Over the past several decades and most recently amid the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has been improving the way society works. As more and more jobs shift to remote work within their primary workforce, travelers have more freedom than ever to work from anywhere in the world.
If you’re a full-time traveler looking to make some extra income doing remote work, check out this list of some of the most popular jobs for full-time travelers.
Freelance Writing
Freelace writing is another popular career path for full-time travelers looking to earn a little extra money because it allows people to work on their own terms, allowing for great flexibility than most other jobs. In addition to flexible scheduling, freelance writing can be done from virtually anywhere and requires only a laptop and wifi which most travelers already have on hand.
Because of the ease of access when it comes to freelance writing, this field can be highly competitive and those who are new to the field may find it nearly impossible to secure ongoing jobs or longterm contracts. However, there is still very high demand for experienced freelance writers who are dedicated to projects.
Beginner freelance writers are encouraged to start with creating a profile on freelance job boards like Upwork and applying for any and all jobs, regardless of the payout amount. This will help build a strong portfolio for future work and more longterm contracts with more generous budgets.
Graphic Designer
Graphic design is everywhere in the world around us from billboards and internet ads to corporate logos and product merchandising. Over the years, the high demand for graphic designers has kept this career at the top of the list for remote workers.
Although graphic design generally involved specialized skills and secondary education experienced graphic designers with a creative eye for detail can earn a comfortable salary while working from their comfort of their own homes. The median salary for graphic designers in May of 2021 was $50,710 and according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, available graphic design jobs are projected to grow by 23,900 jobs every year.
Social Media Content Creation
No matter where you go these days, it’s virtually impossible not to see some form of social media everywhere you turn. Whether it’s being used for entertainment, brand awareness, world news, instructional videos, or celebrity gossip, social media sites like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
With the immense popularity of social media, it’s no surprise this is one of the top ways that full time travelers use to earn income. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “how much do Youtubers make?” you might be surprised to find out that you can generate some pretty hefty sums of money in this industry.
Although the total income varies widely based on certain content or niches, company advertising, number of subscribers, and number of times each video has been viewed, one article from Digital Marketing Institute determined that the average payout for a YouTube video is between $3-5 per every 1,000 views.
Content creation is the perfect income earning activity for full time travelers as it requires very little startup funding and can be done from virtually anywhere that users can access the internet. In addition to YouTube, the same content can be used across multiple platforms to generate even more gain.
Customer Service
Customer service has been around for generations and this job that once took place in sterile office cubicles can now be done from virtually anywhere in the world. Although remote customer service jobs are in high demand and require relatively little training, these jobs can often have set hours or schedules and require some advanced equipment.
Additionally, because these jobs require very little secondary education or advanced skills, the pay is often much lower than other remote jobs. However, for remote workers looking to make a little extra pocket change, customer service work is a sought-after choice.
Technical Support
Working in technical support is the ideal position for remote workers with a technology focused background. Although some tech support positions require specialized skills and training, many companies provide on the job training for qualified candidates.
Most entry level technical support workers are part of a larger pyramid of specialists that help intercept base level questions from clients and customers to assist in resolving technical issues without having to pay more experienced support staff. For candidates starting off in an entry level position, this is one of the few careers that still have room to grow and workers can soon find themselves learning more specialized skills and advanced technology all while working from the comfort of their own homes.