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11 Remote Entry-Level Jobs That Pay at Least $38 an Hour

A bachelor's degree, not years of work history, is often the only real barrier to these roles.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Aug. 5, 2026

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Entry-level does not have to mean minimum wage or a cubicle. A set of roles classified as entry-level by the federal government pay well above $38 an hour and consist almost entirely of digital, data-driven work that doesn't require being anywhere in particular.

These jobs could offer extra income outside of work or a full pivot into a new field. Here is what each role involves, what it pays, and why it suits remote work.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Software developer

Median hourly wage: $63.20

Software developers write, test, and maintain the applications and systems that power everything from banking apps to hospital records, work that happens entirely on a laptop and rarely requires a specific building.

A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary. Most new hires ramp up through mentorship rather than a separate training program.

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Actuary

Median hourly wage: $60.47

Actuaries calculate the financial risk behind future events, such as how likely a claim is to occur, using spreadsheets and modeling software that don't depend on a physical office.

A bachelor's degree in math, statistics, or actuarial science covers the entry requirement. New hires typically spend years passing professional exams while working, a form of paid, on-the-job training that stands in for prior experience.

Data scientist

Median hourly wage: $54.13

Data scientists create, analyze, and model large datasets to help organizations make decisions, work that happens in code and spreadsheets rather than in person with clients or coworkers.

A bachelor's degree in math, statistics, computer science, or a related field covers the entry requirement, with no prior work experience required, though some employers prefer a master's degree.

Database administrator

Median hourly wage: $50.30

Database administrators organize, secure, and maintain the databases that store an organization's information, tasks handled almost entirely through remote access to servers rather than in person.

A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is the typical entry point. BLS doesn't list a strict prior-experience requirement for this role, so a strong grasp of major database platforms often does the work a resume would elsewhere.

Software quality assurance analyst and tester

Median hourly wage: $49.33

QA analysts and testers run software through its paces before release, hunting for bugs and confirming it works as intended, a job done entirely on a computer, often for teams spread across different cities.

A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

Financial analyst

Median hourly wage: $48.99

Financial analysts study financial statements, market trends, and economic data to recommend investments or evaluate a company's financial health, work built around spreadsheets and reports rather than in-person meetings.

A bachelor's degree in finance, business, or economics covers the entry requirement. BLS's guidance doesn't describe a required-experience bar for this role, though a master's degree or CFA credential often helps with advancement later.

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Computer programmer

Median hourly wage: $47.44

Computer programmers write and test the code that turns a developer's or designer's plans into working software, entirely screen-based work that suits remote setups well.

A bachelor's degree in computer science covers the entry requirement, and no prior work experience is listed as necessary. The field is shrinking overall as AI tools absorb some routine coding tasks, though thousands of openings are still projected yearly from retirements and career changes.

Web and digital interface designer

Median hourly wage: $47.16

These designers plan the look, layout, and navigation of websites and apps, working entirely in design software and prototyping tools rather than a physical studio.

A bachelor's degree in graphic design, web design, or a related field covers the entry requirement, with no prior work experience listed as necessary.

Operations research analyst

Median hourly wage: $43.89

Operations research analysts use math and computer models to help organizations solve complex logistical or business problems, work that happens almost entirely through spreadsheets, software, and data.

A bachelor's degree in operations research, math, or a related field covers the entry requirement, and no prior work experience is listed as necessary, though some employers prefer a master's degree.

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Web developer

Median hourly wage: $43.72

Web developers build and maintain the technical structure of websites, writing the code that makes pages load, function, and display correctly, work suited to anywhere with a reliable connection.

A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field covers the entry requirement, and no prior work experience is listed as necessary to start.

Logistician

Median hourly wage: $38.89

Logisticians plan and coordinate the movement of goods through a supply chain, work built around spreadsheets, scheduling software, and vendor communication rather than a warehouse floor.

A bachelor's degree covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary, though employers may accept added experience in place of a degree.

Bottom line

None of these roles requires prior work experience by BLS's own standard, but nearly all require a bachelor's degree, the real barrier standing between a career changer and a $38-an-hour paycheck.

Several also lean on training that happens after hire, actuarial exams, mentorship-based coding ramp-ups, on-the-job database work, rather than credentials someone already walked in with. That combination could make one of these roles worth exploring when looking to find an online side hustle or plan a full career pivot.

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