Remote work in the United States (US States) showcases significant regional disparities, with certain states embracing telecommuting more than others, according to data from SelectSoftware Reviews.
Leading the pack in remote work prevalence is Colorado, with 37.3% of workers operating remotely for at least one to two days per week, followed closely by Maryland (37%), Massachusetts (36.4%), Utah (36%), and Washington state (34.8%). Ravi Gajendran, a business professor at Florida International University, attributes this trend to the prevalence of knowledge-based industries in these regions, such as IT, finance, and analytics.
States like Maryland and Virginia, particularly their areas surrounding Washington, D.C., benefit from a high concentration of knowledge-based jobs linked to federal contracts, contributing to their notable telework rates.
Read More | US to Announce Billions in Subsidies for Advanced Chips, WSJ Reports
Surprisingly, California, despite being home to Silicon Valley, does not feature in the top 10 for telework rates. Gajendran explains that while certain urban centers like San Jose and San Francisco likely boast higher rates, rural areas may drag down the statewide average.
Although initially dominated by high-tech professionals, remote work is now expanding to encompass various industries and job roles, including administrative and clerical positions, notes Timothy Golden, a management professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Conversely, states with the lowest percentage of teleworkers include Mississippi (11.9%), Louisiana (13.68%), Wyoming (15.51%), Arkansas (15.56%), and North Dakota (15.92%), reflecting the rural-urban divide in telecommuting adoption.
Read More | 80% of US Companies Plan to Track Office Attendance in 2024, Survey Finds
Despite the pandemic-induced surge in remote work, 63% of U.S. workers still never engage in remote work. However, both Gajendran and Golden agree that remote and hybrid work models are here to stay, with many companies likely adopting a flexible approach, such as a three-day office, two-day remote schedule, as the new norm for knowledge-based workforces.
In conclusion, while remote work is becoming increasingly prevalent nationwide, its adoption varies significantly across states, driven by factors like industry composition and urbanization levels.
