US tech workers happy to take less money to stay working remotely (2024)

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By Kirstie McDermott

Remote work triumphed during the pandemic, but in the time since, tech firms have been shepherding their staff back into the office.

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Getting the job done from home while taking home a hefty pay packet is the dream for many American tech workers, and during the pandemic, many did just that. As of 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees worked from home, with 28.2% working a hybrid schedule, and around 32.6 million (22%) Americans will work remotely by 2025, according to Upwork.

Right now though, many companies are issuing return to office (RTO) mandates that range from flexible to rigid. On the tougher end of the RTO spectrum is IBM, which told its managers that they could return to the office or leave their job, and Dell told its remote workers that they aren’t eligible for promotions or have the ability to change jobs within the company.

According to Aileen Allkins, the CEO of TeKnowledge and an expert in managing digital transformation strategies and cybersecurity, a level of flexibility should be brought into play.

“Navigating differing opinions on returning to the office between management and staff presents a challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for organizations to demonstrate flexibility, empathy, and open communication,” she says.

The push back to the office has caused a sea change in the way that many employees are approaching their remuneration. According to Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford University economist, a prospective employee will forgo 8% in annual pay for a job that is partly or fully remote.

Bloom says that based on a median U.S. salary of $57,200 for full-time employees, this is a $4,600 annual reduction––but many tech workers will earn considerably more.

In an environment where technology and IT firms are crying out for the best talent, companies are starting to realize that people value more than money when it comes to their jobs.

Right now, it can still make sense for a lot of workers to push for remote working, even if they take home less money. Another survey highlighted that remote employees spend about $6,000 less a year than those who are office-based.

That’s because going into the office takes time as well as dollars. There are commuting costs like gas and tolls, lunches, take out beverages, and after work drinks. Staying at home means you may be able to save on some of your childcare costs, you won’t have to pay a dog walker or pet sitter, and there’s far less need to maintain a more expensive work wardrobe––or get it dry cleaned.

Whether you want to work fully remote or are happy to go back to the office on a hybrid basis, the BGR Job Board is the best place to research, and apply for, a new job. You’ll discover thousands of open roles, like the three below.

Senior Systems Engineer – Digital Engineering/MBSE, SciTec, Boulder

SciTec supports customers throughout the Department of Defense and U.S. Government in building innovative new tools to deliver unique world-class data exploitation capabilities, and has an immediate opportunity for a Senior Systems Engineer to support programs delivering next-generation missile warning software.

This is a unique opportunity to join a small business delivering core capabilities for national defense. You will work on delivering the end-to-end software processing of the Overhead Persistent InfraRed (OPIR) sensor data for missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence.

You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, or computer science, along with 10 years’ of professional experience in engineering, computer science, or remote sensing, as well as five years’ of experience specifically in systems engineering, and two years’ of experience specifically with MBSE. See all application criteria now.

Software Engineer Lead, PNC Financial Services Group, Strongsville

PNC is an American bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is seeking a Software Engineer, Lead to join its Technology group.

You will create and lead the technical design and development of software solutions, propose and design software solutions to address complex business needs, prepare technical and procedural documentation and facilitate complex problem resolution.

To be considered, you’ll need a degree, with three years’ of relevant or direct industry experience. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job-specific certifications, and experience (including military service) may be considered. Find all the information you’ll need.

Sr. RF Systems Engineer, Gilat, San Dimas

As the Sr. RF Systems Engineer at Gilat Wavestream, you will set the standard in the design and manufacturing of next generation high power solid-state amplifiers. Duties include design of new ground-based and airborne microwave and millimeter-wave BUCs and transceivers.

You’ll also be responsible for product definition in terms of requirements, functions and features, specification, and design objectives, as well as configurational, preliminary, and detailed design activities, along with oversight of creation of test plans and procedures.

You’ll require a B.S. in engineering or physics with at least 15 years’ experience in RF/microwave communications systems, component design, test and verification, or a Master’s and at least six years’ experience. Explore more on this role here.

Whether it’s remote, hybrid or in-office, discover your next great tech job on the BGR Job Board

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See the original version of this article on BGR.com

US tech workers happy to take less money to stay working remotely (2024)

FAQs

US tech workers happy to take less money to stay working remotely? ›

Another survey highlighted that remote employees spend about $6,000 less a year than those who are office-based. That's because going into the office takes time as well as dollars. There are commuting costs like gas and tolls, lunches, take out beverages, and after work drinks.

Should remote workers be paid less? ›

Arguments in favour of paying remote workers less:

Since remote workers can live anywhere, some argue that they should be paid according to the cost of living in their area, which may be lower than the cost of living in the employer's headquarters city.

Is working from home worth less pay? ›

Half of Americans would take a pay cut to work remotely — and many are willing to give up vacation days, survey finds. A FlexJobs survey suggests Americans still prefer work-from-anywhere roles. Many workers are willing to take pay cuts, increase working hours, or give up benefits for remote work.

Do you save money working remotely? ›

Working remotely from home can save you a lot of money, to the tune of thousands of dollars a year on things like commuting, clothing expenses, and more!

Why do companies want to end WFH? ›

New research shows employees are actually less productive when they work from home full-time. And, with the tight job market starting to slacken, some predict 2024 will be the year employers finally clamp down.

Are fully remote workers happier? ›

The study also found that remote workers are generally happier than their in-office counterparts: when asked to rate their happiness level out of 10, 42% of remote workers rated themselves as '8' or above, compared to just 21% of office workers.

Should remote workers be paid less based on where they live? ›

A best practice has emerged among remote companies: variable pay based on the employee's geographic location.

What is the pay cut for fully remote work? ›

Prospective employees are willing to take an 8% annual pay cut for a job that's partially or fully remote, Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom told USA Today. Related: In-Office Workers Spend (A Lot) More Money Than Remote Employees During the Workday. Here's How Much.

How much do remote jobs usually pay? ›

As of Apr 21, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Remote Work From Home in the United States is $27.67 an hour.

What is the downside from working from home? ›

Cons of working from home
  • Increased isolation.
  • Home office costs.
  • Risk of overworking.
  • Risk to productivity.
  • Distractions at home.
  • Workplace disconnect.
  • Disproportionate work-life balance.
  • Less face time.
Feb 17, 2023

Does remote work have a downside? ›

Handling isolation and reduced human interaction

21% of remote workers surveyed by Gallup shared that they feel isolated working on their own. Reduced human interactions can increase feelings of loneliness when you're chugging away alone on your laptop, without any watercooler chats.

Is working a remote job worth it? ›

Remote work is wise for the budget-conscious.

Full-time remote workers save over $4,000 each year[*] They also earn $4,000 more, on average[*] And 75% of employees working remotely make at least $65,000 per year, putting them in the upper 80th percentile of all employees, home or office-based[*].

Is remote work really the future? ›

Recent analyses by leading experts suggest a hybrid model—some time at home, some in the office—is emerging and will be the future for many workers. It's worth remembering the depth of the pandemic shock to the overall economy, and especially to certain industries and occupations.

Is remote work dying? ›

In 2022, 42% of Gen Zs reported they would quit their roles for remote work opportunities. As such, the chances of remote work fading away soon seem low. The advent of generative AI has changed the way people work, redefining workspaces and revolutionizing both remote and hybrid work.

Why is fully remote work bad? ›

Remote work has been linked to poorer sleep, trouble with relaxing and mental health concerns. And it poses a risk to physical health, as well.

Why are employers forcing return to office? ›

Downsizing. For a company preparing to downsize, forcing staff to come back to the office can potentially provide an effective strategy to avoid or reduce layoffs. Companies that require in-person work report more problems with staff turnover, according to Criteria's 2022 Hiring Benchmark Report.

What should companies pay for remote workers? ›

And what expenses should my employer pay if I work from home? The answer to the last question changes from company to company, country to country, and even state to state in the U.S. Federal law does not require employers to pay work-related expenses for remote employees.

Are remote workers taxed differently? ›

Generally, income can be taxed where you live and where you work. If those are the same state—as is typically the case with remote and in-person workers—then that's where you'll get taxed (with one exception; more on that below).

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