Larger U.S. Metro Areas Lead the Way for Interest in Hybrid Work

What’s going on:     

New research published by LinkedIn has identified 20 U.S. metro areas where hybrid and remote work opportunities are receiving the most percentage of job applicants. The cities listed in the study are reportedly leading the way for remote and hybrid work opportunities by attracting high numbers of workers seeking out flexible work arrangements. The research is based on a LinkedIn data analysis of over 260 million U.S. job applications in the past year.  

The data reveals that hybrid work opportunities in New York City and Boston have attracted over 20% of all job applications in those cities. 

In the past year, over 70% of job applications in three Carolina metros have been for remote work positions. Those metros were Asheville, N.C., Wilmington, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., which recorded 71.5%, 71.2%, and 70.3% in those areas, respectively.  

Why it matters:     

The data shows how hybrid and remote work opportunities are still desired by many employees. Flexible work arrangements provide increased flexibility and autonomy, allowing employees to experience a work-life balance that they have come accustomed to during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there has been a significant pushback by larger employers lately, where return to office (RTO) policies are asking employees to work out of the office for a specified number of days. Several U.S. government agencies, like the Department of Veterans Affairs, are requiring that employees make a more permanent return. 

How it’ll impact the future:       

Remote and hybrid jobs challenge the traditional 9-to-5 office-based model. Employers that are asking employees to return to the office often cite productivity as a major factor. Based on the percentage of job applications that the listed metro areas are receiving for flexible work arrangements, it’s possible that these opportunities could play a role in attracting and retaining top talent. Organizations offering these options might be viewed as more progressive or even more friendly towards employees. 

The sheer number of employees that are holding onto and searching for flexible work arrangements has the potential to impact urban centers as professionals no longer need to travel to traditional city hubs. This may result in increased economic opportunities for smaller cities and towns as professionals explore remote opportunities.