5 of the top high-paying seasonal jobs
High-paying seasonal jobs – that’s no oxymoron! Yes, short-term positions have a rep for paying out very little whilst asking for loads in return. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can actually earn oodles of money working on temporary contracts, all while exploring some of the world’s most amazing places. Just check out this list…
TEFL teacher
You don’t have to sign a year-long contract to get that TEFL qualification earning for you. In fact, summer camps for language learners are a great opportunity to gain extra experience in the field, all while having a mini adventure in a new destination. Europe is the main hotspot. There are camps all over, from the salty beaches of Portugal to the rural backcountry of Poland. However, for the most lucrative high-paying seasonal jobs in TEFL summer camps, countries like France, Switzerland, and Germany usually come up trumps. Contracts typically last from four to six weeks in those, but it’s normal for accommodation and board to be included, which means you can save even more as you go. Applications are usually due in the winter, for camps that start between May and September. A 120-hour TEFL certificate is a minimum requirement.
Ski instructor
Are you a maestro of whizzing down the slopes? Can you carve your way from ski station to après bar without a thought for the moguls? You could be a candidate for ski seasonaire. Admittedly, this is a position only open to those who are expert level on the mountain. However, there are intense accreditation courses that promise to take you from total beginner to instructor level in just a matter of weeks. They’re not cheap but then the salary is good. Well-rated ski tutors can bag anything upwards of $2,450 USD/month, not including the generous tips you’ll certainly get if you remember to smile. What’s more, jobs are all over the globe, from the Rockies of the US to the Alps of Europe to the peaks of NZ’s South Island.
National Park Service
The NPS is a major employer within the USA. Every year, thousands upon thousands of extra helping hands are recruited to ensure the smooth running of some of America’s wildest areas and most treasured natural jewels. With salaries that start at $14/hour, these high-paying seasonal jobs include everything from rangers to specialised scientists and biologists. The best part? You’ll get to stay out and about the whole time. How do the spurting geysers of Yellowstone or the soaring peaks of Yosemite sound for an office space? On the downside, employment here is typically limited to people who reside in the US.
Hiking guide
The age of coronavirus has seen a surge in the popularity of outdoorsy travel. That, in turn, means more and more people on the trails. From the Dolomites to the Carpathians, the Coast Ranges to the Sierra Madre, it seems like everyone’s searching for their hit of fresh air. Cue the hiking guide. It’s a job that will let you stretch your legs in some of the world’s most beautiful corners. It’s not without responsibilities – you’ll need excellent compass and map skills, have to know the local trails like the back of your hand, and be ready to deal with emergency situations. Positions are available all year round, because there’s hiking year-round in different hemispheres. Oh, and the moolah? Wages can hit between $200-250 a day on multi-night trekking packages that you market yourself, making this one a doozy among high-paying seasonal jobs for those who love an adventure.
Dive instructor
Got that PADI? Bagged a Divemaster certificate? Got a passion for all things coral reef and sea turtle? This could be the short-term work you’ve been searching for! So long as you know the ropes in the world of scuba, you’re bound to love the chance to spend a summer guiding groups through the underwater wonderlands of the world. There’s a very specific set of qualifications you’ll need to get going, and reaching the point where you can apply takes at least six months. After that, we’d recommend focussing on places like Hawaii and Thailand for the high-paying seasonal jobs of the diver world.
Have you discovered any awesome high-paying seasonal jobs? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below! Alternatively, if you’re tempted by the prospect of TEFL summer camps, be sure to check out our courses page to get started on your journey.