21 Best Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners (Little Experience)
Even if you don’t have much experience, this list of the best digital nomad jobs for beginners will inspire you to start taking action on your career change.
If you’re tired of the 9-5 grind and craving a more flexible work schedule… I get it. I was too.
That’s why I quit my job and started freelancing, so I could work as much or as little as I wanted, from anywhere in the world.
You can become a digital nomad too, where you make money online while traveling the world.
In this article I’ll cover the best digital nomad jobs for beginners, how to assess which job will be best for you, and some tips for starting your digital nomad journey. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Best Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners?
- Data Entry
- Seasonal Work
- Customer Service Representative
- Work at Hostels
- Virtual Assistant
- Au Pair
- Transcriptionist
- Teach English (Online or Abroad)
- Online Tutoring
- Content Writer or Proofreader
- Content Creator
- Dropshipping
- Drop Servicer
- Print-on-Demand Shop
- Remote Project Management
- Remote Event Coordinator
- Voiceover Artist
- Copywriting
- Digital Marketing Positions
- Video Editing
- Airbnb Arbitrage
Types of Jobs for Digital Nomads
In all my years of traveling, I’ve seen tons of ways people make a decent living from working online. Whether you’d prefer the stability of full-time employment or the flexibility of freelance gigs, there’s something for everyone.
But typically, all of the jobs tend to fall under these four categories:
Work Remotely (Full-Time Employment)
Many companies are now open to the idea of remote work, which means you can work from home, or in our case, work from anywhere.
- Some benefits include having a consistent paycheck along with other healthcare and retirement benefits that come with a full-time job.
- But some of the drawbacks are having to work a certain amount of hours per week, and if you’re out traveling in another country, you might need to be online at funky times.
Short-Term Jobs
While these short-term jobs aren’t online, they’re still some of the most popular digital nomad jobs.
These jobs can include working at:
- The ski slopes
- A summer camp
- A hostel
They’re perfect for extroverts who like to be around other people because they give you a social atmosphere and a steady paycheck for a few months.
Freelancing
One of the most common paths for digital nomads is freelance jobs. It’s ideal for beginners because you have the freedom to choose clients and projects that match your skills and interests. Another perk? Working wherever you want, whenever you want (as long as you get the job done, of course).
Entrepreneurship
Many digital nomads take it up a notch and start their own business. Online Entrepreneurs need grit and determination, but the payoff of creating a successful business anywhere in the world can be immensely satisfying.
Freelancer vs Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs have their own businesses, but freelancers are like mini businesses selling services. So wouldn’t they also be considered an entrepreneur?
☝ That’s definitely a question I’ve asked before.
- A freelancer tackles projects solo, trading their time for money.
- Entrepreneurs hire other people to carry out tasks, creating a system that can be scaled. Usually, they have an LLC for their company.
Each of these paths offers its own set of challenges and rewards, but they all allow you to work and live on your own terms.
Top Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners to Kickstart Your Journey
1. Data Entry
Data entry involves entering, updating, or verifying data into a computer system.
These jobs can be found in all kinds of fields, including healthcare, finance, retail, and more. It’s all about typing things in and making sure it’s correct.
- 🛠️: Good typing skills and attention to detail
- 💰: Average of $19/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote Employment or freelancing
2. Seasonal Work
Seasonal jobs are perfect for nomads who get bored easily or prefer a face-to-face work environment. Whether you’re interested in getting your hands dirty on a farm, spooking people at a Halloween event, or living at a ski resort – seasonal work is a great way to settle down for a couple of months at a time. (And with a steady paycheck!)
- 🛠️: Adaptability, social skills, and a ‘go-with-the-flow’ attitude
- 💰: Average of $18/hour in the US
- 💼: Short-term employment
3. Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative handles all the burning customer questions and provides top-notch support. You can find them in almost any industry.
If you’ve got the charm to cool down a hothead over the phone and the grace to explain the ‘turn it off and on again’ procedure for the zillionth time, then you’ve got the makings of a CSR champ.
- 🛠️: Excellent communication skills and patience
- 💰: Average of $19/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote Employment or freelancing
4. Work at Hostels
If you’re a social butterfly who loves meeting new people, then working at a hostel could be your golden ticket to the world as a digital nomad.
Most hostel workers are travelers from another country, so it’s expected that you won’t be there long-term. This type of work is pretty easy, ranging from a front desk hero to the life of the party organizing nightly events.
Oh, and the best perk? You get to sleep there for free! (but that might be reflected in your rate)
- 🛠️: Charm, social skills, and top-tier Google skills to answer everyone’s questions
- 💰: Average of $15.34/hour in the US
- 💼: Short-term employment
Resource to find work at a hostel
5. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is by definition, a remote worker, who performs technical or administrative tasks for their clients. VA jobs are perfect for professional multitaskers who think that keeping tasks straight is a piece of cake (spoiler: it’s not, but we can pretend).
You’ll be doing everything from booking flights to organizing digital messes that would give Marie Kondo a run for her money. If you can navigate a spreadsheet while on mute with a client, convincing them you’re definitely not at the beach, you’re in the right gig.
- 🛠️: Organization, communication, and time management skills (and probably telepathy)
- 💰: Average of $24/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
6. Au Pair
Becoming an au pair is basically scoring a gig where you get free accommodations with a weekly stipend in exchange for playing tag, making mac-n-cheese, and helping kiddos with homework. If you’re in a foreign country, they’ll usually want you to help their kids with English.
It’s a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture. But remember, you’ll be living with a host family, so get ready for family dinners and navigating other people’s bathroom schedules.
- 🛠️: Good with kids, patience of a saint, and solid conflict-resolving skills
- 💰: Average of $195.75/week in the US
- 💼: Short-term employment
Resources for finding an au pair job:
7. Transcriptionist
A transcriptionist converts recorded audio content into written text. If you can listen to the sound of people gabbing all day and type like the wind, you might just be cut out for the job.
Transcription involves everything from fascinating podcasts to legal mumbo jumbo. While AI does a pretty good job at transcribing audio nowadays, there’s still nothing that can beat the precision and accuracy of real human-proofed transcriptions.
- 🛠️: Good hearing, lightning-fast typing skills, and the patience to rewind…and rewind…and rewind
- 💰: Average of $20/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
Resources for finding transcriptionist gigs:
8. Teaching English Abroad (or Online)
Teaching English to students is one of the best digital nomad jobs. Whether you’re teaching online to people all over the world or in a classroom abroad with the locals, you’re shaping minds and meeting people from all walks of life.
And don’t be intimidated if you don’t have any teaching experience or know any other language – most of these English teachers (both online and in-person) don’t either. Usually, your students will know enough English to have a simple conversation, and you’re there to help them get a step further.
- 🛠️: TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), you’re a native English speaker, patience, and social skills
- 💰: Average of $12-25/hour online or $2,000-$5,000/month abroad
- 💼: Remote employment, short-term, or freelancing
Resources for finding English teaching jobs:
- Go Overseas (abroad)
- TEFL.org (abroad & online)
- Teach Away (abroad & online)
- Skooli (online)
- VIPKid (online)
- Preply (online)
9. Online Tutoring
If English isn’t your best subject, no worries! You can become an online tutor for any subject. Finally, a way to put your savvy math skills to work.
- 🛠️: Expertise in your niche subject, social skills
- 💰: Average of $19/hour in the US
- 💼: Freelancing
Resources for finding online tutoring gigs:
10. Content Writer / Proofreader
A content writer creates original written content for various platforms, such as websites, blogs, articles, social media posts, marketing materials, and more.
A proofreader is responsible for reviewing the content writing to fix any mistakes in the grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting.
These writing jobs typically overlap into one role. If you do freelance writing, you definitely have to proofread your content before sending it back to your client.
- 🛠️: Good with writing, grammar, and attention to detail
- 💰: Average of $28/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
Resources to get paid to write:
11. Content Creator
Are you more into videos rather than written words? A content creator crafts original and captivating content for digital platforms, typically in the form of videos.
Content creation involves every step of the process, from ideation to editing. You can flex your creative muscles for a business, or your own personal brand. Content creators normally make their money from views and affiliate links.
User-generated content (UGC) has been on the rise lately. It’s where companies hire individuals to create video ads reviewing their products and brands – and let me tell you, nomads are cashing in big time on this UGC game.
- 🛠️: Creativity and familiarity with social platforms
- 💰: Average of $20/hour in the US (with no experience)
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
12. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is all about selling products without the hassle of stocking them.
You create a virtual store either on your own website or a marketplace like Amazon → Customer places an order → Order is forwarded to the supplier → Supplier ships the product to the customer → Your store makes a profit
You can sell anything from clothing to tech gadgets, as long as you can find a supplier for them.
While it’s not the best get-rich-quick scheme, you don’t need a ton of cash to start and there’s plenty of room to grow as long as you’re willing to stick with it and keep learning.
- 🛠️: Self-motivation, customer service savvy, and a Sherlock-Holmes level of research skills
- 💰: Varies greatly; Average of $1,000-$5,000/month in profit
- 💼: Entrepreneurship
📚 Learn more: Dropshipping 101: Build your first online store
13. Drop Servicer
If dropshipping and project management had a baby – you’d get drop servicing. Drop servicing is being the middleman/project manager between a customer and a service.
Find customers who need something done, then outsource that work to other freelancers who can actually do it – obviously for a lower price than you’re selling it for.
While you don’t necessarily need to have the skills for the service you’re selling, it’s highly recommended to know a bit about it so you can easily communicate with the customer and freelancer.
Drop servicing is an awesome way to scale your business as a freelancer, trust me, I’ve done it! When I find myself drowning in video editing work, I’ll hire someone from a different country to do the job for half the pay I’m getting. We go back and forth, making sure it’s top-notch and something I’d edit myself, before handing it back to my client.
It’s basically like having a little agency without all the legalities – and takes the typical ‘trading time for money’ off the table.
- 🛠️: Networking and organizational skills
- 💰: Varies greatly; Can scale infinitely
- 💼: Advanced freelancing or entrepreneurship
14. Print-on-Demand Shop
As a specific form of dropshipping, print-on-demand (POD), is focused on selling products with original designs like t-shirts, mugs, and more.
You create unique designs or slogans → Add this design to your storefront (usually Amazon) → Customer orders a shirt with your design on it → POD company prints the shirt and ships to customer → You make a profit
You can unleash your inner artist or slap witty one-liners on just about anything sellable. And the best part? You only pay for the product after you’ve sold it, which means you could theoretically start this business in your jammies with no upfront costs.
Spend an hour or two each day creating a simple design on Canva, then watch your shop keep cranking out orders while you’re off seeing the world. (Keep in mind it’ll take a while for your shop to get traction)
- 🛠️: An eye for design and a knack for witty captions
- 💰: Varies greatly; Can scale infinitely
- 💼: Entrepreneurship
📚 Learn more: Print on demand
15. Remote Project Management
A remote project manager manages teams and projects from anywhere – a quaint café in Paris or while sunbathing in Bali.
It’s not just about delegating tasks but leading a virtual quest to meet deadlines and manage budgets.
- 🛠️: Organization, communication, and patience
- 💰: Average of $49/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
16. Remote Event Coordinator
A remote event coordinator organizes and executes events, conferences, or meetings, all from the comfort of home.
Who says you can’t coordinate a beach wedding while actually being on a beach?
Coordinating an event from a different time zone can be a little challenging, but if this role sounds like fun to you, then I’m sure you can make it work!
- 🛠️: Multitasking, attention to detail, and communication skills
- 💰: Average of $33/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
17. Voiceover Artist
Being a voiceover artist is basically getting paid to talk – and who doesn’t love a good chit-chat?
Has anyone ever told you that you’d have a good radio voice? Or maybe you’re the master at celebrity impersonations. If you have some talent with your voice, then you could start making money from reading radio commercials, audiobooks, brand videos, and more.
- 🛠️: Clear enunciation, the ability to convey emotion through voice, and a noise-canceling microphone
- 💰: Varies greatly; Average of $48/hour in the US
- 💼: Freelancing
18. Copywriting
A copywriter specializes in crafting written content, or “copy,” for advertising and marketing.
They whip up messages that not only grab attention but also inspire action. Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or checking out a website, copywriters have got it covered.
- 🛠️: Creativity and witty wordplay; bonus if you have any marketing knowledge
- 💰: Average of $37/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
19. Digital Marketing Jobs
Digital marketing comes in all shapes and sizes. Many specific gigs fall under that umbrella, but let me tell you about a few of the most entry-level digital marketing jobs you could totally land.
Digital Marketer
A digital marketer specializes in digital platforms and strategies to promote products, services, or brands. Their goals are to:
- Reach potential customers
- Drive website or social media traffic
- Turn viewers into customers
Often used with smaller teams, a digital marketer is pretty much a jack-of-all-trades or one-stop shop that encompasses all various expertise within this realm.
SEO Specialist
An SEO (Search Engine Optimization) specialist uses strategy to make their digital content rank higher on search engines like Google, scoring more views and attracting potential new customers.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager helps grow a brand’s following on social media platforms to:
- Boost brand awareness
- Interact with their audience
- Drive more sales
They map out a killer content strategy after studying trends and finding out which kind of content works the best.
Facebook Ads Manager
You know when you’re scrolling through Facebook and every once in a while you get sucked into an ad and end up buying things you didn’t know you wanted?
A Facebook ads manager uses strategy to target those specific ads just to you, based on various factors like:
- Gender
- Age
- Location
- Buying history
Their ultimate goal isn’t just to get more people to see the ad but to find the right audience who will actually click on it and end up making a purchase.
- 🛠️: Tech skills, digital marketing basics, and knowledge of the strategies you’ll need to use in your role
- 💰: Varies depending on the role but about an average of $31/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
20. Video Editing
A video editor turns individual video clips into viral-worthy content.
As with anything, if you want to charge more for your services, you’ll need a few years of experience. But I’ve seen people hiring entry-level video editors to edit their TikTok videos and Instagram reels.
For that, all you really need is a basic video editing platform (like the free iMovie app that comes with any Apple computer), a natural, creative eye, and maybe a little bit of social media knowledge to know what makes a good TikTok video.
I’ve been professionally editing for over five years now and I’ve been able to charge up to $85/hour for my services, so anything’s possible – you just gotta start somewhere!
- 🛠️: Creativity and tech skills
- 💰: Average of $32/hour in the US
- 💼: Remote employment or freelancing
21. Airbnb Arbitrage
Airbnb arbitrage is where you get to play real-life Monopoly — but instead of buying properties, you rent them and then sublease them on Airbnb.
You run the numbers to find a rental you know will do well on Airbnb → You make a deal with the property owner → Glam up the property until it’s picture perfect → List it on Airbnb → Hire a cleaning crew → Collect the income and keep whatever’s leftover after paying rent
You will need the upfront costs to rent the property and furnish it, but most people make this investment back in the first couple of months.
Once you hammer out the kinks, the property will basically run itself while you’re out traveling. I’ve been wanting to start this venture for a while, and I’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs make 6-figures with a few good properties.
- 🛠️: Negotiation skills, communication, and a dash of interior design flair
- 💰: Varies greatly; Can scale infinitely
- 💼: Entrepreneurship
Choosing the Right Digital Nomad Job for You
Hopefully, one of the jobs I listed managed to pique your interest and got those gears turning about how you can use your unique skills to make some money online while traveling.
Before you make a final decision, consider these factors:
Identifying Your Interests
What do you actually enjoy doing?
- Are you into flexing those creative muscles?
- Do you thrive on social interaction?
- Or maybe you’re obsessed with being organized?
It’s so much easier to work and travel if you actually enjoy what you do – something that sets your soul on fire.
Assessing Your Skills
Alright, let’s take a good, hard look at your skill set. No need to sugarcoat it, be honest about what you bring to the table for potential employers or clients. Sometimes your interests and skills don’t quite match up, and that’s okay – let’s find that sweet spot!
Recognizing Your Weaknesses
It can be hard to admit what you’re not good at. But it’s better to figure it out now rather than six months into your shiny new career.
But don’t let those weaknesses stop you from pursuing your passions. If you want to be a copywriter but have bad grammar.. work on it, take an online course, watch YouTube videos, and do some skill-building so you can turn those weaknesses into strengths.
Setting Your Ultimate Goal
Are you dreaming of traveling while still having the stability and perks of a regular job? Or maybe you want to earn money remotely without lifting a finger?
For me, the goal was to find financial and time freedom – the ability to work whenever, wherever.
And I found that by getting into freelance video editing.
Tips for Starting Your Digital Nomad Life
Once you’ve settled on your next big adventure, here are some tips to help you become the best digital nomad you can be.
Enhance Your Skills
Start building your skillset to learn more about the world you’re about to dive into.
Binge-watch YouTube tutorials, take one of the million online courses out there and dive into the deep end of the internet pool to soak up as much information as you can.
Build a Portfolio
Then, put your practice into play and start writing your first few articles, editing a couple of videos, or learning the software you’ll be expected to know. Use this as information, experience, or examples on your resume and portfolio.
To get your first gig, you’ll want to look like you have at least some experience or serious interest in the subject matter.
Start Applying for Jobs
There’s various websites and online job boards out there for the different types of digital nomad jobs, so here’s a few of the most popular for each category.
Remote Employment
Short-Term Jobs
Freelancing
Start Networking
I know this is usually the last thing we want to hear, but there’s a reason why it’s always said.
More than ever, it’s not just what you know, it’s who you know. Don’t be shy – slide into those DMs and join some digital nomad Facebook groups.
Remember, your next gig, mentor, or business partner could be a single click away.
Conclusion: Are You Ready for the Digital Nomad Lifestyle?
There ya have it!
I hope one of these digital nomad jobs for beginners caught your attention enough to make you think, “Hey, maybe this can actually work.”
No matter what your basic entry-level skills are, there’s a way to make some cash without being tied down to one place.
I get it, starting a new adventure can be scary. That’s why you should join some Facebook groups and find other folks who can keep your spirits up and show you that it’s totally doable.
If you’ve found your job and you’re ready to pick your travel destination, check out my article on the best 25 digital nomad locations to go to next!
FAQs on Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners
How can I become a digital nomad with little experience?
To become a digital nomad, use freelancing and remote work to launch your digital nomad lifestyle with entry-level positions like virtual assistant jobs, graphic design, data entry, online English teacher, etc.
How can I start freelancing with little experience?
You can start your freelancing journey by taking online courses to enhance your skills and marketability, then create a portfolio of your work and offer your basic skills on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
What are some easy digital nomad jobs for beginners?
Some easy digital nomad jobs for beginners with little experience include freelance writing, virtual assistant, data entry, social media management, and online tutoring. You can start making money online with literally any skill you have!
How to become a nomad with no experience?
For digital nomads with no experience, the best bet is to focus on growing your natural skills, building a strong portfolio, networking with other digital nomads, and seeking mentorship from professionals in your chosen field.
