Dreaming of a career that allows you to do what you love while earning a great living? Contrary to popular belief, you don‘t have to get stuck in an unfulfilling 9-to-5 job just to pay the bills. There are many exciting, unconventional careers with high earning potential that merge work and play.
As a small business expert and entrepreneurship consultant, I‘ve helped many individuals leave dull corporate jobs to pursue their passions. Take it from me – life is too short to spend it doing menial work that your heart isn‘t in. Whether your interests lie in music, animals, thrill-seeking, or lifestyle blogging, there is a fun career with lucrative possibilities waiting for you.
To help you discover your dream job, I‘ve compiled this definitive guide on the most enjoyable professions that also promise financial rewards. Let‘s explore 49+ fascinating careers that prove you can actually get paid well to do what you love!
Entertainment Careers That Pay Surprisingly Well
The glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry can be alluring. Luckily, you can channel your inner performer or Hollywood-lover into a stable career.
Voice Actor
Breathe life into animated characters, commercials, audiobooks and more by lending your versatile vocal talents.
Average Salary: $35,000-$100,000+
Key Skills: Vocal range, versatility, clear diction, acting ability
Education: Relevant VO training, acting/improv classes
With the rise of streaming services like Netflix producing more original animated content, opportunities for voice actors are growing rapidly. In 2020 alone, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected over 23% employment growth for this artistic field.
Stunt Performer
Thrill-seekers can push their physical limits as stunt performers in action movies and TV productions.
Average Salary: $55,000-$95,000
Key Skills: Physical fitness, coordination, adrenaline junkie
Education: Gymnastics, martial arts, acting skills
As Hollywood blockbusters continue prioritizing dramatic action sequences, skilled stunt performers are in high demand. Aspiring stunt actors should hone fitness, agility, and specific skills like high-falls through training programs.
Movie Extra
Make some side income by appearing as a background actor or extra in movies and television shows.
Average Salary: $150-$300/day
Key Skills: Flexible schedule, ability to follow direction
Education: None required
While working sporadically, being a movie extra provides a fascinating glimpse into how productions are made. Sign up with local casting agencies and production studios to get notified of any open extra roles.
| Entertainment Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Voice Actor | $35,000-$100,000+ |
| Stunt Performer | $55,000-$95,000 |
| Movie Extra | $150-$300/day |
Freelance creative roles like graphic designers, writers, musicians, and lighting designers also merge passion with great paydays. By amassing a portfolio of work and clients as your business grows, six-figure salaries are possible. Never underestimate the earning potential of doing what you love!
Travel Careers That Pay You to See the World
Globetrotters can get paid to travel by turning their wanderlust into a career. Explore exotic locales and stunning landscapes while earning an income with these captivating jobs.
Flight Attendant
Provide top-notch customer service and assistance to passengers while crisscrossing the globe.
Average Salary: $56,000
Key Skills: Hospitality, multi-tasking, safety procedures
Education: High school diploma
Major airlines like Delta and United pay flight attendants an average $74,000 per year once you factor in help with housing and per diem during flights. The flexible schedule also leaves plenty of downtime to explore destinations.
Tour Guide
Share your passion for culture, history, and architecture by leading groups on walking, bus, or boat tours around iconic destinations.
Average Salary: $45,000
Key Skills: Public speaking, hospitality, local knowledge
Education: Destination-specific training
Freelance and seasonal tour guiding provides opportunities for extensive travel. Brush up on your language skills to access lucrative markets like providing tours in Mandarin or Spanish.
Travel Writer/Blogger
Document your journeys and tips through blogs, guidebooks, magazines, and digital publications aimed at future travelers.
Average Salary: $55,000-$65,000+
Key Skills: Writing, photography, social media
Education: Travel journalism, English/marketing
A bankable social media following and brand partnerships can really amplify your earning power as a travel content creator. Many top bloggers easily earn over six figures once their audience is large enough.
| Travel Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $56,000 |
| Tour Guide | $45,000 |
| Travel Writer/Blogger | $55,000-$65,000+ |
From cruise ship entertainers to digital nomad bloggers, travel lovers have so many ways to get compensated while seeing the world. Guiding bike tours in scenic national parks or teaching English abroad are great options too. You truly can make money traveling once you identify your niche.
Animal Careers With Wild Income Potential
Calling all animal lovers! Some of the most fulfilling and fun jobs allow you to care for our furry, feathered, and finned friends.
Marine Biologist
Dive deep to study ocean ecosystems and develop conservation efforts for aquatic life.
Average Salary: $55,000-$75,000
Key Skills: Scientific research, scuba certification
Education: Biology, marine science degree
Colleges and government agencies actively hire talented marine biologists. Those with advanced degrees and field research experience command the highest salaries.
Zookeeper
Provide daily care, feeding, and health monitoring for animals in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks.
Average Salary: $45,000
Key Skills: Animal handling, record keeping, education
Education: Zoology, animal science degree
Your work contributes to animal conservation and public education. Entry-level salaries are modest, but zoo management roles pay closer to $70,000-$80,000.
Dog Walker/Sitter
Spend your workdays playing with pups as a professional dog walker or sitter!
Average Salary: $30,000
Key Skills: Animal handling, customer service
Education: None required
Pursuing dog walking and pet sitting full time allows you to earn a healthy living caring for animals. Experience and referrals help build up your own client base over time.
| Animal Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Marine Biologist | $55,000-$75,000 |
| Zookeeper | $45,000 |
| Dog Walker/Sitter | $30,000 |
From wildlife rehabilitation to animal rescue, animal-centric careers let you turn your compassion for our furry/feathered friends into meaningful work. Just be prepared to start small in competitive zoological fields before working up to higher salary brackets.
Food Industry Jobs With Tasty Benefits
Calling all foodies! Earn a delicious living (and maybe a few extra pounds) with these savory careers.
Chocolatier
Craft artisan chocolates, truffles, and confections at gourmet shops or your own business.
Average Salary: $35,000-$60,000
Key Skills: Culinary expertise, creativity, business savvy
Education: Chocolate making courses
Sell your sweets at farmer‘s markets and local stores to start. Then open your own storefront once demand grows. Big breaks happen when prestigious retailers like Williams-Sonoma begin carrying your treats nationally.
Food Stylist
Prepare mouthwatering dishes for advertisements, magazines, cookbooks, websites, and product packaging.
Average Salary: $50,000-$80,000
Key Skills: Culinary expertise, photographic plating, styling sensibility
Education: Culinary degree, photography skills
With more brands recognizing the selling power of gorgeous food visuals, food stylists are busier than ever before. Just getting your work published regularly in major outlets like Bon Appetit provides great exposure.
Personal Chef
Craft customized menus and prepare meals in clients‘ homes based on their tastes, dietary needs, and preferences.
Average Salary: $50,000-$100,000
Key Skills: Nutrition knowledge, culinary expertise, client relationships
Education: Culinary degree
By managing a small number of high-end clients, personal chefs can command premium rates, especially in major cities. Your cooking skills and style allow busy professionals to enjoy restaurant-caliber meals from home.
| Food Industry Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chocolatier | $35,000-$60,000 |
| Food Stylist | $50,000-$80,000 |
| Personal Chef | $50,000-$100,000 |
Whether you‘re looking for full-time work or side income, food-based careers like recipe developers, food tour guides, and restaurant critics let you profit from your epicurean expertise.
Tech Jobs That Pay Bank While Having Fun
Calling all techies and computer whizzes! Combine your technical talents with an adventuresome spirit through one of these lucrative tech positions.
Robotics Engineer
Design, build, and program innovative robots and automated systems for industries like manufacturing, healthcare, military, and more.
Average Salary: $100,000
Key Skills: Mechanical engineering, computer science, critical thinking
Education: Engineering degree
As artificial intelligence and robotics boom, skilled robotics engineers are reshaping how businesses operate. Your out-of-the-box ideas can create revolutionary technologies.
Ethical Hacker
Outsmart malicious cybercriminals by identifying vulnerabilities in computer networks before they strike.
Average Salary: $90,000-$125,000+
Key Skills: Systems penetration, programming, problem solving
Education: Computer science degree
Protect companies from data breaches through legal hacking services. Work independently or for cybersecurity firms to help firms beef up their defenses.
Video Game Developer
Merge creativity and tech know-how to produce cutting-edge video games from concept to launch.
Average Salary: $70,000-$118,000
Key Skills: Programming, visual design, storytelling
Education: Software engineering, computer science degree
With gaming revenues projected to top $200 billion by 2023 (Mordor Intelligence), developers who can craft the next viral hit are a hot commodity.
| Tech Career | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Robotics Engineer | $100,000 |
| Ethical Hacker | $90,000-$125,000+ |
| Video Game Developer | $70,000-$118,000 |
From drone operators to virtual reality creators, technology-focused careers let you innovate while making substantial incomes. Just be ready to constantly keep up with the latest advancements through ongoing education.
Final Thoughts: Follow Your Passion to Prosperity
The next time someone claims you cannot earn a living doing what you love, reference this guide. There are countless unorthodox, fun careers with lucrative earning potential across diverse fields from entertainment to tech.
Take it from me – life is simply too short to waste time in an unenjoyable job just for the paycheck. We all have unique talents and interests waiting to be transformed into rewarding, prosperity-producing vocations. With consistent effort devoted to honing your skills and building your reputation, you can eventually command above-average incomes by following your passion.
Are you ready to begin your journey toward career fulfillment and financial freedom? The first step is identifying that intersection of joy and earning potential within these pages. Once you pinpoint the options best aligned with who you are, the rest will fall into place. Opportunities to merge work and play have never been more plentiful. You simply need to take that leap of faith toward the unconventional career path that sets your spirit alight.
Now get out there, do what you love, and prosper! The world needs your unique talents.
