8 Entry-Level Remote Jobs That Pay Up to $120K in 2026

A new study from Resume Genius debunks the myth that remote work is unavailable for new graduates, revealing some of the highest-paying, entry-level fully remote jobs available today. Based on 78,158 listings from RemoteJobs.io, average salaries for these positions range from $72,653 to nearly $120,000 annually, with some employers offering up to $200,000.

The New Reality of Entry-Level Work

The rise of remote work has fundamentally changed how organizations recruit and develop talent. Employers are now willing to hire, train, and develop newcomers remotely—particularly in roles centered on technology, analytics, and consultative expertise. Project management platforms, video conferencing tools, and AI-powered learning systems have reduced the need for physical proximity.

1. Software Engineers Lead the Pack

Average salary: $119,883 (up to $145,000). Demand remains strong as businesses invest in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Employment is projected to grow 16% through 2034.

2. Sales Continues to Reward High Performers

Average salary: $116,667 (up to $200,000). Sales offers one of the fastest paths to six-figure earnings for ambitious job seekers with strong communication skills.

3. Data Scientist

Average salary: $112,138 (up to $137,000). Projected growth of 34% through 2034, with 34% of listings fully remote.

4. Site Reliability Engineer

Average salary: $105,679 (up to $144,615). Projected growth of 12%, with 34% of listings remote.

5. Data Engineer

Average salary: $97,411 (up to $120,000). Projected growth of 8.7%, with 49% of listings fully remote.

6. Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Average salary: $84,000+ (projected growth 17%). A notable non-tech role.

7. Data Analyst

Average salary: $81,000+ (up to $100,850). Projected growth 22%, with 43% of listings remote.

8. Business Analyst

Average salary: $72,653 (up to $88,500). Projected growth 8.8%, with 34% of listings remote.

How to Position Yourself for Remote Opportunities

1. Focus on occupations that naturally lend themselves to distributed work: software development, data analysis, sales, marketing, design, and product development.
2. Tailor your resume to emphasize self-direction, organization, communication, and independent work. Highlight projects completed virtually, collaboration with distributed teams, or experience with tools like Jira, Trello, Slack, or Microsoft Teams.
3. Search specialized remote-work platforms where applicants may face less competition than on broader job boards.

A Final Wrap

The traditional belief that workers must spend years climbing the career ladder before earning strong pay and workplace flexibility is becoming obsolete. Remote work is now a pathway to higher earnings and greater geographic freedom for entry-level employees.