5 Best First Jobs for Remote Work That Will Help You Reach the Upper Middle Class

Remote work has seen extraordinary growth over the past decade, bringing many diverse opportunities for freedom, flexibility and an end to tiring and expensive commutes. There are more remote money-making opportunities than ever, especially for entry-level positions.

For many would-be work-from-home employees, the goal is to land a job that provides all the perks of working from home and pays well enough to help them attain an upper-middle-class lifestyle — which means they need to be making considerably more than the average salary. According to statistics from a 2022 Census Bureau study, the income range of an upper-middle-class person is $94,001 to $153,000 annually.

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Interested in escaping the rat race and enjoying an elevated standard of living? Keep reading for insights into some of the best entry-level remote work positions that can put you on a fast track to securing the necessary income range.

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1. Software Developer

Average Salary: $97,000 – $161,000

Software development has been a hot field for a while, and with the advent of AI and AI-powered development, it’s continuing to heat up exponentially. It’s long been a cornerstone of the tech industry, meeting the need for applications and solutions ranging from web development to mobile app creation and more, and the demand for these jobs is only expected to increase.

Entry-level software developers can expect their average workday to include tasks like designing, coding, testing and debugging software applications under the guidance of more senior and experienced developers.

Educational Requirements

To pursue this kind of remote work, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field. That said, more than a few successful developers have entered the industry through coding boot camps and self-study. Dedication to ongoing learning is another prerequisite in the field, as the landscape changes quickly, and new developments happen literally every day [4].

2. Data Analyst

Average Salary: $86,000 – $137,000

Data analysts focus chiefly on interpreting data and analyzing results using advanced statistical techniques. They typically work with various departments across an organization to help decision-makers and C-level executives make “data-driven” decisions by providing easy-to-understand visualizations of relevant data points, including trends, performance reports, and frequent presentations to upper management and other stakeholders.

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As such, it’s sometimes a demanding and stressful occupation.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field is highly recommended, as it’s usually a requirement listed in job descriptions for openings in this field. You’ll also want at least intermediate proficiency in programming languages such as SQL, R and Python, as well as data visualization tools like Tableau.

However, it’s worth noting that tech stacks in this field are (as in most IT sectors) constantly evolving.

3. Financial Analyst

Average Salary: $86,000 – $146,000

The job of a financial analyst most often involves crunching numbers to accurately evaluate all of the economic data relevant to a company’s performance and ongoing objectives, including internal cashflows and external market trends. The information they provide guides larger business and investment decisions, and this is usually a crucial role in any company.

Assuming competence, knowledge and skill, this can bring a great deal of job security. It also typically involves developing complex financial modeling, creating and overseeing financial reports and suggesting recommendations based on a company’s financial performance and ongoing market developments.

Educational Requirements

At a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting or a related field, though some job listings may require a Master’s or favor cross-disciplinary degrees. Your odds of landing one of these coveted positions can be increased by acquiring a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, which can also help boost your entry-level salary and significantly improve your potential for promotion within the company.

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4. Digital Marketing Specialist

Average Salary: $71,000 – $138,000

Marketing is always in demand, and the vast majority of work in this field is now online. Digital marketing specialists develop, implement and manage marketing campaigns that promote a company’s products or services — or work for an intermediary agency that handles the same tasks for a wide variety of clients.

Digital marketing specialists play a significant role in defining brands to appeal to a company’s targeted consumer demographic and work to enhance and increase brand awareness within the digital space while driving website traffic, acquiring leads and customers and striving for high conversion rates.

Educational Requirements

At a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or a closely related field to qualify for these positions. Digital marketing certifications, like those offered by Google Analytics, Google Ads and HubSpot, can significantly improve your prospects of landing a higher-paying role (and getting larger and more frequent increases in pay).

5. Cybersecurity Analyst

Average Salary: $43,000 – $150,000

To call cybersecurity analysis a growing field would be a massive understatement. The need for highly-trained professionals capable of protecting an organization’s mission-critical technology, including intranets and cloud-based computing solutions, has never been higher.

Cybersecurity analysts review and implement security measures to maintain the integrity of sensitive information, actively monitor anomalous network activity to identify novel breach attempts and respond rapidly to any detected threats to mitigate or neutralize the potential for lost, stolen or corrupted data.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology or a related field is typically necessary to land these jobs. You’ll normally also need to pursue additional qualifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications to land the best jobs — and have the best chances at climbing the ranks within a company.

Remote Working Riches: Are They In Reach?

The ongoing shift toward remote work offers more than just the convenience and flexibility previous generations of workers only dreamt of. It also opens avenues to increasingly lucrative career paths that can quickly lead to an upper-middle-class lifestyle and the corresponding income necessary to maintain it.

Whether you’re drawn to technology, finance, marketing or more creative fields, there are entry-level remote jobs that can set you firmly on the path to financial success. Investing in the right education, continuous and ongoing learning and skill building, and going after industry-recognized certifications can be invaluable in furthering your career progression–and your take-home pay.

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