Ever come across a job and thought, “Wait, is that even a real job?” Some jobs seem legit to the person doing them, but the rest of us might scratch our heads. We’re checking out 18 positions on the fence in this list.
Ice Cream Taster
Eating ice cream for a living? Being an ice cream taster might not seem like a real job, but it is. These people are known as professional taste testers; some get paid to taste different ice creams! Some taste testers could be food scientists working for companies that make food products. Sounds like a dream job for ice cream lovers.
Professional Mermaid
For many people, being a Professional Mermaid means dressing up and swimming in a mermaid tail. But here’s the real deal: Professional mermaids often swim in live shows, photoshoots, or film shoots, and they can even be hired for special events or to give swimming lessons, raking in up to $47,500 a year.
Disc Jockey
Many people believe being a Disc jockey is about having a good time. Still, the reality is that it requires lots of practice to be a good D.J. Just knowing your music isn’t enough – it takes time and skill to seamlessly blend, mix, and put together music for various events.
Streaming Gamer
Streaming yourself playing games may not seem like a job to many. But, the top gamers on YouTube invest countless hours planning their content, putting on a show, and editing their videos. So, obviously, it’s more than just playing games.
Influencer
In today’s social media era, almost everyone follows at least one influencer, a singer, actor, businessperson, or Instagram model. Yet, critics claim being an influencer is too easy to be a real job. In reality, influencers juggle various responsibilities, striving to earn through brand partnerships, ads, and multiple skills like photography and communication.
Radio Personality
Life would be incredible if you could show up at work and begin talking. But that’s not the deal. It takes lots of preparation to fill several hours of airtime daily and keep listeners tuned.
Musician
In a world where many people struggle to find a job, it’s surprising that being a musician is considered an actual job. But for many, it is. Musicians work like everyone else to make a living; sometimes, they must work even harder than the rest of us.
Club Promoter
Club promotion might not seem like a real job to some, but imagine the effort it takes to be “on” all the time, meeting new people. Promoters bring in the crowd, spreading the word through flyers, social media, and recruiting local representatives.
Nightclub Manager
Being a nightclub manager isn’t just about partying and counting cash. It’s a supervisory role, with duties differing based on the club type. Typically, the manager leads a team and ensures the club runs smoothly.
Matchmaker
A matchmaker connects clients to potential romantic partners by understanding their personalities and preferences. However, with apps making matchmaking easier, some argue it’s a dying profession.
Dropshipper
Despite what many people think, dropshipping is more complex than posting a product and waiting for the money to come in. However, dropshipping can be a real job if you nail certain factors. These include finding the right niche, building a strong brand, and managing logistics effectively.
Politician
Many argue that being a politician isn’t a career anymore. It used to be about serving, but over the years, it has gradually turned into a business. Some see the job as needing more science, rationality, and facts and being driven purely by ideology. Others view it as a real job, but only sometimes an honest one.
NFT Trader
NFTs are digital “assets” known for having a shaky track record. It’s not unusual for people to pay big bucks only to see the value of an NFT plummet. However, independent NFT traders can rake in cash by buying low and selling high, similar to stock trading.
Bitcoin Trader
Trading cryptocurrencies has potential, but it’s unpredictable. While around 80 percent of global investors have lost their money, some have become Bitcoin millionaires. Success probably depends on a mix of skill and luck.
Psychic
Maybe some have a real gift, but there are many frauds charging high fees for generic advice. Be it as it may, there is a big industry where people claiming to be psychics offer advice. On average, psychics in the USA make about $66,789 per year or $32.11 per hour.
Consultant
Unlike clear-cut jobs like painters or barbers, the term “consultant” can be confusing. Saying that someone “advises management for a living” doesn’t show tangible results like a new haircut, making it hard to see their value. Yet, with the global Consulting Services market valued at USD 296,441.53 million in 2023, it’s likely a legitimate job.
MLM Sales
Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies hire salespeople to sell products and recruit others to do the same. Some view it as starting a business, but only some see it as a regular job. MLMs can be shady and corrupt, and while some earn steady income, many don’t make as much as promised.
Life Coach
Life coaching is a vague job with no clear credentials. Some pick it up when other things don’t work out. The average U.S. life coach earns $30,000 – $40,000, with only 10% to 20% making six figures. Many still need to reach $30,000. It’s a tough journey, and clients won’t just come to you.
