In the U.S., over 26 million people telecommute at least part-time. Those numbers are sure to rise in the future. But what is telecommuting, anyway?

You may have heard other terms, such as “remote work” and “work from home.” This could leave you wondering about the telecommute definition — is it the same as these things, or different?

Whether you’re interested in telecommuting jobs, or just curious about the concept, we’ve got you covered with this guide. Read on to learn the answers to your telecommuting questions!

What Is Telecommuting? The Definition of Telecommuting

The terms telecommuting, remote work, and work from home actually do mean the same thing. These terms refer to work arrangements in which you don’t leave your home to do your job.

However, telecommuting is different from jobs in which you turn your home into a workplace. People whose homes function as daycare centers, salons, or other work sites aren’t telecommuters. Instead, telecommuting usually means connecting with a remote worksite using your phone and internet to do the job virtually.

Of course, remote workers don’t necessarily have to stay home. They can do the job from anywhere that has the necessary online connectivity. These workers can work from a coffee shop, while traveling, or anywhere that suits them.

As you can imagine, telecommuting has a lot of appeal for this reason. With no commute, and the option to work from nearly anywhere, many workers report that they prefer telecommuting over traditional work.

What Is a Telecommute Job?

A telecommute job is any job that can be done remotely in this way.

Many industries don’t have jobs for telecommuters. For example, you can’t telecommute as a restaurant server, makeup artist, or electrician. These jobs require skills that can only be done in person.

However, many jobs that were once in-person jobs can now be done remotely thanks to technology.

For example, college professors can telecommute by teaching classes entirely online. Many customer service professionals can telecommute by handling customer inquiries remotely by phone, chat, or email. It’s even possible to do some medical jobs from home now.

As technology improves and expands, more telecommuting jobs are likely to become available in the future.

The Benefits of Telecommuting

Telecommuting can actually help both industries and workers in many different ways.

For example, it allows companies to hire workers from all over the world, rather than from a certain location. This lets them tap the best talent, no matter where it’s found.

It also allows workers to work when and where is best for them. Many telecommute jobs even have flexible hours, so workers can choose the hours when they find it easiest to focus.

As more people switch to telecommuting, the benefits are only becoming more clear.

Is Telecommuting Right for You?

Now that we’ve answered “What is telecommuting?” you likely have one more question: is telecommuting right for you?

If you’re in an industry that offers remote positions, the answer is likely yes. Telecommuting is only going to grow in the future, so now’s a great time to get started. You’ll reap the benefits of working remotely, while also honing your telecommuting skills for the future.