24 Jobs That Let You Travel the World While Earning a Living
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As soon as I started traveling abroad, I was hooked. Like most people lusting after full-time travel, I had the travel bug and I just couldn’t shake it.
Having people tell me to “just get travel out of your system” only made things worse. I was determined to find digital nomad jobs that allowed me to work from anywhere in the world.
But, this was a lot easier said than done.
Searching high and low, I just couldn’t find something that worked for me. After years of attempting every outlet I could find, I was able to break into the digital nomad lifestyle. And contrary to popular belief, the grass IS actually greener on this side.
What Is A Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a term coined for people that have the ability to work and earn money from anywhere in the world using their computer and wifi.
As technology progresses and our dependence on the internet increases, digital nomad jobs are becoming more common.
23 Jobs That Allow You to Travel the World
The location-independent community is extremely welcoming and helpful. Thanks to invaluable insight from several other remote workers, I was able to construct a list of the best travel-friendly jobs on the market.
Since I’m not an expert on all of these careers, I’ve linked to helpful blog posts, podcasts, and resources to help you understand these jobs in greater detail.
After reading this blog post, you’ll have a great idea of what each job entails, the requirements necessary, and how you can start your journey toward location independence.
1. Blogging
Prior to 2014, I never knew that bloggers could actually make money. To my surprise, bloggers can make a LOT of money, and the best part about it is it’s a completely remote career.
I want to be upfront with you because I know many bloggers aren’t quite honest about their work. Making money as a blogger is not “easy”.
It isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme or an overnight success. I struggled to earn money from my blog for years, only becoming a truly professional travel blogger at the beginning of 2019.
From those failures and successes with my website, I’ve learned that blogging is one of the best jobs for digital nomads. The freedom and independence you experience from running a blog are unlike any other career.
You might be wondering, “but how do bloggers make money?”
There are several streams of income that bloggers tap into including affiliate marketing, advertisements, selling their own products or courses, sponsored partnerships, and many more.
Each blogger has their own strategies and their ways of making money. Some make a few hundred dollars every month while others make over $100,000 per month. Yes, PER MONTH. You read that right.
Full transparency, my blog that you’re reading right now is making around $10,000 – $14,000 per month depending on the time of year.
We also manage several other blogs not in the travel niche. One example is a blog about a music that we started in May 2025. At the time of writing this, that blog is about 4 months old, and it makes us about $900 per month.
How To Get Started
If you’re interested in learning more about blogging, join my free newsletter where I share the details and tricks you need to know to get started and make money!
OR, if your’e really keen to get started, join my monthly membership where I share my best tips and tricks, step-by-step. Start with the $7/month option, and work your way up as you grow!
>> Click here to join my community:
The Blog & Newsletter Lab
2. Teach English Online
One of the easiest jobs for transitioning into the digital nomad lifestyle is teaching English online. This is the job that helped my full-time travel dream become reality.
In early 2018, I began teaching English with an online company called VIPKID. VIPKID teachers are allowed to choose their own teaching hours (anytime during Beijing waking hours).
Pay is dependent upon your experience but most teachers are paid between $14 – $22 per hour.
Like most online English teaching companies, you’ll work with Chinese students that range in age from 3 – 15 years old.
How To Get Started
The requirements to work for this company include:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject
- One year of experience working with children in any setting (babysitting, nannying, coaching, mentoring, etc.)
- The legal right to work in the United States or Canada (not CA, CT, NY, WA, or Washington D.C.)
You are NOT required to know Chinese. Speaking from experience, I can’t even properly pronounce “hello” in Chinese!
You’re also not required to prepare any teaching materials. The teaching materials are provided for you, all you need to do is show up and teach.
3. Travel Agent
You might be thinking.. “are travel agents still a thing? It’s 2026..”
And the answer is YES.
I used to scoff at the idea of becoming a travel agent because I had never used one myself.
But when 2020 rolled around and all of our flights were canceled without any reimbursement (thanks Air Tahiti Nui), I started kicking myself for not having a travel agent book our trips.
Having a concierge that could speak directly to the travel companies on my behalf? Umm.. yes, that is exactly what I want and need for every trip going forward. Always.
Fast forward to 2026, and I am happily a travel agent, doing it part-time when I have availability in between travel and raising a toddler.
It isn’t stressful, you get to set your own hours, and you can take on as much or as little work as you’d like. Plus, your job is to book travel for people. If you love to research and travel yourself, you will love this.
If you’re interested in becoming a travel agent, you can check out the company I use here:
>> Click here to learn more about becoming a travel agent
4. Travel Itinerary Planning
(Not The Same As A Travel AgenT)
If you have a passion for travel and excellent organizational skills, becoming a travel itinerary planner could be a perfect career path. This growing field combines your love for exploring new destinations with the ability to work from anywhere in the world.
Travel itinerary planners are different from travel agents.
While travel agents handle bookings and reservations, itinerary planners focus on creating detailed, customized travel plans and recommendations.
You’re the creative strategist behind amazing trips, not the booking agent (though you could offer booking services as an additional service if you choose).
As a travel itinerary planner, you’ll create customized travel experiences for clients who want expertly crafted trips but don’t have the time or knowledge to plan them themselves.
How To Get Started
My friend is an expert when it comes to travel itinerary planning; her business currently earns her $9,000+ per month and she has the flexibility to travel and live anywhere.
To learn more about travel itinerary planning, consider checking out her course (I’ve taken this course myself and it’s really good):
5. Remote Work in Your Current Field
Another way to secure a digital nomad job is by continuing in the field you currently work in. Unless you’re a server at a restaurant or cashier at a store, it’s likely that you can transform your job into a remote career. You’d be surprised at how many people can turn their current careers into a digital nomad lifestyle.
There are two ways to approach this: you can find a new job in your field that allows you to work remotely or you can ask your current boss about working remotely.
To find new jobs in your field that allow you to work remotely, check out these websites: FlexJobs and Working Nomads.
Using FlexJobs, you’ll be able to search through jobs in over 50 career categories including event planning, sports & fitness, marketing, human services, travel, and so much more.
Working Nomads is very similar to Flexjobs. Search through remote job boards in career categories like legal, health care, design, and more.
On the other hand, it isn’t always necessary to search for a new job if your current employer will allow you to work remotely. You’d be surprised by how many companies allow their workers to transition to the digital nomad lifestyle and keep their jobs.
If you’re a quality employee, why would they want to replace you? Give them a good reason as to why you’d do well as a location-independent employee. Also include reasons why the company would benefit from this.
6. Virtual Assistant
With the rise of digital nomad jobs, it isn’t surprising that virtual assistants are in high demand. A virtual assistant is like an administrative assistant that works remotely.
Virtual assistants can do anything from answering emails to scheduling appointments to calendar management. The duties will depend on the specific job you apply for.
Some virtual assistants work for one company, business, or person, while others work as freelancers and have many clients.
How To Get Started
- Start your virtual assistant job search using Virtual Vocations.
- If you’re struggling to find anything there, head over to Facebook and search for groups related to administrative assistant work. There are tons of high quality groups, so make sure you dig deep!
7. Software Development & Programming
Coding has quickly become one of the best travel-friendly jobs available today. You’re sure to find a remote career in the programming field with the right knowledge and experience.
Many programmers receive a computer science degree from a university but in reality, a degree isn’t necessary. I know several coders who are self-taught that have successful remote careers in this field.
How To Get Started
If you already have the qualifications to work in the computer science field, check for job listings using FlexJobs, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
But perhaps you’re like me: a complete newbie to coding, computer science, and programming. No problem! Start with Codecademy, a completely free online school for coding.
A few years ago, I started using Codecademy to teach myself to code for my blog. The things I learned in just a few lessons were mind-blowing and I’m able to apply what I learned to my current business rather than outsourcing this work.
8. Videography & Video Editing
There are so many ways to earn money as a videographer and video editor these days. Videos are taking over mainstream media; people are visual creatures and video is the best way to connect with people’s emotions.
Not only can professional videographers earn a lot of money, but they can also work remotely, making it one of the best jobs for someone who wants to travel the world.
Whether you decide to pursue wedding videography, video editing for businesses, or becoming a professional YouTuber, the future is bright. Video will continue to dominate the scene for the foreseeable future.
How To Get Started
Start by sharing your services in places where people are already looking for help, such as:
- Facebook groups
- Facebook Marketplace
- Thumbtack
If putting yourself out there feels intimidating, consider starting with lower rates or free work. That way, you can gain confidence and experience before gradually raising your prices.
9. Photography
Since videography is on this list, photography must be on this list, too.
For years, photographers have found clever ways to work remotely and earn a living while traveling. So if you have a passion for photography, why can’t you do it, too?
How To Get Started
To start, put up an ad for your work in places like:
- Facebook groups
- Facebook marketplace
- Thumbtack
If you’re apprehensive about putting yourself out there and starting, charge low rates until you feel comfortable charging more. Perhaps your first few clients can be free of charge so you can get your feet wet!
10. Fitness & Lifestyle Coach
In the digital nomad community, you’ll find many fitness and lifestyle coaches. Don’t be discouraged though, there’s room for you, too!
There is a variety of fitness and lifestyle coaches, all offering different services. Some of these services might include custom meal plans, career coaching, weight-loss guidance, and more.
How To Get Started
In order to start your digital nomad journey as a fitness or lifestyle coach, my suggestions are:
- Choose a niche and be specific! Do you work with mothers? Women over 40? Athletes?
- Start a website (check out my low-cost course on setting up a website/blog here).
- Grow your following on social media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc would likely be best for this).
- Talk to people at your local gyms.
- Create packages for your ideal client.
For inspiration, I highly recommend checking out the website Avocadu. Avocadu is a health and lifestyle blog that helps women lose weight and stay healthy. Use some of their techniques to build your own client base.
11. Etsy Shop
Before you decide that you aren’t crafty enough to open an Etsy shop, hear me out.
Etsy is a virtual marketplace where people sell their unique products, but this doesn’t mean you have to be a professional knitter.
You can sell almost anything on Etsy as long as people want it.
For example, I know of a digital nomad couple that lives solely off of their Etsy store earnings. They aren’t particularly crafty, but they figured out the perfect Etsy store niche and it has taken off.
Once a week, they go to the thrift stores and garage sales in their current area. They find old maps of different cities and sell these on their Etsy site.
They make over $2,000 per month from this and they don’t even have to knit anything.
How To Get Started
The best way to become a digital nomad with an Etsy store is to find products that don’t need a lot of maintaining and can be created and sold worldwide. These passive income products take the form of digital downloads or ebooks.
Once you find the perfect product to create, consider opening an Etsy store to market your product and start earning money from anywhere in the world.
Quick Tip: Make sure to test a variety of products if at first you don’t succeed. Find what works for other people, and determine how you can create your own unique version of it.
12. Podcasting
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like podcasts have really taken off in recent years. There are podcasts out there for everything and everyone. I personally love it.
Not only can podcasts be fun to create, but they can be a great way to earn a remote income.
How great would it be to earn a living talking about something you love?
Podcasters earn money through advertisements, so you’ll have to build a following before you see any financial gains. But with a unique and interesting niche, your podcast could very well support your digital nomad lifestyle.
How To Get Started
- Grab a cheap, but quality podcasting microphone – I recommend this one, here!
- Record yourself through a low-cost or free software like Zoom or Loom.
- Rip the audio from the video, and make any necessary edits. An important thing to remember though is that your first podcast episodes do NOT need to be perfect. So you don’t need to edit them if it’s easier for you. This is something you can learn and implement later.
- Upload your recordings to places like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, and other platforms.
13. Real Estate Investment
Another way to earn a living while traveling is through investments. Some people choose to invest in the stock market while others put their money into businesses.
One of the coolest digital nomad jobs I’ve heard was investing in real estate.
Investing in real estate becomes a digital nomad job when you hire a vacation rental company or friend to care for your home while you’re away. If someone else is taking care of guests and cleaning the rental property, there is no need for you to be present. Just be sure to hire someone you trust.
How To Get Started
Full disclosure, it’s not smart to jump into real estate investing without knowing what you’re doing.
I recommend listening to as many podcast episodes from Real Estate Rookie as you can. This will help you understand the ins and outs of this business, and how you can make it profitable.
Next, you can check out how you can create your own Airbnb listing here!
14. Graphic Design
Since graphic designers work very closely with computers and software, it can be easy for them to pick up and move locations at the drop of a hat.
Most people believe that the only way to become a successful graphic designer is to get a degree in graphic design. Interestingly enough, college degrees are helpful but definitely not necessary for this career path.
How To Get Started
Since graphic design isn’t my area of expertise, I recommend checking out this blog post by Dana Nicole, Become a Graphic Designer Without Going to School, that tells you everything you need to know about pursuing a career in graphic design.
15. Freelance Writing
There are so many different types of writers that it’s difficult to cover such a broad career field. However, finding work as a writer can almost guarantee you a digital nomad lifestyle.
There are copywriters, technical writers, freelance writers, and report writers, to name just a few. Each of these has its own duties and job responsibilities.
How To Get Started
To find the best writing jobs quickly, check out:
I have used every single one of the websites listed above to find and order articles for several of my websites. I can verify that they are legitimate based on personal experience.
Below, I’ve listed a few more websites that accept writers, but since I do not have personal experience with them, I can’t verify that they are great sites or not. With that said, I’ve heard from others that they are quality platforms.
In addition to these content writing platforms, I strongly suggest joining a few Facebook groups dedicated to connecting writers with potential gigs. I have heard that this is the best way to network and find reliable work.
And finally, you can find even more writing opportunities by visiting Working Nomads Writing Job Board.
16. Social Media Manager & Assistant
Become a digital nomad by managing social media outlets of businesses and companies. You’ll need a background in social media management, but again, a degree is NOT necessary.
A social media manager could be responsible for email marketing, running Pinterest or Instagram accounts, or creating effective Facebook ads.
17. Online Bookkeeping & Accounting
This field offers opportunities for both CPAs and non-CPA bookkeepers to work remotely while traveling.
For CPAs: If you’re already a licensed CPA, you can absolutely transition to location-independent work. Thanks to mobility legislation, CPAs can work with clients across state lines while traveling the globe, offering services like tax preparation, financial consulting, and auditing.
For Bookkeepers: You don’t need to be a certified CPA to break into remote bookkeeping.
Many small businesses and entrepreneurs need help with basic financial record-keeping, and they’re more than willing to work with qualified bookkeepers who can handle their needs remotely.
18. Cryptocurrency Trader
Recently, I had a friend tell me about his experience trading cryptocurrency. Think Bitcoin or Ethereum.
When he first mentioned this to me, I had no idea how this worked or why he was doing it. But as it turns out, it is an extremely legitimate way to earn a passive income.
It’s something to be said that while cryptocurrency can be life-changing in positive ways, it can also be pretty damaging. Only consider investing with money you are okay with potentially losing.
Read more about earning a profit from trading cryptocurrency here. You might also consider subscribing to Milk Road; it’s a phenomenal newsletter about cryptocurrency.
19. Build A Digital Course
Back in 2019, I started to build a blog from the ground up. Using proven traffic-building strategies and affiliate marketing skills, we were able to grow our blog to six figures within 16 months.
Once we saw the power of this, we decided to build another website. And another. And another.
Seeing success from those websites validated our strategies, and we decided it was time to share our wisdom with others. Through a digital course, I teach others how to grow and monetize their websites using display ads and affiliate marketing.
Thanks to our course, we’ve doubled our income and helped hundreds of others create and monetize their travel blogs.
So, my question is… do you have a skill that others might benefit from? This could be anything: marketing, knitting, hair styling, lifting weights, etc.
Whatever your skill set, there is an audience out there begging you to teach them. Put your skills into a digital course and sell it! Think of this as a how-to book, but in video form.
To learn even more about digital courses, I recommend checking out Amy Porterfield and her extremely helpful podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy.
20. Work on a Cruise Ship
An awesome way to see the world and earn money is by working on a cruise ship. Cruise ships hire people in various fields, including hospitality, theater, medicine, IT, and more.
Check out these two websites to find available positions on cruise ships: AllCruiseJobs.com and CruiseJobFinder.com.
21. Yacht Crew Member
(Stewardess or Deckhand)
Many people confuse working on a cruise ship with working on a yacht, when in fact they are quite different. Working on a yacht requires prerequisites and certifications, but the benefits are phenomenal.
You’ll be sailing the sea with a small group of other workers. It’ll be the duty of the crew to take care of the boat and any passengers on board. As a yacht stewardess or deckhand, you’ll experience long and tiring hours but the money will be awesome.
As a stewardess or deckhand on a yacht, your room and board will be completely covered. Saving money while sailing the world has never been easier. Not to mention, you’ll stop in some of the most beautiful port towns in the world.
To learn more about working on a yacht, check out this blog post: Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess.
You might also consider following this Instagrammer who is a private chef on a yacht – I find it super interesting!
22. Tour Guide
Becoming a tour guide will allow you to choose your location and earn money by showing others around.
When I visit other countries, I enjoy taking free walking tours around the city to understand more about the culture and history. The tour guides work for tips and earn a decent living doing this.
If you’re looking to become a tour guide in a foreign city, you’ll need to be well-versed in something specific about that city (i.e. history, food, culture, or another unique category). Create your tour and run through the route and script before performing for travelers.
The best ways to attract tourists are by creating an Airbnb experience, talking with local hostels, printing and distributing fliers, and offering free tours (work for tips).
23. Teach English Abroad
Directly after graduating from the University of Minnesota, I began working for a financial planning company. My co-workers were awesome, but sitting in a desk for 8 hours a day didn’t suit my travel aspirations.
I decided to make a big change and move to the other side of the world. Bangkok, to be exact. There, I became an English teacher at an elementary school. I worked on weekdays and spent weekends exploring the beautiful Thai islands and countryside.
Becoming an English teacher abroad is one of the easiest ways to “move” abroad. There are so many teaching jobs to be filled, and many are desperate for native English speakers.
How To Get Started
Check out job boards online from places like:
24. Travel Nurse
Up until recently, I didn’t know nurses had the opportunity to travel for their jobs. My mom has been a nurse all of her life but we’ve always stayed in one place.
A few years ago, my friend told me about the option to become a travel nurse. Although I am not a nurse, I was intrigued.
Hospitals around the US are experiencing a shortage of staff. This is where travel nurses come in. Travel nurses take up positions in hospitals that need temporary help. This could be in places like Alaska, California, New York, anywhere!
If you’re already a nurse or you’re an aspiring nurse, consider looking into travel nursing. One of the best agencies to work with is Primetime Health Care. They help connect nurses with temporary jobs around the US.
Insurance As A Digital Nomad
One of the most common questions we get asked associated with digital nomad jobs is… what about insurance?
Great question. As Americans, this is something we struggled with for years. And as a freelancer or small business owner, it’s vital that you figure it out sooner than later.
We recommend looking into SafetyWing’s Remote Health program or Zion Health Share. We have used both of the companies for health insurance and have had great experiences.
A Final Note
Having the freedom to choose your own schedule, travel wherever and whenever you’d like, and create a perfect work-life balance is what digital nomad jobs are all about. Finding digital nomad jobs has helped me transition into full-time travel.
If you’re looking to transition into a location-independent career, use the list above to generate ideas and to help you find the perfect job.
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