How To Work From Home: Tips & Remote Jobs (2026)

Working from home is now a routine part of how many people earn a living, whether through a fully remote job, a hybrid schedule, or running a business from home.

About 34% of US wage and salary workers, or 51 million people, worked at home at least occasionally in 2024 and 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Among US employees whose jobs can be done remotely, 52% work a hybrid schedule and 26% work completely remotely. If you’re interested in working from home, there are different options available to you based on your desired income level, schedule, and daily routine you’re looking for.

This guide explains what remote work is, how to work from home, plus some tips for working from home successfully.

What is remote work?

Remote work is when employees do their job outside a central company office. In most cases, that means working from home, but remote work can happen anywhere with an internet connection, such as a café, library, or hotel. Technology lets workers stay connected to their teams and complete tasks without being physically present at a traditional office.

Remote work isn’t a new concept, even though it experienced a sharp increase during the pandemic. In the 1970s, remote work started with people connecting to central offices via phone lines. With the rise of the internet, email, and video conferencing, it became a realistic option for more industries.

In 2025, 35% of employed Americans worked some or all of their days from home. The portion of employees who typically work from home was 13.8% in 2023, a number that, while less than the 17.9% peak in 2021, is still more than double the numbers pre-pandemic.

Remote vs. hybrid working: what’s the difference?

Remote work requires no in-office time, while hybrid work splits the week between days spent working from home and days spent in the office. A third arrangement, work from anywhere, lets employees choose where they live and work, and can often include other states or countries. Some of these employees even dub themselves digital nomads and travel the world while working remotely.

The three arrangements work as follows:

• Remote work. Employees have no in-office time required and work from home or another location, often within the states or countries where the employer is set up to hire.
• Hybrid work. Employees split their time between remote work and the office, with expectations tied to a set number of in-office days.
• Work from anywhere. Employees choose their location, including a different city, state, or country, without a required home base.

Location can change tax and employment obligations, and working from a different state or country may affect where income tax is owed, whether an employer must register or withhold in that location, and whether a person has the legal right to work there. Employers set their own policies on approved work locations, so employees should confirm expectations before relocating.

Note: This section is general information and not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state and country, so consult a qualified tax professional or employment attorney before working from a new location.

How to work from home

Work-from-home opportunities exist in countless industries, and while not everyone has the option of remote work, many people can find flexible jobs they can do from anywhere with an internet connection. 

Here’s what to keep in mind when pursuing a work-from-home job:

Create a dedicated workspace

If you want a work-from-home job, invest in a workspace that helps you thrive. If possible, turn a room in your home into a dedicated office; if not, talk with household members about reserving a communal space for work during set business hours. Setting ground rules to minimize interruptions during work hours can also help if you work in a communal space that’s typically shared with roommates or family members.

You’ll also want to create an ergonomically friendly workspace, including a comfortable chair and a desk at the right height to avoid strain. Set up any other tools you need to support your focus and well-being, whether that’s a noise machine, a secondary computer monitor, or a high-quality printer. Some employers offer work-from-home stipends or reimbursement perks to help you set up a quality workspace at home. 

While many remote workers prefer a work setting that mimics an office, some enjoy the ability to get creative.“Having a separate desk area, that was huge,” says remote worker Shay Edwards in an interview with People magazine. Shay works from a converted school bus with her partner. 

“I was doing my meetings in bed in the van, and I just don’t like to do that,” Shay told People. “I want to sit down at a desk. So, we made our couch be able to convert up into a dinette where I could have a desk set up.”

Talk to your boss

If you’re currently employed, talking to your boss about working remotely is a practical first step. Highlight the benefits of the setup, like reducing your commute time and increasing your productivity, and suggest a trial period. By demonstrating how remote work could benefit both you and the company, you’ll make a stronger case for your preferred arrangement.

It’s also a good idea to come prepared with ideas for how you’ll stay productive and connected while working from home. Propose regular check-ins and implement a clear communication plan to ensure you’re still meeting team goals and deadlines.

Seek out remote-friendly companies

If you’re on the hunt for a new job, look for companies with a remote-friendly or fully remote work culture.

Some examples of remote-first companies include:

• Zapier, which has been remote-first since 2011
• GitLab, which describes its workforce as 100% remote
• Automattic, which says all employees work from the location they choose.

Job search websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter also allow you to filter for remote jobs only. There are also job boards dedicated exclusively to sharing remote roles, such as We Work Remotely, Remote.co, and FlexJobs.

Make sure to thoroughly screen any potential work-from-home job you apply for, as scammers may try to take advantage of people seeking remote work opportunities. The FTC shares red flags to watch out for, including:

• A request to pay for a starter kit, training, or certification
• A promise of a generous salary for very little work
• A “cleared” check that requires sending part of the money back or buying gift cards
• A company name that returns search results containing “scam,” “review,” or “complaint”

The FTC says honest employers will never ask applicants to pay to get a job. Before accepting an offer, search the company name with words like “scam” or “complaint” and talk to someone you trust to get a second opinion. Report suspected scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

Start an online business

Self-employment is another route to working from home. Traditional employees receive a set paycheck and benefits such as health insurance, while self-employed people choose their own schedule and prices but cover their own taxes and insurance. Starting a business online is an especially popular self-employment option, as it can often be done with fewer startup costs and be tailored to your existing interests or strengths. Options for an online business include starting an ecommerce store by sourcing products from other brands, offering consulting services, or creating digital products, like online courses or ebooks, to earn passive income.

Online store owners can source products from other brands through Shopify Collective to start their own dropshipping business, a model where retailers import products from brands on Shopify without holding inventory; the supplier ships each order, and the retailer pays the supplier only for products sold.

Another option is to sell digital products through Shopify’s Digital Products app, which lets store owners sell PDFs, templates, audio, video, and courses and delivers the digital product automatically upon checkout.

Before starting an online business, begin by identifying your skills and interests. The key is to monetize something you already know well or something you’re passionate about. A 2025 survey of Shopify store owners* found that 46% didn’t write a business plan because their business started as a side project and grew over time. 

Starting small with a side hustle lets you build your business without the pressure of quitting your full-time job immediately. 

Try freelancing

Freelancing lets you work from home, choose your own clients and projects, and start alongside a full-time job. Freelancing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr can help you find remote work opportunities by connecting freelancers with clients seeking services ranging from graphic design and programming to writing.

Income from freelancing can be irregular, and earnings will depend on how many clients and projects you acquire in a given month, meaning a high-income month can be followed by a slower one. Track your invoices, keep a cash reserve for slower months, and build up a list of loyal clients to reduce the impact of slower seasons.

Start your freelance career by building a strong portfolio in your chosen niche and gathering testimonials from clients that showcase your skills. You don’t have to quit your full-time job right away; freelancing on the side lets you test a business idea and start bringing in income, clients, and savings before going fully independent.

Develop remote work skills

To compete in the remote job market, it’s important to develop skills that are in high demand. This includes expertise in digital project management tools like Asana or Trello, proficiency in video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Teams, and strong communication skills. For more creative roles, learning tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud can help.

Education level can also affect your chances of landing a work-from-home job. In 2025, 51.4% of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher worked from home on an average day, versus 19% of high school graduates with no college degree.

A degree can be one route to getting a remote role, but portfolio work, certifications, and relevant experience also matter. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer online courses that can help you develop the specific skills you’ll need to secure a remote job.

Embrace remote networking

To increase your chances of securing a work-from-home job, join online communities and networking groups related to your industry. Engage with other remote workers, share insights, and seek advice on finding remote work opportunities. You can support others in your remote work community by sharing job postings that may not be right for you but could suit someone else.

Websites like LinkedIn, Reddit, and industry-specific forums can be valuable resources to help you feel connected to remote employees like yourself.

“My bootcamp professor told us cybersecurity is a small field, and we needed to network,” says security operations analyst at Wiz, Stacey Lokey-Day, in an interview with Business Insider. “I knew no one, and I thought about what I could do. One of the things I could do was use LinkedIn. I would also attend webinars and message the presenter on LinkedIn afterward and say, ‘Hey, I really appreciated your webinar, or I saw your video on YouTube. I really liked it.’ Slowly, that helped me gain more credibility because I was then connected to these prominent speakers.”

Explore remote internships

If your résumé is light because you’re a student or recent graduate, look for remote internship or apprenticeship opportunities. Keep in mind that fully remote roles are less common than hybrid ones at this level. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 61.3% of 2024-25 internships were hybrid, 0.9% were fully remote, and 34.7% were in person.

Entry-level roles follow a similar pattern, with 6% of entry-level jobs being fully remote in 2025, compared to 49% hybrid and 45% in person. Expanding your internship or entry-level job search to hybrid programs will increase your options. Websites like Handshake and Indeed list internships, and your school’s career resources are another source.

Best work-from-home jobs in 2026

As companies embrace flexibility and employees seeking better work-life balance, opportunities for those interested in working from home continue to grow. Whether you’re just starting or are looking to advance your career, there’s a remote job for almost every skill level and interest. Here are some of the best remote jobs across experience levels, salary ranges, and work models.

Entry-level remote positions

Many entry-level roles don’t require years of experience. For example, the BLS says customer service representatives need a high school diploma and two to four weeks of on-the-job training, with no other related work experience required. 

Here are some entry-level remote positions to consider in 2026:

• Customer service representative. Answer questions, solve problems, or guide customers through processes from home. The average salary of a customer service rep in the US is $19.17 an hour. 
• Virtual assistant. Provide administrative support to entrepreneurs, small business owners, or even large organizations. Tasks can range from managing calendars, answering emails, and scheduling meetings to handling social media accounts. The average VA salary in the US is $22.73 an hour. 
• Data entry clerk. If you’re detail-oriented and can work efficiently with spreadsheets and databases, data entry may be for you. The average salary of a data entry clerk in the US is $19.33 an hour. 
• Content moderator. Companies need people to moderate online communities, review content for appropriateness, and enforce community guidelines. Pay varies widely by platform and employer, but the average salary is $56.06 an hour.
• Social media coordinator. As an entry-level social media coordinator, you might create posts, engage with followers, and track analytics. The average salary of a social media coordinator in the US is $21.69 an hour. 

High-paying work from home careers

If you’re looking for a remote job with higher earning potential, several career paths allow you to work from home and earn a solid salary. These jobs generally require specialized skills or more experience but offer flexibility, higher pay, and opportunities for career growth. Some options include software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, for which the BLS projects 10% employment growth from 2025 to 2035.

Here are some high-paying remote career options to consider in 2026:

• Software developer. Developers build apps, websites, and systems, and some employers allow the work to be done remotely. The average salary in the US is $135,883 a year.
• Project manager. Project managers coordinate tasks, track progress, and ensure that projects adhere to their budget and deadline. These roles often pay well, especially if you have experience with digital project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com. The average salary of a project manager in the US is $100,390 a year. 
• Digital marketing manager. A digital marketing manager develops strategies across social media, email marketing, paid ads, and SEO. The average salary of a digital marketing manager in the US is $85,767 a year. 
• Sales executive or account manager. Whether you’re selling software, services, or physical products, remote sales executives can earn commissions in addition to their base salary. The average salary of a sales executive in the US is $97,234 a year, with an average additional commission of $24,000.
• UI/UX designer. If you have an eye for design and want to create user-friendly websites and apps, remote UX/UI design could be a job to consider. The average UX designer in the US makes $116,185 a year.

Freelance and contract opportunities

Freelancing and contract work give people more control over their schedules and workload, though income can vary based on your niche, client base, and how consistently work comes in.

Here are some freelance and contract opportunities available in 2026:

• Freelance writer or content creator. Businesses hire writers for blogs, social media posts, website copy, and more. The average freelance writer in the US makes $27.60 an hour.
• Graphic designer. Businesses need logos, brochures, social media graphics, and other visual content, all typically created by a graphic designer. The average freelance designer in the US makes $36.99 an hour.
• Web developer. If you have experience with coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or WordPress, you can find freelance opportunities for web development. Upwork says web developer rates range from $15 to $50 an hour, with a median of $30 an hour, depending on project complexity.
• Consultant or coach. If you have deep knowledge of a specific field, like business strategy, career development, or marketing, consider offering consulting or coaching services. The average freelance consultant in the US makes $25.15 an hour, though pay varies widely by niche.
• Virtual project manager. Freelance project managers oversee remote teams, manage timelines, and help projects finish on time. The average salary of a digital project manager in the US is $88,482 a year.

Tips for working from home successfully

The tips below cover the environment, technology, routines, and boundaries that support successful remote work.

Minimize distractions

Communicate boundaries with family members or roommates to minimize interruptions during work hours. Consider wearing noise-canceling headphones to block distractions and stay productive.

Maximize natural light

Position your workspace near a window to take advantage of natural light. A UCLA Health study comparing offices with and without windows linked working without natural light to poor sleep, low mood, and depression. Natural light can also make it easier for your colleagues to see you in video conference calls.

Take regular breaks

Schedule regular breaks to rest your eyes, stretch, and recharge. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says taking rest breaks at least every two hours during work shifts will reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries and errors. Recommended breaks include exercise, stretching, and hobbies. If possible, step outside for sunlight, fresh air, and a walk around your neighborhood, which will help you prevent burnout and maintain your energy levels throughout the day.

Stay connected to your team

Video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can help you stay connected with colleagues while telecommuting. A 2024 Household Pulse Survey of 87,317 US adults found that working remotely three, four, or five days a week was associated with higher odds of reported loneliness, while working remotely one to two days showed no significant association. Video calls, traditional phone calls, and text-based chat tools can help you stay in regular contact with colleagues.

Practice disciplined email management

Set specific times to check and respond to emails to avoid constant interruptions. Consider using email management tools or techniques to prioritize important messages and improve communication.

Invest in the right technology and home office equipment

Make sure you have the technology and software you need to perform your job effectively. This includes a reliable internet connection, a laptop with enough computing power for your type of work, and productivity tools for tasks like data entry and email marketing. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benchmarks high-speed home broadband at 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, and its 2026 report says that 96.9% of Americans have access to fixed terrestrial broadband service at that speed. Compare internet plans at or above that benchmark, and budget for expensive items that make a big difference in your day, like a comfortable office chair or high-quality monitor. Buy less important items used or refurbished.

Create a routine

Establish a daily routine that includes set work hours and breaks. The BLS says full-time employed people averaged 8.1 hours of work on the days they worked in 2025, including 8.5 hours on weekdays and 5.5 hours on weekend days.

A sample schedule built around about eight hours of work looks like this:

• 8 a.m.: Review the calendar and choose the day’s top three tasks.
• 10:30 a.m.: Take a 10-minute break to stretch or walk outside.
• Noon: Eat lunch away from your desk.
• 2:30 p.m.: Reserve a block for meetings and email replies.
• 4:30 p.m.: Close your laptop and note tomorrow’s priorities.

Consistency can help you stay focused during work hours and make it easier to rest and separate from work during your time off. 

Use time management tools to stay productive

Time management techniques like the Pomodoro technique or time blocking can help you structure your day effectively and stay on task. Set realistic goals and deadlines to stay motivated.

Protect sensitive information

When working from home, ensure you have proper security measures in place to protect sensitive information. Use encrypted communication tools to share sensitive data and follow company protocols for data security, such as using a virtual private network (VPN) to access your email or internal database.

Be mindful of others’ time zones

If you work with colleagues or clients living in a different geographic location, be mindful of when you schedule meetings or phone calls. Late afternoon in San Francisco may feel like the perfect time for a video call, but for a colleague in London, it could be midnight. Use a tool like World Time Buddy to coordinate across different time zones effectively.

Prioritize a healthy work-life balance

Track your work hours and block off time when your personal life gets priority. Regular movement during the workday may help some people manage stress and focus, though this varies from person to person.

Here are some ways you can maintain a healthy work-life balance: 

• Set a laptop curfew. Decide on a specific time each day to shut down your work laptop, and stick to it. A fixed shutdown time marks the end of your workday and makes it easier to move into personal time. 
• Block time on your calendar. Divide your day into blocks dedicated to specific tasks. Block out “personal time” or “self-care” on your calendar and treat it like a meeting you can’t miss.
• Set boundaries for work hours. Set specific working hours and communicate them to your colleagues, clients, and anyone else who may expect your attention during the day.
• Add movement to your day. Schedule regular breaks for stretching or short workouts. Start with a 10-minute walk or a few sets of stretches.
• Create physical boundaries. If you can, separate your workspace from your personal space. If you don’t have a separate room, use physical cues for when it’s time to work and when it’s time to relax, like a specific chair or desk you leave when the workday ends.
• Turn off notifications. Many apps, including email, Slack, and project management tools, allow you to schedule when notifications are sent or muted. 

Working from home with a baby or young children

Working from home with a baby or young children means work tasks and care tasks often overlap throughout the day. In a Pew Research Center survey of 2,242 US working parents conducted in March 2026, 39% of parents who work from home all or most of the time say they take care of parenting-related tasks extremely or very often, compared with 25% of parents who rarely or never work from home. 

Two-thirds of parents reported a lot of flexibility to attend children’s activities during work hours, compared with 55% or fewer of everyone else. Pew found that parents who work from home are about as likely as other working parents to say balancing work and family is difficult.

These practices can help structure a workday around caring for young children:

• Schedule focused work during naps, quiet play, or the hours a partner or caregiver is available.
• Agree on shared coverage with a partner or caregiver for meetings and deadlines.
• Tell managers and colleagues the best hours for calls, and set clear response-time expectations.
• Keep a rotating set of toys or activities near your workspace for short stretches of focused work.
• Arrange childcare for the hours that require full concentration.

*Based on a 2025 survey of 500 Shopify merchants conducted in English across Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States. Respondents were established merchants with two or more years on the platform. Results reflect the experiences of this specific sample and may not be representative of all merchants.