However, one of the hardest steps can be actually deciding what job you want to do as you travel the world. We created this list of digital nomad work ideas to get you started on your journey.

While we have a home base right now, we’ve done our stint of working as a digital nomad in Chaing Mai, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

We’ve worked as writers, editors, created our own travel blog (the one you’re reading right now), made money as photographers and videographers, and we’ve even done some hard physical work at a garden center in Australia.

Digital Nomad Jobs

This list is designed to be as practical as possible, with jobs that:

• are achievable for many people
• pay enough to support you during your travels

You’ll find traditional digital nomad jobs here, plus a few that you may not have considered.

Virtual assistant

A virtual assistant (VA) is an online assistant who works remotely on administrative, technical, or creative tasks for a client.

We’ve hired different online VAs to do research, social media scheduling, marketing, and create graphics for us. Other VAs help clients with tasks like accounting, managing email, personal errands, scheduling, research, and even planning travel.

Website developer or designer

Many digital nomads make their living as website developers or website designers.

A web designer is someone who creates the design of a website. A website designer often designs the user interface and user experience of browsing the websites. The designer creates the visual components of the site, which include the layout, color, and typography.

In contrast, a website developer creates the code behind the website, including HTML, CSS, and often JavaScript.

Computer Programmer

A computer programmer uses coding languages to build apps, websites, software and more.

Even beginning programmers need a basic understanding of their programming language. To earn decent money, you’ll need some experience in coding, plus certifications.

House sitter

Most house sitters get a place to stay in exchange for taking care of the house, and often pets, but there usually isn’t any extra payment. That said, accommodation is usually one of the biggest expenses of travel, so house sitting can go a long way to covering your bills. Even better, taking care of the house and pets usually doesn’t take a long time.

SEO specialist

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the skill and art of optimizing website text and images to make them rank higher in Google, and other search engines.

It’s a constantly evolving field, so you’ll need to commit to constant on-the-job training and testing. Every year, Google alone rolls out hundreds of changes.

Many SEO specialists research the best keywords to get a web page ranked higher in search engine results, and then write content with the best keywords, or manage a team of writers.

You’ll also need solid skills in data analytics, and relationship building to get backlinks to your client’s websites.

Many digital nomad SEO specialists started their career working with a big SEO agency, and then branched out to remote or freelance work.

Graphic artist

A graphic artist  assembles and creates images, typography, or motion graphics in a piece of design. 

Graphic artists can work in many fields, from designing website components, to designing product packages, or motion pictures, and so much more. They can work on physical designs, like book covers, or electronic designs, or both.

Many graphic artists have a university degree, but others have an associate degree.

Katie from Project Untethered talks about her journey to becoming a digital nomad graphic artist here.

Writer or editor

I’ve worked as a freelance writer and editor while traveling.

Other writers and editors have staff positions as they live their lives as digital nomads.

Writing and editing are jobs that have a wide range of income. You can earn well below minimum wage if you’re writing generic articles and content. However, if you find a specialization that’s in demand, you can earn much better money. I worked for years as a digital nomad technical writer, working with different companies on a contract basis.

Copywriter

A copywriter writes text for advertising and marketing. If you have a flair for words, and a solid understanding of marketing, copywriting may be your gig.

Most copywriters have a university degree or certification in copywriting. To work remotely, and earn a good living, you’ll likely need copywriting experience.

Blogger, vlogger, podcaster or social media influencer

There are a wide range of content creators who work as digital nomads. A content creator can mean you’re an old school blogger (like us), one of the best travel vloggers on YouTube, a podcaster, or a social media influencer.

Wages range from one extreme to another. New content creators can work for months or years without earning money, and without any guarantee of earning money in the future. Still other creatives in this field earn millions of dollars per year.

Video editor or producer

Video editors and producers work either as freelancers or remotely as staff.

A video editor manages video footage, sound, special effects, and so on to edit a final, finished product.

Video editors don’t necessarily need formal training, as many learn on the job. However, you’ll need a computer capable of rendering graphics and video editing software.

A video producer coordinates and manages the video production process from beginning to end. Producers do tasks like creative direction, setting a budget, organizing filming logistics and deadlines, and communicating. Producers may hire on screen talent and videographers.

Teaching English (or another language)

Teaching languages online is one of the mainstays of digital nomad jobs. There’s generally a larger demand for teaching English online, but there is demand for teaching other languages as well. Check out our review of the online language platform Lingoda for a look at language learning from the student’s end.

Salaries vary, but many pay between $8 and $15 USD/year.

Online teacher

While most digital nomad teachers teach English, there is work for other types of remote teachers.

Some remote teachers work for online schools, teaching everything from art to science to management.

Voice over work

Voice over acting can be notoriously hard to get into, and it’s definitely one of the most unique travel jobs. You can take training to improve your skills. Beyond that, finding voice over work is a lot like finding acting jobs. You’ll need to audition, and many voice over actors have agents.

Voice over actors can work in TV, movies, for commercials, and even do work for corporate video and training.

Customer service representative

An online customer service representative is one of the best travel jobs that don’t require experience.

Online customer service reps talk to customers on behalf of a company. They answer questions about products and services, respond to customer comments, and process returns.

To get a customer service job, you don’t necessarily need experience, but a clear speaking voice is a great asset, and you’ll be able to speak the client’s language fluently.

Social media manager

Social media managers create online content, schedule social media posts, and engage with followers online.

To earn good money as a social media manager, you’ll need to demonstrate a skillset in a specific social media platform like Instagram or Facebook.

Business or lifestyle coach

Online coaching is a perfect fit for the digital nomad life. Online business or lifestyle coaches provide mentorship and encouragement to their clients.

Business coaches mentor, support, and educate their clients on business matters. Lifestyle coaches mentor, support, and educate their clients on personal matters like career selection and lifestyle.

Virtual fitness trainer or nutritionist

Virtual fitness trainers and nutritionists work remotely to improve their client’s health and well being. Fitness trainers design exercise programs for their clients, monitor progress, and demonstrate proper form and technique.

The job you have right now

If you’re fortunate, you may have an online job that could be done remotely, so you can travel with a full time job. If you’re even more fortunate, your current jobs might be one of your best options for the highest paying travel jobs.

Digital nomads can have jobs in accounting, management, human resources, telemedicine, public relations and so much more.

Do you have any other digital nomad jobs ideas? Let us know!

Working as you travel the world is one of the best ways to solve this problem. Not only do you get to explore the globe, but you can also get paid as you go plus you get to experience a different side to a country than just what the tourists typically experience.

The best travel jobs that don’t require experience can still let you earn a good income while you travel the world. Some of these are even jobs abroad with accommodation with no experience required.

How to Get a Job Abroad Without Experience

Not having any experience does make finding a travel job a bit more challenging however, the good news is that there really are plenty of overseas jobs that don’t require experience and also travel jobs that don’t require a college degree.

Whether you’re looking for a chance to work in exchange for accommodation, searching for a job that lets you travel to different countries, seeking work as a digital nomad online, or wanting to become a long-term expat overseas, there are options for you.

What are the easiest jobs to get with no experience?

Here’s a gentle reminder: while these jobs don’t necessarily require experience, that doesn’t mean all of them are easy to get. For some, you may need to be in the right place at the right time, and for others you may need training or natural talent (but no direct experience).

Even for jobs that don’t require experience, you may have an easier time getting the job if you’ve actually had some prior experience, even in a non direct sort of way. That doesn’t mean they’re impossible to get without previous experience, but you may be fighting a bit of an uphill battle, especially if you’re competing with people who’ve worked in that field a time or two.

How can I start working abroad?

There are plenty of different paths to working overseas and earning a living.

Some people buy a ticket, take the flight, and hope for the best. Others don’t want to budget on an irregular income, so they take a more structured approach. These travelers typically line up a job, get an apartment, and organize visas and tickets before they leave.

Your approach to finding a job overseas jobs with no experience really depends on your risk tolerance, the amount of money currently in your bank account, and your ability to deal with uncertainty.

Getting a Visa

While finding a job with no experience is possible, you also need to consider visa requirements when working overseas.

In many countries, you can work illegally (under the table), but there are risks. Working illegally can make you vulnerable to exploitation by your employer, and you also run the risk of immediate deportation if you’re caught.

Some countries are also incredibly strict with their labor laws, meaning that receiving lodging or a stipend for volunteering may fall within the category of working under the table. Definitely find out before you accept any new job overseas if a work visa is necessary and plan your next steps accordingly.

Working Holiday Visa

Many working holiday visa jobs don’t require work experience, or a degree. The working holiday visas are best known for jobs like waiting tables or fruit picking.

If you’re under 35 years of age, your destination country may offer a youth working holiday visa. The working holiday visa is an arrangement between countries that lets youth work on a working holiday visa for up to one year. Check out Wikipedia’s list of working holiday visa programs.

The Best Jobs that Allow You to Work Overseas with No Experience

Do you wish you could travel more, but you’re worried that you won’t be able to work overseas with no experience?

Many of these are jobs that you can get on your own, meaning you can work abroad without experience and no placement fee from a recruiter.

Wait Staff, Bartender, or Cook

In many countries, there’s a huge vacuum in the service industry, as restaurants and hotels struggle to find staff.

Here in Canada, there are help wanted signs in almost every restaurant and shop window. Most of these jobs are at minimum wage, but the lack of staff is forcing some companies to pay higher wages. The bonus with any service job is the chance to make good tips depending on which country you’re working in. It can often help offset the lower per hour wage they tend to offer and if it’s a cash economy, you’re not having a few weeks to wait until payday to have some extra spending money in your pocket.

Housecleaner

Like waiting tables, working as a housekeeper generally pays close to minimum wage. However, housekeepers get minimal tips, while wait staff and bartenders can often substantially increase their take home pay.

The bonus is that housekeeping hours are pretty consistent and if you like your evenings free, housekeepers typically work days.

Field Worker or Fruit and Vegetable Picker

Numerous countries around the world need seasonal field workers and often they hire these people from other countries. From grape picking to coconut harvesting, the available jobs depend on both the country and the season in which you’re travelling. These jobs can be anything from fully sponsored (the hiring company sets up the working visa and provides full room and board plus wage) to daily jobs paid under the table.

Even if it’s not harvest season, plenty of farms and orchards have year round work from pulling weeds to mending fences to planting, transporting and selling their products. No previous experience is often needed however you definitely can’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty. If you’re lucky, there will also be bonuses on top of wage for minimum quantities you process. This is especially true when tree planting where the faster you work, the more you often take home.

Volunteering

The large majority of volunteer jobs, by definition, don’t offer any form of payment, but some do offer basic accommodation and/or meals.

However, the danger here is that many volunteer placements actually charge you, the volunteer, a significant amount of money to volunteer. In fact, some volunteer placements are shockingly expensive.

While even the best volunteer jobs by nature don’t pay, some will provide (often very basic) accommodation or meals, or both. 

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is one option that covers all expenses. However, you’ll most likely need to be a recent university or college graduate, and be willing to sign up for a two year time commitment, though there are limited six month or one year commitments.

While there can be a bit of danger involved, most often they are sent where work needs to be done. Whether that’s helping out in disaster areas or just helping out those in need, it can be a very rewarding experience for some people and will definitely give you a chance to see another country from a different angle.

WWOOF (Volunteering on Organic Farms)

A more realistic option for volunteering abroad is with WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms). Volunteers with WWOOF get room and board covered, in exchange for a set number of hours working on an organic farm. No previous farming experience is required.

The bonus with WWOOF is that once your set work hours are done, you can often enjoy your time as you see fit hanging with like minded people.

Food Delivery or Ride Share Driver

Getting a job with food delivery (like SkipTheDishes) or ride share services like Uber or Lyft may be an option as a travel job, if you have a driver’s license. You don’t need experience to work as a driver, but you will need insurance, a vehicle, a driver’s license, and proof of ability to work in a country. Your vehicle will likely also need to meet certain criteria, like being under a certain age, and having four doors.

Get $7 off your first SkipTheDishes order!

Caregiver / Personal Care Aide

Working as a caregiver overseas can mean taking care of children as an Au Pair, or caring for elderly or disabled clients. Many countries, including Canada and Australia, offer specialized work visas for caregivers. You may not need previous experience, but you’ll likely need a criminal records check, and letters of reference.

If you get lucky with your placement, you might even get in with a family or group that also enjoys travel thereby giving even more chances to see another country.

Mover

If you’re willing to take on some challenging physical labor, getting a job as a mover may suit you. Generally, little to no experience is required for movers, but a strong back is a solid requirement.

Busking

You don’t necessarily need experience to work as a busker, but talent (or at least an entertaining skill) and a comfort putting yourself out there is definitely a prerequisite for success.

Interpreter or Translator

You don’t necessarily need experience to work as a translator (written language) or interpreter (spoken language). However, you do need to be fluent in two or more languages, and be prepared to prove your skills through a test or on-the-spot assessment.

Many employers want a university degree in linguistics, but some part time and casual gigs don’t require this. Many of these jobs can be a predetermined set of time (for example, until a certain project, book or site is completed) and many can even turn into remote jobs letting you continue your travels in a country while still working.

Tour Guide

If you’re capable of talking about the sights and managing groups of people, working as a tour guide may work for you. Tour guides don’t necessarily require experience, but speaking more than one language is an asset. Tour guides work everywhere from tourist attractions, to wilderness tours, to museums. If you’re an outgoing people person with great communication skills and a flair for spectacle, you might make a great tour guide.

International Resort Worker

International resorts like Club Med offer many jobs, many of which don’t require experience. While many resort workers are locals, resorts often hire overseas workers as well. Speaking several languages can be a huge bonus as well and often food and accommodation can be included.

Transport a Car or RV

Transporting a car or RV may not pay the bills, but it’s a good way to cover transportation across regions. It may also cover accommodation if you luck out and get to transport an RV.

Car rental companies, car dealerships, RV and trailer rental companies and occasionally movers hire people to drive cars to different locations. You likely won’t need experience, but you will need a drivers license.

The bonus with this job is that fuel and often a small stipend for food are included. Occasionally they will also let you take a passenger for free. The bad part is that you often don’t get a huge selection of locations they’ll send you to and sometimes those aren’t the places you’re hoping to see.

Jobs Abroad with Accommodation, No Experience Required

Jobs that offer accommodation range from cruise ship work, to work camping, to yacht crew, to housesitting, and beyond.

Cruise Ship Work

Cruise ship jobs generally top the lists of jobs abroad with accommodation that require no experience.

Cruise ships hire massive numbers of people, with jobs from cooks, to housekeepers, to entertainers and many of these don’t need previous experience to get. Cruise ship work is best for single people without kids however there have been numerous couples who managed to get posted to the same ship.

Earl from Wandering Earl has used cruise ship work to fund a large part of his many years on the road, and wrote a great book called How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship.

Click here check out his book on getting a job on a cruise line.

Sailing Assistant / Yacht Crew

Getting a job as a yachtie can be surprisingly easy, as long as you’re persistent, and have a little luck. Many jobs working on a yacht don’t require any experience; just a great attitude and a willingness to work.

We volunteered as yacht crew for evening cruises at the yacht club in Brisbane, where the captains and club were friendly and easy to work with.

You can find jobs through Find a Crew or Crew Seekers online, or ask directly at a local yacht club. Darwin, Phuket, San Diego and Panama are great places to start.

Work for Your Accommodation

When we were staying at a hostel in Adelaide, we exchanged a few hours of cleaning each day for a cozy, clean double room.

Many hostels may let you stay in exchange for light work, ranging from housekeeping, to small repairs to grounds work. Ask at the front desk if they need any help.

House Sitter or Caretaker

While house sitting may not pay all of your bills, having accommodation for free goes a long way to making travel affordable.

Check Trusted Housesitters job listings here.

If you’re looking for a longer stay, look into caretaking jobs, which often last longer, and have more responsibility. Caretaking jobs often pay a salary in addition to free accommodation. 

Work camping is also an option in Canada or the USA, in private campgrounds and some national parks. Some work camping jobs aren’t paid, but offer only a place to stay, and some offer both a stipend and a place to stay.

Home Swap

You may be able to get accommodation costs covered overseas if you own an apartment or house. All you’ll need to do is swap a stay at your home in exchange for a place at your destination. While you need to be comfortable with someone staying in your home when you’re gone, the bonus is that your new accommodation isn’t costing you anything more that staying at home would.

Best Online Jobs for Travel that Don’t Require Experience

The best online jobs for travelers pay well, don’t require experience, and are flexible. Not all of these jobs hit all of those criteria, but there are some interesting choices below.

Online Customer Service Representative

Online customer service representatives talk with customers on behalf of a company. They answer questions about products and services, respond to customer comments, and process returns.

You won’t necessarily need experience, but you will need a clear speaking voice, and be able to speak the client’s language fluently.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant (VA) is essentially an online assistant who helps clients with tasks like accounting, managing email, personal errands, scheduling, research, and even planning travel.

As travel bloggers, in the past we’ve hired different online VAs to do research, social media scheduling, marketing, and create graphics for us.

Website or App Testing

While many website or app testing jobs require special skills like CSS or database management, others require no experience at all.

Website or app testing is generally best for earning extra money on the side, rather than as a full time job, but it may fit the bill if you need to supplement your income, or if you’re without work for a short time.

You can find jobs with companies like User Testing or TryMyUI.

Digital Nomad / Online Freelancer

Digital nomads essentially bring their job with them wherever they go. Some digital nomads work a regular 9-to-5 job, but remotely, while others work as freelancers, and still others own their own business.

What’s interesting is that many countries now offer digital nomad visas. Many require that you show proof of income, but others, like Bermuda, don’t require any minimum income.

While there are plenty of jobs around the world for people with zero experience, it’s always easier to show the person hiring you that you did something similar enough that you know their job would be a good fit for you.

If you’re planning to travel in the future and work as you go, now is not a bad time to look into a similar job at home. While no one wants to work 2 jobs, taking an occasional shift doing something you like or think you would be a good fit for isn’t a terrible idea. At the minimum it will give you an idea of what working abroad could entail and maybe help you figure out that maybe you need to look elsewhere in the future.

Work Abroad Articles You Might Like

• The Highest Paying Travel Jobs You Can Get Now
• Can You Volunteer Abroad Cheap or Free? The Real Cost of Volunteering Overseas
• How to Travel with a Full-Time Job

Maybe earn enough to recoup your costs and even a little extra to put away for the next leg of your trip? This post lists some of the highest paying travel jobs you’re likely to find while you travel the world.

While many jobs still require you to be in the host country, remote work is at an all time high. From keeping your existing job, to working for other online friendly companies, the ability to work from your living room or from a beach in Tahiti has never looked so promising.

Also, as borders open and close, COVID-19 guidelines change, and the cost of goods increases, much traditional migratory positions, from fruit pickers to farmhands are in short supply. That means you may have an opportunity to work with your hands for higher than traditional pay, especially when you factor in that many of these jobs include room and board.

The Highest Paying Travel Jobs

So enough chitchat, let’s get to work and take a look at some of the highest paying travel jobs you can have as you travel the world.

English as a Second Language

While travel has been down the past few years, the need for English speaking workers, especially in overseas businesses, has never been higher. With remote work continually gaining traction, the need for global communication has also increased.

What this means for you is that teaching English abroad is as hot as ever. While teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) might involve a bit more online work, that might not be a bad thing and might give you even more opportunities to travel while you work.

The same applies for other educators as well. As people find themselves with more hours in a day (less time spent commuting and traveling less for holidays), there has never been such a huge opportunity to learn another language or skillset.

The result is that there are various teaching jobs available around the world for all skillsets. With many going to an online format, the ability to teach from anywhere is constantly growing. What’s really nice is that many ESL schools also offer accommodation, which means choosing a place to live is no longer a problem.

Remote Work

While ever changing travel rules and border closures have definitely played havoc for some travelers, it has also increased some opportunities.

Namely, one of the best things to come out of the pandemic is that remote work has hit an all time high. The amount of opportunities for work from home employees has skyrocketed and people that had to beg to work from home a day or two here or there only a few short years ago have often been working from home continually for the past two years with no intention of going back into the office once the world returns to its new normal.

Jobs fill your pocket. Adventures fill your soul.

Anonymous

What this means to fellow travel lovers is that since you’re already not going into an office, there’s no reason you can’t do it from another country. While it will often mean you need to alter your work hours to better match your home business hours (especially if you deal with a lot of clients or fellow workers), a lot of companies allow you to work at your own schedule and give you some flexibility in start and end times.

While some travel jobs can be hugely satisfying, the reality is that your current position, the one you’ve worked for, have been promoted to and maybe went to university to obtain, is quite likely one of the highest paying travel jobs you’re likely to find. If you can make it happen, or make a lateral change to a company that’s more lenient in your work schedule, you can have your cake (rewarding higher paying job) and the icing too (travel).

Just be smart and make sure to use a personal VPN to both protect yourself and your company’s information while on the go. The one thing you don’t want to do is be a security risk with other people’s information.

Thus, a Virtual Private Network should be a great help during your next adventure. After all, a VPN encrypts traffic and hides your IP, meaning that you can safeguard your activities from snooping. A VPN’s IP masking also lets you access services or websites back at home.

Seasonal Fruit or Vegetable Picker

While there are hundreds of remote jobs you can do, nothing says will work for food quite like actually working for food.

One of the reason food prices have increased over the past few years is that migratory pickers haven’t been able to get to harvest at the opportune time. With no cheap pickers, that means that farms and orchards are forced to raise their pay to attract more local workers. That works well in your favor, since many of these opportunities include room and board as well.

While the work can be tough, some places pay bonuses for higher quotas so the harder you work, the higher you can often earn and the quicker you can get back to your travels.

Fitness Guru

Have a penchant for working out? These days most of us find life a little bit harder, and while some have decided to increase their dietary intake, others have taken this opportunity to get into shape. While lots of gyms have closed intermittently due to the pandemic, the need for personal trainers has actually increased.

Rather than working from a gym, many trainers have opted for a more natural setting. We’ve seen outdoor training areas pop up in several parks lately, with a healthy number of people doing stairs or CrossFit along the walking paths. If you love the outdoors and healthy living, then this might be worth perusing.

Food Delivery Driver

These days, places like Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, GrubHub and your local equivalent have made food delivery universal. With hundreds of restaurants in many cities and food deliveries around the globe at an all time high, all it often takes is a good driving record, a license and a vehicle and you have a job you can work as much at or as little at as you want.

When working abroad you work pretty hard, but with time off, this is the greatest job in the world. You drive. You explore Memphis, or wherever you’ve landed, or go and see Dr John, or the Californian landscape. And yes, I’ve had a few good meals.

Toby Jones

Since you get to set your hours, you can work whenever the mood strikes. Of course this requires you to own a vehicle (or rent one, but make sure to verify you’re insured for it). That said, food delivery is a unique opportunity that didn’t exist up until a few years ago.

While the money can be decent, depending on the options you have to work with ($20 to $25 USD per hour), just make sure you’re factoring in wear and tear on the vehicle and the cost of gas in your earnings.

Food not your thing? Consider making some money with one of the many ride-hailing apps, or a shopping service like Instacart.

Real Estate Agent

Real estate prices have increased ridiculously in many areas around the world the past few years.

Working from home, many have decided they don’t need to live so close to work anymore, while others see this time as an opportunity to get into the big cities so that when the time comes to swap jobs they’ll have more opportunities. Others have decided that having a second home somewhere they feel safe in another country is the way to go forward.

If you really want to learn about a country, work there.

Charles Kuralt

Regardless of the reason, most real estate agents are paid a commission based on the value of the sale or rent, so as real estate prices move upwards, so do the commissions. While some countries require licenses, others don’t. If you know the area, speak the language or have the inside track on people looking for property, becoming an agent could be profitable.

Trades or Handyperson

If you have a skill in a trade, you can likely pick up a job anywhere that pays its tradespeople well.

It seems the more people work from home, the more they want to fix up their living spaces. What this leaves is a glut of tradespeople to get the job done. From plumbing to construction and electrical, there is always a need for a professional tradesperson.

Even if you don’t have a learned trade, contractors are continually looking for reliable people to give an extra hand. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and are willing to put in a solid day’s work, the options for building laborers in many countries is staggering.

Day Trader

While not for the faint of heart, we’ve met a few moderately successful day traders during our travels. The bonus here is that you aren’t dependent on anyone besides for yourself and can pretty much set your own schedule. From cryptos to the stock markets, there have been some pretty crazy trends these past few years. If you have a solid understanding of the risks and feel you can safely stay ahead of the curve then being a day trader can potentially be profitable.

Personal Shopper

Have great taste, love to shop, but don’t have any money?

Well, how about if I told you that you could shop to your hearts content on someone else’s dime. The only catch is that they get to keep your great finds!

With many people opting to stay out of the stores, those of you with no such qualms have half of what it takes to becoming a personal shopper. From picking out fashionable clothes to picking up the groceries, people are spending big bucks to send others in their stay and according to a recent poll from LinkedIn, Personal Shopper has made the top ten list of the most in demand jobs recently.

Chef, Waiter or Bartender

While many restaurants have had to shut down or reduce hours due the pandemic, many in the service industry decided it was time to find a more stable paycheque. What this has done is left a huge vacuum in the service industry and restaurants and hotels scrabbling to find staff as everything reopens.

This means that people staying in the industry have seen 8 to 20% wage increases over the past two years, which makes it the pay lucrative if you find the right setting. With a help wanted sign in nearly every store window, picking up a few extra hours probably isn’t that hard if you’re willing to work a little longer to help get you back on the road again sooner.

More of The Highest Paying Travel Jobs

While the majority of the above jobs are for the casual travel worker, if you want to make the most money while you travel these days you’re probably better off working online.

From data analyst, to customer service, to blogger, to technical writer there are many online jobs available to those with the proper skills. Whatever you decide to do, from high level academic editing, to scientific writing, to jobs with companies like pay me to do your homework reviews, make sure that you do your research on the company you work for.

Not only are they some of the highest paying travel jobs, they can also allow you to jump over borders and stay wherever you want as long as you have good Wi-Fi and accommodating work hours.

Need more inspiration?

Feel free to check out our popular post of 45 travel jobs that includes a bunch of handy links to sites where you can find more information on applying to some of these positions, plus tips on some of the best countries to find these jobs.

Good luck in your job search and safe travels!

If you found any great travel jobs we’ve missed we’d love to hear about them below.

Impossible you say? Well, we know from first hand experience that not only is it possible but it can also be rewarding and even profitable!

It’s a common trope – a would be traveler quits their job, travels the world, and finds love, fame, and/or fortune. I’m sure you’ve all seen a movie or read a book about it but the reality is that in real life that doesn’t usually happen.

While as tempting as quitting your job and taking a long vacation is, it’s just not realistic for a lot of people, who are (understandably) too practical to take that enormous leap, or who have commitments that simply won’t let them quit their job and sail the seven seas.

While being able to work remotely is undoubtedly the easiest way to work while traveling (have laptop, will travel), there are some jobs that you just can’t phone in while on the road and times when just flat out quitting might not be the best answer.

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to quit your full-time job to see the world. It definitely takes a can-do attitude, some creative problem solving, and even some occasional slight of hand, but for many people it’s possible to both work full time and also scratch that travel itch.

How to travel while working

When we first started traveling together almost 20 years ago, my husband Charles and I had full time jobs. We started out taking weekends off to travel, then two week vacations, working remotely while spending months in Mexico, and eventually a year long trip through Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Not all of these tips will work for everyone, but with some creative thinking, hopefully at least one of these will apply to your situation!

I know that many people believe that travel and work are an impossible mix! Whether you are part of a working couple, a single would be traveler, or even a traveling family, there are so many ways you can travel while still keeping your full-time job.

Here are our top tips for how to travel with a full-time job.

We start with what should be the easiest solutions for most people, getting more creative as we go down the list.

Use your weekends and time off

Everyone gets time off at some point, and how you use that time is yours!

If you have vacation days and weekends off, take those days to travel around the world. You can make a bunch of four-day weekends for more extended travel, or you can take a short weekend trip somewhere. If you are really pressed for time, look into flights instead of long drives to maximize your time at the destination rather than in the car.

Be flexible with your dates

If you want to travel while you have a full time job, sometimes you need to be flexible with your dates.

Taking off in the middle of summer might not work if your busy season at work is during the summer or, for instance, in the middle of tax season if you’re an accountant. Instead, consider taking a few extra days off before a big holiday break or a four day weekend to maximize your vacation days and allow more travel time. Get creative and be flexible if you want to see and do more.

Travel in the off season

While this ties into the previous segment, if you can schedule time off during the shoulder season like late Spring/early Fall, you can better maximize your time away from home. While most people love to travel in the summer, the reality is that’s often peak times so going in Fall or Spring can not only save you hour long lineups but also allow you to travel for much cheaper.

Work extra hours

Does your employer let you bank time? Some employers let you take time off in lieu of overtime pay.

If you can bank time, try working extra hours during busy periods, and then taking those days off to add to your vacation time. Just make sure that your employer is accurately recording any extra time that you work and you’re being paid fully when you’re not there.

Take advantage of travel opportunities at work

Ask your boss if there are any travel opportunities at your work. You may be shocked to find that they offer travel to warehouses, conferences, and other work opportunities if you just ask. While you won’t be able to do them all, you may be able to snag one or two extra trips!

Since most of the work stuff happens during the day, this often means you can enjoy entire nights off in a new city and if you can plan those dates around a weekend, it can often give you a few extra days to enjoy wherever you happen to be.

Work during your vacation

While this seems the opposite of what we’re trying to do here, many employers won’t even consider allowing employees to work remotely. Yet, these same employers will be happy to let you work right through your vacation time.

Sure, it sucks to have to do work while you’re on vacation. However, if you absolutely can’t afford to take time off and you have a backlog of work that keeps piling up, working during a vacation may be an option that doesn’t break the bank.

To make this work, you’ll either need to convince your boss to let you work remotely as you travel, or you’ll need to make the slog into work, and have a staycation. If you can afford it, get a hotel or somewhere nice to stay for part of your vacay, or stay at home and splurge on fun activities during your off hours. While it might not seem like travel, if you do some local activities outside your norm, that can go a long way to making your vacation at least memorable.

Take unpaid time off

For a lot of readers, I’m sure that I lost you at the word unpaid, but hear me out. If you can manage to save enough for a vacation, taking unpaid time off can be a way to free up some time for a trip, while still keeping your job.

I’ve used the technique of asking for unpaid time off a few times, when I was in a situation where I could afford to travel, but just didn’t have the time or vacation hours available to me.

While it’s true that companies love having you on premise, if they’re not having to pay you, they often don’t mind you taking a few weeks or, sometimes even a few months off for a mini sabbatical. If work is quiet at your company, your employer may actually appreciate having to spend less on payroll for a while.

Unfortunately, if your job is especially busy, or your expertise is essential to your employer, this strategy might not work but it never hurts to ask. Most people never even think to ask but their response might surprise you, especially if the company can gain something in the process such as a new skill or language learned or even just having better mental health when you return.

Ask your current employer if you can work remotely

This one’s a little risky: If you have a really uptight or vindictive boss, you risk showing them your hand that you want to travel.

However, you may be surprised. Many employers don’t want to lose a good employee, so if you’re trusted and your work is valued, and you can successfully do your job at home, being able to work remotely may be as simple as just asking.

I’ve successfully used this technique in the past. I started out with a technical writing job that was full time, and on site. Over my first few months, I worked hard to get my immediate supervisors to trust my work ethic, and to value my work.

About three months in, I asked if I could work remotely a day a week. They said yes, and I made sure to show them that I was productive, and working hard at home.

A couple of months later, I asked if I could work two days remotely a week. They said yes, and I kept up the hard work.

After another couple of months, I asked if I could work remotely full time, and made a case that working remotely would save them money by freeing up my office space, and they wouldn’t lose any productive time at all. They said yes, and I was off to Mexico in a few weeks’ time.

If you have a job that could be done from anywhere, consider asking your boss if you can work some of your time from home. This will give you more flexibility to travel as you can work from anywhere at that point.

Find a job that lets you work remotely

This one might seem impossible, but there are a lot of jobs that allow you to work from home from the start.

This is one good thing we can thank the pandemic for. The amount of remote workers has increased right around the world and so many companies have discovered that having remote workers is a viable proposition moving forward. It’s opened the door to so many more possibilities.

Editing and writing jobs are probably the most familiar of remote jobs. You don’t even need to take a cheap custom writings job – there are writing jobs that pay well, especially if you have a skill like technical or medical writing, academic editing, or copywriting.

Check out our list of 45 best travel jobs for some more great ideas for jobs that let you work as you travel.

Take contract work instead of a permanent 9 to 5

We spent years using the downtime from our contract IT jobs to travel. We’d work for six months or a year at a contract job, and then travel in between contracts.

The major downside of this approach is that you need to earn enough doing contract work to afford to take time off. You also need to be able to save money and budget well however the good news is that contract workers are often paid more. You can also often save on income taxes since you’d be working for yourself. Between tax breaks and company write-offs, doing contract work can be quite lucrative in the right market and is worth looking into.

Take a sabbatical

Not everyone can take a sabbatical leave; we get that.

However, if you’re lucky enough to be in a profession that commonly allow sabbaticals, like academics, definitely look into it.

It may not be common knowledge, but many companies allow sabbaticals, including Patagonia and even McDonalds. You may have to discreetly ask your HR department, or browse around your company website to find out if you qualify for a sabbatical but they can be a great way to keep your job but allow you the free time to follow your passions.

The crazy part is that some companies even pay for your sabbatical time off! This really depends on your company, their philosophy about work and life as well as the country you live in.

Regardless, even if your sabbatical may not offer paid time off, the beauty of a sabbatical is that you’ll have a job to return to after you travel. Just make sure you start saving up.

Be your own boss

If you run your own business, you have a lot more say in the days you work and the hours. We started working for ourselves about 10 years ago, and it gave us a lot more flexibility to travel.

Working for yourself means that you may be able to take more time to travel and even give yourself the flexibility to work from different time zones.

Being your own boss can mean starting your own business by blogging, selling on Etsy, or even becoming a virtual assistant! There are so many different options that offer flexibility, which will help you get some more travel time while still working full-time for yourself.

Working for yourself also means that you’ll need to become better at budgeting for time off, and allowing for unexpected expenses. It may also mean that you end up working more hours in total than you ever did when working for someone else but while it’s not always easy, it can be quite rewarding and allow you to see the world on your schedule, rather that someone elses.

You don’t have to quit your job to see the world.

While taking time off to travel is nice, it’s also nice to not worry about how you’re going to pay the bills when you return from your long trip.

No matter how you do it, don’t be fooled into thinking it will be easy or just work out. If you want to keep your job but still step out and see the world you’ll have to work twice as hard to make sure you keep the work/travel balance in check.

While it won’t be simple, it can be even more rewarding by not only keeping your bank account in the black and your career moving forward but also allowing you to see all the amazing things this world can offer.

There are even a lot of jobs that you can do while you’re on the road. There are plenty of students searching for editors, or searching topics like write paper for me reviews, so jobs in academic editing and writing can be relatively easy to pick up.

Have a tip about work and travel? We’d love to hear about it.

Accepting a long-term job in another country is a huge commitment, so many travelers test the waters by visiting on a tourist visa first. This allows you to check out your destination in advance, make a more accurate budget, and see if you really like the culture and climate, and even scout places to live.

Spending time in a country on a tourist visa can also let you research potential employers, and network job connections. If done right, this research can net you a better job, and help weed out bad employers and companies.

Check out the expert visa information on Byevisa.com to find out more about visa requirements.

The Easiest Countries to Get a Work Visa

If you want to work long term in a country, you’ll likely need an extended visa or work visa. These types of visas allow you to spend more time in the country than you would with a tourist visa.

Interested in shorter term jobs: Check out our 45 best jobs for travelers.

Tip: If you’re under 35, be sure to check out the working holiday visas section below. Working holiday visas are offered in Australia, and other countries, and most allow you to stay six months to a year.

Mexico

Mexico is one of the easiest countries in the world to get a long term visa.

Permanent residents of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and any country of the Schengen Space don’t require a visa to enter as a tourist for up to 180 days. Residents of other countries need to apply for a visa that will let you stay up to 180 days if carrying out any unpaid activities.

If you want to work in Mexico, you’ll need to get a temporary resident visa or a permanent resident visa. A temporary resident visa with approval to work gives you a Mexico work permit for 180 days. You can extend the temporary resident visa to work in Mexico for up to four years.

For a permanent resident visa (Visa de Residencia Permanente), you’ll need family connections in Mexico, a sufficient monthly income, and four years as a temporary resident.

Lithuania: Easiest Schengen area long term visa

While getting a visa in Lithuania isn’t as easy as some countries, we’ve included it in this list because it’s one of the easiest countries to get a visa in the Schengen area.

The 26 Schengen countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Lithuania is a Schengen area country, so tourists can stay a maximum of 90 days.

If you want to stay as a tourist for over 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residency. It can take over 90 days to process a residency permit so make sure you allow yourself lots of time to apply.

The most straightforward way to get a work visa for Lithuania is to first get a work permit or similar document issued by the Lithuanian labor exchange. You need to get the work permit before arrival in Lithuania then, you can apply for a visa or a residence permit.

A multiple-entry national (D) visa will let you stay for a year initially, with a possibility of extension. A residence permit is issued for jobs that are scarce or more well paid than the Lithuanian average.

The huge advantage of a Lithuanian multiple-entry national (D) visa is that it also lets you travel freely within the Schengen area.

Cambodia

To legally work in Cambodia, you’ll need to get an E-class visa (the most common is an EB visa). The E-class visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended up to a year.

To be legally allowed to work after you’re issued the work visa, you’ll need to apply for a work permit. There are temporary work permits, and others that are permanent. You’ll also need to apply for an employment card.

China

For tourist visits, China requires a visa before entry. You’ll need to include your travel dates, itinerary, and proof of onward travel on your application.

Historically, the easiest job to get in China is likely teaching English, though other jobs are available.

To get a work visa in China you’ll need to have a Foreigner’s Work permit notice, and apply for a Z-Class Visa. Once in China, you’ll need a medical verification, register with police, and then acquire the work and resident permit.

While many foreigners still teach English or have other work within China, geopolitical tensions between China and countries like Australia, Canada, the United States (and others) have been increasing throughout 2020. At this moment, it may be wise to monitor the political situation before accepting a position in China.

The UAE

If you want to visit the UAE as a tourist, many passport holders can get a 30 day visa on arrival. This can include passport holders from Canada, Australia, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

While getting a work visa in the UAE isn’t necessarily difficult, it does require rule following and some paperwork.

You’ll need a work permit (called a Labour Card) to work in the UAE. To start your employer will need to submit a visa quota approval. Then you’ll need to submit a job offer contract with signature and a work permit application, which will give you a Employment Entry visa (valid for 30 days, but extendable).

Next, you apply for a formal work permit and residence visa, which includes medical screening and getting an Emirates ID application with biometrics, and medical health insurance, among other things. This all must be done in 60 days.

Working Holiday Visas for those under 35

A working holiday visa is a temporary residence permit (usually of 12 months) that lets you work while visiting the country. Working holiday visas are issued by countries that typically have reciprocal agreements, and are usually available to people under the age of 35.

The working holiday visa program is open to residents of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden, among others.

If you’re from one of these countries, are under 35 and seeking a work visa in one of the above list, you have a good chance of being approved for a working holiday visa, often regardless of education or past work experiences. The only other qualification most countries ask for is a recent bank account statement showing a set amount of money in your account (so you can afford a ticket home). Charles and I did a working holiday in Australia back when we still qualified and found the experience quite satisfactory.

Digital nomad visas

In recent years, several countries have begun to offer specific visas for digital nomads. If you happen to work at one of these great online jobs for travelers, you can save yourself a lot of headache, time, and possibly money, by checking out these digital nomad visas.

• Estonia short stay or long stay digital nomad visa
• Barbados digital nomad visa
• Bermuda digital nomad visa
• Croatia digital nomad visa (expected in late 2020)
• German Freelance “Freiberufler” visa
• Bermuda digital nomad visa
• Year long Czech Republic Long Term visas

Many countries will let you work within their borders without a work permit on the condition that your income comes from outside the country. For example, you can stay in Panama on a tourist visa, and work within Panama, as long as your income comes from outside the country.

No matter where you’re from or where you’re planning to go, if you want to work while abroad there are plenty of countries that might be a good fit for you. While some countries are harder to get into, we’re sure that there is a country with a work visa program that should work for you.

If you’re looking for a job that you can do on the road, make sure you do your due diligence by searching for things like unemployed professors review to check up on the company.

Looking for online jobs for travelers? These remote jobs for travelers let you travel the world and get paid at the same time.

A lot of traditional jobs you can do while traveling, like being a flight attendant or pilot, can take you around the world, however you can only go to specific places at specific times. They can be great options, but a job you can take with you as you travel anywhere in the world is more ideal for travelers like us.

Tip! To get a head start, check out Virtual Vocations job listings here.

What you’ll need to work on the go.

For most of these jobs, you’ll need a solid, reliable internet connection. Other than that, you should be able to do any of these jobs anywhere in the world as you travel.

Online Jobs for Travelers

How do you find the perfect online job just for you? Here’s our helpful list of common remote jobs you may want to try, with information on where to find them, and how much they pay. We’ve personally done quite a few of these jobs over the years!

Tip! Even before you start traveling, grab a good travel rewards credit card and charge all of your expenses to that card. Be sure to budget and pay off the card in full every month, and then use those travel rewards towards your future trips.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writers are hired to do all kinds of writing tasks. This is one of the most flexible telecommuting travel jobs out there, but unfortunately the pay can be quite variable. Sometimes the work involves writing articles for online or print publications. Sometimes, it’s copywriting or ghost writing.

How much does Freelance Writing pay?

Writers can make anywhere from 10 cents a word to two dollars a word depending on the project and the niche. Generally, if you can find a solid niche, and establish yourself as an expert and get repeat clients, you’ll get paid more. On the flip side, a new writer with no experience, and no subject expertise may struggle to get clients and get paid.

As a travel blogger, I occasionally pick up some freelance travel writing, but I’ve found that it’s difficult (even with experience) to get higher paying travel writing jobs (as in 50 cents a word or more).

Where can I find Freelance Writing opportunities?

If you’re interested in freelance travel writing, there’s a helpful article from travel bloggers Goats on the Road post on travel publications and how much they pay here.

FlexJobs is a bit unique in that it screens employers for you. FlexJobs comes with a small, flat monthly fee, but they also vet all of the job opportunities, meaning that there’s a lot less spam to wade through.

FlexJobs is one of the top job boards for remote work, but there is a monthly fee (about $14.95 USD a month).

Check out FlexJobs here.

I’ve gotten jobs from Upwork (formerly Elance) before, but I find that there’s so much competition that buyers tend to go with the cheapest quote, so I stopped using it.

Freelance Writing Jobs is a marketplace for freelance writers. ProBlogger Job Board also has jobs listed for legitimate blogging opportunities.

You can also get jobs in the academic arena, with essay services, paper writing services and the like. Many of these services offer academic editing jobs as well. Writers and editors are needed at many academic levels, from PhD and masters level, to college level.

Technical or Medical Writer

I’ve included technical and medical writing as separate from regular freelance writing because the pay is much better, and different skills are needed.

I worked as a technical writer for over 10 years before transitioning into blogging. For the last three years of that time, I worked mostly online as a technical writer as our family traveled around the world.

Technical writers create user guides, manuals and training materials (among other things) on technical or scientific subjects.

Most technical writers have a university degree, but it’s not required, especially if have either a certificate in technical writing or if you have education or experience in technology, science, or a medical field. To do well, you’ll need the rare combination of medical, scientific, or technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. A certificate or some training in technical communication, or experience as a technical writer, is almost always required.

Technical writers can work for IT companies, pharmaceutical companies, scientific journals, and really any company that requires professional technical training material or standard operating procedure documentation.

How much does it pay?

Most technical writers earn $30 to $50 an hour, but if you have a specialized skill you can earn more. As a senior technical writer, I was earning over $70 an hour when I quit around six years ago.

Where can I find opportunities?

For technical writers, the Society of Technical Communication (STC) has a job bank, but you’ll need a membership to get access. I was a member of the STC for about 10 years before I moved into blogging. You can get a student membership for $75. Local branches of the STC also post local job opportunities.

Travel Blogging

Travel blogging often sounds like the ideal online job to travel and work at the same time. In some ways, it is one of the best jobs you can travel with. There’s a lot of freedom to travel while you’re building a blog.

The main issue is that it takes most people quite a while to make a living wage from their blog. We’d estimate it takes most people about a year of hard work and blogging before you make any real income (and by real, we mean around $1,000 USD per month). We also know a lot of bloggers that have quit blogging since their expenses eventually outweighed their earnings.

We can also tell you from experience that travel blogging is a lot harder than it looks on the surface. You need to have skills in writing and editing, website maintenance and design, building a brand, sales, marketing, social media, networking, photography, video, affiliate marketing, and a solid business acumen.

To get started, check out the free resources on blogger Sharon Gournay’s website, Digital Nomad Wannabe and her Facebook page. She also sells a course called Build Blog Freedom that gets great reviews, but you can learn a lot from her free content.

How much does it pay?

This is a tough one. A brand new travel blog can actually cost you money in website hosting and website domain purchase fees. On the flip side, many successful bloggers clear six figures a year. This study by Two Monkey’s Travel Group has a lot more information. Nomadic Matt also offers a Superstar Blogging course. I’ve taken the photography course through him, and really loved it.

Virtual Assistant

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is essentially an online assistant. VAs do a variety of tasks like bookkeeping, online research, email management, travel planning, scheduling, lead generation, and general research. Honestly, the tasks a VA can do are endless. Some work specifically on a skillset, like Shopify VAs and others are more generalized.

As a travel blogger, I’ve hired a VA to do research, social media scheduling, and creating graphics.

How much does a Virtual Assistant make?

Typically $12-$30 an hour depending on your skills. VAs can work on an independent freelance basis or they can be hired as a salaried employee.

Where can I find Virtual Assistant opportunities?

Capital Typing is an outsourcing company that provides virtual office services, but we’ve read reviews that pay is on the low side. There are also plenty of VA jobs listed on Upwork.

Social Media Manager

Social media managers create online content, schedule posts on social networks and engage with people online.

How much does a Social Media Manager pay?

Usually $16-$40 per hour. If you have solid references, experience, and a skillset in a specific social media platform like Instagram or Pinterest you can earn on the higher side of that range.

Where can I find Social Media Manager opportunities?

FlexJobs, Virtual Vocations, and Working Nomads are all great resources to find freelance jobs for travellers and salaried social media management positions.

Online ESL Teacher

Teaching English to students in other countries is in high demand. Many schools prefer native English speakers and choose to hire people to teach via video calls to ensure English is their mother language. Online ESL teachers need to work in the same time zone as their students.

Generally, you’ll need to be a native English speaker, and most require a bachelor’s degree. Being fluent in another language isn’t often required but it will help with dealing with students whose primary language isn’t English.

How much do Online ESL Teachers make?

Typically $14-$34 an hour.

Where can I find online ESL opportunities?

VIPKids is probably the most popular online ESL company. Teach Away is another option.

Online Tutor

Similar to online ESL teaching opportunities, online tutors can work via Skype or other messaging apps with students in a variety of subjects. Test prep tutors or GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT tests are in high demand but often require a bachelor’s degree and high scores on the test you’re tutoring.

To be considered for the role, you’ll generally need to be a university graduate or be enrolled in a four-year degree program.

How much does being an online tutor pay?

Hourly wages can run anywhere from $15-$100 per hour.

Where can I find online tutor opportunities?

Chegg Tutors and Tutor.com hire tutors to do online tutoring sessions. Magoosh hires tutors for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT tests.

Editor

An editor improves writing quality for writers and media companies. Editors can do everything from proofreading for minor grammar and spelling mistakes to substantive editing that essentially rearranges blocks of text and changes meaning.

How much do Editors make?

The amount fluctuates but editors salaries typically range from $17-$43 per hour. Editors in a niche like science, technical, or medical writing tend to earn more since they typically require a similar background. Academic editors and writers can find jobs online by looking for speedypaper review or other online editing and writing companies.

Where can I find Editor opportunities?

HigherEdJobs offers positions in resume writing, technical writing, and text editing. American Journal Experts hires remote editors as well. Scribe Media also hires online editors.

Data Entry

Data entry is entering or updating information into a computer program. Often this takes the form of filling out spreadsheets or filling out forms. It is one of the easiest remote jobs to find online, and doesn’t require a lot of experience or education. The downside is that it doesn’t pay all that well either.

How much does Data Entry pay?

Pay varies widely based on the scope of the project, but typically you can expect to make anywhere from $11-$16 per hour doing Data Entry.

Where can I find opportunities?

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is a marketplace for work that requires human intelligence. For example, you may be asked to go through a spreadsheet and delete duplicate information. Pay can be low, but there’s a lot of work here.

You can also find opportunities through SigTrack, which offers opportunities to process voter registrations and petition signatures.

Search Evaluator

A Search Evaluator is usually given a list of different phrases and words and is asked to enter them in a search engine to determine if the results match what is expected. For example, if your search for The Big Apple gets results for Ambrosia Apples, and not New York, then there’s a problem with the search results. Other projects may involve looking at advertisements, images, and text and then writing a detailed description.

How much does a Search Evaluator make?

Search Evaluators usually make around $13-$18 per hour.

Where can I find Search Evaluator opportunities?

Appen Butler Hill is an international company that contracts social media evaluators to test various social networks.

Day Trading or Investing in Stocks

If you know what you’re doing, you can make an income traveling the world and investing in stocks.

I’ve dabbled in this myself, doing some day trading, and buying and selling options. The problem I found is that trading is a complex skill that needs to be developed and practiced. You’ll need to spend a fair bit of time learning (as in, thousands of hours). Even so, there are computer algorithms that are lightning fast that you can’t even begin to compete with, especially in options trading.

There’s no get quick rich easy pill here, and beware of anyone who says so.

Transcriptionist

Transcription involves listening to an audio or video recording and typing the contents up into a document.

However, as computers become more capable of transcription, these types of general transcription jobs are starting to die out, but legal and medical transcriptionists are facing less competition.

The bottom line is this: If you’re a general transcriptionist, without specialized skills, you’ll likely have trouble making a good income online.

How much does a Transcriptionist earn?

$11-$22 an hour with legal and medical transcriptionists making more.

Where can I find Transcriptionists opportunities?

Birch Creek Communications hires legal and general transcriptionists. You can also find work at Net Transcripts.

Online Customer Service Representative

Online customer service representatives interact with customers on behalf of companies. Essentially they behave just like customer service employees do when they’re in a store except this is done online. They answer questions about products and services, respond to customer comments, and process returns.

How much do online customer service representatives make?

Anywhere from $12-$20 per hour.

Where can I find online customer service opportunities?

Online customer service jobs are some of the most common jobs to find for remote workers. Sykes.com is a virtual call center provider that hires remote workers. Working Solutions also offers a variety of jobs including telemarketing, remote agents, and tech support.

Website or App Testing

Companies pay website design teams to ensure that their sites are running smoothly. If the company loses visitors due to complicated designs, poor navigation, or bad content, then they’re losing customers. Website and app testers create objective reviews of the website to ensure everything makes sense from the customer’s point of view.

How much do website of app testers make?

Test are generally paid via PayPal per test, so pay varies a lot. Like online surveys, this may be better for occasional cash rather than a full time job.

Where can I find opportunities?

User Testing hires remote workers to tests various websites. UserZoom conducts website usability tests for desktop and on phones. The actual user-testing panel aspect of Userzoom is actually called Intellizoom.

Do you have any great ideas for online only jobs outside of these or our 45 jobs you can do around the world post? We’d love to hear from you below.

I truly believe that travel is one of the best things that anybody can do with their lives. Seeing amazing countries, learning about different cultures and having the freedom to explore whatever you want is a liberating and exhilarating experience like no other.

For those looking to add another dimension to their travel, spending some time as a volunteer can be an excellent option.

Can you volunteer abroad cheap or for free? The real costs

As a volunteer, you not only get all the benefits of regular traveling, like seeing new places and meeting new people, but you also get a uniquely intimate insight into a culture and the chance to give something back.

If you’re considering becoming a volunteer, then you might be wondering how much it’s all going to cost. The truth is, there is no straight answer to this question, as different companies charge vastly different amounts.

However, there are some general common factors that can help you to know how much to budget. If you do it right, volunteering can actually save you money when compared with more traditional forms of travel, such as staying exclusively in hotels and moving around every day or two.

So, here are the basic costs of volunteering abroad, broken down for you to better understand and plan effectively.

How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?

The costs to volunteer overseas include the volunteer project fees, flights and transportation, meals, accommodation, visas and more!

The volunteer project itself

By this, I mean the fees that the volunteer organization charge, and it’s this that is likely to have the largest effect on your budget.

Project fees depend massively on the individual organization, as well as the location of the project, and various other factors. At the upper end of the scale, you may be expected to pay hundreds of dollars per day, and at the lower end, you may only need to cover a fraction of that.

It’s vital to look at what’s covered by the fees and whether there will be any additional costs. You should also check out things such as the quality of the accommodation as well as reviews by past volunteers, which are available through any good organization like uvolunteer.

The only way to accurately find out the cost of the project is to do some research and shop around.

Flights and transportation for volunteering

The cost of your flights is likely to be another significant expense for any low cost volunteer abroad vacation. Obviously, the actual costs vary depending on how far you need to fly and the season, so this will be something you need to figure out before committing.

In terms of general transportation costs, many organizations will cover the most vital costs as part of the program fees. For example, good organizations will cover airport transfers, as well as any transport needed as part of the project.

Food and drink while volunteering

This can be another hidden cost, with some organizations failing to provide any food despite high fees.

If you don’t want to shell out for every meal, then try to look for a company that covers some of your meals as part of the program fees. For example, you may have lunch provided while you are working.

Drinks and alcohol are likely to be something you need to account for too. Volunteer placements are inherently social, and you can expect to be surrounded by other young volunteers who are up for having a good time, so you’ll probably end up going for a few drinks now and then.

Sightseeing and traveling after your volunteering

Volunteering is by no means all about work, and with the right organization you will have plenty of time to yourself. As you’re in a foreign country, it’s a good idea to use at least some of this time to explore the area.

So, if you’re wanting to travel to other areas and go sightseeing on your weekends, then you’ll have to factor in the costs.

As the countries with the most legitimate projects are usually in developing parts of the world, these costs are going to be lower than at home. For example, if you’re working as a volunteer in Thailand, then getting around, sightseeing and accommodation will all be very affordable.

Visas for volunteering

Visa costs for volunteering are rarely going to set you back a huge amount, but it’s still something that’s worth factoring into your budget.

For most countries that you are likely to go to, volunteering visas will generally not cost more than around $50 for a month or so, if anything. However, you will need to look carefully at the precise rules surrounding visas and volunteers, as some countries class volunteering as work. In these cases you may need to acquire a working visa, which can be a more complicated process and cost significantly more.

Plan ahead to avoid being hit with any surprise volunteering costs

The secret to accurately judging the costs for a volunteering trip is to plan ahead, so you don’t catch yourself asking why is volunteering abroad so expensive? Choose a good organization, figure out exactly where you want to go, for how long, and whether you want to continue traveling afterwards. Taking your time with this part of the process will help you to budget effectively, and save money in the long run.

Bio

Nicoleta Radoi is the resident content blogger for uVolunteer. Nicoleta is an avid linguist, speaks fluent English, Chinese, French, Spanish and native Romanian. She spent a decade working in China in the education sector and working with major international development institutions. She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada and is passionate about volunteering, sustainable travel and has a soft spot for ethnic food.

Connect with her on Instagram – Twitter

Today’s post is from Jessica at MissAdventure Travel, who’s spent the last six years traveling and teaching English abroad. We wanted to share her thoughts on the best countries to teach English abroad, since she’s taught in both Thailand and China. Here’s what Jessica has to say.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

When I first decided to teach English abroad, it wasn’t for noble reasons. I’d wanted a way to travel and to write, and I didn’t have enough savings (more like $0) to live for a significant amount of time.

I’m a little more savvy now – I’ve even written about the the best travel hacks to save you money – but back then I was first learning of the idea of slow, meaningful travel, and it resonated. I wanted the chance to immerse myself in a completely foreign culture, to become a part of the community, to put myself as far out of my comfort zone as possible…all for the chance to come back changed.

Perhaps I didn’t know I was seeking change at the time, but after teaching English abroad for nearly two years, first in Thailand and then China, I learned that with this kind of travel, the change is inevitable. It’s impossible to step outside of your norm, witness how those different from you live and think and speak, and to NOT return home a different (and better, I’d argue) person.

Tip from the editor! Don’t forget to get insurance while teaching English abroad – accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere.

As airfare becomes increasingly more affordable around the world, the desire for meaningful travel experiences like teaching English abroad is also on the rise (don’t just take my word —here’s a list of the best blogs about teaching abroad!). After teaching abroad myself, I started a TEFL agency where I help those who are just getting started figure out where they’d like to go, and how to get there, proof that you just never know where teaching abroad can lead you.

There are many accredited and reputable TEFL and TESOL providers that offer courses that can help your travel lover find an overseas job teaching English.

What are the best countries to teach English abroad?

My first-hand experience in the industry over the last six years has given me insight into the world of teaching ESL, and as a result, a personal list of the best places to teach English abroad, for varying reasons as mentioned below.

Thailand

One could say I’m undoubtedly biased when it comes to putting Thailand at the top of the list, but I can quickly argue anyone out of that logic.

Thailand is an easy pick for the top because it’s the best of so many things. Not only do you get tropical weather, gorgeous scenery, a never-ending list of things to do and see, friendly locals, delicious food and ease of travel to neighboring countries with Bangkok as your hub, you’ll also experience a laid-back lifestyle, a light work load, and a super low cost of living coupled with a relatively high income.

Nicaragua

Some people consider Nicaragua the forgotten step brother to it’s much more popular neighbor, Costa Rica, but I’d be willing to bet those people have never been to Nicaragua, and that’s precisely why I love it so much. If off-the-beaten track is your peanut butter, then Nicaragua is your jam. Think volcanoes, unspoiled beaches (great for surfing), one of the largest lakes in the word (with freshwater sharks!), and gorgeous, colonial towns. Nicaragua is pretty new to the ESL scene, so there are more jobs available than teachers to fill them, and you don’t need a university degree or even to be a native speaker to qualify.

Czech Republic

Beer and castles. Need I say more? The self-proclaimed beer capital of the world, and also the country’s capital, Prague, Czech Republic is a hot bed for English teachers right now. Not only does it offer a comfortable lifestyle with no shortage of things to do (hiking, castles, beer tours, shopping…), but it’s also one of the cheapest cities in Europe to live AND it’s almost smack dab in the center. As an ESL teacher in Prague, you could have a central home base from which to explore the rest of Europe by train or car (weekend trip to Amsterdam, anybody?) while earning a living wage. The salaries aren’t high but you will earn enough to cover your living expenses, and have lots of opportunity to work more if you wish. Plus, the Czech Republic is relatively new to the scene when it comes to hiring ESL teachers from abroad (and being able to get them work visas), so the jobs are aplenty.

South Korea

If you’re looking for a little more cushion in your bank account, consider a government-sponsored position in South Korea. Slightly more competitive than the above mentioned countries with more requirements (only open to native speakers with a degree AND a TEFL certification), programs like EPIK (English Program in Korea) come with great salaries, furnished accommodation, paid vacation and annual airfare reimbursement.

What questions should you ask when you’re looking at a teaching commitment?

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a location: the higher salary and better benefits typically equals longer contract commitments and more teaching hours required.

Another question to ask yourself might be if you prefer to teach in a public school or in the private sector? Children or Adults? How many hours per week are you willing to work? Will you want your weekends free?

Do you need a TEFL certificate? Can you get it overseas?

Regardless of where you decide to teach, it’s highly recommended to obtain a TEFL certification. With the growing popularity of teaching English abroad, more and more countries and employers are starting to require it, plus it will help you stand out above the crowd and make you a better, more confident teacher, which can only benefit your students in the end.

There are courses all over the world as well as online, so you can choose a program that suits your needs.

If you know you want to teach in Thailand, for example, it’s best to get certified there. Not only will you still gain an internationally recognized certification, but you’ll get hands-on experience and tips/tricks for what works specifically in Thailand, so you’ll be perfectly prepared to step foot in the Thai classroom, and from there, you’ll be able to tailor your skills to other students from around the world.

Bio: Jessica Hill is the face of MissAdventure Travel, a blog about adventure travel and teaching English abroad. After teaching English in Thailand and China, she started Teach English: ESL, a TEFL agency where she helps others teach English abroad. Find her on Facebook.

The Best Travel Jobs

We’ve found some of the best ideas to get paid as you travel the world, with some help on how to land each job.

Tip! While house sitting may not pay all of your travel bills, it can take a huge bite out of accommodation costs. Trusted Housesitters is a great place to start. Check Trusted Housesitters job listings here.

Yacht Crew

You should know the basics of sailing for this gig, although some jobs only require a keen willingness to learn and a great attitude. Check out Find a Crew or Crew Seekers online or ask directly at a local yacht club. Well known jumping off points include Darwin, Phuket, San Diego and Panama. We volunteered as yacht crew for evening cruises at the yacht club in Brisbane and found the club and captains to be friendly and open to our help.

Freelance Travel Writing

Traditional freelance travel writing is a tough gig. The competition is stiff, and the life of a freelance travel writer usually doesn’t pay well (or reliably). Even if you’ve got stellar contacts, don’t expect to get much pay in the first year or so. Even irritatingly talented writers struggle as travel writers.

One of the best places to start looking for freelance writing jobs, and that includes freelance travel writing, is FlexJobs.

FlexJobs screens employers for you. FlexJobs comes with a small, flat monthly fee, but they also vet all of the job opportunities, meaning that there’s a lot less spam to wade through.

FlexJobs is one of the top job boards for remote work, but there is a monthly fee (about $14.95 USD a month).

Check out FlexJobs here.

Check out Virtual Vocations job listings here for freelance writing and plenty of other online jobs. You can try it out for free, but there’s also a paid version.

Looking for help with your resume or CV? Check out a CareersBooster review.

Cruise Ship Work

Cruise ships hire all sorts of folks, from entertainers to waiters to cooks. This type of gig is best for those without kids or a spouse. It may also not be great long term for a digital nomad who needs reliable internet access, since WiFi at sea can be spotty.

Earl from Wandering Earl has used cruise ship work to fund a large part of his 12 years on the road, and wrote a book called How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship.

Click here check out his book on getting a job on a cruise line.

Royal Caribbean even hires horticulturalists and cupcake supervisors (now that’s a job I could handle). Check out careers at Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Lines.

Travel Blogging

If you’re the enterprising sort, you can start your own travel blog. You’ll be putting in a lot of work (trust us on this) as you build your blog. Even if your blog becomes well known, you’ll need great business sense and a way to stand out from the crowd before you start bringing in any income. We’d estimate it takes about a year of hard work blogging before you can start to make any real income here (and by real, we mean around $1,000 per month).

Tip: To really enjoy the combination of work and travel, don’t forget about your safety. Here’s when a reliable VPN service may come in handy to protect your online presence and unlock geo-restricted content.

Volunteer

While volunteer jobs by nature don’t pay, some will provide (often very basic) accommodation or meals, or both. Conservation Volunteers provides basic accommodation, but not meals, in exchange for help on conservation projects. Be careful with this strategy, as many voluntourism placements charge you a significant amount of money to volunteer. This helpful article from Wisebread will point you in the right direction.

WWoofing

If you’ve ever been interested in volunteering on an organic farm, this might be the gig for you. WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) brings together volunteers and farmers. You’ll work a set number of hours in exchange for room and board. No previous farming experience is required.

Flight Attendant

This is one of those jobs that require travel as part of the career. Flight attendants wages vary depending on the airline, and new employees don’t have a great choice of shifts or destinations. That said, you can still score some great flights while being paid. Airline employees often get substantial discounts on airfare for themselves and their family. Some airlines even allow you to pass on discounts to specified friends.

We always get travel insurance when we travel.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers nearly every country on the planet.

Pilot

While this is out of the reach of most of us, those with flight experience can score great flights. To become a pilot, you’ll need over 250 hours of flight experience, decent vision, a clear criminal record and good health.

Technical Writer or Editor

If you’re technically (or scientifically) inclined, and have great writing skills, technical writing and editing can be a great gig on the road. Technical writers write everything from website text to software user manuals to detailed computer hardware specifications. I’ve worked as technical writer for the past ten years, both remotely and in cubicle nation. I’d suggest getting a certificate in technical writing and a few clients under your belt before you hit the road. Starting pay is about $25/hour for North American gigs for native English speakers, but experienced writers and editors can earn $60 an hour or more.

Academic Editor or Writer

Academic editors and writers are often in big demand. English is a second language for plenty of students, so

Academic editors and writers are often in big demand. English is a second language for plenty of students, so getting an editor to proofread academic papers is common.

Editors can work on articles all the way from high school to PhD level, depending on their experience. Writers are also in demand with paper writing and editing services, which offer work in fields as diverse as English, biology, and physics.

Busking

Busking can be great if you have a skill in some sort of performance art, from singing to drumming or juggling. Pick a busy area to maximize your tips, and be careful not to run afoul of local city ordinances for street performers. Check out the video below of talented electric violinist Ed Alleyne-Johnson doing some busking work to get you motivated. Amazingly, all the music you hear is coming from his violin!

Bartender or Waiter

Depending on the country you’re visiting, you may be able to score a job waiting tables under the table. As you’ll be working illegally, you face a few risks, including being nabbed by the tax man, or even deported. That said, if you’re looking to work in a restaurant or bar, try to find a place where tips are good, as most of your income will come in the form of tips. There’s some helpful info here on traveling and working as a bartender.

Work for Your Accommodation

Many hostels will let you stay for free in exchange for light work around the hostel. While we were in Adelaide, Australia, we exchanged a couple of hours cleaning the hostel each day for a comfy double room with shared bath. All in all, it wasn’t a bad deal, as rooms were going for about $50. You research hostels before you leave on sites like Hostelworld.com.

Peace Corps Volunteer

The Peace Corps is serious business. Only apply if you’re able to commit to a long engagement in what might be a difficult environment. The application process is stringent, and usually includes an interview. The Peace Corps doesn’t pay a lot, but does cover health insurance and deferrals of student loans (for US Citizens), plus a bonus at the end of your term.

Run an Import/Export Business

The premise is simple: Find a product in one country, and sell it for a tidy profit somewhere else. This is perfect if you have a strong entrepreneurial bent, as you’ll have to dig up the product, the market and the suppliers all on your own.

Interpreter or Translator

You’ll need to be fluent in either written (a translator) or spoken (interpreter) two languages or more, and many employers want a university degree in linguistics.

Tour Guide

If you can herd groups of confused people, and enjoy talking about the sights, this job might be for you. Tour guides don’t just schlep people around museums; you might even score a job as a wilderness guide. Speaking multiple languages isn’t a must but would be a definite asset.

Tour Organizer

If you can build trip itineraries, plan visas and stay arrangements, group tour organizing might be for you.

Seasonal Fruit or Vegetable Picker

The work is long and hard, but demand is often high for seasonal farm labor in Australia and many other countries in the world. If you’re staying in a New Zealand or Australian city with outlying farms, you should be able to find some work picking crops or shearing sheep.

Because the jobs depend on the harvest, timing can be a bit tricky. Here’s a tip from a backpacker we met in Cairns: Don’t pick watermelons, they weigh a ton and you’ll be exhausted within the first hour. Anywork Anywhere is a good place to start looking for jobs.

Ethnomusicologist

I have to admit to being a little skeptical when I first ran across this job. Ethnomusicologists are involved in the anthropology of music and study how music and culture relate. The Society for Ethnomusicology is a good place to start. Grant competition is fierce, and an academic background is highly recommended.

Online Poker Player

While this requires mad poker skills (obviously), the good news is that it’s open to anyone with a good internet connection and a small bankroll to start. According to the FBI, online gambling is illegal in the United States.

Day Trader

Day traders buy and sell stocks and other financial securities online, usually within the space of a day. A word of warning: You really need to know what you’re doing here, as this is a risky job for those without solid experience and knowledge. The large majority of day traders actually lose money.

Scuba Instructor

You’ll need a minimum of a PADI Open Water Scuba instructor course (or a similar accreditation). The more qualifications and specialized courses you take, the more marketable you’ll become. Instructors don’t make a lot of money, but the great perk of this job is that you get to teach in some of the world’s most beautiful locations.

Massage Therapist

While you don’t technically need an accreditation to be a massage therapist in certain countries, it may help you land clients and gigs. There are probably hundreds of styles of massage, ranging from deep tissue to Thai. Pay depends on the country you’re in, but the job can extremely flexible if you work as a freelance massage therapist.

Skiing Instructor

In most parts of the world, ski instructors must take courses and become accredited. Canadian ski instructors earn about $12 an hour to start.

Freelance Photographer

With the advent of digital cameras and the Internet, freelance photography has gotten a lot more competitive. That said, if you have great photography skills and a keen business sense, you may be able to sell some of your travel photos.

Travel Agent

Years ago, being a travel agent was one of the dream jobs for would-be travelers, who dreamed of perks and discounted fares. Today, travel agents are a rarer breed, as commissions have been cut and the internet has allowed consumers to book more of their own trips. You can work as a home based travel agent through a web-based travel agency. Successful travel agents today often offer specialized services that don’t compete with discounted web fares. Commissions and wages these days are low and perks are hard to come by.

Au Pair

An au pair is a nanny who may also be expected to do light housework. A large proportion of au pairs are female, and tend to work in Europe, the US and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand. If you’re looking to cover a lot of ground, this arrangement may not work well, as au pair contracts range from six months and up. Check out the International Au Pair Organization to start.

House Sitter

While house sitting may not pay all of your travel bills, it can take a huge bite out of accommodation costs. Trusted Housesitters is a great places to start.

Check Trusted Housesitters job listings here.

Also check for caretaking jobs, which generally involve a longer time commitment and increased responsibilities (like taking care of someone’s motel while they’re on vacation). Caretaking jobs often pay a stipend in addition to free accommodation. You can find caretaker jobs through the Caretaker Gazette. There’s a small membership fee for most sites.

Check Caretaker jobs listings here.

Home Swap

If you own an apartment or house, consider swapping for a place at your destination. You can save a fortune in accommodation costs, and often live much better than you would in a hotel.

International Resort Worker

International resorts like Club Med hire a wide variety of people, from electricians to bakers to activities coordinators. Check out Club Med jobs for information.

Time Share Salesperson

The bane of resort goers everywhere, time share salespeople make a commission by convincing vacationers to purchase a partial ownership of a vacation property (or multiple properties). For a set amount of money, the vacationer gets access to a vacation property for one or two weeks per year. Timeshares have taken a beating in the press for scamming vacationers out of their money. Even timeshares on the up and up are often sold with restrictive dates for access, hidden fees and taxes. Check out RCI.com to get an idea of what kind of time shares are available worldwide.

Work at a Campsite

If you’re the outdoorsy type, you may be able to combine camping and work in Canada and the US. Work camping involves either hooking up your own RV or on-site housing and working as a camp host, desk clerk or even a tour guide. Private campgrounds and national parks like Yellowstone offer seasonal employees RV hookups or onsite housing.

Real Estate Agent

You’ll need to pick a specific area, become knowledgeable in the local real estate market, but many expats make good money as real estate agents, especially specializing in selling to other expats.

Location Independent Businesses

You can take many businesses with you on the road. These are usually computer-based business like website development or computer programming. All you’ll need is a laptop, internet connection, and a mad set of skills and you can work anywhere in the world. Sites like Freelancer.com let you bid on jobs from all over the globe, while Fiverr gigs are set at a $5 (though you can add on extra services for extra $$).

Check out our article on the best online jobs for travelers for some ideas.

Deckhand on a Cargo Ship

While not as glamorous as working on a luxury cruise liner, working on a container ship can be a more leisurely way to see the world. Workers often acts as lookouts and perform maintenance like painting and maintaining containers. You’ll need a high school diploma and many deckhands have training through industry or labor union schools.

Courier

Back in the day, legit international businesses would pay couriers to fly packages as carry on between select destinations. Cheaper and faster international shipping, increased security and transporting docs electronically have made these jobs almost non-existent. Use a lot of caution with courier sites, as most seem to be trying to sell a membership, a supposedly discounted airfare or an outdated e-book written 10 years ago. Courier List, once one of the biggest names in the business, suspended subscriptions because of decreased opportunities.

Transport a Car or RV

Car and RV dealerships or car rental companies sometimes hire people to drive cars to a different destination. Car rental companies sometimes find themselves with too many cars in one destination and want to move them to an area where rentals are more in demand. Car dealerships may need a specific car, with specific options or colors that they arrange to get from another dealer. While most companies work with full time, professional drivers, there may be some opportunities for one time trips. The trick with these jobs is getting a car that’s going where you want to go at the right time. You’ll need a clean driver’s license and may need a specialty license to drive RVs. Transport companies like DAS Auto Shippers and RV Transport hire drivers. HitTheRoad.ca is a well known Canadian company that offers mostly long distance, one way, one trip driving contracts for cars, while AutoDriveAway has listings for the USA.

Camp Counselor

Countries as diverse as Canada, the USA, Croatia and even Russia hire camp counselors. Check out Bitten By the Travel Bug’s helpful articles on camp counseling.

ESL Teacher

Teaching English as a second language is a well worn staple for travelers, and for good reason. Some countries, like Japan, China and Korea are well traversed by ESL teachers, though there are opportunities around the world. Japan and Korea pay reasonably well, while countries in South and Central America generally pay less. Depending on the country, accommodation may be included in your pay. Many teachers also tutor after hours for extra cash. An English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate helps, as does a Bachelor’s degree, though with persistence it’s possible to get a job without either if you have the right connections. If you can figure out a way to break into the field, teaching business English to adults is reputed to pay better. Nomadic Matt’s travel site has a great overview of teaching English overseas.

Online Teacher or Tutor

Many universities and colleges are moving to online learning. While this is great for students, it’s also a fantastic perk for teachers or tutors, who can work from almost anywhere to teach their online students. An advanced degree is helpful for teaching, but it is possible to teach for a trade or technology school with experience and good connections.

Check out Teaching Traveling for a profile of a web and mobile design instructor who worked remotely for nine months while traveling from US to Argentina. The best part of this gig? You’re paid as well as if you were working at home. To find work, browse the teaching listings at university like the University of Phoenix, community colleges, and even technology and trade schools.

Geologist

Geologists often travel as a requirement of their work. They can work in fields as diverse as oil and gas exploration, climate change and mining. You’ll need a minimum of a four year undergraduate degree .

Join the Military

Joining the military simply to travel seems like a bad idea, given the chance that you could be permanently stationed in your home town, or … well… killed. That said, military service can lead to opportunities to work overseas, though there may be little time for recreation.

Personal or Virtual Assistant

A personal assistant wears a thousand hats, depending on the needs of their employer. Personal connections seem to be critical.

Virtual Assistants offer administrative services to clients from a remote location. Virtual assistant services include scheduling appointments, managing email accounts, managing social media accounts, and more.

Marine or Wildlife Biologist

For nature lovers, the great perk of working as a marine or wildlife biologist can be location. Marine biologists can be stationed in fantastic locations like Hawaii and Costa Rica, while wildlife biologists can be found anywhere on the globe. Biologists need a minimum of a four year undergraduate degree, though researchers who work with universities usually require a PhD.

Internet Affiliate Marketer

Internet affiliate marketers create websites that sell other people’s products and then take a percentage of the sales. While the industry has a smarmy reputation, it is possible to make money through affiliate programs. No formal education is required, but a strong entrepreneurial bent and tech savvy is needed.

Working Holiday and other Visas

If you’re under 35, see if your destination country offers a youth working holiday visa. Many countries have agreements that allow youth to work on a working holiday visa for up to one year. Check out Wikipedia’s list of working holiday visa programs.

When planning to work in a foreign country, check into visa requirements first. In many countries it’s possible to work illegally (under the table), but be aware that there can be consequences that include immediate deportation. Receiving lodging or a stipend for volunteering may fall within the category of working under the table, depending on the country.

We hope we’ve inspired you that there are a lot of ways to make money on your travels. Now get out there and get one of these best travel jobs!