Travel jobs offer flexibility, allowing you to go on journeys, pursue adventures, and change locations while still working and earning money. They are great for people who want to explore the world and simultaneously earn a living.
From going abroad to teach English to being a digital nomad doing everything on your laptop, travel jobs offer a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best travel jobs to consider, whether you’re looking for a short gig or a lifelong career. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare for liftoff!
Key Takeaways
Travel jobs allow you to visit other cities and even countries while still working and earning a wage.
Travel jobs like web development, photography, and blogging give you complete flexibility, and you can work as a digital nomad.
Some travel jobs revolve around freelancing, while others involve part-time or even full-time employment.
The requirements to get the job vary and range from no education or experience to having a degree and plenty of on-the-job training.
You can find travel jobs on dedicated websites, online job boards, through networking, and so on.
Median salaries and job outlooks vary between professions. You can earn anywhere from pocket money to $100,000 annually or more.
Top 13 Traveling Jobs
Now, let’s examine some of the best travel jobs in the world. We’ll explore each role to determine what education and experience are needed to get it. You’ll also learn what to expect in terms of salary and job outlook.
#1. Au Pair
Au Pairs travel to foreign countries to live with host families, where they take care of their children and do basic housework. They are typically young people—between 18 and 30 years old—who are looking for opportunities to travel and explore while earning income.
This is one of the best travel jobs without a degree since there are usually no formal education requirements. Still, you can get ahead of the competition if you have sufficient language skills and some knowledge or experience with children. Au pair experience is also great for those looking to pursue careers in teaching, childcare, psychology, and similar fields.
In the US, the minimum salary au pairs can receive is $197.75, which results in around $10,400 per year. That number varies based on multiple factors, including your location and qualifications, so the median salary is around $28,000.
#2. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Worker
Working for non-governmental organizations usually includes providing humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, conserving the environment, and so on. These are vastly different fields, and so the educational requirements vary significantly depending on the role in question.
For example, if you’re looking for a job in healthcare, you might need a relevant degree. Alternatively, a job in logistics or community outreach might simply require the necessary skills and experience.
The median salary also varies based on the role. For example, disaster relief social and human service assistants have a median salary of $29,910 per year, and they only need a high school diploma or equivalent to start working. On the other hand, social and community service managers typically need a Bachelor’s degree, and they have a median salary of $59,510.
#3. English Teacher
Teaching English is one of the most popular international travel jobs. It involves educating non-native speakers in the English language. In general, teachers are typically required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree, though certificates like TEFL can significantly improve your odds of landing the job.
In the US, adult basic and secondary education teachers have a median salary of $60,560 per year, while post-secondary-grade teachers have a median salary of $84,380 per year. However, the numbers vary a lot depending on the country you travel to.
There’s a high demand for qualified English teachers in various Asian countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea. Additionally, you can find a job with relative ease in many nations in Europe and Latin America, making this one of the best jobs for English majors who like traveling.
#4. Cruise Worker
Cruise workers can have a variety of roles, ranging from hospitality and customer service to entertainment, maintenance, healthcare, and more. As a result, the education requirements vary based on the role. Some maintenance roles might require a degree, while a position in customer service or entertainment only needs certain skills.
The median salary also depends on multiple factors. A typical cruise crew member can expect a median salary between $16,000 and $20,000, while leadership staff’s median salary goes up to $100,000 per year.
Being a cruise worker is one of the jobs that pays you to travel. While some drawbacks include demanding hours and limited time off, you can expect to visit multiple locations on a single cruise while still earning a decent wage.
#5. Flight Attendant
Flight attendants ensure the safety and comfort of commercial airline passengers while responding to any emergencies. Traveling is inherent to this profession, as it involves visiting varying destinations—often abroad—and having layovers in different cities or countries.
The typical entry-level education required to get the job is a high school diploma or equivalent. That low barrier of entry, combined with a lucrative median salary of $68,370 per year and an 11% positive job outlook, makes this one of the best traveling jobs.
The downside to this job is irregular working hours, often including long shifts, weekends, and holidays. However, if you’re adept at handling diverse clientele and challenging passenger situations, you only need a flight attendant resume and cover letter to apply and get the job.
#6. Photographer
Photography as a travel job involves capturing images of people, cultures, landscapes, animals, and more. A degree in photography, while desired, is usually not mandatory, and you can get into this profession with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Many photographers are self-taught, too.
The median pay for photographers is $40,760 per year, with a 4% positive job outlook. To get one of these roles, you should write a solid photographer resume and cover letter while building a strong portfolio to showcase your work.
The competitive nature of the job and the creative challenges that these photographers face are balanced by notable travel opportunities and unprecedented levels of freedom. Photographers can work for travel companies and publishers, as well as as freelancers. They can also sell their photos to magazines, through stock photo platforms, and more.
#7. Travel Blogger
A travel blogger is a traveling enthusiast who shares their experiences by writing. They typically provide valuable insights, guides, and tips to people traveling to those locations.
While there are no educational requirements to become a travel blogger, many professionals have a background in writing, journalism, photography, communications, marketing, or similar fields.
In recent years, travel bloggers have started leveraging social media in addition to blog posts to maintain a steady online presence. That also makes it one of the best traveling jobs for married couples, since both partners can work on the blog, share the workload, and enjoy the benefits.
Since the majority of travel bloggers are self-employed, the job outlook and median salary are difficult to estimate. On average, a travel blogger can expect to start making $1,000 monthly after a year of blogging. However, some of the most popular travel bloggers worldwide make hundreds of thousands per month.
#8. Tour Guide
Tour guides are knowledgeable professionals who lead groups of tourists through various attractions. They provide valuable and interesting information about these attractions, talk about their history, and entertain the group.
The typical required education to get the job is the equivalent of a high school diploma. Degrees in history, archeology, tourism, and similar fields can get you ahead of the competition. A median salary is $47,410, and the job outlook is as fast as average, at 3% growth.
Being a tour guide embodies having a traveling job and is a popular choice for expats, especially if you work in multiple locations. Getting the job can be easier for local tours, but the difficulty increases if you aim for popular tourist destinations. Exceptional language proficiency and communication skills can help improve your chances.
#9. Hostel Worker
Hostel workers often handle a variety of tasks that range from reception duties to even organization. There’s usually no education requirement, though you can improve your chances of getting a job if you have experience and skills in hospitality, customer service, or similar roles.
The role of a hostel worker is part of the leisure and hospitality. While the entire industry saw a massive drop in employment in the middle of 2020, the employment rate is now down only 2.1 percent from the high of February 2020. That makes this one of the best travel jobs where you get both salary and accommodation.
The median salary is hard to estimate since many of these roles are part-time, but most hostel jobs pay between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
#10. Bartender
Bartenders prepare and serve drinks and manage bar operations. They work in restaurants, hotels, and other establishments that serve food and drinks. There’s no need for formal education, and you can become a bartender with short-term on-the-job training, making this one of the best travel jobs with no experience.
The median salary for bartenders is $31,510 per year, with a 3% positive job outlook, which is as fast as average. One of the easiest ways to get one of these jobs is to submit your bartender resume and cover letter directly to the establishment you want to join.
Bartending is a great and versatile profession that offers numerous opportunities. Tourist-heavy locations typically have a high demand for bartenders, making this one of the best traveling jobs per diem. Even with no experience, you can start as a barback and quickly pick up the necessary bartender skills.
#11. Travel Agent
Another quintessential travel job is being a travel agent. A travel agent’s job involves arranging accommodation, transportation, and various activities for individuals or groups who plan to travel. Some travel agents work from an office, but many work remotely and from anywhere.
To become a travel agent, you typically need some on-the-job training but no degree other than a high school diploma. Still, a degree or experience in tourism, hospitality, or business can be advantageous, as can relevant certifications.
As a travel agent, you can expect a median salary of $47,410 per year. The job outlook is as fast as average, with 3% expected growth between 2022 and 2032. Entering the job can be relatively easy with the right training and proper networking. After that, your success depends on your ability to communicate, sell, and maintain customer relationships.
#12. Actor
Actors perform in film, theater, and other mediums to play characters and express ideas. While some college degrees are needed for certain roles, most acting jobs require only on-the-job training and no formal education.
The entertainment industry is highly competitive, and the job outlook for actors is at an average 3% expected growth rate. Still, by starting small, taking part in local productions and student films, and steadily building your portfolio, you’ll grow into bigger roles. An acting resume and cover letter can help you progress your career faster.
On average, actors are paid $20.50 per hour, but the salary varies significantly depending on their skills and renown. Once you break into the industry, traveling becomes an integral part of your life. Acting gives you a unique opportunity to combine your passion for adventure with a highly creative profession.
#13. Web Developer
Web developers conceptualize, create, and test websites and their various aspects. This is a lucrative profession within the IT sphere, with a high job outlook of 16%. That, coupled with a median salary of $92,750 per year, makes web development one of the most sought-after jobs.
Another reason to go into web development is entry-level education requirements. While some employers look for Bachelor’s degrees in candidates, many others hire solely based on skills and past work experiences. A solid web developer resume and cover letter can help you highlight those qualifications.
You can also work in web development as a freelancer who finds clients through their online network or platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. This makes web development one of the best travel jobs, as all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. Many companies also allow full remote work, so you can be a digital nomad who never steps foot in an office.
How to Find Traveling Jobs
Finding traveling jobs mainly revolves around doing online research, but you can also leverage your network and look for jobs in person.
If you’re unsure which travel job is best for you, you should start by identifying your skills and interests. After that, you can research potential jobs on popular websites like WanderJobs, WorldTrips, and TravelJobs.
Depending on the role, you might find specialized websites to help you find a travel job. One notable example is AuPair.com, but there are many others where you can find teaching and hostel jobs, cruise work, and more.
In addition to specialized websites, many general online job boards, like Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed, feature plenty of traveling jobs that you can browse and apply for.
You can also leverage your professional network and LinkedIn to look for roles in your desired field. You can even join social media groups or attend online and in-person industry events and conferences to find additional opportunities.
Once you find a fun travel job that pays well and suits you, you'll be halfway there to getting it. All you need to do afterward is write a resume and cover letter.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a never-ending adventure and traversing the world while making a fine living is the dream life for many individuals. This comprehensive guide to travel jobs can help you find everything from a short-term gig to a lifelong profession that allows you to work and travel.
We’ve given you the best travel jobs for college graduates, young professionals without a degree, and seasoned veterans alike. Remember to assess your skills and goals before taking a leap. While some prefer to work as digital nomads with their trusty laptops, others enjoy adventurous worlds of acting or photography.
No matter the choice, stay determined and remain adaptable, and you’ll turn your passion for exploration into a lifestyle!
Best Travel Jobs FAQ
#1. What is the highest-paying travel job?
Some of the highest-paying travel jobs are captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels. Their annual mean wage can go upward of $100,000, with the 90th percentile in the United States making as much as $270,000 per year.
#2. Which career is best for traveling?
Some of the best careers for traveling are photography, tour guiding, air cabin crew, travel blogging, English teaching, and more. These professions give you the flexibility to travel to exotic locations while being paid for it.
#3. How can I travel for a living?
You can travel for a living by having one of the well-paid travel jobs. Depending on your skills and education, you can work a variety of jobs, including as an au pair, photographer, flight attendant, cruise worker, NGO worker, bartender, and more.
#4. What degree is best for traveling?
A degree in education is one of the best for traveling, as it lets you teach abroad, especially if you’re proficient in the English language. Other good degrees for traveling include journalism, aviation, human resources, graphic design, web development, and archeology.
