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11 Remote Entry-Level Jobs That Pay at Least $40 an Hour

Regardless of work experience, there are certain skills that make potential employees excellent candidates for high-paying remote gigs.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated May 11, 2025

For many Americans, the ability to work, excel, and make money from home is the dream. These days, though, there's much talk of workers being called back to the office. Lucky for potential job seekers, there are still many industries that offer remote work, and some can be quite lucrative.

If you're looking to make a career pivot, these 11 jobs are entry-level, meaning they do not require more than a bachelor's degree or previous years of experience, and they pay at least $40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Budget analysts

Median hourly wage: $42.27

Budget analysts work in a variety of industries, from higher education to government, and help their employers make smart financial plans and decisions.

Many employers will hire analysts with just a bachelor's degree, ideally with some coursework in accounting and economics.

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Operations research analysts

Median hourly wage: $43.89

Because most operations research analysts work in office settings, it is another lucrative gig that can be done from home.

A bachelor's degree is typically needed to prepare employees for the work, which involves analyzing data and helping their employers understand and solve operational issues.

Technical writers

Median hourly wage: $44.07

Technical writers typically have specialized knowledge in a scientific or technical subject that they can translate to simple language for everyday audiences. They're needed across a variety of industries and usually only need a bachelor's degree and writing or editing skills to find work.

The BLS projects that employment for technical writers will grow faster than average over the next decade.

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Labor relations specialists

Median hourly wage: $44.95

Labor relations specialists might work for labor unions, in government, or for an array of other organizations. They help management and employees negotiate contracts and deal with disputes.

A bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field is usually required.

Computer programmers

Median hourly wage: $47.44

Computer programmers can do a lot of their work, which involves creating and testing code for software and applications, from a home office, given they have the right tech.

It's a lucrative gig that you can land with just a bachelor's degree and, most likely, a solid understanding of programming languages.

Special effects artists and animators

Median hourly wage: $47.98

Special effects artists and animators create images and visual effects for all different types of media, and it's work that can be done remotely as long as you have the necessary technology.

These artists typically need a bachelor's degree in computer graphics or a related field to build up a portfolio of work and the needed skills.

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Financial analysts

Median hourly wage: $48.99

Financial analysts are needed across a variety of industries to help their employers make money-related decisions. There are a few different types, like risk specialists, fund managers, and more, and many jobs only require a bachelor's degree.

Data scientists

Median hourly wage: $54.13

Data scientists, even fully remote ones, are in high demand across an array of industries.

Some employers prefer candidates to have advanced degrees, but typically, this is an analytical tech gig you can nab with just a bachelor's degree in a field like statistics or computer science.

Additionally, the BLS is projecting significant job growth over the next decade. Employment in the field is expected to grow by 10% through 2033.

Sales engineers

Median hourly wage: $58.42

Those with skills or experience in sales might consider a career as a sales engineer. While these employees sell things, like software or tech support, that require a level of technical expertise, it is a job that can often be done from a home office.

Sales engineers may need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field to demonstrate they have thorough knowledge of the products they sell.

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Software developers

Median hourly wage: $63.20

While getting a job as a software developer will require a certain level of design and technology expertise, many developers can nab well-paying, completely remote gigs with just a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology. In fact, many developers are also self-taught.

Computer hardware engineers

Median hourly wage: $74.53

A computer hardware engineer is another lucrative tech gig you can nab with just a bachelor's degree. While many of these employees work in labs, others are able to design and test computer systems in a remote setting, assuming they have the needed technology.

Bottom line

If you can land a well-paying remote job, like the gigs listed above, working from home could help you get ahead financially in many ways, beyond just the steady paycheck.

Working remotely means money saved commuting, more time to eat and meal prep at home, and less temptation to outsource household duties you wouldn't have time for otherwise. In fact, according to the U.S. Career Institute, employees working remotely can save up to $12,000 per year by eliminating such costs.

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