15 Jobs That Pay Extremely Well for No Reason
Finding a job is one of the biggest obstacles of adulthood. We all want good jobs that we love doing, but only 33% of us genuinely enjoy what we do for a living.
How do we change that one-third narrative? We offer ridiculous amounts of money for the job just because we can. When I say “ridiculous,” I don’t mean a ten percent raise over competitors in the same field. I mean hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more, with no justifiable reason whatsoever.
What do these jobs look like? Here’s a short list of some of the most mundane, worthless jobs with stupid-high salaries.
1. Fight Announcer
Whoever the first person was to get paid to announce a professional fight was a genius. Today, fight announcers can make hundreds of thousands for a few lines per match. In boxing, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), MMA (mixed martial arts), cage fighting, or whatever sort of professional sparring match you ascribe to, the announcer is likely making a mint.
Take Michael and Bruce Buffer. Michael is an announcer for primary boxing circuits, while his brother Bruce lends his voice to MMA fights. Both brothers earn millions annually for their niche jobs.
2. Game Show Host
Not all game shows are created equal, but when a show hits syndication, the host can make serious profits.
While an experienced host’s per-episode pay is impressive, ranging upwards of $75,000 for well-established hosts, royalties, endorsements, and sponsorships can blow up a host’s annual income. For reference, Pat Sajak, who hosted Wheel of Fortune, made around $15 million yearly, including his $291,666 per taping day. Sajak announced his retirement in June 2023. His co-host, Vanna White, will continue hosting Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest.
3. Nighttime Gym Attendant
Working overnight in a gym is a luxurious job. You can complete the requirements in two hours and spend the remaining six however you like.
It might not be easy, but putting the weights away, mopping, wiping down machines and equipment, and restocking the refrigerator doesn’t take much time. When you complete your tasks, you can spend the rest of your shift relaxing, and for an average of $15.31 an hour, it’s good money. That salary is about $44,000 annually for an average of three hours a night.
4. Mail Processor
Delivering the mail can be challenging. Lousy weather and angry people can make it a nightmare. However, working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) can mean great money.
Working as a mail processor can get you all the benefits without the negative aspects of mail delivery. The base salary for this job is around $50,000, and you can also earn overtime pay. Being a unionized job means you’re not likely to be quickly fired, and your earnings potential is excellent for this “separate and sort” job.
5. Slot Machine Technician
As with most jobs, where you work is as important as what you do. As a slot machine technician, you’d be responsible for repairing, cleaning, and maintaining slot and other gaming machines, effectively communicating reports to your supervisor, and keeping an organized work log.
In states where gambling is legal, you may find machines outside the casino circuit, but most of your work would be for a casino. Your time and effort will earn you an average salary of $36,900, which can increase with certifications, continuing education, and experience.
6. Lawncare Business Owner
As of 2024, landscaping is a $105 billion business; getting your slice of the pie takes a few tools and determination.
Landscapers cut grass, trim hedges, plant trees, and other foliage create and maintain flowerbeds, and do other various tasks related to maintaining a client’s yard. If you work for a company, you can expect to make $37,200. If you own a company or work as an executive, you can make between $60,000 and $186,000.
7. Television Court Judge
Being a court judge on television can be a seriously lucrative career move. Just ask Judge Judy Sheindlin. Easily the most recognizable TV judge, she banked millions from Judge Judy, which ran until 2021.
If you want to follow in her footsteps, you’ll need a law degree and experience as a lawyer. Several judges preside over shows like The People’s Court and Divorce Court. Not all TV court judges are created equal, but Scheindlin made $47 million a year at the end of her tenure as Emmy-winning Judge Judy.
8. Human Resources
Depending on your position, education, and experience, you can make serious money in the human resources field. Finding, hiring, and retaining top talent is an essential role for any thriving business.
If you’re an early HR professional, your median salary is $51,600. Human resource managers make an average of $81,300 annually. Add in bonuses, tips, and overtime, and you can really make a nice paycheck.
9. Life Coach
Life coaches don’t get a lot of love in the virtual space of the internet. Many see them as glorified advisors and move on.
However, you can’t refute the money they make. Life coaches make an average of $100-$150 per hour, helping people reach their personal and professional goals. Because hours can be hard to track, most life coaches will sell coaching packages at different levels, banking thousands of dollars annually. Most life coaches in the US have an average salary of $67,800.
10. Fashion Photographer
Unlike in sports, where subjects are in motion, fashion photographers capture still images of models and photo setups. Ideally, the photographer positions the model and setup to capture images that meet the client’s needs and best represent the branding the client wants.
Fashion photographers have a salary range between $19 and $22 per hour, with an average yearly gross income of $48,827, not including tips or bonuses they might earn.
11. Bingo Manager
This job isn’t at the bingo hall where your grandma plays with her friends. As a bingo manager, you’d typically work in a casino, managing several tables where callers announce each number. You’d be responsible for maintaining equipment, ordering supplies, determining schedules and payout amounts, creating and adhering to an approved budget, responding to and resolving customer complaints, and providing other customer service-based support.
A business background is very helpful for this high-stress, complex job. You can expect to gross around $59,228 for this type of employment.
12. NYC Hotdog Vendor
Glassdoor reports that a hot dog vendor in New York City can expect a median income of $79,337 ($10,132 is considered extra pay).
Hot dog vendors have to pay for prime real estate in New York City, the cheapest of which is $700 a year. If you want serious pavement, like the World Trade Center memorial site, you’re looking at closer to $200,000 a year. According to Delish, vendors must bid for their spots every five years, making the prime locations highly profitable to the city and costing vendors a large chunk of change.
13. Professional Bridesmaid
Here’s a quick breakdown if you’re wondering what a professional bridesmaid does. As a professional bridesmaid, you’ll help support the bride and bridal party. You’ll walk down the aisle with a groomsman who needs a partner. You’ll smile, laugh, dance, and add to the joy and fun of the wedding and reception if needed.
For your infectiously peppy demeanor, professional poise, and overall contribution to a great wedding and fun reception, you can expect to make an average of $21 an hour. These positions are usually on a freelance basis, and one professional says she charges $2,000 per wedding.
14. Ice Cream Taster
Much like a wine taster evaluates wine, ice cream tasters evaluate ice cream’s flavor, texture, and creaminess. This job may seem like a dream, but the science behind it is more involved than you might think. You’ll need a degree in food science or a related field.
Ice cream tasters use a swirl, smack, and spit method to taste the 60 ice cream flavor samples they may assess daily. They may also hand out samples at supermarkets from March to September. The median income for this job is $68,970 a year.
15. Dry Paint Analyst
If you ever thought watching paint dry was fun, you can now get a decent salary. As a paint analyst, you’ll watch samples of paint dry. You’ll pay attention to their texture and color as they dry, evaluate the paint sample’s different aspects, and write reports. You’ll also need to formulate samples based on formulas from a client and test multiple options to meet their expectations.
You can earn anywhere from $69,758 annually to more than $189,681 for your visual expertise.
