âRemote work is dead.â Youâve heard this from every tech CEO dragging people back to the office. Amazon wants five days. Google wants three. The narrative is clear: the remote work experiment is over.
Except itâs not. Not for IT, anyway.
Hereâs what the headlines miss: while Big Tech plays office politics, smaller companies, MSPs, and federal contractors are hiring remote IT workers like never before. The catch? These jobs donât show up on your typical âtop remote companiesâ lists. And most people are searching in completely the wrong places.
Let me show you where the real remote IT work actually isâand how to position yourself to get it.
The Reality of Remote IT Work in 2026
Letâs get the data out of the way first. According to Robert Halfâs research, the tech sector currently breaks down like this: 56% fully on-site, 29% hybrid, and 15% fully remote. That 15% might sound small until you realize it represents hundreds of thousands of positions.
The problem isnât availability. Itâs visibility. Most remote IT jobs donât get posted to the major job boards. Theyâre on company career pages, federal contractor sites, and niche platforms that most job seekers never check.
Whoâs Actually Hiring Remote IT Workers?
Forget the FAANG companies. Hereâs where remote IT hiring is concentrated:
Managed Service Providers (MSPs): These companies support multiple clients remotely. Thatâs the whole point of the business model. They were doing remote work before it was trendy. Positions range from help desk to senior systems engineers.
Federal Contractors: Companies like GovCIO, SAIC, and General Dynamics IT hire remote help desk and systems support staff for government clients. Many positions support agencies like FEMA, DHS, and the VA from anywhere in the country.
Healthcare IT: Remote patient monitoring, telehealth support, and EHR systems need 24/7 IT coverage. These companies canât justify moving everyone to one office. They need people across time zones.
SaaS Companies: Customer success, implementation specialists, and technical support for software products. These roles blend IT knowledge with customer-facing skills.
TELUS earned the top spot on FlexJobsâ 2026 Top 100 Companies for Remote Jobs, specifically offering work-from-home opportunities in IT and customer service. Elevance Health and Lockheed Martin rounded out the top three.
Entry-Level Remote IT: The Honest Picture
Iâm not going to pretend this is easy. Only about 7% of remote job postings target entry-level candidates. Robert Halfâs hiring data shows this clearly.
Most remote positions go to experienced professionalsâ67% target mid-career candidates. Managers make up another 17%, with senior roles at 9%.
But 7% of a massive market is still thousands of jobs. And the percentage is higher for specific IT roles that lend themselves to remote work.
Remote-Friendly Entry-Level IT Roles
Tier 1 Help Desk / IT Support Specialist
The bread and butter of remote IT work. Companies need people to answer tickets, reset passwords, and walk users through basic troubleshooting. You donât need to physically touch the hardware when 90% of issues are software-based.
Salary range: $35,000-$55,000 for entry-level, with median hourly rates around $21-22/hr according to ZipRecruiter data.
What you need:
- Strong customer service skills (this matters more than you think)
- Familiarity with ticketing systems like ServiceNow, Jira, or Zendesk
- Microsoft 365 knowledgeâthis is non-negotiable
- CompTIA A+ helps but isnât always required
Desktop Support (Remote)
More technical than help desk, but still accessible to newer IT workers. Youâll support remote employees with their laptops, troubleshoot VPN issues, and handle software installations through remote access tools.
Salary range: $45,000-$65,000
What you need:
- Experience with remote access tools (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, ConnectWise)
- Understanding of Active Directory basics
- Familiarity with endpoint management (Intune, SCCM)
- Scripting knowledge is a plusâPowerShell opens doors
Technical Support Representative
Different from help deskâthese roles support specific products or services. SaaS companies hire tons of these positions, and theyâre often fully remote because the product itself is cloud-based.
Salary range: $40,000-$60,000
What you need:
- Quick learner attitude (youâll need to master the companyâs product)
- Strong written communication (lots of email and chat)
- Basic troubleshooting methodology
- Patienceâusers arenât always technical
Why Youâre Not Getting Callbacks
Let me guess: youâve applied to 50+ remote IT jobs and heard nothing. Your resume mentions âremote work readyâ and lists your home office setup. Still nothing.
Hereâs whatâs happening.
Problem 1: Youâre Applying Where Everyone Else Is
Indeed and LinkedIn are flooded. One remote IT posting can get 200+ applications within hours. Your resume isnât even being seen by a human.
The fix: Go directly to company career pages. Check sites like We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, and Remote.co. Look at federal contractor job boards. Search specifically for âMSPâ or âmanaged service providerâ plus your cityâmany hire locally for remote work due to security clearance or compliance requirements.
Problem 2: Your Application Doesnât Address Remote Work
Hiring managers are paranoid about remote workers. Theyâve been burned by people who couldnât self-manage, had terrible home setups, or went silent during work hours.
The fix: Address this proactively. Mention your dedicated workspace. Reference any remote work, freelance, or self-directed experience. If you donât have remote work history, highlight situations where you worked independently with minimal supervision.
In your cover letter, specifically address how youâll handle communication, your home office setup, and your experience with remote collaboration tools.
Problem 3: Youâre Not Demonstrating Self-Direction
Remote IT work requires you to solve problems without tapping someone on the shoulder. Companies want proof you can figure things out independently.
The fix: Build a home lab. Document it. Put it on your resume. This single item communicates more about your ability to work remotely than any soft skill phrase ever could.
Practice using resources like Shell Samurai to build command-line confidence, or set up VirtualBox environments to practice troubleshooting without an office mentor.
What Remote IT Jobs Actually Pay
Letâs talk money. Remote IT positions often pay as well or better than in-office equivalentsâespecially when you factor in no commute costs.
Entry-Level Remote IT Salaries
| Role | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Help Desk Tier 1 | $35,000-$45,000 | High volume, high turnover |
| Help Desk Tier 2 | $45,000-$60,000 | More complex troubleshooting |
| Desktop Support | $45,000-$65,000 | Endpoint management focus |
| Technical Support Rep | $40,000-$60,000 | Product-specific knowledge |
Mid-Career Remote IT Salaries
| Role | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Administrator | $70,000-$100,000 | Infrastructure management |
| Network Engineer | $80,000-$110,000 | Often hybrid due to hardware |
| Cloud Engineer | $100,000-$140,000 | Highly remote-friendly |
| DevOps Engineer | $110,000-$150,000 | Almost entirely remote |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $85,000-$130,000 | SOC work increasingly remote |
According to Motion Recruitmentâs 2026 salary data, the average remote IT salary sits around $115,000âbut thatâs heavily skewed by senior roles. Entry-level is more realistic in the $40,000-$55,000 range.
The Hidden Remote IT Job Market
Hereâs something most guides donât tell you: many remote IT jobs never get posted publicly.
Companies fill positions through:
- Internal transfers and promotions
- Employee referrals
- Direct outreach on LinkedIn
- Recruiters and staffing agencies
How to Access These Jobs
Build Your LinkedIn Presence
Your LinkedIn profile matters more for remote work than in-office jobs. Why? Remote hiring managers canât meet you in person. Your online presence is their first impression.
Optimize for keywords like âremote,â âwork from home,â and specific technologies. Engage with content from IT recruiters and remote-first companies. Join groups focused on remote work and IT careers.
Connect With MSP Recruiters
Managed Service Providers always need talent. Many work with specialized recruiters who fill remote positions. Reach out directly to IT staffing agencies in your areaâyes, even for remote work, they often prioritize local candidates first.
Leverage Your Network
Know someone who works remotely? Ask them about openings. Many companies offer referral bonuses, so your contact has incentive to help. This is especially true for federal contractors, where referrals streamline security clearance processes.
Skills That Get You Remote IT Work
Not all IT skills translate equally to remote positions. Hereâs what hiring managers prioritize:
Must-Have Skills
Written Communication: When you canât walk over to someoneâs desk, you write. Constantly. Clear ticket responses and documentation separate remote workers who last from those who donât.
Self-Documentation: Track your own work, create runbooks, document solutions. Nobody is going to remind you. This connects to IT documentation best practices that matter even more when working remotely.
Time Management: Without a boss watching, you need to manage your own schedule. Most remote IT roles have SLAs and ticket metrics. Youâll need to hit them without supervision.
Remote Access Tool Proficiency: Get comfortable with TeamViewer, AnyDesk, ConnectWise Control, and similar tools. Know how to troubleshoot when the remote session isnât connecting.
Skills That Set You Apart
Scripting and Automation: Remote work multiplies the value of automation. If you can script repetitive tasks, youâre more valuable than five manual workers.
Cloud Platform Experience: AWS, Azure, and GCP knowledge opens doors to highly remote-friendly cloud roles.
Linux Proficiency: Many remote roles involve managing Linux servers. Platforms like Shell Samurai can help you build real terminal skills through hands-on practice.
Security Awareness: Remote workers handle sensitive data from home networks. Understanding security basics makes you less of a risk to hire.
Building Remote Work Experience When You Have None
The chicken-and-egg problem: employers want remote experience, but you need a remote job to get it.
Hereâs how to break the cycle.
Option 1: Start Hybrid, Prove Yourself
Many companies hire hybrid roles and transition high performers to fully remote. This is often easier than landing a fully remote position directly.
Apply for hybrid positions. Demonstrate reliability. Request remote flexibility after establishing trust. Within 6-12 months, you may negotiate fully remote status or use the experience to land a remote role elsewhere.
Option 2: Freelance and Contract Work
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have IT support gigs. They wonât pay great initially, but they build a track record of remote work completion.
Focus on small, completable projects: WordPress troubleshooting, network configurations, data migrations. Build reviews. Reference this experience in job applications as âremote consulting.â
Option 3: Volunteer IT Work
Nonprofits need IT help and canât afford to pay much. Many accept remote volunteers for website maintenance, email support, and basic troubleshooting.
This experience counts. It shows you can work independently, solve problems remotely, and get things done without someone watching.
Option 4: Home Lab as Proof of Concept
A documented home lab shows you can manage infrastructure without hand-holding. Set up a virtualized environment, configure services, and document everything on GitHub.
When asked about remote work experience, point to your lab: âIâve been managing virtualized Windows Server and Linux environments from home for the past year. Hereâs my documentation.â
Red Flags in Remote IT Job Postings
Not all remote IT jobs are legitimate. Watch for these warning signs:
âUnlimited earning potentialâ: Real IT jobs have salary ranges. Vague compensation language often signals MLM schemes or scams.
Asking for equipment purchase: Legitimate remote employers provide equipment or a stipend. If they want you to buy your own computer through their âvendor,â run.
No clear job duties: Authentic postings describe specific responsibilities. âVarious IT dutiesâ without detail suggests the company doesnât know what they need.
Unpaid training periods: Some companies disguise unpaid work as âtraining.â Entry-level IT jobs should pay during onboarding.
Personal information requests before interview: Real employers donât ask for your SSN in the application. This is a data harvesting scam.
Making Your Home Office Interview-Ready
Your home office setup matters. During video interviews, hiring managers evaluate your background like they would an office appearance.
Visual Requirements:
- Neutral, uncluttered background
- Consistent, non-glaring lighting
- Professional appearance (yes, even remotely)
Technical Requirements:
- Reliable internet (test your bandwidth before interviews)
- Quality webcam and microphone
- Backup plan if technology fails (phone number, hotspot)
Environmental Requirements:
- Quiet space for calls
- Door you can close
- Minimal distractions during work hours
During interviews, you may be asked to show your workspace. Have it ready.
The Career Path From Remote Entry-Level
Remote work doesnât limit career growth. It just changes the path. Hereâs what a realistic progression looks like:
Years 1-2: Remote Help Desk / Technical Support ($35,000-$55,000)
- Build ticketing system expertise
- Develop documentation habits
- Learn remote access tools deeply
- Get your first certification (A+ or Network+)
Years 2-4: Remote Desktop Support / Tier 2 ($50,000-$70,000)
- Handle escalated issues
- Start basic scripting
- Learn cloud platforms
- Consider specialization: security, cloud, or networking
Years 4-6: Remote Systems Administrator / Specialist ($70,000-$100,000)
- Manage infrastructure remotely
- Lead small projects
- Mentor newer team members
- Advance certifications (Security+, cloud certs)
Years 6+: Remote Senior/Lead Roles ($100,000-$150,000+)
- Architecture and design responsibilities
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Potential move to IT management
FAQ: Remote IT Work Questions
Can I really get a remote IT job without experience?
Yes, but itâs harder than landing an in-office entry-level role. Focus on MSPs, smaller companies, and federal contractors. Build experience through freelance work, volunteering, or hybrid positions first. The 7% of remote jobs targeting entry-level candidates is still thousands of positionsâyou just need to find and compete for them effectively.
Do remote IT workers earn less than in-office employees?
Generally no. According to StrongDM research, remote tech workers actually earn 10-15% more than local market equivalents due to access to companies in higher-paying markets. Entry-level positions may pay similarly to in-office roles, but you save on commuting, wardrobe, and meals.
What certifications help most for remote IT work?
CompTIA A+ remains the entry-level standard. For remote-specific advantage, add cloud certifications (AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals) since cloud work is inherently remote-friendly. Security+ helps for positions with federal contractors or security-conscious companies.
Is remote IT work going away?
No. Despite return-to-office mandates at large tech companies, remote work statistics show that 88% of employers still offer some hybrid options, and 76% of workers say flexibility influences their desire to stay with an employer. Companies forcing full-time office work are losing talent to more flexible competitors.
How do I handle time zone differences in remote IT work?
Most companies expect some overlap with core business hours. If youâre on the East Coast applying for a West Coast company, expect to adjust your schedule. Some positions (especially MSP and support roles) explicitly hire across time zones for coverage purposes. Be upfront about your availability during interviews.
Your Next Steps
Stop applying to the same Indeed listings as everyone else. Hereâs what to do instead:
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This week: Audit your LinkedIn profile for remote-work keywords. Add âOpen to Workâ with remote preferences.
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This month: Set up a basic home lab and document it on GitHub. This becomes your proof of self-direction.
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Ongoing: Apply directly to company career pages, not just job aggregators. Focus on MSPs, federal contractors, and healthcare IT companies.
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During applications: Address remote work readiness proactively in your cover letter. Describe your workspace, experience with remote tools, and ability to work independently.
Remote IT work exists. The headlines about âremote work is deadâ are mostly about big tech companies playing office politics. Smaller companies, MSPs, and contractors are still hiring.
But you wonât find these jobs where everyone else is looking. The company career pages are less crowded than Indeed. Start there.
Looking for more guidance on landing IT jobs without traditional experience? Check out our guide on entry-level IT jobs with no experience or learn how to apply for IT jobs the right way.