50 Odd Jobs That Pay Well: Earn Over $100,000/Year
Have you thought about doing odd jobs that pay well? And if you haven’t, why could that be?
Sure, most people prefer to stick to conventional work-at-home jobs they’re familiar with that everybody else seems to be doing. Where’s the fun in that?
Would it be wrong to carve a unique career path that will get you out of your comfort zone and pay you handsomely in the process?
If you’re feeling adventurous today, don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover the top weird, unusual jobs.
Today, I’ll introduce you to the best odd jobs, most of which don’t require a college degree.
Best Odd Jobs That Make A Lot Of Money
Odd Jobs That Pay Well Without A Degree
1) Chief Listening Officer
A chief listening position will fit you like a glove if you want to feel like a spy without being one.
Generally, a chief listening officer listens to internal and external communication about an organization, company, or brand.
Once they gather enough information, chief listening officers send it to the company they work for to help it adjust and improve its current business or marketing strategy.
While the position is relatively new, it attracts tons of attention and interest these days due to the rise in popularity of Social Media.
Average Annual Salary: $81,500
2) Professional Mourner
Believe it or not, people get paid to mourn individuals they have no personal connection with and don’t even know!
Sometimes, a family that has lost a loved one wants to increase the number of funeral participants and boost the emotional support for the deceased.
As a professional mourner, you should have decent conversational skills and a good enough memory to memorize details on short notice.
Such workers always meet the person who wants to hire them before they book the job to get all the necessary details. There is a reason why a professional mourner is at the top of my list of odd jobs to make money:
Average Pay Rate: Between $30-$120 Per Event
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3) Embalmer
Next on my list of odd jobs that pay well is the position of the embalmer. To clarify, this type of job also requires dealing with dead people.
So, an embalmer is a person who prepares a deceased individual’s body for a funeral or cremation.
I know – that’s probably not your dream job. Be that as it may, you should consider it:
Currently, the job of the embalmer is one of the most lucrative side hustles in the funeral industry.
Average Annual Salary: Up To $92,000
See Also: High-Paying Side Hustles For Men
4) Commercial Diver
Quite frankly, people looking for underwater activities (and unusual job opportunities) will most likely gravitate toward the position of commercial diver.
Commercial divers perform different tasks underwater. For example, they inspect bridges, docks, and even wrecked ships.
Also, a commercial diver may check for pipe leaks and clean pipe valves.
You can start working as a commercial diver once you complete a commercial diving training program – you don’t need a Master’s Degree to become one!
Average Hourly Pay Rate In The United States: $25-$27
5) Golf Ball Diver
Speaking of tasks you can do for money until you’re underwater, let’s talk about the golf ball divers.
Nowadays, a brand-new box of golf balls is expensive. It makes sense to retrieve the golf balls instead of constantly investing in new ones.
Generally, golf ball divers work in a pond to get back, clean, and recycle golf balls.
More often than not, a golf ball diver gets paid per ball. Golf ball diving is one of the uncommon high-paying jobs you can start without prior experience or formal education.
Average Salary Per Day: $200
Related: Earn Money By Completing Small Tasks With TaskRabbit
6) Soap Boiler
None of us will enjoy our favorite soap bar unless someone produced it first!
With that said, the process of turning fat into soap sometimes requires soap boilers.
Doing any of that might not be the most pleasant working experience.
However, if you don’t have another job, you can start working as a soap boiler with a high school diploma. After all, soap boiling is one of the fun odd jobs almost anyone can manage to earn extra cash!
Average Pay Per Hour: $20-$21
7) Sewer Flusher
Sewer flushing is one of these odd jobs that pay well you won’t fall in love with:
The job is for people who are in control of their gag reflex and don’t expect much career growth!
A sewer flusher is someone who clears blockages in pipes.
These blockages come from cooking fat and oils – you should consider that before you sign up for the job.
Average Sewer Flusher Salary: Between $27,000-$64,000
8) Elevator Inspector
It doesn’t take a genius to realize what the job of the elevator inspector is:
Elevator inspectors ensure that the lifting device they work on will deliver you safe and sound.
Their job is not just about elevators but escalators, moving sidewalks, amusement park rides, and ski lifts.
You’ll need a niche skill and some working experience to land unusual high-paying jobs like elevator inspection.
Average Pay Rate Per Hour: $22
9) Portable Toilet Delivery Driver
Another one of the easy odd jobs that pay well you should think about is delivering portable toilets.
Can you imagine a constructive site without one?
Well, a portable toilet is not going to place itself where it needs to be, so you might as well do it yourself.
Some experience and a valid driving license will allow you to begin this job.
Average Annual Salary: $37,000
Related: Make Money Driving For DoorDash
10) Horse Exerciser
As you can guess, horse exercisers are people who work with horses.
During a horse race, jockeys are the ones who are riding the horses. However, other people ride on non-race days.
These people prepare the horses for the jockeys. Their responsibilities cover the well-being of the horse and everything that entails.
Should you go after such uncommon careers that pay well? I would say yes if you have extensive experience and job training in the field.
Average Monthly Median Income: Between $2,000-$4,000
11) Bingo Manager
By all means, a bingo manager controls most of everything happening in a casino or a bingo hall.
For example, the bingo manager deals with customer complaints and problematic clients. Furthermore, they approve jackpots and payouts.
On top of all that, the manager ensures the casino doesn’t overstep any state gaming regulations.
People with at least five years of experience will manage to secure unique high-paying jobs like bingo management.
Average Annual Salary: Up To $170,000
12) Locomotive Engineer
Do you love trains? Who doesn’t?
Maybe you love trains so much that you want to be a locomotive engineer for a living.
Locomotive engineers operate passenger or freight trains. Inspecting the train, preparing the route, and monitoring speed are also responsibilities of the locomotive engineer.
A high school diploma and federal license are necessary to get uncommon jobs that pay well, such as locomotive engineering.
Average Annual Salary: $90,000
13) Hippotherapist
Quite frankly, hippotherapy is one of those odd jobs that pay well but are not for everyone.
I mean, the job combines riding horses and occupational therapy.
Does this sound like something you would like to do every day?
Maybe you love the idea, and you’ll earn a decent salary if hippotherapy is at the top of your list of unique career paths to consider.
Average Annual Median Salary: $85,000
14) Private Investigator
How do you feel about investigating real-life cases?
Instead of watching them on TV, you can play a role in private investigations.
Prepare to discover missing people, thefts, and even infidelity! After all, that’s what private investigators do.
Your pay rate will vary depending on the clients that will hire you. Feel free to check the Bureau of Labor Statistics (or Business Insider) for more info.
Average Annual Private Investigator Salary: It Depends
15) Toy Maker
All these toys kids love to play with don’t create themselves!
Designing toys is one of these odd high-paying jobs that creative people should see as unique careers that pay well.
Toy makers have to be able to think of items that are safe and easy to use.
Getting such rare jobs with a high salary attached is a great way to earn good money while doing what you love.
Average Annual Toy Maker Salary: $70,000
Related: 50 Crafts You Can Make And Sell Online
16) Body Part Model
Relax – you don’t have to be a professional model to make a lot of money modeling:
Believe it or not, you can earn a decent amount of cash by modeling with only certain parts of your body.
Many agencies will hire you to model your hands, foot, neck, hair, skin, etc. Typically, these niche markets bring extra money to agencies and models in high demand.
Of course, you have to be confident and comfortable in front of the camera to work as a body part model.
Average Annual Body Part Model Salary: Over $75,000
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17) Professional Queuer
Unless you’re big on patience, you shouldn’t look into odd jobs that pay well, such as the work of the professional queuer.
Queuers (line-sitters) stand in line for hours for clients.
Hopefully, your legs can manage such high-paying weird jobs like line-sitting!
While most of you will find the work of the professional queuer quite boring, doing it will make you more than cents. Besides, you don’t need a college degree to wait in line!
Average Hourly Pay Rate: Up To $150
18) Bridesmaid For Hire
More often than not, your girlfriends may refuse to be bridesmaids at your wedding.
Let’s face it – not everyone is up for the job!
Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore:
These days, you can hire a professional bridesmaid for your special day.
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
19) Automatic Door Repairer
Yes, we all know how the automatic doors work and where the name comes from.
While doors can work automatically, that’s not the case with the people in charge of repairing them:
After all, someone has to service and repair the automatic doors from time to time.
Do you want that to be you? Then you need a high school diploma and some training about the various settings with automatic door repair.
Average Annual Salaries To Expect: $45,000
20) Dinkey Operator
Generally, dinkey operators work with dinkey engines.
Such workers play an important role in railroad yards, construction projects, and other locations.
Of course, you’ll need to undergo training to secure similar unusual jobs that pay well without a degree.
Once you do that, you can devote your time and energy to engines. Don’t expect a six-figure salary, though:
Average Annual Salary: $55,000
Odd Jobs That Pay Well That Require A Degree
21) Genetic Counselor
To summarize, a genetic counselor determines the risk of inheriting genetic conditions and advises patients about the best way to handle unfavorable results.
Genetic counseling is excellent for anyone interested in unconventional career paths and obscure high-paying jobs.
You need a Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling to do this job, and your average annual salary will be between $75,000-$105,000.
22) Ethical Hacker
If you think an ethical hacker is a professional the government hires to discover vulnerabilities in computers and systems, you’ll be right.
Hopefully, you have a Bachelor’s Degree in information technology to secure you an annual salary of up to $780,000.
That’s how much the top earners in this (or a related field) get. Ethical hacking is a good way to monetize your technical skills while developing weird careers that pay well.
See Also: Highest-Paying Online Jobs
23) Prosthetist/Orthotist
In short, a prosthetist designs and fits artificial limbs, while an orthotist creates orthopedic braces such as corrective shoes and surgical supports.
Both jobs require a degree and will make you over $100,000 annually. Healthcare professionals with the necessary qualifications will earn a good living by securing these odd jobs with high pay.
24) Soil Conservationist
Soil Conservationists design plans to help prevent erosion and offer ideas for sustainable land use.
A Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies or agricultural science will allow you to do these high-paying unusual jobs and earn around $70,000 a year.
25) Bereavement Coordinator
No one wants to receive bad news, but we all do.
The bereavement coordinators are the people who make sure delivering such news will be as painless as possible. They manage the social workers who have to give the unpleasant news.
Unless you have a four-year college degree, working as a bereavement coordinator would not be possible. Bereavement coordination is the perfect example of lesser-known jobs that pay well – a lot of people get up to $90,000 annually.
26) Childbirth Educator
Heads up – childbirth educators are not doctors but need a degree to prepare moms-to-be with classes and information.
Don’t expect to earn more than $90,000 a year doing such quirky jobs.
27) Clinical Ethicist
Typically, clinical ethicists influence the way people approach contentious medical situations.
If you have at least five years of experience on the job, you’ll make over $70,000 a year.
28) Enterostomal Therapist
Another example of odd jobs that pay well is the enterostomal therapist – a specialist who advises patients on post-operation abdominal care.
These workers earn around $90,000 a year from what many see as weird jobs that pay well.
29) Periodontist
In short, a periodontist is a dental specialist who offers diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases.
The job pays quite well (over $180,000 a year). Isn’t earning that much the ultimate goal for anyone looking for odd jobs that make good money?
30) Podiatrist
For those who don’t know, podiatrists offer foot treatments.
Nowadays, a podiatrist earns around $130,000 a year.
31) Flavorist
Also known as a food scientist, a flavorist is a professional who develops natural and artificial flavors. Such unique jobs that pay well are not for people unfamiliar with food science.
Average Annual Flavorist Salary: $80,000
32) Food Taster
You may wonder:
Why do I need a degree to get paid to test food?
Well, because the job of the food taster is a bit more complicated than eating chips and chocolate all day!
Similar unconventional jobs that pay well are food stylist and pet food taster.
See Also: 18 Legitimate Ways To Get Paid To Eat
33) Braille Proofreader
A braille proofreader proofread words written in dots.
The ability to read braille and a Bachelor’s Degree are requirements for people who want to do these rare high-paying jobs.
Related Read:
- How To Become A Proofreader
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- Get Paid To Edit Court Documents As A Scopist
34) Forest Fire Inspector
Generally, forest fire inspectors work to enforce fire regulations and offer recommendations for fire prevention.
If you have an Associate’s Degree for this job, go for it.
35) Ballet Master Or Composer
Are you dreaming of composing ballet?
Great – the good news is that having a Bachelor’s Degree and a couple of years of experience in the field will allow you to do such fun jobs.
More Odd Well-Paying Jobs: Unusual Careers That Pay Well
- Sommelier ($62,000): Also known as a wine steward, a sommelier’s job is to deal with a business’s wine collection.
- Water Treatment System Operator ($50,000): People making sure the water is safe to drink do random jobs that pay well.
- Psychic (Up To $100/Hour): Can you predict people’s future? Because if you can, you should give the psychic job a try.
- Costume Character Actor ($75,000): Dressing up as a superhero or a historical figure is an entertaining way to earn your living.
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operator (Up To $790,000): Operating and controlling nuclear reactors require professional training.
- Ice Cream Taster (Up To $100,000): Tasting ice cream is a valid job opportunity that offers lucrative pay!
- Hot Dog Vendor Salary ($25,000): Selling hot dogs is something anyone can manage.
- Airplane Repo Agents (Up To $1,700 A Day): There is no way to work as an airplane repossession person if you can’t fly the plane yourself.
- Food Stylist (Up To $730,000): As you can guess, the job is to make any meal presentable.
- Crime Scene Cleaner ($40,000): Someone must clean the crime scenes after the detectives leave them.
- Bridge Tender (Up To $65,000): A bridge tender is a person who has to permit boat passage through waterways.
- Theatrical Make-Up Artist ($130,000): Applying make-up to actors and singers pays more than well.
- Costume Attendants ($50,000): Actors and singers often go through multiple costume changes, and someone has to help them do that.
- Seismograph Shooter ($50,000): Enjoy doing this job and setting off the explosives that go with it.
- Online Dating Ghostwriter ($18 Per Hour): Start writing profiles for people who want to date online and earn money for your services.
Related Read:
- How To Become A Freelance Writer
- 110 Magazines Looking To Hire Writers
- 100 Websites That Will Pay You To Write
- Best Online Typing Jobs
Odd Jobs That Pay Well FAQs
What Odd Job Makes The Most Money?
List Of Odd Jobs And Unconventional Careers That Pay Well (Above The National Average):
- Ethical Hacking
- Penetration Testers
- Medical Research Professionals
- Voiceover Artists (Voice Actors Doing Voiceover Work)
- Color Experts (Color Theory Professionals)
- Art Therapy Professionals (An Art Therapist)
- Music Therapist
- Hand Pollinators
What Is The Best-Paying Lazy Job?
Unusual Jobs That Pay Well For Lazy People:
- Cuddling: Professional cuddlers (also known as professional snugglers) are people earning money for cuddling.
- Sleeping: Many ways exist to get paid to sleep – professional sleepers benefit from most of them.
- Shopping: Becoming a personal shopper or doing mystery shopping are two of the most popular ways to get paid to shop.
- House-Sitting: Luxury house sitters make money without doing much.
- Play Video Games: As you can guess, professional gamers earn cash while indulging in their favorite money-making hobby.
- Take Online Surveys: The top survey sites will allow you to earn money in your spare time.
What Is The Most Fun Job That Pays Well?
Funny Jobs That Pay Well:
- Professional Whistler
- Odor Judge
- Event Coordinator
- Stunt Performer
What Is The Rarest Job To Get?
Rare & Crazy High-Paying Jobs To Get:
- Urban Bat Tracker
- Wood Patternmaker
- Snake Milkers
My Closing On The Odd Jobs That Pay Well
Well, this is all I have for you today. Of course, many other weird jobs that make a lot of money are available:
I’ll keep updating this article with more unconventional high-paying jobs in the future. Until then, I would like to hear from you:
What are your favorite odd jobs examples? Which one would you like to do?
Let me know in the comments section!
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