Do you work hard just to squeeze in a week of vacation once or twice each year? That’s better than nothing, although some might argue these rushed trips make you more of a tourist versus a traveller. And either way, if you truly love to travel, a week or two each year might not be enough, right?
So if you find yourself always daydreaming about your next travel destination, you might want to consider getting a different job — one that lets you travel. There are two types to consider:
- Jobs that require travel as a normal part of the job description.
- Seasonal jobs that allow you to live in different places for a few weeks or months at a time.
If you want a solid, predictable income, you’ll probably want the first kind. If you want more variety, you budget well and you like occasional long stretches between jobs, the second kind might be more appealing. We’ll look at a few options from both categories in this list of jobs for travellers.
Flight Attendant:
As a flight attendant, you get to travel the world or the country, depending on the airline. But how much time you’ll actually have to explore those exotic destinations can vary. Talk to attendants at your target airlines to see where they typically go and how long they get to stay between flights.
Commercial Airline Pilot:
If you like the idea of having two- or three-day stays in cities around the country or the world, but want a better paycheck than a flight attendant gets, learn to fly! Apply to airlines that have routes servicing the places you want to see.
This is the highest-paid position on our list: The median wage for airline pilots is $105,720. Future job growth for commercial pilots is expected to remain about average for years to come.
TOEFL Teacher:
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) provides a way to travel to many destinations, but usually for long stays. LanguageCorps.com says their teachers get four weeks of training overseas and often have six-month contracts, although some assignments are shorter. Use a job site like Indeed.com to search for offerings in specific countries. Enter “TESL” and or “TESOL” (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and under “where” enter the name of the country. You may get referred to a country-specific job search site.
Bartending:
The opportunities for working in new locales are almost endless if you’re a bartender. It’s one of those positions that offers relatively high-pay (in the right place), and yet has high turnover. The latter means you can find a job almost anywhere if you have experience and keep applying. To travel, try to tend bar on a cruise ship or just pick your favourite places on the map and go find a job for a few months.
How much you make depends on where you work, which shifts you get and how good you are at getting tips.
Truck Driver:
The hours are long and sometimes lonely, but as a long-haul trucker, you definitely get to see the country. NationalTruckDrivingJobs.com website lists job openings by state and for different categories, including tanker jobs, flatbed jobs and several more.
They even have a special section for drivers who have graduated a trucking school but have no experience.
Peace Corps Volunteer:
If you want to travel to foreign lands and help people while you’re there, joining the Peace Corps may be ideal. You normally sign up for a two-year stint, and you may spend much of that time in one location, so this is not a way to “see the sights” as much as a way to get to know another part of the world.
This is a volunteer position, but you do get pay and benefits, and a great entry on your resume. In addition to a living expense stipend you receive while in the Peace Corps, you get health care, student loan help and a readjustment allowance.
Travel Nurse:
If you’re working in healthcare, you have a number of opportunities for travel. For example, my friend works as a physical therapist for a company that assigns her to different locations around the county for a few months at a time. But nurses are perhaps the most in-demand for travelling positions.
Good benefits are the norm and can include free housing during your assignment.
Here are a few more online resources to help you find jobs that involve travelling:
CrewSeekers.net: You’ll find listings here for yacht-crew jobs.
Be a Seasonal Forest Firefighter: Our guide to working in the wilds.
Busking: Not exactly a job, but street performing can pay for your travels.
CoolWorks.com: Their section on ski resort jobs always has listings.
Work as an Au Pair: Work with kids and see Europe!
RoadieJobs.com: Hit the road with your favorite band as a stagehand.
Finally, in addition to jobs, freelance opportunities allow you to work from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.
Many other sites has covered many of these over the years, including freelance blogging, slogan writing, travel photography and more.
