The 7 Jobs That Pay You to Do Almost Nothing

By Angela Park · · 4 min read
The 7 Jobs That Pay You to Do Almost Nothing
Image Credit: riskms / Getty Images

Ever dreamt of getting paid to do nothing while at your office desk? Well, that’s the reality for a few people. It may sound like a fantasy, but looking through the modern workforce, you get to learn about a surprising number of jobs that are not only low-effort but pay well. Today, we’re bringing you the 7 jobs that pay you to do almost nothing. 

7. Movie Extra

Image Credit Jan van der Wolf
Image Credit: Jan van der Wolf / Pexels

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered who those people are walking in the background? Those are paid actors called movie extras who all they have to do is show up at the set and follow the director’s instructions. It’s a small gig for some people, which involves waiting around until they get cast as background actors. Some get to earn a decent daily rate if they’re part of the SAG-AFTRA union. The best part? No acting experience is required. 

6. Professional Sleeper

Image Credit Povoziniuk Getty Images
Image Credit: Povoziniuk / Getty Images

Imagine getting paid to snooze around. They’re the professional sleepers or mattress testers whose job responsibility involves sleeping. Companies hire them to test the comfort and quality of the mattresses, pillows, and bedding. They may also get hired to participate in research about sleep studies. While it sounds like a dream, this job requires you to have the ability to sleep in unfamiliar environments and provide detailed feedback. 

5. Netflix Tagger

Image Credit Worawee Meepian
Image Credit: Worawee Meepian

That’s right, you get paid to watch Netflix. As a Netflix tagger or content analyst, your job is to watch movies and TV shows and then assign relevant tags. You help in a way through Netflix’s recommendation algorithm that suggests content to users. This work is often remote and flexible, as long as you have a device that can access Netflix. 

4. Night Security Guard

Image Credit AndreyPopov Getty Images
Image Credit: AndreyPopov / Getty Images

Imagine working late at night with zero interaction. That’s the reality for night security guards whose job is to be visible to scare off troublemakers. Yup, that’s a whole night of quiet solitude where you get to read, study, or pursue your other interests while at work. But wait, it also comes with risk, especially once ill-intentioned people decide to cause trouble. 

3. Golf Ball Diver

Image Credit Golf Ball Divers
Image Credit: Golf Ball Divers

Want a job that will give you both excitement and reward? Be a golf ball diver where you get armed with scuba gear and plunge into the water hazards of golf courses to get lost golf balls. Those recovered golf balls are cleaned, sorted, and resold to golfers for a fraction of the price of new ones. It’s one dirty job, but if you’re the person for the job, then you’ll love it. 

2. House Sitter

Image Credit pocstock
Image Credit: pocstock

House-sitting job is the perfect opportunity to live in a home without a long-term lease. Basically, you get paid to look after someone’s home while they’re away. Other responsibilities include watering plants, collecting mail, and cleaning the house. It’s just like staying at home to do the things you love while getting paid. In some arrangements, you get to house-sit a vacation home where the owners only get to stay in their vacation season. 

1. Pet Sitter

Image Credit SeventyFour
Image Credit: SeventyFour

For animal lovers, this job is a breeze and a dream come true. As a pet sitter, your role is to care for people’s pets while they’re away. Your responsibility includes feeding them, walking them out, and providing companionship. You have the choice to work with a variety of animals, like dogs and cats, or birds and reptiles. It’s a low-stress job to make a living for animal lovers.