Unusual jobs that pay really well

Perhaps you’re new to the job market and you’re looking for that all-important first job after graduation.

Or maybe you just fancy a change of scenery that might earn you a little more cash than your current job. But if you’re having difficulty figuring put precisely what it is you want to do, then why not take a look at these unusual jobs that pay surprisingly well.

Computer hacker

Now don’t for a second think that we’re honestly suggesting you start working for some underhand types scamming people out of their money. What we’re actually suggesting is to work for an online security company or work freelance helping businesses find back doors and vulnerabilities in their websites or apps.

For example, financial institutions pay huge money to professional hackers so they can make sure that their customers’ money is secure. Other companies ask hackers to ensure that their sensitive data is protected. So as you can see, it may sound like an illegal job, but it’s very much above board.

Poker player

Playing poker professionally was once a job that only a very few could manage. It was a lonely job moving from casino to casino and travelling to the biggest tournaments across the globe. These days, however, things are a little different with the online poker boom allowing people from all over the world to take part in online tournaments that pay top dollar.

We’re not just talking about a few thousand here and there. There have been some pretty phenomenal poker wins throughout history with winnings measured in the millions. The majority of these are, of course, in live games at casinos, but online tournaments often offer huge prizes too. Anyone that wants to take up this job though, will need to have pretty sharp poker skills.

Embalmer

Depending on your studies, this may or may not be your cup of tea. But hey, it pays really well. The fact is that no one really wants to be around the recently deceased, so anyone who is brave enough to take on the job is always well compensated.

It’s a tough one though and will take a fair amount of time to get used to. It involves draining the blood and then replacing it with embalming fluid. It also might include making the body presentable for an open casket funeral, which in some ways is actually a very positive thing to help grieving families.

Bounty hunter

Yes, this is a real job that could possibly pay very well. The fact is that there are lots and lots of people around the world that jump bail or who have outstanding warrants for their arrest. The bounty hunter’s job is to find these folks and bring them into a police station.

The salary for this job can vary a great deal but there’s a possibility to make some seriously good money if you go after the higher-profile criminals. One thing we will say about this one though is that it can be a little dangerous.

Crime scene cleaner

Ever watch crime TV shows and wonder who cleans up all that mess after the CSI guys are done? Welcome to the world of the crime scene cleaner. This person has to mop up and make sure that everything is spick and span after a crime.

Yes, this is a really tough one as often the scenes are quite grisly. It pays really well though and if you can keep yourself on the payroll for long enough, you could earn big bucks. Not for the faint of heart or those with a shallow stomach.

Elevator repair person

There are elevators everywhere and they all need repairing and servicing at regular intervals. This means that the average elevator repair person is in high demand all year round. It can be a slightly dangerous job and that’s why the pay is so good.

Take on this career and you may have to be on call at the weekends from time to time. People do get stuck in elevators at weekends too you know. Best thing about this job is that it doesn’t require a degree, as most training is given on the job.

Horse exerciser

Now, you’ve heard of dog walkers but what about horse walkers? The thing is that not everyone who owns a horse has the time to ride it or exercise it every day. That’s where the horse exerciser comes in. To do this job, you’ll need a love of horses and some experience in the saddle.

A horse exerciser will also spend time at the racetrack helping jockeys and trainers keep the horses warmed up and ready to race. It’s not the highest paying job on this list but for a job that requires nothing more than a high school diploma, it pays very well indeed.

Ice cream taster

Yes, this is a real job and perhaps the job of your dreams. But it’s not just about walking into an ice cream factory and tasting everything in sight. The ice cream taster will help the company create new flavors and update older ones.

You will need a serious love for ice cream and taste buds that can spot a hint of lemon or orange with barely a drop of ice cream on your tongue. Oh, and you’ll definitely need a good exercise regimen to burn off all those calories at work.

So are you interested in embalming bodies or would you prefer to become an online poker grinder? Or perhaps your skills are more suited to the ice cream parlor than the crime scene. Are these jobs even that unusual?

Whatever job you have right now, we’re pretty sure it’s nothing like any of the unusual jobs we listed above.