15 Super Weird Jobs That Pay Well

You do what for a living?

There are many more occupations that are held by the roughly 128 million full-time workers in the U.S. than the typical jobs that first come to our minds. If you’ve ever watched the show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, maybe it opened your eyes (as it did mine) to the existence of countless odd jobs that fall way outside your typical nine-to-five.

Here’s what is really fabulous about the jobs in this roundup: the annual salaries. As unconventional as these jobs may sound, they’re also well-paying, respectable jobs. When we talk about salary, let’s broaden our understanding of what types of work can earn a good living.

Are you looking to spend your days doing work that’s a little different? And still be financially comfortable? Check out this selection of unusual jobs with good salaries.

How we picked these well paying, weird jobs

A so-called “good” salary in the U.S. depends heavily on where you’re located. (Most of us know it’ll cost a heck of a lot more to get by in Manhattan or San Francisco than in, say, small-town Missouri.) But in an attempt to define jobs that pay well, we considered salaries that would land the worker in what the Pew Research Center calls “middle class.”

The Pew Research Center defines "middle class" as those whose income is two-thirds to double the national median, which was $59,436 as of 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So the range for a three-person household would be roughly $39,000 to $119,000. The chosen jobs on this list fall within this range.

We’ve sourced income information from various reputable salary websites and determined a range of salaries (though some can vary quite a bit).

Finally, we don’t mean “weird” to be derogatory. These are simply jobs that might not come up much when a child is asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Honestly, I wish I’d known about the wide range of possibilities, and it’s kind of crazy to think of all the opportunities out there.

With that in mind, here are 16 weird jobs that pay weirdly well, too.

Elevator inspector

Elevator inspectors do important work in every city with multi-level buildings. With this job, you get a good salary along with the joy of knowing you’re keeping people safe. Am I the only one who breathes a sigh of relief when I reach my floor without plummeting to the basement? Thank you, inspectors.

This unusual job can include more than elevator inspections. You may be called on to examine and maintain all types of lifting and conveying devices — such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, ski lifts, and even amusement park rides — to ensure they meet safety and compliance codes.

Education: To elevate your chances of landing one of these jobs, you’ll typically need at least a high school diploma with considerable related-work experience, as inspectors typically learn on the job.

Average salary range: This varies, but ZipRecruiter claims there’s an average annual salary nationwide of $71,000 a year.

Nuclear power reactor operator

Nuclear power plants generate roughly 20% of U.S. electricity, and it takes a highly-trained licensed professional to ensure these plants never come anywhere close to having a meltdown. My uncle did this work for decades, earning an excellent living, although it frequently required working third-shift in the early years of his career.

Other than working in an overly-secure environment that’s sensitive to attack, nuclear power reactor operators are responsible for operating and controlling nuclear reactors. A normal day consists of adjusting control rods, monitoring reactors, and responding to abnormalities. No sweat, right?

Education: Nuclear power reactor operators typically need at least a high school diploma, but there’s extensive on-the-job training needed to prepare for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license exam. You’ll have to pass a yearly exam to keep your license as well.

Average salary range: $121,000 is the mean annual wage according to BLS data

Nuclear power reactor operator is not only an unusual job but also an interesting one which is why we included it on our list of the most interesting jobs in every state.

Sommelier

If, unlike me, you actually know something about wine beyond which type you prefer, a job as a sommelier might be of interest. A sommelier, or wine steward, manages everything from identifying and purchasing an organization’s wine collection to its proper storage and promotion. You’ll likely work with kitchen staff to develop food and wine pairings, as well.

Sommeliers commonly work with upscale restaurants, top hotels, and other locations where expensive wines are sold. They’re expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of wines, vineyards, geographic regions, and, of course, the grapes themselves.

Education: Requirements vary, but some employers look for years of experience in addition to culinary school training with an emphasis in fermented grape drink (wine).

Average salary range: $45,000 (per Glassdoor)-$64,000 (Salary.com)

Bingo manager

In another life, I used bingo as a classroom activity for teaching French numbers to my students. I handed out candy for the prizes. But guess what? If you want to earn actual money in an interesting career, you might manage the bingo department at your local casino.

A bingo manager oversees and directs the daily activities of the department, approving jackpots and payouts, and ensuring compliance with federal and state gaming regulations.

Education: Specific requirements will differ depending on the employer, but you’ll typically need 3-5 years of experience to land a gig as a bingo manager. Unfortunately, your grandmother’s referral won’t hold much weight.

Average salary range: $72,000 average base salary according to Salary.com

Fire investigator

Are you fascinated by fire or passionate about promoting public safety? If so, you might be a good candidate to become a fire investigator or inspector.

I happen to live in a university town where students can earn a specialized bachelor’s degree in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation. This is cool for us because when we go hiking near campus, we often see staged scenes of burned-out vehicles where students hone their investigative skills.

If that type of thing intrigues you, I don’t know if I’d call it a “weird” job, but it’s definitely not something everyone can do. On the preventive side of things, you might focus on inspecting structures for fire and safety hazards and enforcing local and state fire ordinances. Or, you can investigate fires and explosions after the fact, gathering evidence to determine the cause of those events.

You could make a positive impact on your community in this career while earning a good living.

Education: likely a bachelor’s degree in fire science or fire investigation or a similar program

Average salary range: $69,000 according to ZipRecruiter up to an average of $82,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Hand model

Have a nice pair of hands? According to Forbes, a top “parts model” can make around $75,000 a year. Depending on their look, hand models will usually either book fashion and beauty shoots or commercial work for food and cleaning products. (A dish-soap manufacturer will probably be looking for a different set of hands than a jewelry designer.) You may even find yourself doubling for celebrities who have a less-than-appealing set of their own.

One of my college roommates actually booked a gig as a hand model. It was such a random opportunity, and she didn’t turn it into a career, but I can vouch for the fact that she did, in fact, earn real money for a few hours of her time.

Education: The parts market isn’t vast, so competition is tough. You’ll also need to be able to take direction from heads of photography and deal with inevitable hand cramping.

Average salary range: $65,000 per year or $31/hour according to ZipRecruiter (but keep in mind this isn’t a job where you’re likely to work full-time)

Bereavement coordinator

You’ll need a high level of compassion to do this job well. Bereavement coordinators spend their days helping people through the loss of a loved one. You might be providing grief counseling and offering guidance to survivors to appropriate resources.

You might work for a hospital or nursing home for this career. I can imagine this is a heavy line of work, so you need to have the temperament for that and a heart to help people going through a difficult time.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work and state license to practice clinical social work

Average salary range: $60,000-$77,000 according to Salary.com

Genetic counselor

Counseling for hereditary disorders offers the opportunity to help others as they cope with the unfortunate genetic hand they’re dealt with. A genetic counselor assesses the risk for a variety of inherited conditions, sharing this information with families and other healthcare professionals to support informed decision making.

I can certainly imagine the pain of being told that you’re at risk for a terrible illness or condition, in particular if trying to conceive a child. You need solid education for this type of work as well as a compassionate manner, since you’ll need to counsel patients on unfavorable test results and coping methods.

Education: A master’s degree in genetic counseling is typically required.

Average salary range: $76,000-100,000 (BLS says the median pay is $95,000).

Commercial diver

A commercial diver earns their pay working underwater. Duties can vary greatly, but include checking for pipe leaks; inspecting and cleaning pipe valves; inspecting bridges, ships, docks, and sewers; and even salvaging wrecked ships. Anyone up for some 18th-century shipwreck treasure hunting?

According to Commercial Dive Academy, there are several types of commercial diving, and salary varies depending on whether you’re offshore or onshore and whether other skills are required.

Education: To become a commercial diver, you’ll need a high school diploma, scuba certification, and you’ll have to complete a commercial diving training program.

Average salary range: $40,000-80,000 according to the BLS

Professional bridesmaid

I have to confess that I’ve never been fantastic at the job of bridesmaid. I showed up for my friends, but I missed a lot of tasks that brides might assume their bridesmaids or maid of honor might do.

Professional bridesmaids step in to help brides through their big day. As a pro, aside from showing up at the wedding, you’ll likely be expected to walk down the aisle and maybe even give a toast in the couple’s honor.

If you’ve got a knack for problem-solving, a love for wedding celebrations, and a calming presence, you might be a good professional bridesmaid. (Just be sure you’re also okay with giving up weekends for your clients.)

Education: None required.

Average salary range: $44,000 according to ZipRecruiter. It might be tough to get full-time work, so pay could vary quite a bit.

Crime scene cleaner

I think I get enough of this as a parent of two boys, so I’ll pass on this job opportunity. But if you’re interested in cleaning up literal crime scenes, you get to remove biohazardous waste, body fluids, blood, human waste, and other unpleasantries.

While you may not need an individual license, these technicians are usually a part of a company that does need various licenses according to the regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Education: These technicians typically need at least a high school diploma and can usually land a job without prior experience.

Average salary range: $60,392/year per ZipRecruiter

Food stylist

Ever wonder why that cheeseburger looks so good in the commercial but is haphazardly constructed in a clear attempt to ruin your day when you pull it out of the bag to eat it? You can thank the food stylist for that. These professionals are responsible for making foods look as appetizing as possible, usually for photoshoots, films, television commercials, and upscale restaurants.

Education: Food stylists tend to get work by providing a portfolio, so experience is the best way to land these gigs, though some employers may want to see a background in design or the completion of culinary school. Instagram photos of your food may or may not count as a portfolio.

Average salary range: $62,000 (according to ZipRecruiter) to $74,000 (according to Salary.com)

Certified ethical hacker

You might be able to make more as an unethical hacker, but I don’t need to explain why that’s a bad idea. Alternatively, the government, technology, cybersecurity industries are full of high-paying jobs for ethical hackers.

With titles ranging from security analyst to penetration tester, these professionals make a living intentionally hacking computers and systems to uncover vulnerabilities — before the criminals do. You may be able to get into six-figure salary territory with this unique career.

Education: Most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology or a cybersecurity-related field, as well as relevant certifications.

Average salary range: $107,000-$215,000 (based on ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Indeed reported salaries)

Voiceover artist

Do people tell you “You should be on the radio” or “I could listen to your voice all day”? If so, you might have a future in voiceover acting.

Voiceover artists or actors provide their vocal talents to a wide array of recorded performances: film, television, and audiobooks, to name a few. You may need some vocal training as well as acting training to gain the skills you need.

I love the idea of narrating audiobooks for my favorite authors, but you might be more interested in commercial voiceover acting or another niche within voiceover work.

Education: You don’t have to have formal training to qualify for these jobs, but you might face a lot of competition, especially when starting out.

Average salary range: $57,000-$100,000 per year (Indeed.com reports $57,853 and ZipRecruiter reports $100,198)

Art therapist

If you’re creatively gifted as well as interested in using art to help others, you might consider a career in art therapy. While this might not be a very well-known career, it can be a really fulfilling one that pays well.

You might look into an art therapy career that allows you to work in a school, hospital, senior living facility, or private practice. You can combine your love of artistic expression with compassion for people going through mental or emotional struggles.

Education: You may need a master’s degree in art therapy, psychology, counseling, or social work.

Average salary range: $50,000 according to Payscale up to $66,000 according to ZipRecruiter

FAQs

Bottom line

We’ve taken a lighthearted approach to these jobs, but in all seriousness, some people would consider these some of the best jobs ever. Just because they may seem unconventional doesn’t mean they aren’t legitimate. Any job is what you make of it.

If you’re looking for more interesting work — or more interesting pay — think outside the box when it comes to figuring out how to make money. The unexpected might be what you were looking for all along. There are more ways to make big money than just sticking to what’s conventional.