When we think of high-paying jobs, roles like doctor, lawyer, or software engineer often come to mind. But what if we told you there are lesser-known careers that offer impressive salaries - without years of medical school or coding boot camps? From specialized trades to emerging tech, many of these paths fly under the radar but pay well above the national average. Whether you're considering a career switch or just curious about hidden opportunities, this list will introduce you to 10 well-paying jobs you might not have heard of - but just might want to explore. Some may surprise you!
Discover 10 Lucrative Careers You Might Not Know About
There are plenty of lesser-known jobs out there that are as fulfilling as they are lucrative and meaningful. Take a look at ten under-the-radar jobs you didn’t know paid handsomely. Learn how much each job pays and what it takes to become one.
Agricultural Equipment Technician
Agriculture is the source of everyday food, and farm equipment is a vital cog in the quality of the food that reaches our table, along with the speed it takes to get there. Agricultural equipment technicians keep farm equipment running in condition, which helps the farmers save money and time growing and harvesting their crops.
How much it pays: $34,800/year
How to become one: Apprenticeship training is the most common way of becoming a skillful agricultural equipment technician.
Feng Shui Expert
Home and business owners contact Feng Shui experts to bring harmony and balance to living spaces by optimizing the arrangement of furniture and other features according to Feng Shui rules. As a Feng Shui consultant, clients will rely on you to create home and office environments for better health, prosperity, and greater opportunities in different aspects of life.
How much it pays: between $49,810 and $63,480/year, depending on the area of Feng Shui practice.
How to become one: Attend a Feng Shui training course, then go through an advanced course or certification.
Woodworker
In the age of plastic, the ability to craft beautiful pieces out of wood inspires a sense of wonder in people. That said, a job as a woodworker involves creativity, precision, a steady hand, and meticulous attention to detail. Woodworkers build furniture, cabinets, tables, and other items made of wood, laminates, and veneers, which require them to be adept with the use of both hand tools and power tools, as well as computerized machinery such as computer numerical control (CNC) mills and lathes.
How much it pays: between $19,177.60 and $39,192/year.
How to become one: Attend college classes, become an apprentice, apply for an internship or self-study.
Commercial Scuba Diver
Though often viewed as a hobby, diving can actually be a source of more than decent living. As a commercial scuba diver, you’ll be contacted by different companies from different industries requiring a variety of underwater jobs to get done, such as seafood harvesting, marine survey, research diving, search and rescue, and even underwater stuntman for a Hollywood film. You could also be contracted for underwater welding or construction diving, depending on your skills and certification. If you enjoy the sea, crave adventure, and seek a challenge, a job as a commercial scuba driver could be for you.
How much it pays: $54,750/year.
How to become one: Complete a diver training program, gain experience, and obtain certification.
Golf Ball Diver
If the deep blue ocean scares you, then perhaps diving for golf balls is more to your liking. As a golf ball diver, you’ll be leaping and plunging into lakes collecting—what else? You can then sell each ball for up to 75 cents each. Depending on how dedicated you are and how much country clubs are willing to pay, this odd job can be hugely profitable.
How much it pays: between $50,000 and $100,000/year.
How to become one: No work experience, education, or training is needed, but a talent for swimming and diving can be extremely useful.
Certified Ethical Hacker
If you have a penchant for computers and coding, you can do 'ala Neo' from ‘The Matrix’ and become a computer hacker, albeit a legal one. As a certified ethical hacker, your job is to look for and report vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems that can be exploited by real-life hackers and other malicious entities.
How much it pays: $71,331/year.
How to become one: Minimum two years of security-related job experience and the completion of the Certified Ethical Hacker Training Program.
Cruise Ship Entertainer
People in the performing arts enjoy a broad scope of jobs to choose from. Typically, actors would gravitate to Hollywood or Broadway, looking to catch their big break, but being an entertainer on a cruise ship can be every bit as lucrative. The best thing about it is while other people pay to see the world and meet people from all over, the opposite is true for you.
How much it pays: between $21,600 and $32,400/year.
How to become one: Cruise ship entertainers can range from comedians and singers to musicians and dancers, so becoming a great entertainer means honing your craft until you become exceptional at it.
Bounty Hunter
A bounty hunter’s duty involves the recovery of persons of interest and/or the retrieval of fugitives who posted bail but skipped their court appearance. Bounty hunters act on behalf of bail bondsmen and are deployed as their enforcement arm. The job comes with serious risks such as bodily harm, injury, and even death, and as such, the road to becoming a bounty hunter is long and arduous, and rightfully so.
How much it pays: $79,259/year.
How to become one: Bounty hunter jobs do not require a degree, but interested parties must complete a training program in bounty hunting, fugitive recovery, or bail enforcement. Some states require bounty hunters to have a license. Though not necessary, a firearms license can be extremely beneficial to life and personal safety.
Crime Scene Cleaner
If you have the stomach for it, working as a crime scene cleaner can be a financially rewarding venture. Your work will revolve around cleaning and sanitizing sites where a crime has occurred. As you can imagine, such sites are not only messy; they can be unequivocally traumatic to those that the victim leaves behind. That’s why, aside from the ability to clean with efficiency, speed, and competence, you should also practice compassion toward grieving families as you relieve them of the burden of cleanup.
How much it pays: between $35,000 and $80,000.
How to become one: Complete a training program provided by crime scene cleanup companies. Feeling up it? Check out our hand guide on the high-paying dirty jobs where competition is not as intense, and pay is good!
Ice Cream Taster
Tastemaster, flavorologist, sensory analyst - though it may go by many different names, the job remains the same - to taste-test ice cream and rate it based on taste, texture, smell, and appearance. Though it may sound easy enough, the work can be demanding, as a taster may be required to test sample after sample of ice cream.
How much it pays: $60,000/year.
How to become one: A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and an internship is usually enough, but adding a Graduate degree can help broaden your horizons.
Summary
Not all high-paying jobs require a traditional career path - or even a desk, for that matter. From ice cream tasters and crime scene cleaners to golf ball divers, the world is full of unique, well-paying roles that many people have never heard of. These unconventional careers prove that success doesn't always follow the mainstream. If you're considering a career shift into something less traditional, having a tailored, standout resume can make all the difference. At Resumeble, our professional resume writing services are designed to help you present your skills in any niche or industry in the most compelling way possible.
