7 High-Paying Remote Jobs in Tech and Finance You Can Apply for Today (2026)

If you've been job hunting for the last few months, you've probably wondered where exactly the remote work boom of 2020 and 2021 has gone. Some companies have indeed rescinded their remote friendly policies. Yet there are two industries that have continued to embrace remote employment - and they happen to be the two highest paying fields in the country.

The good news is that there is still strong demand for qualified remote workers. The bad news is that the job market has changed significantly compared to what it was in 2021, and simply tossing your resume as a "software developer" on a jobs board is unlikely to yield results. Below, we've highlighted 7 remote jobs in tech and finance along with average compensation, requirements, and places to look.

1. Software Engineer / Developer

The software development field still represents the single best category of well paying remote jobs available in 2026, with a number of companies offering salaries that are 40% higher than their in-office equivalents. Depending on the specialization, remote software engineers typically make anywhere between $111,000 and $141,000 a year on average, with machine learning & AI engineers seeing the highest compensation at an average of $212,000.

The biggest change in the field is that there are more options for people without a computer science degree, as employers are increasingly open to bootcamp grads and self taught developers who can demonstrate their skill set. Having a GitHub account with some completed projects can be enough to get you a six figure remote job at companies like Shopify or Stripe.

Key skills: JavaScript, cloud computing (AWS, Azure), and generative AI tools

Where to find jobs: We Work Remotely, Dynamite Jobs, and the company career pages.

2. AI / Machine Learning Engineer

One of the hottest fields in 2026 continues to be AI engineering - both for its potential applications and the sheer difficulty of mastering the subject matter. Notably, there are more remote jobs in AI / ML than ever, with the category growing at a rate of over 30% per year. The competition for qualified workers in this space remains intense, with average salaries for remote AI engineers ranging between $145,000 and $185,000 a year and top compensations of over $200,000 for senior level specialists.

If you are wondering whether it's worth it to pick up AI skills as a software engineer, the answer is definitely yes - AI engineering has created a significant premium for comparable job classes across several industries, with wages being on average 56% higher.

Key skills: Python, MLOps, TensorFlow, and experience with cloud based AI tools like AWS SageMaker

Where to find jobs: Built In, FlexJobs, and LinkedIn (make sure to specify your specialization when using the latter)

3. Financial Analyst / Finance Manager

The finance industry has defied the odds in 2026, becoming one of the most desirable fields for remote employment. With the average annual compensation for remote finance jobs in the United States ranging between $92,600 a year, with most positions falling between $75,000 and $109,000. Corporate FP&A managers and senior analysts can push well past that, with some listings reaching $150,000, employers in this industry continue to offer attractive salaries for the right candidates.

Finance is a good fit for remote work precisely because most of the processes involved are paperless and digital, which does not require a physical office location. Particularly strong remote finance job growth has been seen in the banking and insurance sectors this year.

Key skills: Excel, financial modeling, and relevant certifications (CFA, etc.)

Where to find jobs: FlexJobs finance category, ZipRecruiter

4. Remote Accountant / Bookkeeper

Not all well paying remote jobs require a finance background, with several occupations in this field being particularly accessible to entry level workers. Specifically, bookkeeping and accounting have become a viable way to obtain an initial remote / freelance position - particularly with the rise of outsourced accounting services that allow bookkeepers to serve multiple clients.

Depending on the specialization and company, remote accountant jobs start at approximately $52,500 per year for accounts payable/receivable specialists and go up from there for controllers with a broader set of responsibilities. Many positions in this category also offer part time and contract work, making them a good option if you're considering a transition to the finance industry.

Key skills: QuickBooks and similar accounting software

Where to find jobs: FlexJobs accounting category, outsourced accounting companies like Bench.

5. Account Executive (Tech & SaaS Sales)

One of the interesting trends in remote employment of 2026 is the surge in demand for account executives, who in this year have become the most in-demand remote job class. While enterprise SaaS sales traditionally require in-person meetings, several employers have come to terms with the fact that a video chat can be just as effective at engaging prospects and closing deals.

In general, remote account executive positions tend to pay very well, with an average base salary of $100,000, and with commission included, total earnings frequently clear $250,000 for successful sellers. The technical account executive category tends to have the most job openings, with this specialization also commanding a premium for its technical skills.

Key skills: CRM software, consultative selling, product knowledge (varies depending on the industry)

Where to find jobs: Company career pages, particularly for SaaS employers, and LinkedIn

6. Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity has been one of the fastest growing professions in 2026, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 35% overall job growth through 2031. This trend is expected to continue in 2026, with remote cybersecurity jobs offering a good combination of starting pay and growth potential. For example, IT support analyst positions pay between $46,000 to $87,000 on average and can lead to cybersecurity analyst roles with a median salary of $175,000 per year after obtaining the relevant certifications.

Specializations in cybersecurity tend to have slightly lower entry requirements than other tech fields, with CompTIA Security+ being a required qualification in over 50% of cybersecurity jobs. This makes this particular branch of the tech industry one of the more accessible options for remote work, particularly for those seeking to make a switch from another profession.

Key skills: Cybersecurity fundamentals, CompTIA Security+, and networking

Where to find jobs: We Work Remotely tech category, FlexJobs

7. Financial Systems / FP&A Analyst

When it comes to good paying remote jobs in finance, understanding financial systems is one of the most in demand skill sets among employers, particularly those using complex back end accounting systems. Similar to cybersecurity analysts, financial systems analysts typically start at a lower salary range of $120,000 to $150,000 per year, with several employers offering more competitive compensation for higher level positions.

The field is relatively accessible to remote job seekers, as it does not require as much formal education as other finance occupations. More importantly, hybrid finance / technology jobs tend to be less competitive than either pure tech or pure finance positions.

Key skills: SAP S/4HANA, Workday, NetSuite, and SQL

Where to find jobs: Indeed and Built In (finance technology category)

Average remote salaries for the 7 highest paying tech & finance jobs in 2026

Final thoughts

Knowing the remote job titles can only get you so far - the more important factor is understanding what employers are looking for beyond the basic requirement. For example, many employers will scan your resume with an application tracking system before reviewing it, at which point relevant keywords will help your application stand out from the crowd. Building your professional brand presence is also more important than ever, with your GitHub account or portfolio site being sometimes more valuable than a university degree. When you find a company that you are interested in, always try applying directly through their website, as this is likely to give you a better result than a generic job board. And finally, in some fields, certifications can significantly increase your hiring chances and earning potential - particularly in finance and cybersecurity.

Remote employment opportunities continue to be plentiful in 2026, despite the overall market cooling down somewhat since the beginning of the pandemic. Notably, certain categories of remote jobs continue to offer very attractive compensation, with tech and finance being among the highest paying fields. If any of these remote job categories align with your existing skill set, that can be the easiest way to get started.