Study Reveals The Most Appealing Jobs That Pay You To Travel The World

New research identifies influencers, travel bloggers, and pilots as top careers combining global travel with strong income potential

Key Findings:

• New study reveals which careers offer the best combination of travel opportunities, salary, and accessibility for those wanting to see the world while earning
• Influencers top ranking with highest ‘Travel Job Appeal Score,’ combining high earning potential (£51,619) with minimal qualification requirements
• Career expert explains how job seekers can break into these travel-focused roles, with several requiring no formal qualifications

For millions of people, the dream of getting paid to travel represents the ultimate career aspiration. Whether it’s exploring exotic destinations, experiencing different cultures, or simply escaping the routine of office life, many job seekers place global mobility at the top of their wishlist when considering career paths.

“The most exciting careers aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest paychecks – they’re the ones that let you collect stamps in your passport while still paying the bills,” says Owen O’Neill, Founder of Uni Compare, a platform that helps students make informed decisions about higher education.

To identify these globe-trotting opportunities, Uni Compare conducted a comprehensive study examining jobs that pay you to travel the world, ranking them based on salary, travel frequency, and the barriers to entry.

The study analysed roles across various industries and evaluated them using a “Travel Job Appeal Score” that balances earning potential, travel intensity, and qualification requirements. This approach reveals which careers offer the best overall package for aspiring global professionals.

Table: Top 10 Jobs That Pay You To Travel The World

Travel time intensity key:
Very High (100): High intensity travel, bound to the job’s duties
High (75): Frequent travels, more than just seasonal
Medium (50): Moderate travel, usually seasonal/occasional
Low (25): Little travel, or only have relocation travel

Qualification barrier key:
Tier 1 (20): Require university or postgraduate degrees with remarkable speciality
Tier 2 (40): Require degrees, licenses, professional certifications (optional)
Tier 3 (60): Degree is optional, require more training, harder process/entry
Tier 4 (80): No degree, often require GCSEs, training, and a few skills
Tier 5 (100): No qualification needed. Easy to access.

Social Media Stars Lead the Pack

Topping the list with an impressive Travel Job Appeal Score of 89.21, influencers represent the modern dream job for travel enthusiasts. With an average annual salary of £51,619 and high travel intensity, the role combines financial reward with global mobility. What makes this profession particularly attractive is its Tier 5 qualification barrier, meaning formal education isn’t required to break into the field.

“The influencer position has disrupted traditional career paths by allowing people to monetise their personal brand while travelling,” explains O’Neill. “Success in this field depends more on creativity, social media savvy, and engagement levels rather than formal qualifications. This democratisation of opportunity is why we’re seeing such interest in these roles.”

Content Creation vs. Traditional Aviation

Travel bloggers rank second with a score of 77.67. While their average salary of £25,423 is significantly lower than influencers, they benefit from very high travel intensity and similarly low entry barriers. This role represents an accessible path for those passionate about documenting their journeys through written content.

In stark contrast, pilots come in third place with a score of 77.14. They command the highest salary on the list at £72,262 and enjoy very high travel intensity. However, the role’s Tier 1 qualification barrier – requiring extensive education, licensing, and training – makes it significantly harder to enter compared to content creation roles.

“What’s fascinating about our findings is the contrast between new media careers and traditional travel-intensive professions,” notes O’Neill. “While pilots earn almost three times what travel bloggers make, the substantial training requirements and financial investment create a significant hurdle that doesn’t exist for content creators.”

Creative and Technical Paths to Travel

Travel photographers secure fourth place with a score of 74.32. With a modest average salary of £30,812, this creative profession offers high travel intensity without formal qualification requirements.

Maritime engineers and seafarers round out the top five with a score of 73.55. Their £36,853 average salary comes with very high travel intensity, though the Tier 2 qualification barrier means most positions require relevant degrees or certifications.

Owen O’Neill, Founder of Uni Compare, commented:

“For those looking to break into travel-focused careers, your approach should match the role you’re targeting. Aspiring influencers and travel bloggers should build a personal brand around a specific niche – start creating consistent content before you’re even making money.

“For pilots or maritime engineers, research qualification requirements and plan your education path carefully. The investment is substantial, but these careers offer structured progression.

“Flight attendant positions provide a middle ground – they require training but rarely degrees, and airlines frequently recruit. Similarly, cruise lines offer entry-level positions with immediate travel benefits.

“For specialised roles like travel nursing, obtain the necessary qualifications first, then look for agencies that specifically place healthcare workers internationally.

“Whatever path you choose, network extensively with people already in these fields. Many travel opportunities come through personal connections rather than formal applications. The barriers to global careers are lower than ever – there’s a travel-focused role suited to almost any skill set.”