The Highest Paying Remote Jobs at Tech Companies, With Sources for Every Figure
Specialized AI work sits at the top. On Levels.fyi, research scientists report a $300,000 median total compensation and machine learning engineers $282,950. The highest paying remote jobs cluster around specialized technical work, senior commercial roles, and leadership jobs. A large share of those sit in remote software jobs, but the same pattern holds across Web3 and AI teams.
TL;DR
- AI research roles sit at the top, with a $300,000 median total compensation for research scientists on Levels.fyi.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median annual wage of $135,980 for software developers, but senior and specialized remote roles run higher.
- Base salary is one part of the offer. Equity, token allocations, commission, and region can widen the gap quickly.
- A current opening beats a stale benchmark. Check live roles and set alerts instead of relying on old posts.
Quick Comparison
Each figure below comes from the named source and links to the exact page. Self-reported data on Levels.fyi leans toward large tech companies, so it runs higher than Glassdoor or government data. None of these is a guarantee for any specific offer.
| Role | U.S. figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Software developer, all levels | $135,980 median annual wage | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 |
| Senior software engineer | $214,000 median total pay; base $127,000 to $187,000 | Glassdoor |
| Machine learning engineer | $282,950 median total compensation | Levels.fyi |
| Research scientist | $300,000 median total compensation | Levels.fyi |
| Senior data scientist | $235,000 median total pay; base $142,000 to $193,000 | Glassdoor |
| Enterprise account executive | $280,000 median OTE; $140,000 median base | RepVue |
| Senior product manager | $230,000 median total pay; base $131,000 to $179,000 | Glassdoor |
Exact figures change by quarter, company, and location. Use these bands as a directional guide, then compare them against current openings.
What Actually Moves the Number
Seniority, stack or specialization, company stage, and region move remote pay more than the word "remote" does.
Seniority
One jump from individual contributor to staff or principal can add a large share of total compensation at larger tech companies. Titles are not standardized across remote roles, so look at scope and level rather than the name alone.
Stack and specialization
AI, security, data infrastructure, and distributed systems roles tend to pay above general web development. Teams building with LLMs often pay for production experience over paper credentials. See Remote AI Engineer Jobs: What Teams Building With LLMs Actually Hire For for the specific skills that matter.
Company stage
Early stage companies may pay lower base and offer equity or token upside. A Web3 startup can include token grants, which are harder to benchmark and easier to misprice. Crypto Jobs Without the Hype: Technical and Non-Technical Remote Roles explains how token components can change the picture.
Region
U.S. benchmarks usually run higher than global remote pay. Pay varies by region across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Before pricing yourself, compare roles in your time zone and local market. You can filter current remote Web3 roles by ecosystem and region in remote Web3 jobs. Tax treatment of equity and token grants differs by country, so confirm the specifics with a local accountant or tax professional.
What This Means If You're Hiring
If you are hiring for high-paying remote roles, post a salary band and make the level explicit. Qualified candidates skip posts without numbers.
Benchmark against Levels.fyi or Glassdoor data, then list the total rewards you can offer. Remote candidates compare total compensation, not just base pay. Be clear about equity, commission, token grants, and whether pay changes by location.
A focused board helps because candidates in Web3, AI, and software can find your role without scrolling past unrelated listings. JobsBoard removes closed roles twice a day, so the board stays current. Employers can post a job and receive applications there.
Also mention which teams the role works with. A senior data scientist paid to build production models should not be posted with the same generic description as an analytics role.
What This Means If You're Job Searching
Salary data tells you whether a role is worth pursuing, but an open role is only useful if it is still live.
Work from current openings. Start with companies hiring now to see organizations with active remote roles. Apply early and tailor each application because competition for the highest paying remote jobs is concentrated at the top of the funnel. Referrals and community channels still help, but they work better when you already know which teams are hiring.
Use role-specific benchmark data before you negotiate. Sales candidates can compare AE and SDR on-target earnings in Remote Sales Jobs Selling AI, Crypto and Developer Tools (AE, SDR, BD). Data scientists can see current expectations in Remote Data Scientist Jobs: What AI and Software Teams Expect Now. Recruiters evaluating remote roles can check Remote Recruiter Jobs Hiring Engineers for AI, Web3 and Software Teams.
Ask for total compensation. Clarify whether the range is U.S. only or adjusted by region. For sales roles, ask how quota attainment affects OTE. For equity and token grants, ask the current valuation, vesting schedule, and tax implications before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying remote job?
Research scientist and machine learning engineer roles report the highest figures in this list, with Levels.fyi medians of $300,000 and $282,950 in total compensation. Enterprise account executives can also pass $200,000 in on-target earnings, with a $280,000 median OTE on RepVue, but the top end usually sits in specialized AI and infrastructure work.
Do remote AI engineer jobs need a PhD?
No. Many remote AI engineer jobs are production focused and do not require a PhD. Research scientist roles are more likely to expect one. Applied AI engineers are usually evaluated on systems experience, model deployment, and product impact. A master's degree plus relevant work can be enough.
Are remote salaries lower outside the US?
Often yes. Cash compensation is usually lower in many European, Latin American, and Asian markets. Some remote-first companies use location adjusted bands, while others benchmark globally. Ask whether the posted range changes by region and confirm the local market before negotiating.
Do I need to negotiate remote salary differently?
Yes. Ask for the full package, not just base salary. Remote offers may include equity, token grants, commissions, or location adjustments. Clarify what happens if you move or if the company changes remote policy. Get written terms because verbal assurances can fade.
Where can I find high paying remote jobs that are actually fresh?
A focused remote job board with fresh listings is the practical starting point. JobsBoard rechecks roles twice a day and removes closed jobs, so you spend less time on stale posts. Use industry and region filters, then apply early and tailor each application.
Where to Look Next
Salary ranges are useful only when they lead to real openings. Browse thousands of remote and global job listings on all open remote roles and set up free weekly job alerts to see new roles as they appear. No account is needed for the alerts.
