New study reveals the most sought-after skills for remote work in 2025, with data science leading the rankings
Key Findings:
- New study analyses global remote work skills based on job listings, salaries, growth projections, certifications, and search interest to determine which abilities provide the most flexibility
- Data science tops the list with a perfect score of 100, while blockchain development shows the highest growth potential at 90% projected increase
- Career expert shares guidance on which skills to develop for remote work success in the coming years
In a world where flexibility has become a cornerstone of modern careers, the ability to work from anywhere represents freedom for millions of professionals. As of 2025, 28% of Britons work remotely either full-time or part-time, showing how deeply integrated remote work has become in the UK employment landscape.
But which skills truly unlock the door to location independence? The team at Uni Compare, an online platform helping students make informed decisions about higher education, wanted to find answers.
“Understanding which skills employers value most in remote settings gives job seekers a roadmap to build careers that offer both financial security and lifestyle flexibility,” explains Owen O’Neill, Founder of Uni Compare.
Uni Compare conducted a comprehensive analysis to identify the most in-demand skills for remote work globally. Their research created a “Remote Work Demand Score” by analysing global job listings, average remote salaries, projected growth rates, available online certifications, and Google search volumes. Each factor was standardised using Z-scores, weighted according to importance, and combined to produce a final score scaled from 0 to 100.
According to their research, these are the most in-demand skills for remote work in 2025:
Table: Top 10 Most In-Demand Skills That Let You Work From Anywhere
| Rank | Skill | Remote Work Demand Score |
| 1 | Data Science | 100 |
| 2 | Cloud Computing | 67.56 |
| 3 | Artificial Intelligence | 55.95 |
| 4 | Blockchain Development | 59.01 |
| 5 | Sales | 50.83 |
| 6 | Project Management | 48.91 |
| 7 | Machine Learning | 46.06 |
| 8 | Cybersecurity | 42.99 |
| 9 | Product Management | 40.26 |
| 10 | Web Development | 35.36 |
You can view the full dataset, with all contributing factors, here.
- Data Science: The Ultimate Remote Skill
Data science claims the top spot with a perfect score of 100, demonstrating its unmatched demand in remote work environments. With 218,919 global job listings and an impressive average salary of £153,000, data science offers both abundance of opportunity and financial reward.
The field also benefits from a strong 36% projected growth rate over the next five years, making it not only valuable today, but increasingly sought-after for the future.
“Data science combines technical proficiency with problem-solving capabilities that companies value regardless of location,” notes O’Neill. “The ability to extract actionable insights from data is universally applicable across industries, which explains why demand for these skills continues to outpace supply.”
- Cloud Computing: The Infrastructure Expertise
Cloud computing ranks second with a score of 67.56, driven largely by having the highest average remote salary at £190,000. While its job listing count of 94,594 is less than half that of data science, cloud expertise is particularly valuable as businesses continue digital transformation efforts. The field’s modest but reliable growth projection of 17% signals sustained demand rather than a temporary spike.
“As more companies transition to cloud-based infrastructure, professionals who can architect, secure, and optimise these systems can essentially work from anywhere in the world,” says O’Neill. “The premium salary reflects both the specialised knowledge required and the mission-critical nature of the role.”
- Artificial Intelligence: The Innovation Driver
Artificial Intelligence ranks third with a score of 55.95, featuring 82,220 global job listings and an average remote salary of £125,500. What stands out is the field’s impressive Google search volume of 136,600, indicating significant interest from those looking to develop these skills. With a projected growth rate of 23%, AI remains at the forefront of technological advancement.
“AI expertise spans multiple domains and is transforming industries from healthcare to finance,” explains O’Neill. “The combination of strong current demand and promising growth projections makes AI one of the most reliable paths to remote work opportunities with staying power.”
- Blockchain Development: The Growth Leader
Though ranking fourth overall with a score of 59.01, blockchain development shows remarkable potential with a staggering 90% projected growth rate – by far the highest of any skill on the list. Despite having just 4,147 current job listings, this explosive growth trajectory makes it one of the most future-proof skills for remote workers.
“What’s fascinating about blockchain is that we’re seeing a skill with relatively modest current demand positioned for unprecedented growth,” O’Neill explains. “For those willing to invest in developing blockchain expertise now, the data suggests they’ll enter a far less crowded field with significant remote opportunities in the coming years.”
Surprising Non-Technical Contenders
Not all in-demand remote skills are technical in nature. Sales ranks fifth with a score of 50.83 and boasts 153,251 job listings—the second-highest number on the list. Similarly, project management (ranked sixth with 48.91) shows impressive Google search volume at 294,350, indicating strong interest from those looking to build careers in this area.
“The strong performance of sales and project management demonstrates that interpersonal and organisational skills remain highly valued, even in remote contexts,” O’Neill points out. “These roles have successfully transitioned to remote models, which proves that not all location-independent careers require deep technical expertise.”
Owen O’Neill, Founder of Uni Compare, commented:
“The data presents clear pathways for anyone looking to build a location-independent career. While technical skills dominate the top spots, the strong performance of sales and project management proves that soft skills remain invaluable in remote contexts. Based on our findings, we expect data science, blockchain, and AI to lead remote work trends through 2030.
“For those starting their career journey, I recommend focusing on foundational skills that support multiple specialisations. Understanding programming basics, data literacy, and effective communication helps create versatility that will serve you well as remote work continues evolving. The most future-proof approach is to combine technical expertise with the human elements that technology can’t replicate; creative thinking, empathy, and strategic vision.”
