10 High-Paying Jobs People Never Really Considered

Numerous obscure jobs pay well but remain largely unknown to the general public. These positions often exist in niche industries or require specialized skills that few people possess. Those who discover and pursue these less conventional career paths can find themselves in high-demand roles with excellent compensation and opportunities for growth.

1. Ice Sculptor

Ice Sculpture Carving — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Have you ever seen one of these fancy ice sculptures at a fancy wedding or business party? They are amazing. Well, amazing means amazingly expensive. It might take years to perfect this art, but you can make a pretty penny for your craftsmanship if you do. Some of these artists can make an extra $60k for weekend work! Not a bad gig.

2. CNC Machinist

These skilled workers use computer programs to produce precise metal or plastic parts. One machinist writes about using these skills to make false teeth for local dentists. A skill requiring a lot of schooling, CNC machinists make comfortable six figures while running a computer program. Sounds like people could be chomping at the bit to get into this industry.

3. Master Flavorist

Researcher mixing flavors — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Someone must make artificial flavors that make our favorite candies and sweet treats. These scientists find a way to make jelly beans taste like popcorn or sour apples. Did you really think those flavors were natural? A hefty paycheck comes with making those purple and blue flavors.

4. Government Escort

Escorting officer — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Get your mind out of the gutter, people. A government escort is a person who has a high-security clearance profile and accompanies other officials on basic day-to-day tasks. A simple day could involve watching a repairman perform routine maintenance in a government building. Most of the time, the escort gets paid handsomely to hang out and guard federal buildings with limited risks. Sure, there is a risk, but most of the time, you guard a low-level government employee.

5. Repo Men

Repo company driver — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Repo men work hard daily to get back cars from people who can’t afford their car payments. But what about rich folks who own yachts and private planes? Yes, there are repo men for that, too. These crews have to work with special agencies to navigate taking back these luxury items. The wealthy people who own these can be hard to deal with, but the crews that take these vessels from these wealthy deadbeats make a healthy living.

6. Urban Bat Tracker

Forest ranger — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

This person might be Batman in disguise, but after a bit of research, it is a real job. Tracking these nocturnal animals can pay close to six figures. One bat tracker writes, “It’s a niche field, and expertise in urban wildlife ecology can be hard to come by. But it’s not the money that keeps me here. It’s the moments of connection, the feeling of being a part of something bigger and wilder, right in the heart of the city.” I don’t know; that sounds like something Batman would say.

7. Scent Expert

Really? Are you being serious here? Are people getting paid to smell things? Well, I guess it’s true: candle companies employ people to sniff their candle wax. While the job might not make you rich, it pays enough to get you by for minimal work. One person chimed in that they had been paid to taste-test beer. I’m googling this job now and may not even finish this article.

8. Ice Pilot

There are remote places on this Earth, but people still need to get there. Scientists constantly live in the Arctic and Antarctica, so someone has to get these people there. An ice pilot can easily pull in close to $200k to fly these researchers to their destinations. It is a dangerous flight indeed; these pilots earn their wages for flying in these extreme conditions.

9. Trashman

As a spacey student, my teachers always told me that I would end up a trashman if I didn’t get good grades. Turns out the trashman makes more than the teachers who shamed me! Yeah, I know it’s a dirty job, but it pays well, and you get to spend your job outdoors for a decent wage. Thank you, Mrs. Cerda, for guiding me into student loan debt instead of following my dreams as a trashman.

10. Runway Exterminator

Bird hitting plane — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Did you know if an animal makes its way to an airline runway, the protocol is to kill it? It’s so sad, but it does help the safety of the passengers on the plane. Well, one person writes in saying they make $30-40 an hour to sit and wait for this to happen. Boring work, but there are worse ways to make a few bucks.