1. Professional Line Sitter
If there’s a long line, there’s someone out there willing to pay not to stand in it. Enter the professional line sitter. These people get hired to hold spots for concert tickets, iPhone releases, sample sales, or even new sneaker drops.
In cities like New York and Los Angeles, this is more common than you’d think. Some sitters make a full day’s wage just by holding a place in line for someone else.
Typical Pay: $20–$50/hour
2. Human Billboard
Yes, this is a real thing. People hire others to walk around wearing sandwich boards, logo-covered clothing, or even temporary tattoos on their faces and bodies for promotional purposes.
It’s not glamorous, but it gets attention. Some gigs are short-term stunts, while others require standing on street corners for hours in costume.
Typical Pay: $10–$100/day, depending on exposure
3. Cuddler for Hire
Professional cuddling is a niche but growing industry that Craigslist helped popularize. Clients pay to cuddle—just cuddle—with someone in a platonic, safe environment. These jobs are sometimes posted as “touch therapy” or “comfort companionship.”
It might sound strange, but many people find real emotional value in this kind of physical affection—especially those dealing with loneliness or anxiety.
Typical Pay: $40–$80/hour
4. Fake Wedding Guest
Ever wanted to crash a wedding—legally? Some Craigslist gigs involve attending weddings as a “filler guest.” These jobs usually involve helping make the event seem more full, more diverse, or more exciting.
In other cases, you’re asked to pretend to be a friend or family member. The job may require you to be charming, social, and stick to a script.
Typical Pay: $100–$300/event
5. Mattress Tester
It’s not quite a dream job, but it does involve lying down. Small furniture companies and mattress startups sometimes post Craigslist gigs for people to test their products and provide honest feedback.
Requirements may include sleeping on the mattress for a week, writing a review, and documenting the experience. Some jobs even offer to let you keep the mattress.
Typical Pay: $100–$500, plus free mattress
6. Actor for Confrontation
One of the stranger listings found on Craigslist involves hiring an “actor” to participate in confrontations. This might mean pretending to be a lawyer, an upset customer, or an authoritative figure in a staged scenario.
The job requires confidence, acting skills, and the ability to stay in character under pressure. The reason behind the confrontation varies—from petty revenge to elaborate pranks to personal closure.
Typical Pay: $50–$300 per performance
7. Professional Mourner
Some Craigslist gigs involve showing up at funerals to cry, speak, or simply add to the headcount. In some cultures, hiring mourners is a long-standing tradition. In other cases, it’s just to make someone look more loved or respected.
This job often requires acting ability, composure, and sometimes improvisation when people ask who you are. It may sound morbid, but it’s a strangely common request.
Typical Pay: $50–$200 per service
8. Foot Model for Fetish Content
Let’s not pretend this doesn’t exist. Craigslist is a haven for niche and adult job requests—especially in the realm of feet. People will pay others to model their feet for photos, videos, or live sessions—sometimes purely for fetish content, and sometimes for podiatry or product purposes.
While the line between artistic modeling and adult content can be blurry, the demand is surprisingly high. And yes, the feet have to look good.
Typical Pay: $50–$300/hour or per set
9. Dog Poop Scooper
This one may not seem “underground,” but the way it’s offered on Craigslist makes it strange. Many poop scooping gigs are for people who want the job done discreetly—like early in the morning or without any interaction at all.
Some posters even request help for other “pet cleanup emergencies” that they don’t want their neighbors to know about. It’s not glamorous, but it’s quick money and often recurring work.
Typical Pay: $15–$40/visit
10. Craigslist-Only Assistant
Some entrepreneurs live entirely in the Craigslist ecosystem. They hire personal assistants to help manage buying, selling, responding to ads, and organizing local meetups. Tasks might include driving across town to pick up a used blender, or meeting someone in a parking lot for a cash exchange.
This job is perfect for people who love the hustle, are street-smart, and enjoy variety in their workday. It’s also the type of role that evolves depending on the client’s needs.
Typical Pay: $15–$25/hour + expenses
Where These Jobs Come From
The Craigslist “Gigs” and “Jobs” sections are unfiltered and largely anonymous. That’s part of what makes it so entertaining—and so risky. Many of the listings come from individuals looking for one-off help, small business owners, or people running micro-niche side hustles.
Because Craigslist doesn’t vet listings, the weirdest gigs don’t last long. Some are deleted within hours. Others only show up in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. If you’re curious, the best advice is to check early and often—and use caution.
The Appeal of Craigslist Careers
Why would someone take these odd jobs? Surprisingly, there are plenty of reasons:
- Fast cash: Many gigs pay on the spot, in cash, and don’t require contracts.
- Flexibility: No long-term commitment. You work when you want.
- Curiosity: Some people just want to see what it’s like.
- Entertainment: These gigs make great stories.
- Low barrier to entry: No resumes, no interviews—just show up and do the job.
Risks and Red Flags
Not every Craigslist opportunity is safe or legitimate. Here are a few red flags to watch out for:
- Jobs that ask for upfront fees or “application processing” payments
- Vague descriptions with no contact information
- High pay for minimal work (too good to be true)
- Requests for personal photos or financial info
- Meetups in unsafe or remote locations
Use common sense. If a gig makes you uncomfortable or feels illegal, walk away. Craigslist is the Wild West of job hunting, and you have to protect yourself.
How to Spot Real vs. Fake Jobs
While Craigslist has plenty of scams, it also has real people looking for real help. Here’s how to separate fact from fiction:
- Use reverse image searches: If an ad includes a photo, check to see if it’s been used elsewhere.
- Ask for specifics: Real employers will give you detailed instructions or a clear job scope.
- Trust your gut: If it feels off, it probably is.
- Bring a friend: For any in-person gig, especially the first meeting.
Underground Today, Mainstream Tomorrow?
Some of today’s odd Craigslist jobs may eventually become mainstream. Remember when rideshare driving was considered sketchy? Or when dog walking apps didn’t exist? Many side hustles start in weird places before becoming full-on industries.
The line between absurd and entrepreneurial is often just timing. What seems strange today could be tomorrow’s viral business idea.
Final Thoughts
The world of Craigslist jobs is wild, unpredictable, and often hilarious. Whether you’re looking for your next side hustle, a unique story to tell, or just want a peek into the strangest job market on the web, Craigslist never disappoints.
Just remember—what you find there may surprise you. And sometimes, that’s exactly the point.
