What Are the Strangest Jobs?

Unusual jobs exist outside of TV shows, too. Some are physically demanding, others psychologically odd, and some sound like pure marketing fiction—but they’re real and there’s genuine demand for them. We selected professions that repeatedly show up in reliable sources so you can be confident these aren’t urban legends. For pay, we use euros, and where foreign media quote figures, they’re converted into approximate euro equivalents.

Professional “cuddler” (platonic cuddling)

Clients pay for safe touch and a structured hug with no sexual context. In the U.S., studios and platforms have developed with price lists, rule-setting in advance, and supervision. Hourly rates typically run about €55–90 depending on location, reputation, and session length. The emphasis is on boundaries, anonymity, and psychological safety—the service is built around the human need for touch and aims to reduce stress and loneliness. (The Atlantic; Business Insider)

Snake milker (collecting venom for antivenom production)

In labs and serpentariums, venom is extracted from venomous snakes for research and the production of antivenoms. The job requires training, routine, precise handling, and strict safety protocols. The danger is real, but the medical benefit is direct—snake venom is a raw material that helps save lives. Pay varies widely; it’s more of a vocation than a “big money” gig. (National Geographic)

Golf-course diver (golf ball retriever)

It sounds funny, but it’s logistics, contracts, and a lot of mud. Divers are hired to retrieve balls from water hazards, sort them, and sell them into the reuse supply chain. The U.S. BLS describes a model where divers charge per ball or per day; average day earnings are often cited as being in the low hundreds of euros after conversion—extremes depend on season, contracts, and efficiency. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Water sommelier

Yes—somebody “pairs” bottled waters with food and leads water tastings. Mineral profiles (TDS), origin, and the “texture” of bubbles matter. Courses and tastings are sold much like wine-sommelier offerings; one-off tickets run to tens of euros, and fine-dining consulting is paid on a project basis. (Reuters; National Geographic; Los Angeles Times)

Professional mermaid (mermaid performer)

This involves performances in aquariums, at events, or on photo shoots—using your own wetsuit or a silicone tail, plus breath-hold training and safety practice. Income comes from hourly fees, workshops, merch, and social media; with an active calendar and diversified revenue streams, it can reach a solid five-figure annual income in euros. (Tampa Bay Times; The Hustle)

Professional mourner

In some cultures, this is a tradition: hired attendees lend solemnity and ritual to funerals, sometimes even helping “stage” the service. Pay is typically a flat fee per ceremony—converted, usually tens to low hundreds of euros depending on the region and requirements. While it may seem bizarre, historically the role has a clear social context. (The New Yorker; MoneyMagpie)

“Oshi-ya” — rush-hour train pusher (Japan)

The job is to keep boarding flowing and safely “pack” the crowd so the doors can close. It’s not a tourist attraction but practical transit support in mega-cities. Pay aligns with support roles in public transportation; the upside is stability and predictable shifts. (Wikipedia – Oshi ya; native media coverage)

Chicken sexer

An extremely specialized manual skill requiring high accuracy and speed. A professional checks thousands of chicks a day by hand and sorts them by sex. It’s a rapid visual skill that takes extensive training—sought after in poultry farming and typically paid above the average for manual jobs in a given region. (The Atlantic; Smithsonian Magazine)

Odor tester / “odor judge” (e.g., deodorants)

Lab teams evaluate the effectiveness of antiperspirants and fragrances. In practice, volunteers’ underarms are literally sniffed according to protocols, using reference compounds and intensity scales. It’s work with a significant amount of routine, but grounded in chemical and cosmetic science. (CBS/AP; scientific papers in PMC)

Professional sleeper (bed-rest studies; bed/hotel tester)

“Dream” listings are tempting, but in serious space and medical studies it means a long, immobile stay in bed under a strict protocol. Compensation is often reported around €15,000–18,000 for several weeks to months depending on the study, but it can be tough on both mental and physical health. There are also marketing “tester” jobs in hospitality—those tend to pay standard day rates. (Euronews; Smithsonian Magazine; CBS/AP)

LEGO Master Model Builder

An official role in parks or studios: designing, building, and maintaining models, plus events and workshops for kids. It’s a dream job for fans, but financially it’s more of an average “full-time hobby”—benefits and prestige matter more than record-breaking salaries. (Los Angeles Times; LEGO – official site; local TV reports)

Professional “line sitter”

Companies in big cities offer to stand in line for you—whether for premiere tickets, limited-edition sneakers, or government office queues. Pricing is usually hourly (e.g., €20–40); for overnight waits and hype drops, the final bill can climb into the hundreds of euros per day. Demand fluctuates with season and trends. (Business Insider; 60 Second Docs)

How people find and sell these jobs

The secret isn’t “weirdness,” but reliability, process, and publicity. It starts with proof of demand (contracts, a specific community, seasonality), a clear price list in euros, and references. Whether you’re a cuddler, diver, or mermaid performer, contracts, rules, and safety protocols are essential—along with marketing, a portfolio, and reviews.

Videos: a quick window into these professions

How to make money as a professional mermaid

See personal budgets and the reality of performances, gear, and training.

Snake venom and antivenom: behind the scenes of “milking”

A quick look at why and how venom is collected—and why it’s not a show, but science.

Understanding water like wine: the water sommelier

A quick explanation of what, exactly, gets “tasted” in water.

Waiting in line as a service

A mini-documentary about companies that sell you back your lost time.

Sources

1. National Geographic – “Why venom labs extract snake venom for antivenom”: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/snake-venom-labs-antivenom
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – “You’re a what? Golf ball diver”: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/youre-a-what/golf-ball-diver.htm
3. Reuters – “Los Angeles water sommelier wants bottled water treated like wine”: https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/los-angeles-water-sommelier-wants-bottled-water-treated-like-wine-idUSKBN0LY26V/
4. National Geographic – “Meet the sommelier who tastes water instead of wine”: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/water-sommelier-martin-riese
5. The Atlantic – “The Calm, Gentle Rise of Snugglers for Hire”: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/12/why-isnt-there-a-starbucks-for-hugs/418332/
6. Business Insider – a report on professional line-waiting (Same Ole Line Dudes): https://www.businessinsider.com/these-people-get-paid-to-wait-in-line-2024-5
7. Tampa Bay Times – “The business of being a professional mermaid”: https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2019/09/05/inside-the-business-of-being-a-professional-mermaid/
8. The Hustle – “The rise of professional mermaids”: https://thehustle.co/professional-mermaids-industry/
9. CBS/AP – “Deodorant Scientists Arm Against Odor”: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deodorant-scientists-arm-against-odor/
10. Smithsonian Magazine – “How Chick Sexers Changed the Poultry Industry”: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-chick-sexers-changed-the-poultry-industry-180949005/
11. The Atlantic – “Sexing Chicks and the Nature of Expertise”: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/10/chick-sexers/505025/
12. Euronews – “NASA bed-rest study pays volunteers”: https://www.euronews.com/next/2017/03/22/nasa-offers-to-pay-volunteers-to-stay-in-bed-for-70-days
13. Smithsonian Magazine – “What It’s Like to Participate in a NASA Bed-Rest Study”: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-its-like-to-participate-in-a-nasa-bed-rest-study-180962777/
14. Los Angeles Times – “Water sommelier and the $20 bottle”: https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-20-dollar-bottles-of-water-sommelier-water-menu-making-a-splash-in-la-20130711-story.html
15. LEGO – “Becoming a Model Designer at The LEGO Group” (official info): https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/help-topics/article/becoming-a-model-designer-at-the-lego-group
16. The New Yorker – “Hire Mourners” (on the phenomenon of professional mourners): https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/08/26/hire-mourners