19 Weird Jobs That Pay Well in 2025
When most people think about building a career, they picture conventional paths like medicine, law, or business. But the truth is, the world is full of unusual opportunities that don't fit the traditional mold. From professional cuddlers to snake milkers, there are weird jobs that pay well and offer stability, excitement, or even a sense of purpose.
While some may sound odd at first, these professions can be financially rewarding and surprisingly in demand. If you're open to exploring unconventional career paths, you might just find a job that pays surprisingly well and fits your unique skills and interests.
What are the weird jobs that pay well in 2025?
There are many weird jobs that pay well, often offering salaries that surprise even the most seasoned professionals. Here are the 19 weird jobs that actually pay well:
- Voice actor
Average salary: $35,369 - $58,901 per year
Job description: Voice actors bring characters, commercials, and narrations to life across animation, video games, and advertising. The role demands strong vocal performance, creativity, and often specialized training in acting or audio work. - Professional cuddler
Average salary: $40,000-$83,000 per year
Job description: Professional cuddlers provide non-sexual, consensual touch sessions designed to reduce stress, ease loneliness, and create a sense of human connection. The work requires empathy, professionalism, and clear personal boundaries. - Water slide tester
Average salary: $60,000 per year
Job description: Water slide testers are paid to ride and review slides at water parks and resorts. They assess safety, smoothness, and overall fun, making the role both thrilling and responsible. - Court reporter
Average salary: $64,738 per year
Job description: Court reporters transcribe spoken dialogue in legal proceedings with speed and accuracy. Their work creates essential legal records and requires knowledge of legal language and stenography. - Video game tester
Average salary: $73,384 per year
Job description: Video game testers play unfinished games to uncover bugs, glitches, and design flaws. Their feedback ensures the final product is enjoyable and functional. - Crime scene cleaner
Average salary: $32,386 per year
Job description: Crime scene cleaners restore locations after traumatic events by removing biohazards and sanitizing spaces. The role requires specialized safety training and sensitivity when working with clients. - Fortune cookie writer
Average salary: $89,440 per year
Job description: Fortune cookie writers craft witty or motivational sayings that fit inside fortune cookies. This unusual writing job requires brevity, creativity, and the ability to inspire in just a few words. - Professional mourner
Average salary: $30-$100 per hour, or $40,000-$60,000 per year
Job description: Professional mourners attend funerals to display grief, often in cultures where visible mourning is expected. They provide emotional support while respecting cultural traditions. - Ethical hacker
Average salary: $105,593 per year
Job description: Ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks to identify weaknesses in computer systems. They are critical for ensuring compliance and protecting organizations from malicious hackers. - Food stylist
Average salary: $71,041 per year
Job description: Food stylists arrange dishes for photography, advertising, and media. They make food look visually appealing while often considering nutritional value and brand requirements. - Luxury hotel mystery shopper
Average salary: $37,137 per year
Job description: Mystery shoppers evaluate service quality, staff performance, and amenities in luxury hotels. Their feedback helps brands improve the guest experience. - Snake milker
Average salary: $33,609 per year
Job description: Snake milkers carefully extract venom from venomous snakes under controlled conditions. The venom is used in medical research and antivenom production, making it a high-risk but vital profession. - Pet food taster
Average salary: About $49,008 per year
Job description: Pet food tasters test flavor, texture, and quality to ensure food meets animal preferences and safety standards. Though odd, it plays a key role in product development. - Stunt performer
Average salary: $69,442 per year
Job description: Stunt performers execute dangerous physical feats for film, television, and live shows. The role requires training, precision, and the ability to manage risk safely. - Toy designer
Average salary: $76,479 per year
Job description: Toy designers create engaging, safe toys for children and collectors. They blend creative design skills with knowledge of safety regulations and child psychology. - Professional line stand-in
Average salary: $38,816 per year
Job description: Line stand-ins wait in line on behalf of clients for concerts, product launches, or services. It's a simple yet in-demand role in urban areas. - Iceberg mover
Average salary: $75,000 per year.
Job description: Iceberg movers redirect drifting icebergs away from oil rigs and shipping routes using tugboats and logistics planning. This niche role combines marine science with engineering expertise. - Bingo hall caller
Average salary: $32,078 per year.
Job description: Bingo callers announce numbers, manage pacing, and energize game participants. A strong voice and engaging personality are key to success in this role. - Penetration tester
Average salary: $88,604
Job description: Like ethical hackers but often hired to simulate cyberattacks within scope. They help ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards.
What weird job makes the most money?
While several unusual job roles stand out for their salary, ethical hackers and penetration testers are among the highest paying jobs in this category. These cybersecurity professionals are hired by companies to find weaknesses in computer systems, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and safeguarding sensitive information from malicious hackers.
- Ethical Hacker: Requires specialized education or knowledge in computer science, offering salaries well into six figures.
- Penetration Tester: Similar to ethical hackers, they conduct real-world attacks on systems to test defenses.
In both positions, the demand is extremely high because organizations need to protect their data. Unlike traditional professions, these careers may not require formal education like a bachelor's degree or master's degree if you can demonstrate practical ability through specialized training.
Exploring weird jobs
The world of work is evolving, and unconventional career paths are becoming more visible. Many weird jobs offer not just a paycheck, but also the chance to pursue an interest or creative flair that might not fit into standard professions.
Take professional mourners, for example. In some cultures, families hire individuals to attend funerals and show grief, creating an atmosphere of respect and human connection. While this might sound unusual, it's a position with cultural importance and steady income in certain regions.
Another example is water slide testers, professionals responsible for trying out water slides in luxury hotels and amusement parks. Not only do they get paid surprisingly well, but they also travel the world testing rides for safety and fun.
Even fortune cookie writers have carved out a niche. Using words to inspire and entertain, they prove that a career requiring creative flair can be financially rewarding, even if it's not tied to conventional career paths.
What's the requirement for these jobs?
Not all weird jobs demand the same level of preparation. While some jobs exist that only need a high school diploma, others benefit from specialized training or advanced degrees in a related field.
Here are some common requirements across these unusual professions:
- High school diploma: Roles such as professional cuddlers, bingo hall callers, and line stand-ins usually require no formal education beyond high school. What matters most is personality, professionalism, and the ability to connect with clients.
- Specialized training: Jobs like crime scene cleaners, voice actors, and water slide testers typically require hands-on training. Workers need to understand safety procedures, performance techniques, or risk management before being hired.
- Bachelor's degree: Ethical hackers and penetration testers often need a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field. These positions also benefit from certifications that prove technical knowledge.
- Master's degree or specialized education: Certain jobs, such as court reporters, psychology-related roles, or positions ensuring compliance with legal proceedings, demand advanced study. These careers emphasize precision, responsibility, and knowledge of complex regulations.
In every case, the requirements depend on the career path, the level of responsibility, and the clients you'll be serving.
FAQs
Here are the common questions asked about weird jobs that pay well:
Are weird jobs considered stable careers?
Yes, many weird jobs are surprisingly stable. Demand for cybersecurity experts, crime scene cleaners, and even professional mourners has grown, creating career opportunities that offer long-term income.
Do you need a degree for most weird jobs?
Not always. Some roles, like ethical hackers, benefit from a bachelor's degree in a related field, but others rely more on specialized training and ability than formal education.
Can weird jobs be full-time or just side hustles?
Both. For example, voice actors and professional cuddlers can work part-time for extra cash, while court reporters and ethical hackers often pursue full-time careers.
What industries have the most unusual high-paying jobs?
Technology, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment industries are home to many weird jobs. From working with patients in psychology-based roles to testing water slides, the range is wide.
How can I find weird jobs that pay well near me?
Start with niche job boards or general job boards, which often list high paying jobs in unconventional areas. Networking and direct outreach to companies can also open doors.
