13 Fun Jobs Employers Can’t Fill – Because the Pay Is Terrible
Several jobs in this world seem like a lot of fun; only till you find out, you won’t get rich even if you put in some extra effort.
While some are glamorized, others seem like laid-back career options that allow you to find some time for yourself. Few other fun jobs that keep you broke promise independence, free will, and power. Only you will probably not have much purchasing power at the end of the day.
Ignoring commonly cited fun jobs employers find hard to fill, we evaluated 13 established career options that we all love but can be financially risky. If you are considering any of these career options, now is your chance to give it a second thought.
1. Dog Walker
If you’re fond of dogs, you might have considered becoming a dog walker. It sure can be a fun job to make new canine friends and get paid for it.
However, the average salary of a dog walker is only $33,830, which is not sufficient even to pay bills if you live in an expensive city. Moreover, all dogs do not take kindly to strangers and may displace their frustration on you or others around you while you’re trying to walk them.
2. Cat Sitter
A cat sitter might be a great career option if you prefer cats to dogs and would rather relax on the couch than be led by a large dog on the streets. After all, cats mind their business, and you only need to feed them a couple of times, provide water, and clean their litter boxes.
Moreover, at first glance, the pay is good, too, at an average salary of $48,037 annually. Unfortunately, you’ll only be asked to cat-sit once in a while, and as cat people don’t like being away from their feline friends for too long, you may not make your projected earnings at the end of the year.
3. Barista
Coffee snobs may think being a barista is excellent fun, but it is far from it. Not only do you have to stand behind the counter for long hours and attend to entitled customers’ strange requests, but you also won’t get paid a lot.
American baristas make an average of just $25,123 annually, which almost sounds illegal for such a back-breaking job. Of course, you may earn tips, but you can’t always depend on the kindness of strangers.
4. Tour Guides
The average salary of a tour guide in the US is $67,465. However, if you scratch the surface, reality paints a different picture. It depends on where you intend to work as a tour guide and how affluent that particular state is.
For instance, tour guides in South Dakota make only $30,389, whereas those in Florida can make almost $63,771 per annum. Moreover, you might get bored narrating the same stories to tired tourists more interested in taking selfies than listening to you.
5. Modeling
Supermodels make millions of dollars and get to hobnob with some of the world’s richest and the most famous. Yet, most models barely eke out a living, and many develop body image issues due to unrealistic beauty standards.
No matter how attractive you may look, modeling isn’t as glamorous as it is made out to be, and reality can be pretty harsh. Think before you accept a modeling agent’s offer.
6. Acting
Like modeling, acting is not a very promising career choice either. Even if you are super talented, your success depends on being present at the right place at the right time and met by the right agent.
We’ve all heard of dismal stories of bright-eyed youngsters arriving in Hollywood only to take up low-paying jobs because their acting careers didn’t take off.
7. Sports
If your coach has been urging you to spend more time playing your favorite sport, think carefully. While successful athletes bag lucrative advertising deals and make millions, the reality is very different for even the most talented.
Injuries are common, your skills diminish with age, and it’s hard to excel at something as competitive as sports. It’s always better to have more conservative career options as Plan B.
8. Farming
We’ve all read reports about how successful CEOs and business people gave up their busy jobs and purchased land in the middle of nowhere to become farmers. This can be a romantic and dreamy career option, but it requires a lot of grit and determination.
Farming requires skills and the ability to work with tools, tractors, and animals. Even if you become good at what you do, climate can play the spoilsport and reduce your chances of getting rich.
9. Language Training
Thanks to a large influx of immigrants, there’s a dire need for English language trainers in the US. However, there are so many language trainers today that it can be pretty challenging to find a steady job like in the olden days.
Most language trainers have used Instagram and other social channels to promote their skills, but let’s face it—that’s not for everyone.
10. Soft Skills Training
Like language trainers, soft skills trainers are in demand, too. Although yearly salary can seem impressive, with the average salary hovering around $99,238, actual hourly rates are far less.
There have been instances of people being paid as low as $15 per hour. If you can’t find a full-time job as a soft skills trainer and opt for hourly positions, you probably will not make enough to pay your bills.
11. Hobbyists
It’s a charming thing to declare that you will pursue your hobby and make money at the same time. Most of the time, your hobby will not fetch you the cash you need to survive; worse, you may become poorer.
For example, if you love painting, you may spend more on supplies than your eventual profits. Think very carefully before quitting your day job to pursue your hobby full-time.
12. Being an Entrepreneur
There is something enigmatic about becoming an entrepreneur — you get to be your boss and hire others, and also climb up the career ladder rather quickly.
However, many people refuse to become partners or stakeholders in startups because many of them do not become profitable. Unless you have a solid business plan, giving up on your existing job is probably not a good idea.
13. Being a Freelancer
There are multiple freelancing gigs available today in practically every industry vertical. Yet, most people do not become successful at it due to low-paying gigs, lack of business acumen, and poor skills.
Like entrepreneurship, being a freelancer is riddled with hurdles and challenges that can be overcome. However, this requires patience, determination, and a constant willingness to learn and grow.
