The way we work has fundamentally changed. Five years after the pandemic triggered the largest remote work experiment in history, working from home is no longer an exception — it's the new normal for millions of workers worldwide.
But is remote work here to stay? Are remote workers actually more productive? And what's really happening with return-to-office mandates? These statistics reveal the truth about the state of work in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- 22% of US workers (32.6 million) work remotely in 2025
- 77% of remote workers report higher productivity working from home
- 52% work hybrid, 26% fully remote, and 22% fully on-site (among remote-capable jobs)
- Remote workers earn 9.76% more than office workers on average
- 57% would quit if remote work was removed
- 83% of CEOs expect full return-to-office within 3 years
What Percentage of People Work From Home?
1. 22% of US workers (32.6 million people) work remotely in 2025
Approximately 32.6 million Americans work remotely — about 22% of the total workforce. While this is down from pandemic highs, it's dramatically higher than the 5-6% who worked remotely pre-COVID.
2. 48% of the global workforce now works remotely — up from 20% in 2020
Remote work has nearly doubled worldwide since the pandemic. What began as an emergency measure has become a permanent feature of the global economy.
3. 29% of all paid US workdays are now done from home
According to WFH Research's April 2025 data, nearly one-third of all work happens at home. This has remained virtually flat since late 2023, suggesting we've reached a stable equilibrium.
Fun Fact: The US has the highest average remote work days per week (1.9 days) among hybrid workers. The global average is just 1.13 days per week.
Remote vs Hybrid vs In-Office: The Breakdown
4. 52% of remote-capable workers are hybrid, 26% fully remote, 22% fully on-site
Among employees whose jobs can be done remotely, hybrid work has emerged as the dominant model. Only about 1 in 5 choose to work entirely in the office when given the option.
| Work Arrangement | % of Remote-Capable | % of All Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 52% | 26% |
| Fully Remote | 26% | 13% |
| Fully On-Site | 22% | 61% |
5. 50% of all US jobs can be done remotely
Gallup research shows half of full-time US workers hold jobs that could be performed from home. A University of Chicago study found 37% of jobs can be done entirely at home.
6. 88% of employers offer some hybrid work options
The vast majority of companies now provide flexibility. Only 27% of companies will be fully in-person by end of 2025, while 67% offer some level of remote/hybrid options.
Is Work From Home More Productive?
7. 77% of remote employees report greater productivity working from home
The data is clear: most workers believe they're more productive at home. Studies show 35-40% productivity increases among remote employees, driven by fewer distractions, flexible hours, and better focus.
8. Remote workers save 72 minutes daily from eliminated commutes — 40% goes to more work
The average commute time saved translates directly into productivity. About 40% of this reclaimed time is redirected to work activities, while the rest improves work-life balance.
9. Remote workers achieve the same output in less time: 6h 55m vs 7h 44m in office
Research shows remote employees work fewer total hours but maintain similar productive output. Office work adds 49 minutes to the day but yields lower active productivity (~68.3%).
10. Hybrid teams are 5% more productive than fully remote or fully in-office teams
McKinsey's 2025 analysis found the sweet spot: hybrid arrangements outperform both extremes. The combination of collaboration days and focused remote work maximizes output.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Finding: For every 1 percentage-point increase in remote work, total factor productivity (TFP) rose 0.08-0.09 points. Industries with more remote work saw faster productivity growth.
The Productivity Perception Gap
11. 85% of managers struggle to trust that remote employees are productive
Despite positive data, a 2025 Microsoft study found most leaders lack confidence in hybrid employee productivity. This "productivity paranoia" drives many return-to-office mandates.
12. 62% of employees say they're more productive at home — but 44% of managers disagree
There's a significant disconnect between worker self-assessment and manager perception. This gap explains much of the tension around remote work policies.
Remote Work Trends 2025-2026
13. Hybrid job postings grew from 9% to 24% between 2023 and 2025
Hybrid roles nearly tripled in two years, while fully remote postings grew from 10% to 13%. Companies are increasingly offering flexibility to attract talent.
| Job Posting Type | Early 2023 | Early 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 9% | 24% | +167% |
| Fully Remote | 10% | 13% | +30% |
| On-Site Only | 81% | 63% | -22% |
14. 83% of CEOs expect full return-to-office within 3 years
A KPMG study of 1,300 CEOs revealed growing pressure for office returns — up from 64% the previous year. However, employee data suggests this could backfire with higher turnover.
15. Major 2025 RTO mandates: Amazon, JP Morgan, AT&T all require 5-day office weeks
High-profile return-to-office mandates dominated headlines: Amazon's 350,000 employees returned in January 2025, JP Morgan ended remote work in April 2025, and federal employees were ordered back full-time.
RTO Resistance: 75% of companies report trouble enforcing return-to-office policies because employees refuse to comply. 80% have lost employees over RTO mandates.
Employee Preferences: What Workers Actually Want
16. 83% of employees prefer hybrid work arrangements
The overwhelming majority want flexibility. Among remote-capable workers: 60% prefer hybrid, 30% want fully remote, and less than 10% prefer full-time office work.
17. 57% of employees would consider quitting if remote work was removed
More than half of workers say they'd look for a new job if forced back to the office full-time. 35% know someone who already quit due to RTO policies.
18. 98% of remote workers want to continue working remotely for their entire career
Once people experience remote work, they rarely want to go back. Nearly all remote workers would recommend it to others and want to maintain flexibility permanently.
Remote Work Salary Statistics
19. Remote workers earn 9.76% more than office workers on average
Analysis of 30 remote-capable jobs shows remote employees earn $8,553 more annually than office counterparts. Hybrid workers earn similarly — just $140 less than fully remote.
20. Remote workers save approximately $7,000 annually in commute and food costs
Beyond higher salaries, remote workers keep more of what they earn. Eliminated commuting, cheaper lunches, and reduced wardrobe costs add up to significant savings.
21. 61% of workers would accept a pay cut to keep working remotely
The value of flexibility is so high that most workers would trade salary for it. This speaks to the quality-of-life benefits beyond pure compensation.
Remote Work by Industry
22. Finance and insurance has the highest fully-remote rate at 30%
Nearly one-third of finance workers are fully remote — more than any other industry. Information technology and professional services follow closely behind.
| Industry | Fully On-Site | Hybrid | Fully Remote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance/Insurance | ~55% | ~26% | 30% |
| Technology | 56% | 29% | 15% |
| Marketing/Creative | 55% | 30% | 15% |
| Legal | ~75% | ~14% | 11% |
| Healthcare | 80% | 9% | 11% |
23. 42.8% of workers with advanced degrees work remotely vs 9.1% of high school grads
Remote work correlates strongly with education. Workers with advanced degrees are nearly 5x more likely to work from home than those with only a high school diploma.
Global Remote Work Comparison
24. Asia-Pacific leads return-to-office: China (4.7 days/week), India (4.4), South Korea (4.2)
Workers in Asian countries spend most of their week in offices. In contrast, US and UK workers average just over 2 days per week on-site.
25. Remote work adoption is highest in North America, UK, and Australia
Western countries lead in remote work adoption, while most Asian nations maintain stronger office cultures. This creates opportunities for global talent arbitrage.
Global Stat: 16% of companies worldwide are now fully remote, while 44% don't allow any remote work. The remaining 40% offer hybrid arrangements.
Benefits of Remote Work
26. 76% of remote/hybrid workers report improved work-life balance
Three-quarters of flexible workers say their personal lives have improved. Additionally, 61% report less burnout compared to full-time office work.
27. Companies allowing remote work see 76% greater employee retention
Flexibility pays off for employers too. One study found workers allowed to WFH two days per week were 33% less likely to quit and reported higher job satisfaction.
Summary: Work From Home by the Numbers (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| US Remote Workers | 32.6 million (22% of workforce) |
| Global Remote Workers | 48% of workforce |
| US Workdays Done From Home | 29% |
| Remote-Capable Jobs (Hybrid) | 52% |
| Remote-Capable Jobs (Fully Remote) | 26% |
| Report Higher Productivity | 77% |
| Daily Commute Time Saved | 72 minutes |
| Prefer Hybrid Work | 83% |
| Would Quit Over RTO Mandate | 57% |
| Remote vs Office Salary Premium | +9.76% ($8,553/year) |
| Annual Cost Savings (Remote) | ~$7,000 |
| Companies Offering Hybrid | 88% |
| CEOs Expecting Full RTO (3 years) | 83% |
| Highest Remote Industry | Finance/Insurance (30%) |
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Remote Work Productivity
- Gallup - Hybrid Work Trends 2025
- Robert Half - Remote Work Statistics 2025
- Pumble - Remote Work Statistics 2025
- FlexJobs - Remote Work Index 2025
- Backlinko - Remote Work Statistics 2025
- Crossover - Remote Work Productivity Statistics
- Founder Reports - Return to Office Statistics
- Oyster HR - Status of Remote Work 2025
- ZipRecruiter - Remote Work Salary Data
Last updated: January 2026. Statistics are updated quarterly as new data becomes available.