Curious about the Workamping lifestyle? Workampers are adventurous individuals, couples, and families who combine part-time or full-time work with RV living. Whether you’re earning an income, running a business, or volunteering, if you’re doing it from an RV…you’re a Workamper!
At Workamper News, we’ve spent decades answering questions about this unique lifestyle. Here are five of the most frequently asked questions from RVers considering Workamping – and how to make it work for you.
1. What kind of RV do I need for Workamping?
Short answer:
The one that fits your needs. Consider the age, type, length, your budget, your travel style, your physical capabilities, and your living preferences.
Longer answer:
There’s no one-size-fits-all RV for Workamping. Most employers expect a hard-sided motorhome or trailer that supports basic needs like cooking and hygiene. However, smaller rigs and alternative setups (like skoolies or truck campers) can still be a fit, especially for non-RV park jobs or roles that offer housing.
Considerations:
Age: The age of your RV will matter at some RV parks – if they have a 10-year rule for their customers, they may also enforce it with their Workampers. If you have an older unit, but it has been restored or maintained, often times just sending photos of your RV for prior approval will suffice.
Length: The length of your RV may be a factor in some types of Workamper jobs. For example, some government-operated campgrounds have smaller RV sites (like 30′ or less), and some national parks have too low of bridges or length-limits for the roads within their park. Just be sure to get the details on the size of the RV site and route there before accepting a position with an Employer. Some Employers have separate camping areas for their Workampers, and these RV sites may be larger than the sites available to camping guests.
Style: Having an unconventional rig (like a tent, pop up, converted box truck, school bus, or car) will limit your opportunities, especially in commercial RV parks. However, there are plenty of opportunities for Workampers in which the type of RV does not matter. Even if you are interested only in RV parks, not all owners and managers are closed-minded on this subject. Also, in some cases, housing (like an apartment, cabin, mobile home, or dormitory) is provided.
2. How many hours do I have to work in trade for an RV site?
Short Answer:
Typically 15–20 hours/week, but it varies.
Long Answer:
It is difficult to use the word “typical” when describing any Workamper job, including those in campgrounds, because the duties and working conditions can vary so much. In addition, the location can play a big factor in the compensation – very popular tourist destinations can demand more hours worked because the value of their RV site will be higher.
Workamper jobs in commercial campgrounds can include hosts, activity directors, maintenance, housekeeping, managers, assistant managers, caretakers, etc. In smaller parks, the host or manager typically wears all of these “hats.”
In situations where the Workamper may be responsible for operating the facility for an absentee owner/manager, the compensation should be increased accordingly. In situations where the Workamper has very light/minimal duties or responsibilities, the compensation may reflect that.
All of that aside, the average exchange is 15 to 20 hours per week in trade for a FHU site. This results in an actual “hourly wage” of $7 to $20 per hour, depending on the value of the site, hookups, perks, etc.
The majority of Workamping positions offer full hookup site plus at least minimum wage for all hours worked (or a salary). Other times, Workampers work a specific number of hours in exchange for RV site/perks plus receive at least minimum wage for any additional hours. Current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; state minimums vary.
When considering jobs that involve exchanges of hours worked for an RV site, hookups, etc., we recommend that Workampers use the following formula to determine if the exchange meets individual needs:
(Value of site + utilities + perks + pay per month) ÷ total hours per month = your effective hourly wage
The difficult part of this formula can be calculating the value of the perks. Often, the Workamper won’t know what perks are included until communicating with the Employer. Some perks may not have a specific dollar value. On average, 20% of Employers offer a bonus as well, further complicating the true hourly wage.
Bottom Line:
It is up to each Workamper to be selective and to only accept jobs that offer a compensation package that suits his/her needs which can only truly be evaluated after getting ALL of the details directly from the Employer.
3. Is it hard to find a Workamping job with no experience?
Short Answer:
Typically, no, it’s not hard.
Long Answer:
Most Workampers start with little or no direct experience. Employers are often more interested in practical life skills – like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability – than traditional job histories.
Think about any previous work you’ve done or jobs you’ve had, things you participated in, groups you joined, hobbies you had, houses/property/RVs you’ve taken care of – it’s likely you have skills you gained from your life experience that would apply to a Workamping position you are applying for.
- Did you maintain a house, take care of the yard, fix stuff that broke, etc? You have some maintenance skills.
- Did you successfully keep track of yours and your kids’ schedules successfully, organize your mail, track your finances, etc? You have some organizational skills.
- Did you communicate with customers in your previous job(s) or participate in parent groups/church groups/volunteer groups? Then you probably have some people skills or customer service experience.
Just because you didn’t get “paid” for it, doesn’t mean you didn’t acquire some skills and experience that are applicable to your future Workamping jobs.
Most Employers are willing to train, and understand you may be recently coming out of an industry that’s totally different from theirs. Often they are just looking for folks with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and do the job to the best of his/her ability, and have some flexibility.
Make sure the Employer takes time to layout their expectations so you fully understand the job, duties, and details so you can make the best determination on if it will be right for you.
4. It seems most Workamping jobs are for couples…are there Workamping jobs for solo RVers?
Short Answer:
Yes, plenty!
Long Answer:
This is a common misconception. Employers who post their Workamping opportunities on Workamper.com must answer whether they would hire solos; on average, 75-85% of them indicate that “solos are considered.”
The type of Employers that typically advertise “couples only” are commercial campgrounds and RV parks. They prefer couples because they get two Workampers for one RV site. Parks that frequently fill to capacity are sacrificing revenue for every site occupied by Workampers.
Another point to keep in mind is that singles often land jobs that were advertised for couples by being a little more creative and persistent. If you can do the work of two part-time workers, do not hesitate to contact the Employer and sell yourself!
We have known many wonderful solo Workampers and have featured them on our website, podcast, and in past issues of our magazine. If you are a Workamper.com member, review the Online Magazine archive. Not only is it a huge database of help wanted ads, but you’ll find many helpful and inspiring stories. Especially check out the Nov/Dec 2020 and March/April 2018 issue as employers that told us they hire solos have their ads colored blue.
5. What’s the best way to find the right Workamping jobs for me?
Short Answer:
First: Know what you want. Second: Use the right tools to find jobs that match your desires.
Long Answer:
The most important step is to determine what your needs and wants are in regards to location, environment, compensation, and job duties.
Start by asking yourself some simple questions like:
- What areas do you want to spend time in?
- How long do you want to be in a specific area?
- Do you want to find a job that is not location-based?
- What types of positions interest you most?
- Do you want to do jobs you’ve done before or try new things?
- How physically fit are you?
- What types of duties would you be comfortable doing, and which would you never ever want to do?
- Do you want your work environment to be mostly indoors or outdoors?
- Do you prefer a very busy environment with lots of people or an operation with little-to-no people interaction?
- Would you thrive in a very structured work environment or one that is more relaxed?
- What’s your monthly budget? Do you need to earn monetary income to cover expenses or debts?
- Do you need to not have any (or very little) reported income because of the regulations of social security or disability?
- Could you work part of the year for wages + RV site and part of the year for RV site only?
Once you know what you are looking for…then you can go after it! Whether you’re looking for full-time work, a part-time job or volunteer opportunities, Workamper News is here to help you find the right avenue for living and working on the road.
Conclusion
Remember, Workamper job finding is a year-round process; you never know when the right opportunities for you will come available. Stay engaged year-round with our diverse community and resources to support your RV travel lifestyle!
Utilize the tools at Workamper.com to narrow the job listings to your preferences and create your resume indicating what you are seeking to have the jobs come to you! Go through our in-depth videos and articles that teach you how to be successful – including what questions to ask employers, how to research employers, how to make the best first impression, interviewing, evaluating a job offer, and more.
Workamping isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle that lets you explore, connect, and grow while living on the road. With the right mindset, resources, and support, anyone can become a successful Workamper.
Ready to get started? Join the Workamper community at Workamper.com and unlock access to job listings, resume tools, training, and support from fellow RVers who are living the dream
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