By Rachel Pelta
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people out of work during the past three months, as new unemployment claims resulting from layoffs and furloughs hit all-time highs. That said, the number of initial claims has dropped for eight straight weeks. This is encouraging but there are still industries that are faring far better than others.
Our team examined the entire FlexJobs database to find the career fields that had an increase in open jobs posted between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020.
The Data
Our team examined the entire FlexJobs database to find the career categories and subcategories that had an increase in open jobs posted from March to May. This “wide net” means we didn’t only look at 100% remote jobs. We looked at every kind of flexible job. For example, partially remote jobs, freelance jobs, and part-time jobs were included in the analysis.
We’ve identified the top 15 highest growth career fields that have at least a 25% increase of job postings placed on FlexJobs’s website from March through May 2020.
Note: FlexJobs is a subscription service for job seekers that features flexible and remote jobs. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the monthly subscription costs allow us to fully vet and verify all of the jobs on our site—ensuring that customers have a safe and positive job searching experience.
Top 15 Highest Growth Flexible Career Categories in March-May 2020
1. Therapy
Therapy jobs are wide-ranging and use a variety of methodologies to treat mental and physical health conditions and ailments. Industries like medical and health, human services, nonprofit and philanthropy, education and training, and pharmaceutical all have openings for therapy jobs.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 150%
Companies that hire for therapy jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- School Psychologist
- Mental Health Coach
2. Underwriting
Underwriting professionals are essential to insurance companies; their job is to evaluate the risk and exposures of potential clients. The underwriting department decides how much coverage clients should receive and how much they should pay for it.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 129%
Companies that hire for underwriting jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Mortgage Underwriter
- Vice President – Underwriting Manager
- Underwriter I
3. Mortgage and Real Estate
Buying or selling a property can be a complex process, so people normally seek out the assistance of a real estate agent or mortgage company to help handle things. Real estate and mortgage careers involve the transfer of properties (residential and commercial) between parties, and managing the financial, legal, and insurance aspects of this process.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 109%
Companies that hire for mortgage and real estate jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Loan Closer
- Mortgage Loan Processor
- Mortgage Customer Service Representative
4. Banking
Banking jobs are wide-ranging and include any job performed in a bank or bank-like institution such as a mortgage lender. Banking jobs are found in the accounting, finance, and bank industries, as well as mortgage lending, insurance, credit cards, nonprofit organizations, and information technology.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 81%
Companies that hire for banking jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Consumer Operations Strategy Senior Professional
- Manager, Mortgage Sales Support
- Directory, Advocacy
5. Gaming
The gaming industry, also referred to as the interactive entertainment industry, is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Offering jobs in both technical and business-related areas, the gaming industry provides employment opportunities for people of varying backgrounds and interests.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 70%
Companies that hire for gaming jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- 3D Artist
- Associate Producer
- Community and Social Manager
6. System Administration
System administrators are responsible for the maintenance and troubleshooting of networked and cloud-based systems used by companies large and small.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 61%
Companies that hire for systems administration jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Infrastructure Monitoring, Automation Engineer
- IT Operations Automation – Systems Engineering Manager
- Senior Support Engineer
7. Mental Health
Mental health jobs are a subset of medical and health jobs that deal specifically with the combination of mental health therapies and prescription pharmaceuticals to help treat patients with psychiatric disorders.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 51%
Companies that hire for mental health jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- School Psychologist
- Behavioral Health Care Advocate – Concurrent Review
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
8. Call Center
Call center jobs are perfect for people who enjoy helping others, can use a computer and telephone well, and can “think on their feet” to find solutions to meet customer needs. Some call centers handle only incoming calls, while others include calling people, businesses, and organizations for marketing, research surveys, appointment setting, collections, or business to business (B2B) communications.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 41%
Companies that hire for call center jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Call Center – Customer Service Representative
- Medical Scheduler
- Team Manager
9. Database Administration
Jobs in this category cover career fields like database management, warehousing, architecture, and administration. Database administration professionals have extensive knowledge of SQL and specific database servers from Oracle, Postgres, Mysql, or NoSql, and need to maintain current DBA certifications.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 41%
Companies that hire for database administration jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- SQL Database Administrator
- Manager – Marketing Automation
- Senior Big Data Engineer
10. K-12 Education
K-12 teachers and educators provide educational services for students from ages 5-19. These special K-12 teachers are generally experts in one or more subject areas and have the training to assist students with learning key concepts and difficult subjects.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 39%
Companies that hire for K-12 education jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Online ESL Teacher
- Online High School Math Teacher
11. Outbound Calls
People with outbound call center jobs are responsible for making outgoing customer calls on behalf of clients or businesses. Services offered by outbound call centers can include telesales, telemarketing, fundraising, mystery shopping, lead generation and qualification, market research, data collection, collection reminders, list updating, appointment setting, verification services, and surveys.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 36%
Companies that hire for outbound calls jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Account Resolution Specialist
- Operations Quality Auditor
- Outbound Contacts
12. Inbound Calls
Inbound calling is a particular form of customer service in which telephone professionals promptly take incoming calls from customers either online or by way of an internal calling system. The inbound calls staff then listens to the callers, evaluates their needs, and offers services or support to provide for their needs or answer their questions.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 34%
Companies that hire for inbound calls jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Bilingual Spanish Customer Service and Support Representative
- Laotian Interpreter
- Call Center Representative
13. Translation
As business is becoming more global, the demand for professionals who can work as translators to bridge the communication gap between cultures and businesses is immense. This is especially important for companies that operate internationally or have operations in other countries where associates must live and work.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 29%
Companies that hire for translation jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Ilocano Independent Contractor Interpreter
- English to Thai Translator
- Creative English to Hindi Translator
14. Accounting & Finance
Accounting and finance careers involve the processing of financial data, handling accounts payables and receivables, organizing records, and assisting in tax preparation. Accounting and finance professionals often work in positions where they assist customers with their accounting records, bill paying, and collections.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 25%
Companies that hire for accounting and finance jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Accounting Support
- Business Analyst
- Senior Accountant
15. Online Teaching
Online teaching professionals provide learning opportunities over the internet to students of all ages. Opportunities to teach online include jobs with public and private elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the country.
Percent increase between March and May 2020: 25%
Companies that hire for online teaching jobs:
Recent job postings on FlexJobs:
- Game Development Counselor for Virtual Camp
- Professor, Master of Public Health
- Curriculum and Instruction Developer