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.