Data: Highest wage earners saw big leap in remote work opportunities

Remote work availability for jobs that pay $250,000 or more jumped more than 18%

• Ten percent of all very high paying jobs are now available remotely 
• Jobs data shows the top ten jobs that pay $250,000 or more 
• Ladders reveals the fields with the least competition for very high paying jobs   

New York, New York (December 3, 2024) – Remote work opportunities for jobs that pay $250,000 or more lept more than 18% last quarter. According to new data from Ladders, the career site for six-figure jobs, more than 10% of all opportunities that pay $250,000 or more are now available as fully remote. “This is not just a trend—it’s a shift that’s redefining what work looks like in high-paying markets. Despite headlines screaming about return to office commands at some big companies, the data shows remote work isn’t dead,” said John Mullinix, Director of Growth Marketing at Ladders.

High Paying Job Location Data for Jobs that pay $250,000 or more

Methodology 
Data scientists analyzed over half a million job postings on Ladders from July through September of 2024 to compile the Q3 2024 Ladders Quarterly High Paying Jobs Report and the Q3 2024 Ladders Quarterly $250K+ Jobs Report.

Flexibility, efficiency and market dynamics contributed to remote work shift
Mullinix explained many factors combined to drive the increase in remote work availability for high wage earners. “First off, remote work has proven its value. After two years of hybrid and remote experimentation, businesses are seeing sustained productivity and engagement from remote workers. This evidence solidifies remote roles as a core strategy for many organizations. Plus, the increased demand for flexibility is undeniable. Companies are doubling down on remote work to attract top talent who prioritize work-life balance. Post-pandemic shifts have solidified remote roles as a key benefit that candidates expect, especially in high-paying industries.” 
Cost efficiency and market dynamics are also at play. Mullinix noted, “Businesses are realizing the cost savings of reducing office space and expanding their talent pools geographically. It’s easier for them to justify higher salaries for remote jobs when they’re cutting operational costs elsewhere. Plus, Industries like tech, consulting, and finance are scaling remote opportunities to remain competitive. They’ve also streamlined onboarding and collaboration processes, making remote roles more seamless to manage.

Finally, workforce globalization is expanding talent pools. “Companies aren’t just hiring locally anymore—they’re sourcing talent globally. This naturally increases the number of remote job postings as they open opportunities to regions where in-person work isn’t feasible,” said Mullinix.

Top 10 jobs that pay $250,000 or more

1. Physician: A medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses, prescribes medications, and provides preventive care to improve patients’ overall health.
   
2. Solar Sales Representative: A professional who sells solar energy systems, educates clients on renewable energy benefits, and customizes solutions to meet energy-saving goals.
   
3. Medical Director: A senior physician responsible for overseeing the clinical operations of a healthcare facility, ensuring high-quality patient care and compliance with medical standards.
   
4. Dentist: A healthcare professional specializing in oral health, performing exams, treating dental issues, and educating patients on proper dental hygiene.
   
5. Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, including therapy and prescribing psychiatric medications.
   
6. Principal Software Engineer: A senior technical leader who designs, develops, and oversees complex software solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring high-quality code.
   
7. Outside Sales Representative: A salesperson who works in the field, meeting clients face-to-face to build relationships, generate leads, and close sales for a company’s products or services.
   
8. Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The executive responsible for managing a company’s financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and risk management to ensure financial stability.
   
9. Relief Veterinarian: A licensed veterinarian who temporarily fills in at veterinary clinics or hospitals, providing animal care and medical services as needed.
10. Endodontist: A dental specialist focused on treating issues inside the tooth, such as root canal therapy and other procedures to save damaged or infected teeth.
    
    

Ladders High Paying Jobs Competition Index reveals job titles with the most applicant competition
To determine the type of job openings with the most competition, Ladders divided the number of high paying jobs in a particular field by the number of applications submitted within that field. Human resources, general management and marketing are the hardest roles to achieve a salary of $250,000 or more. Fields like healthcare, science and education, engineering, and legal are the easiest to find jobs that pay at least a quarter of a million dollars annually.
“As you might expect, these exceptionally high paying roles require extensive experience but not all of them,” said Mullinix. While most of these opportunities require eight to ten years of experience, many require fewer than five years of experience.

Years of experience requested for 250K+ Jobs 

About Ladders, Inc.
Ladders, Inc. is the number one career site for professionals seeking six-figure jobs and ongoing vocational enrichment. Ladders services, including Apply4Me, Ladders Premium, and Ladders Resume Services make top-end professionals’ lives easier. Ladders has more than seven million members who use the platform to manage, market and move up in their careers. Aim higher and search smarter at TheLadders.com.