Most people live a life that’s tethered to one place. We usually only get to travel when it’s time to take a vacation, and for some, the costs are prohibitive. It is possible to satisfy one’s travel urges while earning a living, however, and there are plenty of ways to do it. Depending on your skills and determination to make regular travel a part of your life, you may be able to pursue a job that takes you around the world.
If you have a passion for travel and are willing to work hard, there are numerous career paths you can take to get you on your way. As with non-traveling jobs, the pay scale varies depending on what you’re doing and the skill set that you bring to the table. The good news is that there are opportunities for individuals of all ages, experience levels, and specialties. To give you some ideas of where how you can earn a living while traveling, here’s a list of 7 great jobs where you’ll get paid to travel:
ESL Teacher
If you’ve got a passion for travel as well as teaching, the position of ESL (English as a second language) teacher may be perfect for you. The demand for English teachers abroad is always strong, and you’ll have a wide variety of places around the world to seek employment. If you’re not already a trained English teacher, there are some educational requirements you’ll have to meet before choosing this career path. Once you’re ready, however, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding job that will take you wherever you want to go.
Foreign Service Worker
Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to land a job that will take you around the world is by checking with the government. The U.S. State Department has a presence in all but three countries, so working for them can be a ticket to virtually anywhere. They have opportunities available that range from internships to diplomatic posts, so there’s plenty of ways to get a foothold if you’re willing to make the effort to join them.
Airline Pilot or Crew
This is perhaps the best-known job that will allow you to travel around the world. If you become a pilot, flight attendant, or engineer, your job will literally be all about traveling. The tremendous upside is that you will get to see many places that you otherwise may never have traveled to. If you’re looking to get involved in the airline industry, there are even industry-specific job boards to help you find work that suits your needs and travel desires.
International Tour Guide
Since you’re not the only one who loves to travel, you can become an international tour guide to earn your living. Many foreign travelers appreciate having a native English-speaker as their guide, so you’ll never run out of potential customers. Since tourism seasons also vary from place to place, you’ll have a great opportunity to establish your business in multiple locations so you’ll be busy year-round.
Travel Writer
As mentioned earlier, traveling just isn’t a frequent occurrence for many people. By becoming a travel writer, you can earn a living producing content that brings the world to them (while living it yourself). Travel writers also are a valuable source of information for people who are planning to travel themselves, since you’ll be letting them know the best places to go and what to avoid. If you can land a full-time or steady freelance position writing, you’ll see the world and get to tell everyone all about it.
Travel Photographer
Like the previously mentioned travel writer position, travel photographers earn a living taking and selling photos of the most beautiful places in the world. Licensing your photos is a great way to earn a living while seeing the sights worldwide. You can sell photos for travel brochures, tourism boards, and even educational materials like textbooks. If you’d like, you can even market yourself as a photographer for destination weddings.
Truck Driver
While not the most glamorous of positions, becoming a truck driver is a great way to make a living while traveling. Truck drivers are in demand across the U.S. and in many other countries as well. You’ll need to train for and earn a commercial drivers license, but once you have it you’ll be ready to hit the road and satisfy your wanderlust. You may even be able to purchase your own vehicle so you can relocate from place to place as you see fit.