Education: The Great Divider
Educational attainment remains the strongest predictor of remote work opportunities. The statistics paint a clear picture of how education opens doors to flexible work arrangements:
- Workers without high school diplomas: 3.1% work remotely
- High school graduates without college: 8.4% telework
- Some college or associate degree holders: 17.3% work from home
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.3% work remotely
This educational divide has significant implications for New Jersey’s workforce development and housing market patterns. Areas with higher concentrations of college-educated professionals are more likely to see sustained demand for homes with dedicated office space and reliable internet infrastructure.
Industry and Occupation Patterns
Professional and technical fields continue to lead in remote work adoption, particularly roles in computer and mathematical occupations, business and financial operations. These knowledge-based sectors rely heavily on digital communication tools and project-based work that translates well to remote settings.
Conversely, occupations requiring physical presence such as food service, transportation, manufacturing, and construction naturally offer limited remote opportunities. This creates a two-tier employment market with different implications for housing needs and location preferences.
Implications for New Jersey Professionals
These remote work trends have several important implications for New Jersey’s workforce and real estate market. The sustained popularity of remote work means that professionals with college degrees and experience in knowledge-based industries have unprecedented flexibility in where they choose to live and work.
For those considering career transitions or real estate decisions, understanding these trends can inform strategic choices about skill development, industry focus, and geographic location. The data suggests that investing in education and developing expertise in digitally-enabled fields continues to provide the greatest access to flexible work arrangements.
The stability of remote work rates over the past two years indicates that this isn’t a temporary pandemic-era phenomenon but rather a permanent shift in how many Americans approach work. For New Jersey professionals, this represents both opportunity and challenge as the state continues to compete for talent in an increasingly flexible labor market.
As we move forward, these trends will likely continue to influence everything from commercial real estate demand to residential housing patterns, making it essential for professionals to stay informed about the evolving nature of work in America.
About Counsellors Title Agency
We are an award-winning agency and one of New Jersey’s leading title insurance businesses, based in Toms River. Counsellors is known for its team of knowledgeable service professionals recognized for its exceptional title, settlement and escrow services, for all 21 New Jersey counties. Its glitch-free signature service provides confidence to home buyers, sellers, and industry professionals. The knowledge base of its staff has processed over $17 billion in orders and established itself as a pillar of trust and benchmark of excellence within the real estate community.