The 10 Best Jobs For Expats In 2025

In 2025, the UN estimates that around 304 million people worldwide are living in a foreign country. That’s around 3.7% of the global population, or 1 in every 27 people. Most expats are working age, with 77% between 25 and 60 years old and an average age of 46.2.

If you’re thinking of moving abroad in 2025 and wondering how you’ll support yourself, you may be interested to know the best jobs for expats. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to work for yourself, check out our guides to becoming a digital nomad or ‘TechPat’.

Thankfully, you’re in good company – many expatriates move abroad to start a new career, develop an existing one, or change careers entirely. In this article, we’ll go through our pick of the top 10 jobs for expats to work abroad.

How do I find the best jobs for expats?

In an increasingly globalised world, employers are no longer looking just locally for talent – they’re looking worldwide.

That’s good news for anyone dreaming of a life abroad, as it means it’s now easier than ever to search and apply for jobs in a foreign country. Better still, many companies will offer you the chance to interview virtually, meaning you could land your job before you’ve committed to moving abroad. This can be helpful when it comes to applying for a visa, as some countries require you to have a job offer already lined up when applying for long-term residency.

The only question you may have is which job to apply for? This will, of course, depend on your unique circumstances, experience and interests – there is no one-size-fits-all job for expats! But when it comes to starting your job search, some questions you may wish to ask yourself could include:

How much experience do I have?

Whether you’re just beginning your career, or you have a bit of experience under your belt, it’s important to think about the level of experience you have and which jobs fit your skill level.

If you are looking for your first job, it’s best to prioritise entry-level positions. Many expat jobs require little to no experience, but you may want to make sure these jobs offer some sort of career development such as on-the-job training. You may also wish to consider apprenticeships and graduate schemes, if you want to excel in one particular area.

If you are already experienced, you may be able to find a like-for-like job abroad. Better still, your level of experience may open the door to more senior roles overseas, including the opportunity to step into leadership positions. This is especially true if the country you are moving to lacks people with skills in your area of expertise. However, you may also want to take stock and ask yourself…

Could moving abroad help me to change careers?

Moving abroad could be your opportunity for a fresh start. You may therefore wish to look for chances to develop your career in different ways, or even to change careers entirely.

When looking for suitable destinations, take stock of your experience and skills and see which expat jobs best fit your expertise and interests. You may be surprised at the range of jobs that are suitable for you – and you may find it easier to pivot or change your career in a foreign country, compared to back home.

Could being foreign be an asset to me?

Coming from a foreign country may be a benefit when it comes to applying for certain jobs. For instance, you may find a variety of jobs that are designed for people who speak your native language. This can include language teaching as well as jobs that involve writing, translation and speaking to customers.

You may also be of benefit to a company that requires expert knowledge of your home country. This is especially true in industries that export to your home country, but you may also want to look for work as a foreign correspondent, a logistics manager, or a regional salesperson.

Could I work freelance?

An alternative solution may be to take your show on the road by going freelance or self-employed. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas, which allow expats to live and work for anywhere from a few months to several years, so long as they have an income to sustain themselves.

The benefit of the digital nomad lifestyle is that you can live and work anywhere, giving you the opportunity to move between different countries. The downside is that you may find it harder to integrate if you are constantly moving around, which can lead to culture shock. But if you are dead set on moving abroad, going freelance or self-employed could give you a head-start.

Can I move my current job abroad?

Of course, you may not need to find a job at all, if you can take your current job overseas.

Whether that means working remotely for your company, or transferring to an office in a different country (assuming your company is international), taking your existing job abroad may be a great way to manage the transition.

While transferring your existing job overseas has many benefits, such as minimising interruption to your salary and career development, it may also have downsides. You’ll need to be prepared to adapt to life working remotely, and you may also miss out on the chance to try a new career path.

But on the other hand, earning a foreign salary in a country with a lower cost of living could open the door to a higher quality of life.

The 10 best jobs for expats in 2025

Whether you’re chasing career progression, better work-life balance, or simply a new adventure, here are 10 of the best jobs for expats in 2025.

1/ AI specialist

Without a doubt the biggest trend in the world right now, artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming one of the most essential skills in every workplace worldwide.

That also makes it one of the most in-demand skills for employees. In the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report, 86% of employers named AI as the most important technology driving business transformation, with investment in AI having increased 800% since 2022. Demand for AI skills among employees is also growing exponentially, with the number of job listings requesting AI skills growing month-by-month.

AI may seem like a challenging industry, but the range of jobs in AI is wider than you think. While some companies require specialist AI engineers to build custom Generative AI models, you may not need advanced coding skills to get your foot in the door. Many businesses are also on the hunt for prompt writers who are able to utilise AI to increase business productivity, while others require employees to train and refine AI models for their businesses.

You may even want to think about continuing your existing career in a way that incorporates AI. For example, data analysts are in high demand if they are able to use AI to increase their productivity, while marketing and sales professionals may also find an increasing number of jobs related to AI.

Whichever route appeals to you, one thing’s for sure: AI looks set to continue as the most in-demand skill for many years to come, making now the perfect time to start to develop these skills yourself.

2/ Healthcare worker

As the world’s population grows older, their needs are growing more complex. Indeed, by 2050, the global population of over 60 years old will double to 2.1 billion, while the number of people aged 80 years or older will triple to 426 million. This has created an urgent need for healthcare practitioners, and has made healthcare one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide. In fact, global healthcare expenditure is expected to increase from US$9.2 trillion to a whopping US$24 trillion by 2040.

The healthcare sector is in urgent need of professionals, from medical practitioners to technology experts. The World Health Organization (WHO) foresees a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, of which 4.5 million will be nurses and 300,000 will be midwives. While many healthcare roles require specialist training, some of the most in-demand roles – such as health and social care workers – are accessible to expats with minimal experience.

Expats interested in working in the healthcare sector may also be interested to look for jobs in the fast-growing field of medical technology (medtech). This field is rich with start-ups, and new companies are rapidly springing up around the world as medtech experts attempt to harness the power of AI.

3/ Travel & Tourism worker

What could be a better job for an international jet-setter than to work with other travellers? The travel and tourism sector is the fastest growing industry in the world, and is expected to grow a further 3.6% worldwide between 2024–2029. That growth is expected to open up a wide number of jobs, from travel agents, to destination representatives, event managers, local tour guides, and many more.

While certain jobs in travel and tourism require specialist skills, expats seeking entry-level roles will find this industry rich with opportunities. Such jobs can include hotel and cruise ship employees, front-of-house staff and tour operators.

Particularly ambitious expats may want to look for countries with an emerging tourism sector, where jobs will come with more intense targets. Some of the fastest-growing countries for tourism in 2025 include Qatar (which saw an 89% growth in tourist footfall from 2019–2024), Albania (56% growth) and Saudi Arabia (56% growth).

4/ Finance professional

The global financial services sector is growing at an incredible rate, accelerated by technological advances across almost every field. The global finance industry is expected to grow 2.6% in the period 2024–2029, with particularly strong growth expected in global financial hotspots – in the UK, for instance, growth in the financial technology sector (fintech) sector is expected to be as high as 18% in the next year.

According to Marks Sattin, some of the most in-demand job roles within the financial services sector this year include management accountants, financial managers and controllers, financial analysts and assistant accountants.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some of the highest-paid jobs in finance, Robert Half suggests:

• Chief Financial Officers who earn an average of £110,750/US$146,698 – £141,500/US$187,429 in London
• Finance Directors who earn an average of £91,000/US$120,537 – £123,250/US$163,255 in London
• Group Financial Controllers who earn an average of £101,000/US$133,783 in London
• Financial Planning and Analysis Managers who earn an average of £65,750/US$87,091 – £85,750/US$113,583 in London

5/ Cybersecurity

The need for cybersecurity has never been greater. With AI increasing the threat of cyber attacks worldwide, businesses need dedicated specialists who are able to counter these threats. In the period 2013–2021, the number of cybersecurity vacancies worldwide grew by 350%, from 1 million to 3.5 million, and continues to increase in key hotspots such as the UK and USA.

The cybersecurity sector encompasses a number of job roles, ranging from entry-level analysts, through engineers and ethical hackers, all the way up to Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).

Many businesses offer trainee and apprenticeship schemes in cybersecurity, allowing you to develop a career from scratch. As a fast-growing sector with an urgent and increasing need for more professionals, you can also expect to earn a competitive salary: cybersecurity professionals in the US earn on average around US$110,000 per year.

6/ Renewable energy specialist

Another fast-growing sector, renewable energy jobs have more than doubled over the last decade, increasing from 7.3 million in 2012 to 16.2 million worldwide in 2023. Driven by huge global demand for sustainably sourced energy, the sector continues to experience rapid growth – 2023 saw the number of renewable energy installations worldwide jump by 50%, so that by 2028 it is predicted that 90% of all electricity produced in the world will come from renewable sources.

As the sector grows, so too does its appetite for new employees, and so expats will find ample job opportunities in many countries around the world. By far the biggest producer of renewable energy is China, with a capacity of around 1,827 gigawatts. The United States, Brazil and India are also growing their renewable energy sectors. In Europe, Germany, France and Spain are the largest producers.

Expats interested in joining this sector will find a wide range of job roles to suit their skills and interests. Engineers may wish to consider roles such as wind turbine technicians and solar PV installers, while salespeople and project managers will find a wide range of opportunities available too. Those with experience in renewable energy may also find work as consultants, especially in countries where renewable energy skills are hard to come by.

7/ Gaming

Growing at a compound annual rate of 13.4%, the gaming industry – which includes video games, mobile gaming, virtual reality gaming and online gaming – is another one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. And with over 3 billion gamers worldwide (and counting), the sector shows no signs of slowing down. The sector is expected to be worth at least US$237 billion by 2031.

The gaming sector is a fantastic place for expats looking to work in a creative environment, with job roles ranging from programmers and developers, to 3D animators and script writers, through to marketing and sales. Video game production tends to be localised to certain countries, with the biggest producers of video games being China (US$47 billion revenue), the United States (US$46.1 billion) and Japan (US$16.3 billion). Other up-and-coming countries include South Korea, Germany and the UK.

The best part is that many jobs in the gaming industry require little to no experience – although you will be expected to demonstrate talent and a strong passion for gaming.

8/ Pharmaceuticals

A trillion-dollar industry and still growing fast, the global pharmaceutical sector offers the chance for expats to earn high salaries, with excellent career progression and the opportunity to work at the forefront of biomedical research. The global pharma sector is currently valued at around US$1.5 trillion but is expected to double to US$3 trillion by 2034, making now the perfect time to join the industry.

Working in pharmaceuticals is not for the faint-hearted. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a solid education and a strong work ethic. But there are a range of jobs to suit everyone, whether it’s working in a scientific field like engineering and biochemistry, an administrative role such as running clinical trials, or in a business role such as sales and marketing.

Pharmaceutical salaries tend to be high, ranging from a median US$60,000 for a financial controller, to US$72,000 for a field salesperson, up to almost US$100,000 for a senior scientist.

The US is far and away the best country for pharmaceutical jobs, making up almost half of the total global pharma industry. But other countries with a strong pharmaceutical industry include Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

9/ Logistics

At a time where online shopping is booming, countries find themselves in urgent need of logistics professionals to manage the supply chains of products. As such, expats are likely to find huge opportunities in the logistics sector around the world. The sector was valued at around US$9.5 trillion in 2021, and is expected to reach US$15.5 trillion by 2027.

Logistics jobs come in all shapes and sizes, and cover land, sea and air. That means you could work anywhere from a truck driver or cargo ship deckhand, to a supply chain coordinator or inventory manager. The logistics industry may be the best expat job for someone who prefers routine, hands-on work.

The best places for logistics jobs tend to be countries that are experiencing rapid industrial growth. Right now, these include the United States, China, Germany and the UAE. Furthermore, many countries are currently experiencing a shortage of trained HGV and delivery drivers, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, making these the perfect countries for expats who hold HGV licences.

10/ Language teaching

Consistently ranked as one of the best jobs for expats, language teaching is a great way to get into the expat lifestyle. The global language teaching market is growing fast as global trade and tourism reaches new parts of the world, and is expected to grow at a rate of 20% between 2024–2032.

Many companies around the world specialise in training language teachers, and often require applicants to have no previous experience. In fact, the only ‘must have’ is that you speak your own language fluently! Although, bear in mind some companies will require you to have a degree and a teaching certificate.

Language teaching could take you anywhere in the world, so long as there is demand in that country for your language. The salary you earn will depend on the language you teach and the country you move to.

As an example, an English teacher in Chile can expect to earn around £550/US$727–£800/US$1,050 per month, while an English teacher in Japan could earn £1,600/US$2,100–£2,200/US$2,900 per month, according to the TEFL institute.

How to find your ideal expat job abroad

Many professionals think that their industry is not suited well for a career abroad. At William Russell we believe that any job is suitable for a career abroad. You just have to seek out the opportunities.

Getting out there and meeting people in your new country is the best first step you can take. Networking is even more important abroad than it is in your own country.

Wherever you go, go with total peace of mind

Making the move to another country can be challenging. But no matter where you go, you can take one thing off your mind.

William Russell offers international health insurance that covers you for everything from minor injuries to long hospital stays, and we even provide emergency medical evacuations to patients who require life or limb-saving treatment in other countries, when it’s not available locally.

Find out more about our international health insurance policies – speak to our friendly, award-winning team today to see how we can help you.