Remote Job Listings Jump 8% As Workers Reject Office Mandates

Despite a growing wave of return-to-office (RTO) policies, remote work is expanding. New data from FlexJobs Remote Work Economy Index shows that remote job listings grew by 8% in the second quarter of 2025, challenging assumptions that flexible work is on the decline.

The rebound in remote postings comes even as 72% of employers have tightened in-office requirements, according to Cisco. The uptick suggests that while leadership pushes for desks filled and office lights on, the job market is quietly bending in the opposite direction — toward flexibility.

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Nearly all professionals (95%) say they want some form of remote work, and for 63%, it outweighs salary in job importance. The message is clear: for today’s workforce, where and how work happens matters more than ever.

Remote Work’s Staying Power

Between April and June, not only did remote roles grow, but a notable portion — about 5% — were fully location-independent. Tech, communications, project management, and education roles led the surge, with education alone seeing more than 20% quarter-over-quarter growth. 

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Meanwhile, traditional remote-leaning sectors like nursing, writing, and administration posted declines, according to NewsWeek.

The highest-paying roles remain concentrated in tech and sales. Senior product managers top the chart with average annual salaries of $134,000, followed closely by senior software engineers ($130,000) and account executives ($115,000).

Hiring managers appear to be sharpening their standards. As post-pandemic froth fades from the labor market, remote roles are increasingly being filled by highly qualified candidates — those who can deliver without the need for physical oversight.

A Growing Divide

RTO mandates are still gaining steam at companies like JPMorgan Chase, which argue that in-person work is vital for team cohesion and promotion pathways. Yet the data suggests workers are willing to walk if flexibility disappears. 

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Some companies, faced with talent shortages or turnover tied to rigid office requirements, appear to be quietly reintroducing remote options as a competitive edge. In a service-driven economy, leaders are recalibrating: is full-time office attendance really worth the risk of losing top performers?

Flexibility has become a recruiting strategy, a retention tool, and, for some, a cultural differentiator.

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