15 Jobs for People Who Love Being Outdoors (But Aren’t Back-Breaking)

If you’re tired of working indoors all day, perhaps you should consider a job where you spend the majority of your time in the great outdoors.

There are a wide variety of occupations where you get to enjoy fresh air — many of which require no formal education — and can help you stop living paycheck to paycheck .

While there are lots of physically intensive outdoor jobs, there are definitely some that don’t require a ton of blood, sweat, and tears — like the 15 below.

1. Coach

If you’re someone who loves sports, strategizing, and motivating people, coaching may be an ideal fit. There are jobs at all levels that support athletes, and as part of the gig, you often spend lots of time outdoors during practices and games.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual wage for a coach is around $45,000, and projected employment growth is much faster than average.

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2. Zoo worker

This job is so fascinating that even movies have been made about it. While there may be some physical work involved, it’s generally less back-breaking than other jobs that involve being outdoors most of the time.

As a zoo worker, you’ll learn all about the various animals at your location and help care for them. The average salary is around $32,000.

3. Photographer

It may be surprising to learn that many photographers spend a great deal of time outdoors. You can make the outdoors your home as you capture the beauty of nature, people, or places.

You might choose to use your skills as a family photographer who shoots primarily outdoors or work with businesses to help capture visuals for marketing materials. The national average salary is about $43,000.

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4. Environmental technician

This is another higher-paying outdoor job, but you will most likely need a specialized college degree. Environmental technicians may help clean up polluted areas or work with businesses to reduce waste. The median annual wage is about $76,000.

5. Adventure guide

This may be the job on our list with the highest “cool” factor. After all, who doesn’t want to lead others on excursions to make lifetime memories?

As an adventure guide, you might work for a park or tourism company. You’ll help organize and lead outdoor adventures to ensure everyone is safe and has a good time. The national average salary is approximately $46,000.

6. Highway worker

If you travel during the summer, you’re likely to see highway workers busy on the roads. They may be doing repairs or helping clear brush from the highways. With a median annual wage of around $47,000, you may be able to find a job in this field without a degree or diploma.

7. Landscape designer

If you have a passion for landscaping, why not get paid to do it for others? You can use your skills in planting, design, and outdoor care to create beautiful new spaces or upgrade existing ones for private clients or as part of a landscaping company.

There are no necessary formal educational requirements and many find new clients simply by positive word of mouth. The median annual wage starts around $61,000.

8. Nursery worker

If you’re a gardening pro or plant lover, consider being a nursery worker. You could spend your working hours preparing greenhouse beds or land for growing plants, flowers, or trees, tending to plants, and helping customers select the perfect greenery for their yards.

The average median pay is about $35,000, and you can receive on-the-job training.

9. Lifeguard

If you’re a strong swimmer, you might enjoy being a lifeguard. You’ll have the chance to interact with the public, truly make a difference, and bask in some Vitamin D.

You can get a lifeguard job without any formal education. The median annual wage is about $30,000 but can vary widely.

10. Ski patrol

An ideal job for skiing enthusiasts, ski patrollers monitor the slopes and help people stay safe. The median annual wage is about $27,000. No formal education is needed for this one, but keep in mind it's normally a part-time seasonal job.

11. Surveying technician

You may not have immediately thought of surveying and mapping technicians when looking at outdoor jobs, but they can be interesting roles.

These techs collect data to make maps and often go to sites to take land measurements and note geographic data. The median annual wage for these types of roles is about $47,000.

12. Property inspector

Property inspectors often spend some time in the office but a good chunk of it outdoors as they evaluate residential and commercial buildings to provide reports and estimates.

This is another good job if you like a mix of both working alone and being around people. The median annual pay is about $67,000.

13. Pest control worker

You may need a strong stomach for this one, but it’ll get you out of the office.

Your job may involve removing insects, rodents, and other pests from buildings and surrounding areas by spraying insecticide or laying traps — which, while not appetizing, also isn’t super physically demanding. The median annual wage is about $43,000.

14. Farmer

Farming is a rewarding job where you see the literal fruits of your labor and know what you’re doing is helping to feed families and sustain the environment - with lots of time spent in the great outdoors. The median annual wage is around $35,000.

15. Letter carrier

There are plenty of postal service positions that involve indoor work, but letter carriers are outdoors each day delivering mail and packages. The median annual pay is about $57,000. In addition, most postal employees are eligible to participate in federal retirement benefit programs.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking for a career change or a seasonal job that gets you outdoors, there’s a job out there for you.

Some of these can also be used to earn extra income throughout the year or as needed, depending on the demand and weather.

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