Editor’s note: This post was originally published on April 14, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
So it’s official: You’ve decided that you want to become a digital nomad. Awesome! Join the club. You’re gonna love it.
Now, you just have to find the right digital nomad career.
Not quite sure what you want to do or what type of options are available to you? You’re in the right place. In this blog post, I compiled a list of the best LEGIT digital nomad careers organized by category (I say “legit” because, let’s be honest, there are a lot of sketchy jobs and scams out there).
I even created this handy Table of Contents for ya in case you see your dream job and want to skip right to it:
Table of Contents
Some of the jobs on this list require more experience and credentials, but others don’t require anything at all–except for a computer and Wifi connection.
Let’s start with…
Marketing
Marketing is all about understanding the needs and desires of your target audience and coming up with ways to connect with and sell to them.
To succeed in marketing, you have to continually experiment. Over and over again.
You’ve also gotta be okay with failure, because, welp, shit happens. Hate to break it to ya, but not every campaign is going to be a massive success.
Think you can handle it? Here’s a look at some of the different types of digital nomad careers in marketing you could pursue:
1. Copywriter
Ah, my personal favorite. Copywriting, which is the act of writing to sell, is THE highest paid writing profession (well, unless you’re JK Rowling). If you work in-house, you can make good money. But if you really want to charge big bucks, then go freelance. Because there’s almost no limit to what you can make as a freelance copywriter. There are even freelance copywriters who make millions of dollars per year.
To become a copywriter, you don’t need a degree, but you will need to UNlearn everything you learned in school (and learn to write like you speak).
Copywriting is all about getting inside your customer’s head and understanding their pain points, objections and desires. Copywriters need to research before writing to gain an understanding of their target audience, the brand, core message, objectives and competitors.
And then comes the fun part: coming up with attention-grabbing copy for ads, websites and other marketing material.
How much can you make?
Payscale claims that the average copywriter salary in the U.S. is $57,104.
But again, if you go freelance, you can make much more that that. Top freelance copywriters charge upwards of $5,000 per day, some even double.
How to get started
If you’re interested in becoming a freelance copywriter — or if you want to nail down the basics of copywriting — then this kit will help you get started:
2. SEO specialist
Search engine optimization (aka SEO) is the process of improving a website’s visibility in search engines. But your goal as an SEO specialist won’t just be to get more traffic to the website.
You need to think about getting high-quality traffic and providing your visitors with an amazing user experience from the second they land on your site.
If SEO is something you’re interested in, I highly recommend checking out Brian Dean’s blog posts. He’s the MASTER of SEO. If you can afford it, I’d also enroll in his SEO That Works course. I’ve taken it and it’s been extremely valuable for me from an SEO content standpoint.
How much can you make?
The average salary for a SEO specialist is $50,761. But (like with many of these other jobs) if you go freelance, you can earn much more than that.
3. Email marketing specialist
This one probably doesn’t need much explanation: Email marketers create, set up and launch email campaigns.
Then, they test, track and optimize to improve things like open rate and click-through-rate.
How much can you make?
The average salary for an email marketer is $56,415. But that’s average. If you’re good (and get results), then you can earn much more.
4. Growth marketer
Compared to traditional marketing, growth marketing focuses on the entire sales funnel, as opposed to just top-of-the-funnel (bringing in leads).
Growth marketers try to improve the customer experience and bring in more engaged customers using a data-driven approach.
To become a growth marketer, you’ll need some marketing experience. Start with an entry-level marketing role and then work your way up.
How much can you make?
Growth marketing is one of the highest paid marketing jobs, paying an average of $108,000 per year (base).
5. Content marketing specialist
Love to write and people hack? You might enjoy content marketing.
Content marketers focus on creating, promoting and distributing content to increase web traffic, attract prospects and nurture leads. Unlike copywriting, it’s focused on educating an audience and building relationships (rather than persuading and selling).
I worked in content marketing for several years and can tell you that no day is ever the same.
To be a good content marketer, you’ve gotta be intentional. Don’t just do something because everyone else is doing it. Think about what your audience wants first and foremost.
How much can you make?
I only made $23/hour as a content marketer – but that was on the low end (and a few years ago). Today, the average is $55,861. But I’ve seen jobs that pay in the six figures.
6. Social media marketer
Addicted to social media? Then why not make a living out of it!
Social media marketers craft strategies and campaigns that boost engagement, turn followers into loyal customers, and turn customers into brand advocates (the cheapest form of marketing!).
How much can you make?
The average base salary for a social media marketer is $59,691.
7. Conversion rate optimization (CRO) specialist
Conversion rate optimization is the process of getting more website visitors to convert or take action on a site, be that filling out a form, signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.
CRO specialists look for ways to improve the website and content to maximize conversions. They’re always analyzing and interpreting data and testing out new things to find the best conversion paths.
How much can you make?
The average salary for a CRO specialist is $65,434.
8. Paid ads specialist
You know when you go to Google to search for something and you see those ads at the top of the search results page:
That’s the work of a paid ads specialist (or PPC specialist). They manage advertising campaigns, with the goal being to increase impressions, clicks and conversions–at the lowest cost possible.
Because it’s so directly tied to results, this role might feel more high pressure than some of the other jobs on this list.
How much can you make?
9. Data analyst
A data analyst helps a company determine what their audience wants. They collect and interpret data, and then turn it into actionable insights for decision-makers.
To be a data analyst, you’ve gotta be an expert in quantitative and qualitative market analysis. You should have a background in statistics and solid math and analytical skills.
How much can you make?
10. Product marketing specialist
Interested in more of the product side of marketing? Product marketers introduce a product to the market and drive demand for that product. They look for ways to differentiate and promote the product and sell it to the customer.
How much can you make?
Best entry-level marketing positions
Don’t have any marketing experience? Don’t sweat it. There are a ton of entry-level marketing jobs out there. Keep your eyes peeled for titles like…
- Paid Ads Specialist (or PPC Specialist)
- Content Marketing Specialist
- Social Media Specialist
- Marketing Assistant
- SEO Specialist
- Email Marketer
My advice? Go niche. With few exceptions, it’s much better to be a specialist in one area than a jack of all trades.
Before applying to jobs, take some courses online in the area that you’re interested in. Hubspot offers a ton of free courses, and you can add the certifications to your portfolio once you finish.
Then when you’re feeling fairly confident in your marketing skills (and you’ve got a portfolio or blog that shows them off), you can apply to jobs. Here are a few websites with remote marketing positions:
- Weworkremotely.com
- AngelList (be sure to filter for Remote)
- iheartremotework
- Flexjobs
This article has a more comprehensive list of some websites you could check out.
Writing-related digital nomad careers
Love to write and want to make a living from it? In addition to copywriting, here are some more legit digital nomad careers that require writing skills.
11. Ghostwriter
As a ghostwriter, you’ll be writing for someone else without getting credited for the work (but you should be able to keep the writing on your portfolio).
How much can you make?
12. Freelance journalist
If you prefer news and story writing, you could become a freelance journalist and write for news organizations.
How much can you make?
Around $44,948/year
13. Editor
Got a knack for editing?
If so, you might want to consider working as an editor. Unlike proofreaders, editors work to improve the style, clarity and readability of writing. They try to cut down on wordiness and clarify ambiguity.
How much can you make?
14. Blogger
This won’t make you money right away but once you gain steady traffic to your blog, the options are limitless. You can monetize with affiliate marketing, ads, digital products or courses…
If you decide to get into blogging, be sure to choose a niche that you’re passionate about. Otherwise, you’ll burn out pretty quick.
How much can you make?
The average blogger makes $48,564, but some make much more than that. This one blogger made over $100k in just ONE month.
Professional services
Here are a few jobs that (might) require a certification.
15. Translator
Fluent in more than one language? You could look into becoming a translator, someone who translates written text from one language to another (not to be confused with an interpreter, who translates oral messages).
You’ll have to be okay with sitting with and working through large texts at a time. So if you’re someone that needs more stimulation, then this job probably isn’t for you.
How much can you make?
The average pay for translators is $23.07/hour.
One of the biggest determining factors for how much you get paid as a translator are the languages that you translate to/from. The highest paying languages for translator jobs are German, Mandarin and Arabic.
Whereas if you’re translating from a more competitive language pair (like Spanish-English or English-Spanish) you might not make as much because there are many other translators offering that service.
You’ll also get paid more if you choose an area of specialization and industry that’s in high demand. Some of the higher paying industries include information technology, legal, medical and engineering. Think about where there’s high demand and low competition.
But, like with anything, if you’re good at what you do, you have the potential to earn much more than that (even with a competitive language pair). One Spanish-English and English-Spanish translator from Expert Vagabond makes in the six figures!
Finding a digital nomad translator career
Interested in taking the next step here? According to expert translator, Alexandra, many translator jobs don’t require any sort of degree or certification. Unless the job is in a more specialized industry, like medical or legal.
To find jobs, check out Proz, Gengo and Translator’s Cafe. If you’re just starting out, you might have more luck landing gigs on the lower-paying platforms (like Upwork and PeoplePerHour), at least until you build your portfolio.
16. Bookkeeper
Are you a numbers person? Preferably with a background in finance or accounting?
If so, you could become a bookkeeper. A bookkeeper is someone who’s in charge of recording a company’s everyday financial transactions — like payroll, sales and expenses.
Other responsibilities include: completing tax forms, entering data, creating financial reports, checking records and processing accounts receivable/payable. Bookkeepers often work with software programs like Freshbooks and Quickbooks.
So do you need an accounting degree?
Nah. It helps, but you can do without it. Many bookkeeping jobs don’t even require a college diploma.
Unlike accountants (who tend to work for larger organizations), bookkeepers work for small businesses and deal with a lot of routine transactions.
How much can you make?
According to good ol’ Payscale, the average hourly wage for a bookkeeper is $19.23 per hour.
Like with any job, your rate will depend on how much experience you have, your education, certifications, and the company you work for.
But like with copywriting, if you go freelance, you have the potential to earn much more. Even three times the typical salary.
Finding a digital nomad bookkeeping career
You can find freelance bookkeeping gigs on sites like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, Remote.co and Flexjobs.
Prefer to start your own bookkeeping business? Check out this website.
17. Online notary
As an online notary, you’ll be responsible for legalizing documents. You’ll need to become a traditional notary first and will have to pay a fee to get started. But if you make it into a full-time (or even part-time) career, it could be worth it.
Find out more about the process and requirements here.
How much can you make?
The average total pay for an online notary is $55,590/year.
18. Personal trainer
Know a lot about fitness? You could become an online personal trainer.
Okay, I know what you might be thinking: But doesn’t a personal trainer have to work in a gym?
Not in 2023! Get on an app like TrueCoach and Trainerize and you can train from anywhere.
But if you want a lil’ credibility, get certified first.
How much can you make?
The average hourly rate for an online personal trainer is $28.56/hour.
Audio/video
More of a visual or auditory person? See if any of these jobs strike your fancy:
19. Video Editor
Got a background in film or video creation?
You could become a video editor, which is someone who cuts down on raw video footage and turns it into something fabulous. They also might add effects to the video like subtitles, music and animation.
How much can you make?
20. Youtuber
Got some skills or knowledge that you wanna share with the world? If you aren’t camera shy, you could become a Vlogger!
Like blogging, this probably isn’t going to make you money fast, but if you’ve got time (and moolah) to spare, it could be an option.
You’ll wanna first focus on growing your subscriber list. Once you do that, you can make money from ads and sponsorships.
How much can you make?
The average Youtuber makes $18 for every ad views. Obviously the more views you get, the more money you make.
The highest paid Youtuber in 2022 was MrBeast, who made $3M every MONTH.
21. Podcaster
The podcast and audiobook market is booming, so if you’ve got something valuable to share with the rest of the world, jump on the bandwagon and start your own podcast!
Once you have a decent amount of listeners, you can make money via sponsorships, courses, services…etc.
How much can you make?
Top-earning podcasters make millions. But the average income of a podcaster is just $32,275/year.
22. Online course creator
If you have a skill or knowledge that other people will pay for, you could create an online video course and sell it on Udemy or your own site (there are pros and cons to both, but if you don’t have any traffic to your site yet, you might wanna start with Udemy).
But first, check Udemy to see if your topic is popular (look at how many reviews there are for the courses on that topic). That’ll give you an idea of whether or not it’s worth it to proceed.
If it seems like the topic is popular enough, see what else is already out there, and think of how you could do it better. For your course to be successful, you’ve gotta create something that’s worth paying for.
How much can you make?
Many course-creators make upwards of $10k per month. With the average course-creator earning $86,938.
23. Voice actor
Got a sexy voice? Become a voice actor!
Voice actors record audiobooks, advertisements, dub foreign language films or narrate explainer videos.
If you wanna go this route, then invest in a good microphone and recording software.
How much can you make?
Entrepreneurial
If you can afford to take on a bit of risk (or have a job to hold you over), you could try your hand at selling online or starting an online business.
24. Homemade crafter
Like to make crafts at home? Why not sell on Etsy (or create your own online shop)!
Just get some high-quality, professional-looking product photos and beautiful packaging to show off those goods of yours.
How much can you make?
It depends! But the median income of Etsy sellers is $49,960/year.
25. Print-on-demand seller
If you like designing things, you could try selling customized products online via a print-on-demand website like Printful.
So what should you print? Think about the latest trends and what people are currently buying.
How much can you make?
The average monthly salary is $4639/month or $27/hour.
26. Amazon FBA seller
To sell on Amazon, you have to:
- Decide what to sell (ideally a high-demand, low-competition product, priced around $40)
- Source the products from Alibaba
- Create a killer listing on Amazon
- Ship the products to the Amazon warehouse
- Promote your product
I‘ll let Amazon fill you in on all the deets.
How much can you make?
About half of FBA sellers make serious cash — with an annual profit of $12,000 to $300,000.
27. Dropshipper
Wanna get started in eCommerce but don’t have money to invest in a business? Enter…Dropshipping.
With dropshipping, you don’t hold inventory. It works like this: Someone makes a purchase from you. You notify the supplier. They ship the item directly to the customer.
You can set up a store on Shopify in an hour and import the products you want to sell using Oberlo.
But if you actually wanna sell products, you WILL have to invest money upfront in ads (or Instagram sponsorships) to drive traffic to your store.
The margins are low since you aren’t buying items in bulk. The shipping times tend to be long, sometimes up to 60 days. And let’s be honest: most customers don’t wanna wait around for that. So be prepared to deal with some pissed off customers from time to time.
There’s also a LOT of competition, since dropshippers sell generic products that can be found pretty much anywhere (like Amazon and Walmart). And suppliers can be unreliable. So pick wisely!
Ok, I didn’t mean to burst your bubble there. It may not be easy to succeed in dropshipping, but it IS possible.
To maximize your chances of success, choose a niche if you can (but make sure there’s enough demand for your product). Vet your suppliers beforehand. And make it clear why people should shop with you and not Amazon or another website. Do you offer bundled products at a discount? A year-long refund policy?
Since you’re selling generic products, you’ve GOT to find a way to sell your product like it’s one of a kind (even though obviously…it’s not).
How much can you make?
Successful dropshippers can make $50 to $5,000 in profit. The average dropshipper makes $39,287 per year.
More experience required
Got some experience up your belt? Or the time to get it? See if one of these digital nomad careers would be a good fit for ya:
28. Consultant
If you’ve got a skill that people will pay good money for, you could become a consultant and advise people on their businesses.
As a remote consultant, you can work full-time, part-time or as a contractor.
How much can you make?
This will depend on things like your industry and specialty, but the average salary for a business consultant is $79,518.
Finding a digital nomad consultant career
In order to become a consultant, you’ve gotta have some authority in the industry you want to work in. Don’t have that yet? Get started by taking courses and getting certified.
Create a website with your services. Then start networking however you can, online and in person (and get your elevator pitch ready).
Once you’re ready, here’s a list of 15 companies that hire remote consulting jobs.
29. Designer
As a designer, you have to know your way around Adobe Photoshop, In Design, Illustrator, Sketch, InVision etc. You’ll need to be able to conceptualize (translate ideas into design) and collaborate regularly with other people, like art directors, marketers and developers.
As for what types of jobs to pursue, you could be a graphic designer, web designer, logo designer…and you could work freelance, for an agency or in-house.
How much can you make?
The average pay for a graphic designer in the U.S. is $49,772.
But the more specialized you are, the better. The average salary of a UX designer, who focuses on the design of a website from a user experience standpoint, is $77,533.
This job is for you if
You’ve got an eye for pretty things. As a web designer, your client might tell you how they want their website to look and feel and give examples of websites that they like, and then you’ll be expected to turn those ideas into an eye-popping design.
30. Developer
If you love building things from scratch, then software development could be just the career for you.
Developers are in charge of building a website, application or another type of software. They’re also responsible for fixing bugs, maintaining software and troubleshooting quickly.
They have to work long hours and sometimes even jump in to fix something in the middle of the night or weekend.
The road to get there is NOT easy, but the payoff can make it worth it. These jobs tend to be in high demand and well compensated. So…
How much can you make?
So for some, those long hours and hard work just might be worth it.
Becoming a digital nomad developer
That said, software development isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s the kind of job that you’ve gotta LOVE doing–or you’ll be miserable. But if you enjoy problem-solving and are innately curious about coding, then it could be a good fit for you.
As they say, learning to code is like learning a new language. And developers tend to take a pride in their code, with the best ones able to write code in as few characters as possible.
Don’t have a programming background? You’ll need to either spend the time teaching yourself how to code or enroll in a coding bootcamp.
Either way, don’t expect to learn how to code overnight. The average bootcamp lasts around 3.5 months. If you’re learning on your own and working full time on top of that, it’ll probably take much longer.
But if you’re passionate about software development and stick with it, you’ll have a world of opportunities ahead of you.
31. Product manager
Product managers decide what products to build and help their team deliver them.
They might need to consider whether adding a certain feature to the product will be beneficial long-term for the company.
Good product managers ask questions. They talk to customers and internal stakeholders before making decisions. And they listen.
How much can you make?
Product managers tend to be compensated very well (even better than developers on average!). The average salary for a product manager is $146,902.
This digital nomad career is for you if
You’re constantly thinking about your customers’ problems and how you can fix them.
Do you know how to work well with people? Do you have a high level of emotional intelligence? Are you able to put yourself in the minds of others before making decisions? Are you innovative and forward-thinking?
If the answer to all of those questions is a resounding YES, then this digital nomad career may be for you.
Becoming a digital nomad product manager
If you wanna get into product management, the best way to start is by working your way up at a (remote) company. Maybe starting out in customer service or marketing.
Try applying to companies that at least have a product manager position available (which you could later move into). Orrrrr if you can prove to your employer that you’d be able to fulfill a need as a product manager, then, who knows, they might just create the position for you.
You could also try taking a stab at building a product yourself. From there…start networking!
32. Project manager
Just like it sounds, Project Managers take control of a project, from planning to execution to closing.
As a project manager, you’ll need to come up with a plan to deliver the project you’re leading, ensuring that things get done on time and on budget. To that that, you might need to micromanage everyone’s time a bit.
You’ll have to coordinate regularly with stakeholders and other members of the team or those involved in the project. When issues arise along the way, YOU will need to roll up your sleeves and take care of them.
You’ll also have to manage the team to make sure that everyone stays productive and happy. Think: team-building exercises and weekly happy hours (yup, it IS possible to do remotely!).
How much can you make?
With all that responsibility and management comes reward. The average salary for a project manager in the U.S. is $78,591.
This job is for you if
You’re a people person, able to stay organized and are the queen or king of multitasking. You should also be analytical, have good problem-solving skills, and be able to make decisions under pressure.
Prefer working on your own? Then, hate it to break it to ya, but project management probably isn’t the best career option for you.
Landing a project management digital nomad career
Like product management, it’ll be difficult to land a job at a company as a project manager without any experience. You’ll most likely have to prove yourself and work your way up the ladder.
So… if you’re currently working at a company, see if there’s opportunity to take on any projects. You can then use those projects to show on your resume when applying to remote jobs.
Or consider applying to entry-level positions at remote companies first, and then take on whatever projects you can to prove yourself.
No experience required
If you’re looking for a digital nomad career that doesn’t require much (or any) experience, I’d recommend:
33. Transcriber
Are you a fast typer? Want a job where you don’t have to think?
You could become a transcriber, which is someone who listens to audio or video recordings and types out what they hear to turn the recording into written form.
Transcribers might also review and edit transcriptions created by speech recognition software.
To succeed as a transcriber, you should be detail-oriented, have solid listening skills (well, duh) and the ability to focus for long periods of time.
How much can you make?
Not much. The average is $18.58/hour.
However, the transcription company, TranscribeMe, claims that those with specialized medical and legal backgrounds make more, so focus on those industries if you can until you can work your way up to a higher rate.
Many jobs pay by the word, so if you don’t type quickly, then you won’t make very much.
Where to find digital nomad transcription jobs
TranscribeMe claims to pay more than anyone else, so I reckon that would be a good place to start.
To work for TranscribeMe, all you have to do is create an account, check the languages that you’re able to transcribe in, and read a few lengthy documents (their style guide, which is 39 pages, and their exam instructions, 14 pages).
Then, you take an exam to see if you qualify. If approved, they’ll send you “short chunks of audio to transcribe.”
You could also check out Daily Transcription. They accept beginners, but require a minimum typing speed of 50 wpm. Their rates start at $.75 to $.85 per audio minute.
GoTranscript is another option that pays up to $.60 per audio or video minute. Although judging from the average earnings (just $150 per month), it seems like this site might be best if you’re just after a side gig.
34. Teacher/tutor
Nowadays, you can teach almost anything online, from photography to music to math.
I taught English on Verbling many years ago and made around $20 per hour for very simple conversational classes (just being paid to talk to people). Pretty easy money!
The downside to teaching English online is that there’s a ton of competition and it can be hard to get consistent clients. You have to really work to build up a steady client base before this can become a full-time job.
You might also have to give a free trial of your class in order to land your first clients.
How much can you make?
As an English (ESL) teacher, you can expect to make $50,008 per year.
Responsibilities of online teachers
Based on your students’ goals, you’ll need to prepare an agenda and lesson plan for (each) class and maybe even assign them homework.
The responsibilities will depend on the job and what you’re teaching. So as an ESL teacher, you’ll obviously need to have a solid understanding of English grammar if you want to teach beginner levels (for conversational classes, this shouldn’t be necessary). Some websites also ask for teaching certifications and qualifications.
You also have to know how to adapt to different learning styles. Some students might be more visual, while others might be more auditory. Some might be both. It’s YOUR job to adjust to and accommodate to them.
Where to find digital nomad home teaching jobs
Again, this will depend on what you want to teach. Classgap, Preply and Takelessons give all types of private classes online.
If you want to teach English as a second language, you could also check out italki, Verbling and Vipkid.
Or if you prefer to go the more traditional route, you could become a full-time schoolteacher through an online learning provider like K12 or Connections Academy.
35. Virtual assistant (VA)
This was actually my very first digital nomad career (and then I transitioned into my role as a content marketer shortly after).
A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who helps their employer with a range of tasks, like responding to emails, bookkeeping and marketing assistance. What you do as a VA will depend on your employer and their needs.
But you should be organized and know how to manage your time efficiently. You’ve also gotta have top-notch written and verbal communication skills (or at least be able to answer the phone and write emails without sounding like a buffoon).
How much can you make?
Ah. That fun question.
The average pay for a virtual assistant in the U.S. is $17.55/hour.
If you’re considering becoming a VA, be careful not to price your services too low. Remember that, unless you’re a full-time employee for a company, you’ll have to pay self-employment tax and cover your own medical insurance, sick days and holidays.
To give you an idea, virtual assistant guru, Gina Horkey, said that she charged $34 per hour when starting out. But like with any job, the more skills that you have to offer, the more you can charge.
Virtual assistant responsibilities
It will depend on the client, but here are a few responsibilities you might have as a virtual assistant:
- Data entry
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- Checking and responding to emails
- Answering and returning phone calls
- Managing your client’s calendar
- Booking flights
- Blog management
- And much, much more
VAs tend to work for entrepreneurs or small businesses, but can also work for busy executives. A good VA helps the person they’re working for save time and focus on the things that only they can do.
Where to find digital nomad virtual assistant jobs
Like what you’re hearing so far? Here are a few websites where you can find virtual assistant jobs:
You might also want to check out the Facebook groups for remote workers and digital nomads (like Digital Nomads Around the World, Digital Nomads Medellin, Chiang Mai Digital Nomads etc), which are filled with remote workers and entrepreneurs who might be on the lookout for a virtual assistant.
You could try doing a search in these groups for “virtual assistant” to see if anyone’s hiring…or post in the group and explain what you’re offering.
36. Customer service rep
Just like it sounds, a customer service representative helps customers over the phone, via chat or email. They answer questions; respond to complaints; manage calls; and assist with orders, billing, cancellations and the like.
How much can you make?
$15.74/hour is the average hourly rate of a customer service rep.
Should you be a customer service rep?
If you’re a people-person, patient and able to keep your cool when dealing with customers that are flying off the handle (props to you), then this job could be perfect for you.
To be a good customer service rep, then you’ve gotta have empathy and be okay with being on the phone for hours on end.
Fun fact: An employee at Zappos, the online retailer known for their excellent customer service, once had a phone conversation with a customer that lasted 10 hours and 43 minutes. True story.
Where to find digital nomad customer service jobs
Weworkremotely.com posts a ton of customer support jobs. You could also check out other remote job sites, like Flexjobs and remotive.io. Or fill out an application with staffing companies, like Liveops and Arise.
37. Proofreader
A proofreader reviews content and checks for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Unlike editors, proofreaders don’t focus on writing quality.
Proofreading requires a keen eye for detail, a high level of written English (or whatever language you’re working in), and the ability to stay focused for long periods of time.
How much can you make?
38. User tester
User testing is the process of testing out the functionality and user experience of a website. All you have to do is spend some time on a website, record your experience, and maybe respond to a few questions.
How much can you make?
The website, Usertesting, pays $10 for every 15-20-minute test you take. You can also partake in user interviews, which pay even better: $30 for 30-minute interviews and $60 for 60-minute interviews.
But don’t lay all your eggs in this basket: It can be hard to qualify for the tests. So treat this one more like a side gig, and don’t rely on it as your sole source of income.
39. Content or community moderator
Content moderators review user-generated content (content submitted by users), user profiles, videos and text-based content, based on the company’s rules or guidelines.
Community moderators monitor discussion on websites or forums to make sure internet trolls don’t have too much fun.
How much can you make?
40. Data entry clerk
Data entry clerks spend their time entering and updating information in a company’s database and ensuring that everything is accurate.
Not asleep yet? Ok good! Then this job might be for you.
To succeed in data entry, you’ll need to be able to type at a decent speed, stay organized and be okay with doing the same task over…and over…and over again.
How much can you make?
Because data entry is the type of job that even a monkey could do, it’s often outsourced to those who are willing and able to work for next to nothing. So the pay is notoriously bad, especially for data entry work-for-home jobs. According to Indeed, most jobs pay $17.80/hour.
There’s also high competition for these jobs, especially the ones that pay decently.
Look out for data entry scams
Unfortunately, data entry job scams abound. To make sure you don’t fall victim to one, check the website of the hiring company before sending over any personal information and, whatever you do, do NOT pay for anything upfront (like a paid training program). Some scams will guarantee you training that you’ll never receive.
And remember: if a job looks too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut.
There ARE some legit companies out there that hire data entry clerks. Focus your energies on them.
Oh and look for companies based in California, Illinois, Texas, New York and Florida since according to the BLS, these are the states with the most data entry opportunities and the ones that pay the best.
Pro Tip: If you can find a transcription job, even better. Transcription jobs are somewhat similar to data entry jobs, but require more skill (such as excellent English comprehension and writing skills), so they’ll pay more.
Need a digital nomad career like…yesterday?
If you’ve gotta start raking in the moolah, try searching for easy gigs on the lower-paying job sites like Upwork, Fiverr and Peopleperhour.
You might have to price your services lower than competition to start out–but then you can raise them as you get more experience and build a portfolio.
If you literally can’t wait another second, then user testing, teaching English and transcribing are probably your safest bets. All you have to do is create an account (and get approved).
But don’t sell yourself too short. These jobs are a great place to start and are probably going to be easier to get without experience, but if you put the time into applying, you can definitely land other types of digital nomad careers without any experience (like entry-level marketing jobs).
Which of these digital nomad careers is for you?
Hopefully one of those digital nomad careers sparked your interest. Whether you’re looking for a digital nomad job that you could do in your sleep or one that challenges you and lights you up, there’s something out there for everyone.
And remember: If you’re interested in becoming a freelance copywriter, then be sure to check out the Nomad Copywriter Starter Kit:
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