Best Jobs for Digital Nomads in 2024: Work Remotely & Travel the World
The allure of working remotely while travelling across stunning destinations is not a distant fantasy – it’s an attainable reality for millions around the world. Just type ‘digital nomad’ into TikTok or Instagram and you’ll see the proof!
As remote work gains momentum, the prospects for digital nomads continue to broaden. But what are the best jobs that facilitate location independence and enable you to earn an income on the go? This comprehensive guide dives into the top digital nomad jobs across key categories, along with actionable tips to launch your globetrotting career in 2024.
The digital nomad lifestyle promises unparalleled freedom and flexibility. By leveraging the internet and technology, digital nomads can work productively from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. All you need is a laptop and a reliable internet connection to get work done.
Digital nomad jobs typically fall under three major umbrellas: freelancing, remote employment, and online entrepreneurship. By identifying your skills and professional preferences, you can narrow down to a remote career that fuels your passion for travel. Let’s explore the diverse opportunities within each digital nomad career path.
What is a Digital Nomad Lifestyle?
Before diving into digital nomad jobs, it’s important to understand the essence of the digital nomad lifestyle. At its core, being a digital nomad is about embracing location independence through technology and the internet. By leveraging web-based tools and cloud computing, digital nomads can work productively and collaborate remotely. This enables ultimate flexibility, allowing you to travel frequently and live anywhere in the world you desire.
Take Team DNA for example – we’ve got people all over the world, from Asia to Australia to Europe. We manage our time effectively thanks to Notion and rely on tools like Slack to communicate. Our meetings are held over Google Meets, and everything we work on is stored in shared drives.
This means that we can keep in touch and on top of our work without needing to sacrifice our lifestyles. A pretty great deal really!
To succeed as a digital nomad, some key requirements include:
- A portable skill or service you can provide remotely via the internet
- Strong time management abilities
- Comfort with telecommuting tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Drive
- Discipline to work independently and meet deadlines
- Adaptability to work from co-working spaces, coffee shops, or shared apartments
When your income is no longer tied to a specific location, a whole new realm of possibilities opens up. You dictate your own schedule and surroundings. As a digital nomad, you can design a lifestyle that maximises adventure and syncs work seamlessly with travel.
Top Job Categories for Digital Nomads
When it comes to earning an income remotely as a digital nomad, the career options fall (broadly speaking) into three primary categories:
Freelancing
Offering your skills and services as a freelancer is one of the most common paths to digital nomad jobs, as it gives you a lot of control and freedom to use your time however you want.
The rise of freelance marketplaces combined with a growing shift towards flexible work arrangements has made freelancing more accessible than ever. There is robust demand for talented freelancers across diverse fields like writing, programming, graphic design, digital marketing, and more.
As a freelance digital nomad, you dictate the type and volume of work you take on. You can craft your own client base and retain the freedom to choose projects aligned with your interests.
By managing client communication and deliverables online, the freelancer lifestyle lends itself seamlessly to constant travel.
Fully Remote Employment
An increasing number of forward-thinking companies now offer remote work opportunities spanning full-time, part-time, and contract roles. Fields like customer service, marketing, human resources, product development, and IT infrastructure are well-suited for remote teams. By harnessing collaboration platforms like Slack and Zoom, companies can retain productivity with staff working from around the globe.
Pursuing full-time remote employment enables stability of income on the go, along with benefits like sick pay, insurance and retirement accounts not typically offered to freelancers. Landing a permanent remote position simplifies constant travel, as you become part of a virtual team.
Online Entrepreneurship
If you dream of being your own boss, online entrepreneurship is the route for you, providing endless possibilities to build a business on the move. The laptop lifestyle of digital nomads allows you to work on your own startup or online venture from anywhere. Popular online business models include e-commerce stores, apps, digital products, blogs, YouTube channels, and online courses.
By leveraging the global reach of the internet, digital nomads can scale and grow successful online businesses while travelling continuously. While launching your own startup entails risk and effort, the rewards can be tremendous. As an entrepreneur abroad, you dictate all aspects of your venture and can realise passive income.
But let’s dive into each of the categories in more depth, looking at specific digital nomad jobs that you can get in each.
Best Digital Nomad Jobs For Freelancers
For creatively inclined digital nomads, freelancing offers the optimal career path, giving you the most control over how you spend your time and balance your life. In 2024, expert freelancers across diverse creative fields are in demand globally, however the competition is fierce.
Lucrative Writing Niches
Freelance writing remains a coveted remote profession, offering endless specialisation opportunities. Proven writing niches include:
- Blog, website, and social media content
- Copywriting for brands, products, and marketing campaigns
- Ghostwriting books, thought leadership articles, and scripts
- Travel writing to inspire fellow digital nomads
To get established as a writer, whatever your desired niche, you will need to focus on building up a portfolio of samples to establish credibility with clients.
Platforms like Contena, Scripted, and Copify connect skilled writers with businesses seeking content. Personally, I also like to use Freelancer and Upwork.
Salary: starting salaries are typically low, under $13,318.25 a year. The average salary is around $30,000 a year.
Necessary skills:
- literary skills,
- creativity and imagination,
- strong analytical skills,
- commercial awareness with the ability to understand the target audience
- an interest in popular culture, new trends and styles
- good research skills
- administrative, IT and proofreading skills.
Graphic Design Services
From branding to packaging to digital ads, graphic designers are integral to visual communication. Some lucrative graphic design services include:
- Logos, branding guidelines, and visual identity systems
- Illustrations, comics, and info-graphics
- Magazine and book layouts
- App and website UI design
- Advertising banners, billboards, and brochures
Graphic design lends itself well to remote freelancing. By sharing mood boards, sketches, and mock-ups online, you can collaborate with clients smoothly from afar.
This does require you to have some visual design skills and the ability to use software such as Procreate, the Adobe suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator etc.) or similar tools. There are loads of online courses though that can help you to learn these skills – check out Coursera and Udemy for some great resources.
Salary: $25K – $49K/yr is the average base pay, with starting salaries of $200 per day.
Necessary skills:
- accuracy and attention to detail
- technical and drawing skills
- good presentation skills
- Knowledge of colour theory and typography
- effective networking skills to build contacts
Coding and Web Development
With coding expertise, you can work as a freelance developer from anywhere. Developers specialising in trending web languages like JavaScript, Python, and Go will see ample freelance opportunities. Some examples include:
- Building websites, web apps, and e-commerce stores
- Developing mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Implementing custom features and integrations
- Debugging and optimising existing code
Coders can find clients through dedicated freelance platforms like Gun.io and Toptal or by establishing a robust professional presence on GitHub. The hard skills are vital for pursuing a role in this area, so again this is something you will need to study up for. I recommend looking at this free course if you are trying to learn coding from scratch.
Salary: Freelancer fees can range from $15-$100/hr depending on specific skill sets and experience.
Necessary skills:
- problem solving
- attention to detail
- creativity
- analysis
- technical knowledge and skills
- Knowledge of coding languages
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is very popular in 2024 with many digital nomads opting to take on roles in this niche. This typically involves assisting one or more companies, organisations, or other clients with their online marketing needs. You’ll be promoting a brand and its products or services to specific online audiences.
Clients specify job duties, which can include:
- Search engine optimization (SEO) strategy and implementation
- pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns
- creation of various content like videos, blogs, podcasts, or social media posts
- social media marketing strategy and planning
- email marketing campaigns
- brand marketing
- maintenance of websites, blogs, and social channels
- mobile marketing
- affiliate marketing
Salary: typical entry-level salaries range from $22,000 to $25,000
Necessary skills:
- excellent written communication skills
- attention to detail and accuracy
- creative skills
- analytical skills
- knowledge of existing and emerging social media platforms
- excellent IT skills.
Other Notable Freelance Niches
Here are some additional skills experiencing high demand for freelance services:
- Data analytics and business intelligence
- Bookkeeping and financial services
- Legal services – contract drafting, research
- Animation and motion graphics
The takeaway is that skilled freelancers across nearly all fields can thrive as digital nomads in 2024. With discipline and creativity, you can build a steady pipeline of remote work.
This route does require you to be on top of your time constantly, and marketing yourself to prospective clients. This is not something that will easily lead to passive income which is something to bear in mind.
The salaries generated by freelancers can vary massively, and very much depend on how much time you are willing to devote to your work, and to honing your skills. Many writers for example charge by the word, starting from as low as $0.02/word, or by the hour, or on a project-by-project basis, but again this depends on your level of expertise, your ability and your experience.
Secure Remote Work for a Digital Nomad Job
Seeking structure along with flexibility? Full-time remote positions allow you to travel continuously while enjoying stability and without sacrificing the traditional benefits of employment.
Customer Support and Success
With customer expectations skyrocketing, demand has surged for remote customer support reps and account managers. Equipment like headsets enables taking calls from anywhere. With many support tools now cloud-based, remote reps can be just as agile and productive as in-office staff
It’s worth noting that you will need a quiet environment for this so if you are a budget backpacker staying in hostels this might not be for you. You’ll have to find some really good co-working spaces to rely on.
Positions to look out for include customer success managers, tech support specialists, call centre representatives, and sales development reps.
Top remote companies hiring for customer-facing roles include Amex, Amazon, and Intuit.
Salary: The average remote customer service salary is $32,175 per year or $15.47 per hour.
Necessary skills:
- communication skills
- listening skills,
- problem-solving skills
- confidence,
- Patience and empathy
- politeness, tact and diplomacy
Marketing and Communications
Remote work is also growing across marketing, PR, and communications roles. When equipped with productivity software, digital nomads can juggle campaigns, events, and content creation from afar.
Specific positions primed for remote work include social media managers, content strategists, SEO analysts, email marketers, and graphic designers.
Leading employers include startups like InVision and GitLab along with big brands like Dell, Nike, and Capgemini.
Salary: The average entry-level rate is $23 for marketing assistants
Necessary skills:
- communication and interpersonal skills
- commercial awareness and business acumen
- copywriting and design skills
- creativity
- an eye for detail
Software Development and IT
Development teams are increasingly distributed, with coders collaborating across time zones. Many technology roles can be executed remotely through screen sharing, video conferencing, and messaging.
Examples include full-stack developers, cloud engineers, DevOps specialists, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, and solution architects.
Notable companies offering remote tech roles include Red Hat, SAP, Oracle, and Amazon Web Services.
Salary: the average hourly pay for an Entry-level IT professional is $17.94 an hour.
Necessary skills:
- knowledge of computer systems and technologies
- technical competency
- thoroughness and attention to detail
- business skills and commercial awareness
- Problem solving
In short, opportunities for remote work now extend far beyond freelancing alone. By proactively searching for remote openings and highlighting your telecommuting abilities, full-time digital nomad jobs are attainable.
You can also always approach your current employer to discuss the possibility of remote working. The worst they will say is no after all! In the UK, the flexible working law gives employees the legal right to request flexible working – including where they work from, and this law has just been updated for 2024.
If you need help with getting your first fully remote job then check out our friends at Remote Rebellion, a remote-first recruitment company. They have tonnes of tips and tricks that will help get you on your way.
Be Your Own Boss: Building Your Online Business as a Digital Nomad
Launching an online business gives you full control of your venture and schedule, a fascinating prospect for many digital nomads. With an internet-based company, your office is wherever you open your laptop.
Let’s explore some of the most popular online business models pursued by digital nomads across the globe:
eCommerce Empires
By leveraging dropshipping or aggregating products, e-commerce stores can be run from anywhere with an internet connection.
There are so many places readily available for you to launch your shop and brand: Etsy, Amazon, Shopify and WooCommerce streamline launching an online storefront and processing payments. TikTok even has its own shop now.
Focus on sourcing and shipping particular products like jewellery, clothing, or arts and crafts. Promote your store on social platforms and via pay-per-click ads.
App and Software Development
Developing your own apps, SaaS platforms, and productivity tools can earn passive income down the line.
Conduct extensive market research to identify problems requiring solutions.
Learn skills like Swift or JavaScript to bring your software ideas to life. Release a basic MVP then gather user feedback to refine the product.
Digital Products and Courses
Blogging and Social Media
Building an audience online through blogging, vlogging, and social media can pave the way for monetisation.
Strategies include ad placements, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and selling merchandise. Travel vlogs allow you to earn while documenting your nomadic adventures.
This actually includes many of the skills previously discussed, and most social media influencers will also freelance or sell courses and supplement their incomes through other channels – at least while starting out and building a following.
It is worth noting that even those with low follower counts can make good money online as micro-creators have a lot of power with brands, especially if their audience is highly engaged. This is because endorsements from micro-creators cost less than those with millions of followers, their audiences are typically more focused and engaged, and the endorsements come across as more genuine.
Check out @daisystraveldiaries or @holasoy.mila on Instagram for inspiration here!
Take the first step by identifying a profitable niche and then honing your online presence. With consistent high-quality content and engagement, your online brand and income can flourish. This takes hard work and dedication, especially when first starting out, but with time, you may find that a lot of your income becomes passive!
You’ll find that many digital nomad jobs have significant overlap in terms of skills used and roles fulfilled. Also many digital nomads will often work in more than one sector while they are building experience, before they choose a specific niche.
Essential Skills for Digital Nomads
While digital nomad jobs enable boundless freedom, they also require certain key abilities – both in terms of hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills refer to job-specific technical abilities that are measurable and teachable. These skills allow employees to effectively execute specialised tasks related to their role. Soft skills refer to personal attributes, interpersonal skills, and communication abilities. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are transferable and applicable to a wide range of situations.
While soft skills are crucial for overall success, having strong hard skills is essential for performing the core functions of your job and meeting specific job requirements.
Hard Skills for Digital Nomads
Hard skills are the specific, technical abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job or task. They are typically acquired through education, training, and experience.
The digital nomad jobs listed above all require specific hard skills relevant to each of them.
Some examples of hard skills include programming languages like JavaScript, digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite, data analysis using Excel, writing code, operating machinery, speaking a foreign language and more.
These technical, function-specific skills can be listed on your resume/CV, showcased in your portfolio and quantified in terms of skill and proficiency.
For digital nomads, identifying and honing your marketable hard skills is the key to securing remote work opportunities and succeeding on your chosen path. Since digital nomads constantly shift locations, relying on in-demand technical abilities enables us to be competitive, and complete client work and projects from anywhere.
By continuously expanding your technical skill sets, you can provide specialised, high-value services to clients worldwide even while actively travelling. Coupling hard skills with your strongest soft skills will give you a competitive edge in a demanding market.
Soft Skills for Digital Nomads
Soft skills refer to interpersonal skills and behaviours that enable effective interactions and communications between people. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are more general people skills that are transferable across roles and situations.
Think of them as the foundational human qualities that enable you to interact effectively with others, navigate complex situations, and contribute positively to your work environment. While hard skills may get you hired, soft skills are often what make you stand out and contribute to your long-term success.
For digital nomads specifically, strong soft skills are so important for success when working remotely. Since digital nomads are constantly travelling and working from diverse environments, the ability to communicate clearly, collaborate virtually, manage time across time zones, and remain disciplined are critical.
These are some of the most important soft skills that will set successful nomads apart:
- Time Management:
Without office hours or colleagues watching over your shoulder, time management is imperative. Create daily to-do lists, block off deep work periods, and eliminate distractions to maximise productivity.
- Self-discipline:
Working from exotic destinations requires the utmost discipline. Establish a routine that separates work and leisure effectively. Commit to regular work hours and breaks. Hold yourself accountable for defined daily and weekly targets. A strong sense of self-discipline leads directly to consistent remote income.
- Communication Skills:
From emails to video calls, clear communication is vital for thriving as a digital nomad, especially when you are living in countries with different languages and cultures from your own. You need to be able to convey ideas articulately when working with remote clients and teams. Strong writing skills also enable conveying your expertise persuasively.
- Adaptability:
Digital nomads need to be comfortable working in diverse environments and maintaining focus despite disruptions. You may be taking Zoom calls from a coworking space one day and managing your finances from a coffee shop the next. Being adaptable helps you stay productive and handle technical difficulties anywhere.
Deepen your skills in these key areas to maximise your productivity and nurture these soft skills over time through books, courses, podcasts and real-world practice.
Beyond the Laptop: Making the Most of Your Digital Nomad Lifestyle
A fulfilling digital nomad lifestyle involves more than work alone, and when not managed correctly, you can experience some serious downsides like burnout and isolation. Here are some aspects to consider for smooth travels:
- Lodging and Accommodation:
Housing platforms like Hostel World, AirBnB and Vrbo make finding all sorts of accommodation options abroad simple. Opt for centrally located properties with fast wi-fi to enable productivity. Co-living spaces offer instant connections with fellow nomads. If you are just starting out on your digital nomad journey then I recommend using a platform like World Packers or Workaway. These are work exchanges so you can start to build a portfolio and nurture your skills in exchange for food and lodgings.
- Staying Connected:
Despite wanderlust, nurturing relationships is vital. Schedule virtual meetups with loved ones via FaceTime and Google Hangouts. Regularly post photos and updates on social media. Sustain friendships by planning annual meetups.
- Handling Time Zones:
Collaborating with global clients and teams across time zones demands planning. Use a shared calendar to indicate your availability. Block off evenings or early mornings suited for calls. Also, be mindful of holidays and daylight savings time abroad.
- Building Community:
Combat isolation and tap into local insights by networking with other digital nomads. Attend co-working spaces and digital nomad conferences worldwide. Join Facebook, Slack and WhatsApp groups to find other like-minded people.
Conclusion: Live, Work, Travel - The Digital Nomad Dream Awaits
The digital nomad lifestyle offers a unique blend of freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to explore the world while earning a living. More high-paying remote jobs are emerging across diverse fields from writing and development to marketing and entrepreneurship. And with opportunities from freelancing and remote employment to building your own online business, the career options are diverse and plentiful.
Remember, thorough research, planning, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential for success. The key to thriving as a digital nomad, and in a digital nomad job, lies in self-discipline, effective communication, and adaptability.
By identifying your professional strengths and interests, you can narrow down a rewarding digital nomad career path aligned with your passion, goals and skills. The three main routes are freelancing, remote employment and online business.
Once you decide on a direction, focus on building relevant hard skills and soft skills. Then create a LinkedIn profile highlighting your remote abilities. Build an online portfolio showing your work and skills. Enrol in online courses to keep skilling up.
While establishing your remote career takes effort, the personal and professional payoffs of the digital nomad lifestyle make it worthwhile. The ability to travel while working and earning is life-changing.
We would love to hear your biggest questions and concerns around transitioning to the digital nomad lifestyle. What support do you need? What topics should we cover next? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
