20 Jobs That Require Travel and Pay Well (2024)

You’re not one to be chained to a desk all day. In fact, you want to see the world—or at least the world outside a standard corporate office. Well, here’s the surprising truth: there are plenty of traveling jobs that pay well out there, ready to turn that dream into reality.

While you can land some fun travel jobs (that pay well) with little to no experience at all, others do typically require some formal training, education, or degree. But the time and money investment can pay off—literally and figuratively.

Many jobs that require frequent international and/or domestic travel also come with impressive salaries. Not to mention, you’ll be exposed to a wealth of culture, relationships, and exciting business opportunities, and be able to make a memorable and lasting impact on anything from public health to worker wellbeing.

The following list of top-paying travel jobs is based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest wage estimates, which was last pulled in May 2023.

1. Pilot

Average annual salary: $250,050 a year

You can’t get plenty of places without someone flying the plane. And if you’re the one doing it, you can go basically anywhere you want—while getting paid.

Many different pilot jobs are available, including with commercial airlines (the ones you use as an everyday traveler), for private jets, and in shipping. Good pilots are typically incredibly perceptive, able to adapt to challenging or stressful scenarios, and smart navigators.

You can train to become a pilot as early as 18 years old. The Federal Aviation Administration outlines exactly what steps to take to get your pilots license.

Check out pilots jobs on The Muse

2. Industrial-organizational psychologist

Average annual salary: $154,380 a year

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists help workplaces of all sizes function more effectively by focusing on everything from labor disputes to team and brand building—and they’re best able to do that when they’re on premises.

Many I/O psychologists work in consulting or run their own businesses, which also allows them to travel regularly when it’s most convenient for them.

To become an I/O psychologist, you’ll need a bachelor’s or advanced degree, some field work, and potentially a license or board certification, depending on the company or industry you want to practice in.

Check out industrial-organizational psychologist jobs on The Muse

3. Computer hardware engineer

Average annual salary: $147,770 a year

Computer hardware engineers creatively solve problems related to devices or technical products. While it’s possible to work remotely or in an office, a lot of the work can and needs to be done onsite, which means you could visit various locations locally and further away.

Jobs in computer hardware engineering typically require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, as well as skills-based training.

Check out computer hardware engineer jobs on The Muse

4. Veterinarian

Average annual salary: $136,300 a year

Traveling veterinarians bring crucial animal care to places where it’s less accessible or there’s a strong need, including zoos, sanctuaries, and disadvantaged or struggling communities. Many vets have their own LLCs or work on a consulting or contract basis for clinics, and come from backgrounds working at hospitals or private practices first.

Check out veterinarians jobs on The Muse

5. Celebrity agent or business manager

Average annual salary: $132,810 a year

Agents are on the road with whatever athletes, performers, or artists they represent to ensure their clients have everything they need to succeed—press coaching, scheduling details, you name it.

It’s a long road to the top of this industry. You’ll have to spend several years assisting or being mentored by a more senior agent and rubbing elbows with industry insiders. But it’s often possible to enter the celebrity world with little previous experience. So if you’re looking for traveling jobs that pay well without a degree or advanced education, this might be the one.

Check out business managers jobs on The Muse

6. Nurse midwife

Average annual salary: $131,570 a year

Nurse midwives have expertise in both nursing and pregnancy and postpartum care, and many in this field travel to clients’ homes or preferred medical centers. Like any other nursing path, you need to get certified as a registered nurse—which requires training, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and clinical experience.

Check out nurse midwives jobs on The Muse

7. Sales engineer

Average annual salary: $130,550 a year

Sales engineers embody the technical expertise of an engineer combined with the charisma and interpersonal skills of a sales rep—and a lot of the work they do for clients has to be done in person, meaning they often go offsite or travel to new destinations.

To break into sales engineering, you need some formal training in software or hardware engineering, or a specialty such as pharmaceuticals or chemical engineering.

Check out sales engineers jobs on The Muse

8. Electrical engineer

Average annual salary: $119,910 a year

Electrical engineers keep construction moving smoothly and maintain important machinery by overseeing other experts such as electricians or programmers onsite in various locations. Prerequisites may include a degree in electrical engineering or a related field, or several years of on-the-job training.

Check out electrical engineers jobs on The Muse

9. Financial risk specialist

Average annual salary: $118,950 a year

Financial risk specialists work across industries, from nonprofits to tech and government, to measure the financial impact of business decisions and streamline spending and budgeting. They’re most effective when they’re able to immerse themselves in their clients’ workflows—and those clients could be based anywhere. Some education or licensing in accounting, economics, or a similar expertise is ideal to land this job.

Check out financial risk specialists jobs on The Muse

10. Sales representative of wholesale, manufacturing, technical or scientific products

Average annual salary: $113,520 a year

Many sales jobs take you on the road to meet potential customers and clients, or pitch at group events or conferences. If you work in a lucrative industry, such as medical sales, you can earn not only a high base salary but bonuses and commission as well. The best part? You likely don’t need anything more than a high school diploma, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree to get started.

Check out sales representatives jobs on The Muse

11. Geoscientist

Average annual salary: $104,000 a year

Geoscientists study everything that makes the earth, well, earth: rocks, fossils, water, soil, and the atmosphere, to name a few examples. And you can’t really do that kind of work without visiting important landmarks and natural and historical locations on a regular basis.

A college degree in environmental studies, geology, or a related topic is paramount, and to climb the ladder you may have to go back to school for a master’s or PhD.

Check out geoscientists jobs on The Muse

12. Industrial engineer

Average annual salary: $103,150 a year

Industrial engineers promote productivity and efficiency in the workplace, whether by designing new systems and infrastructure or overhauling current processes, and they often travel between offices or client locations to do so.

Higher education in industrial engineering or a similar major is recommended, as well as specialized certifications in interest areas, such as supply chain or quality assurance.

Check out industrial engineers jobs on The Muse

13. News analyst, reporter, or journalist

Average annual salary: $101,430 a year

You see them on TV all the time—journalists reporting live from states having elections or countries dealing with crises. But a lot of reporter roles can also be print, digital, audio, or multimedia, meaning you can find the medium that best suits your skill set and passions.

Journalism school or equivalent is sometimes a prerequisite, if not some field experience writing, editing, or producing news stories.

Check out journalists jobs on The Muse

14. Ship engineer

Average annual salary: $100,550 a year

Ship engineers repair and maintain boats, the equipment on them, and any offshore structures—so they spend a lot of time at sea and traveling between places. A background or education in marine engineering, naval architecture, mechanics, or related speciality is preferred to delve into this role.

Check out ship engineers jobs on The Muse

15. Ship captain or pilot

Average annual salary: $97,820 a year

Maybe you’re not so handy, but you love the idea of overseeing production on or piloting a ship. Training in a United States Coast Guard-approved maritime school and passing subsequent exams and certifications is your first step to getting there.

Check out ship captains jobs on The Muse

16. Accountant or auditor

Average annual salary: $90,780 a year

Not every accounting or auditing job promotes travel, but some do—mostly to offer real-time, high-quality service to clients. Getting your certified public accountant (CPA) certification is usually required to take either position on the road.

Check out accountants and auditors jobs on The Muse

17. Epidemiologist

Average annual salary: $90,430 a year

Epidemiologists study hard to break into the field—with advanced degrees, specializations, and years of practice—but it can be worthwhile for the income potential, travel opportunities to remote and unique places, and ability to make a difference in the world of public health.

Check out epidemiologists jobs on The Muse

18. Animal scientist

Average annual salary: $89,450 a year

Animal scientists can focus on a specific species, medical issue, or region in their studies. While some lab work and research is par for the course, animal scientists frequently work closely with animals in the field, requiring frequent travel.

Check out animal scientists jobs on The Muse

19. Real estate broker

Average annual salary: $86,130 a year

Prerequisites for real estate brokers differ by state and municipality, but generally, they get certified via courses, exams, and field work. If getting out of the office regularly—but staying close to home—is important to you, this job could be the perfect fit.

Check out real estate brokers jobs on The Muse

20. Landscape architect

Average annual salary: $83,990 a year

Similar to real estate brokers, landscape architects may not go far outside their community—but they’re out in the world daily examining properties, laying out plans for new parks or outdoor spaces, and meeting with clients. They have accreditations and licenses to conduct their work in certain regions, and might also come from a background in urban planning, construction, or design.

Check out landscape architects jobs on The Muse

20 Jobs That Require Travel and Pay Well (2024)

FAQs

What is a high paying job that lets you travel? ›

Travel industry jobs include positions in numerous fields, such as hospitality, tour guiding, transportation, and service. Some jobs, such as those done by travel agents, hotel workers, or cruise ship operators, are more directly related to travel.

What kind of job requires a lot of traveling? ›

— Jobs That Require Travel

Think flight attendant, cruise ship team member, or national account representative. You'll go where the business needs you to go.

What is the best job for traveling? ›

20 great travel jobs
  • Tour guide.
  • Flight attendant.
  • Stagehand.
  • Vendor.
  • Photographer.
  • Event coordinator.
  • Chef.
  • Translator.
Apr 18, 2024

What is a 50% travel job? ›

So if you are 50% two of those work weeks would be traveling. Now during those travel weeks you may/may not spend every night in a hotel, but anticipate to leave Monday and return Friday. Therefore when the inevitable only one night trip happens the other 3 nights of that “travel week” are a bonus at home.

How can I travel full time without a job? ›

An incomplete list of options to get your ass abroad and exploring the world:
  1. Join a volunteer organization. ...
  2. Teach English. ...
  3. Find a source of mobile income. ...
  4. Start an online business. ...
  5. Convince your company to let you work remotely. ...
  6. Get transferred overseas. ...
  7. Find odd jobs as you travel. ...
  8. Work on a cruise or for an airline.

Can you get paid to travel? ›

Besides becoming a travel storyteller, here are a couple of examples of jobs that'll let you earn a living as you travel: Trip leader: Manage trips for a travel company, get to meet new people and experience new places, and get paid in the process. Best for extroverts and those who love to geek out on logistics!

Does the travel industry pay well? ›

How much does a Travel Tourism make in California? As of May 17, 2024, the average annual pay for the Travel Tourism jobs category in California is $52,393 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.19 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,007/week or $4,366/month.

How to find work while traveling? ›

41 jobs to make money while traveling
  1. Flight attendant. National average salary: $55,126 per year Primary duties: Flight attendants supervise the cabin of aircraft during commercial flights. ...
  2. Deckhand. ...
  3. Blogger. ...
  4. Ski instructor. ...
  5. Housekeeper. ...
  6. Photographer. ...
  7. Server. ...
  8. Journalist.
Apr 18, 2024

What job has the most free time? ›

13 jobs with the most time off
  • K-12 teachers. National average salary: $23,390 per year Primary duties: Elementary, middle and high school teachers handle the preparation and delivery of educational instruction to students. ...
  • Pilots. ...
  • Firefighters. ...
  • Air traffic controllers. ...
  • Librarians. ...
  • Law professors.

What company pays you to travel? ›

Adventure work is a company that offers paid travel opportunities with various job positions that include outdoor activity leader, Windsurfing instructor, Cycling Manager, etc. All these are considered to be among the most fun jobs for travel lovers.

What is the best job in the world? ›

The 10 best jobs in the world
  1. Anaesthetist. What is an anaesthetist? ...
  2. Airline pilot. What does an airline pilot do? ...
  3. Surgeon. What does a surgeon do? ...
  4. Chief executive. What is a chief executive? ...
  5. Lawyer. What does a lawyer do? ...
  6. Architect. What does an architect do? ...
  7. Video game tester. What does a video game tester do? ...
  8. Entrepreneur.

What is 20 travel for a job? ›

Also, 20% travel could mean overnight travel once a week or a full week out of town every 5 weeks or a full month out of town every 5 months. So it's important to ask for specific examples of what the travel will look like if you are agreeing up front to travel requirements for the role.

What is 30 travel for a job? ›

30% of business days, like 3 days every 2 weeks.

What does 75% travel mean in a job? ›

That means you would spend 75% of your time going to different locations meeting with clients and 25% of your time working from an office. Many fields involve some travel, including: Tourism and hospitality. Health care. Transportation.

Where do tour guides make the most money? ›

Highest paying cities for Tour Guides near United States
  • Baltimore, MD. $35.64 per hour. 11 salaries reported.
  • Charleston, SC. $32.12 per hour. 24 salaries reported.
  • Chicago, IL. $30.56 per hour. 28 salaries reported.
  • Savannah, GA. $28.28 per hour. 28 salaries reported.
  • New York, NY. $26.53 per hour. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.

What does a travel agent do? ›

The primary role of a travel agent is to help people make travel arrangements, which might include booking flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and making dining recommendations. A travel agent assesses each customer's unique needs, preferences, and budget to ensure their trip goes as smoothly as possible.

What hotels pay their managers the most? ›

Top companies for Hotel Managers in United States
  • Snake River Lodge & Spa. 2.2 $79,844per year. 6 reviews15 salaries reported.
  • Nantasket Beach Resort. 2.3 $78,841per year. ...
  • SREE Hotels. 2.5 $66,872per year. ...
  • Newport Hotel Group. 2.4 $61,529per year. ...
  • Extended Stay Hotels. 3.0 $59,050per year. ...
  • Show more companies.

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