RV Workamping: Travel Full-Time Without an Online Job

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Do you long to be a digital nomad sitting on the beach staring at the ocean over the top of your laptop? Many people would love to quit their day jobs and travel full-time but don’t have the skill set or desire to start an online business.

Workamping is the perfect solution. Workamping jobs are positions specifically designed for RV travelers.

As full-time RVers, workamping allows us to earn extra money while we travel. I run an online business, but my husband often takes seasonal workamping gigs to help support our lifestyle. Keep reading to learn how to become a workamper.

What is Workamping?

Couple at Luxury RV Campsite.
Workamping = Work + RV Camping

Work camping, typically referred to as workamping by those in the know, is the combination of camping (usually in an RV) and work. Workamping positions generally offer workers a campsite for the duration of their employment.

There are all different types of workamping jobs, each of which has different requirements and perks. Many RV parks and campgrounds have workamping positions but there are many more unique workamping jobs.

Working at seasonal businesses, such as water parks or Christmas tree lots, working the sugar beet harvest, and camp hosting at state parks are all common workamping positions.

What are the Benefits of Workamping?

Aerial view of RV park
RV Park Where We Workamped for a Summer

The main benefit of workamping is living in a new place (often for free) without having your own online business or a full-time remote work position. Almost any adult can find a workamping job that fits their unique skills.

Since most workamping jobs are seasonal, the workamping lifestyle allows travelers to move frequently and become full-time travelers without becoming digital nomads.

The workamping lifestyle can also be great for couples. I am a digital nomad, but my husband has always worked offline in customer service positions. Workamping allows him to continue working while we travel all over North America.

How to Find Workamping Jobs?

Couple working jobs from laptop at RV
Looking for Workamping Jobs

There are several different online job boards and e-mail newsletters that post jobs for workampers. Here are my favorite places to search for workamping positions.

WorkampingJobs.com

This website doesn’t look like much, but it is free for workers and always has several open positions listed. This website is where my husband found his most recent workamping job at a campground in Idaho.

The website does not have an application system, but most postings include a phone number or email for applicants to contact the person in charge of hiring.

Facebook Workampers Group

The Workampers group on Facebook is another great place to find work for the upcoming season. This active Facebook group regularly has postings from businesses hiring workampers, and many workampers come here to post their resume and inquire about open positions.

The free community also allows potential workampers to connect with other RVers and post their questions about the lifestyle

How Much Does Workamping Pay?

Workamping Wages and Perks

Smiling man working behind counter at grill.
My Husband Workamping at a Campground Restaurant

When we first started full-time RVing, we often heard that workampers should expect to work 20 hours per week in exchange for a full hookup RV site. However, we found this calculation meaningless because there are so many unique workamping situations.

Each workamping job requires a different skill set and time commitment. The value of each workamping campsite will also vary depending on the location and amenities. A simple campsite in a rural area is going to be worth way less than a luxury resort campsite near a popular tourist destination.

Determining a fair wage for a workamping position is the same as determining a fair wage for any job. A fair hourly wage will depend on the position and your experience, but the extra benefits also need to be considered.

For example, my husband’s last workamping job only paid $12, which is way less than he would typically accept. However, it came with several additional perks including a free full-hookup campsite, free meals from the onsite restaurant, and free ATV rentals.

Since he worked in the restaurant he also earned decent tips. All in his actual compensation was around $25 per hour.

Volunteer Workamping

Campground hosts
Volunteer Campground Hosts

It is possible to earn a good income by workamping. However, some workamping jobs are volunteer positions. The most common volunteer positions are camp hosting jobs at state parks and other public campgrounds.

These positions typically offer a free campsite in exchange for 10 to 30 hours of work per week. As with paid positions, campers should evaluate volunteer positions based on the value of the campsite.

For example, if your volunteer position includes a campsite worth $1000 per month, but only requires 10 hours per week of work, a volunteer position can be a great deal that saves you and your family money. Volunteer positions may also allow you to work on your own online business while workamping.

Tips to Land a Great Workamping Job

Here are our best tips for future workampers looking for an awesome job.

Thousand Trails Membership Levels
Example of a Workamping Resume Photo

Look Early

Start looking for seasonal work early. Many campgrounds and seasonal businesses are always ready to hire. We’ve talked to many workampers who secured their position a year in advance.

Also, feel free to look through job postings for this past year and reach out to see if they are ready to hire for the next season. There tend to be more opportunities in summer, when more campgrounds are open and busy, so winter jobs (especially winter jobs in Florida and Arizona) are likely to be more competitive.

Do the Math

When considering or negotiating workamping positions always calculate the monetary value of your campsite and other perks. To determine the value of the campsite, look at monthly rates in the area. In some locations, monthly campsites are only worth about $400, whereas the going rate is over $1500 per month in other places.

Since most workamping jobs pay an hourly wage, divide the value of the campsite by your expected hours to determine the additional value.

Get the Terms in Writing

Have your wage, length of employment, expected weekly hours, and negotiated perks documented in an employment contract. Getting the terms in writing ensures you are clear about what is expected of you and what you expect in return.

Create a Workamper Resume

If you have ever applied for a job, you already have a resume. However, many workampers alter their resume with a few additional details that are only relevant to this unique lifestyle.

Workamper resumes often include photos of you and your RV. Since most workamping employers hire remotely, they may request a photo to verify your identity. Many campgrounds have size or year limitations, so a photo of your RV may also be required.

If you are applying for jobs as a couple, you can create a joint resume with both of your photos, followed by your individual work experiences. Other than that, your workamping resume should include all the same information it would for a normal job.

Demonstrate Organization and Reliability

Many businesses who hire seasonal workampers have had issues with past employees who were unreliable or decided to hit the road early. Therefore, most people hiring workampers are looking for workers they believe will be reliable.

Show up to your interview on time, send a professional follow-up email, and provide references who will speak to your reliability and work ethic.

Ask for References from Past Workampers

When deciding if a workamping job is a good fit for you and your family, you need to understand all aspects of the position as well as the experience living at the provided campsite.

We’ve found it super helpful to request the contact information of previous workampers. These past workers can answer all of your questions and give you a better idea of what your day-to-day will look like at the job.

Have a Plan for Health Insurance

Most seasonal workamping jobs do not include health insurance or retirement benefits. Before quitting your job and hitting the road, have a plan for how you will obtain health insurance while traveling.

Our guide to health insurance for full-time RVers details all the available options

The First Step: Buy an RV

Are you interested in becoming a workamping? The first step is to get an RV, so you are ready to travel to your first job!

Before buying your new home on wheels, see our guide to buying an RV, and then check out our guide to preparing for RV Life.

If you are interested in RV living, but are not sure about workamping, check out these other jobs that are perfect for full-time RVers.

Happy camping!


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