About 34.6 million Americans worked from home in August 2025, putting the US telework rate at 22.1%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The share has held between 17.9% and 23.8% since the BLS started tracking it in October 2022. This article covers telework rates, demographic splits, industry data, employer policy shifts, and productivity research from BLS, Gallup, KPMG, and other primary sources.
Top Remote Work Statistics in the US
- 34.6 million Americans worked remotely in August 2025, a 22.1% telework rate (BLS).
- Workers with advanced degrees teleworked at 41.2% in August 2025, compared to 4.4% for those without a high school diploma.
- Computer and mathematics roles posted the highest occupation telework rate at 68.5%, while food service sat at 1.4%.
- 83% of CEOs expect a full-time return to office by 2027, per the KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook.
- 30% of companies plan to eliminate remote work entirely by 2026, according to Resume Builder.
How Many People Work Remotely in the US?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 34.3 million teleworkers in April 2025, or 21.6% of all employed Americans. By August 2025, that figure climbed to 34.6 million workers and a 22.1% telework rate.
The pre-pandemic baseline tells the bigger story. Just 6.5% of private-sector workers worked primarily from home in 2019. The current rate sits roughly 3.3 times higher, and it has barely budged for three straight years.
| Period | Telework Rate | Workers Teleworking |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 (pre-pandemic) | 6.5% | — |
| 2021 (pandemic peak) | 17.9% | — |
| Q1 2024 | 22.9% | 35.5 million |
| April 2025 | 21.6% | 34.3 million |
| August 2025 | 22.1% | 34.6 million |
| Range since Oct 2022 | 17.9%–23.8% | — |
Source: BLS Current Population Survey; BLS Beyond the Numbers (October 2024 and March 2025); Eye on Housing (July 2025).
Among remote-capable workers specifically, Gallup found that roughly 80% work either fully remote or hybrid in 2025. The split breaks down to 28% fully remote, 51% hybrid, and 21% fully on-site.
Remote Work Statistics by Gender and Age
Women out-telework men in the US, and the gap held steady through 2025. Women teleworked at 24.9% in Q1 2024 versus 21.1% for men. By August 2025, women sat near 25% and men near 20%.
The BLS attributes the gap to women’s higher representation in professional, administrative, and office roles that shifted cleanly to remote setups. Younger workers tell the opposite story.
| Group | Telework Rate (Q1 2024) | Telework Rate (Apr/Aug 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 24.9% | ~25% |
| Men | 21.1% | ~20% |
| Ages 16–24 | 7.9% | 6.2% |
| Ages 25–54 | 25.1% | ~24% |
| Ages 55+ | 24.4% | ~23% |
Source: BLS Beyond the Numbers, March 2025; Eye on Housing, July 2025.
Workers aged 16 to 24 teleworked at just 6.2% in April 2025, far below the 24% rate for prime-age workers. The reason is simple: younger workers cluster in retail, food service, and hospitality jobs that need physical presence.
Remote Work Statistics by Education and Race
Education sets the sharpest divide in remote work access. Workers with advanced degrees teleworked at 43.6% in Q1 2024 and 41.2% by August 2025. Workers without a high school diploma sat at 3.1% in April 2025, rising slightly to 4.4% by August.
That 40-point gap reflects job structure more than employer policy. Most jobs available without a high school credential involve service, construction, or production work that can’t move home.
| Education Level | Telework Rate |
|---|---|
| Advanced degree | 41.2%–43.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.8%–38.4% |
| Some college / associate | 17.3% |
| High school graduate | 8.4% |
| Less than high school | 3.1%–4.4% |
Source: BLS Beyond the Numbers, March 2025; Eye on Housing, July 2025; Vena Solutions citing BLS.
Telework Rates by Race and Ethnicity
Asian workers teleworked at 32.8% in Q1 2024, the highest rate among major racial groups. White workers sat at 23.2%, Black workers at 17.1%, and Hispanic workers at 12.4%. The differences track education levels and job categories more than employer attitudes.
| Group | Telework Rate (Q1 2024) |
|---|---|
| Asian workers | 32.8% |
| White workers | 23.2% |
| Black workers | 17.1% |
| Hispanic workers | 12.4% |
Source: BLS Beyond the Numbers, March 2025.
Remote Work Statistics by Industry and Occupation
Occupation drives almost everything in US remote work data. Computer and mathematics roles led with a 68.5% telework rate in 2024. Food service trailed every category at 1.4%, a 22x gap.
The tech sector overall ran 47% fully remote and 45% hybrid, leaving only 8% fully on-site. Finance and information industries posted telework rates above 50%.
| Industry / Occupation | Telework Rate |
|---|---|
| Computer and mathematics | 68.5% |
| Finance and information | Above 50% |
| Management occupations | ~40% |
| Construction | 2.7% |
| Transportation | ~2% |
| Food services | 1.4% |
Source: BLS data via accessiBe, February 2026; BLS Beyond the Numbers, March 2025.
Federal Government Sees the Biggest Shift
Federal workers logged the most dramatic change in 2025. Hybrid work among federal employees fell from 61% in late 2024 to 28% by mid-2025, per Gallup. Fully on-site federal workers rose to 46%. Federal return-to-office mandates issued in early 2025 drove the change. Private sector employers moved less uniformly during the same window.
Remote Work and Productivity
BLS researchers Pabilonia and Redmond examined 61 private-sector industries and found a positive relationship between telework and total factor productivity. The study, published in BLS Beyond the Numbers in October 2024, used industry-level productivity data rather than self-reports.
Worker self-reports back the finding. Pew Research found 56% of remote workers say remote work improves productivity, and 71% say it improves work-life balance.
| Productivity Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| BLS finding (61 industries) | Positive TFP relationship |
| Workers reporting better work-life balance | 71% |
| Workers reporting improved productivity | 56% |
| Employees who would recommend remote work | ~98% |
Source: BLS Beyond the Numbers, October 2024; Pew Research Center 2023; Vena Solutions.
Employer Policy and Worker Preference Gap
Executive plans and worker preferences point in opposite directions. The KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook found 83% of CEOs expect a full-time return to office by 2027. Resume Builder reported 30% of companies plan to scrap remote work by 2026.
Workers aren’t matching that energy. About 55% want remote work at least three days per week. Robert Half’s 2025 Salary Guide found 66% of professionals would come into the office five days a week if the salary went up.
Remote flexibility ranked as the top job feature for 63% of survey respondents in 2024, ahead of salary. Globally, 36% of job postings now offer hybrid or fully remote options. Anyone setting up a home office for the long haul has reason to keep doing so.
Remote Work Statistics: Quick Reference
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| US telework rate (August 2025) | 22.1% / 34.6 million |
| Pre-pandemic baseline (2019) | 6.5% |
| Range since Oct 2022 | 17.9%–23.8% |
| Women’s telework rate | ~25% |
| Men’s telework rate | ~20% |
| Advanced degree holders | 41.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.4% |
| Computer and math occupations | 68.5% |
| Food service occupations | 1.4% |
| CEOs expecting full-time office return by 2027 | 83% |
| Companies eliminating remote work by 2026 | 30% |
Source: BLS Current Population Survey; KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook; Resume Builder 2025.
The numbers describe a workforce in tension. Remote work has stabilised at roughly one in five US workers, but the gap between executive plans and worker preferences keeps widening. For people thinking through their own workspace choices or ergonomic setup, the structural data suggests remote isn’t going anywhere soon, even if individual employers pull back.
FAQs
How many Americans work remotely in 2025?
About 34.6 million Americans worked remotely in August 2025, or 22.1% of all employed workers, according to BLS Current Population Survey data. The share has held between 17.9% and 23.8% since October 2022.
What percentage of US workers worked from home before COVID?
Around 6.5% of private-sector workers worked primarily from home in 2019, based on BLS data drawn from American Community Survey records. Today’s rate of 22.1% is roughly 3.3 times higher than the pre-pandemic baseline.
Which jobs have the highest remote work rates?
Computer and mathematics occupations top the list at 68.5%, followed by finance and information industries above 50%. Management roles run around 40%. Food service sits lowest at 1.4%, with construction at 2.7%.
Are companies ending remote work in 2026?
About 30% of companies plan to eliminate remote work entirely by 2026, per Resume Builder’s 2025 survey. The KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook found 83% of CEOs expect a full-time return to office by 2027, though worker demand for flexibility remains strong.
Do remote workers actually produce more?
BLS research across 61 private-sector industries found a positive relationship between telework and total factor productivity. Pew Research separately found 56% of remote workers say working remotely improves their productivity and 71% report better work-life balance.
