TL;DR — Quick Summary
- 1The Field: We analyzed 50+ remote careers to find the "Goldilocks" roles (Good Pay + Flexibility).
- 2Best for Pay: Software Development ($120k+).
- 3Best for Beginners: Customer Success ($50k+).
- 4Best for Stability: Telehealth Nursing ($85k+).
- 5Warning: Avoid "Data Entry" gigs on Craigslist. They are often scams.
In 2026, remote work has matured. It is no longer just "taking calls" or "typing captchas". Fortune 500 companies run entire divisions remotely.
But with opportunity comes noise. For every legitimate job, there are 10 "MLM" scams. We have curated the top 7 paths based on Real Salary Data and Barrier to Entry.
Don't Get Scammed. Get Hired.
The internet is full of "Get Rich Quick" schemes. FlexJobs is the only platform that hand-screens every single listing to ensure it is a legitimate company paying real wages.
Browse Verified Jobs →Save 50+ hours of searching.
The "Golden Matrix" Ranking
We plotted these jobs on a grid of Difficulty vs. Reward.
| Job Title | Difficulty to Start | Avg Pay | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (Hard) | $125,000 | Logical thinkers who love puzzles. |
| Telehealth Nurse | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (Degree Req) | $85,000 | RNs tired of bedside. |
| Graphic Designer | 🔥🔥🔥 (Portfolio Req) | $75,000 | Creatives & Visual thinkers. |
| Customer Success | 🔥🔥 (Easy) | $55,000 | People persons / Problem solvers. |
| Virtual Assistant | 🔥 (Very Easy) | $45,000 | Organized multitaskers. |
| Data Entry | 🔥 (Easiest) | $35,000 | Students / Side Hustlers. |
1. The High Earners (Tech)
💻 Software Developer
Avg Salary: $125k | Difficulty: High
The king of remote work. If you build the product, you get paid the most. Companies don't care about your degree, they care about your GitHub code.
Key Skills: React, JavaScript, Python.
Read the Full Guide: How to Become a Remote Dev →2. The Creatives
🎨 Graphic / Product Designer
Avg Salary: $75k | Difficulty: Medium
Every company needs a brand. Tech companies need UI designers. If you know Figma, you can work anywhere.
Read the Full Guide: How to Find Design Jobs →3. The Caretakers
🩺 Telehealth Nurse
Avg Salary: $85k | Difficulty: High (Need License)
You don't need to lift patients to save lives. Insurance companies and Telehealth apps need RNs to triage calls and review charts.
Read the Full Guide: Remote Nursing 101 →4. The Quick Starters
🎧 Customer Success/Support
Avg Salary: $50k | Difficulty: Low
This isn't just "Call Center" work. SaaS companies hire "Customer Success Managers" to help clients use their software. It pays better and works 9-5.
Read the Full Guide: Starting in Customer Success →⌨️ Data Entry
Avg Salary: $35k | Difficulty: Very Low
The easiest way to start, but the lowest ceiling. Great for college students or side incomes, but beware of automation replacing these roles.
Read the Full Guide: Data Entry Reality Check →Warning: 3 Red Flags
Pro Tip
Also avoid:
- Interview via Text/Telegram: Real companies use Zoom or Teams.
- Gmail/Yahoo Addresses: Real recruiters use `@company.com`.
- "Package Reshipping": This is money laundering. Run away.
Don't Get Scammed. Get Hired.
The internet is full of "Get Rich Quick" schemes. FlexJobs is the only platform that hand-screens every single listing to ensure it is a legitimate company paying real wages.
Browse Verified Jobs →Save 50+ hours of searching.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Arielle Phoenix
Mommy Money Founder
Homeschool mother, web asset builder and AI SEO specialist. Arielle knows a thing or two about being a mommy and making money while doing it! From side hustles, to main hustles to full time wfh employment—Arielle has tackled it all.