Work, RV, and Save Money Too!
My husband and I have been work camping for a year or so. We thoroughly enjoy the work and the lifestyle and wouldn’t change anything about our situation at the moment. We have only been at a couple of jobs, but we hope to see more of the country and learn more as we continue the journey.
We’ve found there are many people who RV who would like to work. Some just want to fill their time and others need the income.
Top 6 Things to Know About RV Work Camping Jobs
Read ahead for some tips to learn more about work camping and get the most enjoyment and pay out of your experience.
1. What are work campers?
Work campers are people who live in their RV and work for a campsite and/or wages, or volunteering typically at a campground or RV resort.
Not only do work campers have the advantage of taking their home with them, but they can choose any area of the country and see local attractions while they are there or are between jobs.
Usually, there will be downtime between seasonal jobs. We will leave our current assignment in April and will take time to see relatives before we get to our summer job May 1.
2. How do you find a work camping job?
Work camping jobs are not hard to find or acquire. Many RV parks and other types of businesses hire work campers across the nation and often hire months in advance. If you are looking for the best situation, you might want to begin soon for a job next winter. You will also find that parks might be looking for a replacement for someone who left or didn’t work out. Those jobs can get you jumpstarted into work camping right away.
We worked the summer where we are now because we knew that we could also stay for the winter. The hot summer in south Texas wasn’t ideal, but it got us going. We have already found a spot for the upcoming summer and will be looking soon for next winter.
3. What are some websites to find work camping jobs?
Some work camping sites require a small fee to join and see current jobs. You can find work camping jobs on these websites:
- workamper.com
- workatkoa.com
- workersonwheels.com
- coolworks.com
- work-for-rvers-and-campers.com
- volunteer.gov
Work camping jobs are not hard to find. Photo via KOA
4. How do you know what you are getting paid?
Work camping is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and see some great places, all while financing your RV lifestyle. However, you need to be aware of how work camping pay works.
The most lucrative situation for a work camper is to be paid for all hours and get their site for free. Many offer this, but some have you work a certain number of hours per week to pay for your site. The fewer hours you have to work for your site, the better. Pay generally ranges from minimum wage to $12 per hour or more. Many parks also pay for electricity and have other free amenities.
We work 10 hours a week as a couple for our site, and get paid for the rest of our hours. We get our electric and laundry paid for and a rig wash (worth several hundred dollars) about once every six weeks. This is good for us as we both have side jobs that help bring in some extra money.
Some parks require you to volunteer hours for your site. If you just want to have something to do and don’t need the compensation, this is a great opportunity.
5. What do work campers do?
You can expect to work hard. A busy campground that hires couples often has one person work outside and the other inside. The outside person might clean sites, work on projects, interact with and escort guests to their sites.
Keeping up with landscaping, mowing, and other jobs such as pool maintenance and cleaning facilities might be included. An inside person will probably answer phones, take reservations and cancellations, and greet customers. Working in a camp store or other type of retail could be part of the job.
Not all work camping jobs are at RV parks. Jobs such as Amazon CamperForce offer seasonal work at Amazon facilities during peak times. An Amazon job will likely pay more and also require a 40-hour or more work week.
Working the beet harvest is another job that is short-term but pays well. Campers can even be on a team that puts up Christmas lights. We did this one last winter. Some of these might pay a portion of your campsite or you might have to pay for it yourself.
The author putting up Christmas lights in Knoxville, TN.
6. Is work camping for you?
Just like any job, you have to decide what is going to work best for you. Be sure to require a contract that stipulates hours and pay when you are offered a job. While I don’t suggest leaving in the middle of a job, sometimes situations happen. If it happens, always leave with an honest explanation and a good attitude. You might need a work camping couple or an employer to give you a good review for your next position.
“This is such a spectacular spot! Situated between two lakes, every site has a great view. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. There are days that are much busier than others but overall, its such a fun place to work! Highly recommend! They do site and wage which is a plus. Kid friendly!” Christi via workamping reviews at Twin Lakes Campe Resort, Defuniak Springs, FL.
Final thoughts
Only you know what will work best for you, but if you are game, jump out and give it a try. It might be some of the most rewarding work you’ve experienced.
Learn more about work camping jobs:
Terri and her husband, Todd, are full time RVers and work campers. They have been living full time in their RV for nearly three years with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Mini Aussie puppy Remi. They are currently wintering in Arizona with plans to continue their travels next summer. Writing is Terri’s passion but she also loves hiking, kayaking and anything she can do outside.
I would suggest remarkable caution in regard to work-camping. For the guests, I suppose the liability is small. For park owners, however, the liability is huge. In California, at least, the penalties for not have work-campers on the payroll and providing workers comp, disability, unemployment insurance, etc., can readily reach the tens of thousands of dollars.
If someone wants to work while staying at an RV park, they certainly may do so. But they need to be treated exactly as any other employee in terms of the legal obligations.
I was just pursuing this article and chuckeled at the sample review as my wife and I are in the last couple months of our contract at Twin Lakes in Defuniak Springs. It really is a spectacular place to work. As this was our first workamping gig, I’m afraid we’ve gotten spoiled by how good we’ve had it here.
So I do not have a husband/partner but I know I would be a loyal and hard-working asset to any campground! Any options for a lively retired woman?
How does it work for tax time? Are you issued a 1099? I really wouldn’t want to research tax laws for each state. 🥴
California seems to restrict everything in one form or fashion. I would think most people considering this are smart enough to do their research first and as article says you don’t like it turn in a notice and quit like any other job.
I am looking for a work camping partner if you are at all interested. curtisdac@gmail.com
I think one thing that definitely needs mentioned,how much do u think your time is worth ?Average wage for straight workcampers,is about $4.00
Some offer xtra hrs @$8 -$12 per hour,but most require some skill that is advantageous to them, in order to pay that much.
Consider Walmart pays door greeters $12 hr,stockers,$16 up.Will let you worker as many or as few hours as you want. Also give you store discount,and inside work, no matter the weather. And thers a WM not too far away, in almost any area where theres an RV park.
We both work WM,have never been turned down by them anywhere,@ $16 hr,21 hrs each per week=$672. that will more than pay most RV Park rate…in one week,leaves three weeks fun money. Its not for everyone,but the working for $4 hr. isn,t either !!
We had four gigs as Workampers and found each one very interesting. I highly recommend it as a convenient and inexpensive way to become familiar with a part of our great country which you might not otherwise visit or would just spend a short time visiting.
Looking into workampers both of us are retired and ready for a new outlook.
Do you have any need for nurses. Main focus Womens Health Care and labor and delivery.
I have a friend in the RV park I work at that has been in the same Rv park for 15 years working year round, if he retires can he get compensation.?