If sitting in front of a desk from nine to five has never been your style, you may be interested to know that there are money-making jobs able to satisfy your sense of adventure. The problem is, most people are unaware that these types of careers exist, making them difficult to pursue.
For example, did you know that you could make a decent living being a horse exerciser? How about making an average yearly salary of $50,000 selling hot dogs on the side of the road? Yes, there are numerous career options that can facilitate a comfortable lifestyle. The trick is knowing how, and where, to find them. Here are some of the more interesting choices out there. Who knows, maybe you will find your calling among this list.
Ice Cream TasterÂ
Yes, you read this right. There are companies that will actually pay you to taste their ice cream, and they generally pay you pretty well. In fact, the average salary of a food taster is around $56,000 and demands few prerequisites. Generally, a high school diploma is the highest level of education needed to qualify for the job, along with a sensitive set of tastebuds.
Bingo Manager
If you loved playing bingo as a child, there just may be a well-paying vocation right up your alley. Bingo managers usually work in casinos, overseeing finances, pay-outs and dealing with customer complaints. Their average salary is $56,000 and doesn’t require a college degree, but usually asks for five years of experience working in bingo-related jobs.
Embalmer
If you aren’t creeped out by dead bodies, you may have the stomach for this job. Embalmers, also known as funeral directors, are in charge of funeral services, including preparing and embalming the deceased for burial or cremation. They also offer comfort to the bereaved family and must ensure that funerals are carried out with sensitivity and respect. Their median salary is $44,000 and requires no higher education.
Live Mannequin
Can you hold in absolute stillness for extended periods of time? If so, you may have a future as a live mannequin. Believe it or not, some stores will pay you to live-model their clothing, approximately $100 per hour. Of course, you would need a vast amount of patience and the ability to stave off boredom in order to enjoy this job, but no education is required.
Cruise Ship EntertainerÂ
Do you have a unique talent that could be showcased as an entertainment gig? The most lucrative (and exciting) venue in which to display your gift might be on a cruise ship. Cruise ship entertainers make up to $4,500 per month, and their room and board is also paid for. This means that all the money they make while sailing around the world is straight profit. All that is required is a grandiose and marketable talent, so get working on it!
Locomotive Engineer
The title sounds as though extensive education is a prerequisite for the job, but locomotive engineers need only a high school diploma and a few years of technical training to be hired. These are the people who operate passenger and freight trains, inspect machinery and ensure that scheduling is precise. The job pays an average of $64,000 a year but often demands over 40 hours of work per week, including nights and weekends. Still, being a train conductor is sure to have been on some of your childhood aspiration lists, and with the substantial pay and pension benefits, may be a realistic career option.
As you can probably summize from the above list, it seems that the more narrow the career field (or strange the job), the more likely you are to make good money at your job. Of course these careers may be difficult to find, but they are sure to facilitate an interesting life.Â
Alternatively, the lowest paying jobs in the country are found in the foodservice industry. Other than the relatively well-paid position of high-end restaurant managers, most restaurant employees make an average yearly salary of $18,000.
Perhaps not surprising, the top nine highest-paying jobs in America are all found in the medical field, with annual salaries above $180,000. These careers all demand extensive education, but the payoff justifies the years spent in class. A bit more demoralizing is the fact that there are many careers that require a master’s degree yet pay an average salary of $40,000 or less. These jobs include rehab counselors, mental health counselors, family therapists and art curators.Â
Are you enticed to abandon your job and pursue one of these odd careers? Do you think it’s fair that many jobs that don’t require a college degree pay more than accountants, teachers and mental health counselors?Â
—Stephanie Catudal
Stephanie Catudal is a mother, writer, hiker and outdoor enthusiast. She can often be found exploring the Ponderosa pine forests of Northern Arizona, or splashing in the cool waters of Sedona’s red rock canyons with her husband and two daughters. Steph is a holistic health enthusiast and finds strength in her personal pursuit of fitness and wellness. She has degrees in Media, Peace and Conflict studies and is passionate about building peace both abroad and within her community.
Sources:
http://www.salary.com/11-odd-jobs-with-high-salaries
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mjd45edilj/10-unusual-jobs-that-pay-surprisingly-well
http://career-advice.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/nontraditional-jobs-that-pay-100k/article.aspx
http://www.myplan.com/careers/combined-food-preparation-and-serving-workers-including-fast-food/summary-35-3021.00.html?sid=fc38d53bcaef4f15188b73b786027a83
http://time.com/money/3318635/worst-paying-jobs-requiring-a-masters
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/highest-paying.htm
