Is your heart filled with wanderlust? Do you dream of exploring far-flung destinations while earning a living? If so, you’re not alone. Many people crave adventure and purpose beyond a sedentary desk job.
Luckily, countless opportunities exist to transform your passion for travel into a flourishing career. These professions allow you to immerse yourself in diverse cultures and bask in natural wonders worldwide, all while getting paid.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into over 20 of the most exciting jobs that pay you to travel. Expect insightful interviews, statistics, and tips directly from professionals in these globetrotting fields. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, budding anthropologist or seeking your next career move as a digital nomad, you’ll uncover real-world insights into transforming travel into a rewarding lifestyle and livelihood.
Let’s begin exploring how to land your dream job that blends purpose, freedom and discovering all our amazing planet has to offer!
A Travel Blogger‘s Journey: Turning Wanderlust into a Thriving Business
The digital world has opened up new realms for storytelling, allowing creatives to inspire others through engaging blogs and social content. For travel enthusiasts, becoming a blogger or influencer provides an enticing opportunity to explore exotic locales while documenting their adventures.
But how does one actually start a successful travel blog that allows you to sustainably travel the world? What skills, mindsets and strategies are required? To uncover insights, I interviewed Rebecca, a solo 30-something travel blogger from London with over 100,000 Instagram followers and a thriving consulting business helping aspiring bloggers launch their own brands.
Below she shares what her journey has been like building her blog, monetizing through sponsorships and coaching clients, and her best tips for new travelers looking to pursue this remote career path:
What inspired you initially to start a travel blog and pursue this as a full-time endeavor?
“I always had a passion for writing and photography, but I was stuck in a corporate marketing job that didn’t fulfill me creatively. I started my blog, The Wayfaring Diaries, as a side hobby to share my weekend getaway adventures across Europe. But as it started gaining a loyal readership, I realized I could expand it into a viable business and creative outlet that aligned with my love of travel.”
What are some of the biggest hurdles you faced transitioning into full-time blogging and how did you overcome them?
“The hardest parts were taking the leap to go all in as a full-time blogger, dealing with inconsistent income before I could monetize effectively, and managing the steep learning curve around photography, SEO, branding and marketing. Joining online communities to exchange tips with other travel bloggers helped. I also took courses in photography and read everything I could about turning my passion into a business.”
How were you able to start generating an income from your blog and does it provide a comfortable living?
“It took about 18 months before I developed enough readership and brand partnerships to earn a consistent monthly income. The key was pitching to brands aligned with my niche and producing high-quality sponsored content. I also launched photography and blogging coaching services which now make up over 50% of my revenue. Overall I earn about $115,000 annually, allowing me to live very comfortably and focus on creating content I’m proud of.”
What tips do you have for someone looking to start a successful travel blog?
“Find a unique angle and voice. Consistently publish high-value content focused on your audience’s needs. Pitch to brands that resonate with your blog’s aesthetics and topics. Spread your content across multiple platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Stay persistent, patient, and open to emerging monetization opportunities. But above all, focus on creating work you truly believe in.”
Rebecca‘s story demonstrates that with consistent hard work, strategic partnerships and perseverance, aspiring bloggers can successfully monetize their passion for travel content creation and storytelling. While glamorous social media shots only reveal a slice of the reality, the behind-the-scenes graft and business savvy required shouldn‘t be underestimated. Yet for travelers seeking an alternative career blending creativity, freedom and serendipitous adventures, travel blogging remains a viable option worth exploring.
Estimated Annual Salary for Top Travel Bloggers and Influencers: $50,000 – $250,000+
Cruising High in the Sky as a Flight Attendant
Few careers fuse hospitality service and globetrotting quite like working as a flight attendant. While glamorous in theory, what does life actually look like aboard planes and in far-flung destinations for these aviation pros?
To find out, I spoke with Akiko, a Singapore Airlines flight attendant with over 15 years of experience traversing global skies and cities. Below she shares insights into her exciting career path.
What first drew you to become a flight attendant and how did you get your start?
“I’ve always loved travel, meeting new people, and the magic of flying. A friend recommended applying for flight attendant roles. I submitted my application to Singapore Airlines and went through a competitive selection process including video interviews, group exercises, and assessments.”
Take us inside a typical long-haul flight experience. What are your primary responsibilities?
“My day starts several hours before a flight preparing uniforms and reviewing the passenger manifest. During boarding, I greet guests, ensure luggage is stowed properly, and review safety protocols. Once airborne, I serve in-flight meals and drinks while regularly checking on passengers. I aim to make each guest feel pampered. I also oversee cabin cleaning duties. On average I walk nearly 5 miles per flight!”
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about life as a flight attendant?
"That it‘s 24/7 glamour and perks! While we do enjoy nice layovers, flying is also physically and emotionally taxing. The job requires immense stamina and safety is an enormous responsibility. Missing family events and dealing with unruly passengers can be difficult too. But I love belonging to the aviation community and wouldn’t trade the chance to see the world.”
Which has been your most memorable destination visited through this career?
“Visiting Easter Island and seeing the mysterious Moai statues was incredible. I also loved helping passengers on their first trip to see annual flower festivals in southern India. Witnessing their sheer joy and wonderment at the vibrant sights and scents was beautiful.”
What advice do you have for those interested in pursuing this calling?
“Be prepared for extensive training and safety drills. Have perseverance and patience – the hiring process is very selective. Develop empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution abilities. And appreciate that the job’s excitement comes not from lavishness but rather positive human connections made and cultures experienced along your travels.”
Akiko‘s illuminating insights reveal the nuances of life as flight crew. While frequently glamorized, attaining this coveted travel career requires dedication, safety diligence, and top-notch hospitality instincts. But for those eager to log kilometers in the skies and expand their global perspectives, it promises an altitude of adventures.
Average Flight Attendant Salaries: $35,000-$85,000
New Positions Through 2026: +10% increase projected
A Day in the (Very Mobile) Life of a Digital Nomad
Location independence. The flexibility to sightsee ancient ruins one day and code from a beachside cabana the next. This long-held dream is now a reality for digital nomads, a growing community of remote professionals liberated to work and live from anywhere.
To better understand their unique lifestyle, I profiled Rachel, a 32-year-old digital nomad working as a freelance web designer and content creator. She shared insights into her typical routine, the pros and cons of perpetual travel, and her best advice for interested newcomers.
Walk us through what a typical day looks like for you living the digital nomad lifestyle.
“One thing I appreciate is that no two days ever look the same! I usually wake up early and either hit the gym or go for a local run to explore the area. I’ll then grab my laptop and find a café or co-working space for the workday. If I have creative design projects, I tend to work better immersed in a new environment versus alone in an Airbnb. I spend the afternoon working on my travel blog and social media channels. Evenings are a mix of networking events, cultural activities, or just relaxing with a good book.”
You’re constantly on the move. What are the biggest benefits but also challenges you’ve experienced?
“The freedom to live anywhere without being tied to an office or lease is empowering. I’ve made friends worldwide. I also absolutely love immersing myself in each country’s food, art and music. The logistics of travel plus finding reliable WiFi can definitely be frustrating though. I miss having a community so I have to make an effort to form connections. Achieving work/life balance is tough too without clear boundaries.”
For those looking to make the leap into location independent work, what advice do you have?
“Start by looking at freelancing sites like Upwork to test working remotely in your field. Have at least 6 months of living expenses saved up. Scope out work-friendly cities with expat communities in regions that appeal to you. Be open to feeling uncomfortable and things going wrong. But above all, appreciate that ‘living anywhere’ also means bringing your best self, having cultural sensitivity, and contributing to communities.”
Rachel‘s experiences reveal how, with intention and preparation, digital nomadism can be a fulfilling choice expanding professional capabilities and world perspectives. But the lifestyle also warrants honest reflection about its downsides like isolation and burnout. By cultivating balance and grassroots connections abroad, aspiring nomads can craft an enriched career path powered by purpose.
Digital Nomads Globally in 2024: Over 17 million
Average Salary Range: $44,000 – $118,000
Turning Passion into Profit as a Travel Photographer
Capturing awe-inspiring natural wonders. Documenting vibrant bustling markets. Creating visual narratives that connect strangers worldwide. These are just a sampling of the rewards reaped by travel photographers.
To dig deeper into professional photography in the travel realm, I connected with Marco, an acclaimed commercial and fine art photographer whose work has been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast and more. He revealed how he honed his globetrotting photography career.
Tell us the story of how you first got into travel photography.
“I started taking recreational photography courses and weekend trips to hone my skills. But after 15 years stuck in an unfulfilling corporate accounting job, I craved a creative reset. I quit my job, committed to 12 months of intensive photography study and by living very frugally, saved up for a camera and round-the-world plane ticket. That year of immersive travel and shooting massively accelerated my growth as a photographer.”
What skills or traits do you believe are most vital to being a successful travel photographer?
“Solid technical abilities are critical – you want to have full mastery of your camera in any environment. But equally important is cultivating your creative eye and storytelling instincts over time. Things like lighting, framing, perspective and post-processing dramatize your images’ impact. Business and networking skills are crucial too for turning photography into a viable career.”
What have been your most memorable assignments in terms of locations?
“One assignment had me camping in the Sahara Desert for stunning night sky images. I also loved capturing Peru’s incredible diversity from the Andes Mountains down to the Amazon. But my absolute favorite was a year-long project photographing artisans across Asia. The privilege of documenting these traditional crafts before they disappeared was incredibly moving.”
What guidance do you have for aspiring travel photographers looking to break into the industry?
“Build a diverse yet cohesive portfolio that wows. Assist established photographers on shoots to gain knowledge. While social media is great for sharing your work, also pitch to publications, galleries, tourism boards and commercial clients for paid assignments. Expect rejection but use it as fuel to improve. Most importantly, let your unique perspective shine through.”
Marco demonstrates that with purposeful training, persistence in pitching yourself, and leveraging contacts, photographers can progress from hobbyists to professionals documenting destinations near and far. His words prove that proceeding with authenticity and letting your vision guide you remains the surest path to creating distinctive images that resonate.
Average Annual Salary for Travel Photographers: $30,000 – $100,000+
Expected Industry Growth by 2026: +4%
Additional Globetrotting Gigs to Pursue Your Wanderlust
While we‘ve uncovered several compelling careers already, the possibilities don’t stop there. Numerous travel-oriented roles exist across diverse fields from anthropology to marine biology.
Here are 10 additional professions perfect for wanderlusters to consider:
Tour Director – Lead groups on sightseeing excursions, handle logistics and provide colorful commentary on destinations worldwide.
TESOL Teacher – Live abroad and teach English to students of all ages and backgrounds, especially in high-demand Asian markets.
Travel Nurse – Take 3 to 6-month nursing assignments domestically and overseas where your skills are needed most.
International Aid Worker – Travel to global project sites with nonprofits/NGOs focused on humanitarian development initiatives.
Marine Biologist – Conduct oceanic field research spanning coral reefs to deep sea life across exciting worldwide locations.
Archaeologist – Unearth ancient secrets on digs everywhere from the Silk Road to Mayan historical sites.
Sommelier – Travel for wine education, visit vineyards worldwide and manage cellar collections for restaurants or wine brands.
Foreign Correspondent – Report on global affairs as a journalist stationed in bureau offices from Nairobi to Bangkok.
Cruise Ship Entertainer – Perform and delight passengers as a musician, dancer, acrobat or singer onboard luxury liners sailing the seas.
Geologist – Analyze rock records, volcanic activity and natural formations from Patagonia’s tectonic trails to Hawaiian lava flows.
This sampling reveals the multitude of ways to transform passions like photography, writing, research, teaching, wine and more into globe-spanning vocations. With intention and diligence, individuals can craft travel-centric careers as enriching and unique as their dreams.
Key Takeaways for Landing Your Perfect Travel Job
- Reflect deeply on your innate interests and abilities to determine which vocation best fits you. Travel jobs span diverse specialties.
- Educate yourself thoroughly on roles that intrigue you – expectations, salaries, required certifications, etc. Find insightful interviews from professionals in your desired field.
- Be strategic and creative in gaining the exact qualifications needed whether it’s a graduate degree, specialized training, language skills or extensive portfolio building.
- Research locations, visa regulations, average living costs and local networking contacts for your target destinations.
- If possible, gain experience via a trial work exchange, apprenticeship, or entry-level position to test out new career paths.
- Develop patience and persistence. Landing dream jobs in competitive travel industries takes dedication and hustle.
- Build resources – financial savings and professional connections – to assist your career pivot and transition into travel work.
- Approach challenges like culture shock, unfamiliar work norms and homesickness with flexibility, humility and resilience.
- Let your unique interests, values and vision shine through. Offer something new to your chosen field.
- Stay grounded in community connections, self-care and finding work-life balance to avoid burnout.
By taking proactive, thoughtful steps you can discover, pursue and attain that ideal vocation permitting you to earn, explore and develop meaningfully across new latitudes. Bon voyage on the adventure of a lifetime!
