The definition of the word “nomad” is a wanderer who has no abode or a person who does not stay long in one place. It’s an accurate term to use when describing a full-time RVer.
If you fall into that category, you may spend a fair amount of time figuring out how to make a living. Unless you have an agreement with your employer to work remotely before you hit the road, it can be not easy to find a job that supports a nomadic lifestyle.
However, we have several ideas that could be your ticket to a career that will keep up with you, no matter where you travel.
Can You Be a Nomad in the US?
Some have criticized the United States for its work ethic, especially in many other countries. It’s not that we are bad at our work. It’s that we work differently.
Several European countries take off two or three hours in the middle of the day for lunch and siestas. As a result, they work into the evening, with a late dinner and less stress about accomplishing their work within a tight time frame.
There seems to be fewer boundaries between home life and work life, with a calm acceptance of this interchange. Americans typically work from 8 to 5 with one hour for lunch, trying to get everything done within 9 hours. They venture home during rush hour and try to forget about what their employer needs from them until the following day.
As a nomad, you may have the opportunity to schedule your work time around your life, much like Italians or Spaniards. It is possible to be a working nomad in the US because you can be your own boss and, in some instances, make your own rules.
Let’s look at how some full-time RV nomads support themselves while traveling.
What Do American Nomads Do for Work?
With the advent of the internet, finding work has become much easier, and many jobs have opened up because you can accomplish them online. From business consulting to online product or service sales, working online has made making a living much easier for those who don’t go to the office every day.
Many nomads have also found work that doesn’t involve computers and internet services. Some travelers have service skills and pick up a job whenever they are in a community that offers employment.
These jobs might include waiting tables, car maintenance and repair jobs, short-term instruction and teaching opportunities like weekend workshops, art creation, sales, and even speaking engagements.
Hairstylists and dog groomers usually find good work by putting out a sign at the campground where they are living. Someone in that same campground will always be looking for an RV tech, as well.
Other nomads who have professional skills can find work as traveling nurses, construction supervisors, educators, and entertainers. These jobs usually involve short-term contracts and can pay very well.
7 Jobs for USA Nomads
Most of the jobs listed below can be online, so we’ll call these workers “digital nomads.” If you have specific skills in one of these areas, you shouldn’t have difficulty finding work that you can tailor to your schedule, with a few exceptions.
1. Virtual Assistant
Do you have experience as an office manager, or are you great at time management and organization? If you can keep others on task, a virtual assistant job may be right up your alley.
The job usually involves taking care of a customer’s emails, answering phones, creating templates and correspondence, and other tasks for individual businesses. You would most likely be an independent contractor, but you can work from almost anywhere because your duties would be online.
2. Workamping
Workamping is trading your work for a campsite. It’s not always a paying gig. However, some workamping positions give you a campsite and some pay.
For instance, you might qualify at the management level of a workamping job, and your employer may include base pay and a free campsite and utilities. You will need to shop wisely for those jobs when applying as a workamper.
Workamping job responsibilities can run the gamut, from waiting tables at a season park to camp hosting at a national forest campground. You may find a front desk position or work as a maintenance tech, and some lucky soul may get a job giving tours of lighthouses in exchange for a campsite.
3. Writer and Content Creator
Content creation can cover various jobs, from writing for your blog, writing for a business blog to writing for a magazine, or creating stories with images! With the number of people vying for fresh content online, the field is open.
These jobs are more difficult to find than you might think. You must market your work to those who need content. You‘ll need your work published before you apply to write content for someone else.
Years of experience have proven that the best way to find a content creator job is to have several samples of your work available and know someone who can recommend you to a prospective employer. This would be an independent contractor position, so there usually aren’t benefits.
You may get on with a well-respected magazine, newspaper, or online journal that could put you on staff. It’s the perfect setup, as you can write from anywhere!
4. Computer Programmer
With skills as a computer program or software designer, the jobs are endless for a digital nomad. You can work while on the road and even pick up work gigs as you travel.
You can find positions through specific companies, but there is more availability for contract labor assignments from individuals or job finding services.
5. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are in high demand, so with the proper software and experience, you can take jobs online or in person at stops along your travel route. You can complete and bill them digitally, as well.
From digital designs to physical products like signs, logos, and marketing material, graphic design work can be a lucrative way to fund your travels.
6. Video Editor or Producer
With the explosion of YouTube, everyone’s starting a channel, but not everyone knows how to edit videos. If you have the cameras, equipment, software, and knowledge needed, you can carry on your business virtually. You can even upload completed assignments without meeting face to face.
A personal touch may be required, filming content for or of your client. Producing videos is another niche opportunity, as not many people have experience putting all of the parts together for a well-produced end product. Production may require more on-the-ground work, with online work in the finishing process.
7. Online Teacher
Several companies hire those with teaching experience to handle online teaching. The most popular instruction is teaching English to young children. In this case, you would be working for a company, and your ability to schedule is somewhat limiting because it will depend on when the students can meet with you online.
Some jobs in this arena don’t require a teaching certificate, but they thoroughly screen applicants for instructional abilities. The pay is usually around $20 per hour of teaching.
Where Is the Best Place to Find Remote Jobs?
Because of the popularity of online and remote work, job listing companies have popped up all over the place. For workamping positions, check with Workamper or HappyVagabonds. You can also look at businesses that might offer seasonal work like amusement parks, canneries, dude ranches, and specific campgrounds.
Indeed and FlexJobs are great for virtual assistant, graphic designer, or computer programmer jobs. Don’t overlook social media companies like LinkedIn when looking for individual jobs through your contacts. You can discover teaching job information from companies like VIPKid.
You can find professional service jobs like travel nursing through hospital services. Most writing assignments come from editors, so you may have to approach companies about creating content for their various media outlets.
How Hard Is It to Find a Remote Job?
Finding jobs as a digital nomad can be complex. Sometimes you have to “know somebody who knows somebody.” Most of the positions listed above take some research and self-promotion.
If working for a company gives you security, talk with companies who offer work you are trained for. But if you want to design your job around your life of travel, you may have to be an entrepreneur.
Seek out the work you wish to do by promoting your skills to those who might need them. Either way, being able to work remotely is a gift that most people dream about but few attain. So be one of the few!
If You Love RVing, You Need to Stay Informed
Don’t rely on biased RV industry news sources to keep you informed with RVing news.
Stick with Nomadic News. We publish daily articles and breaking stories that matter to your RV lifestyle.
