When evaluating a compensation package for a Workamping job, it can be tricky to determine the overall value of what you’re getting for your time and effort. Between site costs, hourly wages, and added perks, it’s worth taking a closer look to make sure the opportunity truly fits your financial and lifestyle goals.
Getting Started
Math can be complicated – but doing the “Workamping math” doesn’t have to be. The goal is simple: determine what your time and skills are worth, then weigh that against the full value of what’s offered.
Keep in mind that most employers consider Workampers to be the lifeblood of their operations. Without them, many parks, attractions, and businesses couldn’t run smoothly. As a result, the majority of employers genuinely value and take care of their Workampers by providing fair compensation.
Let’s break down the main types of compensation packages you’ll see and how to calculate their real value.
Typical Workamping compensation packages:
1. Campsite only
The ad promises a campsite in exchange for 20 hours of work per week. Is it a fair deal?
In volunteer positions, employers often equate your time to the cost of minimum wage labor. Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but some areas require $12 to $15 per hour or more.
So, if you are going to be working 20 hours for the campsite, then that’s the equivalent of at least $145 per week (20 x $7.25 = $145 per week). Multiply that by 4.33 to compute the monthly rate ($145 x 4.33 = $627.85). Is saving that amount of money worth it to you?
Next, look at what other campgrounds in the immediate area charge per night for an RV site. But, there are a number of factors beyond published rates to consider as well, including:
- Is electricity, water, sewer, WiFi service, laundry, propane included in that rate? If not, what will it cost you to acquire those services?
- Is the job in a prime vacation area? Ocean-front sites typically cost more than those a few miles away. The same is true if the RV site is close to big tourist attractions. You might also consider how far the site is from the office where you’ll be working, and whether you’ll need to walk or if you can use a golf cart.
- Is the site a pull-thru or back in? Is it on grass, gravel or pavement? Does it include a patio? Is it level?
- Proximity to neighbors. Will you be spending several months admiring a scenic view or staring into the windows of the neighboring RV 5 feet away?
- Total hours worked. Is the employer expecting 20 hours of work from the “site” or from each person? If a seasonal site rents for $600 per month, and you get it for working 20 hours a week, then the site is worth $7.50 per hour. But, if two people are donating 20 hours apiece for the site, then the value drops to $3.75 per hour (not factoring in any other perks).
It’s always a good idea to ask a prospective employer to send you a photo of the site where you’ll be staying. Its value may boil down to personal preferences.
Also compare the actual cost to what long-term tenants would pay in the park. However, many times seasonal residents must pay for other costs, like electricity, that are included in the nightly rate.
2. Campsite plus hourly wage
Some employers give Workampers a campsite and also pay them an hourly wage ranging from the state or federal minimum wage up to $15 per hour or more. In these scenarios, the value of the campsite takes on a new dimension because it is just part of the compensation package.
These scenarios generally fall into two categories:
A. Work X Hours for the Site, Then Earn Hourly Pay Beyond That
Example: A Workamper gets a site for 20 hours of work per week plus $10/hour for anything beyond that. If they work 30 hours, they’ll earn $100 cash plus the site value (about $150/week if the site is worth $600/month).
$150 for the site + (10 hours X $10 per hour) = $250 per week, or about $8.33/hour of combined value
B. Paid for Every Hour Worked + Site Included
This is a really good deal for many Workampers. Using the same numbers, 30 hours at $10/hour equals $300 cash, plus the site value ($150). That’s $450 total per week, or about $15/hour overall compensation.
$150 for the site + (30 hours X $10 per hour) = $450 per week, or about $15/hour of combined value
Most paid Workamping roles fall in this range today – between $12 and $18 per hour when factoring in wages, housing, and perks.
3. Discounted RV Site Plus Career-like benefits
A few employers pay Workampers significantly more than minimum wage and toss in other benefits like health insurance, 401-K contributions, paid vacations and bonuses.
However, because the pay is so high, most of these jobs do not come with a provided campsite. Rather, the cost for the site is set at the prevailing local rate or it is offered at a discounted rate. For example, if a seasonal site cost typically costs $600 per month, but the employer discounts it to $300, then the Workamper would be expected to pay the $300 back to the employer.
Because there are so many different aspects to this type of compensation plan, it is difficult to use a simple formula to assess the value. Just be sure to compare the total value – wages, housing discounts, and benefits – rather than looking at hourly pay alone.
Bonuses and Seasonal Incentives
Many employers offer bonuses to encourage Workampers to complete their contracts or extend their stay.
Example: If your contract runs May 1–Sept 15, you might receive an extra $0.50 per hour worked when you complete the season. That could add up to several hundred dollars at the end of your commitment.
Some employers also offer retention bonuses for staying into the “shoulder season” or helping with special events. Be sure to factor in these types of bonuses when doing your calculations.
Don’t Forget the Perks
When comparing job offers, remember that some of the best Workamping benefits aren’t just about pay. Many employers include extra perks that can stretch your budget and make the season more enjoyable. These “soft benefits” often add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value.
Common Employer-Provided Perks
- Utilities – Free electricity, water, sewer, WiFi, or cable TV can save you $100–$300 per month compared to paying out of pocket. If electric isn’t included, ask whether there’s an allowance or typical cost.
- Laundry Access – Free laundry or monthly tokens can save $15–20 per week. If you have a washer/dryer onboard, check that it’s allowed and whether it affects your electric usage.
- Meals and Discounts – Workampers often receive free or discounted meals at on-site cafes or restaurants. Some employers also host potlucks or weekly staff dinners.
- Propane and Store Discounts – A discount on propane fills or camp store purchases can save you frequent trips into town.
- Uniforms or Gear – Free shirts, name badges, or other required items keep you from wearing out your own clothes.
- Recreation Privileges – Free use of equipment like golf carts, boats, kayaks, or bikes adds fun to your downtime and can save big on local rentals.
- Reliable WiFi – If the park provides strong, consistent internet, that’s one less data plan to worry about.
Area and Community Perks
Many Workampers also enjoy special discounts in the surrounding area. Tourist destinations often extend courtesy perks to seasonal staff who interact with visitors:
- Local discounts – Restaurants, stores, and attractions sometimes offer “locals” or “seasonal worker” pricing. Always ask.
- Free or reduced attraction passes – Parks, museums, and theaters may provide complimentary or deeply discounted admission to Workampers, especially those likely to recommend them to guests.
These little extras may not show up in your paycheck, but they make a big difference in your experience value – the blend of financial savings and lifestyle benefits that make Workamping worthwhile.
Ask the Right Questions
If an employer doesn’t mention perks, it’s fine to ask gently during your interview. For example:
“Some parks give their Workampers free laundry or discounts on propane or store items. Do you offer anything like that?”
Even modest perks can enhance your season, reduce living costs, and help you enjoy the area more fully.
- Free uniforms – Rather than wearing out your own clothes, some places give Workampers uniform shirts.
- Laundry allowance – Some employers give Workampers free access to washers and dryers, or a roll of quarters each month to help cover the cost of keeping uniforms clean.
- VIP cards – Many Workampers rave about this perk. It’s a card often developed by local tourism agencies that give temporary workers free or discounted admission to dozens of places in the region. It could be a two-for-one admission to a show, a free appetizer at a restaurant, or totally free admission to a zip line. The goal is to get Workampers to give something a try in hopes they enjoy the experience enough to recommend it to others visiting the area.
- Staff meals – Many employers host regular meals for Workampers. It could be a potluck where others bring side dishes and the employer provides the main dish. Or the employer picks up the whole cost of the meal. Either way, it’s less money you have to spend to enjoy a lunch or dinner.
- Food stipends or discounts – If the employer has a restaurant or snack bar, perhaps you can grab a free meal based on the number of hours you work that day. Most places serving food also offer Workampers a discount on meals purchased on-site. Some employers offer a weekly or monthly food stipend, like $50.
- Free or reduced propane – Some employers either allow Workampers to fill up their propane tanks on site or they arrange for a truck to deliver gas directly to the rig. Other employers sell propane to staff at greatly discounted rates.
- Reliable WiFi – Perhaps Workampers can tap into the employer’s wireless system at no cost or at a reduced rate. If the connection is good enough, perhaps you can reduce the amount of data you must pay for from the cellular company.
- Free cable TV – There are still some employers who allow Workampers to connect their rigs to a park’s cable TV. That beats paying for satellite service!
- Store discounts – If the camp store sells groceries, many places give Workampers discounts on items they buy. It’s likely cheaper than buying something “in town,” and you save the time and gas to get there.
- Recreational use of equipment – Many times, Workampers get free use of things like boats, bikes, and golf carts when they’re not working. What price would you put on quality of life?
- Campground amenities – Don’t forget that Workampers usually get full access to all campground amenities, like pools, hot tubs, saunas, tennis courts, golf courses and pickleball.
Tax Considerations for Workampers
Another thing to discuss with an employer before accepting a job is how compensation will be reported to the IRS. There are generally three options for the employer:
- Employee (W-2) – All wages and perks, like a campsite, will be treated as income and included in the W-2 you receive at the end of the year. However, taxes are withheld from each paycheck. An often-overlooked benefit to this arrangement is that, as an employee, you are covered by unemployment insurance should you get sick or injured on the job. That way, you still get paid something even if you aren’t able to work.
- Independent Contractor – You will be considered an independent contractor and receive a 1099 at the end of the year. Because you are considered to be self-employed, no taxes will be taken out of any compensation you receive. So, you are fully responsible for reporting all income and paying any taxes. You are also not covered by workers’ compensation unless you pay for that coverage yourself.
- Partial Reporting – Only your wages are considered income. The cost of perks will not be factored into the amount of compensation. When employers do this, they can’t deduct the cost of providing those perks from their taxes. So, it’s unusual that employers will overlook their cost of providing some perks.
Always confirm classification before starting work so there are no surprises at tax time.
What’s It Really Worth to You?
Calculating the value of compensation received for Workamping requires you to look beyond the hourly wage and the cost of a campsite. If it’s your dream job or dream location, none of that may matter.
I have always wondered what it would be like to live in a lighthouse. If I could afford to do that for a month, I’d do it for free. Therefore, any perks above and beyond the joy of experiencing that opportunity would be gravy. It would be hard to assign a financial value.
Learn as much as you can about the job, the area, the people you work for or with, and how you will be compensated BEFORE you agree to accept the position. Nothing works to hinder a positive Workamping experience more than being surprised by something after arriving on the job.
In the end, fair compensation isn’t just about money – it’s about fit, satisfaction, and lifestyle. Understanding the full picture helps you make confident choices and enjoy your Workamping adventure to the fullest.
Tip: Use our Workamping Job Compensation Worksheet to help you determine what the hourly wage of a job may be.
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