Some people prefer to work a 9 to 5 job where they have routine and stability. Others can’t stand the idea of doing the same thing every single day and opt for a much more out-of-the-box kind of job. Below are 21 weird jobs that you’d think twice about doing until you see how much they pay.
21. Bomb Disposal Diver – Up to $100,000
This job requires a lot of training and pay is based on your armed forces rank. Your job is to safely explode or dispose of any explosive devices. Divers dive into the water and retrieve the unexploded devices for detonation or disposal. The job is available in the U.S. and the UK’s Royal Navy.
20. Professional Bridesmaid – $300 to $2,000 per wedding
Get your fix of all things wedding and help someone out on their big day. Weddings can be difficult and are often stressful, so having a bridesmaid-for-hire is a thing many couples would desire. You can help out with photography, seating arrangements, organization, and other tasks that are important on the big day.
19. Live Mannequin- Up to $100 an hour
More suitable for those who want to model, but aren’t able to keep up with the hectic lifestyle. You have to stay perfectly still and composed for long periods of time, however. No wriggling allowed. If you don’t get bored and can stand to remain still, it may be a perfect job for you.
Up next, do you like Chinese food? This might be a perfect job for you!
18. Fortune Cookie Writer- $28,000-$75,000
Seems like pretty easy job with a massive payoff. Yes, people actually write these! You have to be witty and quick to come up with the little pitchy quotes or sayings. Donald Lau, a fortune cooke writer, would write 100 fortunes a day. He did the task for over 30 years. Wow, that’s a lot of cookies!
17. Master Sommelier- $80,000
Spend your days tasting fine wines and pairing them with delicious foods. To be a Master, however, you need to pass the official certification and work in the field for at least 10 years. You can start your career in the food and beverage industry with an Introductory course then work your way up.
16. Bingo Manager- $56,000
Who doesn’t love a game of bingo? You have to have a good sense of organization and comply with all of your local and national gambling regulations, however. You’ll be tasked with running a certain amount of bingo games each week or month.
Love to sit? This next job may be for you!
15. Professional Furniture Tester- $31,000
Trying out beds and sofas for a living? Yes, please. You won’t exactly find jobs called “furniture tester” though, they’re more likely labeled “quality control technician. Your job will be to make sure the products are comfortable and durable. It can be a freelance job or found at a large corporation.
14. Pet Food Tester- $40,000
I think I’ll pass on that one. Hey, pets have to eat too, and someone needs to make sure that their food is up to quality standards. It’s not just about testing pet food though, you also have to write up reports on pet food nutrition, and help companies decide how to improve their products. The best pet food testers have a good palette, organizational skills, and can provide good concise feedback.
Love to dive? This next job might be for you!
13. Golf Ball Divers – Up to $100,000
Sounds easy, but golf course waters are full of chemicals, snakes and snapping turtles. You need to be a professional diver and be prepared to spend several hours in the water each day. You also need to trained and certified in rescue. Most golf ball divers will retrieve the balls, sanitize them, and then resell them. It can be cumbersome work, especially as you need to lug the full bag of balls, and they can often weigh up to 65 lbs and up. You’ll have to secure a contract or two with a local golf course to be able to go into their waterways but once you do, you collect and make your cash.
12. Hot Dog Vendor- $30,000-$100,000
Fill people’s stomachs while filling your pockets. Of course, you just can’t set up a hot dog stand. You’ll need to check with local and state regulations regarding food carts. Your income is dependent on the foot traffic of the location you choose.
11. Psychic Reader- $41,000
If you’re good enough, you might even become famous. Not everyone believes in psychics, but the ones that do are prepared to pay for a professional reading. There’s plenty of resources out there for training too.
This next job has to be one of the funnest things we’ve ever seen!
10. Water Slide Tester- $31,000
All thrill seekers need to apply for this one. It’s not all fun and games though. You need to help ensure the safety of the ride and you need to be in good health. Waterslide testers help evaluate waterslides for the “adrenaline” and “splash factor.” You may need to ride the same slide over and over to collect this data then give it to back to the slide’s owners.
9. Crime Scene Cleaner- $50,000
You’ll need a strong stomach for this one. Someone’s got to clean up the crime scene after the police are done with their investigation though. If you can stand the gore, this may be a good job for you. If you get easily emotional, you may want to avoid this one, as some of the scenes can haunt you.
However, if you aren’t bothered by death, this next job is perfect for you.
8. Embalmer- $45,000
Someone’s got to do it. Embalmers wash and prepare the body for burial. You’ll have to receive training and all states require an apprenticeship as well. Once you’ve completed these requirements, you’ll need to get a license.
7. Personal Shopper- $25,000 to $100,000
If you have a passion for fashion, this one’s perfect for you. You need to be good with people, have an eye for fashion and trends, and be willing to work hard to make someone else happy. Most people in the field have a related degree, such as Fashion Merchandising or Fashion Design. There is a professional organization where you can be certified to make yourself more attractive to potential customers.
6. Voice-Over Artist- $80,000
Have your voice heard on the radio, on TV and in the movies. Voiceover artistry isn’t easy though. You need to have a good speaking voice, clear diction, and be willing to read something in a variety of takes. You will likely end up spending money on voice classes, coaches, and nice equipment. Some voiceover artists record directly from their home or office.
5. IMAX Screen Cleaner- $45,000
Great for those okay working nights when the movie theater is closed. The IMAX screens are typically eight stories, and the cleaning process is more involved than your typical screen at the multiplex. Most cleaning involves a pulley system so be prepared to use your arms for long periods of time. One screen can take up to 8 hours to clean.
If cleaning isn’t your thing, this next job is much sweeter!
4. Ice Cream Taster- $45,000
Why weren’t we told about this one in school? The job can also be called food quality tester or food scientist. You may need a degree in food science or chemistry. It’s important that you have a good appreciation for flavor and consistency as you’ll be testing hundreds of cups a day. One day told VICE that she eats 250 bites of ice cream in a single day during her job.
Love food and are artistic? Try this next gig!
3. Food Stylists- $33,000-$58,000
The job sounds simple: make sure plates of food look good before they’re photographed. Food stylists have to make the food look appetizing, tasty, and fresh. There isn’t a specific food styling degree so most people who go into the field have culinary arts degrees. You should be prepared to stay on-set for long hours and really enjoy working with food. You should also be very detail-oriented.
Love to cuddle? You’re in luck then! This next job is perfect for you.
2. Professional Snuggler- $60 an hour
If you’re cool with strangers touching you, go for it. A professional cuddler or snuggler is just like the title describes. Most who offer the service do it freelance and it’s used as a therapeutic tool. There’s even professional training. You should be empathetic, open, and kind as you may be snuggling with very vulnerable clients.
1. Paper Towel Sniffer- $19,000 to $52,000
If you’ve got a great sense of smell, get a job like this where you make sure paper towels aren’t too fragrant in any way.