Most people think high paying jobs are only for mainstream jobs like doctors, engineers, MBAs or people working in finance. There are actually plenty of unique and interesting jobs out there that can earn you good money and many of them don’t even require years of study.

Some of these jobs are pretty unexpected. You probably haven’t thought about them before, but they can actually make good money and are worth checking out.

Here’s a list of 13 unique and interestingly high paying jobs.

1. Pet Food Tester

Believe it or not, pet food tester is one of the strangest but surprisingly high paying jobs you’ll come across. Since pet food companies need to make sure their products are both nutritious and appealing, human testers are hired to evaluate flavor, texture, and nutritional balance. It might sound odd at first, but this role is crucial in maintaining product standards. You don’t need to eat large quantities of food, just small tastings are enough. To get into this job, a background in food science, nutrition, or even veterinary studies can help you stand out, though some companies also hire quality control professionals and train them on the job. It’s one of the high paying jobs on this list, with salaries ranging anywhere from $40,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on experience and the company.

2. Crime Scene Cleaner

Crime scene cleaners are responsible for restoring homes, vehicles, or public places after accidents, suicides, or violent crimes. It’s not a job for the faint-hearted since it involves cleaning up blood, biohazards, and damaged property. But because it’s physically and emotionally demanding, it’s also one of the high paying jobs outside the traditional office job. To enter this field, you generally don’t need a degree, training is often provided by specialized cleaning companies. However, you must be detail-oriented, mentally strong, and willing to follow strict safety protocols. Some certifications in hazardous material handling can also boost your chances. Professionals in this field typically making $40,000 to $70,000 per year, and experienced cleaners in large cities can make even more.

3. Sommelier

A sommelier is a wine expert who works in fine dining, luxury hotels, or high-end wineries. They curate wine lists, advise customers on pairings, and sometimes even travel to vineyards for selection. The best sommeliers are recognized worldwide and can earn good salaries, especially if they work in prestigious restaurants. Average pay of sommelier starts from $50,000 – $120,000 per year (top sommeliers can earn much more). You don’t need a formal degree to become one, but you do need training. The Court of Master Sommeliers and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) offer recognized programs. Beyond that, it requires years of practice, a refined palate, and the ability to describe flavors in detail.

4. Voice-Over Artist

If you’ve got a clear, unique voice, voice-over work can be one of the most rewarding high paying jobs you can do from home. Voice-over artists record audio for ads, cartoons, video games, audiobooks, and more. Unlike acting, you don’t need to be on camera, just your voice does the job. You need t invest in a good microphone to get started, create a demo, and joining freelance marketplaces or agencies. Many artists also train in diction, accents, or acting to expand their range. Pay depends on the project, with short commercials paying a few hundred dollars, while audiobook narration or character work in games can bring in $50,000 to $100,000 annually for experienced professionals.

5. Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers, also called white-hat hackers, get paid to break into computer systems legally. Companies hire them to test vulnerabilities, patch weaknesses, and secure networks against cyberattacks. It’s one of the most in-demand and high paying jobs but you really need to be good at it because companies don’t usually hire freshers for ethical hacking job. You’ll need strong computer skills, a good understanding of programming, and certifications such as CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CompTIA Security, these are the basics. Many professionals start in IT roles before transitioning into cybersecurity. The pay is excellent, entry-level ethical hackers earn around $60,000 annually, while experienced ones working for big firms or government agencies can make over $200000 a year.

6. Food Stylish

Food stylists make dishes look good for photography, advertisements, and TV. They use tricks like brushing oil to make food shine or swapping ingredients to keep dishes looking fresh for hours under studio lights. This is a creative role and requires both culinary knowledge and artistic presentation skills. Many stylists start with a background in culinary arts, photography, or even design, and then build portfolios by working with restaurants, food bloggers, or local media. It’s not a 9-to-5 job but more project-based. The pay is rewarding and range anywhere from $35,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on their clients and reputation.

Recommended Reading: 15 Highest Paying Survey Sites In 2025

7. Golf Ball Diver

Golf ball divers retrieve balls from ponds and lakes on golf courses. It might sound like an odd way to make money, but since millions of balls are lost each year, the demand is steady. The job involves diving into muddy, murky waters, collecting balls, cleaning them, and selling them back to golf retailers or courses. To start, you’ll need scuba diving certification, good swimming skills, and a willingness to work in less-than-pleasant conditions. Some divers work independently and some join companies that specialize in this business. Dedicated divers can earn around $40,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on how many balls they collect and sell.

8. Body Part Model

Not everyone models full outfits, some people get paid just for their hands, feet, eyes, or hair to appear in commercials or product campaigns. Brands need flawless body parts to showcase watches, jewelry, cosmetics, or shoes. To get started, you’ll need to sign with modeling agencies that focus on niche work or build a portfolio showcasing the specific feature you want to model. Maintenance and grooming are essential—for example, hand models need perfect nails and skin. The pay can be very lucrative, with some body part models making $50,000 to $100,000 per year, and top professionals earning even more on big brand contracts.

9. Professional Cuddler

Professional cuddlers provide platonic touch therapy to people seeking comfort, relaxation, or stress relief. This job may raise eyebrows, but it’s part of the growing wellness industry, with many clients valuing human touch for emotional health. To start, you can sign up with cuddle therapy platforms or work independently by marketing your services. No formal qualifications are needed, but being empathetic, respectful of boundaries, and comfortable with physical closeness is essential. Professional cuddlers can earn $40 to $80 per hour, and $40,000 to $80,000 annually for full-timers.

10. Virtual Friend

As loneliness becomes more common, some people pay for companionship online in the form of virtual friends. This can involve chatting, playing games, or simply keeping someone company via video or text. This job is not for everyone but it’s a flexible way to make money and one of the newer high paying jobs made possible by the internet. It’s easy to get started, you can join platforms that connect virtual companions with clients, or you can freelance independently. You need to have good communication skills and be empathetic person. The pay can vary widely, but many virtual friends make $15 to $50 per hour, which can add up to $30,000 to $60,000 per year depending on hours worked.

11. Feng Shui Consultant

Feng Shui consultants help people arrange their homes and offices in ways that promote positive energy, balance, and well-being. The role combines tradition, design, and psychology, and clients are often willing to pay high fees for consultations that promise better luck, productivity, or harmony. To get into this field, you can take certification courses, apprentice under established consultants, or self-study and build credibility through experience. It requires strong communication and design sense, it’s a career that offers flexibility. Successful consultants often charge $100 to $500 per session, which can add up to $50,000 to $100,000 per year.

12. Ice Cream Tester

Yes, someone gets paid to eat ice cream. They are known as “food scientists” or “flavor testers,” these professionals evaluate ice cream for texture, consistency, flavor balance, and overall quality. Their job is to ensure that every scoop that reaches consumers tastes exactly as intended. It’s one of the more fun high paying jobs, although it does require scientific knowledge of food chemistry and nutrition. Average pay is $50,000 – $100,000 per year. A degree in food science, chemistry, or dairy technology is usually required. Some companies also value experience in sensory evaluation. If you have both a love for ice cream and a strong science background, this is one of the best job you can get.

Recommended Reading: 12 Product Tester Jobs

13. Online Tutor

If you’re good at atleast on subject then you can do online tutoring. Online tutoring is something you’ll probably enjoy more than you think. It might sound like you need to be some kind of professor to get started, but if you’re confident in a subject like English, math, or even history, you can already get going. Platforms like Chegg or Tutor.com are where most people start, and you’ll usually go through a quick sign-up process where they ask about your background. You don’t always need a degree, though having one definitely helps your chances of landing more students.The fun part is you’ll be working one-on-one with students over chat or video calls, which makes it feel very personal. Students just want someone who explains things in a way they actually understand. If you can do that, you’re golden. You’ll typically earn anywhere from $15 to $25 an hour, depending on the subject and platform.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap on these 13 high paying jobs. Some of them surprised me too. You don’t really hear about them every day, but people are making decent amount of money doing this stuff. It kinda makes you realize there’s always more out there than the usual career paths we think of. Thanks for reading. I hope this gave you some ideas or at least something new to think about.