The Most Unusual Professions Worth Knowing About
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There is a way society has shaped us to view professions from a parochial angle. Our fathers defined “real” professions as a few careers that have titles that society respects and prefixes to one’s name. The other jobs without such titular prefixes aren’t considered “really serious” careers.
However, these lenses are outdated, and modern students should start seeing jobs based on many variables, such as personal fulfillment, flexibility, and the value they add to society. This fresh approach requires you to explore other unusual professions that align with your career goals.
So, what are these careers, and how much do they pay? Our writing experts, who compile guides on how to write a short essay, also compiled a list of unusual professions. Keep on reading it to explore their potential if you want to change your career path.
List of Unusual Professions and the National Average Salary
Here is our list of unusual jobs and how much they pay per annum.
Golf Ball Diver
Being a golf ball diver is one of the most unusual professions. This professional scuba diver helps golfers retrieve lost balls from dangerous waters around golf courses. Golf ball makers and retailers usually employ these professionals. The divers deliver these balls for their employers to clean, repackage, and sell. The national earning average for this profession is $52,312.
However, the exact figures depend on a diver’s location, experience, certification, and skill level. For instance, a diver in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can make as high as $94,183 yearly. These professionals also earn other fringe benefits.
Professional Mourner
Are you good at faking tears and passion? Then, you can sell your tears and lamenting prowess to mourning families. Professional mourning is one of the oldest unusual professions. These age-ling professionals help grieving families increase the number of funeral participants. Depending on the financial capacity of hiring families, these professionals can make anywhere between $30 and $120 per funeral.
Professional Cuddler
Cuddling people is one of the modern unusual professions you can explore. As its name suggests, this profession requires you to cuddle others for pay. A professional cuddler cuddles a customer for around an hour.
These therapeutic hugs require the therapist to listen to and comfort the client using communicative and sensory skills. Research shows that this practice enhances overall health and releases the “feel-good hormone” that makes people feel fuzzy and warm. It also lowers blood pressure and boosts immunity. As of October 2024, these professionals were earning an average of $63,943 yearly.
Dog Food Taster
Dog food testing is another option for those who want to explore unusual professions. This professional tests dog food’s nutritional value by tasting it. Afterward, the expert writes a nutrition report and reflects on the best ways to enhance the food. They also assess the food’s smell, texture, and flavor. This job requires a deep sense of taste and vast knowledge of dog food ingredients and food. This expert earns about $35,000 annually.
Snake Milker
Do you still want more unusual professions to explore and consider in your future? Then snake milking is one of these unusual jobs at your disposal. The milking of snakes requires you to extract their venom for research and development purposes. The venom is used to develop anti-venom. The milker uses electrodes to stimulate snake glands to produce venom or induce them to bite a thin membrane.
The milker may also process the venom into powder before shipping it to research labs. A snake milker can earn up to $43,524 per annum.
Professional Sleeper
Do you love sleeping? Then, you can use this “weakness” to explore one of the most unusual careers that pay well. As the name suggests, you sleep for hire. These professionals earn money by sleeping on quilts, pillows, and mattresses. They do so to test and analyze these sleep patterns on these bedding.
A sleeper writes a detailed report about their experience with noise disruption, comfort, and other elements. Professional sleepers earn up to $45,542 annually.
Ethical Hacker
Our list of unusual jobs is incomplete without mentioning ethical hackers. Most people see a dangerous criminal when they hear about a hacker. However, an ethical hacker is a real professional who is legally hired by governments, cybersecurity firms, and other high-tech enterprises. These professionals are also called security analysts or penetration testers.
An ethical hacker makes a living by deliberately hacking computers and other systems to discover vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do. These professionals can earn as high as $109,720 per annum.
Professional Bridesmaid
Professional bridesmaids also make it to our list of unusual careers worth exploring. Do you love weddings and helping others make their big day more colorful? Then, this career should be on your list of unusual jobs. These maids also walk the bride down the aisle and sometimes give a toast to honor the couple.
If you love solving wedding-related problems and creating a calming atmosphere at weddings, you should consider this profession. You should only prepare to sacrifice your weekend life for your customers.
Additionally, this job requires no academic qualifications. A good professional bridesmaid can earn up to $44,000 in a good year.
Tips for Getting a Unique Job
So, how do you prepare to get your fair share of unusual occupations? Below are tips to help you navigate this professional landscape.
- Assess yourself. Assess yourself before pursuing unusual careers. You should consider your hobbies, skills, and interests before choosing one. For instance, if you are an emotional genius, consider pursuing professional mourning and bereavement coordination.
- Establish your professional network. You also have to establish a large number of high-quality professional contacts to secure an unusual job. These relationships are critical to leaking leads and vacancies within their cycles.
- Organize your papers. If your preferred unusual careers require papers, consider preparing a resume, portfolio, and cover letter. Jobs like professional bridesmaids don’t require papers.
- Get ready for an interview. If you have prepared everything above, prepare for an interview. You should show up to parade your prowess. Prepare for all the possible questions you might face during the interview.
Final Thoughts
Up to here, you are up to date with the most unusual professions you might need to consider. We hope our unusual professions list has opened your eyes to more fulfilling career paths beyond the traditional job market.
