Have you ever hated your 9-to-5 so much that you wondered if there was something—anything—stranger (and hopefully better) out there?
Well… buckle up. Because not only are these jobs real, but people are actually getting paid to do them.
From sniffing armpits to cuddling strangers—these 15 bizarre jobs will blow your mind and make you rethink your career choices.
1. Armpit Sniffer
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Companies that manufacture deodorant need to make sure their products actually work. So they hire “armpit sniffers” to test how well a deodorant performs throughout the day.
👃 Job Perks: Work in labs, possibly meet celebrities, and have a superhuman sense of smell.
💸 Average Pay: $30,000–$70,000/year depending on the company.
2. Professional Cuddler
Need a hug? There’s someone for that.
Professional cuddlers get paid to offer platonic physical affection to clients who might be lonely, stressed, or just craving human touch. There are actual cuddle studios, mobile services, and even cuddle therapists.
🤗 Why It Exists: Touch is proven to reduce anxiety, lower heart rate, and release oxytocin.
💸 Pay: $40–$80/hour.
3. Pet Food Taster
Dog food companies need quality assurance too—so they hire humans to taste-test kibble and canned food.
No, they don’t eat full bowls. But they do sample the product to evaluate taste, texture, and smell (after all, pets can’t exactly fill out surveys).
🐶 Fun Fact: Testers often have culinary backgrounds.
💸 Pay: $35,000–$50,000/year.
4. Waterslide Tester
Slide into your dream job—literally.
Some amusement park companies hire people to travel the world and test waterslides for speed, splash, safety, and fun factor. You might also test the food, facilities, and overall resort experience.
🌊 Bonus Perks: Free travel, hotel stays, and unlimited pool time.
💸 Pay: $25,000–$60,000/year + expenses.
5. Face Feeler (Sensory Analyst)
Skincare brands like Dove and Nivea employ “face feelers” to gently touch volunteers’ faces after applying creams or lotions.
They’re trained to detect smoothness, softness, oiliness, and even tightness.
🧴 Qualifications: Soft hands. Good touch sensitivity. Patience.
💸 Pay: Around $20/hour.
6. Professional Mourner
In some cultures—especially in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and China—families pay mourners to attend funerals and cry dramatically to honor the deceased.
Some are even expected to wail, dance, or tell stories about the person—even if they never met them.
😢 Why?: It’s a cultural sign of respect and emotional support.
💸 Pay: $50–$300/funeral.
7. Line Stand-In
Hate waiting in line? There’s someone who loves it—for a price.
People in cities like NYC or D.C. hire “professional line sitters” to hold their place for concerts, new tech releases, restaurant openings, and even Black Friday.
🕐 Hot Tip: Concert drops and iPhone launches are goldmines.
💸 Pay: $25–$100/hour.
8. Dog Surfing Instructor
You read that right. Some coastal cities (especially in California) offer dog surfing lessons.
These instructors train pups how to ride waves safely while their owners cheer from the beach.
🐾 Skills Required: Pet handling, surfing skills, patience, love for wet dog smell.
💸 Pay: $40–$75/hour.
9. Snake Milker
If your dream job involves danger and science, this might be it.
Snake milkers extract venom from snakes like cobras or rattlesnakes. That venom is used to create life-saving antivenoms and medical research.
🐍 Risk Factor: Extremely high.
💸 Pay: $30,000–$60,000/year. Hazard pay may apply.
10. Furniture Tester
Ever wonder how IKEA knows their couches can hold up for years? They hire furniture testers to sit, lie down, bounce, and sprawl out for hours.
There are even “professional nappers” to test mattresses.
🛋️ What You’ll Do: Judge comfort, wear-and-tear, and durability.
💸 Pay: $20–$50/hour.
11. Gross Stunt Tester (Fear Factor Style)
TV shows, haunted houses, and even food reality shows hire people to test disgusting stunts—like eating bugs or crawling through slime—to make sure they’re safe and dramatic enough.
🤢 Extreme Requirement: A strong stomach.
💸 Pay: Up to $1,000 per stunt depending on risk.
12. Virtual Reality Walker
Gaming companies need people to walk on treadmills with VR headsets to test balance, realism, and physical strain.
Think of it as being paid to play—while walking in place for hours.
🎮 Need to Know: May cause motion sickness.
💸 Pay: $15–$40/hour.
13. Paper Towel Sniffer
Yep. Companies like Bounty or Charmin need their paper products to be odor-free. So sniffers ensure there are no weird chemical or packaging smells.
👃 Nose Training: Required.
💸 Pay: $20–$30/hour.
14. Train Pusher (Japan)
In Japan, during rush hour, “Oshiyas” are hired to literally push passengers onto packed trains.
It’s their job to maximize space and get doors to close—safely, of course.
🚆 Uniform Included: White gloves and a cap.
💸 Pay: $1,500–$2,000/month.
15. Professional Mermaid
Yes, this is real—and magical.
Mermaids (and mermen) are hired to perform at aquariums, resorts, birthday parties, and even underwater shows. It requires strong swimming skills and the ability to hold your breath for long periods.
🧜♀️ Certifications Exist: “Mermaid Schools” are popping up everywhere.
💸 Pay: $300–$1,000 per event.
Final Thoughts: The World Is Weird—But Wonderful 🌎
If you’ve ever thought your job was boring, this list might inspire you to dream a little weirder.
Whether you’re looking to sniff, hug, surf with dogs, or mourn dramatically, there’s a strange but surprisingly lucrative career out there for everyone.
Want to Try One of These?
Here’s how to get started:
✅ Explore Niche Job Boards:
Sniffing gigs? Try research facilities or beauty labs. Cuddler roles? Check out CuddleComfort or Cuddlist. Stunt or reality testing? Search casting sites like Backstage.
✅ Market Yourself
Have a unique skill? Build a TikTok or Instagram presence around it. Some pro cuddlers, mourners, and even mermaids have become mini-celebrities online.
✅ Think Outside the Box
Sometimes the weirdest paths lead to the most fulfilling (and best-paying) lives.
Before You Go…
💬 Which job would YOU try? Comment below—yes, even if it’s armpit sniffer.
📌 Don’t forget to share this article if it made you laugh, cringe, or consider becoming a full-time mermaid. 🧜♂️
📲 Follow for more weird-but-real career guides and side hustle inspiration.
