17 Jobs That Don't Seem Glamorous, But They Pay Super Well

    Get that bread.

    Daniella Emanuel
    by Daniella Emanuel

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Are you the type of person who doesn't really care what career you go into, as long as it makes you some do-re-mi?

    GQ

    Well, we've got a list for you! Reddit user ShanChab asked the Redditsphere, "What's an unexpectedly well-paid job?" Here are some helpful responses that might have you reconsidering that college major — or college at all, for that matter:

    1. Poop patrol workers in San Francisco ($71,000+).

    Aapsky / Getty Images

    "They go around the city and clean up human feces — which apparently is a huge issue there due to the homeless crisis."

    — Vdf97

    These workers are entitled to $71,760 a year and an additional $112,918 in benefits.

    2. A closed caption broadcaster for the news (up to $72,000).

    Getty Images

    "I work at home as a closed caption broadcaster for the news. I make my own schedule and make between $35–$65 per hour depending on the job. Large investment to get started but significantly worth the payout."

    –Ishtastic08

    The highest paid closed caption television specialists make an average of $71,000/year in Washington, DC and New York.

    3. Garbage collectors in New York ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "Garbage collectors in New York are paid up to $112,000 — a solid salary considering you don’t even need a degree."

    –BenRS7

    4. An In-N-Out manager (up to $160,000).

    Juanmonino / Getty Images

    "Managers of In-N-Out fast food joints can make up to $160,000 per year."

    — StayUntuned

    5. A technical writer ($100,000+).

    Prostock-studio / Getty Images

    "If you have the ability to take complex technical information and simplify it according to the reading audience, you can make well over $100K annually."

    — WriteAway1

    The median salary for technical writers was $71,850 in 2018.

    6. A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority worker ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "I'm not sure if it's the same for other cities, but T and bus operators in Boston make a lot of money. I've rarely met a higher paid, less engaged group of employees in my life, and I work in recruiting."

    -staffsargent

    One in three MBTA workers made over $100,000 in 2017. The highest paid employee that year made more than $270,000 thanks to overtime and other pay.

    7. An aircraft dispatcher ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "I met a girl many years ago because she was living in my town training to be an airline dispatcher. There are just a handful of schools that [offer training] — it gives you a lot of options to advance at an airline, like being station chief."

    –TheGonz75

    After they gain several years of experience, aircraft dispatchers can make more than $100,000 a year. Dispatch managers can make even higher than that.

    8. A court reporter ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "Stenography is a tough skill to learn, but plenty of court reporters earn over $100,000. And no college degree required (although most court reporters will need to be certified)."

    –tracygee

    9. A mobile crane operator ($200,000+).

    Getty Images

    "Mobile crane operator. Union guys pull over $200,000."

    –fistmyliver

    Apparently crane operators in NYC can make upwards of $500,000 a year.

    10. An optician ($30+/hour).

    Flamingoimages / Getty Images

    "I get $30+ an hour to sell you glasses and contacts."

    –vabunuc

    Boston is the highest paying optician city with an average salary of $77,150.

    11. A librarian for the federal government ($100,000+).

    Gaudilab / Getty Images

    — MapleDanish

    Several different federal agencies hire librarians, with many making $100,000 or more. In 2018, the average librarian salary in the federal government was $98,889, while the highest paid librarian made $201,402.

    12. A boiler operator ($35+/hour).

    Getty Images

    "I get paid $35/hour to play Skyrim on Switch while watching Netflix. You just have to find one that's all operator and no maintenance."

    –Dlrlcktd

    The highest-paid 10% of boiler operators make $78,050 a year on average.

    13. A funeral director ($75,000+).

    Getty Images

    "I make $75,000 and did not have much schooling."

    –Undertaker89

    The top 10% of funeral directors made more than $97,200/year as of May 2011.

    14. A Trader Joe's manager ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "General managers of stores make $100,000+. Assistant store managers make $60,000–80,000/year. Not bad for working [at a grocery store]."

    –shabazoid

    15. A dental hygienist ($48+/hour).

    Getty Images

    "My wife makes $48/hr."

    –drcpdltd

    The top 10% of dental hygienists can pull in over $101,330 a year.

    16. A sign language interpreter ($35+/hour).

    Getty Images

    "We pay our interpreters $35/hr. They get time-and-a-half for assignments after 5 p.m. or on the weekends. If a gig cancels with less than 24 hours notice, the interpreter still gets paid."

    –Catflappy

    The highest average wage for sign language interpreters was in Washington, DC at $92,420 per year.

    17. An occupational therapist ($100,000+).

    Getty Images

    "My friend is studying occupational therapy, and apparently one of the jobs you can get from that is teaching new mothers how to hold their babies. Six-figure income."

    –DreaDreamer

    Occupational therapists make a median salary of $83,200.

    Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.