12 Best Travel Jobs For People Who Love To Travel

The best travel jobs allow you to be adventurous and see the world — all while earning a solid paycheck.

In this article, we’ll share the best high-paying and entry-level travel jobs so you can see what your options are.

Key Takeaways:

• Traveling nurse, event coordinator, and travel agent are the top three high-paying jobs that require traveling.

• The top three entry-level jobs that require lots of travel are cruise ship worker, flight attendant, and Au Pair.

• Make sure you consider work visas and the type of job you want before applying to a position.

Best-paying travel jobs

Traveling the world sounds attractive until you start thinking through how you’re going to pay for it. The good news is that there are plenty of jobs that allow you to make a good living while you travel.

Some of the best-paying travel jobs are:

1. Traveling Nurse
   Average Annual Salary: $70,000

   Traveling nurses work short-term roles at healthcare facilities experiencing nursing shortages. These roles can be found all over the world, so if you’re interested in traveling and hold a registered nurse certification, a career as a traveling nurse may be fulfilling and exciting.

   Traveling nurses are one of the best paid full-time careers that allow job-seekers to do meaningful work while traveling. The most successful traveling nurses can earn an average annual salary of more than $130,000.

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2. Event Coordinator
   Average Annual Salary: $49,000

   Event coordinators have ample opportunity to travel depending on where their events are being held. For instance, professionals who coordinate destination weddings have opportunities to travel to some of the world’s most beautiful resorts.

   Event coordinators plan and manage a variety of events, parties, and business conferences for companies and individuals. The job involves organizing all aspects of an event, from the catering and staff to the venue and decor.

   In addition to being one of the best jobs for people who love to travel, working as an event coordinator also ranks among the top 25 most interesting jobs. Event coordinators and planners typically need a bachelor’s degree to break into the industry and can earn a salary of more than $55,000 a year.

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3. Travel Writer
   Average Annual Salary: $59,197

   If you have a knack for the written word, then a career in writing could be a great job that allows you to follow your passion and travel the world. Most travel writers are freelance workers, but there are full-time travel writing positions available at major magazines, newspapers, and online news organizations.

   Travel writers get to travel the world and write about their experiences. Writers are usually in fairly high demand since companies are always in need of strong written communications. The gig also offers a lot of flexibility and is one of the top 30 jobs that allow employees to set their own work schedules.

   The most successful travel writers hold a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism and can earn salaries of more than $63,000.

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4. Foreign Service Officer
   Average Annual Salary: $98,534

   Foreign service officers, or U.S. diplomats, work to represent and advance the interests of the United States around the world. As a foreign service officer, you’d have the opportunity to serve at more than 270 embassies and consulates across the globe.

   This is a great job for individuals looking to live abroad with their families or significant others, as the government often provides appropriate accommodations. Although it can be difficult to obtain a position as a foreign service officer, the work is extremely rewarding, and professionals in this industry can earn as much as $137,000 a year.

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5. Flight Attendant
   Average Annual Salary: $67,000

   Flight attendants have the unique opportunity to literally get paid to travel. As a flight attendant, you’d keep airplane passengers comfortable and safe during their flights and, as a result, often spend time in other cities and countries in between shifts.

   To become a flight attendant, you’ll need at least a high school diploma and a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to the potential to earn a $95,000 salary, flight attendants are on the list of jobs with the best travel perks, making seeing the world during your free time far easier and affordable.

   The number of flight attendant jobs is expected to increase by 21% from 2021 to 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so this is an excellent option if you’re looking for long-term job security as well.

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Entry-level travel jobs

Although most travel jobs require a high level of skill, specialty schooling, and previous work experience, there are still ample entry-level opportunities that require travel.

Here are a few of the best entry-level jobs that will pay you to travel:

1. Cruise Ship Worker
   Average Annual Salary: $23,000

   Working on a cruise ship is a great entry-level job that allows you to travel to some of the most beautiful places on the planet while making money.

   Although the pay isn’t stunning — the national median wage for cruise ship workers sits at $13.52 per hour — working on a cruise ship is a cheap way to travel and see the world. Cruise ship workers also usually get free food and living expenses, so they incur very few costs while working.

   In this role, you could do anything from waiting tables to cleaning rooms to performing in shows, so there’s an opportunity for every skill set and interest.

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2. Au Pair
   Average Annual Salary: $24,651

   A job as an au pair allows you to travel to another country and work as a nanny for children. This makes it an exciting, lucrative option if you’re good with kids and want to live abroad temporarily.

   Au pairs typically live with the family they work for and receive a small stipend each week. Although this isn’t always a high-paying job, it’s a great opportunity for students taking a gap year and young people with a passion for traveling and a love of children. In fact, most au pairs are between 18 and 30 years old, and many countries have age requirements for au pairs.

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3. International Aid Worker
   Average Annual Salary: $17,961

   A career as an international aid worker may be a great choice if you’re looking for travel, adventure, and the opportunity help people. International aid workers visit countries after natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes and help struggling communities recover and rebuild.

   Although a career as an international aid worker might not be the most profitable, it is highly rewarding. It’s also a great opportunity to get some work expereince while connecting with and serving people around the world.

   An interest in social work and a background in health, agriculture, or education will help you land a job as an international aid worker.

4. Truck Driver
   Average Annual Salary: $51,000

   You may enjoy working as a truck driver if you’re looking for blue collar travel jobs that allow you to see different cities and sights in the United States. You’ll need the proper licenses, but once you have those, you’ll have plenty of job opporrtunities, as trucks move about 72.% of America’s freight.

   As a truck driver, you can find positions that take you from coast to coast or just a few hours away and back, depending on what you’re looking for. Truck driving is also ranked as one of the top 19 jobs that don’t require any customer interaction, so it’s a great option if you would rather work in solitude.

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5. English Teacher
   Average Annual Salary: $48,000

   Teaching English overseas is one of the best travel jobs out there. English teachers are in high demand alll over the world, as an estimated 1.5 billion people are English language learners, and they all need teachers.

   Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) comes with the opportunity to make a difference while living in another country — or multiple, if you take on several short-term contracts.

   There are many entry-level traveling English teacher opportunities available since the only requirements are typically a proficiency in the English language and a few TEFL certifications. A bachelor’s degree in English, education, or a related field is always a plus as well, though, as some countries require it.

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6. Photographer
   Average Annual Salary: $49,000

   A career as a professional photographer can be a lucrative, exciting option if you have a knack for taking pictures and a desire to travel. Photographers have the ultimate flexibility at work since the majority of them are self-employed, which also means you can get into this field quickly.

   Professional photographers routinely get to travel to shoot weddings, competitions, and events, as well as interesting locales. Depending on your level of expertise and industry reputation, you can travel either locally, domestically, or internationally.

   It takes a lot of work to build a client base, but oonce you do, the opportunities are endless.

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7. Travel Agent
   Average Annual Salary: $34,000

   Travel agents plan unforgettable trips for their clients, and to do that well, they have to test out many of the hotels, restaurants, and excursions they recommend. This means that as a travel agent, you can travel to some of the top vacation destinations as a part of your job.

   Not only that, but since most of the actual trip planning can be done remotely, you can usually work from wherever you want, making it much easier to travel for pleasure as well.

   To become a travel agent, you typically need a high school diploma as well as excellent communication and people skills. In addition, the number of travel agent jobs is expected to increase by 20% from 2021 to 2031, making it a great entry-level job option.

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What to look for in travel jobs

When you’re looking for a travel job, there are a few factors you should pay attention to before deciding on a career path.

• Visa requirements. Some travel jobs allow you to live and work in a different country for an extended amount of time. If you’re interested in getting a travel job like this, you’ll usually need a work visa.

  When you’re applying for a job that will take you overseas, it’s important to pay attention to the visa requirements of the area you’re interested in and whether or not your employer would help you with the visa application and renewal processes.

• Required versus optional travel. Many remote jobs allow you to work from anywhere in the world. These positions give you the freedom to travel as much as you want without requiring you to leave home more than you want to, which is attractive to many people.

  Just be aware that these types of jobs don’t usually pay for your travel and may require you to be accessible during certain hours, which can mean working in the middle of the night in some time zones. Still, many people find these positions freeing and fulfilling.

• Travel as a part of the job. Other jobs, especially those in the travel, healthcare, and business industries, actually require travel as part of the job’s duties — think cruise ship worker, traveling nurse, or flight attendant.

  If you’re itching to get paid to travel the world rather than stay in one place, keep your eyes peeled for job openings that explicitly list “travel” in the job requirements.

• The type of travel required. Travel jobs can take you across your state, the country, or the globe. It’s important to pay attention to where a job might take you when you apply so you don’t end up on regular trips to India when all you wanted was to see another state.

• Benefits and pay. Keep in mind that when looking for a job that pays you to travel, it’s also still important to consider all of the other benefits or drawbacks that come with it.

  You’re still going to need to pay your bills and go to the doctor, so make sure you think about what kind of benefits you’ll need — things like health insurance and life insurance are especially important if you’ll be traveling a lot — your ideal salary, and what opportunities you’ll have for career growth and professional development.

• Experience and qualifications. Many of the best travel jobs require a high level of job-specific skills, specialized training or education, or previous experience.

  So, don’t be discouraged if you don’t land your dream travel job right away. It can take years of hard work to find a job that aligns with your skills and talents, interests you, and also allows you to travel the world.

• Family relocation packages. Travel jobs are often especially rewarding and doable for young professionals who love to explore. Not have a house or family tying them down to a specific place allows this group to gain practical life and work experience while traveling.

  Having a family doesn’t preclude you from taking advantage of a travel job, though. You just need to pay closer attention to the relocation and support services a company provides before you accept a position.

Travel jobs FAQ

1. How can I travel and still make money?

   To travel and still make money, you can get a job that requires traveling or allows you to work remotely. A position as a remote travel agent, for example, would allow you to work while you travel, so you could go where you’d like while keeping up with your job. It may also require you to visit vacation destinations to recommend to clients, which means you’d literally get paid to travel.

2. Can you make a living traveling?

   Yes, you can make a living traveling. Professionals such as travel writers, flight attendents, and traveling nurses can make good money while seeing the world.

3. What are the benefits to traveling for work?

   Traveling for work allows you to experience cultures and countries that you may not have been able to otherwise. Traveling also allows you to learn from new people and develop your skills, all while expanding your professional network.

Final thoughts

Traditional 9-5 office jobs certainly are not for everyone. If the thought of being stuck in a cubicle behind a computer screen all day doesn’t interest you, then finding a travel job could be an exciting and rewarding career option for you.

Traveling is one of the most rewarding and enriching life opportunities. Nowadays, there are many different career paths that allow employees to travel the world and get paid all at the same time.

With the right skills and qualifications, job-seekers can find great opportunities for traveling and working abroad in almost any professional industry. Whether you’re interested in healthcare or hospitality, childcare, or charity, there are plenty of high-paying and entry-level jobs available for adventure seekers and travelers.

Finding a travel job is a great way to experience new places, learn about different cultures, and meet new people. Plus, it’s a great way to have a rewarding career in your chosen field, step outside your comfort zone, and achieve all of your personal and professional goals.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Photographer Outlook

2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Travel Agent Outlook

3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Flight Attendant Outlook

Author

Elsie Boskamp

Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.