Remote workers pump out job apps
Remote workers who relocated to “Zoom towns” during the pandemic are now facing fierce competition for work-from-home roles as fully remote job openings become scarcer.
Remote Job Demand by Location
According to LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Insights Report, nearly 3 in 4 job applications in Bend, Ore., are for remote roles—a sharp increase from 42% two years ago. Nationally, only 11% of job openings on LinkedIn are remote, yet they attract nearly 50% of all applications.
Below are the top 10 metro areas where job seekers are most actively pursuing remote work, along with the share of applications for remote-specific openings:
- Bend, Ore.: 73.5%
- Asheville, N.C.: 71.5%
- Wilmington, N.C.: 71.2%
- Myrtle Beach, S.C.: 70.3%
- Spokane-Coeur d’Alene, Wash.: 69.7%
- Sioux Falls, S.D.: 69.7%
- Medford-Grants Pass, Ore.: 69.5%
- North Port-Sarasota, Fla.: 69.1%
- Wausau-Stevens Point, Wis.: 69.1%
- Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla.: 68.7%
Impact on Local Markets
Many of these high-demand areas, known as “Zoom towns,” experienced an influx of remote workers during the pandemic. For example, Bend saw a surge of tech professionals from Silicon Valley and Seattle, driving a 28% increase in average home prices.
However, as companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple tighten return-to-office policies, workers who relocated may face difficult choices. Options include:
- Competing for fewer remote roles
- Exploring entrepreneurship in their new locations
- Relocating back to larger metros
- Accepting hybrid or in-office work in their current cities
George Anders, LinkedIn’s senior editor-at-large, notes that if remote job opportunities continue to shrink, workers may need to adapt by pursuing alternative career paths or reconsidering their living arrangements.
High-Demand Remote Roles
Despite the challenges, demand for certain remote positions remains strong, particularly in tech. Front-end developer roles, for example, continue to see high interest across industries due to the growing need for digital presence and user-friendly interfaces.