15 Remote Jobs That Pay $100K+ And How to Break Into Them
15 Remote Jobs That Pay $100K+ And How to Break Into Them Gone are the days when high-paying jobs required showing up at an office every day. In 2025, remote work has gone mainstream, and many companies now offer six-figure salaries for fully remote positions.
From software development to marketing strategy, top employers are hiring global talent for roles that combine specialized skills with the ability to work independently.
This long-form guide explores 15 remote jobs that pay $100K+, what skills you need, how to get hired, and which companies are leading the way.
Optimized for NLP, E-E-A-T, and semantic SEO, this article ensures you not only find these opportunities — but also learn exactly how to break into them.
 Overview: Why $100K Remote Jobs Are Booming
The shift driving six-figure remote salaries
- Global competition has increased the demand for top talent.
- Tech and digital industries are skill-based, not location-based.
- Companies save on office costs, allowing higher employee pay.
According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Workforce Report, nearly 38% of remote professionals now earn over $100,000 annually, a number that’s projected to rise 20% year-over-year.
 The 15 Remote Jobs That Pay $100K+
1. Software Engineer
Average Salary: $110K–$160K
Skills Needed:
- JavaScript, Python, React, or Go
- API development
- Git and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
How to Break In:
Build a GitHub portfolio with open-source contributions and apply on RemoteOK or We Work Remotely.
2. AI / Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $120K–$200K
Skills Needed:
- Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch
- Data modeling, neural networks
- Strong math foundation
How to Break In:
Take an AI specialization from Coursera (Google AI Certificate) or Udemy, and build mini-projects showcasing model accuracy improvements.
3. Cloud Solutions Architect
Average Salary: $130K–$180K
Skills Needed:
- Cloud infrastructure setup
- Security compliance
- CI/CD pipelines
Certifications That Help:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Expert
4. Data Scientist
Average Salary: $115K–$170K
Skills Needed:
- Python, R, SQL
- Machine learning, statistics
- Visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
How to Break In:
Start with Kaggle projects and showcase business-impact insights.
5. Product Manager
Average Salary: $100K–$150K
Skills Needed:
- Roadmapping and product lifecycle management
- UX understanding
- Agile/Scrum
How to Break In:
Earn a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification and volunteer as a product lead for small projects.
6. UX/UI Designer
Average Salary: $90K–$130K
Skills Needed:
- Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD
- User research and prototyping
- Accessibility and interaction design
How to Break In:
Create a strong design portfolio on Behance and contribute to design systems for open-source apps.
7. Marketing Director / Growth Strategist
Average Salary: $100K–$150K
Skills Needed:
- SEO, SEM, PPC, and analytics
- Funnel optimization
- Brand strategy
How to Break In:
Run marketing campaigns for startups or personal projects. Results speak louder than degrees here.
8. Technical Writer
Average Salary: $100K–$140K
Skills Needed:
- Technical documentation
- API and software knowledge
- Strong writing and clarity
How to Break In:
Contribute to open-source docs or write how-to guides on Dev.to and Hashnode.
9. Cybersecurity Analyst
Average Salary: $110K–$180K
Skills Needed:
- Penetration testing
- Network security
- Ethical hacking tools (Kali Linux, Wireshark)
Certifications:
CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
10. Financial Analyst / Remote CPA
Average Salary: $100K–$130K
Skills Needed:
- Financial modeling
- Data analytics
- Excel and ERP systems
How to Break In:
Get a CFA or CPA license, then apply to global accounting firms offering remote consulting.
11. DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $120K–$160K
Skills Needed:
- CI/CD pipelines
- Automation tools (Jenkins, Terraform)
- Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
Pro Tip: Start with the AWS DevOps Engineer Certification.
12. Psychologist or Remote Therapist
Average Salary: $90K–$130K
Skills Needed:
- Licensed therapist credentials (LCSW, LMFT, PsyD)
- Virtual therapy platforms
How to Break In:
Apply to online therapy networks offering flexible client scheduling.
13. Blockchain Developer
Average Salary: $120K–$200K
Skills Needed:
- Solidity, Ethereum smart contracts
- Web3 APIs and crypto protocols
How to Break In:
Contribute to decentralized app (dApp) projects and learn via CryptoZombies or Alchemy University.
14. Video Producer / Creative Director
Skills Needed:
- Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects
- Storyboarding
- Team and budget management
How to Break In:
Start freelancing on Upwork or Contra, then scale to brand contracts.
15. Legal Consultant (Remote)
Average Salary: $120K–$180K
Skills Needed:
- Corporate or IP law
- Contract review and compliance
How to Break In:
Build a remote legal profile with verifiable credentials and join online consultation marketplaces.
 How to Break Into Six-Figure Remote Work
1. Build In-Demand Digital Skills
Take free or low-cost certifications from:
- Google Career Certificates
- Coursera
- edX
- HubSpot Academy
2. Create an Online Portfolio
Showcase your projects, results, and testimonials — even one case study can separate you from the crowd.
3. Network Smartly
Engage on LinkedIn and Slack communities in your target field. Visibility brings opportunity.
4. Apply to Remote-First Companies
Start with:
- Remote.co
- We Work Remotely
- AngelList
- FlexJobs
5. Negotiate Global Pay
Even if based in a lower-cost region, negotiate using U.S. or EU salary benchmarks for global parity.
 FAQs
Q1: Can beginners get $100K remote jobs?
Not instantly — but within 1–3 years of focused learning in a high-demand field, it’s possible.
Q2: Which industries pay the most remotely?
Tech (AI, software, data), finance, and marketing strategy consistently lead.
Q3: Are remote $100K+ jobs real or scams?
Legit ones are posted on LinkedIn, RemoteOK, and company career pages. Avoid offers requiring payment to apply.
Q4: How important is certification?
Certifications like AWS, PMP, or Google Data Analytics can accelerate trust — but proven results matter more.
Q5: Do remote six-figure jobs require long hours?
Most follow standard 35–40 hour weeks. Pay reflects skill intensity, not burnout culture.
 Conclusion
Earning $100K+ remotely isn’t a fantasy — it’s a reflection of how digital skills are reshaping the workforce.
Whether you’re coding AI models, analyzing data, or leading growth teams, remote-first companies now
