23 Stellar Jobs for Backpackers

If you're a backpacker looking for seasonal or casual jobs, check out these 23 best jobs that let you earn extra while

23 Best Traveling Jobs for Backpackers

1) Restaurant or Cafe All Rounder

Salary Expectation: Varies by location.

You'll handle a mix of tasks like taking orders, serving food and drinks, and even some light kitchen work. Working at a restaurant or a local café is a popular choice for many backpackers because these jobs are often seasonal jobs and don't involve long-term contracts. It offers flexibility since you'll work rotating shifts, not to mention you can easily switch your working location and meet more locals or other fellow travelers. Plus, working in a lively environment means you’re always in the middle of the action, which can be a lot of fun. Many restaurants and cafes hire on a seasonal basis, making it easier to find short-term gigs that align with your travel plans.

There is no fixed salary expectation for this job because it depends on the country you're traveling to. For instance, in countries with a tipping culture like the United States, your salary can vary significantly compared to a country like Australia, where the average hourly wage for a cafe all-rounder is $27.43 per hour. Be sure to research the minimum wage of your travel destination so that you can negotiate the salary accordingly.

2) Barista

Salary Expectation: $25,000 - $35,000 per year, plus tips

If you love coffee and enjoy a fast-paced environment, working as a barista is a great way to earn while traveling. You’ll not only pick up some impressive coffee-making skills but also get to interact with a diverse range of customers.

Coffee shops are often found in tourist areas, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to land a job wherever you go.

The role usually comes with flexible hours, leaving you with plenty of time to explore your surroundings.

Same as being a cafe all-rounder, being a barista means your earnings will also vary by location, but you can expect to earn around $25,000 - $35,000 unless you're traveling Southeast Asian countries, where the minimum wage is often lower than other English-speaking or European countries.

3) Bartender

Salary Expectation: $20,000 - $40,000 per year, plus tips

Bartending is a popular job among travelers because it’s social, energetic, and often well-tipped. You’ll mix drinks, chat with customers, and maybe even pick up some flair bartending skills. Many bars, especially in tourist hotspots, are used to hiring travelers, so you can often find short-term work without much hassle. Bartending also offers the chance to work nights, leaving your days free to explore.

💡 Pro Tips: A lot of time, restaurants, cafes, and bars will offer their employee free food, which can help cover part of their living costs.

4) Retail Worker

Salary Expectation: $22,000 - $30,000 per year

If you don't want to work in the F&B industry, you can also consider being a retail worker. It is a straightforward job that can be found in almost every destination. Whether it’s a boutique shop, a souvenir store, or a department store, these jobs usually don’t require prior experience and are easy for travelers to pick up.

Retail work allows you to interact with locals and other tourists, giving you insight into the local culture. Plus, it’s a great way to improve your language skills if you’re in a non-English-speaking country. Big retail companies like Zara, H&M, and Target often open seasonal work programs.

5) Cruise Ship Worker

Salary Expectation: $20,000 - $50,000 per year, plus free accommodation and meals

Working on a cruise ship is one of the most unique traveling jobs out there. It’s an all-encompassing experience where your job is to ensure passengers have an unforgettable vacation. There are various roles available, from housekeeping and waitstaff to entertainers and tour guides. The best part? You get to visit multiple destinations without worrying about accommodation or food expenses. However, be prepared for long hours and being away from home for extended periods.

6) Hostel Worker

Salary Expectation: $15,000 - $25,000 per year, often including free accommodation.

Hostels are the go-to accommodation for budget travelers, and they often hire backpackers for short-term work. Jobs can include front desk duties, cleaning, organizing events, or even leading tours. Working in a hostel is a great way to meet fellow travelers and immerse yourself in the backpacking community. Many hostels offer free accommodation in exchange for work, making it a cost-effective way to extend your travels.

Hostel jobs posted are available on sites like Cake, LinkedIn, Seek, Indeed, etc. You can also ask your hostel managers and receptionists for more details.

7) Farm Hand (Strongly Recommended for Working Holiday Visa Holders)

Salary Expectation: $20,000 - $35,000 per year

A working holiday as a farmhand can be a physically demanding but rewarding experience. This job often involves tasks like fruit picking, crop planting, or taking care of animals.

Farm work is a popular choice in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where there are specific visa programs for working holidaymakers. Farm work is usually seasonal, so it’s ideal for short-term stints. Plus, working in rural areas and organic farms gives you a different perspective of a country that you wouldn’t get from just visiting the cities.

💡 Pro Tips: Countries like Australia will require you to do specific labor work like farm hand or construction work in regional areas so that you're eligible to apply for a second working holiday visa.

8) House Sitter/Pet Sitter

Salary Expectation: $10,000 - $20,000 per year

House-sitting and pet-sitting are perfect for travelers who enjoy staying in one place for a while. Your main responsibility is to take care of someone’s home or pets while they’re away. This job often allows you to live rent-free, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

Websites like TrustedHousesitters connect homeowners with reliable sitters, making it easier to find opportunities. It’s a great way to experience life like a local while also having a base to explore the area.

9) Street Performer/ Musician

Salary Expectation: Varies greatly, usually $5,000 - $20,000 per year, depending on location and audience.

If you have a talent for music, magic, or any form of street performance, you can turn it into a traveling job. Street performing allows you to share your skills with a wide audience and earn money through tips. This job is not only financially rewarding but also gives you the freedom to perform in different cities and countries. It’s an adventurous way to travel, and you never know where your talents might take you. However, make sure to check local regulations, as street performance may require a permit in some areas, and you can only work for a few hours.

10) Au Pair

Salary Expectation: $10,000 per year

Being an au pair is an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion while living abroad. You’ll live with a host family, take care of their children, and assist with household chores.

The pay is modest, but your living expenses, including housing, food, and utilities, are typically covered, allowing you to save money or spend it on experiences. It’s an enriching way to learn a new language and integrate into a foreign culture. Popular destinations for au pairs include China, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe, with agencies available to match you with host families.

Many agencies will find host families for you. The biggest markets for au pairs are China, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe.

11) Yoga Instructor/Fitness Trainer

Salary Expectation: $40,000 per year

Personal trainers are no longer handcuffed to their gym. You can give people information on how to become more fit with online classes or consultations.

Fitness is a very visual industry, so make sure to build up a social media presence. Acquiring followers on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube with fitness tips and attractive visuals is a great way to gain customers for your fitness platform.

12) Language Tutor

Salary Expectation: $45,000 per year

Tutor your native language or any of the languages you’ve learned throughout the years. Since your job involves traveling, you’ll encounter many people who want to learn your native language. If you're from an English-speaking country, teach English abroad is one of the best jobs you can do since the pay is pretty high.

To consistently find in-person clients, you can check out Facebook groups dedicated to tutors, teachers, and language exchanges in the city you’re currently exploring. You can also apply to become a tutor on popular language platforms like Italki. The most desirable languages are English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and French.

13) Freelance Writer/Content Creator

Salary Expectation: $60,000 per year

Freelance writers are the workhorses of internet content creation. They create anything from informative articles found in Google searches to scripts for your favorite YouTube channels. The best way to become a freelance writer is to start writing! If you're willing to write for cheap, there are countless opportunities for writing, even at the entry level. Check for websites like Upwork or Fiverr for more freelance opportunities.

Writing every day is a good habit for improving your skills. You will also build a portfolio of work to share with more lucrative clients. 

14) Freelance Photographer/Videographer

Salary Expectation: $65,000 per year

Photographers can make a good living selling photos for stock images or taking freelance gigs with more specific assignments.

Create a website and Instagram to show off your wonderful talent to potential clients.

A lot of the work is done after the photo is taken, so make sure to learn how to use editing software, including Adobe Lightroom.

15) Freelance Graphic Designer

Salary Expectation: $50,000 per year

Graphic designers create visual content and designs tailored to their clients' needs. Branding, UX Design, and typography are the skills in demand by graphic designers. Recently, there has been massive demand for animation, so transitioning from Adobe Photoshop to more complex programs like Adobe Animate or Blender is a brilliant way to open up a new coveted career path.

📚 Further reading: Want to Know How To Become a Graphic Designer? Read This!

16) Freelance Developer

Salary Expectation: $100,000 per year

Developers write code for apps and other software products. After several months of consistent practice, you can get a fairly high-paying job even if you’re starting from scratch. The most effective method to learn coding while maintaining engagement is by creating your own app. Whether it's a calculator, slideshow, or simple game, building an app is an excellent way to grasp coding fundamentals while staying motivated.

While the specific programming language you choose to learn is not as crucial as understanding development concepts. Currently, the most in-demand languages are Python, C#, Java, and Golang.

17) Translator/Interpreter

Salary Expectation: $40,000 - $80,000 per year

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, working as a translator or interpreter can be a highly rewarding job while traveling. Translators work on written text, converting content from one language to another, while interpreters focus on spoken language in real time. This job is in high demand across various industries, including tourism, business, and international organizations.

As a translator, you can work remotely, handling projects such as translating documents, websites, or books. Interpreting, on the other hand, might require you to be physically present or available for remote video or phone calls. To succeed, you need excellent language skills, cultural sensitivity, and a keen eye for detail. Websites like ProZ.com and TranslatorsCafe are good starting points for finding freelance translation gigs.

18) Remote Customer Support Representative

Salary Expectation: $30,000 - $50,000 per year

As a remote customer support representative, you’ll assist customers with inquiries, issues, and complaints via phone, email, or chat. This role is well-suited for those who are patient, empathetic and have strong communication skills. The flexibility of remote work allows you to assist customers from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a reliable internet connection.

Customer support roles are abundant in various industries, from tech companies to online retailers, and many offer flexible hours, which is ideal for travelers. To excel in this job, familiarize yourself with customer relationship management (CRM) tools and strive to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. This role is perfect for travelers who enjoy helping others and solving problems while maintaining a stable income.

19) Virtual Assistant

Salary Expectation: $55,000 per year

Virtual assistants, or VA, handle administrative and day-to-day tasks for businesses. Acquiring organizational skills like email management, social media management, and web management are good tools to become competitive. Do not neglect your soft skills since VA deals with many different people on a daily basis.

📚 Further reading: Virtual Assistant Cover Letter with Example [Cover Letter Writing Guideline]

20) Travel Blogger/Vlogger

Salary Expectation: $2,000-$4,000 per month

What better traveling job is there than to write about your adventures while traveling? 

Becoming a blogger is a slow but rewarding process. You usually need a couple of years of consistent posting before you start making good money through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and advertisements.

Start learning about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and offer to guest/ghost write for successful blogs to build up your skills and reputation. 

21) Podcaster

Salary Expectation: 1,000-3000 dollars per month

Playing the stock market is a great way to travel abroad, but it is also one of the riskiest. Most people lose money their first year or two as they learn the craft of trading.

You’ll need to keep up with economic news and do research on industries that interest you.

Learn conservative strategies like “sculpting”. Conducting quick trades during the first 10 minutes of trading and finishing when you’re up 100-200 dollars is a good strategy. You should go into trading only if you have a good amount of money saved up.

22) Online Survey and Market Research

Salary Expectation: $20,000 per year

Participating in surveys is one of the easiest ways to make a buck, albeit it is time-consuming.

Sign up on sites like Survey Junkie and Curious Cat.  Do your research before joining a survey site as there are a lot of scams out there.

23) Transcriber

Salary Expectation: $45,000 per year

Transcribers convert audio content into text. They listen to files containing speeches and meetings and write down what is said.

Transcribers need to be precise. You find any audio to practice with. To become more time efficient, work on your typing skills.

Tips for Finding Jobs While Living Abroad

 Finding backpacker jobs requires a lot of hustle. But here are some tips:

• In-Person Networking: Get used to introducing yourself to new people. Networking is incredibly important for finding new gigs. Look for events that attract expats. They do not necessarily have to be career-focused events. You can socialize with other digital nomads while doing a fun activity or a casual night out at a bar.
• Online Networking: It’s easier to make close connections with people in person. However, there are only so many people you can reach out to in real life. On the internet, however, there are countless people you can connect with. Do not neglect online communities. Joining internet communities on social media platforms like Discord and Reddit can be a creative way to find jobs that involve traveling.  Job-seeking websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and CakeResume filters have “remote work” as an option. Tailor your resume to the needs of the job listing, and make your resume look professional. 
• Make The Job Come to You: Sometimes, the best-traveling jobs will find you rather than the other way around. Personal branding yourself as an authority figure with a strong presence on social media or on Google using SEO will have potential clients reaching out for your services. Becoming an authority figure is simple but requires a lot of work. Find a niche to build your presence around. Some niches are incredibly lucrative but are competitive; others might not yield much money, but it’ll be easier for you to become an authority figure. Whatever path you decide to choose for a career, make sure you do your job well. Referrals are among the best ways to get new clients. Word of mouth is strong.

If you’ve been dreaming of breaking free from the 9-to-5 grind and exploring the world, now is the perfect time. With many countries offering working holiday programs to young adults, you can explore most countries and access countless opportunities.

Follow Cake's Job for different job opportunities available across the APAC region.