6 Stories on How Remote Work Is Faring
HR Dive, Monday, June 8th, 2026
Remote-work pay is slipping for most roles even as worker resistance to return-to-office mandates fades.
Drawing on a JobLeads analysis of more than 121,300 tech positions, the roundup finds nearly 86% of remote roles pay less than on-site work, with hybrid jobs paying about $2,000 less than office-based ones.
The earnings penalty hits mid-level and senior specialists hardest, costing them roughly $10,000 annually, while executives still command premiums for remote arrangements. Worker sentiment has shifted sharply: only 7% would quit over mandatory return-to-office policies, down from 51% a year earlier.
Remote workers are also relocating closer to major metros, with proximity to cities like New York and Los Angeles nearing pre-pandemic levels.