2025 Best Cities for Remote Education Jobs

As teletherapy and remote learning reshape the future of education, VocoVision set out to identify which U.S. cities are best positioned for educators, school therapists, and other professionals seeking remote school-based roles. The 2025 Remote Education Jobs Index ranks 99 major U.S. cities based on factors that define opportunity, livability, and long-term sustainability for remote educators.

To determine the best U.S. cities for remote educators and professionals seeking online school-based or education jobs, VocoVision analyzed five key indicators reflecting both quality of life and professional opportunity. Each factor was equally weighted at 20% to ensure a balanced evaluation across economic, environmental, and technological dimensions.

Data was collected from reputable national sources, including the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Association of REALTORS. Scores for each metric were standardized on a 0–100 scale and combined to produce each city’s overall score. This composite score reflects the strength of a city’s digital infrastructure, affordability, job outlook, compensation, and overall livability for remote educators.

Ranking Factors & Data Sources

• (20%) Broadband Accessibility – Share of serviceable housing units with access to fiber broadband at speeds of at least 1,000 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload.
   Source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• (20%) Affordability – Median qualifying income required to purchase an existing single-family home with a 20% down payment.
   Source: National Association of REALTORS (2025 Housing Affordability Data)
• (20%) Wage Potential – Average annual wage for Educational Instruction and Library Occupations.
   Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics)
• (20%) Job Growth Outlook – Projected 10-year employment growth (2022–2032) across key education and therapy-related roles, including elementary and special education teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
   Source: Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), U.S. Department of Labor
• (20%) Green Space & Livability – Percentage of total city area dedicated to public parks and green spaces.
   Source: The Trust for Public Land (City Park Facts Database)

Explore the findings below and find out where remote education opportunities shine brightest!

Top 20 Cities for Remote School Professionals

1. New York, NY
2. Denver, CO
3. Buffalo, NY
4. Nashville-Davidson County, TN
5. Plano, TX
6. Scottsdale, AZ
7. Lubbock, TX
8. Dallas, TX
9. Memphis, TN
10. Jacksonville, FL
11. Fort Worth, TX
12. El Paso, TX
13. Durham, NC
14. Minneapolis, MN
15. San Antonio, TX
16. St. Petersburg, FL
17. Colorado Springs, CO
18. Austin, TX
19. Arlington, TX
20. Aurora, CO

Detailed Findings: Top 3 Cities

1. New York, NY

New York City ranks as the #1 best city for remote educators, driven by its strong job growth outlook, high salaries, and ample green space.

• Job Growth Outlook: Employment for education-related roles in New York State—including teachers, counselors, and special educators—is projected to grow 15.8% between 2022 and 2032, the third-highest rate nationwide.
• Potential Earnings: The average annual wage for education professionals in NYC is $84,000, ranking third nationally.
• Green Space: Parks make up 17% of city land, placing NYC 12th in the nation—a key factor for mental health and work-life balance.
• Internet Access: 65.7% of homes have high-speed fiber broadband, ranking 19th nationwide.
• Affordability: The city’s weakest category—homeownership requires a qualifying income of $192,619, ranking 61st for affordability.

2. Denver, CO

Denver ranks #2 overall, offering the perfect mix of strong broadband access, job growth, and lifestyle appeal.

• Job Growth Outlook: Education-related employment in Colorado is projected to grow 15.9% through 2032, the second-highest rate in the U.S.
• Potential Earnings: Teachers and education professionals earn an average of $73,840, ranking 16th nationally.
• Green Space: With 10% of city land dedicated to parks, Denver ranks 17th, complementing its outdoorsy culture.
• Internet Access: 73.9% of homes have fiber broadband, ranking 12th nationwide.
• Affordability: Median qualifying income sits at $169,814, placing Denver 56th for affordability.

3. Buffalo, NY

Buffalo takes the #3 spot, offering a rare combination of affordability, connectivity, and growth potential.

• Job Growth Outlook: Mirroring statewide trends, education employment in New York is projected to rise 15.8% by 2032.
• Potential Earnings: Average wages for education professionals are $66,580, ranking 25th nationally.
• Green Space: 9% of city land is green space, ranking 18th in the U.S.
• Internet Access: 62.7% of homes have access to fiber broadband, ranking 21st.
• Affordability: Buffalo excels in affordability—requiring a qualifying income of $70,807, the 8th most affordable city analyzed.

Category Standouts: Best and Worst Cities

Housing Affordability

Median qualifying income required to purchase an existing single-family home with a 20% down payment.

• Best: Toledo, OH – $53,016
• Worst: San Jose, CA – $544,158

Work-From-Home Internet Access

Share of serviceable housing units with access to fiber broadband (≥1,000 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload).

• Best: Minneapolis, MN – 99.04%
• Worst: Chesapeake, VA and Glendale, AZ – 0%

Wage Potential

Average annual wage for educational instruction and library occupations.

• Best: Durham, NC – $92,210
• Worst: Laredo, TX – $50,630

Job Growth Outlook

Projected 10-year employment growth (2022–2032) across key education and therapy-related roles.

• Best: Memphis and Nashville, TN – 16.76%
• Worst: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA – 1.78%

Green Space & Livability

Percentage of total city area dedicated to public parks and green spaces.

• Best: Anchorage, AK – 84%
• Worst: Fresno, Santa Ana, and Stockton, CA; Laredo, TX; Lexington-Fayette, KY; Mesa, AZ – 3%

Remote School Jobs: The Full City Ranking

Ready to see where remote educators are living their best (virtual) lives? Dive into the full findings below!

Find Your Next Remote Education Role

As technology continues to reshape classrooms across the country, remote educators and teletherapists are playing a more vital role than ever before. From specialized school therapists to essential teachers, these professionals are bridging gaps in access and ensuring every student—regardless of location—has the support they need to thrive.

The findings from VocoVision’s Remote Education Jobs Index underscore that the best cities for remote educators combine opportunity, connectivity, and quality of life—but the beauty of telepractice is that great work can happen from anywhere. Whether you’re inspired by the green spaces of Denver, the affordability of Buffalo, or the career potential of New York City, VocoVision makes it possible to build a meaningful education career from any location.

With a VocoVision teletherapy role, you’ll enjoy flexible scheduling, nationwide opportunities, and the ability to make a real difference in students’ lives—without geographic limits. Explore remote school jobs today, including openings for school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, teachers, and more.