Think having a high-paying job means you\’re stuck with a boring office gig? Think again! Today, we\’re diving into the world of unique jobs that pay well and offer opportunities for those seeking unconventional careers.
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From proofreading to feet pics, these unusual jobs offer a fantastic chance for those who want to break free from the typical 9 to 5 grind.
They pay surprisingly well and can cater to various interests, passions, education, and experience.
You could find work-from-home jobs, become your own boss, and earn more money with fun careers.
Prepare yourself to discover a few careers, including some of the most intriguing high-paying jobs that break the mold and provide lasting job opportunities.
Here are my top picks for unique jobs that pay well.
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Table of Contents
Quick Picks
- Best Job No Experience Needed – Proofreader
- Weird But Pays Well – Feet Pics
- Most Fun Job – Freelance Writing
BONUS: Fast Money
- Online Surveys- Survey Junkie
- Play Mobile Games – Swagbucks
31 Unique Jobs That Pay Well
1. Proofreader
Average Salary: $57,016 per year
Do you have a sharp eye for detail and a love for grammar? Becoming a proofreader might be the perfect job for you!
You can start your own business as a proofreader and review written content for errors and improvements.
You also don’t need a bachelor’s degree in English or anything- many enter the field with a high school diploma and little to no experience starting out.
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2. Sell Feet Pics
Average Salary: $56,791 per year
Your feet can be one weird way to make money, including selling feet pics online.
You can pamper your feet, wear high heels, paint your toenails, snap some pictures, and take videos that people will pay for.
Sites like Feet Finder are dedicated to feet pics where you can make some pretty good money selling feet pics.
Pictures can pay $5 – $20+ a piece, and short videos can go for $10 – $30+ each, but you choose what content you sell and what you charge for it all.
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3. Freelance Writer
Average Salary: $56,810 per year
If you have a way with words and crave the freedom to work on your own terms, freelance writing might be your dream job.
Freelance writers create content for various clients, from newspaper articles and books to blog posts and website content.
Perks include working from anywhere and setting your own schedule, making it a highly sought-after career.
You also get to pick your hours and rates, so your salary is completely in your hands.
You can check out my FREE eBook to start today, and my Freelance Write From Home course can help you launch your high-paying freelance writing career!
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4. Facebook Ads Manager
Average Salary: $60,0142 per year
A Facebook Ads Manager job can be a unique and lucrative career for those with a knack for social media and a passion for marketing.
You’d create and manage advertising campaigns on Facebook to help businesses reach new customers and land more online sales.
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5. Bookkeeping
Average Salary: $43,363 per year
Companies hire bookkeepers to help the company keep track of its money.
They look at bills that need to be paid, money owed to the company, and the money the company owes to others.
Some bookkeepers attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree, but not all bookkeeping jobs need one.
Some skills can be learned through training or experience. Bookkeeper Launch’s free lessons can help you learn about bookkeeping and if it’s the job for you.
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6. Virtual Assistant
Average Salary: $72,299 per year
Virtual assistants support businesses remotely with administrative work.
Tasks include managing customer communication, scheduling, creating and maintaining documents, and other activities contributing to the company’s smooth operation.
The neat part is that you can work from your own home or anywhere with an internet connection.
If you’re curious about becoming a virtual assistant, a great place to find employment is FlexJobs.
They’ve got a bunch of job listings where you can explore multiple job opportunities and find the best-paying clients!
7. Social Media Manager
Average Salary: $70,287 per year
A social media manager is key to a company’s online presence on social media platforms.
They create and manage content on social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
They aim to engage the audience, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to the company’s website.
It’s a dynamic job that involves crafting compelling posts, responding to comments, and analyzing performance metrics to improve strategies.
Jasper is a powerful tool that can greatly assist social media managers in creating the best content. It can help you create unique and interesting content fast.
8. Dog Walker
Average Salary: $34,539 per year
Being a dog walker is rewarding for those who love spending time with furry friends.
A dog walker takes dogs on walks and ensures they get the exercise and fresh air they need.
It’s more than just a stroll; dog walkers often tailor the walks to the dogs’ energy levels and preferences, providing a great opportunity to explore and have fun.
You can work for neighbors and family or use dog walking apps to find clients around town.
Rover can be incredibly helpful if you want to become a dog walker. It connects dog walkers with owners seeking reliable and caring individuals to care for their dogs.
9. Mystery Shopping
Average Salary: $34,573 per year
Have you ever been paid to shop and spend someone else’s money? Well, mystery shopping is a job that does exactly that.
As a mystery shopper, you’ll go into the store and evaluate the customer service, product quality, and overall store experience.
You get paid and get freebies just by shopping and writing a report to help businesses get feedback on how things go.
It helps businesses analyze various factors to ensure better customer satisfaction and experience.
10. Bed Tester
Average Salary: $44,266 per year
Imagine being asked to sleep eight hours every night and getting paid to sleep!
It may sound too good to be true, but companies hire bed testers to ensure their mattresses are comfortable and give customers a good night’s sleep.
As a bed tester, you’ll sleep on different mattresses and record your experience.
Your job is to test the mattress’s comfort, firmness, and support and provide a detailed report. That way, the company can make changes as needed.
11. Food Critic
Average Salary: $68,681 per year
Maybe you’re a self-proclaimed foodie and love trying different cuisines- becoming a food critic might be an excellent opportunity.
As a food critic, your job is to write honest reviews of restaurants, cafes, and eateries and provide recommendations to readers.
You must have a good palate, a good eye for presentation, and excellent writing skills to excel in this job.
12. Food Scientist
Average Salary: $77,135 per year
Food scientists develop new food products and improve the quality and safety of existing ones.
The one drawback is that this job requires a bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, or a related field to be eligible for this job.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrates that becoming a food scientist is a solid job: the job growth is 8%, with over 4,000 job openings per year over the next decade.
13. Food Taster
Average Salary: $46,472 per year
Food tasting is a culinary arts job requiring skill and expertise from someone with a diverse palate.
As a food taster, you must evaluate different foods’ taste, texture, and appearance to identify flaws or problems.
You must also provide feedback to chefs and food manufacturers to suggest improvements.
14. Ice Cream Taster
Average Salary: $35,664 per year
Have you ever dreamed of having a job where you could try out various ice cream flavors?
Being an ice cream taster might be perfect for you!
Tasters are responsible for testing new flavors and providing feedback to the production team.
In addition to a love for ice cream and a keen sense of taste, you need attention to detail and solid communication skills.
15. Master Sommelier
Average Salary: $48,703 per year
Do you have an exceptional wine palate and the ability to remember countless grape varieties and vintage years?
If so, you may become a Master Sommelier. Master Sommeliers are wine experts overseeing wine programs in fine-dining restaurants and hotels.
With only a few hundred individuals worldwide holding this certification, Master Sommeliers command top salaries.
16. Chocolatier
Average Salary: $37,691 per year
Have you ever heard the adage “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”?
If you make sweet treats at home, you may have more control over that box of chocolates than you think.
Being a chocolatier involves creating delectable chocolate confections such as truffles, bars, and bonbons.
As a chocolatier, you’ll need an artistic flair, excellent attention to detail, and a solid knowledge of various chocolate-making techniques.
You can sell in an online store, a brick-and-mortar local business, or craft shows and events.
17. Play Video Games
Average Salary: $65,999 per year
Playing video games is no longer just a hobby for teenagers. In recent years, playing video games has evolved into a lucrative profession.
Many YouTubers and streamers have become “professional gamers” as their gameplay footage and commentary have gained a massive following.
They become full-time content creators and earn up to six figures from brand deals, advertising revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
However, becoming a big-time gamer will require a lot of dedication, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Mastering YouTube can greatly aid you in becoming a successful YouTube streamer by teaching you essential strategies to engage your audience and create appealing content.
18. Video Game Designer
Average Salary: $92,750 per year
If you love playing video games and are creative, your new, unique career could be making other video games for people to enjoy.
A video game designer designs gaming mechanics, characters, and environments in video games.
This role requires you to possess excellent coding and programming skills, strong storytelling abilities, and a passion for gaming.
Some game designers share the load and handle the story alone or just design scenes- it has some flexibility, and many people have learned to develop games from YouTube!
19. Graphic Designer
Average Salary: $58,954 per year
Another unique job for creative minds would be becoming a graphic designer/
A graphic designer creates visual concepts using computer software or drawing tools like Canva Pro.
As a graphic designer, you design advertisements, brochures, logos, products, and packaging.
20. Art Dealer
Average Salary: $86,940 per year
If you appreciate art and love to network, this job might be for you.
As an art dealer, you connect with artists and buyers to import, exhibit, and sell artwork.
You showcase the work of talented artists and get the satisfaction of promoting art.
Art dealers earn through commissions, and with great networking skills, it can be very profitable.
21. Art Therapist
Average Salary: $47,342 per year
Art therapy is a therapeutic tool that uses the process of creating art to improve physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Art therapists work in hospitals, prisons, schools, or rehabilitation centers as an art therapist.
The career path requires a master’s degree in art therapy and a license to practice.
It is a fulfilling job, but unfortunately, some states do not recognize art therapy as a licensed practice, so you’ll need to consider where you live to find clients.
22. Music Therapist
Average Salary: $52,257 per year
Similar to art therapy, music therapy involves using music for therapeutic purposes.
A music therapist works with patients to improve cognitive, social, and emotional functions using music as the main tool.
Jobs for music therapists can be found in schools, retirement centers, and mental health facilities. It requires a master’s degree and a license to practice.
23. Makeup Artist
Average Salary: $22,566 per year
Believe it or not, being a makeup artist can be highly lucrative.
Not only do makeup artists work on models and actors in the entertainment industry, but also on everyday people for weddings and photoshoots.
With social media and YouTube driving the demand for professionals who know how to create unique makeup looks, being a makeup artist could be a great, unique career choice.
24. Clinical Ethicists
Average Salary: $108,628 per year
Do you have a background in ethics and healthcare? If so, you could be a valuable player in clinical ethics.
Clinical ethicists work with patients, doctors, and families to make complex medical decisions.
Your job would be to help people make informed choices based on their medical and personal beliefs.
25. Netflix Tagger
Average Salary: $30,125 per year
Want to get paid to watch Netflix? It’s actually possible!
If you love watching TV and movies and know what people will enjoy, this could be your perfect job.
As a Netflix Tagger, your job is to watch Netflix content and tag it with keywords related to plot, genre, and more.
Essentially, you’re helping Netflix to recommend content to viewers.
26. Photographer
Average Salary: $46,275 per year
If you love taking photos, you could make money taking photos and selling photos online.
While photography may sound like a common profession, there are many unique areas to specialize in.
You can open a shop, do family portraits, become a wedding photographer, and more.
Some photographers focus on architecture, and others focus on wildlife. Some photographers even specialize in underwater or sports photography.
27. Bingo Manager
Average Salary: $52,948 per year
If you enjoy organizing events and are a people person, consider being a bingo manager.
These professionals coordinate everything about bingo, including events, prizes, and budgets.
They also ensure the Bingo Hall or casino complies with federal and state gaming regulations.
28. Chief Listening Officer
Average Salary: $155,581 per year
A Chief Listening Officer (CLO) monitors and listens to social media channels, online forums, and other digital platforms for customer feedback.
They use this feedback to improve the company’s products and services and adjust marketing campaigns.
As social media has become a popular means for customers to voice their concerns and opinions, CLOs have become increasingly in demand.
Chief Listening Officers are still fairly new but have a great chance for job growth.
29. Golf Ball Diver
Average Salary: $20 per hour
If you enjoy golfing and swimming, you might want to consider becoming a golf ball diver.
As the name suggests, golf ball divers are responsible for retrieving lost golf balls from water hazards on golf courses.
They collect and sort the balls, then sell them back to the golf course or businesses that refurbish used golf balls.
30. Ethical Hacker
Average Salary: $106,617 per year
As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important for businesses, the demand for ethical hackers has also grown.
Ethical hackers are cybersecurity experts who use their skills to identify vulnerabilities in a company’s software and network systems.
They then report their findings to the company and help them improve their security measures and information technology.
31. Elevator Inspector
Average Salary: $71,464 per year
Becoming an Elevator Inspector could be a great career path for those with a keen eye for detail.
Elevators must be inspected regularly to ensure they are safe for public use. This is where elevator inspectors come in.
Elevator inspectors make sure that elevators meet safety standards and function properly.
They check the mechanics and electrical systems of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, ensuring everything works correctly.
FAQs
What low-effort jobs pay well?
In these easy jobs, you usually do manageable tasks that don’t require much thinking, and you can do them at a comfortable speed.
Here are a few examples of the best jobs that might require less effort while offering decent pay:
- Video Game Player: If you enjoy playing games, platforms like Swagbucks offer opportunities to earn rewards by playing games online.
- Online Survey Taker: Participating in online surveys on Survey Junkie can be a low-effort way to earn extra money.
- Participate in focus groups: Participating in focus groups on Branded Surveys can be a low-effort way to earn extra money without a degree or experience.
- Video Watcher: Watching videos on Shopkick can also be a simple way to earn money in your free time without needing prior qualifications.
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What jobs pay the best that don’t need experience or degrees?
Jobs that don’t require experience or degrees but still offer good pay with a decent median salary are often called “entry-level” positions.
Many of these jobs might differ from the highest-paying careers, but they can provide a starting point for earning income and gaining experience.
Here are some examples of entry-level jobs that pay well:
- Proofreader
- Freelance Writer
- Virtual Assistant
- Dog Walker
What are jobs that pay quickly?
Jobs that pay quickly often refer to roles where you receive your earnings after completing the work or within a short pay cycle.
Here are some examples of jobs or gigs that can provide relatively quick pay:
- Freelance Work: Freelance jobs like writing, graphic design, web development, or digital marketing often pay quickly after completing projects and submitting invoices.
- Food Delivery Driver: Many food delivery services like DoorDash offer daily or weekly payouts.
- Rideshare Driver: Driving for Uber can provide quick earnings, with payouts often available weekly.
- Temporary Labor: Some temporary or odd jobs, such as event staffing or general labor, offer daily or weekly pay.
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How do I pick a high-paying job that’s best for me?
Deciding on the perfect job that pays well is like solving a puzzle- there are many jobs that make a lot of money and you need the right one for you.
You want a job that fits well with your skills and interests, offers a good starting salary, and has a good work-life balance.
To help you put together this puzzle, here are some things to think about to find jobs that pay well and are best for you.
- Know Yourself: Start by thinking about what you’re good at and what activities you enjoy- that way, you can avoid a stressful job.
- Explore Options: Take a look at different jobs out there. Check out what each job involves, what you need to learn, and how much money you might make.
- Match Skills, Education, & Experience: Find a job that fits what you’re good at and your background, whether you have a high school diploma or college degree.
- Learn if Needed: Some jobs might need a college degree or relevant certifications. Decide if you’re ready to learn more or get additional training.
- Think Long-Term: Consider if the job can help you reach your future goals. Can you grow in this job and potentially make six figures?
- Where You Work: Decide if you want a job in an office or retail store or be self-employed.
What unique jobs will make me happy to go to work?
If you’re looking for a bit different job that might bring a smile to your face each day, there are some unique options:
- Proofreader
- Freelance Writer
- Food Scientist
- Art Therapist
- Professional Gamer (YouTuber)
Final Thoughts
I’ve explored a lot of jobs that pay well in different pay ranges, proving that a high-paying career doesn’t have to be mundane or conventional.
There are even some weird jobs to make money, like selling feet pics, while other unique jobs are great for working from home.
These unconventional jobs offer many exciting opportunities for those looking to break free from a typical desk job and pursue their passions.
Whether you want to be your own boss, have a flexible schedule, or simply want to do work that you love, there are plenty of options for the perfect job.
So, don’t be afraid to try things outside the box and consider a unique career path as a freelance writer or proofreader.
With so many interesting jobs that pay well, you might just find the perfect job that allows you to make a living while doing what you love.
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