Remote work surged during the pandemic but has since declined. In 2019, 6.5% of workers were remote; by 2021, it peaked at 40.1%, dropping to 19.5% in 2023 (BLS). Despite this shift, many companies are still hiring for remote roles.
Remote Work’s Peak and Decline
In 2019, only 6.5% of private-sector workers primarily worked from home. By 2021, this number had skyrocketed, with some industries experiencing increases of 20 percentage points or more in remote work adoption. The rise in remote work was accompanied by notable productivity gains, as industries embracing flexible work models saw higher output growth, often exceeding labor input increases.
However, by August 2022, the percentage of private-sector establishments with employees teleworking had declined to 27.5%, down from 40.1% in 2021. By August 2023, about 19.5% of workers teleworked, signaling a continued decline, though remote work remained more prevalent than pre-pandemic levels.
Why Is Remote Work Declining?
Several factors contribute to the decrease in fully remote roles:
- Return-to-Office Mandates: Major companies like Amazon and JPMorgan have pushed for employees to return to the office, citing collaboration and productivity benefits.
- Hybrid Work Models: Many businesses now favor hybrid arrangements, blending in-office and remote work.
- Shifting Economic Priorities: Some industries have prioritized in-person work as part of broader restructuring and cost-cutting efforts.
Who Is Still Hiring for Remote Jobs?
Despite the decline, remote work opportunities are still available, particularly in industries that saw productivity gains from flexible work. A recent Forbes study highlights companies that are actively hiring for remote positions:
Top Companies Hiring for Remote Roles in 2025
- Kforce (Staffing & Recruiting) – Remote IT and finance roles.
- New York Life (Insurance) – Financial advisors and customer service representatives.
- Welocalize (Translation & Localization) – Remote translators and localization project managers.
- PagerDuty (Information Technology) – Software engineers and incident response specialists.
- PNC (Banking) – Financial analysts and loan officers.
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) (Banking) – Risk management and compliance officers.
- Grafana Labs (Software Development) – Developers and technical support engineers.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthcare Insurance) – Claims processors and customer service agents.
What’s Next for Remote Work?
While fully remote work may not be as common as it was in 2021, it remains a viable option for many industries. Hybrid work models are becoming the new norm, offering employees flexibility while maintaining the benefits of in-office collaboration. For job seekers, opportunities still exist, particularly in tech, finance, and customer service roles.
As the job market continues to evolve, companies that adapt to changing work preferences will likely have an edge in attracting and retaining top talent.
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Among Industries with the Largest Increases in Remote Work
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Productivity and Remote Work
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: 35% of Employed People Did Some or All of Their Work at Home in 2023
- Forbes: Companies Hiring Fully Remote Jobs in 2025