Get Paid to Travel the World: 35 Top Travel Jobs (with Salary Info)
Traveling for pleasure is amazing — traveling for work can be life-changing. If you want to combine adventure with income, here are 35 jobs (or gigs) that let you see new places, meet new people, and often get paid to do it. Some are remote, some require physical travel, some seasonal; all of them involve movement. Wherever possible, I’ll include salary ranges or typical earnings to help you decide.
How to Think About Travel Jobs
Before listing roles, here are some factors to consider:
- Travel vs Remote: Does the job require physical presence (e.g. tour guide) or can you work from anywhere (e.g. freelance writer)?
- Income consistency: Some jobs pay per gig or per trip, others are salaried. Be ready for variability, especially early on.
- Expenses and perks: Some roles cover travel, lodging, per diems. Others expect you to pay your own way and may only reimburse.
- Skills & qualifications: Many roles require specialized skills, certifications, language ability, or prior experience.
- Lifestyle trade‐offs: Frequent travel can be glamorous, but also exhausting. Time zones, being away from home, and uncertain schedules are part of the package.
35 Travel Jobs: What They Pay & How To Start
Here’s a list of jobs that let you travel — grouped by type — with salary info where available.
| # | Job Title | What You Do | Approximate Pay / Salary Info (2025) | Pros / Challenges |
| 1 | Travel Nurse / Travel RN | Fill short‐term nursing positions in different hospitals/regions. | ~$100,000–$130,000/year in U.S., depending on specialty & location; weekly pay often $2,000–$3,500+ with housing/travel stipends. | High pay, demand is strong. But irregular schedule, need credentials, and sometimes short assignment durations. |
| 2 | Field Researcher / Ecologist | Travel to study wildlife, ecosystems, sometimes remote areas. | Varies widely: NGOs might pay $30,000-$70,000+ depending on funding / project; seasonal stipends. | Unique fieldwork, possibility of remote beauty. Can be physically demanding, often grant‐based and less stable. |
| 3 | Travel Guide / Tour Guide | Lead groups through cities, trails, historical sites. | ~$25,000-$60,000/year depending on region, tipping, and company; specialized tours can pay more. | You meet new people, share stories. But work is seasonal; income fluctuates with tourism demand. |
| 4 | Flight Attendant | Work on commercial airlines; travel frequently as part of job. | Salaries typically $30,000-$70,000 base in many countries; plus per diem, layover pay, bonuses. | Perks like free/discounted flights. Long hours, irregular schedule, time away from home. |
| 5 | Pilot (Commercial / Cargo)** | Fly passengers or cargo; route based. | Major airlines may pay from ~$80,000 to $200,000+ depending on type (regional vs international) and seniority. | Very high responsibility; expensive and long training; time away from home; high regulatory requirements. |
| 6 | Travel Photographer / Videographer | Shoot for clients, stock libraries, travel brands. | Varies a lot: some make $40,000-$100,000+ depending on portfolio and clients. Stock / microstock income can be lower. | Creative work, beautiful places, flexible schedule. But inconsistent income; expensive gear; lighting/weather constraints. |
| 7 | Travel Blogger / Content Creator | Write, photograph, make videos / social media content about travel. | Many early bloggers make modest income ($10,000-$30,000/year) via ads, affiliates; top earners $50,000-$200,000+ or more. | Freedom, flexibility; income can scale. But very competitive; requires marketing + tech + content skills. |
| 8 | Digital Nomad (Remote Worker) | Work remotely (tech, design, consulting, customer support, etc.) from wherever. | Salaries depend on the job, but remote roles may pay comparable rates to in-office — e.g. $50,000-$120,000+ for coders or designers in U.S./Europe markets. | You control where you live. But need discipline; travel costs and visas matter; sometimes unstable Internet or infrastructure. |
| 9 | Cruise Ship Worker / Entertainer | Work on cruise ships as entertainers, staff, or service. | Varies: base pay often lower ($1,500-$3,000/month) but lodging/board usually provided; tips or bonuses can add. | See many ports, meet people; all expenses often included. Long periods on board; physically demanding and strict schedules. |
| 10 | Au Pair / Live-in Nanny Abroad | Live with family, help with childcare, sometimes teach language. | Usually modest stipend plus room & board; perhaps $8,000-$25,000/year depending on country and terms. | Affordable way to live abroad; immersive cultural experience. But limited income; responsibilities heavy; personal time restricted. |
| 11 | English Teacher / ESL Teacher | Teach English in foreign countries or online. | In countries like Japan, South Korea, or China: $1,500-$3,500/month + housing; online teaching: $15-$30/hr often. | High demand; frequent travel opportunities. But need certification; some countries require visas and qualifications; pay is modest in many places. |
| 12 | Translation / Interpretation | Translate documents or provide live interpretation in different languages. | Pay widely varies: freelance rates $20-$60/hr+; salaried roles in UN/large orgs $40,000-90,000+. | Work can be remote; excellent if multilingual. But deadlines stressful; income depends on demand; sometimes travel required for conferences. |
| 13 | Tour Operator or Manager | Build itineraries, manage tours and logistics. | Salaried roles ~$40,000-80,000+ depending on scale / location; freelance managers may take commissions. | Can oversee exciting trips; lead teams. But work often peaks seasonally; lots of coordination; client issues. |
| 14 | Backpacker Hostel Manager / Staff | Run or staff hostels; sometimes trade work for lodging + perks. | Salary modest; many get free accommodation, meals; cash earnings $1,000-$3,000/month depending on location. | Living where others vacation; low barrier to entry. But long hours; job stability often seasonal; lower income. |
| 15 | Diving Instructor / Scuba Guide | Teach diving, guide underwater tours. | Earnings about $1,000-$3,500/month in tropical destinations; plus tips; certification pay scale matters. | Wake up by the sea; amazing scenery; possible travel base. But need certification; income low in off-season; safety risk. |
| 16 | Resort or Hotel Staff Management | Work in hotels/resorts in guest operations, concierge roles. | Salaries vary by country: $25,000-$80,000+/year depending on position and location. | Hospitality perks; lodging often included; meet people. But long hours; service industry stress. |
| 17 | Travel Consultant / Travel Agent | Plan clients’ trips, book flights/hotels, provide advice. | Salaried agents might make $35,000-$60,000 in many countries + commission; freelance consultants can earn more depending on clients. | Great for people who love planning; flexible work. But margins tight; travel industry sensitive to economic cycles. |
| 18 | Airline / Airport Crew / Ground Staff | Customer service, gate agents, baggage, check-in. | Base salaries modest (e.g. $25,000-$50,000-plus depending on seniority and country); overtime/bonuses add. | You get travel benefits often; free or discounted flights. But early hours; shift schedules; sometimes stressful. |
| 19 | Au Pair Travel Blogger / Influencer Hybrid | Travel part time; combine childcare/travel content creation. | Income often mixed: modest from childcare + affiliate or content income; many make $20,000-$50,000+ if successful on content side. | Flexible; potential to scale. But need to build audience; income uncertain; work often overlaps with personal life. |
| 20 | Cruise Director / Entertainment Coordinator | Manage activities on cruise ships; host events; organize guest entertainment. | Salaried plus tips; often $2,000-$5,000/month depending on ship, rank, and experience. | Very social; interesting variety of destinations. But long contracts; being away from home; workload heavy. |
| 21 | Travel Photographer for Tour Companies / Magazines | Shoot for magazine spreads, brochures, travel campaigns. | Freelance rates may run $500-$2,500 per shoot or more; contracts could pay $40,000-$100,000+ if established. | Great creative output; travel as work. But income inconsistent; costs (gear, travel) upfront. |
| 22 | Travel Writer / Journalist | Write for magazines, blogs, travel guidebooks. | Freelance writers might make $0.10–$1 per word or fixed fees per article ($200-$2,000+); staff writers or book authors can make more. | Flexibility; prestige; combining travel with storytelling. But income unpredictable; deadlines tight. |
| 23 | Adventure Guide / Trekking Guide | Lead hiking, camping, climbing, or cultural adventure tours. | $25,000-$60,000+ depending on region and clients; high end or specialized guides earn more. | Outdoor lifestyle; strong connection to nature. But often seasonal; variable income; requires certifications. |
| 24 | Wildlife / Safari Guide | Take tourists to observe wildlife (safaris, photo tours, etc.) | Pay varies heavily by country: basic guides might make $1,000-$3,000/month; top safari lodges or photo-tour companies pay more. | Incredible travel experiences; often remote and rewarding. But long hours; sometimes harsh conditions; not always high pay. |
| 25 | Cruise Ship Chef / Culinary Staff | Cook for or manage kitchen on ships. | Salary plus lodging/board. Chefs may make $2,500-$6,000/month depending on rank and cruise line. | Travel, stable meals, free lodging. But long hours; working during holidays; demanding kitchens. |
| 26 | Yacht Crew / Private Boat Staff | Work on yachts (deckhands, chef, stewardess) traveling across seas. | Extremely variable; some deckhands or stewards earn $2,000-$5,000+/month depending on yacht, plus tips; senior positions much higher. | Luxury travel, beautiful settings. But long contracts, isolated, work hard. |
| 27 | Film / TV Location Crew | Work on filming projects in travel destinations (camera, lighting, sound etc.) | Contract rates vary: could be $200-$800/day+ depending on role and project; travel allowances sometimes included. | Exciting work; chance to visit exotic locales. But project-based; delays common; long hours. |
| 28 | Freelancer (Web Design / Coding / Digital Marketing) | Remote tech work that you can perform from anywhere. | Freelancers with strong portfolio can make $40,000-$120,000+/year depending on hours, clients, and rates. | Location freedom; scalable. But need discipline; self-marketing; income can be irregular. |
| 29 | Trade / NGO Worker / Aid Worker | Travel to where aid is needed; development projects; logistics, teaching etc. | Salaries modest: often $20,000-$50,000/year plus lodging & per diem; in international orgs maybe higher. | Meaningful work; travel; cultural immersion. But by nature unstable; can be dangerous; funds tied to grants. |
| 30 | Yacht Photographer / Travel Drone Videographer | Create content aboard yachts, remote islands etc. | Freelance rates $500-$2,000+/job; if producing commercial video, agencies may pay $5,000-$20,000+ depending on scale. | Stunning visuals; often exciting travel. But costs of gear; licenses; sometimes unstable work. |
| 31 | English / Language Tutor (Live Abroad or Online) | Teach in person overseas or online. | English teachers abroad: usually $1,000-$3,000/month + benefits in many countries; online tutors $15-$50/hr depending on platform. | Good for building income relatively quickly; often move from place to place. But prepping classes; visa issues; hours depending on clients. |
| 32 | Travel Technology / Product Tester | Test gear, travel apps, outdoor equipment in different conditions. | Pay from a few hundred to a few thousand per project; when full time or brand ambassador roles, salary can rise significantly. | Early access to gear; exciting work. But gigs inconsistent; often free product instead of pay in early stages. |
| 33 | Freelance Translator / Remote Interpreter | Work translating texts, conferences or remote interpreting. | As mentioned above: $20-$60/hr or more if working for international institutions. Salaried roles higher. | Flexible; online routes possible; useable in many countries. But need fluency; pay depends strongly on languages & specialization. |
| 34 | Professional Travel Vlogger / YouTuber / Influencer | Create video content, monetize via ads, sponsorships, affiliates. | Many early vloggers make modest revenue ($10,000-$30,000/yr); top creators can make $100,000-$500,000+ depending on audience & brand deals. | Very high visibility; potential high earnings. But heavy work; equipment & editing time; algorithm risk; income swings. |
| 35 | Freelance Travel Podcast Host / Producer | Create podcasts about travel, sell sponsorships & advertising. | $500-$5,000+/episode for well-known hosts; income often supplemented by listener support; annual earnings for top podcasts may cross $50,000-$150,000+. | Creative freedom; minimal gear; good storytelling; flexible. But building audience takes time; listener base matters; monetization often slow. |
Deep Dive: Some of the Most Lucrative Travel Jobs
Because travel nurse jobs show up frequently in the “paid to travel” lists, here’s more detail for that field (with numbers from 2025):
- The median travel nurse salary in the U.S. is around $101,000/year. Some specialties (ER, ICU, etc.) or states offer more — up to $130,000+ annually.
- Entry-level assignments tend to start lower (sometimes $80,000 or less) but with housing stipends, travel reimbursement, etc., the total compensation often makes it significantly more attractive.
Tips to Land These Travel Jobs (Faster)
To succeed in getting paid travel work, here are some proven strategies:
- Gain Experience & Credentials: Certifications (e.g. for teaching, diving, nursing), good gear (if photography), or proven work (blogging, guiding) help.
- Build a Portfolio / Samples: Show your work clearly — photography, writing, video, tour plans. Employers & clients evaluate by past work.
- Network & Market Yourself: Use social media, travel forums, LinkedIn, or specialized job boards. Many high-paying gigs come via referrals.
- Be Flexible: High demand often means being willing to go where others aren’t. Off-season, remote destinations, niche topics often pay well.
- Understand Travel Costs & Logistics: Visa costs, health insurance, gear costs, safety, accommodation — these matter; sometimes they eat into earnings.
- Diversify Income Streams: Combine roles — e.g. blog + freelance content + seasonal guiding — to smooth out income gaps.
Things to Watch Out For
- Burnout: Traveling plus working equals frequent transitions. Maintenance, constant planning, travel fatigue are real.
- Unstable Income: Especially for freelance or seasonal work — there may be times of feast and famine.
- Hidden Costs: Gear, insurance, travel delays, visa fees, health care, etc., can reduce take-home.
- Legal / Tax Considerations: Working abroad may require special visas, or you’ll need to understand tax obligations in your home country and places you travel to.
- Quality vs Pay Trade-Offs: Some travel jobs pay less but offer free lodging or experiences; others pay more but have lower perks.
Is It Worth It?
For many people, the payoff of getting paid to travel isn’t just financial. The lifestyle, cultural immersion, personal growth, memories, and flexibility often outweigh downsides. If your priorities are seeing new places, learning, and adventure — many of these roles can give you that and an income.
If, however, you need stability, a fixed schedule, or consistent income — you’ll want to mix travel jobs with some stable remote or office-based work, or pick those with more reliability (e.g. travel nursing, remote tech work, international NGOs).
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Final Thoughts
If travelling the world while getting paid sounds tempting, the jobs above offer many paths. Whether you want to be a travel nurse, an influencer, a guide, or a digital nomad, there are many ways to make it happen. The key is to choose what suits your skills, values, and what kind of travel you want (slow and deep vs many places fast).Start small, build your profile, stay adaptable, and you’ll be surprised how many doors open when people see you delivering value and adventure.