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For those who crave adventure and a lucrative career, 2025 offers a range of high-paying jobs that require travel. They include airline pilots, international business consultants, flight attendants, cruise directors, and ship captains. These jobs allow professionals to explore the world while earning a substantial income.
Key takeaways
- High-paying travel jobs are available in healthcare, tech, engineering, aviation, and consulting.
- Airline pilots and management consultants can earn over $100,000 annually.
- Jobs like those of geoscientists and environmental engineers often require advanced degrees.
- Positions like cruise directors and flight attendants often include free accommodations, meals, or travel allowances.
- Ship captains face demanding hours and high-pressure environments.
Jobs that require travel and pay well
We used data from credible sources, such as BetterUp and Indeed, to compile this list of jobs requiring travel, based on the average annual salary. Here is a look at the jobs and payment in 2025:
| Job title | Average annual salary | Key travel aspect |
| Airline pilot | $171,701 | Transporting passengers or cargo across domestic and international routes |
| Management consultant | $77,506 – $144,569 | Advising organisations globally |
| Construction manager | $132,745 | Oversee building projects at various sites |
| Ship captain | $112,052 – $142,118 | Oversee navigation, crew operations, and safety compliance during maritime journeys. |
| International journalist | $42,114 – $53,434 | Cover a wide range of global events |
| Foreign service officer | $88,985 – $121,210 | Represent their country in embassies or consulates internationally |
| Sales director | $180,713 | Lead teams to drive revenue for companies requiring frequent domestic and international travel |
| Cruise director | $52,144 – $80,008 | Manage guest experiences on cruise ships |
| Archaeologist | $87,762 | Conduct fieldwork in remote or international locations |
| Event planner | $59,161 – $72,034 | Organise and execute events domestically or internationally |
| Corporate trainer | $77,155 | Design and deliver training programs worldwide |
| NGO program manager | $81,301 | Oversee humanitarian or development projects for nonprofit organisations globally |
| Flight attendant | $76,491 | Travel domestically or internationally to ensure passengers’ safety |
| Product manager | $72,629 | Oversee product development and market success globally |
| Geologists | $82,541 | Investigate earth’s physical properties globally |
1. Airline pilot
- Average annual salary: $171,701.
Airline pilots operate commercial aircraft, transporting passengers or cargo across domestic and international routes while ensuring safety and efficiency. The role demands extensive global travel, with pilots often visiting multiple cities weekly and staying overnight in various destinations.
Although the job requires a commercial pilot’s license and rigorous training, it commands an average annual salary of $171,701.
2. Management consultant
- Average annual salary: $77,506 and $144,569
Management consultants work for global firms like McKinsey or Deloitte, advising organisations on strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and operations.
The role requires frequent travel to local and international client sites, typically 50-80% of the time. Management consultants earn between $77,506 and $144,569 annually.
3. Construction manager
- Average annual salary: $132,745.
Construction managers oversee building projects, from skyscrapers to bridges, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to safety standards.
They coordinate workers, manage resources, negotiate with suppliers, and liaise with clients, often travelling to project sites across the country or countries for hands-on supervision. As one of the best jobs that pay you to travel, a construction manager can earn an average annual salary of $132,745.
4. Ship captain
- Average annual salary: $112,052 and $142,118
Ship captains command merchant vessels, cargo ships, or cruise liners. They oversee navigation, crew operations, and safety compliance during maritime journeys.
The role involves extensive international travel, with months spent at sea and time in diverse port cities. Ship captains earn an average annual salary of between $112,052 and $142,118.
5. International journalist
- Average annual salary: $42,114 to $53,434
International journalists cover a wide range of global events, from political developments to cultural stories. They work for media outlets like CNN or as freelancers. The role demands frequent travel to conflict zones, cultural hubs, or international summits.
The salary range for an international journalist job is from $42,114 to $53,434 annually, making it one of the best careers that require travel and pay well.
6. Foreign service officer
- Average annual salary: $88,985 to $121,210
Foreign service officers represent their country in embassies or consulates, promoting diplomacy, assisting citizens abroad, and addressing international issues.
They negotiate policies, report on local conditions, and manage consular services, often in politically sensitive or challenging regions. The base salary for a foreign service officer ranges from $88,985 to $121,210 annually.
7. Sales director
- Average annual salary: $180,713
Sales directors lead teams to drive revenue for companies in industries like technology, hospitality, or manufacturing. They negotiate high-value contracts, attend industry conferences, and build client relationships, requiring frequent domestic and international travel for meetings and events. The average annual salary of a sales director is $180,713.
8. Cruise director
- Average annual salary: $52,144 to $80,008
Cruise directors manage guest experiences on cruise ships, overseeing entertainment, activities, and staff to ensure passenger satisfaction. They organise events, address guest concerns, and maintain a vibrant onboard atmosphere. The role involves constant travel along global cruise routes.
9. Archaeologist
- Average annual salary: $87,762
Archaeologists study past human societies by excavating and analysing artefacts, structures, and remains. They work for universities, museums, or government agencies.
Archaeologists conduct fieldwork at historical sites, document findings, and contribute to academic research or cultural preservation. The role requires frequent travel to excavation sites, often in remote or international locations. The average annual salary of an archaeologist is $87,762.
10. Event planner
- Average annual salary: $59,161 and $72,034
Event planners organise and execute corporate events, conferences, weddings, or festivals, managing logistics, vendors, and client expectations. They scout venues, coordinate staff, and oversee event setups, often travelling to domestic or international locations for site visits or high-profile events. Top event planners make between $59,161 and $72,034 annually.
11. Corporate trainer
- Average annual salary: $77,155
Corporate trainers design and deliver training programs to enhance employee skills. They often focus on leadership, communication, or technical expertise for multinational companies.
Furthermore, the professionals conduct workshops, assess training needs, and adapt programs to diverse workforces. They travel to corporate offices or training facilities worldwide. The average corporate trainer salary is $77,155.
12. NGO program manager
- Average annual salary: $81,301
NGO program managers oversee humanitarian or development projects for nonprofit organisations. They manage budgets, staff, and partnerships to address poverty, health, and education issues. The role demands leadership and cultural competence. Nonprofit program managers earn an average annual salary of $81,301.
13. Flight attendant
- Average annual salary: $76,491
Flight attendants ensure passenger safety and comfort on commercial or private flights, providing customer service, conducting safety checks, and managing in-flight emergencies.
They work for airlines and travel domestically or internationally, with schedules involving multiple cities and overnight layovers. As one of the jobs that involves travelling, working as a flight attendant can command an average annual salary of $76,491.
14. Product manager
- Average annual salary: $72,629
Product managers oversee product development and market success, typically in the tech or consumer goods industries. They define strategies and collaborate with global teams.
Product managers conduct market research, manage product lifecycles, and travel to client sites, international offices, or manufacturing hubs for launches and partnerships. Their average annual salary is $72,629.
15. Geologists
- Average annual salary: $82,541
Geoscientists investigate the earth’s physical properties, focusing on resources like oil, gas, minerals, or groundwater. They work for energy companies, research institutions, or environmental firms.
Geologist duties include collecting field samples, analysing geological data with advanced software, conducting geophysical surveys, and advising on resource extraction or environmental impacts. An entry-level Geoscientist with no related experience makes about $82,541 annually.
Wrapping up
These 15 jobs that require travel offer salaries ranging from $50,000 to over $200,000 per year. The pay is higher because travel-intensive roles prioritise skills and mobility. From pilots to archaeologists, each job delivers unique opportunities to see the world while earning well. An advantage is that these roles span industries like technology, healthcare, aviation, and consulting.
Are you looking for more information about the best-paying jobs in basic industries? Tuko.co.ke published an informative article about well-paying jobs in basic industries that offer satisfying careers.
The best jobs in basic sectors provide all you need, including a fair wage and security. These well-paying positions are critical to the economy because they sustain the manufacturing, construction, and agricultural sectors. Read this article for more information.
