Remote Work + FIRE: How to Earn $100K+ While Living Abroad

Remote work has unlocked the possibility of living anywhere — Tokyo, Lisbon, Bali — without putting your career on hold. But for families and professionals pursuing FIRE, one problem lingers:

Most guides on “making money abroad” focus on $20/hour freelancing or side gigs. That’s not enough. Scraping by in Chiang Mai or Medellín won’t get you to financial independence.

The real question is: How do you earn $100K+ while living abroad, so you can still save, invest, and hit your FIRE goals?

This post breaks down the specific jobs, strategies, and setups that let you do exactly that.

Why $100K Matters for FIRE Abroad

$100K is an arbitrary but useful threshold. It’s high enough to:

Support a family in most expat destinations (even with international schools).
Cover health insurance and flights home.
Still allow for saving and investing at FIRE-level rates (30–50%+ of income).

Sure, you can live well on less abroad. But if your goal is financial independence, you need more than just covering costs — you need consistent surplus to invest.

Takeaway: $100K isn’t about luxury. It’s about buying freedom while staying on track for FIRE.

The Core Paths to $100K+ Remote Income

There are four main categories where remote professionals consistently break six figures.

1. Tech & Product Roles

Software engineering, data science, product management, UX design
Typical range: $100K–$180K with U.S. or EU employers
Why it works: Talent shortage + companies already structured for remote

Example: A mid-level software engineer working for a San Francisco startup can earn $140K+ while living in Portugal, where the cost of living is 40–50% lower than the Bay Area.

Takeaway: If you’re already in tech, keep your home-country salary while relocating. If not, consider a pivot via coding bootcamps or product certifications.

2. Remote-Friendly Professional Services

Marketing, finance, consulting, legal, project management
Typical range: $90K–$150K depending on specialization
Why it works: Many firms now use distributed teams; “client-facing” no longer requires an office

Example: A digital marketing manager for a U.S. e-commerce brand makes $110K. From Kuala Lumpur, that covers housing, schools, and savings at U.S.-level income — without U.S.-level expenses.

Takeaway: Identify transferable skills. Roles like FP&A, paid media management, or contract law translate across borders and are increasingly remote.

3. Remote-First Companies & Startups

Some firms don’t just allow remote — they’re built for it.

Automattic (WordPress), GitLab, Deel, Doist
Typical salaries: competitive with Silicon Valley
Why it works: These companies hire globally, pay well, and support async collaboration

Example: A product designer at Automattic can earn $120K+ from anywhere with reliable Wi-Fi.

Takeaway: Search “remote-first” or “distributed team” companies, not just “remote jobs.”

4. Building Your Own Location-Independent Business

Micro SaaS, niche content sites, coaching, courses, consulting
Typical income: Wide range ($0–$500K+)
Why it works: You own the upside, location, and structure

Example: Running a micro SaaS that earns $8,500/month = $102K/year. Combined with geoarbitrage, that income stretches further than $200K in New York.

Takeaway: Riskier path but highest long-term autonomy. Best when paired with a cash cushion and/or partner with stable remote income.

How to Position Yourself for $100K+ Remote Roles

It’s not just about skills — it’s about signal. Employers want proof you can deliver without in-office oversight.

Build a Remote-Friendly Resume

Highlight async work: “Led cross-border team across 3 time zones”
Show deliverables, not tasks: “Increased conversion by 25%”
List tech stack: Slack, Asana, Notion, Jira, GitHub

Leverage Geography — Smartly

Work for companies in high-paying markets (U.S., EU)
Live in lower-cost regions (Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America)
Don’t anchor yourself to local salaries unless it’s intentional

Takeaway: The arbitrage comes from decoupling where you earn vs. where you spend.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Settling for “digital nomad” wages
$20/hour freelance gigs won’t get you to FIRE. Don’t confuse location freedom with underpaid work.

2. Ignoring time zones
A U.S. East Coast role while living in Bali might mean 2am meetings. That’s not sustainable with kids.

3. Underestimating family costs
International schools can run $10K–$30K/year per child. Factor this in when evaluating offers.

4. Tax surprises
U.S. citizens abroad still owe IRS filings; local taxes may apply too. Always plan before moving.

Case Studies: FIRE-Oriented Remote Incomes

Case 1: The Software Engineer in Portugal

Income: $140K (U.S. employer)
Costs: $60K/year (family of 3 in Lisbon with international school)
Savings rate: 57%

Case 2: The Marketing Manager in Malaysia

Income: $110K (U.S. employer)
Costs: $45K/year (family of 4 in Kuala Lumpur)
Savings rate: 59%

Case 3: The Solo Micro SaaS Founder in Japan

Income: $105K (subscription SaaS)
Costs: $50K/year (single in Fukuoka)
Savings rate: 52%

Takeaway: $100K abroad isn’t about excess — it’s about maintaining FIRE-level savings while enjoying global lifestyle benefits.

How to Start Your $100K+ Remote Work Abroad Journey

Audit your skills: Which roles map to high-paying remote paths?
Target the right employers: Remote-first companies or firms in high-salary regions.
Plan your location: Match time zones + lifestyle + family needs.
Run the numbers: Use cost of living + FIRE calculators (try FireBento’s tools).
Prepare financially: Keep a runway of 6–12 months cash before the move.

Final Thoughts

Remote work + FIRE isn’t about sipping coconuts on a beach with a laptop. It’s about designing a career and lifestyle where your income stays strong while your expenses drop — so you can save, invest, and reach financial independence faster.

With the right role, company, or business model, earning $100K+ abroad is realistic. The real challenge is aligning your income, location, and FIRE goals.

Next step: Run your own numbers with the FireBento Cost of Living and FIRE Target calculators — and see how your remote salary could accelerate your path to independence.

Remote Work + FIRE: How to Earn $100K+ Living Abroad