Whether you’re interested in freelancing, contracting, or working full-time, you can work from home. The tech industry has truly embraced remote work, not only because of the prevalence of virtual collaboration tools but because a remote workforce enables the employment of the best and brightest from all over the world.
Maybe you got a taste of the work-from-home life and can’t imagine going back to the office. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of tech careers that allow you to work remotely. Below, we’ll explore 6 careers in which you can work from home, including their responsibilities and required skills, and show you where you can get started.
1. Front-End Developer
Front-End Developers use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create visual elements and user interfaces for web applications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Front-End Developers (and other Web Developers) are in high demand — mainly because of the prevalence of e-commerce and mobile devices.
In the video above, John, a Software Engineer at Smartsheet, explains how front-end development allows you to combine your programming skills and creativity, describing the role as “the intersection of art and logic.” You can also expect a decent salary, as Front-End Developers earn about $106,637 a year in the U.S.
2. Back-End Developer
While Front-End Developers are responsible for a website’s visual elements, Back-End Developers manage the servers and systems they rely on. They also create the databases and infrastructures required for client-side applications using tools like Node.js, Git, and SQL.
In the video below, Doug, one of our Senior Back-end Engineers, takes a closer look at the role’s responsibilities.
Like their counterparts on the front end, Back-End Developers are in high demand, and an experienced one can earn as much as $122,445 in the U.S.
3. Full-Stack Engineer
A Full-Stack Engineer is a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, capable of both front-end and back-end development. While they may not have the same breadth of knowledge as those who specialize in either field, they know enough to build a complete website or application from scratch. In the video below, Taylor, a Full-Stack Developer and Tech Consultant, sheds more light on the role.
As with the two preceding roles, Full-Stack Engineers have a booming job market that’s expected to continue growing by up to 8% by 2029. Plus, their salaries average around $108,089 in the U.S.
4. Data Scientist
A Data Scientist works at the intersection of software engineering, statistics, and business, using data to help organizations meet their goals and drive their decision-making. Data Scientists have one of the biggest job markets — ranking 3rd in LinkedIn’s list of last year’s top emerging jobs in the U.S. — as businesses rely on them to find new uses for their data.
As Catherine, who manages our data science team, explains in the video above, Data Scientists use programming languages like SQL, R, and Python, to collect, manipulate, and analyze their data.
Still, it’s hard to concisely summarize a Data Scientist’s responsibilities as they vary between companies. One company may simply require reports on patterns and trends, while another requires their Data Scientists to perform predictive analysis, build machine learning models, and more.
Because of their multifaceted responsibilities and skills, Data Scientists are paid handsomely and can expect an average salary of $113,309 in the U.S.
5. Software Engineer
The term “Software Engineer” is a catch-all that describes anyone who uses programming to solve problems. Software is abundant in our society, so you can find Software Engineers in practically any industry, including web development, mobile development, and even game development. Xavier, one of our Senior Software Engineers, provides an overview of their responsibilities in the video below:
The specific tools you’ll use as a Software Engineer will depend on your specialization, but fundamental skills include an understanding of data structures and algorithms and proficiency with command line and various programming languages.
The demand for Software Engineers is even higher than that for web developers, with their job market expected to rise by 22% over the next decade. On the other hand, their average salaries are a bit lower at around $92,046.
6. Data Analyst
There’s a bit of an overlap between Data Analysts and Data Scientists. People often confuse the two, but they’re actually quite distinct. The key difference between the two is that Data Scientists use advanced tools and algorithms for predictive analysis and machine learning, while Data Analysts are primarily concerned with analyzing data to find trends and patterns.
Like Data Scientists, Data Analysts use tools like Python, R, and SQL to access large databases, query the information they need, perform calculations, and create graphs and tables. Data Analysts can work in many different departments within a company, mining data for information that can inform decisions, designs, or even accounting.
Where to start preparing for remote tech jobs
To help you launch your career in any of the fields listed above, check out our Career Paths.
In each of our Career Paths, you’ll learn the skills and knowledge you’ll need to excel in your future role and use them to build a portfolio that’ll illustrate your skills to potential employers. We’ll also provide tips on how you can ace your future interviews, along with a certification that you can feature in your resume.
Ready to get started? Use any of the links below to take your first step toward your new remote career.
- Front-End Engineer Career Path
- Back-End Engineer Career Path
- Full-Stack Engineer Career Path
- Data Scientist Career Path
- Data Analyst Career Path
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