Discover lucrative and unique digital nomad careers that allow you to work from anywhere.
Becoming location-dependent is the new American Dream. For younger generations, white picket fences and office jobs just aren’t cutting it: People want to see the world. Luckily, remote work is more common than ever, and there are dozens of ways to work from an RV or van and make money from anywhere. (Worth noting, there are plenty of unique ways to fund life on the road that don’t involve hours of computer time, too.) This guide details the best digital nomad jobs in 2024, plus tips for getting started with a location-independent lifestyle.
Best Digital Nomad Career Paths
Essentially, any work that can be done with a computer and a computer alone is a viable option for aspiring digital nomads. Most types of computer-based work can be done in an employee (W-2) capacity or as a self-employed business owner or freelancer. Self-employed workers have more flexibility, but with that comes much more responsibility: You’re not only the worker, but the bookkeeper, biller, admin support, and much more. In any case, the following represent some of the best jobs for digital nomads—many of them are quite lucrative, too.
Digital Marketing and SEO
This broad category encompasses dozens of individual job titles and descriptions, all of which are popular among digital nomads. Whether you’re a creative person or an analytics whiz, there’s probably something for you under this umbrella. Common digital marketing jobs include:
- Digital marketing director
- Account manager (if working at an agency)
- SEO specialist
- Writer
- Editor
- Graphic designer
- UI/UX designer
- Email marketing specialist
- Paid ads specialist
- Project manager
- Content strategist
- Content marketing specialist
- Social media marketing specialist
Graphic Design
If you have a knack for creating beautiful graphics, email headers, cover photos, logos, watermarks, and other content of the like, try your hand as a graphic designer. This is a popular option among creative digital nomads who love to flex their creative muscles (and get paid for it).
Animation
Animation is another option for creative professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for animators is expected to continue growing through 20233. Job titles in this category include storyboard artist, character designer, background designer, lighting and composition specialist, digital illustrator, 3D modeler, texture and surfacing artist, and many more.
UI/UX Design
This type of design deals with user interfaces (UI) and the user experience (UX) in digital applications. As a UI/UX designer, you’d improve the digital experience for website and app users through research, design, prototyping, A/B testing, and trend analysis.
Photography and Videography
This one’s pretty self-explanatory, and increasingly popular among digital nomads, likely because it’s a solid option for freelancers. While you can certainly score a staff position as a photographer or videographer, most industries heavily utilize freelancers for photo and video, making this an attractive option for camera pros who want complete control over their schedule.
Social Media Content Creation
This won’t come as a surprise: Social media content creation is easily one of the most common jobs among digital nomads. It can be quite lucrative, too, with the right brand deals. If being in front of the camera isn’t your thing, user-generated content (UGC) is another option. UGC involves creating content for brands to post on their channels, rather than creating content to post on your own channels.
Blogging
Also unsurprising, many digital nomads are bloggers. However, not all digital nomad bloggers are travel bloggers. You can blog in any niche, though it helps to be an expert in said niche to build an audience that trusts you and your content.
Freelance Writing and Editing
For individuals who don’t mind a lot of screen time and love stories, freelance writing and/or editing is an excellent option. This job can take a lot of forms, such as working in traditional media, working in branded media (such as content marketing), or in business-to-business (B2B) communications. Writers and editors are also needed in the public relations (PR) industry.
Cybersecurity
Perhaps one of the best-paying digital nomad jobs—especially for in-demand consultants—cybersecurity jobs involve protecting computer systems, networks, and data from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and data breaches. Professionals in this field work to prevent attacks by implementing security measures, monitoring systems for vulnerabilities, and responding to security incidents. Key roles include security analysts, ethical hackers (penetration testers), and security architects.
Web Development
Web development jobs focus on designing, building, and maintaining websites or web applications. Jobs in web development involve working with programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as React or Django to create user-friendly, responsive websites. These roles are often divided into front-end (client-side), back-end (server-side), and full-stack development, combining both aspects. Web developers can work freelance or for companies, with many opportunities for remote work.
Language Teaching
If you know a second language, you can make an earnest living teaching either your first or your second language, depending on your fluency level. English teachers are in high demand, and there are plenty of opportunities to work remotely as an english teacher, such as with a language learning app.
Language Translating
If you’d love to work in language but prefer not to be face-to-face with students, consider translation if your fluency level allows it. Professionals in this industry translate important documents, such as legal documentation, instruction manuals, and business communications from one language to another.
Market Research
If you love experimenting and analyzing data, a market research job could be the right path for you. Jobs in this industry involve gathering and analyzing data to help businesses understand consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes. Market research professionals design surveys, conduct interviews, analyze data, and interpret results to provide actionable insights for marketing strategies, product development, and business decisions.
Software Development
In this broad field, software professionals develop anything from mobile apps to enterprise systems, collaborating with teams of engineers, designers, and project managers. Software development is a high-demand field with an expanse of remote work opportunities, making it a popular choice for digital nomads who want to build a career while enjoying location flexibility. These jobs are often high-paying, too.
Personal Training
Before the Internet and widespread availability of cellular data and WiFi, personal trainers had to work out of commercial gyms or private fitness studios. These days, it’s extremely common for personal trainers to develop their own brand and work online, delivering fitness programs to clients through a variety of apps and software programs. There are some virtual personal training companies that hire certified fitness professionals as W-2 employees, as well.
Customer Service
If you don’t mind handling complaints and find joy in helping customers resolve problems, a remote customer service job could be an attractive option for you. Many companies offer flexible, location-independent opportunities in this field, making customer service an appealing option for digital nomads who enjoy helping others and prefer a more stable, consistent work schedule while traveling.
Virtual Assistant/Admin Jobs
Those who love maintaining business operations and keeping things running smoothly will love virtual assistant or administration jobs.This type of job involves providing remote support to businesses, entrepreneurs, or teams by managing tasks such as scheduling, email correspondence, data entry, travel arrangements; some virtual assistants may also handle bookkeeping or project coordination.
Recruiting
Remote recruiting is a great fit for digital nomads with strong communication and networking skills. Remote recruiters source, interview, and hire candidates for companies, working closely with hiring managers to understand job requirements, identify qualified candidates, conduct interviews, and manage the hiring process.
How to Choose the Best Digital Nomad Job for You
Take stock of your skills, certifications, and education. Consider what you’re passionate about, and what type of remote job you wouldn’t mind doing on the road. The best digital nomad job for you is one that fits the lifestyle you want to lead and allows you to cover your necessary expenses (with enough left for travel-related fun, of course!). Everyone’s background and financial needs are different, so there’s no single remote job that’s the “best” for travelers, though there are plenty of flexible and well-paying options.
How to Become a Digital Nomad
- Research remote work opportunities: Look for jobs or freelance gigs that offer remote work options. Digital nomad job boards like Upwork, Remote.co, and FlexJobs can be helpful.
- Build an online presence: Create a professional website or portfolio showcasing your work. Use platforms like LinkedIn to network and connect with potential clients or employers.
- Set up your finances: Ensure you have a stable income source, manage your budget, and set up online banking for easy access to funds while traveling.
- Choose your destinations: Research locations with good internet connectivity, a low cost of living, and a welcoming community for digital nomads. Consider time zone differences and visa requirements if you plan on traveling internationally.
- Plan for connectivity: Invest in reliable tech, such as a quality laptop and portable internet devices, and identify co-working spaces or cafes in your chosen destinations.
- Embrace a flexible lifestyle: Be prepared to adapt to new environments, manage your time effectively, and maintain a work-life balance while traveling.
- Stay connected: Join online communities or local meetups to network with other digital nomads and share experiences and tips.
- Continuously learn and adapt: Stay updated on industry trends and continuously develop your skills to remain competitive in the remote job market.
FAQs
What are common digital nomad jobs?
Popular digital nomad jobs include writing and editing, SEO, digital marketing, social media content creation, graphic design, UI/UX design, language teaching, online tutoring, and virtual business administration.
Do digital nomads make good money?
Digital nomads can make good money, depending on the field. Many remote jobs exist in high-paying industries, like web development, software development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.
What is the downside of being a digital nomad?
One of the main downsides to being a digital nomad is that it can be hard to establish a routine and workflow. It can also be difficult to find a stable, fast Internet connection, depending on the places you like to travel to. With the right portable Wi-Fi setup, a lot of those are non-problems, though.
TravlFi Takeaways
There’s no shortage of job opportunities for digital nomads—if it’s something you want to try, go for it!
- Remote jobs exist in dozens of industries.
- There are entry-level to senior-level positions that can be performed entirely remotely.
- Some of the highest-paying digital nomad jobs are within the tech and cybersecurity industries.
- You can be a freelancer/business owner or a traditional employee while living on the road.
- A good Internet connection is essential for digital nomads.
Learn more about how to work in an RV or van, and explore the world on your timeline thanks to portable WiFi for traveling.
