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For those who love to travel, many trades and construction jobs offer opportunities to see new parts of the country. These jobs provide a chance to explore different regions and offer the satisfaction of contributing to the building and maintenance of our infrastructure. Here are some of the top jobs in this industry:
Top Trades and Construction Jobs for Travelers
- Traveling Nurse: While nursing is a medical profession, it requires specialized skills and training. Many hospitals and medical facilities hire traveling nurses on a contractual basis, often due to staff shortages or specific needs.
- Wind Turbine Technician: As the demand for renewable energy grows, wind turbine technicians are needed to install and maintain turbines in various locations.
- Aircraft Mechanic: They may travel to different airports or places to repair aircraft as needed.
- Oil and Gas Workers: Rigs and extraction sites can be located in various parts of a country, and these workers often move from one site to another.
- Construction Workers and Contractors: Some specialize in projects that require them to travel, such as infrastructure, large commercial projects, or disaster recovery.
- Underwater Welder: These professionals work on underwater structures like bridges, dams, and oil rigs. The job may require traveling to various water sites around the country or even internationally.
- Elevator Installer and Repairer: Those who specialize in specific brands or types of elevators might travel more extensively.
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: These professionals travel to various locations where power lines are being installed or repaired.
- Field Service Technician: Many industries, including the medical equipment and IT sectors, require technicians to travel to client sites to install or repair equipment.
- Commercial Truck Driver: While primarily a transportation job, it involves skill in handling large vehicles over long distances, often transporting goods across the country.
- Railroad Workers: Whether involved in maintenance, operations, or repair, many of these jobs require travel along the country's extensive rail lines.
- Traveling Salesperson: Some products, especially complex equipment or machinery, require specialized knowledge to sell and may involve travel to various client sites or trade shows.
- Maritime Workers: Jobs on ships, such as merchant marines, might mean travel not only across the country but around the world, depending on the routes the ship takes.
- Consultants: Some skilled tradespeople transition into consultancy roles where their expertise is sought after by various companies or projects across the country.
- Telecom Tower Technicians: These professionals install, maintain, or repair cellular and other types of communication towers, which can involve travel to different regions.
When considering a career in a traveling trade, it's essential to balance the appeal of travel with other factors such as work-life balance, pay, benefits, and job security. Traveling jobs can be exciting and provide unique experiences, but they might also entail long hours, time away from family, and other challenges. It's crucial to thoroughly research and understand the specifics of the job and its demands before diving in.
The Shortage of Skilled Trades Workers is Creating Traveling Job Opportunities
Many companies are forced to hire people from out of state due to the growing shortage of skilled trades workers and the rising infrastructure projects from the
- Disasters Need Fixing: Places like Florida, Texas, and California have been hit by big storms. These places need help fixing homes and roads and power lines so some trades workers follow the bigger storms and can work in many different states.
- Old Roads & Bridges: The Inflation Reduction Act is opening up projects all across the country to and build better roads, bridges, and update important infrastructure like the electrical grid. With these improvements, the grid will need lots of skilled workers to fix the infrastructure and get it ready for electrification. Many companies present $10k-$20k+ signing bonuses to move to a new state and fill their roles. The IRA has lots of requirements for new apprenticeships as a percentage of the labor force as well.
- Not Enough Skilled Workers: There aren’t enough people who have the skills to do these jobs, so that gives you leverage to move around to new states.
- Aging Population - The aging population and COVID stress on the medical system is creating a growing shortage of nurses and caretakers. Traveling nurses are so in-demand, that they can make insane amounts of money in some states for 3-12 month long contracts at hospitals.
So, what does this mean for people who have these skills or want to learn?
- Travel & Work: You can travel all over the country fixing things. One month you could be in Texas, and the next in New York!
- Good Money: Since there aren't many people who can do these jobs, you can get paid well.
- Save Money: Living in different places can be cheaper than big cities. So, you can save more of what you earn.
In short, if you love fixing things and seeing new places, now is a super cool time to do both! 🚗🔨🇺🇸
The Allure of Traveling Trades and Construction Jobs
Traveling for work can provide a sense of freedom and adventure that is difficult to find in other industries. As a trades or construction worker, you can explore new areas of the country while spending your days doing meaningful work. The work is often challenging, but seeing your efforts come to life as a completed project can be gratifying.
Imagine waking up in a new city every few weeks, with a fresh opportunity to explore the local sights and sounds. As a traveling trades or construction worker, you'll have the chance to experience different parts of the country, from the bustling metropolises of New York City and Los Angeles to the quiet, rural towns of the Midwest and South.
Benefits of Combining Work and Travel
The benefits of combining work and travel are numerous. Not only can you experience new places and cultures, but you can also develop valuable skills that can enhance your career. Additionally, you'll meet interesting people and build a network that can be beneficial both professionally and personally.
One of the most exciting aspects of combining work and travel is the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures. Whether you're working on a construction site in a bustling city or a small town in the middle of nowhere, you'll have the chance to interact with locals and learn about their way of life. This can be a transformative experience that broadens your horizons and helps you see the world in a new light.
Meeting New People and Experiencing Different Cultures
One of the biggest benefits of traveling for work is the opportunity to meet new people and experience different cultures. Whether you're working in a major city or a small town, you'll have opportunities to interact with locals and learn about their way of life. This can broaden your horizons and provide new perspectives that can be valuable throughout your life.
As a traveling trades or construction worker, you'll have the chance to work with people from all walks of life. From fellow tradespeople to project managers to local business owners, you'll meet a diverse group of individuals who can teach you new things and expose you to different ways of thinking.
Developing a Diverse Skill Set
Traveling for work can also provide opportunities to develop a diverse skill set. As you work on different projects in different locations, you'll encounter new challenges that will require you to adapt and learn new skills. This can make you a more well-rounded worker and increase your job prospects in the future.
For example, if you're a carpenter who typically works on residential projects, traveling for work might expose you to commercial construction or specialized projects like historic preservation. This can help you develop new skills and knowledge that can be valuable throughout your career.
In conclusion, traveling for work as a trades or construction worker can be a rewarding and exciting experience. From exploring new places to meeting new people to developing new skills, there are many benefits to combining work and travel. If you're looking for a way to add some adventure to your career, consider exploring the world of traveling trades and construction jobs.
Negatives of Traveling Trades
Some construction trades jobs don't let you choose where you work. For many traveling construction jobs, you are tied to the location where the project is located, so you are stuck working wherever the company sends you.
Working out of a hotel for long periods can be challenging, depending on the area. If you plan on working on a job site for more than a week, looking into corporate housing or short-term leases for a more comfortable stay might be worthwhile.
When traveling for work, you typically get a per diem for food, but you eat out more often. Buying food on the road or eating out is typically more unhealthy than home-cooked meals.
Long commutes and lots of time in the car can be costly if you don't have a work vehicle and are putting miles on your car. Depending on your gig or job site, you may still need to commute to remote places, especially in oil and gas or industrial plants of the beaten path.
Rural areas can lack basic amenities and fun things to do on your time off
The strain on friends and family makes it harder to keep meaningful connections with friends and family if you are traveling for construction jobs for long periods.
All these negatives can be positives for people who love living and traveling to different places. Just make sure you are compensated for the extra expenses that come with all the travel!
Conclusion
Traveling jobs in the trades and construction industry can provide a unique and exciting career path. Not only will you get to see new places and meet interesting people, but you'll also have the opportunity to develop valuable skills and gain experience in the field. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, there are plenty of job opportunities available for those who are willing to hit the road and explore.
In conclusion, a career in the trades and construction industry can provide the freedom and adventure that many people crave. By combining work and travel, you can experience new places, meet interesting people, and develop a valuable skill set. If you're looking for a job that will let you see the country, consider one of the top trades and construction jobs and start exploring today.
