Last Updated on December 9, 2023 by Jess
What kind of seasonal jobs can you find while traveling?
Most RVers would love to be free to travel without having to worry about money. But unless you’re retired and have a nice pension, that’s probably not the case for you. There are many RVers who still need to make a living. If you’re traveling to escape the cold winters, you may be interested in seasonal employment opportunities.
You might think that you can’t find work if you travel a lot. But on the contrary, there are many places where you can find seasonal work or gig-style jobs. If you have marketable skills and resources, you can find work almost anywhere! Of course, your options are somewhat limited if you only plan to stay for a few months, but don’t let that discourage you.
In the following, we present various options for seasonal employment. Depending on your age, health, skills and vehicle(s), some may be more suitable for you than others. However, we cover all areas, so you should find at least one opportunity that is right for you!
Before we get into local jobs, consider the option of remote work. Many RVers choose this route because it allows them to keep a steady job while traveling around the country. There are many different remote jobs available, and many of them pay well!
If you’re only looking for short-term work for the duration of your trip, you may be able to take on creative work such as writing, graphic design, etc. Some websites will even hire you to transcribe text for videos, conduct surveys or review advertisements.
Of course, the pay for these short-term jobs may not be enough to fund your lifestyle. But it could at least be a supplement to your other options while you look for seasonal employment.
“I worked in an office for ~30 years, and then one thing led to another, and I was traveling internationally and had to communicate with three countries. At the time I was based in the UP of Michigan, but eventually convinced my boss to let me move back to TN where I set up a home office.
I was traveling so much that it made no difference where I was because I still had to get my work done. Wherever my laptop was, was my office, and I could work anywhere, in hotel rooms, airports, etc. In my last full year, I was on the road for more than 250 days.
I learned that if the type of work you do requires a lot of computer work, phone calls, video calls, conference calls, etc., you can work pretty much anywhere as long as you have a good internet connection. However, you have to be able to multitask, which means you have to be able to juggle tasks from any location, prioritize and be goal-oriented. I managed the activity of about a dozen senior staff, but they knew I had expectations and were generally able to do what I asked of them.
If that sounds like you, go for it.”
– via jacwjames, senior member of the iRV2 forums
Check the job postings
Once you’re settled into your snowbird campsite, you can start looking for local jobs. One of the best places to start is employment and job search websites. These days, there are many options on the Internet, and that may be the best way to get noticed by a potential employer.
Send a resume or application to any job that seems interesting to you. Some of the best job websites are:
- Indeed
- ZipRecuiter
- CoolWorks
- Backdoor jobs
- FlexJobs
- And more
If you want to be more specific, kamperjobs.com is a great resource for working RVers. This platform offers full-time and seasonal jobs for campers. There are job postings all over the country, from major cities to rural campgrounds.
Driving services
This next option depends on the type of motorhome you have. If you are only traveling with a large motorhome, you may be out of luck. However, if you have a towing vehicle or a second car that you tow behind the motorhome, you could be a seasonal driver.
As an RV driver, you’re probably used to driving through unfamiliar cities and navigating all kinds of roads. This could make you a prime candidate for jobs that revolve around transportation. These days, there’s a huge demand for qualified drivers.
You could earn extra money by delivering food for a service like DoorDash or GrubHub. If people need a ride around town, you could give them a ride as an Uber or Lyft driver. You’ll need to meet the qualifications for these jobs, but it shouldn’t be too hard as long as you’re a good driver.
Your pay will depend on how much people tip and how many orders you get, but the demand is usually pretty high. The more hours you can work, the more you can earn!
Cleaning or housekeeping jobs
Not everyone wants to spend all day driving around a city. If you prefer to visit just one or two places and then return to your campsite, you might prefer seasonal employment opportunities that involve cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
Everyone needs extra help with cleaning from time to time. If you are particularly skilled in this area, you can earn good money in a short time. Property managers often hire short-term cleaners to take care of their homes. You may also be able to find a job in a local hotel if they need help with housekeeping.
Campsite operators
One of the best jobs for a camper is working as a campsite operator or manager. As a winter vacationer, you need a place to stay for several months anyway, so why not manage the place? For many people, this is one of the best seasonal employment opportunities they could wish for.
Of course, you still have responsibilities. You’ll have to deal with rowdy guests, enforce rules, keep the campsite in shape and manage the comings and goings of travelers. From time to time you may even have to deal with wild animals and natural disasters!
But it’s a job that will keep you tethered to your motorhome, and there will be plenty of downtime too.
Agricultural work
Farms, orchards and field managers are always looking for seasonal workers. Harvest time is busy and many people are needed to pick, clean and transport the harvest. The pay is substantial (sometimes up to $2,500 per week), and you usually only have to work for a few weeks at a time.
You could also use your RVing skills by driving trucks and other farm equipment from place to place. After all, someone has to get the produce to its destination!
Tourism and entertainment
If you are camping in a touristy area, you can also try to find seasonal work at one of the nearby attractions. Each location has different opportunities. For example, you could work at an amusement park, drive a bus for cruise ship passengers, or work at a national or state park.
Again, your skills may play a role in whether you are eligible for some of these jobs. If you are a good swimmer, you could work as a lifeguard at a swimming pool. If you are good with wildlife in the area, you could work as a guide. Training is often possible, but it never hurts to play to your strengths.
Jobs in transportation
Finally, you can also take jobs where you transport goods over long distances. Many people pay good money to transport things they can’t transport themselves. Some travelers can take pets to new owners or deliver vehicles to a specific location.
If your motorhome has plenty of storage space, you can also use it to transport bulky items. Things like motorhomes, sports equipment and furniture are in high demand. It can be difficult to find a permanent job, but you can often get a decent commission for your transportation work.