Remote Job Opportunities Declined Nationwide This Year—Here’s Where They Decreased the Most Rapidly

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of remote work is shifting across the United States. While many companies are transitioning back to in-person work, some states are experiencing growth in remote job listings. One such state is Louisiana, where remote job postings have actually increased by 7.2% from January 2023 to June 2023 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from ZipRecruiter.

On the flip side, Massachusetts has seen the largest decline in remote job postings, with a staggering 35.02% decrease. Other states experiencing significant drops include Rhode Island, Nevada, Washington D.C., and Nebraska. Despite these fluctuations, remote work in most industries remains relatively stable, with the exception of federal positions, which have been particularly impacted by calls for government workers to return to the office.

Overall, remote job listings are still higher than pre-pandemic levels but have decreased from their peak during the COVID-19 era. Approximately 11.7% of total U.S. job listings were remote from January 2024 to June 2024, which is similar to 2023 levels but down from 13.66% in 2022. However, this percentage is still higher than in 2021, 2020, and even pre-pandemic 2019.

One surprising factor contributing to the decline in remote jobs is the tech industry. Tech layoffs in states like California have had a significant impact on remote job opportunities. A large portion of tech positions are remote, with 85% of post-pandemic tech roles being either fully remote or hybrid, and 48% being completely remote, according to data from Morning Consult. California, a hub for the tech sector, has seen around 60,000 jobs cut from companies like Tesla, Google, TikTok, and Microsoft since the beginning of the year.

The shift away from remote work is not limited to the private sector. President Joe Biden has been advocating for a return to in-person work, particularly within the federal government, the nation’s largest employer. Calls for increased in-person work have been echoed by the White House, emphasizing the importance of workplace culture and productivity.

While the future of remote work may be uncertain, the data suggests that the landscape is evolving. Companies and states are adapting to changing circumstances, with some embracing remote work while others prioritize in-person collaboration. As the post-pandemic world continues to unfold, the way we work is likely to undergo further transformations.