The Average Salary of a Telecommuter

The amount of money you'll make telecommuting relies primarily on your occupation.

The average salary of one telecommuting position may vary dramatically from another depending on the industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a listing of occupations and industries that offer telecommuting opportunities in the article, "Telecommuters" published by Matthew Mariani in fall 2000. The BLS 2010-11 Occupational Outlook handbook provides updated and detailed salary information for many of those positions. Mariani's list of telecommuter positions reflects the number of workers telecommuting in 1997 in various industries. Due to the rapid evolution of technology and Internet communication capabilities, the actual number of telecommuters is projected to be significantly larger, according to the Work Shifting website.

Finance

BLS included careers in finance in its listing of telecommuting positions. In May 2008 the median annual wage for finance managers was $99,330. The middle 50 percent of professionals surveyed earned salaries ranging between $72,030 and $135,070 per year. BLS also reported industrial variances. The lowest paying finance positions were in local government, $78,650 annually; and depository credit intermediation, $77,280 annually. The highest paying were in management of companies and enterprises, $115,520 annually; and securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage, $134,940 annually.

Insurance

Insurance-related occupations are also eligible for telecommuting, according to BLS. The 2010-11 Career Guide to Industries provides hourly wage statistics for several positions within the insurance industry. Statistics show that in 2008, the average weekly salary for nonsupervisory insurance workers was about $857. A few hourly salaries for listed positions included: general office clerks, $12.10; customer service representatives, $15.55; insurance sales agents, $21.89; claims adjusters, examiners and investigators, $26.12; and insurance underwriters, $27.28.

Real Estate

Real estate brokers and sales agents also participate in telecommuting work procedures. BLS reported that in 2008 the average median salary for real estate agents was $40,150 per year. The middle 50 percent of sales agents made between $27,390 and $64,820 annually. The lowest 10 percent made under $21,120, and the highest upwards of $101,860. Real estate brokers earned an annual median wage of $57,500. The middle 50 percent of professionals surveyed reported earnings between $36,420 and $93,970 a year.

Wholesale Trade

You might also find telecommuting opportunities in the wholesale trade industry, according Mariani. 2008 BLS reports indicate that the average salary for a non-supervisory worker in the wholesale trade industry was $770 weekly, but varied significantly by specialty. Some industry positions eligible for telecommuting and their corresponding hourly wages include: bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, $15.63 to $16.44; customer service representatives, $14.26 to $16.23; sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing technical and scientific products, $30.93 to $37.11; and sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing nontechnical and scientific products, $23.17 to $27.45.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Telecommuters
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Telecommuters
• "Work Shifting"; How Many People Actually Telecommute?; Kate Lister; February 2010
• Technology Network: Telecommuting Salaries: How it Compares with Traditional Jobs
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Finance
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Insurance
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Real Estate
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wholesale Trade

Resources

• "CNet"; IT Pros Would Take Salary Cut to Telecommute; Lance Whitney; April 2011
• "Network Solutions"; Should a Telecommuter Get a Lower Salary?; Thursday Bram; January 2011