Top 12 Jobs that Require Travel and Pay Well in the UK
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In today’s fast-paced professional world, many individuals in the UK are drawn to careers that combine the thrill of travel with rewarding compensation. Whether you’re an adventurer at heart, a strategic thinker, or a creative storyteller, there’s a role that offers the perfect blend of exploration and career advancement.
In this blog, we delve into 12 distinct Jobs that Require Travel and Pay Well. Each section highlights the role with a unique perspective and offers detailed insights into both time commitments and financial rewards through creative, job-specific subheadings.
What Makes a Travel-Intensive Career So Appealing?
Travel-related roles allow you to break free from the conventional office environment and immerse yourself in new cultures and environments. Such careers expose you to diverse work settings, offer endless opportunities for personal and professional growth, and allow you to build a wide network across various industries. These roles provide a refreshing change from a typical 9-to-5 routine, ensuring that every day brings a new experience.
What Are the 12 Jobs That Require Travel and Pay Well in the UK?
1. Commercial Pilot
Taking to the Skies: Mastering the Art of Flight
Commercial pilots are the captains of the skies, responsible for safely navigating aircraft on domestic and international routes. Their role demands high levels of technical skill, quick decision-making, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing flight conditions.
Flight Duty Timetable:
Pilots experience dynamic and often irregular schedules. They typically accumulate 70–100 hours of flying and standby time per month, with rotations that may span multiple time zones.
Compensation Outlook:
With remuneration generally ranging from £70,000 to over £150,000 per year, commercial pilots enjoy one of the most rewarding career paths in aviation, reflecting both their expertise and the demanding nature of the role.
2. Management Consultant
Global Strategy on the Move: Shaping Business Success Across Borders
Management consultants play a pivotal role in transforming businesses by travelling to various client sites to diagnose challenges and craft strategic solutions that drive efficiency and growth.
Consulting Schedule
The role often requires long hours—typically between 50 and 70 hours per week—especially during peak project periods. Flexibility and readiness to travel on short notice are essential.
Consultancy Compensation:
These professionals earn between £45,000 and over £100,000 per year, with top-tier firms and extensive experience often commanding even higher figures.
3. International Sales Manager
Connecting Continents: Driving Revenue Through Worldwide Engagements
International sales managers are on the front line of global business, forging relationships, negotiating deals, and expanding markets beyond domestic borders.
Global Engagement Hours:
Typically working around 40 to 50 hours a week—with additional travel days to attend international meetings, trade shows, and client visits—their schedules are as varied as their clientele.
Income Potential:
They enjoy competitive earnings, with salaries generally falling between £40,000 and £90,000 per year, often enhanced by performance-related bonuses.
4. Field Service Engineer
Engineering Adventures: Solving Technical Challenges on the Move
Field service engineers ensure that industrial and commercial equipment operates flawlessly by travelling to client locations for installations, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
On-Site Commitment:
These professionals maintain a standard workweek of around 40 to 45 hours, though urgent issues or on-call duties can occasionally extend their time on site.
Remuneration Spectrum:
Their pay typically ranges from £30,000 to £50,000 per year, offering a satisfying blend of hands-on technical problem-solving and the excitement of varied work environments.
5. International Account Manager
Bridging Borders: Cultivating Global Business Relationships
International account managers are tasked with nurturing key client relationships on a global scale. They play a crucial role in expanding market presence and ensuring long-term business success.
Flexible Calendar:
These professionals usually maintain a flexible schedule that averages 40 to 45 hours per week, adapting their calendars to meet the demands of international travel and client engagements.
Earnings Bracket:
With earnings typically ranging between £40,000 and £80,000 per year, there are also opportunities to earn additional incentives based on performance and sustained client relationships.
6. Travel Nurse / Agency Nurse
Care on the Move: Delivering Healthcare Excellence Across the Nation
Travel nurses or agency nurses fill critical staffing gaps across the UK’s healthcare system, moving between hospitals and clinics to ensure continuous patient care.
Shift Patterns:
They generally work rotational shifts, averaging between 37.5 and 40 hours per week, with extended shifts possible during high-demand periods or emergencies.
Hourly Earnings:
Their compensation is usually structured on an hourly basis, ranging from £25 to £35 per hour, with total annual income varying based on the number of assignments and overtime opportunities.
7. Offshore Engineer (Oil & Gas)
Braving the Elements: Engineering in Remote and Challenging Environments
Offshore engineers tackle complex technical issues on oil rigs and gas platforms in remote, often harsh conditions, requiring resilience and specialized expertise.
Rotational Shifts:
Their work follows a pattern of 12-hour shifts on a rotational schedule—commonly two weeks on duty followed by two weeks off—making the job as challenging as it is rewarding.
Financial Rewards:
Salaries in this field range from £40,000 to over £100,000 per year, reflecting the specialized skills needed and the demanding nature of the role.
8. Event Manager
Crafting Unforgettable Experiences: Orchestrating Dynamic Events
Event managers are the creative forces behind major events, from corporate conferences to large public festivals, managing everything from venue selection to on-site coordination.
Event Coordination Hours:
Typically, an event manager’s week involves about 40 hours of planning and coordination, with event days often requiring extended hours into the evening.
Pay Scale:
Their earnings generally range between £25,000 and £50,000 per year, with additional incentives possible for successfully executed high-profile events.
9. Travel Writer / Blogger
Wandering with Words: Transforming Journeys into Captivating Narratives
Travel writers and bloggers combine their love for exploration with the art of storytelling, crafting engaging narratives that inspire others to see the world.
Creative Flexibility:
With the freedom of a freelance schedule, travel writers can set their own hours, balancing travel, research, and writing from virtually anywhere.
Monetary Outcomes:
Income can vary significantly, but established professionals typically earn between £30,000 and over £50,000 per year through a mix of salaries, freelance assignments, and affiliate marketing.
10. Luxury Travel Consultant / Tour Manager
Curating Bespoke Escapes: Designing Exclusive Journeys for the Elite
Specialising in high-end travel, luxury travel consultants and tour managers design tailor-made itineraries for discerning clients, ensuring every journey is unique and memorable.
Consultation & Travel Days:
Their schedules combine standard office hours with additional travel days for client consultations, venue inspections, and detailed itinerary planning.
Compensation Snapshot:
These professionals typically earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, with the potential for commissions and performance-based bonuses to enhance their overall income.
11. IT Consultant / Project Manager
Tech on the Move: Innovating Solutions While Exploring New Horizons
IT consultants and project managers play a crucial role in today’s digital landscape, travelling to client sites to implement cutting-edge technology solutions and oversee complex projects.
Project Time Commitments:
They generally work 40 to 50 hours per week, although critical project phases may require longer hours and quick turnarounds to meet tight deadlines.
Earnings Range:
Compensation typically falls between £40,000 and £80,000 per year, with additional performance bonuses that reward technical expertise and project success.
12. Diplomatic Service / Foreign Service Officer
Representing the Nation: Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Action
A career in the diplomatic or foreign service offers a unique opportunity to represent the UK on the international stage, engaging in global policy-making and cross-cultural communication.
Duty Hours:
While these professionals generally maintain a standard 40-hour workweek in the home office, postings abroad can involve extended and irregular hours dictated by international relations and diplomatic events.
Salary Framework:
Starting salaries are around £35,000, with senior roles earning well over £100,000 per year, reflecting the high level of responsibility and the strategic importance of their work.
Final Thoughts: Is a Travel-Intensive Career Right for You?
Each of these 12 roles offers a unique combination of adventure, challenge, and financial reward. Whether you dream of piloting an aircraft, driving global business strategies, or exploring new cultures through storytelling, these careers provide exciting opportunities to break free from the traditional office environment. Reflect on your skills, interests, and lifestyle aspirations to determine which path aligns with your goals.
Embrace the journey, expand your horizons, and let your career take you to places you’ve always dreamed of exploring. Happy job hunting and safe travels!
