9 Remote Entry-Level Jobs That Pay at Least $80,000 a Year

In today's job market, it's possible to land a well-paying work-from-home job. According to Barron's, 10% of the private sector workforce is fully remote, while an additional 30% are on a hybrid work schedule. And working remotely means no more commuting to the office, which is a great way to lower your financial stress.

If you're hoping to be part of that percentage, here are nine remote entry-level jobs that pay at least $80,000 a year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These roles do not require substantial postsecondary education beyond a bachelor's degree or many years of previous work experience, making them fair game for people just entering the workforce or looking for a career change.

Median annual salary: $80,050

In this role, you'll create how-to guides, instruction manuals, and other technical documentation for your company. Your focus will be on translating technical terms and jargon into easily digestible writing that anyone can follow.

A background in writing is a must, in addition to some technical knowledge in your chosen field. Additionally, having a portfolio of writing samples is beneficial. That will give your potential employers a way to see if you've got the technical skills to be a good fit. Since all your time will be spent on your computer, it's possible to work remotely.

Median annual salary: $84,940

Analyzing, planning, and developing budgets for a private company, government agency, or university is what you'll spend most of your time doing in this role.

You'll need to have a good memory and great math skills to create and tweak your financial data and projections. Since these tasks are done entirely on a computer, they're suited to remote work.

A bachelor's degree in finance or a similar field is also typically required. Still, you can get started doing this type of analysis in many non-profit organizations and other small companies.

Median annual salary: $92,750

As a user experience and user interface designer, you will focus on how a digital product looks (UI) and works (UX). Much of the design tooling and applications are things that you can teach yourself, so you don't necessarily need a background in design or a bachelor's degree in computer science, though that would help.

Since this is all done on a computer, you can do this job remotely if you have a fast connection and can access your company's internal systems.

Median annual salary: $99,580

As a financial advisor, you'll dive into the complex world of financial markets and financial planning, so get ready for intensive internet research.

You'll assist with and develop financial plans for people of all ages and economic situations. And since you'll be staring at a computer monitor for most of this job, it is remote-friendly. You'll need a bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field.

Median annual salary: $108,020

The main task of a data scientist is to interpret and analyze large swaths of data, distilling it into something easily understood by an organization. You'll be at the forefront of data-driven policy decisions for your company, utilizing your computer skills to comb through the data sets.

This is another digital-heavy role, so you'll spend most of your time alone on your computer, though you may occasionally have to appear in person for important meetings and presentations.

A computer science background and knowledge of creating, accessing, and interpreting large data sets are critical to success in this role.

Median annual salary: $116,950

If you don't have an issue with getting rejected and being told no daily, a job as a sales engineer or sales development representative could be great for you. You'll spend most of your time cold-calling potential clients to sell them your product, utilizing your skills in persuasion and technical knowledge. Since most sales roles are commission-based, you can quickly move up the pay scale if you can close enough deals.

This role does not require much previous experience, though it's best to deeply understand the product you're selling. Since you'll be spending most of your time calling potential clients, you can do this job from home — just make sure you have a comfortable headset.

Median annual salary: $117,450

As the administrator, you'll be in charge of the architecture and maintenance of your company's database or group of databases. A solid background in computer science is necessary, though there are a lot of junior-level roles where you can learn about various database systems from a more experienced administrator.

So long as you can have consistent remote access to the database you're managing, this is a job that can be done from home. Depending on the database, you might have to appear in person at the physical location where the servers are stored.

Median annual salary: $120,000

In this job, you will use detailed statistical projections and mathematical formulas to determine the uncertainty and financial risks within your industry or company. Many actuaries work as company consultants, so the role is not always tied to one employer.

A good starting point is having a bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, economics, math, finance, or something similar. You'll also want to be familiar with SQL, R, and Python database programming languages.

To get started in the role, you might have to take an exam by an accredited actuarial organization, but it's not necessarily required.

Median annual salary: $130,160

While entering the field of software development might seem daunting, there is still a great demand for programmers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth in the field over the next 10 years.

Your job will revolve around creating computer code to power software applications for your company. A bachelor's degree in computer science is helpful, but many developers are self-taught. Using a site like GitHub, where you can post examples of programs you've written, is a great way to show employers what kind of work you produce.

Finding an entry-level job that pays $80,000 or more a year and can be done from home without an advanced degree or prior experience is rare, but not impossible. Plenty of roles in software development, data analysis, and sales fall into that category, especially when bonuses or commissions are factored in.

Just make sure that you are developing an extensive skill set to handle a variety of tasks. This will come in handy when looking for a job in a new industry or if you're a recent college graduate.