- Several careers allow you the freedom to travel; we provide 25 paths to explore.
- Travel jobs include diverse offerings in industries such as entertainment, sports and construction.
- Traveling for work is perfect for people who thrive on visiting new locations, enjoy networking and (in some cases) are seeking remote positions.
- This article is for professionals who are looking for travel-friendly career options.
Best jobs for travel lovers
Working eight hours every day behind a computer screen isn't for everyone. Some people love to travel and want to use that passion to make a living.
If you're constantly planning your next vacation, consider finding a career that fits your lifestyle. Instead of spending all your PTO and hard-earned money traveling once or twice a year, you could get paid while seeing the world. Here are 25 potential career paths to consider.
Disclaimer: The following items provide ideas and inspiration for potential career paths. These are not open job listings, and Business News Daily is not hiring or recruiting for these positions. We advise conducting your own research before pursuing any of these occupations.
1. Athletic recruiter
Colleges and professional sports organizations employ athletic recruiters to travel to schools and sporting events across the country to scout new talent. Of course, you'll need to know the game inside and out, and the specific skills an athlete would require for certain team positions. If you're an avid sports fan, though, this part of the job could be easy for you.
2. Au pair
Do you work well with children and know a second language? If so, becoming an au pair might be a good option for you. Au pairs live with a host family in a foreign country and provide child care services, such as babysitting and schoolwork assistance.
You'll receive a small salary on top of your room and board, but you also get to immerse yourself in another culture as an extended member of the family. To learn more about becoming an au pair, visit InterExchange.
3. Construction manager
Construction managers not only make good money, but they also get to travel. Sometimes, they relocate to different areas and stay for several months to oversee a project.
Even if you don't have the qualifications to be a project manager, construction companies are worth checking out – many hire support staff to relocate too.
4. Consultant
Companies hire consultants from a variety of fields to fix problems. Because their knowledge is so specialized, a consultant's client base is often spread over the country – or even around the world.
Additionally, maintaining a positive relationship with clients requires regular on-site visits, making it a perfect job for people who love travel.
5. Cruise line worker
Working on a cruise ship is a travel lover's dream gig. You make a living seeing the world while receiving free food and accommodations.
Whether you're a restaurant server, a shop clerk or a performer in the cruise's entertainment lineup, there are opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to work on one of these floating resorts. Websites like Job-Applications.com list employment openings with some top-rated companies when searching "cruise ship jobs."
6. Engineer
For many industries, jobs are going remote and engineering is following suit. Consequently, you can work from virtually anywhere with a computer science or engineering degree.
Travel the world developing software or flexing your technical graphic design skills. There are currently over 12,000 remote engineering jobs available through LinkedIn alone.
7. ESL teacher
English as a second language (ESL) teachers are in high demand both at home and abroad. When you take a job as an ESL teacher in a foreign country, you'll get to help students understand your native language while immersing yourself in that country's culture.
You'll need at least a bachelor's degree, ESL training and a special license to get hired. ESLteacherEDU.org offers a step-by-step guide to becoming an ESL teacher.
8. Event coordinator
Event coordinators might work on local events such as parties and weddings, but orchestrating large-scale events like festivals and trade shows could be the golden ticket for travel lovers.
In this position you would meet with potential vendors from across the country, then travel to the event location to oversee everything from setup to breakdown. A search for "trade show coordinator" on LinkedIn returns more than 20,000 jobs in various cities.
9. Flight attendant
It may be the most obvious travel-related job, but it's also one of the most accessible. You don't need a specialized degree to become a flight attendant, and most major airlines only require prior customer service experience and certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The hours are frequently erratic and the work isn't always easy, but you'll get a glimpse of hundreds of cities across the globe during this career. A bonus perk? Free or discounted flights for you and your family.
10. Foreign Service worker
If you want to combine your love of travel with your love of your country, a career as a Foreign Service officer or specialist could be the right gig for you. The best-known Foreign Service job is a U.S. diplomat, but there are plenty of other career tracks that allow you to meet and interact with foreign governments.
The U.S. Department of State has details about these jobs listed on its website. With more than 250 embassies around the world, there are plenty of travel opportunities.
11. International aid worker
If you want to travel for a living while making a real difference in people's lives, consider working for an international aid organization like USAID.
While working for USAID, you can visit struggling countries and help residents recover from dire situations, such as natural disasters and famine. You'll need a background in a related field – such as health, agriculture or education – and a strong interest in social work.
12. International tour guide
Imagine spending your days guiding fellow travel lovers through a bustling European metropolis, or perhaps a small village is more your style. Wherever you want to go, popular travel destinations always need friendly, knowledgeable guides to lead tourists through city sights and cultural excursions.
This International Living article offers tips and inside knowledge for aspiring international tour guides.
13. Massage therapist
If you want to visit popular tourist destinations, you should consider gaining skills in massage therapy. You can work for hotel chains, spas, cruise lines or become self-employed.
Licensed massage therapists are always welcomed to soothe and de-stress travelers and locals alike. Although you may start at rookie rates, you can consistently raise them as your clientele and skills grow. Plus, massage therapists generally have a flexible schedule to work full or part time.
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) can help you find training programs, business tools and even discounts on supplies.
14. Peace Corps volunteer
As the title "volunteer" might indicate, you won't exactly be making six figures working with the Peace Corps. But if you don't mind living on a budget, you can become part of a worthwhile organization that lets you travel the world and make a difference in others' lives at the same time.
Assignments typically last two years and involve advancing education, healthcare, and economic and agricultural development in a community abroad. The Peace Corps also provides housing and health benefits, not to mention an excellent resume talking point.
15. Photographer
If you're skilled with a camera, consider becoming a travel photographer. While news organizations such as the Associated Press need staff photographers, you can also make a living by freelancing.
Travel photographers are needed at a variety of locations, including tourist attractions, local events and high-end resorts. Begin your journey by following the steps at Worldpackers or taking a Skillshare course.
16. Retail buyer
For the fashionista with wanderlust, a career in retail purchasing might be the ultimate dream job. In addition to monitoring in-store inventory, retail buyers attend vendor meetings, trade shows and conferences across the country – or even the globe, depending on where the company sources its products. The employee in this position identifies industry and consumer trends, and decides what products the company should sell.
Of course, it's not just clothing stores that hire purchasing agents; most large retail companies employ buyers to help them select and negotiate merchandise deals across various categories.
17. Scuba diving instructor
There is a whole other world beneath the ocean's surface, and you can live it by traveling and teaching the essentials of diving.
Scuba instructors have the opportunity to see parts of the globe that are often hidden. A great way to get started is with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), which offers training courses and diving guides.
18. Ski instructor
If you love snow sports and traveling, consider combining your passions to become a ski instructor. There are openings at ski resorts worldwide, including in the United States, France, Switzerland and Canada.
You can look for other seasonal work when the ski season ends; many places stay open throughout the warmer weather for outdoor activities and still need staff. Begin your search for ski instructor jobs at the Season Workers website.
19. Stagehand/roadie
Theater productions and musicians go on tour all the time – and they take busloads of roadies and stagehands with them. While theaters and venues may have their own stagehands, some still travel with each act.
You can begin your search for stagehand jobs on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) website by finding your local union.
20. Translator
Are you fluent in multiple languages? If so, you could become a translator and travel the world, helping people communicate. Translators must speak at least two languages.
According to Day Translations, other useful expertise includes computer and business skills. While becoming a translator requires education, the job can offer the chance to visit many countries.
The countries with the most language service providers (LSPs) include the United States, Great Britain, France, China, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
21. Travel agent
Some people may think that the professional travel agent is a dead career in the age of Google searches and travel price comparison websites. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a slow growth rate in this occupation over the next decade, it's still a rewarding job for anyone who loves to travel.
Travel agents often visit popular destinations to get firsthand experience of the resorts and restaurants they recommend to offer honest, helpful advice to clientele. Whether your clients are business or leisure travelers, they'll thank you for your insider insight into local sights and activities.
Plus, travel agents can increase their income by starting a YouTube channel, writing a blog, and building relationships with travel products and related brands.
22. Traveling nurse
Traveling nurses move around the country from hospital to hospital, bouncing from one temporary position to the next. You'll be sent to areas where nurses are needed most, and your housing, travel expenses and benefits are often covered.
As with any nursing position, you'll need credentials from a nursing program to become a registered nurse. Visit TravelNursing.org for more information.
23. Travel writer
It might not be the easiest way to make a living, but if you've got a knack for writing you can share your knowledge about popular travel destinations. Though full-time travel writing positions exist, most of the work you would get is freelance, as publications typically want individuals who can submit firsthand accounts of the location they're writing about. You can search for and bid on freelance travel writing assignments on sites like Freelancer.com and Upwork.
You can also supplement your income by starting a YouTube channel or social media account like Instagram. Providing your travel-hungry fans with visuals can help you connect with your audience, and even build an email list to promote travel services or other products.
24. Truck driver
Long-haul trucking is an ideal job for those who prefer the open road to an office cubicle. Because of the extended time you'll spend driving solo, it's also a great career option for introverts.
You'll need to obtain a commercial driver's license to start working in this field, but once you have it, you'll be able to see the country as you deliver shipments from one destination to the next.
25. Virtual assistant
As many companies move their business online and employ remote workers, virtual assistants are in high demand.
Becoming a virtual assistant is enticing because the job can offer a flexible schedule in various niche markets. Workers might even have multiple clients, which will increase spontaneity – and income – in their lives.
Did you know? Hiring a virtual assistant can decrease a company's costs by 78%, because the position only requires the company to provide an hourly rate, not office space, equipment, or benefits. Plus, if you have work experience, you may not need a college degree to snag a VA career.
Virtual assistants can do an assortment of activities, including proofreading articles, providing content or social media strategy, and offering customer support. Some virtual assistants keep their clients organized by making appointments or travel arrangements, and even doing personal shopping.
Julie Thompson contributed to the writing and research in this article.