Many people dream of jet-setting across the globe while earning money.
One day, you’re sipping cocktails while lazing on a sunny beach.
The next day, you’re boarding a plane to a snowy Arctic destination—all while making an income.
Perhaps, you’ve dreamt of doing this too.
Well, I have some exciting news for you.
This doesn’t have to be just a fantasy.
With some research and preparation on your part, you can turn this dream into a reality.
From photography to hotel management to event planning, there are tons of jobs that allow you to travel and earn money.
And we’ve made the research process easier for you by compiling a list of travel-friendly jobs you can consider for yourself.
1. Airline Pilot
Why Become an Airline Pilot?
Anyone who’s ever flown a plane or been a passenger on a commercial flight knows that flying is an exhilarating experience.
Luckily, for airline pilots, flying is an everyday experience—because, after all, it’s what they do for a living.
Another benefit they get to enjoy is positive employment prospects.
Airline pilots are always in need, with the employment of pilots projected to grow 13% over the next decade.
The average salary, at $174,870, reflects this high demand.
| Airline Pilot Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $198,190 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Airline Pilot
2. Hotel Manager
Why Become a Hotel Manager?
As people who work within the hospitality industry, hotel managers are responsible for managing a hotel’s overall services and ensuring it’s being run efficiently.
In larger full-service hotels, these individuals manage a wide range of departments, from client registration to restaurant services.
This job, which requires strong organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, pays an average of $123,030 per year.
| Hotel Manager Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $115,250 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $55.41 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Hotel Manager
3. Photojournalist
Why Become a Photojournalist?
Whether their specialty is documenting celebrity news or focusing on international issues like famine or war, photojournalists have a far-from-typical job.
Their work involves telling a story with images.
Because they’re always on the lookout for exciting new images to capture, they’re rarely, if ever, sitting in office cubicles.
Their average annual salary is $62,400.
| Photojournalist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,230 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.40 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | -12% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Photojournalist
4. Photographer
Why Become a Photographer?
Although all photojournalists are photographers, not all photographers are photojournalists.
That’s because there are several types of photographers, such as wedding, fashion, wildlife, paparazzi, advertising, and landscape photographers.
Thus, it goes without saying that no two photographers are the same.
Whatever specialty they choose, photographers must have artistic and technical skills, the ability to work independently, and an eye for detail.
Across the broad spectrum of photographers, the average salary is $45,440.
| Photographer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $48,210 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.18 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 17% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Photographer
5. Fashion Photographer
Why Become a Fashion Photographer?
A popular subset of photography, fashion photography is perfect for those who enjoy art in many forms, have their own sense of style, and are up to date on fashion trends.
As a fashion photographer, you’ll be completing shoots for clothing designers, fashion magazines, and advertising companies that cater to fashion brands.
Most of the time, your shoots will feature designer clothing and models.
With an average salary of $45,440, fashion photographers earn about the same as many other niche photographers.
| Fashion Photographer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $48,210 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.18 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | -6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Fashion Photographer
6. Truck Driver
Why Become a Truck Driver?
If you love driving, viewing different landscapes while on the road, and being in solitude for long periods of time, you might want to consider truck driving.
Responsible for hauling goods across the country and, in some cases, around the world, truck drivers have the opportunity to meet a range of people at truck stops and depots, which can make up for the long hours on the road without company.
Truck drivers earn an average salary of $46,850.
| Truck Driver Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $50,340 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $24.20 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
7. Web Developer
Why Become a Web Developer?
You probably don’t think of travel when you think of web development.
But because web developers can work remotely, they have the coveted opportunity to travel the world without compromising the security of a full-time job.
Experienced in building and designing many kinds of websites, web developers need to have a strong knowledge of programming languages so they can create websites that are easy to use and understand by your average Joe.
Web developers enjoy an above-average salary of $82,370.
| Web Developer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $50,340 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $24.20 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 13% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Web Developer
8. Flight Attendant
Why Become a Flight Attendant?
Many people, old and young, have fantasized about becoming flight attendants at some point in their lives.
After all, what’s not to like about being paid to fly to cities worldwide, receiving free hotel accommodation, and sightseeing in your free time?
But even with all the perks of being a flight attendant, your job, which involves looking after the needs of airline passengers, is far from easy.
Besides ensuring that safety measures are met, you have to take charge whenever emergencies take place (which, although extremely rare, are never impossible).
Their salary of $56,230 is hard to beat, especially when you consider all the travel-related advantages of the job.
| Flight Attendant Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $62,280 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 10.2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Flight Attendant
9. Event Planner
Why Become an Event Planner?
Event planning is probably another job you don’t normally associate with travel.
For most event planners, travel constitutes a small portion of their job.
But, for many well-established event planners, the travel opportunities can be plentiful.
Event planners, who possess a wide skills base, are in charge of coordinating and organizing meetings and events, like weddings and parties.
Their average salary is a decent $54,880.
| Event Planner Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $57,850 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $27.81 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 33% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Event Planner
10. English Teacher
Why Become an English Teacher?
The demand for English teachers, especially English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors, is ever-increasing all over the world.
This is especially true in East Asian countries like China and South Korea and West Asian countries like Saudi Arabia.
To qualify for this job, you need to have a strong grasp of English grammar, solid communication skills, and the willingness to make a difference in students’ lives.
In most cases, you’re also be required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
English teachers get to explore foreign countries and earn money at the same time, enjoying the best of both worlds.
| English Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $82,680 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an English Teacher
11. Diplomat
Why Become a Diplomat?
Diplomats manage relationships with ambassadors and representatives from other nations.
In the US, they’re known as Foreign Service Officers, and they serve an enormous role in managing the US government’s foreign relationships.
This job has higher barriers to entry than most other jobs on this list.
Although there are no formal education requirements for this position, most candidates possess a bachelor’s degree.
In fact, many of them even have master’s degrees.
They need to take the rigorous Foreign Service Exam, as well as pass a security clearance and medical exam to prove they’re capable of fulfilling their duties abroad.
It should come as no surprise that diplomats earn a pretty hefty salary of $120,260.
| Diplomat Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $120,430 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $57.90 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 0% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Diplomat
12. Language Translator
Why Become a Language Translator?
Language translators, who speak two or more languages fluently, bridge the gap between parties by enabling fluent correspondence.
They accomplish this by translating languages in real-time.
Some language translators also translate documents, books, and films into other languages, so the job can be quite varied.
Contrary to popular belief, employment prospects for language translators are strong (despite advances in translation technology and the proliferation of English speakers).
This is reflected in their average salary of $57,000, which is above the national average.
| Language Translator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Language Translator
