It turns out you don’t have to be a doctor or lawyer to earn a six-figure salary. The world is full of niche and bizarre careers that people have never heard of. We’re talking about tasting ice cream all day to diving for lost golf balls. And the best part? They pay really well. We’ve scoured the job market to bring you the 7 careers that sound made up but can pay well annually.
7. Golf Ball Diver
It sounds like a video game quest, but there’s really a select group of certified commercial divers who plunge into waters to retrieve millions of golf balls each year. It’s a physically demanding job where they avoid alligators and broken bottles, just to catch some golf balls. After they’re cleaned, graded, and resold for a fraction of the price of new balls. Top earners in this field reportedly make between $50,000 a year.
6. Ice Cream Taster
If you think this job is fiction, then you’re wrong. There are really professional ice cream tasters who are called sensory analysts or food scientists who work for major ice cream manufacturers like Dryer’s and Ben & Jerry’s. Their job is to ensure that the product is perfect. It’s actually a scientific process where these tasters evaluate each product by texture, color, and flavor from the first spoonful to lingering aftertaste. Entry-level gigs only offer a few dollars an hour, but those working full-time or who are experienced in this field can earn $80,000 a year.
5. Ethical Hacker
Companies are willing to pay to protect their digital fortress. They actually hire someone to break in just to know if their defenses are strong enough. Ethical hackers are also known as penetration testers or white-hat hackers, who are cybersecurity professionals who are paid to legally hack on systems. Their responsibilities include creating cyberattacks, identifying security weaknesses, and providing reports on how to strengthen their systems. Their demand is high that skilled ethical hackers can earn six digits a year.
4. Toy Designer
Toy designers are behind those favorite toys we had as kids. It’s actually a serious business that blends engineering skills with creativity. They’re the minds behind the life cycle, drawings, and prototypes as they work with manufacturers to ensure that the product is fun and at the same time, safe for kids. Top toy designers work at major companies like Mattel and Hasbro, or they can freelance for multiple brands. Their average annual salary a year is around $80,000.
3. Voice Over Artist
For those who love to talk, ever wished you got paid for it? If you’re a voice artist, then you’d probably be compensated well just for talking. This is a career that allows you to bring characters and commercials to life, and if you’re a top performer in this industry, then expect to earn $60,000 a year. We’re talking about gigs from major clients like Apple and Nike, combined with small gigs. But it requires more than just a good voice, as you need a talent for acting, technical skills, and recording equipment.
2. Professional Namer
Names for companies like Nike and Amazon are worth billions, but ever thought of who came up with these iconic brand names? They’re the professional namers who are senior copywriters or brand consultants who get paid to name things. But of course, it’s more than just a brainstorming of names, as it includes deep market research, linguistic analysis, trademark law, and an understanding of human psychology. Top naming agencies and freelance individuals can charge from a few thousand to around six digits just for a single project. It requires years of experience in copywriting and the branding field to reach a successful level.
1. Fragrance Creator
It’s a dream for perfume lovers out there. They are these highly trained artisans behind the world’s most iconic fragrances. Yup, we’re talking about high-end perfumes to subtle fragrances. A perfumer must have a skill of an extraordinary sense of smell that can identify hundreds of scent ingredients and blend them to create a new fragrance. The path is a long one as it involves years of apprenticeship at major fragrance houses. The prize? Those who are experienced earn $70,000 a year, depending on their role.