As van life has skyrocketed in popularity, it’s been accompanied by a boom in jobs that can be done on the road. Whether they are remote jobs or local, short-term gigs, the good news is that many of them don’t require a degree or specialized training.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time income or simply a way to fund your travels, there is a van life job for you!
With a little creativity and some self-promotion, you can turn your van into the ultimate office on wheels.
Let’s walk through the best van life jobs that don’t require a degree, followed by the top ways to find these jobs. And bonus–I share some top tips on how to effectively market yourself online.
Table of Contents
15 Remote Van Life Jobs in 2024
Any of the jobs below can be done from the comfort of your campervan–all they require is a laptop and a solid wifi connection (learn about mobile hotspots for getting your internet connection).
1. Transcriptionist
Where to start: Rev.com or Upwork Remote Transcription Jobs
Transcription is the process of typing what you hear and is an incredibly important tool for anything from courtroom hearings to YouTube videos. This means that many companies have transcription needs and there are lots of transcription jobs on the market.
I actually did a transcription job and it was fun but required full focus. I would listen to recordings of people talking and type out what they were saying. Overall it is a relaxed job, but usually you need to transcribe every pause, breath, or tone used when people are speaking.
It’s a great job to start with, and you can even earn more money the faster you become at transcribing. You can also choose your own schedule. The best part is that anyone can try their hand at becoming a transcriptionist without previous experience!
2. Data Entry Specialist
Where to start: Upwork Remote Data Entry Jobs
A data entry specialist will use a computer to enter or update information into a database or online platform. Similar to transcription, sometimes data entry includes transcribing data from phone conversations or recordings.
This job will require learning whatever software the employer wants you to use–it also helps if you are a quick typist. It’s a great place to start if you are eager to start working but don’t feel like you have any specialized skills.
3. Virtual Assistant
Where to start: Upwork Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs
A virtual assistant will help a company with a range of business tasks, including scheduling appointments, sending emails, organizing documents, or handling payment issues. It may not have quite as flexible hours, but you get to learn about different areas of a business.
If you are good at shifting your mind to different tasks quickly, a virtual assistant may be the job for you!
Where to start: Upwork Remote Social Media Marketing Jobs
A social media marketer will create, schedule, and post content to a variety of social media platforms. You will need to learn how to use whichever social media platform(s) your business wants to be on, as well as any creative or scheduling tools they may use.
From creating fun images to writing personality-filled captions, you can help develop and promote your company’s brand voice. But the most important part of social media management is posting on a consistent basis, so skills like organization and planning are useful.
If you enjoy getting creative and already use social media yourself, this could be a great job for you. The most common needs for social media marketing are on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest, YouTube or Linkedin.
5. Copywriter
Where to start: Upwork Remote Copywriting Jobs
A copywriter is responsible for writing engaging and informative content on a variety of platforms, including web ads, social media, print ads, newsletters or websites.
If you enjoy writing short-form content and have a knack for capturing a brand’s voice, this job is for you. Just know that sometimes, it’s harder to write short content than long content! Being concise, clear, but interesting is tricky sometimes.
6. Freelance Writer
Where to start: Upwork Freelance Writing Jobs
A freelance writer can take on a range of writing assignments–from copywriting to blog post writing, to writing copy for websites–the sky is the limit! If you’re open to different types of writing, this is the role for you.
There’s a MASSIVE need for freelance writers because many small business websites need blog content to help rank well on Google.
I recommend taking HubSpot’s (free) digital marketing certification course to get a thorough understanding of digital writing and marketing basics. And since you receive a digital certification badge, it’s a great marketing tool for yourself. Add it to your Linkedin profile, resume, or wherever you can show potential employers that you’re HubSpot certified.
7. Proofreader
Where to start: Upwork Proofreading Jobs
Ah, proofreading is like the more fun version of writing–instead of writing, you just get to correct other peoples’ writing 😉 But if you don’t have a background in writing or consider yourself a decent reader/writer already, this may not be the job for you. Good grammar and attention to detail are very important skills for this job.
As mentioned above, you can take HubSpot’s (free) digital marketing certification course to get a full understanding of how to write for websites and edit content.
8. Online English Teacher or Tutor
Where to start: Upwork Remote Tutoring Jobs
Online teaching or tutoring involves hosting a virtual class with one or more students on a regular basis and is a rapidly growing industry! You can teach English to international students who may live thousands of miles away. Depending on the online program, you may either need a Bachelor’s Degree, or simply being a native English speaker will qualify you to teach.
What’s more, if you already have expertise in a certain subject, you could also teach that. You can also become an exam tutor, for big exams such as TOEFL, SATs or ACTs. You’ll have to be prepared to have a somewhat set-schedule each week and a loose lesson plan. Typically, programs provide the learning material and you will base your sessions off of their material.
9. Email Marketer
Where to start: Upwork Remote Email Marketing Jobs
Email marketers are responsible for writing eye-catching, short-form, engaging and informative email copy for new or already-existing customers. I’ve been an email marketer and it can be really fun trying to write an email subject line that hooks the reader but stays business-professional.
You may have to learn how to use a company’s marketing automation platform and how to create email marketing drip campaigns. If you enjoy marketing and like understanding what makes people “tick”, then this could be the job for you. It also gets your foot into the door for more robust marketing roles with higher pay.
10. Customer Support
Where to start: Upwork Remote Customer Support Jobs
Customer service representatives help companies create positive experiences for their customers. You will do anything from answer customer questions, solve technical issues, or escalate problems to a department best-suited to help.
If you are a people person and know how to stay patient and friendly–even if a customer is getting upset–then this job could be a good fit. Every business needs a customer support team, so there are lots of job opportunities in this field.
11. Online Blogger
Where to start: WordPress or Squarespace
An online blogger writes articles about anything their heart desires and uses display ads and affiliate marketing to make money from their website traffic.
As someone who has spent the last couple of years building up this travel blog, I can assure you that blogging requires a lot of very hard work if you want to make a livable income off of it. It’s possible, but it will take time.
If you get familiar with digital marketing, SEO-optimize every post, invest in some writing and SEO tools, and stay consistent with posting content, there is hope! But I recommend having another part-time or full-time job until your blog is making you enough money.
PRO TIP: If you’re brand new to blogging, I recommend signing up for a travel blogging course or taking HubSpot’s (free) digital marketing certification course (it’s a super impressive free course!). You can also use your certification to score copywriting or digital marketing gigs, so you can earn money while building up your blog on the side.
Side note: this can go hand-in-hand with becoming a social media influencer. You can leverage your social media audience to go to your website, and vice versa. That’s a common trend among van lifers who want to make passive income.
12. Sales Representative
Where to start: Upwork Remote Sales Jobs
A good sales rep has great people skills and can handle being told “no”. They can read the wants and needs of potential customers well and know how to explain the value of their service or product.
Most beginner sales rep jobs can be totally remote and involve cold calling. Just take the pay structure into consideration because typically it is commission-based with a low base salary. This means that you will only make “good” money if you close sales.
13. Telemarketer
Where to start: Upwork Remote Telemarketing Jobs
A telemarketer cold calls potential customers asking for donations or to sell a product/service. If you are comfortable spending a fair amount of time on the phone and conversation comes easily to you, this could be a good fit.
Responsibilities range from managing contacts lists, collecting payment information and communicating the benefits of your product or service to potential customers. Sometimes you may research your own prospects to close a deal.
Telemarketing jobs are great for people who are naturally calm, personable and easy to get along with.
14. Online Fitness Trainer
Where to start: Upwork Remote Sports and Fitness Jobs
An online fitness trainer will create a series of live or pre-recorded workout videos that motivate and teach viewers how to properly perform the exercises. If you want a remote job but also like to move around and not sit at a computer, maybe this job is worth exploring.
Typically, fitness instructors will offer full-class or one-on-one training sessions where they provide personalized advice and tips for maximizing a client’s fitness. If you are passionate about fitness, you can apply online to become a fitness instructor, or start your own online video series.
While it may take a lot longer to make real income if you start your own online series, you can become monetized on YouTube pretty easily these days!
15. Etsy Seller
Where to start: Sign up on Etsy
If you’re more of a hands-on creative, then selling homemade items on Etsy may be a good fit. Many vanlifers create and sell DIY jewelry, stickers, postcards, paintings and more that they create straight from their van conversion. But you’ll probably need a lot of materials on-hand and a decent stream of sales in order to live solely off of Etsy’s income. But, it is possible!
I recommend trying to list your Etsy items for sale on Simpler Ways Co, which is a new site dedicated to helping nomads and small business owners promote their products and services.
How to Find Remote Van Life Jobs
1. Facebook Groups
There are so many large and active Facebook groups focused on remote work. These groups are some of the best places to easily look for work without having to set up a “user profile” or submit a whole resume and cover letter. Typically, you can simply comment on a post from a potential employer, and there begins your relationship.
Click the images below to join the most legitimate and active Facebook Groups for finding remote job posts. These groups have either been used by myself or my vandweller friends.
Digital Nomad Jobs: Remote Job Opportunities
Virtual Assistant Tribe Job Board
Remote Marketing Jobs
Binder Full of Editors Seeking Their Freelance Writers and Vice Versa
2. Upwork
You can create a free Upwork account and choose which activities you’d like to be hired for. I have an Upwork profile and love that I can get jobs for any of my specialties, ranging from marketing, virtual assistant activities, to voice over acting. What’s more, Upwork displays your hourly rate so it makes negotiating with employers simpler and more transparent. Upwork also holds them accountable for payment, ensuring you won’t get jipped on accidentally doing free work.
In my opinion, the biggest downside to Upwork is that they take a whopping 20% of payment up to your first $500 made on the platform. After you’ve made $500, it drops down to 10%–but still, that’s a lot. It means you need to increase your normal hourly rate listing as a little bit higher than normal on your profile. This, in turn though, can deter potential employers.
3. LinkedIn
Linkedin has become so much more than a “professional” social platform. It has a whole paid section designed for employers to scout potential employees. It’s a great tool for showcasing your online resume, networking, and finding job opportunities through filtered searches.
To find job listings, click the “Jobs” tab in the header. You can filter searches by title, skill, company, location–and even remote jobs.
A lot of Linkedin Groups have turned into self-promotional black holes. The biggest value actually comes from status updates, similar to a Facebook status update. But if you stay consistent following industry experts, commenting on their updates, and making updates of your own, you can start to position yourself as a louder voice in your niche.
All three of my marketing remote jobs came from Linkedin. I reached out to previous employers saying, “Hey I’m leaving the corporate life to live in a van! Got any freelance marketing needs?” And amazingly enough, a lot of them did.
4. Virtual Vocations
Virtual Vocations is specifically designed for freelance and remote work, so it has your needs first and foremost. It’s a bit of work up-front to create an account and upload your resume, but it allows you to store your resume so, in the future, you can simply apply to jobs with the click of a button. When I was on Virtual Vocations, I realized there were so many types of remote jobs I’d never even thought of.
You can set up alerts for new jobs and for ones you’ve already applied to. There’s also a paid version that offers a bigger pool of job opportunities, starting at $15.99 per month. I don’t have any big cons about Virtual Vocations, just that it’s “another” platform to monitor. It’s easier with Facebook or Linkedin, where you’re most likely checking those periodically anyways.
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is a great starting place for those who are looking to get into certain remote work but don’t have experience or a degree in it. Fiverr is like a lower-overhead version of Upwork where it’s easier to get set up on the platform, but you probably won’t make as much money per gig. As the name suggests, Fiverr was originally a place where a business could pay just $5 for any online service they needed.
3 Tips for Effectively Marketing Yourself Online
1. View Your Online Presence Through the Eyes of Potential Employers
Ask yourself, “what would potential employers think of me if they Googled me? Or found me on Facebook?” If the answer is lots of profanity, oversharing of personal or political views, or just no presence at all–then that’s no good.
Ideally, employers should see a well-rounded individual that knows how to enjoy life, is part of one or more communities, but also knows how to stay focused on their goals. So what does that translate to on a social platform? Let’s say a range of photos and updates related to your hobbies, hanging out with friends, celebrations of goals achieved, or really, just nothing that looks too concerning…I trust your judgement.
2. Create an Online Portfolio or Website
At the bare minimum, have an online resume. This can be as simple as a Word document that you attach to emails. After all, if potential employers need a way to evaluate your work history remotely, this is necessary.
But if you go one step further and have an online portfolio or a website, it adds a sense of legitimacy and authority to your personal brand. Whether you’re in marketing, accounting, photography, website design, transcription services, really anything–you want to have a strong online personal brand. You can showcase work in the form of milestones reached (with real numbers), photos of your work or testimonies from previous clients.
Wix or SquareSpace make starting a website extremely easy and straight-forward. In fact, I started this website on Wix as a way to ease into web ownership. It can feel overwhelming to start a website, but these platforms ask you questions that tailor your website to fit your personal brand.
3. Network with Authorities in Your Industry
By “network”, that could be as simple as following them on Twitter or Instagram. The purpose is to become familiar with the “big names” in your industry so you can learn from what they share. Typically, they’re only going to share what’s trending and important, so it’s a great way to know what you should be focusing on as well.
For example, maybe you do photography and photography industry experts are starting to talk about a new shooting method. So, take a shot at trying out the new style and showcase it on your portfolio or website.
If you feel like you have something of value to bring to their attention, then directly reach out to them. Show them you’re a helpful resource, rather than just trying to get something from them (as they’re probably more used to).
So, there you have it! By following these best practices and leveraging these platforms, you can start to build the digital nomad life you’ve desired!
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Transparency note: please keep in mind that some links in my articles may be affiliate links, to which I may make a small commission at no extra to you, should you book travel or buy a product or service through one of these links. I only recommend products or services created by brands I know and trust.
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4. Social Media Marketer