Is your day job sucking the life and soul of out you? Do you dream of a career where you have the freedom to work outdoors — but you don’t have a degree in oceanography, zoology, or landscape architecture?
No problem! If you’re ready to escape the cube, you’re in luck.
Here are eight fun and unique jobs that let you work outside.
1. Kid’s Swim Instructor
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you enjoy teaching? Then perhaps being a children’s swim instructor is your calling. Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) offers a home business opportunity where you can train for a career as a survival swim instructor for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Teaching a baby or child with this method takes 3–5 weeks. Lessons are given Monday through Friday, with each session being 10 minutes long. ISR lessons cost $85.00 a week, so if you had ten students, your weekly earnings would be $850 per week.
2. Local Tour Guide
Do you love history? Do you have extensive knowledge of your city or cool things to do around town? Then maybe being a local tour guide can get you outside. Tour guides make money by creating unique experiences for groups of people. Some top guides charge $175 per person for a 3-hour tour. Give your tour once a day, five days a week, and you could earn $4,375 with just five attendees on each tour — not bad!
Related Content: How to Make Money Being a Local Tour Guide
3. Bike Currier with Postmates
Are you task-oriented? Do you love to get outside and ride your bike? Then consider joining forces with Postmates. With Postmates, you can use your bike, scooter, motorcycle, or even your car to pick up items and deliver them to customers. With Postmates, you earn most of the delivery fee — plus 100% of tips. According to their website, most Postmates earn $25 an hour, and payouts are collected weekly.
Are you looking for more opportunities like this? Check out Uber EATS, where you can get paid for delivering packages and food via your bike, scooter, or car!
4. Fit 4 Mom Instructor
Do you have a passion for motherhood and fitness? Fit 4 Mom offers outdoor fitness programs for pregnant women and moms. Individuals interested in this opportunity can look for a local franchise hiring instructors, or you can be your own boss and purchase a franchise. The initial franchising fee starts at $4,995, with the potential to earn a part-time or full-time income in your territory.
5. Dog Walker
Do you love dogs? Then you could be on your way to making $10 – $25 per hour just by walking and caring for dogs. You can find local dog-walking gigs on Care.com, or you can choose to start your own dog walking and pet sitting business. In fact, this Orange County Resident is making $120K per year as a pet sitter/dog walker to 45 canine clients. For more information on this career, check out the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
6. Nature Photographer
Do you live and breathe photography? Do you have an eye for detail? Then consider working as a nature photographer. While many photographers have degrees in photojournalism, most have no formal education. World-renowned wilderness photographer, Ansel Adams, had no formal training except for basic darkroom techniques he learned working as a part-time photofinisher. To get started with this career, practice your craft, read up on the subject, and connect with other photographers. According to the Houston Chronicle, “80% of all photographers had incomes between $20,270 and $65,510 a year”.
Are you looking for places to sell your photos? Check out this HUGE list of companies that will pay you for your images!
7. Camp Counselor
Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you like to go fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming? Then read on … Camp counselors generally work weekends and summers, but this could be the perfect gig for a high school or college student or even a teacher that has the summer off. According to ZipRecruiter, the median wage for a camp counselor is $13.00 per hour, but add in room and board, and it could be a fun way to earn some extra cash while playing outdoors.
To find local camp counselor jobs check out Cool Works.com.
8. Golf Caddy
Do you love playing golf? Do you have extensive knowledge of the rules, equipment, and course? Being a golf caddy can be an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors. Many caddies start in their teens or college years, and as they hone their skills, they move on to work with more experienced players. The average starting pay is $30-$60 per bag — plus tips. And get this; professional caddies can earn upwards of $400K per year! If you’re interested in this career, the Western Golf Association offers additional training and resources for getting started.
Conclusion
If you love being outside, there are lots of easy and fun ways to make money outdoors this summer.
Want to extend your travels? Here are a bunch of ways you can make money on the go!
Do you have a job that allows you to be outside? We would love to hear about it.
I loved your post! I am definitely an outdoor enthusiast :)
Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed the list, Stephanie! Do you plan to try any of them out?