Entry-Level Remote Jobs

Research and analysis by Mikhail Astashkevich, founder of remoote.app. With over 15 years of experience in backend architecture and software engineering leadership—including scaling engineering teams from 10 to 60 professionals across startup and enterprise settings—Mikhail built remoote.app to help job seekers navigate the remote work landscape with transparent, data-driven insights.

Entry-Level Remote Job Market: remoote.app Data

Data updated daily from our live job database. Statistics last verified: January 9, 2026.

The entry-level remote job market is more robust than many people realize. Our platform currently tracks over 29,600 entry-level and junior positions, offering genuine opportunities for those just starting their careers. These roles span a wide salary range, with entry-level positions paying a median of $52,000 to $70,000 and junior roles (requiring up to two years of experience) commanding $70,000 to $95,000. Software development leads the pack with more than 270 entry-level openings, followed by sales with 220+ positions, virtual assistant roles numbering over 100, and design opportunities at 90+. With over 8,100 companies on our platform hiring remotely, many have established training programs specifically designed to help junior team members succeed in distributed environments.

The Reality of Entry-Level Remote Hiring

Let's have an honest conversation about what you're up against. Landing your first remote job is genuinely harder than landing your first office job, and understanding why can help you prepare.

Companies hiring remote juniors are taking a bigger risk than they would with experienced remote workers. They can't observe you working, can't mentor you in person, and can't catch early signs that you're struggling. This reality means many employers default to candidates who've already proven they can thrive without direct supervision. The training challenge compounds this difficulty. Remote onboarding for entry-level roles requires robust documentation and structured mentorship programs, and frankly, many companies haven't built these systems yet. Add to this the sheer volume of competition—remote work is incredibly appealing, so every entry-level remote posting attracts massive applicant pools from candidates around the world.

But here's the encouraging news: companies that do hire entry-level remote workers have often invested heavily in solving these exact challenges. Their training programs tend to be exceptionally well-documented and their mentorship structures more intentional than what you'd find at companies that can rely on shoulder-tap culture. And certain industries—customer support, content creation, virtual assistance—have embraced entry-level remote hiring as their standard operating model.

Entry-Level Remote Jobs: Salary Data from remoote.app

Based on entry-level positions in our database with salary information:

Highest Paying Entry-Level Categories

Moderately Accessible Remote Roles

Several categories offer solid entry-level opportunities, though competition can be fierce. Junior developer positions number over 270, with average salaries ranging from $94,000 to $137,000. If you're pursuing this path, a strong portfolio and active GitHub profile can help compensate for limited professional experience—employers want to see that you can ship code. Junior design roles, with 90+ positions available, operate on similar principles: your portfolio matters far more than your credentials, so focus on showcasing your best work. Marketing coordinator positions number 46, with salaries averaging $62,000 to $77,000. For these roles, digital marketing skills and measurable campaign results—even from personal projects or internships—help you stand out from the crowd.

Challenging Entry Points

Some roles are genuinely difficult to break into remotely at the entry level. Project management positions typically require proven experience—if this is your goal, consider starting as a project coordinator and building your track record. Entry-level HR roles are often hybrid or on-site because many HR functions involve in-person requirements, though HR Tech companies are a notable exception. And positions with "Manager" in the title almost always expect prior experience, so targeting coordinator or specialist roles first is usually a smarter strategy.

What Employers Look for in Entry-Level Remote Candidates

Since you can't point to years of remote work experience, you need to demonstrate the qualities that predict remote success through other evidence.

Evidence of Self-Direction

Employers want to see that you can drive your own work forward without constant oversight. Think about projects you've completed independently—personal side projects, online courses or certifications you finished without anyone holding you accountable, freelance gigs where you managed your own time, or academic projects involving asynchronous collaboration with teammates. Any of these demonstrates the self-direction that remote work demands.

Written Communication Samples

Remote work is fundamentally writing-heavy. Your ability to communicate clearly in text matters enormously, so give employers concrete evidence. Blog posts or articles you've published—even on Medium or a personal site—show you can organize and express ideas. Documentation you've created for any project demonstrates technical writing skills. And your cover letter itself is an audition: make it crisp, specific, and completely error-free.

Technical Self-Sufficiency

Remote workers need to be comfortable with the tools of distributed collaboration. When applying, mention specific platforms you've used: Slack, Notion, Zoom, Asana, Trello, Google Workspace. Show that you've collaborated online before—even experience coordinating in Discord servers or gaming communities demonstrates you understand asynchronous teamwork. And describe your home office setup to signal that you're prepared to hit the ground running.

Building Remote-Ready Skills

If callbacks aren't coming, it's time to invest strategically in the skills that make you a stronger candidate.

For Customer Support Roles

The customer support path is one of the most accessible entry points into remote work. HubSpot Academy offers free certifications in customer service and inbound methodology that employers recognize and respect. Familiarizing yourself with Zendesk—the most popular support platform—gives you a concrete skill to highlight. And don't underestimate typing speed: aiming for 60+ words per minute means you can handle more tickets efficiently, which translates directly to value for your employer.

For Virtual Assistant Roles

Virtual assistant positions reward breadth and organizational capability. Google Workspace certification is free and demonstrates proficiency in the tools many companies rely on daily. Learning Notion and Asana inside out prepares you for the project management aspects of VA work. And practicing calendar management—understanding scheduling conflicts, timezone coordination, and meeting logistics—builds a core skill that every VA needs.

For Content and Writing Roles

Breaking into content roles requires both skills and proof you can use them. Free courses from Moz, Semrush, or Ahrefs will teach you SEO fundamentals that content teams expect you to understand. Building a collection of published samples is non-negotiable—start a blog, contribute guest posts, write for any publication that will take your work. And demonstrate familiarity with editing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor, plus comfort navigating content management systems.

For Tech Entry-Level

Technical roles demand visible evidence of your capabilities. An active GitHub profile with regular commits shows ongoing learning and project work—employers will check. Build two or three portfolio projects that solve real problems rather than cloning tutorials; original thinking stands out. And consider contributing to open source projects. Even documentation improvements demonstrate that you can collaborate on code with a distributed team.

Application Strategy for Entry-Level Remote Jobs

Balancing Volume and Quality

Entry-level remote applications require both quantity and quality, but the balance matters. Aim for 10 to 15 thoughtful applications per week rather than 50 generic ones. Customize at least the first paragraph of your cover letter for each company—hiring managers can spot templates instantly, and personalization signals genuine interest.

Timing Your Applications

Speed matters more than most candidates realize. Apply within 24 to 48 hours of a job posting whenever possible. Early applicants receive more attention, and many companies stop actively reviewing once they've gathered enough qualified candidates. Set up job alerts for your target roles and check them daily.

Following Up Appropriately

One follow-up email five to seven days after applying is reasonable and can help you stand out. More than that becomes pushy and can hurt your chances. Consider connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn—but keep it low-key, not salesy. Staying visible without being aggressive is an art worth developing.

Considering Contract Roles

Contract positions often have lower barriers to entry than full-time roles, making them excellent stepping stones. A successful three to six month contract frequently converts to full-time employment, and regardless of whether it converts, you'll emerge with genuine remote experience on your resume. That experience makes your next application significantly stronger.

When You're Not Getting Callbacks

If you've applied to 30 or more positions with no responses, it's time to step back and honestly reassess your approach. This isn't failure—it's feedback.

Start by getting fresh eyes on your resume. Post an anonymized version to r/resumes or ask for feedback in career-focused Discord servers. We all develop blind spots about our own materials, and outside perspectives catch issues you simply can't see yourself. Pay attention to keyword alignment: if a job posting says "customer success," make sure your resume uses that exact phrase rather than synonyms like "client management." Applicant tracking systems and busy hiring managers both reward precision.

If the traditional path isn't working, consider temporarily lowering the bar. Apply for contract positions or part-time roles first. Any remote experience is better than none, and once you can point to a track record, full-time positions become much more accessible. And if your experience is thin, compensate by showing rather than telling. A portfolio project, an active GitHub profile, a well-maintained blog—these artifacts substitute for work experience and give employers concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Remember that rejection is an inherent part of this process, especially for competitive entry-level remote roles. Every application is practice. Every rejection is an opportunity to iterate on your approach. The people who land these roles aren't necessarily more talented—they're the ones who kept refining their strategy until something clicked.

Alternative Entry Points

If traditional job applications aren't yielding results, there are other paths into remote work worth exploring.

Remote internships offer structured learning with potential for full-time conversion. Many tech companies have built excellent remote internship programs, and the experience you gain—plus the reference from your manager—can open doors that applications alone cannot. Apprenticeship programs take this further: initiatives like Microsoft LEAP, Salesforce Futureforce, and partnerships with coding bootcamps provide training combined with job placement, offering a more guided path into the industry.

Volunteer work is another underutilized strategy. Non-profits frequently need help with social media management, administrative tasks, or tech support. The work builds genuine experience and references while allowing you to contribute to causes you care about. And freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr let you start with small gigs to build portfolio pieces and client testimonials. Even modest freelance experience demonstrates that someone has trusted you to deliver work remotely—and that you succeeded.

Related Resources

Continue exploring remote opportunities:

• Work From Home Jobs - Browse all remote positions across experience levels.
• Remote IT Jobs - Technology roles, including junior positions with salary data.
• International Remote Jobs - Entry-level positions available worldwide.

Start Your Entry-Level Remote Job Search

Use the search filters above to find entry-level positions. Filter by "Entry" or "Junior" seniority level to see over 29,600 roles specifically targeting candidates with less experience. remoote.app includes salary information on 55,000+ listings so you know what to expect before applying.