Which States Are Best for Dads to Pursue Remote Work?

DesignRush’s recent study revealed that fathers in the United States are now choosing remote work over on-site jobs, reflecting the broader trend of prioritizing work-life balance and flexibility. 

The exclusive findings also showed that 29 U.S. states now offer lucrative compensation packages to remote workers — a transformative narrative for working dads in 2024.  

Notably, these packages are estimated to be 30% higher than office job salaries on average. 

For these reasons, new-generation fathers not only benefit from remote work’s financial gains but also the convenience it provides, allowing them to have a more involved role in their children's lives. 

Businesses should take note of these findings, especially during the hiring process.

It is best to always be armed with recent data in order to prepare to offer the most competitive compensation packages you can afford, as well as consider adopting a different work environment.

Top States Where Dads Can Work Remotely

While the benefits of remote work are undeniable, the average salary this work style entails varies from state to state.  

DesignRush’s study revealed that fathers in West Virginia, Tennessee, and New York are earning more than office dads. 

Starting off with West Virginia, remote jobs offer a dramatic $24,668 increase in annual income, alongside savings on home care. 

With 299,000 fathers working and a substantial global search volume for remote job opportunities at 883 per 100,000, the state empowers dads to spend more time with their families and cherish the moments that matter most. 

Meanwhile, Tennessee fathers earn $14,333 more in remote jobs and save nearly $3,000 on home care costs compared to center-based daycare, providing a substantial financial advantage.

Being home to 1.2 million working fathers and having a high global search volume for remote jobs at 767 per 100,000, the southern state is shifting from its traditional blue-collar roots to embrace white-collar remote work opportunities.

This transformation not only supports financial stability but also promotes a better work-life balance, making Tennessee a top location for remote working fathers who want to be more present in their children's lives. 

Third in the rankings is the state of New York, with its remote-working fathers enjoying a substantial $20,046 increase in income, along with notable savings on home care.  

With 3.2 million fathers working and a high volume of global searches for remote job opportunities at 571.9 per 100,000, remote work here means more financial freedom and the ability to spend quality family time. 

Coming in fourth place is Arizona, with 1.4 million fathers and remote-working dads earning an extra $6,998 per year. This financial boost allows fathers to invest more time and resources into their families, improving their overall well-being.

Vermont, which is fifth on the list, has fathers who benefit from an additional $14,247 in remote job earnings and considerable savings on home care. The state has 97,000 working fathers and high interest in remote job searches with a volume of 710.9 per 100,000. 

A Sound Methodology 

The agency directory’s study evaluates the best states for remote- and office-working fathers using eight key metrics that reflect the population of fathers, their income, childcare costs, and support systems: 

• Fathers (% of Population): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 
• Annual Office Wage: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 
• Child Care Center Cost: Child Care Aware of America, 2023 Affordability Analysis 
• Annual Remote Wage: ZipRecruiter 
• Home Child Care Cost: Child Care Aware of America, 2023 Affordability Analysis 
• Cost of Living: Various state and national indices 
• Spots per 1000 Kids (Capacity): Child Care Aware of America 
• Remote Job Search Volume: Google Keyword Planner 

The metrics were then normalized on a scale of 50-100, and weights were applied to calculate the average score for each state.

Final scores were calculated by combining the weighted normalized scores of all metrics. 

By using this methodology, the study accurately identifies the best states for remote- and office-working fathers based on a balanced consideration of multiple important factors. 

A report from USA Today revealed that employees are willing to forgo up to $6,000 in annual salary for the privilege of working from home.

DesignRush revealed that U.S. dads don't even have to lose out on anything by working remotely, they just need to choose the right state where they'll be employed.

On the other hand, businesses need to be aware of these figures to be able to adjust their compensation packages and work environment accordingly.

As remote work continues to evolve in 2024, our research hopes to aid both industry leaders and employees in navigating the complexities of the new normal.

You can view the full data set here.