Jobs for Digital Nomads: Occupations and What to Study

Becoming a digital nomad today is easier than ever, thanks to the growing integration of remote work into our daily lives. Originally popularized during the pandemic, this work format has since gained widespread acceptance, with many companies now offering positions tailored to digital nomads. As a result, finding the best jobs for digital nomads has become more accessible. Studies reveal that remote workers often achieve higher productivity compared to on-site employees. By eliminating commute time and embracing flexible schedules, remote work fosters a better balance between professional and personal life. These advantages contribute to greater employee happiness, which in turn drives improved performance and efficiency.

Curious about what to study to become a digital nomad or which professions are among the best jobs for digital nomads? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll explore the careers that pave the way to a nomadic lifestyle and highlight the professions that enable you to work from anywhere in the world with just your computer. Dive in to discover the opportunities that await!

What to study to become a digital nomad?

To get the best jobs as a digital nomad you have to specialize in a sector that allows you to work remotely and not have to work in person. This way, you will have total geographical autonomy to be able to reside in any of the countries that offer a digital nomad visa, if you wish.

To achieve this, you can pursue a university degree, specialize with a Master’s program, or enroll in shorter, targeted courses for quicker entry into the job market. Whatever profession you choose, mastering languages—especially English—is essential.

The work technicality of the digital nomad, as well as communication with customers, is generally developed in English. Therefore, if languages are your pending subject, we recommend that, in addition to the career you are going to study, you sign up for an English academy in your city or online.

Here are five university degrees offering the best jobs for digital nomads. When selecting your field of study, it’s crucial to choose something you enjoy and feel passionate about, as that motivation will be key to successfully completing your journey.

Digital Marketing

It is a recently created career, with a great job offer and very demanded, since within digital marketing there are many types of jobs for digital nomads such as: content writer, SEO specialist, community manager, web manager, etc. Specialists who study this career work to design strategies for web positioning of companies, increase lead capture and increase the number of sales, among others. These are its main characteristics:

Software Engineering

This technical career is one of the branches of computer science and focuses on the design, development, maintenance of computer systems and apps. The job of a digital nomad who studies this profession can range from programmer to systems architect. It is a profession with high labor demand and very well paid, due to its difficulty. Learn more about it:

Image and Sound

Studying a degree in Image and Sound Engineering makes it easier for you to work as a digital nomad in the audiovisual field. If you are interested in video editing, photography, film, video clips, music, etc., this profession allows you to do it from anywhere in the world. The main tools you will need are your camera and your computer, so you can work both on your own and with international clients.

Languages

One of the jobs for digital nomads is working as a language teacher or translator. Pursuing degrees like Philology, Translation and Interpreting, or Modern Languages—or simply mastering a specific language—can open the door to abundant remote opportunities. Today, numerous online platforms connect language professionals with students, allowing you to teach classes or offer translation services from anywhere in the world.

The 10 best jobs for digital nomads

After seeing in the previous section the university degrees you can study to get a remote job, now let’s go a little deeper into the job opportunities you can access with them. We have selected the ten best jobs for a digital nomad and we have based our selection on the current labor demand, salaries and personal satisfaction of those who make a living in these positions.

Content Writer

The job of a content writer is to create optimized texts for blogs, websites, social networks or advertising campaigns. Their goal is to inform, persuade or capture the attention of a specific audience through relevant content. These are their daily duties and requirements:

• Duties: Research topics for the target audience, write articles, scripts or publications adapted to each channel, apply SEO techniques to improve positioning and proofread texts.
• Requirements: Training in Journalism, Marketing or Philology. In addition to having knowledge of SEO strategies and tools such as WordPress. Excellent spelling and grammar are required.
• Salaries: Between $18,000 to $28,000 per year, depending on whether you are junior or senior.

Community Manager

If you’re passionate about social media and staying current with trending topics, becoming a community manager could be one of the best jobs for digital nomads. In this role, you’ll manage online communities, engaging with them in line with the brand’s tone and voice. Your ultimate goal will be to foster loyalty, attract new customers, and maintain a creative, seamless relationship with the audience.

• Duties: Plan, create and schedule content for social networks. Monitor and respond to messages and comments. Analyze metrics and prepare performance reports. Identify trends and adapt the communication strategy.
• Requirements: Training in Marketing, Communication or specific courses in social networks. Proficiency in tools such as Hootsuite, Buffer or Meta Business Suite. Writing skills and visual creativity.
• Salaries: Between $12,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on hours worked and experience.

SEO Specialist

An SEO specialist focuses on optimizing a website’s visibility on major search engines like Google. This role is highly valued in digital marketing, as effective SEO drives more customers and boosts sales. The primary objective is to increase organic traffic using technical enhancements and strategic content creation. Let’s take a closer look at this position:

• Duties: Perform SEO audits of websites, select keywords, optimize content for positioning, implement link building strategies and analyze data with tools such as Google Analytics.
• Requirements: Training in Digital Marketing or SEO certifications. Knowledge of HTML and tools such as Semrush or Ahrefs.
• Salaries: Between $20,000 to $48,000 per year, depending on experience and hours worked.

Web Developer

This is one of the most complex and, therefore, highest paying jobs for digital nomads. As a web developer you will have to design, create and maintain websites. For this you must master technical programming languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. There are two types of developers, on one hand, the front-end developer, who takes care of the visual part of the website and the back-end developer, who is more focused on the technical part of the web code.

• Duties: Design web structures and functionalities, resolve bugs and perform technical updates, implement security and optimization measures.
• Requirements: IT studies or programming courses. Proficiency in frameworks such as React or Angular.
• Salary: Between $25,000 and $60,000 per year, depending on the hours worked.

Graphic Designer

If you are a visual creator with training in Design or Fine Arts, working as a graphic designer is an ideal digital nomad job. Your focus will be on digital design, creating illustrations, advertising materials, and ensuring the brand’s message is visually engaging for users. Collaboration with digital marketing and development teams will also be key. Here’s what your daily tasks might include:

• Duties: Design logos, banners, infographics and digital publications.
• Requirements: Training in Graphic Design or Fine Arts. Knowledge of software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Figma.
• Salaries: Between $18,000 and $36,000 per year, in relation to working hours.

Online Language Teacher

As an online language teacher, you will teach other languages to international students. This type of job as a digital nomad is one of the easiest to get, since with your own native language you have the main requirement fulfilled. In addition, there are online platforms where you can register as a teacher and wait for students to contact you, such as Italki and Preply. You can also create your own personal brand and offer classes on your own through Zoom or Skype.

• Duties: Prepare teaching materials, evaluate students and motivate students.
• Requirements: Fluent language, degree in languages, education or certifications.
• Salaries: $10,000 to $30,000 per year, in relation to hours worked.

Video Editor

A video editor is the person in charge of creating and editing visual pieces such as advertising videos, documentaries, short films, movies, etc. It is one of the jobs for digital nomads that is developed remotely, since the working tools are a video camera and software for editing, color grading, special effects, etc.

• Duties: Editing audiovisual material, making recordings, organizing and archiving finished projects.
• Requirements: Training in Image and Sound or editing courses. Knowledge of programs such as Premiere or Final Cut.
• Salaries: Between $15,000 and $45,000 per year, depending on the projects.

Translator

If you are good with languages and love to translate your favorite songs while listening to them, you can apply for one of the positions as a digital nomad translating texts. You must be fluent in at least two languages to be able to translate from one to the other while maintaining the original meaning and intent of the message. You can work in literary, technical or commercial translation for global clients.

• Duties: Translation of documents, websites or subtitles, proofreading and editing.
• Requirements: Translation, Philology or Foreign Languages background.
• Salaries: Between $20,000 and $48,000 per year.

Photographer

A photographer captures images with a special sensibility to achieve a unique product: moments, landscapes, people, products, etc. Most photographers work independently offering their services to companies and individuals. As a digital nomad, it is one of the jobs that can be done remotely and these are the main characteristics:

• Duties: To carry out photo shoots indoors or outdoors. Select and retouch the best shots for specific projects.
• Requirements: Training in Image and Sound or photography courses.
• Salaries: Between $15,000 and $42,000 per year. This will vary depending on the projects you take on.

Virtual Assistant

The person who provides administrative support to a company, entrepreneur or professional from anywhere in the world, is a virtual assistant. Their work covers a variety of tasks, from managing emails and agendas to coordinating projects or digital marketing. Of all the jobs for digital nomads that we have seen, this is one of the ones that does not require a specific degree.

• Duties: Organize meetings, take calls and emails, prepare documents, etc.
• Requirements: Be an organized person, knowledge in tools such as Google Workspace or Asana.
• Salaries: Between $10,000 and $30,000 per year.

Frequently asked questions about jobs for a digital nomad

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