Everyone would love a high-paying, enjoyable job. However, the world doesn’t always offer careers on a silver platter. The interesting thing is that there are a number of high-paying jobs nobody wants to do.
This article will explore a list of $100k jobs that nobody wants to do. We will explain what are the requirements for the job and how much they pay. Let’s dig in!
1. Elevator Installer Or Repairer
- Average Salary: full-time positions pay up to 100k per year.
- Workload: 93% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 110 elevator jobs are available on
If you’re afraid of heights, installing or repairing elevators shouldn’t be on your career checklist. An elevator installer/repairer installs, fixes, and maintains lifts (elevators), escalators, and moving walkways.
The job is physically demanding, as it may require working for long hours or lifting heavy objects. Most people wouldn’t want to be elevator repairers or installers because they work in cramped environments, including machine rooms and crawl spaces. Moreover, those who fear heights wouldn’t bear working in elevator shafts. And elevator problems may require one to work during odd hours.
Although being an elevator installer or repairer can be physically daunting, it is a well-paying career. Moreover, the technicians have additional benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.
Requirements
The job requires at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to become an elevator installer or repairer. Of course, you may need a 4-year apprenticeship before employment. Furthermore, most states require elevator technicians to have certifications or licenses. Additional skills include:
- Physical stamina and strength
- Be detail-oriented
- Troubleshooting skills
2. Crab Fisherman
- Average Salary: between 50k and 200k per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 15 crab fisherman jobs are available on
If you’re a seafood enthusiast, you can attest that crab meat is delicious. However, crab fishing isn’t for everyone, as the fishermen go against all odds to catch crabs during peak seasons.
Here are reasons why most people wouldn’t want to be crab fishermen:
- Crab fishing is risky: It involves enduring storms and using dangerous tools.
- It can be life-threatening: Crabbers face extreme weather conditions, so they’re more prone to suffering from hypothermia and other cold-weather-related diseases.
- It is strenuous: Crabbers work up to 13 hours daily, pulling heavy pots and swinging ropes.
- It is seasonal: Crab fishing doesn’t take place all year long.
- High competition from seasoned crabbers: Newbie crab fishermen, or greenhorns, have lower chances of obtaining licenses than their experienced counterparts.
Due to its risks and requirements, crab fishing is a high-paying job. But, ship captains can easily take home a six-figure salary.
Requirements
Crabbers need formal education credentials, including a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science, to practice. They must also have a commercial crab-fishing license to start the trade. The crew should also know how to operate the fishing tools, safety equipment, and gear.
Here are the skills you’ll need in crab fishing:
- Physical strength
- Equipment repairing ability
- Stress management
- Patience and alertness
- Attention to detail
- Communication and collaboration
3. Periodontist
- Average Salary: $221,183 per year (on average).
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 29 periodontist jobs are available on
Being a dentist is too much work for some people, but periodontists work extra hard to treat gum diseases.
So, a periodontist is a dentist who specializes in preventing and treating gum-related complications, including periodontitis and gingivitis. Additionally, they perform dental implants and cosmetic treatments.
Like other specialized medical careers, most people wouldn’t want to be periodontists due to their extensive training requirements. Moreover, most of us couldn’t stand foul-smelling gums or the terrifying sights of diseased gums.
Nevertheless, periodontists are among the highest income earners in the medical field.
Requirements
Periodontists study and train for many years before they practice. Here are their educational and training requirements:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees. It can be earned after four years in an accredited dental school.
- Ph.D. in periodontics. This is after 3 – 7 years of training in an accredited periodontology residency.
National board certification
You’ll also require the following skills to become a periodontist:
- Good communication skills
- Excellent manual dexterity
4. Railroad Engineer
- Salary: $45 per hour.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 4 railroad engineering jobs are available on
If you didn’t know, railroad engineers are the people behind the smooth operations of cargo and passenger trains. Their work involves more than just running the trains.
But they also have other roles, including:
- Inspecting and maintaining trains.
- Operating controls when trains are in motion.
- Monitoring equipment.
- Ensuring the safety of passengers and other employees.
Now, most people wouldn’t want to become locomotive engineers because the job is physically demanding. Engineers are also away from home for long periods. And the job market may decline in the future due to automation in the railway sector.
Requirements
You must be over 21 years to become a railroad engineer, and a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for this job.
Railroad engineers should also have the following:
- Entry-level experience in conducting trains, operating controls, and communicating with other railroad operators.
- Federal licensing.
- Physical stamina, mechanical know-how, sharp vision, and excellent hand-eye coordination.
5. Adult Entertainer
- Average Salary: ranges is from $20,000 to over $250,000 yearly.
Adult entertainment is a lucrative industry globally. In the US, the industry is worth around $12 billion. Nevertheless, it is also among the most controversial industries, and most people engaging in adult entertainment do it secretly.
Adult entertainment is considered a “dirty job” for the following reasons:
- It contradicts some traditional norms, values, and virtues.
- Adult entertainers are susceptible to numerous risks. These include sexual assault and infections from various diseases such as HIV and STIs.
- It is illegal in many jurisdictions.
- Most adult entertainers have no freedom to choose their partners.
- Some adult entertainers work in unhygienic and deplorable conditions.
However, adult entertainment is a high-paying job. For instance, average adult film actors and actresses earn $65,772 annually in the US. The salary range is from $20,000 to over $250,000 yearly.
Requirements
Adult entertainers, especially those who act in adult films, don’t require formal education credentials.
Nonetheless, many states have laws governing adult entertainment. For instance, in Washington, adult entertainers should have licenses and undergo training on various topics, including adult entertainer safety.
6. Gastroenterologist
- Average Salary: $344,381 per year (on average).
- Workload: 93% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 105 gastroenterologist jobs are available on
Working as a gastroenterologist is another high-paying job that nobody wants to do. They are specialists who focus on problems related to your digestive system or the GIT (gastrointestinal tract) and the liver.
They diagnose, treat, and manage various diseases, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pancreatitis
- Colon polyps
- Hepatitis
Gastroenterologists carry out non-surgical procedures, including endoscopy, polypectomy, colonoscopy, and esophageal dilation, to diagnose GIT problems.
Gastroenterology isn’t an attractive career since it takes around ten years of training. The students also undergo lengthy training hours, challenging shifts, and complex clinical situations. And, the job requires using specialized equipment to diagnose GIT-related conditions. Nonetheless, gastroenterology is one of the highest-paying jobs in the medical field.
Requirements
Due to the specialty, gastroenterologists undergo a lengthy training process, and they need specific skills to excel in their practice.
So, the requirements include:
- Four years in college
- Four years in medical school
- Residency training in internal medicine for three years
- Specialized training in a fellowship for two to three years
- Critical thinking and good decision-making skills
- Good problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of behavioral, natural, and social science
- Knowledge of medical practices and clinical science
7. Forensic Pathologist
- Salary: $112 per hour.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 9 forensic pathologist jobs are available on
Forensic pathology is one of the most dreaded careers, but it’s also one of the highest-paying jobs that nobody wants to do. Well, who’d enjoy diagnosing the deceased?
A forensic pathologist performs autopsies to identify a person’s cause of death or disease when they die unexpectedly. They carry out exhaustive post-mortem examinations and scientific analytical procedures. Furthermore, they examine the individual’s medical history, case reports, and toxicology results.
Most people wouldn’t want to be forensic pathologists because of the fear of the dead and the job’s impact on emotional wellbeing. They also require extensive education and training.
Requirements
Forensic pathologists require at least a bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related subject. Also, they should obtain a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Osteopathy (D.O.) degree.
Other requirements include:
- Three to four years of training in pathology residency.
- One to two years of fellowship in forensic pathology.
- Practicing licenses (in some sort of discipline)
- Physical and emotional strength
- Communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
8. Urologist
- Average Salary: $216,337 per annum.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 80 urologist jobs are available on
If other people’s urine disgusts you, you probably shouldn’t be a urologist. Urologists are medical practitioners specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases related to the urinary tract.
They also focus on issues related to the male reproductive tract.
A urologist can also perform surgery to remove cancerous tissues or blockages in the urinary tract. They carry out various procedures to diagnose urinary tract and male reproductive tract conditions, including:
- Imaging tests (such as a CT scan)
- Cystogram and cystoscopy
- Post-void urine tests
- Urodynamic testing
Urology is among the careers that most people don’t want to do due to the extensive training requirements. In addition, others wouldn’t want to handle urine or treat conditions such as STIs.
Requirements
A urologist needs several academic credentials to practice urology. These include:
- A bachelor’s degree in a science course (4 years in college)
- A medical degree (4 years in medical school)
- 4-5 years of medical training (residency)
- 1-2 years in specialized training (fellowship)
They also require board certification after training.
9. Death Row Executioner
- Average Salary: between 65k and 90k per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 4 death row executioner jobs are available on
Ending someone’s life, whether legally or illegally, is one of the hardest things. But, death row executioners get paid for executing prisoners on the death penalty. Although it’s high-paying, most death row executioners later bow out of practice due to trauma and regrets.
A death row executioner can be a trained professional or a private citizen working anonymously. They execute citizens by injecting lethal injections or using electric chairs. However, it’s not as easy as we may assume, as they have to rehearse vigorously before the execution.
Very few people will feel comfortable as death row executioners. So here are the reasons why nobody wants to do this job:
- It is traumatizing.
- Executioners usually face mental disorders.
- The procedure may fail.
- It is unfair to execute a wrongly charged prisoner.
Requirements
Since execution is not a regular profession, there are no standard requirements. According to former death row executioners, most people who do this job are correction officers. So, they only need to meet the qualifications for a correction officer, including:
- A high school diploma or GED certificate
- Physical training
- Passed drug tests
- Be over 19 years old
10. Proctologist
- Average Salary: about 300k per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 7 proctologist jobs are available on
Also referred to as a Colorectal surgeon, a proctologist diagnoses and treats the rectum, anus, and GIT complications. But, due to the involved procedures, people consider it a disgusting medical job. A proctologist examines the anus and rectum visually and physically.
They correct conditions such as fistula, anal skin tags, hemorrhoids, colon and rectal cancer, polyps, and rectal relapse. Colorectal surgery is indeed one of the dirty jobs that pay well.
Most people wouldn’t want to do it because:
- The procedures involve handling the human anus and rectum.
- It requires extensive training.
- It can be strenuous since some surgeries take several hours.
Requirements
You need over 14 years of post-high school education to become a colorectal surgeon, as well as the following requirements:
- Four years in college.
- Four years in medical school.
- Five years in general surgery training.
- One year in colon and rectal surgery training.
Moreover, you require certification from the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ABCRS). And here are additional skills:
- Excellent communication skills
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking
11. Urine Farmer
- Average Salary: 80k per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 11 urine farmer jobs are available on
Did you know that some farmers make bucks by collecting and selling animal urine? It sounds gross, right? But, it is a “dirty” job that pays well.
Urine farming is common among farmers who rear white-tailed deer. They keep them in collecting rooms overnight and collect urine from small holes into collection containers. The undiluted urine is marketable as it is used as a hunting lure.
Urine collection is a tricky job that wouldn’t appeal to most people. So, if you can’t stand urine’s pungent smell, this is not your career. Rearing animals is also tedious and requires a lot of physical strength.
That aside, urine farming is significantly lucrative. For instance, you can sell one gallon of undiluted deer urine for $110.
Requirements
You don’t need formation education to be a urine collector. Ample knowledge of capturing and handling deer is sufficient. However, some states have restrictions on urine collection.
12. Oil Rig Worker
- Average Salary: between 75k and 150k per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 4 oil rig worker jobs are available on
If you can’t bear being away from your family or friends and working in harsh conditions, oil rigging isn’t the ideal job for you. An oil rig worker works on offshore rigging structures in the middle of the sea, and their job involves oil and gas drilling and extraction.
It is one of the high-paying jobs that no one wants to do due to the following:
- It is physically demanding.
- Oil rigging can be dangerous and fatal.
- Workers endure intense heat while working for hours.
- The drilling equipment is loud, and you require protective ware.
- A worker can be on a rigging platform for months away from home.
Despite its challenges, an oil rig worker earns a handsome income.
Requirements
The minimum requirement for an oil rig worker is a high school diploma or GED certificate. However, you’ll have to undergo safety training and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
And, if you are eyeing a managerial position, you’ll go through apprenticeship or assistant training.
13. Coal Miner
- Average Salary: 65k per annum.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 14 coal miner jobs are available on
Like oil extraction, coal mining is another job nobody wants to do, as it involves extracting coal from surface and underground mines. However, the procedures comprise occupational hazards and could be life-threatening.
Here are the reasons why coal mining is dangerous:
- Underground mines are highly susceptible to collapse and trap workers.
- The mines contain toxic and flammable gasses.
- Workers are vulnerable to black lung disease due to coal dust.
- Workers can die from falling rocks or heavy machinery accidents.
Due to its risks, coal mining is a well-paying job.
Requirements
You need at least a high school diploma or GED certificate to be a coal miner, as well as undergo safety training. And previous experience in welding is an added advantage. In most cases, an inexperienced miner will need about 24 hours of training and pass an examination to work at a surface mine.
Furthermore, they should possess the following skills:
- Ability to withstand physically demanding tasks.
- Ability to operate mechanical equipment.
- Interest in physical or manual activities.
14. Criminal Investigator
- Average Salary: $91,810 per year.
- Workload: 100% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 20 criminal investigator jobs are available on
Criminal investigators are professionals trained to solve open crime cases. To do this, they gather evidence, analyze crime scenes, interview witnesses or suspects, and arrest the perpetrators. Moreover, a criminal investigator can specialize in cybercrime or forensic science.
Crime investigation is one of those jobs that nobody wants to do due to the risks involved. Exposure to horrific crime scenes can affect one’s mental well-being, and the job requires you to work even at odd hours or under extreme weather conditions.
Requirements
The minimum educational credential for crime investigators is a high school diploma. But, an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or psychology is an added advantage.
Moreover, they require:
- Pre-employment screening, including psychological, physical, and drug tests.
- On-the-job training.
- Work ethics.
- Thorough understanding of the law.
- Ability to multitask and study patterns.
- Problem-solving and technical skills.
- Critical and logical thinking skills.
- Communication skills.
- Research and writing skills.
- Time management skills.
15. Podiatrist
- Average Salary: 135k per year (on average).
- Workload: 64% of positions are full-time.
- Low Demand: 234 podiatrist jobs are available on
Podiatrists are medical practitioners who specialize in foot disorders, so if you love working with people’s feet, this could be your dream career.
However, it’s among the high-paying jobs that most people wouldn’t want.
Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot or lower leg conditions, which include deformities, infections, disorders, and injuries. They can either work as physicians or surgeons. Since the foot’s conditions can indicate underlying conditions, including diabetes and heart diseases, podiatrists also have ample understanding of these diseases to identify any symptoms.
Moreover, a podiatrist can specialize in various fields, including orthopedics, wound care, sports medicine, and pediatrics.
Most people wouldn’t want to become podiatrists since the job requires extensive training. This is understandable, as you must study and train for over 10 years after high school before you’re licensed to practice podiatric medicine.
However, podiatry is one of the lucrative medical jobs.
It’s a promising career due to the increasing demand for podiatrists in the country.
Requirements
The minimum educational credential for podiatrists is a bachelor’s degree in a science-related course. However, they must take four years of training in a podiatric school, and they must have three years of training in podiatric residency.
But before practicing, a podiatrist must have:
- State licensing
- Board certification
More Jobs Nobody Wants to Do
It was a non-exhaustive list of jobs nobody wants to do. If you want to have more job ideas, visit these pages:
- Accounting Jobs That Are Not Boring — Many think accounting is mundane and boring, leaving many accounting firms understaffed.
- The Best Farm Jobs and Careers — Farmers have a hard time hiring right now!