10 Perfect Jobs for Digital Nomads

The life of a digital nomad is a highly sought-after lifestyle, but it's not all holiday resorts, tropical beaches, and jetting across the world. There's also a lot of hard work, self-determination, and sacrifices. Plus, there's the lack of security that comes from working for yourself without a fixed address. So, at the very least, it's certainly not for everyone.

If you are set on giving things a go, a potentially gratifying life awaits. But the question remains, how does one get started earning a living on the road? Such can be daunting at first, especially if you've worked most of your life in a typical 9-5. But, thankfully, there's more out there than you might think. And no, you don't necessarily need to be a tech geek either.

In this article, I'll guide you through 10 jobs that are perfect for those looking to become digital nomads. From high-earning career paths to entry-level positions and everything in between.

How to Earn a Living as a Digital Nomad

Living the life of a digital nomad might be as simple as an honest conversation with your boss. In the wake of pandemic life, more and more companies are now open to providing remote work for their employees.

However, If such doesn't prove a viable option, you need to look at either securing a remote job somewhere else or going freelance. The former will be more reliable but also less flexible. Meanwhile, with freelancing, you'll get to be your own boss, but it does come with its caveats—you'll need to manage your own taxes, retirement savings plan, and workload.

Whatever you do, you'll need proof that you can do the job at hand. Often for freelancers, this means creating and expanding a portfolio of work. If you're starting from scratch, it can take time to build a body of work and secure a continuous stream of incoming work. This can be challenging, and there is no guarantee of success.

No matter what type of freelance or remote work you plan to specialize in, there are a few universal skills and traits that you'll need to prosper:

• Self-motivation: While it might seem preferable to having a boss looking over your shoulder, relying on yourself isn't always easy. No one will tell you it's time to get to work, nor is there anyone to fall back on when you get things wrong.
• Good communication skills: Working remotely doesn't mean you won't need good communication skills. On the contrary, you'll likely need to master the art of the video call, and you'll need to keep on top of email and other forms of communication. Furthermore, things will only get more complicated if you work in different time zones from your client.
• Flexibility: Working remotely or freelance doesn't necessarily mean working when you feel like it. Instead, to meet your clients' needs, you'll likely need to be available at times that suit them.
• Good with money: This is especially true if you work freelance. That's because your stream of work will rarely be constant. As a result, some months will be better than others. Therefore, you'll need to learn how to budget for the future when times are good.

10 Digital Nomad Jobs

1. Virtual Assistant

Working as a VA is essentially like being a traveling receptionist or personal assistant. In practical terms, it means carrying out administrative tasks clients wants to outsource. At a basic level, this might mean Google research, phone calls, form filling jobs, and handling emails.

To make real money and stand out from the competition, you'll want to specialize in something, such as SEO, keyword research, or PPC marketing. Either way, VA work is flexible enough to be used either to bring in a supplementary income or as something more full-time.

2. Programmer

When people think of digital nomads, programmers are often the first thing that comes to mind. But, in truth, the reality isn't far off, and most digital nomads you'll run into on the road will likely be programmers.

In short, programmers write computer code for various software, including apps and websites. It's perhaps the most challenging field on this list to break into due to the steep learning curve required. However, if you can get the necessary training, you'll find yourself with one of the most sought-after skillsets on the market. The digital world is only getting bigger, after all.

3. Digital Entrepreneur

Another popular job role among digital nomads is that of a digital entrepreneur. But what exactly does that even mean?

Being a digital entrepreneur means taking the skillsets and approach of traditional entrepreneurs and applying them to the online world. Generally speaking, this means building services or websites that fulfill a need online. Often, an entrepreneur will then sell this service once it's established.

To succeed as a digital entrepreneur, you need to be a creative thinker, a marketer, have the skillset of a salesman, and the mindset of a businessman. You'll either be working by yourself or as part of a remote team, the latter requiring the addition of excellent management skills.

There's enormous potential for high earnings here. But there are also significant risks involved if your ideas flop.

4. Freelance Writer

Everything you see on the internet was written by somebody, and chances are, they didn't do it for free. Thankfully, you don't need to be the next Ernest Hemingway to make money online writing. But you do need drive and the will to hone your craft. You'll also need to learn to accept criticism from editors and audiences alike.

There are two main types of writing online: content writing and copywriting. Both tend to overlap at times, and you can either specialize in one or do a mix of both.

Content writing involves creating informative articles and blog posts for clients. On the other hand, copywriting is writing that aims to get a reader to take an action, such as buying a product or joining an email list.

You might also consider creating your own blog as a source of income. But beware that you'll be entering a saturated market. Furthermore, you'll likely need to invest considerable time and effort before seeing a single cent. It can be a great way of honing your craft and building a passive income, but you probably won't be able to make a living off it from the outset.

What about creative writing, you might be asking?

Creative writing refers to more artistic forms of writing such as scripts, novels, poetry, short stories, memoirs, and the like. Of course, you can make money this way, and many people do. However, most people who engage in this form of writing don't make enough to support themselves from this alone.

If you already have a passion for creative writing, you should, by all means, pursue it, but don't bank on such work funding your travels.

5. Customer or Technical Support Representative

A customer support representative helps customers find solutions when things go wrong with a product or service. It might not seem to be the most desirable job in the world. After all, who likes dealing with disgruntled customers?

On the other hand, you won't find any shortage of work. So, if you've got people skills, patience, and a love for helping others, you might find a rewarding job here that can help fund your travels.

A technical support representative is much the same thing but requires specialist knowledge. You likely won't be dealing with customers per se in this role but supporting internal IT systems. As such, it's a perfect role for those looking to transition from an IT-based role.

6. Language Teacher

English teachers are always in high demand worldwide, and, thanks to the wonders of the internet, you don't need a classroom to teach. And, since part of the joy of traveling is communicating with those of other cultures, this is an excellent fit for many nomads.

Of course, not everyone is out to learn English. So, if you happen to know another language, you'll likely discover plenty of opportunities to teach them.

7. Video Content Creator

"YouTube millionaire" might be the most sought-after job in the world. But while you're probably not going to be the next PewDiePie, don't dismiss the demand for video creation.

Video is, in many ways, the new written word of the internet. Not only are audiences always hungry for new content on YouTube and other video streaming services, but marketing and creative companies are always in need of new content.

The skills required to create and edit videos professionally are highly sought after. So, whether you're making content for others or vlogging, there is money to be made if you know what you are doing.

8. Data Entry

Data entry is pretty much what it sounds like and involves entering data into spreadsheets, databases, websites, and the like. While it might not be the most exhilarating job in the world, it is perfect for those looking for an entry-level position that often doesn't require a specific skillset or high-level education. There's a near-endless supply of work too.

The pay for this kind of work isn't often very high. But if you are planning to travel cheap, it's certainly an option.

9. Graphic Designer

We've talked about the need for video and text online, but of course, the internet needs a whole lot of illustrations too. Whether that means making logos, social media graphics, prints, or artwork, companies and individuals will pay you good money if you've got artistic talent.

There are many avenues for earning here, from selling pieces via an online store to taking commissions or offering entire company branding packages. And yes, your can also take advantage of the NFT craze if you know what you are doing.

10. Transcriptionist

Transcriptionists do precisely what you think they do; they transcribe (type) audio into text, whether said audio comes from audio media or video.

Basic transcription is relatively entry-level, although a little training and practice will be required. In addition, you'll need to be a fast typer and have a good ear. The latter will be particularly essential since you will likely listen to poor-quality audio at times.

More money can be made if you can translate audio content from other languages or if you enter the field of legal transcriptions, the latter of which can be pretty technical. In any case, being a transcriptionist is undoubtedly something you should consider, whether you are looking for a supplementary income or something more full-time.

Other Considerations

So, there we have it, 10 jobs that are perfect for digital nomads. But, of course, there are countless ways to make money. Furthermore, there are several things you can do to save money also. For example, jobs such as housesitting and volunteering may not bring in much money in the traditional sense, but they can cut accommodation and potentially even food costs.

It's important to consider that the life of a digital nomad doesn't necessarily need be expensive. After all, if you are on the road 24/7, you don't exactly need a lot of stuff. So you can either create another source of income by renting out your property or possessions or sell everything.

Ultimately, what type of work is right for you will depend on where you want to go, what kind of lifestyle you want while there, and how much it will cost. But although it won't always be easy, you can make your traveling dreams come true if you've got the determination.