Traveling the country via camper doesn’t mean that you have to put your income earning potential on hold. There are plenty of opportunities to make money while touring the states. All it takes is some advance investigation to locate potential employment options.
And there’s a bonus to adding to your bank account. You’ll make new connections and increase your skills list—“souvenirs” that can’t be bought at any gift shop!
In How to Earn Money As You Travel in Your RV, Sondra Rochelle recommended knowing your skills sets, what type of jobs you want to do and how much money you need to make.
Evaluate your options:
- Is the job in an area that you want to visit?
- Does it require more time than you’re willing to give? (This is also supposed to be fun, too!)
- Most importantly, does the location provide RV camping spots and if so, what hook-ups and amenities are available for RV-ers?
Search for opportunities
Not sure where to start looking for temp positions? This starter list may spark some ideas.
- Annual events—Fairs and festivals are full of booths, all of which need people to work them. You can also apply to work for the organization hosting the event—before, during and after.
- Theme parks and resorts—Disney is just one of the many theme parks that employ RV-ers. If the Mouse has caught your heart, here are several RV parks in close proximity to Disney: Anaheim Harbor RV Park, Anaheim RV Park and Orangeland RV Park, as well as Disney’s own Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. (Check out Your Guide to RVing to Disney World for Florida-based locations.)
- Retail/Commercial—The Amazon CamperForce program has a variety of seasonal opportunities for RV-ers in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee.
- Agricultural work—Enjoy getting your hands dirty? Then spend some time working on a farm, greenhouses or plant nurseries. Other options include seasonal work with the National Forest Service or the National Park Service.
And don’t overlook RV parks themselves. Someone has to handle the various tasks that keep RV campgrounds clean and well maintained. It might as well be you!
Not found your match?
Here are links to job boards and websites where you might find your next best job:
- Coolworks.com lists jobs in places including national parks, ski resorts, dude ranches, retreat centers and more. Go to the Jobs With RV Spaces page for camper-friendly choices.
- Workamper News connects RV lovers and potential employers with a wide range of options.
- Workers on Wheels has links to articles about employment opportunities for Rv-ers.
The early bird gets the worm and the early job applicant gets the position. Since some of the job are more seasonal in nature, you may need to apply a year in advance to get on the list.