Nick Knacks – Weird but well-paying jobs for new graduates

If you’ve just graduated, it can be hard to figure out what you want to do with your life. There’s a lot of pressure after spending your whole life in school. So why not check out some of these weird but well-paying jobs for ideas?

Dog Food Taster

Average salary: Over $34,000 per year

As a dog food taster, you would examine the nutritional value of dog food by tasting it. It doesn’t stop there, though. After finishing your report reflecting on ways to improve dog food, you would also consider the taste, texture, and smell. If you have a strong stomach and an even better sense of taste, this might be the career for you.

Professional Sleeper

Average salary: Over $45,500 per year

It’s exactly what it sounds like: you get paid to sleep. There is a purpose, though, as a lot of the work is done for research and analyzing sleep patterns or testing mattresses, pillows, and quilts. It’s not all about counting sheep, as you would be required to report on everything from comfort, room lighting, and noise disruption. A job you could do in your sleep does seem like a sweet deal, though.

Water Slide Tester

Average salary: Between $29,000 and $53,000

Before going any further, note that this is a seasonal job, but it does exist. The goal is to rate waterslides on adrenaline, coolest features, splash, and a total score out of 100. It’s straightforward: get paid to have fun, with only the idea of paperwork weighing it down.

Odor Judge

Average salary: Between $19,000 and $52,000 per year

At first glance, this seems like a great time, smelling all the beautiful scents before they go on the market. However, an odor judge also has the responsibility of certifying the effectiveness of some less pleasant smell-blocking items. Someone must ensure kitty litter and shoe insoles work. Work is called work for a reason; it all can’t be daisies and roses.

Be curious; you never know what jobs are out there or what activities actually have an important paid position attached to them.