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Many people spend their workdays dreaming of being somewhere else — sailing the sea, taking in the sights and sounds of a big city, or cozying up in a quiet, small-town cafe. And with jobs that require travel, those visions can become reality.
If you’re thinking of searching for a new job or pursuing a career change, finding a position that requires travel is a great way to see the world. You can meet new people, develop unique skills, and have cultural experiences you otherwise wouldn’t encounter.
Although uprooting your life isn’t easy, traveling for work can be exciting and rewarding. With the right planning and a lot of dedication, you can find a job that brings you across the world and toward new experiences.
How to find a job that requires travel: 7 tips
Travel can be exhausting. When you don’t have a home base and in-person support system, it might be harder than you think to stay motivated and feel comfortable in new places. Before quitting your current job and hopping on a plane, decide whether it’s the right choice for you. If you’re a homebody who thrives in close-knit work environments, staying in one place might suit you better — and there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you want to learn more about jobs that include travel and which ones might fit your skills, follow these best practices:
- Check with your current employer: If you just want to try living in a different place, ask your employer about offices in different countries and states. They could be willing to help you relocate, even temporarily, which could take the stress out of finding a new position.
- Think about your existing skills: You don’t necessarily have to upskill to find work abroad. Consider what travel jobs may be available in your current career path. If you’re a nurse or work in healthcare, you might consider travel nursing. If you’re already an educator and love working with children, you could pursue certification as an English teacher in a foreign country.
- Explore career changes: If you’re willing to switch careers into one that allows more travel, look for a new job that allows travel or operates in the travel industry. Think about how your transferable skills could apply to one of these positions.
- Find remote opportunities: Remote work is on the rise, with 58% of Americans reporting that they have the flexibility to work remotely at least one day a week. While remote job opportunities are in high demand because of their advantageous flexibility, you can find some that allow you to travel around and work from anywhere.
- Forge your own path: When you’re your own boss, you don’t have to stay in one place. Try freelancing as a travel blogger, virtual assistant, or designer and creating a schedule that allows you to travel. There are certainly pros and cons to gig work, but if you commit, you can find high-paying opportunities with the flexibility you need.
- Plan ahead: Whether you want to be a digital nomad or stay in one foreign country, doing your research will prevent mishaps and give you the best experience possible. Deep dive into the places you want to go, and make sure it’s legal to work there in your chosen job. If you want to seek employment abroad, you might need a visa, according to the U.S. government. And you might still owe taxes in the U.S. while living abroad, so make sure your international options are financially viable.
- Go back to school: Whether you’re sticking with your current career or switching to a new job, you might need new qualifications in a new country. You might need to learn a second language or get a job-specific certification, which takes time, so plan ahead and make sure you can learn what you need to know before you start traveling.
15 of the best jobs that require international travel
There are dozens of careers that involve traveling, which means they can be hard to narrow down when you’re trying to choose one. Here’s a list of some common traveling jobs to choose from in different fields, with salaries, benefits, and employment requirements:
1. Travel nurse
If you want to pursue a career in healthcare, travel nursing could be a great option. Many nurses get to choose their job locations, preferred hours, and healthcare settings, though need-based placements might limit where you can go.
To become a travel nurse, you need a license in your home state, but you usually don’t have to apply for a separate one. If you’ve already gone to school for nursing and earned certification, you should be able to start applying for positions in new places. Travel nurses provide the same services as staff nurses but often earn more, with a median salary of $111,195 per year, according to Glassdoor.
2. Management analyst
Management analysts, often called business consultants, sometimes travel for work. They meet with management teams at struggling businesses to help them improve performance, often visiting the same companies multiple times. With a median salary of $95,290 per year, it can be a fruitful and exciting job option that keeps you jet setting to different cities to visit companies needing your services.
3. Foreign service worker
Foreign service workers serve the federal government at U.S. embassies all over the world to connect Americans with different countries and problem-solve abroad. According to the U.S. government, people in these positions must be willing to enter challenging and sometimes dangerous areas, sometimes without their families. If you’re willing to make this commitment, it could be a job for you.
Keep in mind that not all foreign service positions are dangerous — that varies by country. They can involve anything from dealing with lost passports to preparing reports on business opportunities. Glassdoor reports that people in this position earn a median salary of $92,513, though it depends on the location.
4. Blogger
As a blogger, you can write about things that interest you on a personal blog or for clients. This could be anything from high fashion to technology, and you can even become a travel blogger and write about the best hotels or hotspots in the locations you visit. While many bloggers make their income from digital advertising, some can secure brand sponsorships and other lucrative deals that add to their income. It just takes time to build an audience.
The average writer makes a median of about $73,150 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But if you choose to become a freelance blogger, rates can change drastically, especially if you're a talented writer. All you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and a strong portfolio, and you can travel the world using your creativity to produce engaging content others want to read.
5. Train conductor
Train conductors operate and coordinate trains to ensure that they run well and according to schedule. This job requires you to be in constant motion, so it’s great for those who love to visit new places often.
These long-term positions call for extensive training and certification, but if you’re committed to working in a different country, the travel opportunities can be worth it. If you get a job in Europe, for example, you can easily travel from one country to the next within a day or even an afternoon.
While the BLS reports that most railroad workers receive a median salary of $68,960, you may have to work irregular hours or find a company that offers consistent scheduling.
6. Flight attendant
As a flight attendant, you’ll make a median salary of around $63,760. This will require you to spend a lot of time on your feet and in the air, but that’s also part of the beauty of your job. Working for an airline is one of the best travel jobs because you’re required to fly to different places, including international cities.
Becoming a flight attendant involves a stringent interview and extensive training, as you’re partly responsible for the safety and comfort of plane passengers. But if you love flexible schedules and interacting with many different people, this is the job for you.
7. Training specialist
Like business consultants, training specialists travel the country working with various businesses. This position requires you to coach employees and provide professional development opportunities, usually through programs that you design. If you already have a background in education or love helping people upskill, this job is a great option. In return, you’ll receive a median annual salary of $63,080.
8. Truck driver
Very few jobs require more travel than a truck driver. In this position, you’ll be responsible for making sure goods get from one place to another, usually within the U.S. — but jobs could bring you to Canada or Mexico. Drivers willing to move freight can earn a median wage of $53,090 per year, depending on experience and track record.
Trucking is perfect for introverts because it requires extensive alone time on the road. It also doesn’t require a college degree, only a commercial driver’s license. A trucking employer will likely help you obtain your license.
9. Event planner
Event planners coordinate events of all kinds, from small family weddings to large galas for international diplomats. And if you work on a freelance basis, you can plan events from anywhere in the world.
Professionals in this field are typically good at strategizing, decorating, and developing relationships with vendors. The median salary for this position is around $52,560, but if you have a lot of experience under your belt, you can set a high freelance rate.
10. Travel technician
Travel technicians install and maintain equipment for all kinds of workplaces, like tech and manufacturing. To get a job in this field, you do have to be a subject matter expert, so it’s a good idea to research what kind of training you need and whether your employer is willing to pay for it.
People in this position visit different sites around the city or country. If you like to work with your hands but prefer a frequent change of scenery, becoming a travel technician is a good option. The median salary for a travel technician is $52,240 per year, though it depends on the job and what equipment you work with.
11. TEFL or ESL teacher
Teaching English abroad presents a unique opportunity to get a job without learning a new language. As a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, you can work with people of all ages in many different countries to make connections and share the English language.
This job will require you to go through training and certification, and the TEFL organization offers many different courses to choose from. In exchange, you’ll earn a median salary of $50,140, depending on your location. You’ll also get to live long-term in a foreign country and participate in its society.
12. International aid worker
International aid workers bring assistance to people in foreign countries who might not otherwise have access to things like healthcare or education. These jobs pay a median salary of $47,173, which is lower than others on this list. But it’s a rewarding job that can make a real difference in the world.
Many humanitarians have backgrounds in medicine, education, or agriculture, but this isn’t always necessary. You do, however, need a willingness to make yourself uncomfortable for the sake of helping others, as well as a passion for helping people.
13. Cruise ship chef
Being a cruise ship chef involves long hours on your feet preparing meals for staff and ship guests. But it’s the perfect job for someone who loves to cook, travel, and experience different cuisines. The ship can bring you to countries all over the world, whether you want to work on a European river cruise or sail through Asia’s seas.
The average salary for a cruise ship chef on a popular line like Royal Caribbean is about $44,942 per year, but the trade-off is room and board. Be aware that you may have to attend a culinary education program to score a position like this one.
14. Au pair
Being an au pair in a foreign country is one of the best jobs that involve traveling because you can go almost anywhere. Au pairs are like live-in nannies who care for children in exchange for a salary and room and board. The median salary is $38,838, but keep in mind that you won’t have to pay for a place to live, which can make a big difference in places with a high cost of living. It offers a unique benefit of cultural exchange, and it’s a good option if you want to spend a year or two abroad.
15. Traveling photographer
As a traveling photographer, your job would be to visit different places to capture events or landscapes. It’s a great option for those with an artistic eye who love to find the beauty in new places.
The median salary for photographers is $40,170, though this depends on whether you get a job with an employer or decide to freelance. You can also take your own interesting photos, publish them online, and earn a living through social media.
Start your travel journey
Whether you want a part-time job as a travel consultant, to get paid to be a tour guide in a foreign country, or lie on the beach while you craft your next piece as a travel writer, finding exciting and in-demand jobs that travel a lot is possible.
One important thing to keep in mind is that if it were easy to find jobs that require travel, it would be a more common path. Many are in demand or require education, and it can take time and money to find a job you love. Stay motivated and keep your dream job or end goal in mind. You never know where your career might take you.
