Most people pursue traditional jobs that offer stability, a high earning potential, and opportunities for career growth. However, many alternatives exist for those who would rather pursue a unique career path that adapts to their lifestyle. For example, you could become a forest fire inspector, ice cream tester, or algae scientist.
You can find odd job titles with high annual salaries if you do the right research. Some require formal training, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue them. Earning higher than minimum wage isn’t hard if you put in the effort. In this guide, we will explore the best odd jobs that pay well as well as top skills you’ll need and the best companies offering odd jobs.
How Much Do Odd Jobs Pay?
The median salary for the odd jobs in our list range from $47,710 to $164,010, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, and Indeed. Odd jobs can be found in any industry, from the medical to the entertainment sector. That’s why it is so hard to calculate an estimated median salary for most odd jobs.
How to Get a High-Paying Odd Job
Your hourly wage for an odd job will depend on many factors, including your skillset, your level of education, the company you work for, and your location. Below, you will find a couple of tips to consider if you want to have a high-paying odd job.
Discover What You Like
Before diving into a random career you don’t feel interested in, take time to reflect on what you like and figure out what kind of work motivates you. You can explore different careers according to your current skills, interests, and long-term career goals. Try looking at popular career paths and see what catches your eye.
Explore Salary Rates
The next step is to explore salary rates. There are many odd jobs that do offer high compensation, so it’s just a matter of doing research. This will also help you get an idea of what you can expect when looking for a job and help you negotiate accordingly.
Get In-Demand Skills
Some of the odd jobs we’ll mention below require you to have a particular set of skills that are in demand in the market. Having in-demand skills can help you aspire for high-paying jobs, regardless of how odd or unusual they may be. The more skills you have, the more likely you are to land a job.
What Odd Jobs Pay the Most? The Highest-Paying Odd Jobs You Should Consider
Read below to discover some of those odd jobs that pay the most. We have listed 10 careers that range from high-paying medical positions to odd jobs that don’t require a degree.
Periodontist
- Average salary: $183,300
- Job growth: 12%
- Companies hiring: Trident General Dentistry, Beltran Periodontics, Robert J Kelly DDS & Associates
A periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of periodontal disease. They also work with teeth implants and other gum treatments. You must go through dental school to become a periodontist, but it’s worth it if you want to land one of the highest-paying jobs in dentistry.
Podiatrist
- Average salary: $134,300
- Job growth: 2%
- Companies hiring: American Podiatric Medical Association, University of Oklahoma, University of Utah
A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in foot treatment. They diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. This professional can also treat deformities in those areas. Aside from having a college degree, you must be accredited by a podiatric medical college to become a practitioner.
Ethical Computer Hacker
If you want to become an ethical hacker, you will evaluate the security levels in a computer system to prevent unauthorized entries. White-hat hackers perform penetration testing to find potential vulnerabilities in the system and implement security measures. All you have to do is attend a coding bootcamp to get the skills you need for this job.
Hippotherapist
- Average salary: $86,280
- Job growth: 17%
- Companies hiring: New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center, The Children’s TherAplay Foundation, American Hippotherapy Association
If you love spending time with horses, this could be a great choice for you. Hippotherapy is a combination of occupational therapy and riding horses. It consists of treating patients to heal them from certain disabilities, diseases, and conditions. The job requirements include becoming a certified therapist and having a deep knowledge of horses’ behavior.
Flavorist
- Average salary: $79,300
- Job growth: 6%
- Companies hiring: Allen Flavors, International Flavors and Fragrances, PepsiCo
A flavorist, also referred to as a food scientist, develops natural and artificial flavors by using certain chemical practices. They usually work with food and beverage companies to create delicious and unique flavors. To become a flavorist, you should have experience or a degree in chemistry or chemical engineering.
Bingo Manager
- Average salary: $75,470
- Job growth: 24%
- Companies hiring: Sycuan Casino, Sandia Resort and Casino, Treasure Island Resort & Casino
This is a managerial and in-demand career in the casino and gambling industry. As a bingo manager, you will oversee the staff’s performance, manage payouts, and follow state gambling regulations. This is a role that doesn’t require you to have a college degree, and it is one of the best careers for extroverts.
Toy Maker
A toymaker designs safe and fun products for children. They must come up with creative ideas that are also durable, easy-to-use, maintainable, and safe. To become a toymaker, you need to be creative and dexterous.
Psychic
- Average salary: $99 per hour
- Job growth: N/A
- Companies hiring: N/A
If you’ve ever thought you have a sixth sense, you can give it a shot and try a career as a psychic. As a psychic, you can earn an average hourly wage of $99, according to PayScale. You can also work independently out of your own home or a private office, which makes it one of the most flexible odd jobs out there.
Private Investigator
- Average salary: $53,320
- Job growth: 13%
- Companies hiring: Black Ops Security Services & Consulting, The State of Florida
You often see private investigators on TV or in movies, but it is a real career that you can pursue. The role of a private investigator, also known as a PI, is to research for their clients to discover such things as infidelity, theft, and missing people.
Embalmer
An embalmer prepares the bodies of deceased people for funerals, burials, or cremations. This is an odd but highly compensated job in the funeral industry. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid people in this field earn over $91,140, which makes funeral service work a great option.
Water Treatment System Operators
- Average salary: $49,090
- Job growth: -3%
- Companies hiring: California Water Service Group, Golder Associates
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are responsible for monitoring the water treatment process and equipment to make it safe for humans to drink. They often work in reservoirs, water disposal systems, wells, and rivers. This odd job is a good temporary option if you want to earn some cash before moving on to other things.
Best Odd Jobs: Top Companies That Hire for Odd Jobs
Odd jobs come in a wide spectrum and are offered across several industries, so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly which companies are hiring. However, following our list above, we’ve compiled some top companies that hire for odd jobs and pay surprisingly well. This should give you an idea of where to find a high-paying job in your selected field.
- World Tech Toys: World Tech Toys is a toy-making company that sells its products to retailers. According to Indeed’s review data on World Tech Toys, it is a good place to work due to the multiple benefits offered by the company and the possibility of career growth.
- Universal Studios: This is one of the biggest entertainment production companies in the world with one of the leading studios and thematic parks. This company offers healthcare programs and tuition reimbursement opportunities for workers.
- Nike: Nike is one of the leading fashion and footwear manufacturing corporations in the world. Nike is known for its high standard corporate values and learning opportunities, even for temporary employees.
- PepsiCo: PepsiCo is a leading beverage multinational that also produces food and snacks. PepsiCo is known for its flexible work environment and growth potential for its employees.
- Henry Ford Health System: This is a leading healthcare provider located in Detroit. Henry Ford Health System is known for its challenging pace, balanced work environment, and corporate culture.
Where to Find an Odd Job
If you want to find an odd job that pays well, regardless of how odd it is, the best thing to do is to expose your talent. In the following list, we’ll show you some of the best places to find highly compensated jobs in any industry.
Job Boards
Job boards are online platforms used to find employment. You can create a profile to showcase your experience, expertise, educational background, and skills to attract potential employers. Some of the most popular job platforms are Upwork, LinkedIn, and Indeed. You can also find freelance jobs that pay well on these websites.
Industry Communities
Another good thing to do is to connect with industry-focused communities to expand your network. This will give you more exposure and consequently more opportunities to find a high-paying role in the particular career you’re looking for.
Meetups
Meetups are great talent pools to expose your skills. You can attend different industry meetups to help potential clients discover your talent. You can attend webinars, conferences, and online meetups, or you can find resources that can direct you to meetups in your area.
Skills Required to Land Your First Odd Job
The skills you need to land a job in a particular field will vary. However, below are some handy soft skills that can help you as you hunt down a high-paying job, regardless of how odd it is.
Open-Mindedness
Being open-minded is one of the best skills to cultivate if you aspire to a high-paying odd job. After all, odd jobs will require you to step outside the beaten path and pick up work where you’ll need to learn and develop new and unusual skills. Being open to experimenting and stretching outside your comfort zone will be invaluable in your search for odd jobs.
Creativity
The fact that you’re following a unique path already demonstrates your creativity. This skill is not only limited to artistic pursuits. Creativity is a skill that will help you find innovative solutions to problems, approach work from unusual angles, and help you innovate your chosen field.
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Resilience
The job market is at constant change, and this is especially true for those pursuing odd jobs. Being resilient will allow you to navigate unusual work circumstances, adapt to different situations, and come up with new ideas if you want to stay afloat. Resilience will be your best ally when it comes to finding a high-paying odd job.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get an Odd Job?
Yes, a coding bootcamp can help you find a high-paying unique job. You can pursue a career in ethical hacking, user experience design, computer programming, and more. Bootcamps are short-term job training programs that prepare you for a job in tech, and they are less expensive than degree programs. You will also access career services before and after you graduate.
Is an Odd Job For Me?
If you’re a creative person who loves to keep their options open, an odd job is right for you. Unconventional career paths will stretch you out of your comfort zone and require you to develop unconventional skills. If you aren’t afraid of trying options off the beaten path, an odd job can be a great option for you.
Odd Jobs that Pay Well FAQ
The highest-paying odd jobs are in the medical and technology fields. Jobs such as periodontist, podiatrist, and ethical hacker offer high compensation. With those jobs, you can earn over $100,000 per year.
Some of the weirdest jobs still existing in 2021 include Netflix viewer, costume attendant, professional cuddler, scuba diving delivery man, airplane painter, and dog food taster.
Some of the jobs that make more than $100k are managerial ones such as IT managers, marketing managers, and sales managers. Other high-paying jobs are computer network architects and air traffic controllers.
Some of the highest-paying fun jobs include event planning and making toys. However, everyone has a different definition of fun, so you’ll have to do your own research.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
