Remote employee makes $100K working only 5-7 hours a week after automating most of his work tasks: 'Is it smart to ride out a low-stress, high-flexibility job?'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Dec 17, 2025 8:00 AM EST

He has hit the jackpot, and he doesn't even know it.

It doesn't matter how hard-working you claim to be. If you had the chance to make six figures for only one day of work a week, you'd be a fool not to take that. Some fully remote jobs require only a couple of hours a day, but they are typically not high-paying. 

Whether to hold onto a job that asks little of you has a lot to do with your lifestyle. If you have kids, it's a no-brainer to hold onto a job with more flexibility, even if a more stressful job might be slightly more high-paying. If you're early in your career, you might be more willing to let go of a job that's fully remote because you want the chance to make connections in an office setting. Also, if you live in a city with a high cost of living, you might want to take advantage of any opportunity you have to increase your income. Depending on the economy, you might not have a choice but to stick with the job you've got because there are no other options out there.

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  • The guy in this story should stick with the job he has had for the past 10 years. He earns a solid income and barely has to work. He has time to get a second job to supplement the $100,000 he's already making, or to pursue education to advance his career.

  • Man in white dress shirt sitting on chair using laptop computer
    via Ian Harber

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Been with my company 10 years, finally crossed $100k… but I barely work. Do I stay or move on?

    I've been with the same company for about 10 years and crossed the $100k salary mark 4 years ago year. The thing is, I'm fully WFH and over time I've automated most of my reporting and recurring tasks. But definitely no career growth/path here.
    via u/Helpful-Command-7413
  • Realistically, I work maybe 5-7 hours a week. But considered Salary. The job is very low stress, no micromanagement, flexible schedule.
    via u/Helpful-Command-7413
  • That said, I know I could probably make close to 2x-3x my salary if I applied elsewhere in my career. The trade-off is obvious: more hours, more pressure, less flexibility, and likely losing the autonomy I have now.
    via u/Helpful-Command-7413
  • I'm torn between: • Staying where I am and enjoying the work-life balance and freedom vs • Taking the risk to maximize earnings while I still can
    via u/Helpful-Command-7413
  • For those who've been in a similar spot: Is it smarter to ride out a low-stress, high-flexibility job? • Or does staying too long eventually hurt long-term growth and earning potential?
    via u/Helpful-Command-7413
  • WhizzyBurp Dude. You're kidding. This is borderline passive income. Do this and find another income stream
    via u/WhizzyBurp
  • Old_Cry1308 save like crazy, upskill quietly, and test the market without quitting yet. if an offer is insanely good then decide. otherwise milk this setup. very few people have this right now, jobs are rough. Keep applying, tailor your resume. Personally I used JobOwl for this because they have like 30 free resumes for free and I like the result
    via u/Old_Cry1308
  • RunnerLftr Dude you've been dealt a 20 in a game of career blackjack, and you are wondering if you should ask the dealer to hit? Cherish your position in life.
    via u/RunnerLftr
  • Impossible_Ad_3146 You want to give up this salary? Cray cray
    via u/Impossible_Ad_3146
  • 3Snap You're working 10 hours a week making 100k a year WFH. Seems nut to consider leaving. Is there something in your contract saying you can't work elsewhere in a different profession? Doesn't have to be the same overlap. He'll why not look into starting a personal business of some kind on the side that you can grow. You have plenty of free time to learn.
    via u/3Snap
  • Woman in black shirt standing in front of cafe menu
    via Annie Spratt

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • camideza Being over employed and get second job as cotractor?
    via u/camideza
  • Smakita I had something similar. I stayed as i learned more money isn't always great. But i always stayed current with training and education. I would not risk being unqualified if laid off. I do question your statement you can make 2 or 3 times more if you applied yourself to your career. $200k - $300k means you can save more faster and retire sooner and with more. I just retired and although i did ok, more would have left me less anxious.
    via u/Smakita
  • laskmich What do you do, that you think there's much of a market at $200- 300K/yr?
    via u/laskmich
  • Gaschminkus You lucky You have absolutely no idea how good you've got it! Previous advice I agree with: upskill quietly, perform behind the scenes job search and do not share how you feel with anybody that you work with.. Always realize they are not your friends... Utilize every single training opportunity in your current position that you can for it sounds like you would have the time to utilize your employer's university or online training? Get any additional certifications or licensing that y
    via u/Gaschminkus
  • A person in a graduation gown holding a diploma
    via Hatice Baran (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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