The average workamper used to be content to work a few hours each week in exchange for a free campsite and perks like free laundry. Nobody ever got rich from these jobs, but for many folks, trading their time for free camping worked very well.
Things are changing however. Today many full-time RVers who are thinking about workamping become irate when they discover that many traditional workamping jobs technically pay less than minimum wage.
Here’s a Workamper News workamping job wage formula that reveal a job’s “true” wage.
After running the numbers, some future workampers get vocal about employers paying “illegal wages.” And yes, at first glance these arrangements seem unfair, but I urge these angry full-timers to consider the perks that you just can’t put a price on.
For instance, my husband and I have worked in two different workamping jobs that technically paid less than minimum wage. And we loved every minute.
Our first workamping job was on a small family farm. We took this job because we thought we would become farmers after our one year full-timing sabbatical was over.
Our campsite was behind a smelly barn and consisted of a makeshift sewer dump, an extension cord and a garden hose. We didn’t get paid a dime for six days of work each week, but we received off-the-record bonuses like:
- Free healthy and tasty organic food that we couldn’t afford somewhere like Whole Foods.
- Expert guidance on running a family farm that others learn the hard way.
- Hands-on experience running a farm store, doing farmer’s markets and marketing to the public.
- Becoming part of a wonderful family who took us in like long-lost relatives.
- Wintering in beautiful, sunny Florida.
The biggest reward? We learned we’re not tough enough to be farmers!
Our other favorite workamping job was spent on an historic dude ranch run by the original homesteaders. We took that job thinking we wanted to buy a resort some day.
We earned an hourly wage and had a better RV spot, but even the family knew they couldn’t afford to pay us what the job was really worth.
So how did they make up for it?
- Free use of the family’s 2,000-acre private land and fishing ponds, in the prettiest mountains of Colorado
- Two free meals each week at guest dinners
- Free use of anything on the ranch, including their horses and 4×4 jeeps
- And once again, this family treated us like relatives.
Again, we got a bonus: we know for sure that we never want to run a resort.
In many jobs like this, workampers get access to unexpected bonuses that you can’t put a price on.
If you can’t afford to live on the wage because it’s your only income source (I don’t recommend that), then don’t apply. But if you have other income means, before saying no to a job you should ask yourself two questions:
- Will this job teach me something I want to learn?
- Is it in a location I’ve always wanted to explore?
If the answer to either question is “yes!”, then you owe it to yourself to at least apply. Workamping isn’t going to make you rich or put you on a career track, but if you think it will make you happy, then open yourself up to the adventure that just might be around the corner.
Carolyn Longmuir says
You are so right……we worked in an animal rescue which convinced us that we don’t want to work in a animal related field, we are just too old to do that now. However, we worked at a Historic Museum leading tours and found out that not only did we love it (although we did have to be available 5 days a week) we had so much fun that we are going back to do it again this year and have already signed up for three months next year. We also worked at a Fish Hatchery and now know more about trout than we ever needed to know, but had a great time. We have discovered that you should never be afraid to try something new.
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Carolyn I love your advice, “never be afraid to try something new.” That kind of approach will take you far in workamping. Sooo many people get stuck with wanting a strict job description that if they don’t get it, they get mad and quit, missing out on other experiences that could be fun. The museum sounds really neat, what a nice arrangement! Was the fish hatchery in Oregon by any chance? We’ve stayed with friends who were workamping at one near the coast, they had a blast and I got to do it for a day. What fun!
Jody says
Great advice. Great attitude. The lifestyle is what you make it. Thanks so much for sharing, Rene.
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Thanks for reading Jody! We are so grateful to all the guidance that everyone at Workamper provides, it’s really helped us make the most of our jobs and our lifestyle. Keep up the great work there!
Rob says
We have been at our current workcamping gig for 3 1/2 years. Between wages, free site, all utilities we have averaged a little over 35,000.00 a year. Because we are retired, this year we cut our hours back from 25 a week each to only 12 hours each. Thankfully, we both have very good retirement accounts. We have made some amazing friends not only coworkers, but also returning guests. We love this lifestyle
Mark says
Oh!, if it were only true. Economics dictate otherwise and a lot of fulltimers/workampers reflect that. More and more of them are adopting the nomadic lifestyle without secondary income. A lot of what you say rings true, but perks don’t pay the bills. For example, we worked in Branson and had to use food stamps to get by. All the value of being able to attend the shows and other discounts didn’t help the bottom line. Even more egregious, is the trend towards taking hard earned hours away and applying it to the lot rent. Just so anyone out there looking for workamping opportunities have hard figures; we never made more than $1400 a month plus our site. Amazon and oil field work are some exceptions. For years there has been a tradition of working for your room and board. Surely including a basic site in your compensation is a good step.
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Mark, thanks for your feedback. But maybe you missed this in my post:
“If you can’t afford to live on the wage because it’s your only income source (I don’t recommend that), then don’t apply.”
Workamping was never meant to be a primary source of income no matter how good the wage. Jobs are usually seasonal, temporary and not meant to be a career. That’s been my experience anyhow. I would never recommend hitting the road with no other income source.
Amy FREEZE says
Mark, it’s been a few years since you posted this. Do you still feel the same way? Have you found a better way to make the money you need besides workamping?
robbcouple says
Who cares what the monetary value is if it pays for your stay in a beautiful place and you are not working 40 hours a week! Life is good!
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Agree totally. Some of the places we’ve been able to stay will be etched in our hearts forever. Spectacular!
Katrina says
Some of that may be coming from those of us who want to travel but have not retired yet. We still need regular wages. I totally understand why someone would volunteer at state parks just for a site or take other low paying jobs to see different areas of the country. I’m looking forward to the day I can do that myself. I can’t imagine retiring to do nothing but play all day alone.
Folks like me are better off with telecommuting jobs over the Internet, starting a business, temp work at places like amusement parks, and similar jobs. I have managed to find solid work on the road to make a living for 9 years.
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Katrina, you’re awesome. Nine years is terrific, congrats! Jim and I are the same way; workamping is a nice add-on to our income. We don’t recommend hitting the road without least two different income streams, preferably more. The more flexible and willing to adapt you can be, the better. After all, so much of this lifestyle is about learning and going with the flow. If you want same-ol same-ol, it’s not a good choice.
Cbaycove says
Like welfare or McDonald’s, workamping was never supposed to be a full time job with a living wage!
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for reading.
Sally says
How do you find workamps and apply?
Rene Agredano - The Full Timing Nomad says
Hi Sally! I would be happy to address that in a future post, thanks for the suggestion. I’ll give you a quick hint though: Workamper News and the Facebook We Love Workamping Group are two really good places to begin your search. Workamper News can really help educate you about getting started!