23 Weird Jobs That Pay Well

Not all high-paying jobs follow a traditional path or even make sense at first glance. From sniffing armpits in a lab to testing luxury mattresses, weird jobs that pay well are more common than you’d think. These unusual roles often reward the kind of skills and quirks that don’t fit neatly on a corporate resume. If you're curious about careers that break the mold while still bringing in real income, this list is for you.

What Counts as a “Weird” Job and Why They’re Worth Considering

Not Your Average 9-to-5

A weird job doesn’t mean a joke job. It means work that sits outside what most people consider traditional. Think of professions with strange titles, unique hours, or settings most careers don’t touch, like underwater welding or professional cuddling. These roles often don't fit neatly into a box, but they exist for a reason and serve real needs. For people who struggle with the standard desk-bound career, weird jobs offer a refreshing alternative that can align better with personality, skills, or lifestyle.

Some of these roles evolve from niche hobbies. Others are born out of specialized markets or cultural shifts. But what unites them is that they don’t follow conventional career paths. You won’t find them in high school career fairs, yet they can lead to steady work, creative freedom, and even long-term success.

Why These Jobs Pay More Than You’d Expect

The high salaries tied to many weird jobs aren’t random. They often reflect very specific factors. Some involve physical risk, like diving into water systems as a lift station maintainer or testing out water slides for safety. Others require niche training or rare technical skills, like operating as an ethical hacker or transcribing legal proceedings as a court reporter. Scarcity alone can boost value.

In other cases, it’s emotional labor that drives the pay. Jobs like professional mourning or bereavement coordination require empathy, discretion, and presence; traits that can’t be taught in a standard training program. These roles are not for everyone, and that’s part of the reason they pay well. Compensation often reflects what others aren’t willing or able to do. If you can handle the unique demands, weird jobs can be surprisingly financially rewarding.

23 Weird Jobs That Actually Pay Well

Not every high-paying job requires a cubicle or a business degree. This list covers 23 weird jobs that are real, financially rewarding, and often overlooked. Each one includes average pay, what the role involves, and what kind of person might enjoy the work.

1. Ethical Hacker

Salary: ~$125,000/year

Ethical hackers (also known as penetration testers) are hired to break into computer systems—legally. Their goal is to find weaknesses before malicious hackers do. You’ll need a solid understanding of cybersecurity, often supported by specialized training or a degree in computer science. If you love puzzles, digital systems, and high-stakes thinking, this odd job pays exceptionally well.

2. Voice Prompt UX Designer (AI Prompt Writer)

Salary: ~$112,000/year

This is one of the newest weird jobs, born from the boom in AI. Prompt UX designers write the actual instructions and responses for AI voice systems. It’s half language design, half user psychology. No formal path exists yet, but experience in tech writing, UX, or AI tools helps.

3. Odor Tester (Smell Researcher)

Salary: ~$98,000/year

Odor testers work in labs to test the effectiveness of deodorants, perfumes, and even industrial products. You’ll need a strong sense of smell and some training in chemistry or product testing. It’s a weird job, but someone’s got to sniff for science.

4. Toy Designer

Salary: ~$54,000/year

Toy designers use their creative flair to invent and build fun, functional toys. Many come from an industrial design background or a related field like child development or engineering. It’s a career where imagination meets the real-world market.

5. Court Reporter

Salary: ~$80,000/year

Court reporters are responsible for creating exact transcripts during legal proceedings. The job requires specialized education, strong typing skills, and intense focus. No traditional degree needed, but training is essential.

6. Luxury Bed Tester

Salary: ~$99,000/year

Luxury sleep brands hire testers to evaluate beds and sleep products for comfort and design. This odd job may sound dreamy, but testers often work within R&D teams and document sleep feedback for product development.

7. Professional Sleeper

Salary: ~$79,000/year

Professional sleepers get paid to nap for studies or product testing. Some work with sleep clinics; others review mattresses or wellness products. Training in sleep science or physiology helps, but this job exists for people with patience and discipline, not just tiredness.

8. Virtual Cuddler

Salary: ~$64,000/year

Also known as a professional cuddler, this role has moved online. Sessions offer stress relief and human connection through guided video calls. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a weird job that offers flexible hours and emotional impact.

9. Bingo Manager

Salary: ~$73,000/year

Managing a bingo hall involves more than calling numbers. You’re responsible for ensuring compliance with gaming laws, overseeing staff, and keeping things fun and fair. Often hired by casinos or nonprofits, it's a steady job with a niche twist.

10. Voice Actor

Salary: ~$100,000/year

From animated films to audiobook narration, voice actors bring sound and personality to a wide range of projects. This weird job values a strong vocal range, creative flair, and experience in a related field like acting or media.

11. Forensic Accountant

Salary: ~$85,000/year

Forensic accountants dig through financial records to uncover fraud or legal violations. It’s a blend of math, investigation, and reporting. While the job might not seem weird on paper, the situations you uncover can be wildly unusual.

12. Elevator Mechanic

Salary: ~$130,000/year

Elevator mechanics repair and install lifts in commercial and residential buildings. You’ll need a high school diploma and specialized training through an apprenticeship program. The work is hands-on, technical, and pays surprisingly well.

13. Pet Food Tester

Salary: ~$49,000/year

Pet food testers analyze the nutritional value and safety of food; not all testers eat it, but some do. If you’re into animal nutrition or product testing, this odd job is real and surprisingly important.

14. Theme Park Creature Performer

Salary: ~$77,000/year

Not your average acting gig. Creature performers wear elaborate costumes and interact with crowds at theme parks or events. It’s an unusual job requiring physical stamina, theater skills, and a love for entertaining.

15. Fortune Cookie Writer

Salary: ~$81,000/year

Yes, someone writes those tiny predictions. Fortune cookie writers craft short, often poetic lines for mass printing. If you have creative flair and a way with words, this is a weird job that pays surprisingly well per word.

16. Green Burial Consultant

Salary: ~$75,000/year

Green burial consultants help families navigate eco-friendly end-of-life choices. You’ll need compassion, knowledge of local laws, and an understanding of sustainable practices. It’s a weird job with a growing audience.

17. Odor Judge

Salary: ~$66,000/year

Odor judges rate the smell of people, products, and even industrial materials in controlled environments. Training is minimal, but attention to detail and a strong sense of smell are crucial.

18. Human Factors Specialist (UX Psychologist)

Salary: ~$154,000/year

This job sits at the intersection of psychology, design, and behavioral science to improve how humans interact with products and systems from software to cockpits. Think of it as making machines, websites, or environments easier and safer to use. It’s a high-paying, weird job that blends science and creativity, often found in industries like aviation, healthcare, or tech, and usually requires a master’s degree and deep curiosity about human behavior.

19. Water Slide Tester

Salary: ~$60,000/year

A dream job for thrill seekers. Water slide testers check for safety, speed, and splash. It’s fun, but not just play; you’re testing design and ride quality, often for travel resorts or theme parks.

20. Fashion Photographer

Salary: ~$64,000/year

Fashion photographers shoot for magazines, brands, or luxury hotels. It’s a weird job in the sense that no day looks the same. If you thrive on fast-paced creativity and working with clients, it’s a rewarding visual career.

21. Professional Mourner

Salary: Varies ($35–$500/hour)

In some cultures and events, professional mourners are hired to grieve on behalf of families. It’s a highly emotional job that offers a human connection in moments of public or private mourning.

22. Lift Station Maintainer

Salary: ~$75,000/year

Lift station maintainers handle sewage systems that move wastewater uphill. It’s dirty work, but essential. This weird job pays well due to the hands-on nature and low applicant pool.

23. ASMR Audio Creator

Salary: Varies widely; top creators earn up to $130,000/year

ASMR creators make soothing audio for relaxation, sleep, or focus. You’ll need sound editing skills, creative flair, and consistency to build an audience. For the right person, it’s both a hobby and a high-paying job.

What These Jobs Have in Common

Low Competition, High Curiosity

Many weird jobs exist in niches that most people never think to explore. That keeps the talent pool small and the demand high. Employers are often willing to pay more for roles that are hard to fill, especially if the job involves unusual environments or offbeat skills. If you're open to unconventional career paths, these lesser-known roles can lead to serious income and standout experiences.

No One-Size-Fits-All Education Path

An odd job rarely requires a traditional path. Some roles call for a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree, but many are accessible with only a high school diploma and targeted training. Specialized education often matters more than formal education. Certifications, apprenticeships, or hands-on learning can open doors faster than a four-year degree.

Lifestyle Overlap With Freelancing or Gig Work

Many of these roles appeal to people who value flexibility or prefer nontraditional schedules. Some jobs are seasonal, remote, or available on a per-project basis, which makes them ideal for earning extra cash or offsetting living expenses. Others may require working alone for long stretches. If you're comfortable managing your own time, a weird job might offer the freedom most careers can’t.

How to Find and Land a Weird Job

Where to Start Looking

Weird jobs rarely show up on mainstream listings, so you’ll need to dig a little deeper. Niche job boards, Reddit communities, and even TikTok or YouTube can surface surprising leads. Look for threads where people talk about side gigs or unusual jobs they’ve done for extra cash. Cold outreach works too; if you’re curious about an odd job, find someone doing it and ask questions. Most people are happy to share how they got started.

(Pro Tip: Weird jobs don’t always stick around long. If you spot one on a niche job board, Reddit, or even a random TikTok, use Huntr’s Chrome Job Clipper to instantly save the listing details in one click so you’re always prepared, even if the post disappears later.)

Make Yourself Searchable for Unusual Roles

If you want to be hired for an odd job, your resume and social media should reflect curiosity, flexibility, and specific skills. Highlight nontraditional experience, even if it's freelance or self-taught. Mention clients you've worked with or hands-on projects you've completed. Skip the generic templates; use your profile to show what makes you adaptable and resourceful. For some roles, a degree helps. For most, how you position yourself matters more.

(Pro Tip: Applying to a job like “odor tester” means your resume needs to make a unique impression. Huntr’s AI Resume Review gives you fast, professional feedback tailored to each role, no matter how unusual, so you can highlight exactly what makes you a great fit.)

Don’t Knock It Till You Try It

The best way to see if an odd job fits is to test it. Try short-term gigs, part-time work, or shadow someone already in the role. Training doesn’t have to be formal—many people learn by doing. Weird jobs often come with unique rhythms, so a trial run helps you decide if it’s worth pursuing. One small break can lead to a surprising and rewarding career shift.

(Pro Tip: Exploring multiple weird jobs at once? Use Huntr’s Interview Tracker or Job Tracker to keep tabs on every application, contact, and interview—especially helpful when gigs vary widely in format and timeline.)

Conclusion

A weird job isn’t a fallback or a phase; it can be a real career move. These roles prove there’s no one path to success. Whether you’re chasing creative freedom, financial stability, or just something that fits how your brain works, unconventional career paths are more available and more rewarding than most people realize. In a world where standing out matters, doing something different might just be your smartest move. If you’re ready to start tracking the roles that interest you and want to stay organized on your job hunt, consider signing up for Huntr today.