photo: Alex Dram
Does being location-independent mean you have to work online?
Absolutely not. While earning an income online does have its benefits, being a digital nomad is not the only path to location independence. Even jobs that have traditionally been done out of an office or studio can be mobilized. You may have to think outside the box when it comes to marketing and providing services, but nearly any “regular” job can be transformed to fit into a nomadic lifestyle.
From A to Z, here are 26 non-computer jobs that you can mix with travel. If you don’t see your job here, take a look at my series on how to make your existing job location independent.
A is for…
Acupuncturist
Poke holes in people worldwide. To connect with people who are already doing this, check out the Facebook group for traveling acupuncturists. Here’s an amazing video of Acupuncturists Without Borders treating amputees in Haiti:
B is for…
Bartender
You could be mixing drinks all over the planet! Read an interview with a World Traveling Bartender.
C is for…
Consultant
If you consult in your hometown, you can consult anywhere in the world. Just spread the word that you’re available to travel…you may be surprised at the offers you get.
D is for…
Diver
Diving certification leads to exciting jobs in amazing places, as these two professional diving couples learned.
E is for…
Electrician
Plenty of electricians work out of their RVs while they travel the country. Just google “traveling electrician” for lists of job openings.
F is for…
Farmer
WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help. Although you will not earn any money doing this, your food and accommodation will be covered. Here’s a video about how it works:
G is for…
Gardener
Yet another a great profession to take on the road in your RV, or you can market yourself as a property caretaker and live in various locations for a few weeks or months at a time.
H is for…
Hair Stylist
Hair stylists can always find work among expats, backpackers and digital nomads. You can make a good living even if you don’t charge $1,400 a session like hair stylist John Nollet.
photo: www.john-nollet.com
I is for…
Illusionist
Take the show on the road! That’s what 21 year old mind illusionist Tom Devoe did in 2009. Here’s an article about Tom and below is a short video.
J is for…
Jeweler
Sell your work at shows and craft fairs. Or expand your jewelry business by becoming an importer and collecting beautiful pieces from all over the planet.
K is for…
Kitchen Staff
Kitchen-related jobs are in high demand on land and water, especially if you’re willing to work odd hours and have a flexible travel schedule. Check out job openings on cruise ships.
L is for…
Laborer
Another way to earn good money while you enjoy the leisurely RV lifestyle.
M is for…
Massage Therapist
Who in the world doesn’t love a good massage?
N is for…
Nurse
It’s easy to mobilize your nursing career.
O is for…
Occupational Therapist
Provide on-the-go care to anyone from battered adventure sports enthusiasts to digital nomads with repetitive stress injuries. Or accept short-term contracts in various locations and enjoy the boost in salary.
P is for…
Personal Assistant
One lucky woman landed a job as Edward de Bono‘s traveling personal assistant and got to go all over the world with him.
Q is for…
Quality Control Inspector
Market yourself as a traveling quality control consultant, attach yourself to a transportation or hospitality industry, or take on short-term contracts in different parts of the world.
R is for…
Research Assistant
Do projects for guidebook writers, expats, novelists, and any busy person who doesn’t have time to do their own research.
S is for…
Security Officer
Pick up temporary or seasonal work at concerts, shows, malls, schools, and campsites.
P is for…
Professor
Over at the Other Guy’s Dime Blog, retired computer science professor Michael shares his secrets: how he lived and worked overseas fourteen different times – Australia to Zimbabwe, Mauritius to Mongolia – for periods of 1 to 8 months, all without reaching into his own wallet and without ever giving up his day job.
T is for…
Tax Accountant
This is a great job to take nationwide or internationally.
U is for…
Usher
Look for temporary or seasonal work at music halls, theaters, weddings, banquets, concerts and plays.
V is for…
Vendor
If you already sell your work at arts and crafts fairs, it doesn’t take a lot to make the switch to full-time travel. An RV or boat might be a good choice of accommodation, doubling as storage space for your wares.
W is for…
Woodworker
Another great niche profession to mobilize through the RV lifestyle.
X is for…
X-ray Technician
Believe it or not, this job is not something I made up just so I wouldn’t have to skip X. Check out Melissa Slate’s article Landing a Traveling X- Ray Technician Job.
Y is for…
Yoga Instructor
Work on board cruises, in holiday camps and beach resorts, or give private lessons wherever you happen to be.
Z is for…
Zoologist
Travel the world and work with exotic animals.
Want More?
Corbett Barr wrote 3 great articles about non-tech jobs for nomads:
- 64 Ways Location Independent People Earn a Living
- Meet 6 People With Awesome Lifestyles Who Aren’t Technologists
- Meet 5 More People With Awesome Unconventional Lifestyles
Learn about working from an RV, and get 25 more mobile career ideas:
I want to help you find your calm center and experience travel with courage, curiosity and compassion.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jennifer Barry, Karen Ruby. Karen Ruby said: "The A to Z of Jobs for Computer-Illiterate Nomads" – http://bit.ly/cuy7jv via http://www.anomadslot.com/ [...]
Here’s another one: teacher. I want to get out of teaching but I will say this about it: teaching can get you around the world!
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