking for full-time or part-time employment, there is likely a remote position for you. As you prepare to enter the job market or switch careers, you might consider obtaining a Professional Certificate to become job-ready for in-demand careers such as project manager and data analyst.

Consider a Coursera Plus membership, which gives you access to over 7,000 courses on various skills and topics. This can be an affordable and flexible option for honing your skills and exploring new opportunities throughout your career.

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