Looking for a career where you can work remotely? Consider these 10 well-paying and in-demand options.
The global pandemic has accelerated the work-from-home movement in a big way. In 2021, 32 per cent of the Canadian workforce was working remotely, according to a survey by Statista. Just five years earlier, around 4 per cent of workers did so from their home office [1].
Hiring managers are more willing to consider remote applicants, which is good news for anyone interested in working from home and enjoying the benefits it provides.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 well-paying jobs that hire remote employees in Canada. You’ll also learn about the benefits of working from home and some tips for applying to remote jobs.
As we look toward our post-pandemic future, it seems that more companies plan to permanently support more remote work opportunities across various industries. If you’re interested in pivoting to a job that allows you to work from home, consider these career options.
Note: All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of July 2024. Job outlook comes from Job Bank Canada and represents growth from 2023-2026.
Average annual salary (CAD): $56,744
Projected job outlook: Moderate to good
Computer support specialists, also known as computer technicians or IT support specialists, help individuals and businesses set up and maintain their computers, software, and networks. Computer support specialists can assist customers via phone, email, chat, and remote assistance software.
Average annual salary (CAD): $54,248
Projected job outlook: Limited to good
Social media marketers leverage social media platforms, like Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok, to attract new customers and engage with existing ones. As social media becomes a business necessity across industries, the demand for savvy social media experts will likely continue to grow.
Average annual salary (CAD): $85,996
Projected job outlook: Moderate to good
Project managers are in demand in just about every industry. In this role, you get to use your organization and people skills to lead teams and complete successful, on-time, and on-budget projects. Thanks to advances in online collaboration software, it’s easier than ever to work remotely as a project manager.
Average annual salary (CAD): $64,992
Projected job outlook: Good to very good
Data analysts collect, clean, and interpret data to help organizations make better business decisions. The daily tasks and responsibilities of a data analyst tend to be computer-based and well-suited for remote work.
Average annual salary (CAD): $73,177
Projected job outlook: Good to very good
Take an active role in protecting your company’s data, computers, and networks from cyber attacks and data breaches as an information security analyst. Cyber security has become even more critical as more people work from home.
Web developer salary (CAD): $63,881
Software developer salary (CAD): $79,343
Projected job outlook: Moderate to good
Create and maintain websites, programs, and computer or mobile applications as a developer. This field was one of the first to embrace a remote work culture, even before the pandemic. This makes it an excellent option if you’re creative with a knack for problem-solving.
Average annual salary (CAD): $80,720
Projected job outlook: Limited to good
If you’re interested in working at the intersection of technology and design, then a career in user experience (UX) could be a good fit. Help make products more usable, enjoyable, and accessible with a host of remote-friendly tools.
Average annual salary (CAD): $ 48,469
Projected job outlook: Moderate to good
As a sales rep, you help match customers with the right products and services for their needs. Working in sales, especially in the technology sector, gives you the chance to engage with people remotely while helping businesses thrive.
Average annual salary (CAD): $91,279
Projected job outlook: Good
Skilled data scientists are in demand in just about every industry to transform large quantities of data into valuable business insights. If you enjoy working with numbers and using data to solve problems, consider a career in data science, artificial intelligence, or machine learning.
Average annual salary (CAD): $59,552
Projected job outlook: Moderate to very good
If you’re fluent in two languages, you could use those skills to work remotely. As a translator, you’d convert written information from one language to another. As an interpreter, you’d convert spoken words between languages.
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As many have come to realize during the pandemic, working from home comes with a host of benefits. Here are a few reasons to consider switching to a career that supports remote work:
Work-life balance: Working from home often comes with a more flexible work schedule. This could help you better manage family responsibilities, hobbies, and other life obligations.
Increased productivity: According to a FlexJobs survey, more than half of respondents (51 percent) said they’re more productive working from home than they are in the office [3].
No commute: The average daily commute in Toronto, Montreal, and Greater Vancouver is nearly an hour (56, 52, and 48 minutes respectively) as of 2022, according to a survey conducted by Moovit [4]. Reclaim that time when you work from home. Shorter commutes have also been linked to reduced stress and better health.
Location independence: In the world of remote work, you don’t have to relocate to a new city to get a job. Live where you want and work for the company you want, no matter where they’re located.
Financial savings: When your home is your office, you can save money on gas, parking, childcare, eating out, and even your work-specific wardrobe.
Better health: Working from home can translate to more time for physical activity, less exposure to illness, the option to create an ergonomic workspace, and more opportunities to eat healthier.
You might find applying for remote jobs to be a bit different than the typical in-person experience. As you prepare to make the switch, here are some tips to help you find and get hired for remote work.
If you’ve worked remotely or collaborated with colleagues in a different location in the past, highlight that experience in your resume. Use the words “remote” and “virtual” to help applicant tracking systems pick up that experience.
Similarly, if you’ve used digital collaboration tools before (Slack, Salesforce, Trello, Zoom, etc.), make sure to include them in your resume as well.
Include remote-only job boards, like FlexJobs, JustRemote, or Working Nomads, in your job search.
Focus on developing and highlighting key skills for remote work, including written communication, self-direction, adaptability, and time management.
Find a spot that’s quiet and well-lit to have your remote interviews. Make sure your computer, camera, microphone, headphones—any tech you plan on using for the interview—is in good working order ahead of time.
Watch this video for more tips on interviewing remotely:
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Statista. "Remote work in Canada - Statistics and Facts, https://www.statista.com/topics/7816/remote-work-in-canada/#topicHeader__wrapper." Accessed July 11, 2024.
Statista. “Median annual income in Canada from 2000 to 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/464087/median-annual-earnings-in-canada/." AAccessed July 11, 2024.
FlexJobs. "The Benefits of Working From Home: Why The Pandemic Isn’t the Only Reason to Work Remotely, https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/." Accessed July 11, 2024.
Moovit. "Global Public Transport Report 2022: Public transport statistics by country and city, https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index-countries/." Accessed July 11, 2024.
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