Remote work thrives despite return-to-office trends: FlexJobs report
GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO — The FlexJobs Remote Work Economy Index for Q1 reveals that despite a slight decrease in overall remote job postings, the demand for remote work remains strong.
While remote job postings dipped by 7% compared to the previous quarter, industries such as social media, marketing, and administrative roles saw significant growth, with postings increasing by over 20%.
Fields like computer & IT, project management, and medical & health continue to dominate remote job listings, while emerging roles in product management and digital communication are gaining traction.
“Despite the ongoing debates around return-to-office mandates, the majority of people know they perform their best and function at their highest ability in a remote-friendly work environment, including both full-time remote and hybrid arrangements,” said Toni Frana, Manager and Career Expert at FlexJobs.
Financial priorities drive career decisions
The report highlights a growing focus on financial flexibility among workers. According to FlexJobs’ Side Hustle & Financial Flexibility Report, 77% of respondents frequently consider changing jobs for better pay.
Additionally, 61% have engaged in side hustles to supplement their income.
The survey also revealed that professionals define financial success as earning at least $100,000 annually.
High-paying remote roles such as Senior Product Manager ($133,000) and Senior Software Engineer ($128,000) remain in demand for experienced professionals seeking flexibility combined with earning potential.
Workplace culture and career mobility
Toxic workplace culture has emerged as a critical factor influencing career decisions, with 69% of workers citing it as the top reason for quitting their jobs.
Nearly 70% of survey respondents have changed or considered changing career fields in the past year alone.
Furthermore, language like “rock stars” or “wear many hats” in job descriptions often signals red flags for job seekers.
“Interest in upskilling—whether it’s gaining machine learning skills or developing new industry experience on a part-time basis—is likely to continue as workers pursue greater flexibility and agency over their professional lives,” Frana added.
