Remote work in the federal government has expanded dramatically. More agencies than ever offer fully remote positions, and understanding how to find and secure these opportunities can open up federal careers regardless of where you live.
Remote vs. Telework: Important Distinction
The federal government makes a clear distinction between "remote" and "telework" — and the difference matters significantly. Remote positions allow you to work from home full-time with no expectation of regularly reporting to a federal office. Your duty station is your home address, and locality pay is based on where you live. Telework positions have an official duty station at a federal office, but allow you to work from home on a regular or situational basis. Your locality pay is based on the office location, not your home.
How to Find Remote Positions on USAJobs
On USAJobs, use the location filter and select "Remote" to find fully remote positions. You can also search for keywords like "remote" or "virtual" in job titles. Look at the Location field in job announcements — remote positions will say "Location Negotiable After Selection" or list "Anywhere in the U.S." When a position says "multiple locations" with a telework option, that typically means telework, not full remote.
Top Agencies for Remote Work
Several agencies are leaders in remote work. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has one of the most mature remote work programs, with thousands of patent examiners working from home. The General Services Administration (GSA) embraces distributed work as a core principle. The IRS has significantly expanded remote positions, especially for revenue agents and IT staff. The Social Security Administration offers many remote customer service and adjudication positions. The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded remote options for clinical and administrative roles.
Best Remote Federal Job Categories
Information Technology (IT) positions are the most commonly available in remote format. Other strong remote categories include human resources, contract specialists, financial management, legal and policy analysis, writers and editors, and program management. Many GS-12 and above professional positions now offer at least some telework flexibility.
Locality Pay Considerations
Here is a critical detail many applicants miss. For fully remote positions, your locality pay is typically based on your home address. If you live in a low-cost area, your pay will reflect a lower locality rate. However, some agencies designate a specific duty station for remote workers regardless of where they live — potentially giving you a higher locality rate. Always check the job announcement for duty station and locality details.
Making the Case for Remote
If you are already a federal employee seeking remote work, build your case by demonstrating consistent high performance, showing how remote work benefits the mission, proposing a trial period, and referencing agency telework policies and government-wide directives supporting flexible work.
Tips for Remote Federal Workers
Establish a dedicated workspace that meets agency requirements. Ensure reliable high-speed internet. Maintain regular communication with your team and supervisor. Be responsive during core hours. Keep your telework agreement current and comply with all security requirements for handling government information at home.