According to Forbes.com, 52.3% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs.
Moreover, one of the top factors of workplace happiness is being interested in the work that you do. But what if you don’t find your job interesting?
Are you bored of your typical office job and ready to break out of the ho-hum routine of 9 to 5? Are you looking for a more exciting job that caters to your interests? How about a job where you can’t predict what you’ll be doing day-to-day?
We compiled a list of 9 awesomely odd jobs that pay well. Read on to find your new career.
9 Odd Jobs That Pay Well
1. Embalmer
This career option is not for the squeamish. You can be an embalmer and make a median of $39,603 annually.
An embalmer prepares a deceased body for a funeral and for burial. Preparations include cleaning the body, dressing the deceased, applying makeup, restoring or reconstructing any necessary parts of the body, and applying embalming fluids.
To become an embalmer, you need at least an associate’s degree. The next step would be to become an apprentice. After your apprenticeship, you have to become licensed.
The career choice of an embalmer may not be for everyone, but it is a respected, stable job that pays well.
2. Food Scientist
Next on our list of odd jobs that pay well: You can be a food taster. Actually, the technical term is food scientist, which according to Salary.com, the median annual salary is $69,859.
A food scientist’s job is to study food items and ingredients and ensure they are safe for consumers to eat. Part of the job also includes fun stuff like food tasting and creating new food flavors.
However, this job is not all food sampling. You need a bachelor’s degree in a scientific field to become a food scientist.
3. Body Part Model
Want to break into the modeling industry but you’re a little shy to show your face? You can try body part modeling which can make $1,000 a day for television commercials and $75,000 a year
You can be a hand model, a foot model or even legs model. The desired body part has to be in top condition with no scars or marks. You also have to know how to model the specific body part.
4. Bounty Hunter
Looking for a more exciting career? You can become a bounty hunter and make about $79,259 a year.
A bounty hunter is usually hired by bail bondsmen to find fugitives who skipped their court hearings. You don’t need a degree to become a bounty hunter, but you do need a license that can be specific to each state.
5. Cruise Ship Entertainer
Not interested in the lawless life? Do you have a passion for performing and love being out on the open water? You can be a cruise ship entertainer and make anywhere from $1,600-$4,000 a month.
Cruise ship entertainers can be singers or dancers. They can entertain through a comedic act or even a magic show. However, like any performing act, this job can be competitive and the pay can vary depending on which cruise line you work for and your contract details.
6. Extraction Technician
Interested in a higher paying job? An extraction technician extracts cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis for marijuana dispensaries. Although a machine does the extraction, the technician runs and services the machines and ensures they are working correctly.
According to Hemp Staff, a cannabis job recruiting company, extraction technicians can make up to $150,000 a year.
7. Certified Ethical Hacker
Want to make $89,000 a year? You can become a certified ethical hacker.
An ethical hacker is hired by companies to try to hack into their networks to check for weaknesses and security issues. The ethical hacker would then work with the business to improve on these security vulnerabilities.
8. Horse Exerciser
Ever wonder how racehorses are able to run so fast? They workout, and a horse exerciser is responsible for their workouts.
A horse exerciser rides racehorses. The rider provides the exercise for the horses and makes sure the horses are healthy and do not have any injuries.
You can make about $27,153 a year as a horse exerciser. While the salary isn’t much compared to the other positions on this list, if you love horses you can make a stable career out of it. You can even work as a freelancer and make money per ride.
To become a horse exerciser you don’t need any formal education, but you do need to be licensed if you want to ride at a racetrack.
9. Food Stylist
Do you love arranging your food and snapping a photo of it to post on social media? You can be a food stylist and make about $33,000 a year doing something you love. Or you can work freelance and make between $450-$850 a day.
Food stylists arrange food to look delicious and mouth-watering, usually for food being photographed to appear in magazines, cookbooks, ads, or menus. They also style the food with appropriate tableware.
If you love food, and you have an eye for design and making things look good, this job can be the right one for you. You don’t need a formal degree to become a food stylist.
Break Free from the Cubicle
Some people were not meant for an office job. This list shows that you can get creative with your career and still make a decent living.
If you’re not ready to take the leap into a full job transition, you can also check out side gigs that you can take on.
If you enjoyed reading about odd jobs that pay well, check out our money blog for more job and money-related posts.
