Monthly report on remote hiring

Remote Work Index: September 2026

Which remote roles and skills gained ground in September, how AI is spreading beyond tech, and where a remote job is hardest to land. Built from Jobgether's own job and application data.

Key findings

Five things September told us about remote hiring

  1. 01

    −15.8%

    Remote hiring slowed.

    New remote job postings on Jobgether fell 15.8% a day in September 2026. Among employers that posted in both months, they fell 10.5%. See the data →

  2. 02

    +13.8%

    B2B sales was the only role group to grow.

    B2B sales postings rose 13.8% a day while the market fell, and still 8.2% without the group's largest employer. See the data →

  3. 03

    +725

    Data analysis gained the most ground of any skill.

    Postings asking for data analysis came in 725 above the market trend, ahead of risk management (+617) and project management (+572). See the data →

  4. 04

    58.8%

    AI skills are spreading beyond tech.

    10.1% of new postings ask for an AI skill. Of those with a known role family, 58.8% sit outside data and software engineering. See the data →

  5. 05

    8.8×

    Worldwide roles are shrinking and the most contested.

    They fell to 4.0% of new postings, yet drew 8.8 times the average applications per posting on Jobgether. See the data →

01 · Demand

Is remote hiring slowing down?

Yes. New remote job postings on Jobgether fell 15.8% a day in September 2026, from 3,555 a day in August to 2,995.

The drop shows up however we count it. Among employers that posted in both months, new postings fell 10.5% Estimate. On Sep 8, Jobgether listed 155,921 open remote roles, up from 130,258 on Aug 11.

For candidates

Fewer new roles a day means each application counts for more. Business operations (−5.4%) and financial services (−10.9%) are slowing least.

For companies

The slowdown is not just lost sources: employers that posted in both months cut new postings 10.5%. A complete, clearly scoped listing stands out more than it did in August.

New remote postings a day, August vs September 2026

August
3,555
September
2,995

Per-day change, under each way of counting

All new postings
−15.8%
Broader duplicate rule
−17.5%
Distinct vacancies
−15.5%
Same employers in both months Estimate
−10.5%
Same job sources in both months
−5.5%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. New postings first published Aug 1 to Sep 30, 2026, duplicate copies removed. Per day, because August has one more day than September. Scale: 0 to −20%.

The same numbers as a table
Figure August September Change a day
New remote postings 110,205 89,838 —
New remote postings a day 3,555 2,995 −15.8%
Broader duplicate rule — — −17.5%
Distinct vacancies — — −15.5%
Same employers in both months (Estimate) — — −10.5%
Same job sources in both months — — −5.5%
Open remote roles (Aug 11 and Sep 8) 130,258 155,921 —

02 · Roles

Which remote jobs are growing?

B2B sales. New B2B sales postings on Jobgether rose 13.8% a day in September 2026, from 3,677 postings in August to 4,051, while all new remote postings fell 15.8%.

Without its largest employer, B2B sales still rose 8.2%. Business operations fell 5.4%, about a third of the market's drop. Only role groups that pass our publication rule are shown.

For candidates

Sales is the exception to the slowdown. If you sell to businesses, September had more new remote roles than August, not fewer.

For companies

The rise is broad, not one employer: B2B sales still grew 8.2% without its largest poster. Expect more competition for the same sales candidates.

Per-day change in new remote postings by role group, September vs August 2026

Role groups that pass the publication rule. Dashed line: all new postings, −15.8%.

B2B sales
+13.8%
B2B sales, without its largest employer
+8.2%
Business operations
−5.4%
All new postings
−15.8%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. New postings first published Aug 1 to Sep 30, 2026, duplicate copies removed.

The same numbers as a table
Role group August September Change a day
B2B sales 3,677 4,051 +13.8%
B2B sales, without its largest employer — — +8.2%
Business operations — — −5.4%
All new postings 110,205 89,838 −15.8%

03 · Skills

Which skills are remote employers asking for more?

Data analysis, risk management and project management. In September 2026, new remote postings on Jobgether asking for data analysis came in 725 above what the market's drop predicts, risk management 617 and project management 572.

Postings asking for data analysis fell only 8.6% a day, against 15.8% for all new postings. Customer support (−378) and CRM software (−308) lost the most ground.

For candidates

Put one measurable result from analysis, risk or project work near the top of your profile, whatever your field.

For companies

Analytical talent is wanted across the market, not by a few large employers. Describe the analysis and risk work in the posting, not just the tools.

Skills gaining or losing the most ground, September vs August 2026

New postings above or below the market trend, in a 30-day month

Data analysis
+725
Risk management
+617
Project management
+572
Process improvement
+335
Change management
+299
Regulatory compliance
+257
Cross-functional collaboration
+238
React (JSX)
−180
Positive psychology
−183
Content creation
−220
CRM software
−308
Customer support
−378

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Only skills that pass the publication rule, including a test without each skill's largest employer.

The same numbers as a table
Skill Postings against the trend
Data analysis +725
Risk management +617
Project management +572
Process improvement +335
Change management +299
Regulatory compliance +257
Cross-functional collaboration +238
React (JSX) −180
Positive psychology −183
Content creation −220
CRM software −308
Customer support −378
Data analysis postings, change a day −8.6%

04 · AI

How is AI changing remote jobs?

AI skills are spreading beyond tech. In September 2026, 10.1% of new remote postings on Jobgether asked for at least one AI skill, flat from 10.0% in August. Of those with a known role family, 58.8% were outside data and software engineering.

The share rose most in marketing and growth, from 10.0% to 13.0%, and in administration and executive support, from 4.1% to 6.2%. Generative AI postings held steady (+2.2% a day) while the market fell 15.8%; AI-skill postings in non-tech roles fell 9.1%.

For candidates

Outside tech, AI is already part of the job. Learn the AI tools of your own function and name them on your profile.

For companies

Name the AI tools a role uses in the posting, so candidates outside tech can show they know them.

Share of new remote postings asking for an AI skill, by role family

August September All postings, 10.1%
Data & AI
46.0% → 41.3%
Product, Design & Games
18.6% → 17.9%
Software Engineering
18.7% → 17.3%
Marketing & Growth
10.0% → 13.0%
Cloud, Infrastructure & Security
13.1% → 12.3%
Business Operations & Strategy
8.0% → 8.6%
Administration & Executive Support
4.1% → 6.2%
Customer Service & Success
4.4% → 5.7%
Sales & Business Development
5.4% → 5.6%
Healthcare & Life Sciences
1.4% → 1.7%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. AI skill = any of the 72 AI skills we track. 13.9% of September's AI-skill postings have no role family and are not shown.

The same numbers as a table
Role family August September
All new postings 10.0% 10.1%
Data & AI 46.0% 41.3%
Product, Design & Games 18.6% 17.9%
Software Engineering 18.7% 17.3%
Marketing & Growth 10.0% 13.0%
Cloud, Infrastructure & Security 13.1% 12.3%
Business Operations & Strategy 8.0% 8.6%
Administration & Executive Support 4.1% 6.2%
Customer Service & Success 4.4% 5.7%
Sales & Business Development 5.4% 5.6%
Healthcare & Life Sciences 1.4% 1.7%

05 · Location

Where can you work from in a remote job?

Mostly from one country. In September 2026, 49.3% of new remote postings on Jobgether were open in a single country and 35.7% only in certain US states. 4.0% were listed as open worldwide, down from 4.8% in August.

Worldwide postings fell 29.8% a day. Some employers' hiring software marks every job as open anywhere. Leave those out and 2.1% of new postings are open worldwide Estimate.

For candidates

Outside the US, region-wide roles are the better bet. They grew to 4.4% of new postings and draw less than half the applications of worldwide roles.

For companies

A genuinely worldwide posting stands out. State the eligible countries in the title so candidates outside them can self-select out.

Where new remote jobs can be done from

Share of new postings by geographic scope August September
Anywhere (worldwide)
4.8% → 4.0%
Region (e.g. Europe)
3.8% → 4.4%
Several countries
6.9% → 6.6%
One country
48.5% → 49.3%
Certain US states
36.0% → 35.7%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Region: open across a region, such as Europe. Several countries: open in a set of named countries. US states: open only in certain US states.

The same numbers as a table
Scope August September
Anywhere (worldwide) 4.8% 4.0%
Region 3.8% 4.4%
Several countries 6.9% 6.6%
One country 48.5% 49.3%
US states 36.0% 35.7%
Worldwide postings, change a day — −29.8%
Worldwide share without hiring-software defaults (Estimate) — 2.1%

06 · Competition

How competitive are remote jobs?

Worldwide roles are the hardest to land. In September 2026, a new worldwide posting drew 8.8 times the average applications on Jobgether. A region-wide posting drew 3.7 times.

By role family, software engineering (2.26×) and administration and executive support (2.22×) drew the most applications per posting. Healthcare and life sciences (0.19×) and banking, investment and insurance (0.20×) drew the fewest. These figures count applications made through Jobgether Estimate.

For candidates

Treat worldwide roles as long shots that need a standout application. A one-country role in your own country draws a third less than average.

For companies

Scope is a volume dial. A region-wide posting drew 3.7× the average; plan screening capacity before opening a role worldwide. Banking and healthcare employers fish in a thin pool: widen eligibility before lowering the bar.

Applications per new posting, by geographic scope Estimate

August September 1× = the average new posting
Anywhere (worldwide)
7.9× → 8.8×
Region
3.5× → 3.7×
Several countries
0.91× → 0.95×
One country
0.61× → 0.66×
Certain US states
0.10× → 0.09×

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Applications made on Jobgether to new postings, on weekly sample days from Aug 4 to Sep 29, 2026. Duplicate copies left out.

The same numbers as a table
Scope August September
Anywhere (worldwide) 7.9× 8.8×
Region 3.5× 3.7×
Several countries 0.91× 0.95×
One country 0.61× 0.66×
US states 0.10× 0.09×

Applications per new posting, by role family Estimate

September 2026, the five most and five least contested role families. Dashed line: 1×, the average new posting.

Software Engineering
2.26×
Administration & Executive Support
2.22×
Product, Design & Games
2.09×
Accounting & Audit
2.01×
Customer Service & Success
1.86×
Enterprise Platforms & IT Services
0.60×
Revenue Operations & Partnerships
0.40×
Sales & Business Development
0.34×
Banking, Investment & Insurance
0.20×
Healthcare & Life Sciences
0.19×

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Same data as left. These figures reflect who applies through Jobgether, not the whole market.

The same numbers as a table
Role family September
Software Engineering 2.26×
Administration & Executive Support 2.22×
Product, Design & Games 2.09×
Accounting & Audit 2.01×
Customer Service & Success 1.86×
Enterprise Platforms & IT Services 0.60×
Revenue Operations & Partnerships 0.40×
Sales & Business Development 0.34×
Banking, Investment & Insurance 0.20×
Healthcare & Life Sciences 0.19×

07 · Industries

Which industries are hiring remotely?

Financial services held up best. Its new remote postings on Jobgether fell 10.9% a day in September 2026, against 15.8% for all new postings. Professional and business services fell the most, 32.1%.

Manufacturing and industrials fell 23.9%, and real estate and construction 27.5%. Industry = the employer's industry. Only industries that pass our publication rule are shown.

For candidates

Financial services employers are slowing least. If your skills transfer, that is where new remote roles are holding up.

For companies

In professional services, real estate and manufacturing, a new remote posting now has far fewer peers competing for attention than it did in August.

How much new remote postings fell, by industry

Per-day change, September vs August 2026. Dashed line: all new postings, −15.8%.

Financial services
−10.9%
Manufacturing & industrials
−23.9%
Real estate & construction
−27.5%
Professional & business services
−32.1%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. New postings first published Aug 1 to Sep 30, 2026, duplicate copies removed. Industries that pass the publication rule.

The same numbers as a table
Industry Change a day
Financial services −10.9%
Manufacturing & industrials −23.9%
Real estate & construction −27.5%
Professional & business services −32.1%
All new postings −15.8%

08 · Companies

How many companies are hiring remotely?

14,307 employers posted new remote jobs on Jobgether in September 2026. The ten biggest accounted for only 4.4% of those postings.

The 15,387 employers with open remote roles on both Aug 11 and Sep 8 grew them by just 0.6%, or 696 roles.

For candidates

Follow the employers adding roles in your field, not the headline total. Established remote employers are holding steady, not expanding.

For companies

Remote hiring is spread thin across 14,307 employers. No one dominates the field, so a clear employer brand carries weight.

Who posted September's new remote jobs

14,307

employers with new remote postings

4.4%

of new postings from the ten biggest

+0.6%

open roles at the 15,387 employers listed on both dates

Ten biggest employers, 4.4% Everyone else, 95.6%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Agencies, aggregators and duplicate posters are left out. Parent companies are merged.

09 · Pay

Do remote jobs show the salary?

Rarely. Only 7.9% of live remote postings on Jobgether showed a salary on Oct 4, 2026.

For pay by role and level, see each role page.

For candidates

Expect to ask. 92.1% of live remote postings give no salary, so check the role page's pay range before you apply.

For companies

Publishing pay is a cheap differentiator: fewer than one in twelve remote postings does it.

How many remote postings show a salary

Live remote postings on Jobgether, Oct 4, 2026

7.9%

Salary shown, 7.9% No salary shown, 92.1%

Source: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026. Share of all live remote postings on the day.

About the index

Questions about the Remote Work Index

What is the Jobgether Remote Work Index?

A monthly report on remote hiring from Jobgether, a remote career platform. It tracks new remote job postings, the skills they ask for, where they can be done from and how many people apply.

Where does the data come from?

From remote job postings and applications on Jobgether. This edition counts 200,043 new postings first published between Aug 1 and Sep 30, 2026, with duplicate copies removed, plus applications on weekly sample days.

Does the index cover the whole job market?

No. The figures describe postings and applications on Jobgether. They show which way remote hiring is moving, not the size of the whole labor market.

What does “Estimate” mean on this page?

An Estimate is inferred, not counted directly. Competition figures are one example: they depend on who applies through Jobgether. Every figure without the label is a direct count.

How often is the index published?

Every quarter. The next edition comes out in January 2027.

Can I use these figures?

Yes. Quote, chart or republish them under CC BY 4.0, with credit to the Jobgether Remote Work Index and a link to this page. Credit: Jobgether Remote Work Index, September 2026.

Methodology

How we build the index

Every figure comes from Jobgether's own data and describes postings and applications on Jobgether, not the whole labor market.

Definitions and data windows
New postings
Remote jobs first published on Jobgether in the month, counted once, with duplicate copies removed. That includes a batch of copies created on Sep 25, 2026 that would have shown a false rise. Window: Aug 1 to Sep 30, 2026
Per day
August has 31 days and September 30, so every change compares daily averages.
Against the market trend
Postings gained or lost compared with what the overall per-day change would give, in a 30-day month.
Publication rule
A role group, skill, industry or location type appears only if at least 10 employers move it, no single employer explains more than 25% of the change, it had at least 300 new postings in August, and it moved at least 150 postings against the trend, also without its largest employer. It must also hold among the same employers and the same job sources, and pass a noise test.
Applications
Applications made on Jobgether to new postings on weekly sample days. 1× is the average new posting. Duplicate copies are left out. Window: weekly sample days, Aug 4 to Sep 29, 2026
Open roles
Active postings with parent companies merged and agencies, aggregators and duplicate posters left out. Snapshots: Aug 11 and Sep 8, 2026
Salary
Advertised pay on live remote postings, taken as a single snapshot. Snapshot: Oct 4, 2026
Estimate
Inferred rather than counted directly. Every other figure is a direct count.