As a consultant helping small business owners adapt to emerging trends, I have seen remote and hybrid work arrangements accelerate exponentially since 2020. Based on multiple data sources, around 30 million U.S. employees now work from home either full-time or part-time. That represents over 25% of the workforce — a sea change from pre-pandemic times.
What does this growth in remote work mean for small business leaders? Here I will break down the latest statistics and provide recommendations for small companies considering a shift to flexible work models.
By The Numbers: The Rapid Growth of Remote Work
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of Americans working from home increased from 8.7% in 2019 to 27.6% in 2021. That translates to a 206% jump in remote workers — from around 9 million to 27.6 million people — in just two years’ time.
While some have returned to offices since 2021, remote work maintains a strong foothold across many industries. Per a recent Gallup poll, 25% of full-time employees with office jobs currently work fully remotely. Expanding to include hybrid arrangements, that number rises to 58% with at least some remote work.
Industries With Highest Rates of Remote Work
Remote work has accelerated most rapidly across white collar office jobs. According to an analysis by LendingTree, the industries with the highest percentage of remote workers are:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – 52%
- Finance and Insurance – 46%
- Information (tech and media) – 45%
Additionally, employees under 40 years old are more likely to work remotely. 43% of millennials and 36% of Gen Z reported fully remote or hybrid arrangements in mid-2022.
Benefits Driving Adoption Among Small Businesses
As a consultant for small business owners…
