15 Odd Jobs with Surprisingly Odd Salaries

We're all familiar with traditional office jobs and careers, but there are also plenty of odd jobs that fall way outside of your typical nine-to-five.

As unconventional as many of these jobs may be, if you’re looking for ways to make more money , you'll be surprised to see that the following jobs also come with unbelievable salaries.

Here are some of the weirdest jobs that come with equally unconventional pay, most of which may surprise you.

1. Elevator inspector

Median annual salary : $72,436

These inspectors make sure your elevator delivers you seamlessly, but their job also goes beyond elevators.

These inspectors examine and maintain all lifting and conveying devices — such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, ski lifts, and even amusement park rides — to ensure they meet safety and compliance codes.

The next time you reach your floor without plummeting to the ground, you know who to thank.

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2. Nuclear power reactor operator

Median annual salary : $116,327

Nuclear power plants generate roughly 20% of U.S. electricity, and it takes a highly-trained licensed professional to ensure these plants never come anywhere close to having a meltdown.

Besides working in an overly secure environment that’s sensitive to attack, nuclear power reactor operators are responsible for operating and controlling nuclear reactors.

A normal day consists of adjusting control rods, monitoring reactors, and responding to abnormalities. No sweat, right?

3. Sommelier

Median annual salary : $63,788

If your passion for wine extends beyond drinking it, a job as a sommelier might be of interest. A sommelier, or wine steward, manages everything from identifying and purchasing an organization’s wine collection to its proper storage and promotion.

You’ll likely work with kitchen staff to develop food and wine pairings, as well. Sommeliers commonly work with upscale restaurants, hotels, and other locations where expensive wines are sold.

They’re expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of wines, vineyards, geographic regions, and, of course, the grapes themselves.

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4. Bingo manager

Media annual salary : $71,476

They may get their start in your grandma’s retirement-home bingo hall, but you’ll typically find these professionals managing the bingo departments of casinos, and it can be big business.

A bingo manager oversees and directs the daily activities of the department, approving jackpots and payouts, and ensuring compliance with federal and state gaming regulations.

5. New York City hot dog vendor

Estimated salary range : $60,000-$100,000+

You can’t just slap a hot dog stand anywhere on the side of the road and expect to make a killing, but in the right location, a full-time gig selling hot dogs can turn a decent profit.

It’s not unheard of for vendors in prime New York City spots to pay over $300,000 in annual rent to the city — so what must they be bringing in if they can afford this type of fee?

According to the New York Post, one hot dog vendor raked in up to $400 each day when business was peaking and only paid $60 a year for a vendor's license.

6. Body part model

Median annual salary : $150-$2,500 for a day’s work, up to $75,000 per year

Have a nice pair of hands? According to Forbes, a top “parts model” can make around $75,000 a year.

Depending on their look — delicate or “practical” — hand models will usually either book fashion and beauty shoots or commercial work for food and cleaning products.

You may even find yourself doubling for celebrities who have a less-than-appealing set of their own.

7. Ice cream taster

Estimate salary range : $36K-$63K

I’ve had some terrible ice cream, so either not all ice cream is taste-tested or these companies need a new set of mouths working for them.

Regardless, it’s a real gig that pays real money, but do you want to chance to ruin your love of ice cream with too much of it? Yes, yes we do.

An ice cream taster, also known as a taste tester or food scientist, checks to make sure each type of ice cream is up to snuff, and contains the right ingredients, textures, and flavors so consumers won’t be disappointed.

8. Genetic counselor

Median annual salary : $85,379

Counseling for hereditary disorders might not seem like the most uplifting profession, but you will be in a position to help others as they cope with the unfortunate genetic hand they’re dealt with.

A genetic counselor assesses the risk for a variety of inherited conditions, sharing this information with families and other healthcare professionals to support informed decision-making.

They counsel patients on unfavorable test results and coping methods for those at risk, as well as couples with hereditary conditions who are trying to conceive.

9. Airplane repossession person

Estimated salary range : 6%-10% commission on each plane’s resale price ($10,000-$900,000 per plane)

The thought of a repo man flying away in your airplane is pretty comical, but it doesn’t make it any less real of a job. If you buy a plane and can’t afford it, you can be sure the bank is going to come knocking.

This gig is serious enough for the Discovery Channel to produce a show about it, and we all know everything we see on TV is real.

10. Commercial diver

Median annual salary : $75,570

A commercial diver earns their pay working underwater.

Duties can vary greatly, but they include checking for pipe leaks, inspecting and cleaning pipe valves, inspecting bridges, ships, docks, and sewers, and even salvaging wrecked ships.

Anyone up for some 18th-century shipwreck treasure hunting?

11. Professional bridesmaid

Estimated salary range : $18,000-$95,000

Friends play an important role in weddings, but let’s face it, not all our friends are the best at tackling problems, nor do they always give the best advice.

Professional bridesmaids step in to help brides through their big day. As a pro, aside from showing up at the wedding, you’ll likely be expected to walk down the aisle and maybe even give a toast in the couple’s honor.

If you’ve got a knack for problem-solving, a love for wedding celebrations, and a calming presence that can prevent even a nuclear reactor from melting down, a job as a professional bridesmaid might be a good fit.

12. Crime scene cleaner

Median annual salary : $80,040

Crime scenes may be cordoned off during an investigation, but once the evidence is collected, someone has to clean up what’s left behind.

These professionals may go by different names, but crime scene cleaners are responsible for the removal of biohazardous waste, body fluids, blood, human waste, and other unpleasantries.

While you may not need an individual license, these technicians are usually a part of a company that does need various licenses according to the regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

13. Food stylist

Median annual salary : $74,158

Ever wonder why that cheeseburger looks so good in the commercial but is haphazardly constructed in a clear attempt to ruin your day when you pull it out of the bag to eat it?

You can thank the food stylist for that. These professionals are responsible for making foods look as appetizing as possible, usually for photoshoots, films, television commercials, and upscale restaurants.

14. Certified ethical hacker

Median annual salary : $108,795

You might be able to make more of an unethical hacker, but I don’t need to explain why that’s a bad idea.

Alternatively, the government, technology, and cybersecurity industries are full of high-paying jobs for ethical hackers.

With titles ranging from security analyst to penetration tester, these professionals make a living intentionally hacking computers and systems to uncover vulnerabilities — before the criminals do.

15. Golf ball diver

Estimated salary range : $200/day-$150,000 per year

Considering the price for a new box of golf balls and how many brand-new golf balls I’ve personally hit into the water, retrieving and reselling this white gold can be a pretty lucrative job.

As the name suggests, golf ball divers take to the many ponds across golf courses to salvage, clean, and recycle golf balls, as the name suggests.

Bottom line

Just because these jobs may seem unconventional doesn’t mean they aren’t legitimate. Any job is what you make of it.

If you’re looking for more interesting work — or more interesting pay — think outside the box when it comes to figuring out ways to boost your bank account than just sticking to what’s conventional.

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