Remote Work Statistics 2026
Comprehensive data on the global remote workforce, salary trends, industry adoption, and country-by-country breakdown.
As of January 2026, there are approximately 98 million remote workers globally, with 35.1 million in the United States alone. Remote workers earn an average of 8.3% more than office-based counterparts, and 74% of companies now offer some form of remote work. The technology sector leads adoption at 67%, while companies save an average of $11,000 per remote employee annually.
Key Remote Work Statistics
Remote Work Growth: 2019-2026
Remote work saw explosive growth during 2020, peaking at 42% of the US workforce. While it has since stabilized, remote work remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
| Year | % of Workforce | US Remote Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.7% | 8M |
| 2020 | 42% | 55M |
| 2021 | 38% | 52M |
| 2022 | 29% | 40M |
| 2023 | 27% | 38M |
| 2024 | 26% | 36M |
| 2025 | 27% | 35M |
| 2026 | 27% | 35.1M |
Remote vs Office Salary Comparison
Remote workers consistently earn more than their office-based counterparts across all major roles. The salary premium ranges from 7.1% to 9.8% depending on the position.
| Role | Remote Salary | Office Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $145,000 | $132,000 | +9.8% |
| Product Manager | $152,000 | $141,000 | +7.8% |
| UX Designer | $118,000 | $108,000 | +9.3% |
| Data Analyst | $95,000 | $88,000 | +8.0% |
| Marketing Manager | $105,000 | $98,000 | +7.1% |
| Customer Success | $78,000 | $72,000 | +8.3% |
*Median annual salaries for US-based workers. Data from job postings and salary surveys, January 2026.
Remote Work by Country
Remote work adoption varies significantly by country. Developed nations lead in percentage terms, while emerging markets show the fastest growth rates.
| Country | Remote Workers | % of Workforce | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 35.1M | 27% | stable |
| United Kingdom | 8.2M | 26% | growing |
| Germany | 7.8M | 24% | growing |
| Canada | 5.1M | 28% | growing |
| Australia | 3.9M | 32% | stable |
| France | 4.2M | 22% | growing |
| Netherlands | 2.1M | 38% | stable |
| Brazil | 9.2M | 15% | rapid growth |
| India | 12.5M | 8% | rapid growth |
| Mexico | 4.8M | 12% | rapid growth |
Remote Work by Industry
Technology leads remote work adoption, but other knowledge-work industries have significant remote workforces.
| Industry | Remote Rate | Avg Salary (Remote) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 67% | $142,000 |
| Finance | 41% | $118,000 |
| Marketing | 58% | $95,000 |
| Healthcare (Admin) | 34% | $72,000 |
| Education | 29% | $65,000 |
| Legal | 38% | $125,000 |
| Customer Service | 52% | $48,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of workers are fully remote in 2026?
As of January 2026, approximately 16% of US workers are fully remote, while 58% work in hybrid arrangements. Combined, 74% of knowledge workers have some form of remote work flexibility.
Do remote workers earn more than office workers?
Yes, on average remote workers earn 8.3% more than their office-based counterparts in equivalent roles. This premium varies by industry and role, with software engineers seeing the highest premiums at 9.8%.
How many remote workers are there globally?
There are approximately 98 million remote workers globally as of 2026. The United States leads with 35.1 million, followed by India (12.5M), Brazil (9.2M), and the United Kingdom (8.2M).
Which industry has the highest remote work rate?
Technology leads with 67% of workers having remote flexibility. Marketing follows at 58%, then Customer Service at 52%. Healthcare and Education have lower rates at 34% and 29% respectively.
How much do companies save with remote workers?
Companies save an average of $11,000 per remote employee annually through reduced office space, utilities, and operational costs. Employees save an average of 72 minutes per day in commute time.
Is remote work growing or declining in 2026?
Remote work has stabilized at approximately 27% of the US workforce after peaking at 42% in 2020. However, global remote work continues growing, particularly in emerging markets like Brazil, India, and Mexico.
Methodology & Sources
This data is compiled from multiple sources including government labor statistics, industry surveys, and job posting analysis. Key sources include:
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- Eurostat Labour Force Survey
- FlexJobs Annual Survey
- LinkedIn Workforce Report
- Glassdoor Salary Data
- RoamJobs job posting analysis (50,000+ listings)
Data last updated: January 2026. Statistics represent best estimates based on available data and may vary by source.