Work and travel in the USA

Land of the free refills. And this free advice. It will never be this easy to live and work overseas in the USA again. Do it in your twenties while you can.

Coming to America

Why work and travel in the USA?

Thanks to Netflix and nightly boxset binges, America already feels familiar to travellers. But off screen, it’s so much more. A land of endless highways and canyon-studded horizons, snow-covered peaks and surf-filled beaches, neon city skylines and... Read more

Need to know before you go

What it pays

What you earn in the USA depends on the experience you choose. If you're heading to summer camp with our sibling brand, BUNAC, you’ll earn a minimum $2,300 camp pocket money with meals and accommodation included. For Work USA 4 months, the hourly rate differs per state, but our US summer employers typically pay between USD $11-18/hour – often with discounted staff accommodation and tips. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, there is uncapped earning potential – with your salary reflecting the industry you are working or interning in.

When to go

In line with Northern Hemisphere summer holidays, Summer Camp USA and Work USA 4 months run between May/Jun and Sep – with 30 days after your job or camp placement finishes to travel. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, these are year-round experiences (within the visa window after you graduate), giving you the chance to experience the States in all its seasonal glory – from ski season winters to surf beach summers. Not all nationalities will qualify for every USA visa, so check the exact eligibility requirements for each experience below.

Where to go

Most J-1 work and travel visas allow you to live anywhere in the USA. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular places to settle. For Work USA 4 months, our summer employers are scattered across America – in country clubs and resorts from Cape Cod to Cali. The good news is that all America visas give you at least a 30-day grace period to travel around the States either before or after your job or internship – often both!

Work and travel in the USA

What are my options?

Who you gonna call?

Let’s talk working in America

Get some facetime with our amazing JENZA Support Squad. When they’re not posing for pool pics, they’re making your work aboard adventures happen with their endless enthusiasm and mad traveller skills. These include: parent whispering, visa geekery and the ability to pack a backpack in 30 seconds flat.  

BOOK A CALL

Group photo of the Jenza support team smiling together by the waterfront

Curvy road warning sign along a scenic desert highway with rocky terrain

Travel you can trust

Our Extra Mile Promise

Every JENZA experience has been shaped by our Youth Advisory Panel, roadtested by our travellers, and backed by 60+ years of work abroad expertise. But if we still don’t rock your world, we’ll refund the part of your JENZA program you’re not happy with. T&Cs apply

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Work and travel in the USA

Why work and travel in the USA?

What it pays

When to go

Where to go

News: BUNAC summer camp '26

Work and travel in the USA

Work USA 12 months

Work USA 4 months

Intern USA

Intern Hub

Let’s talk working in America

Our Extra Mile Promise

Good news travels fast