Weird but interesting jobs with surprisingly high salaries

You can make a living doing some pretty unexpected things. If you want to have fun while earning a paycheck, there are some surprising options out there. These jobs may not make you rich, but they will pay your bills every day while you have fun.

LEGO Master Builder

If you thought your LEGO days were over when you became an adult, it's time to rethink your concept of adulthood because LEGO builders are still here. LEGO employs people in their stores and facilities to build, maintain, and repair massive, complex structures made from Lego bricks. In addition, this job also involves public relations for the company, conducting interviews, and creating social media content.

You don't need any formal education or certification to get this job—a high school diploma is the basic requirement—but a background in art and design is a big plus. Creativity is the main requirement here, so having a portfolio of impressive LEGO creations is essential. The company holds regional competitions called Brick Factors, where you compete against other LEGO enthusiasts, putting you on the path to the career path you dreamed of as a kid.

A master LEGO builder earns an average of around $46,000 a year, with New York being the highest paying area with salaries around $50,000 a year.

Roadie

The role of the roadie has evolved quite a bit from the classic image of a sloppy guy hauling an amplifier backstage. Roadies are still needed by bands and other traveling music acts, but modern versions are more specialized, including lighting, sound, and instrument technicians. While that may seem intimidating, most roadies learn their skills on the job—they start with an entry-level job at a local music venue, network with artists and managers from there, and often work for free for a while to establish themselves.

Once you get the hang of it, though, you can expect to make between $45,000 and $60,000 a year—though it's all freelance work, so your income will vary greatly depending on whether you're touring with a national band or a new band. It can be hard work—long hours and months of touring in uncomfortable accommodations—but if you love music and want the thrill of putting on a concert for thousands of people, this career can be great.

Water slide inspector

Also known as a ride inspection technician, the name suggests exactly what you do: You inspect the safety, operation, and other issues of a water slide. Some of these jobs are based at a specific amusement park, occasionally traveling across the country to inspect rides at other locations if they have them. But this job requires you to wear a swimsuit and take multiple dives into the water every day to make a living.

The main prerequisite for this job is a first aid and rescue certificate, which can usually be obtained from the hiring company itself. You will also need to be very familiar with the specifications and operating instructions for the specific slides, as manufacturers have very strict regulations on how often people can enter and other statistics.

The average annual salary for a waterslide inspector is around $60,000, although a few years ago someone on Reddit claimed to make closer to $100,000/year.

Ice sculpture

If you've ever been to a fancy party, you've probably seen an ice sculpture or two. If you have an artistic mind and the skills to do so, this can be a fun career that allows you to make money while being creative (and bringing a little joy to people, too).

There are a few different paths to pursuing this career: You can take a class from somewhere like the Academy of Ice Sculpture and Design in Tennessee or from a well-known ice sculptor, or contact local sculptors to see if you can get a job or an unpaid internship with them. However, there is no certification process for this art, so you can also start by carving some ice and then enter an ice sculpting competition like Ice Alaska or the Québec Winter Carnival. A few awards should be all you need to get started.

You can earn an average of around $50,000 per year as an ice sculptor in the United States—but earnings can be double that depending on location and available opportunities.

'Nose' of candle or perfume

If your idea of ​​a good time is getting paid to smell things, then a career as a nose is ideal. Perfume companies, scented candle companies, or anywhere else where the sense of smell is a key part of the business will hire this profession.

Becoming a nose assistant (sometimes called a perfumer, especially in the perfume industry) isn't for everyone, however. While you don't have to be born with an uncanny sense of smell, you do need a lot of training. Start by getting a degree in a field like chemistry or cosmetic science to get the basic training you need. From there, you can find an apprenticeship at a perfume or candle company, but your best bet is to get certified at a perfume school. This takes years and isn't cheap. But if your passion lies in the sense of smell, this could be the perfect career.

And you get paid pretty well, too, depending on where you live: A scent nose can earn an average of around $70,000 a year.

David Pac

Update 26 May 2025