Remote work is a tantalizing option for many tech pros, especially those who don’t want to change cities for a new job. But how much do most remote jobs actually pay, particularly in tech? FlexJobs has crunched some data and found that work-from-home software developers earn an average of $69,687 per year. “Developer” was also one of the fourteen most common work-from-home jobs, according to the FlexJobs database. That suggests many companies are relying on remote developers, which certainly makes sense in light of the tech industry’s low unemployment; if you’re a project manager who can’t find the right local talent at the right price, you’re more likely to explore remote options. Working from home offers some big advantages, including a relaxed dress code. However, such gigs also come with some unique stressors. As much as workers complain about their co-workers, personal interaction is a big part of any job (it’s how you form the networks you’ll need to advance your career, for instance), and remote workers can quickly find themselves isolated from the ebb and flow of “regular” office life. In addition, workers given to procrastination can find it hard to manage their workload without in-office supervision. A recent study by Baylor University found that those employees who worked best from home (or a local coffee shop) displayed a high degree of emotional maturity (or as the study puts it: “high–emotional stability employees reporting high levels of autonomy”). Those who don’t need to often revisit and revamp their goals with their boss, and who can figure out problems without a lot of hand-holding, tend to perform well. Another study, by HackerRank, found that 80 percent of tech pros want to work remotely. In an anonymous Dice survey, some 28 percent of tech pros said that remote work was the benefit that mattered most to them, equal with health benefits and just ahead of stock options or equity (19 percent). As tech pro salaries level off, benefits and perks such as remote work are becoming more important to tech pros, especially those who want a better work-life balance. Even if a prospective employer isn’t willing to match your salary request, they may prove more amenable to offering a flexible schedule or remote work.