For quite some time, I’ve been focusing on discussing fun jobs. But what about interesting jobs that pay well? Sure, they can be fun, but does that automatically make them interesting? Well, that’s a subjective question.
Still, there are plenty of fascinating options out there. Many of these are jobs I never had the chance to explore, even after living for over five decades.
Interestingly, most of these roles are relatively new to the job market, and honestly, I didn’t know much about them until I started researching. To make this relatable for everyone, I’ve also included a few traditional jobs that, in my opinion, are inherently interesting.
1. Video Game Designer
Video game design has truly taken the cake as one of the most exciting jobs out there. While I’m not a big gamer myself, I’ve played a few video games in my lifetime. I’ve also seen how hooked some of my coworkers and old friends have gotten.
As for me, I never had the opportunity to dive into gaming deeply because I didn’t have the luxury of owning a console or computer in my early years. I did, however, enjoy playing at arcades whenever I had spare change!
And I have a few gaming apps on my phone that lets you earn money or gift cards!
Anyway, being a video game designer gives you the chance to create immersive worlds. You can craft compelling characters, flex your creative muscles, and develop game mechanics and experiences that bring joy to players.
While I wasn’t a video game designer, I did create little paper-based games as a kid, and it was such a thrilling experience!
When it comes to salary, it varies a lot.
If you’re working for a company, you can expect to earn anywhere between $60,000 and $110,000 per year. If you decide to go solo or independent, your earnings can skyrocket—especially if your game becomes a hit!
2. Voice Actor
While researching video game designers, I realized how much games have changed. Most modern games are voiced now, unlike the arcade games of the past.
Back then, games like Pac-Man didn’t have voice lines—just those fun “wompy wompy” sounds.
These days, many games feel almost like movies, with full voice acting and cinematic storytelling. In fact, my editor mentioned that you can watch a game’s story on YouTube without even playing it. Pretty neat, huh?
Anyway, being a voice actor isn’t just about games. You can also work on films, animated shows, video content, and other projects. There’s a ton of media where your voice can shine.
The only downside is that voice acting is highly competitive. The pay is above average if you’re with an agency that can land you steady gigs, but breaking in can be tough.
Still, it’s an incredibly interesting job. You get to bring characters to life with your voice—whether in animation, video games, or commercials.
It’s a creative and performance-driven career that pays an average of $30,000–$80,000 per year. And once you build a name for yourself and gain experience, the opportunities and pay can get even better!
3. Graphic Designer
I guess I’ve fallen down the same rabbit hole again—graphic design is another fascinating job! It’s creative, pays well, and offers plenty of opportunities. Nowadays, graphic designers are in demand across nearly every industry.
And you don’t even need a degree to get started! Of course, having one can definitely give you an edge.
What’s really cool is that being a graphic designer can open doors to many different career paths. It makes sense, though—humans are such visual creatures. We love seeing beautiful things, vibrant colors, and eye-catching designs.
While food might be a basic need, visual media has become almost as essential in today’s world.
As a graphic designer, you can use your artistic skills and imagination to create logos, websites, advertisements, and other visuals that leave a lasting impression. You can even branch out into designing for games or video content if that’s your thing.
In terms of pay, graphic designers earn an average salary of $50,000 to $75,000 per year. Plus, there’s always the option to go freelance, giving you the freedom to choose your own projects and work schedule.
4. Ethical Hacker
Now, let’s step away from media and arts-related jobs and dive into something even cooler and more fascinating: ethical hacking. To be honest, this was the first time I’d heard about this job, and it sounds amazing!
You’ve probably seen hackers in movies or TV shows, right? While those characters are usually portrayed as “bad guys,” they’re often closer to what ethical hackers actually do—just on the right side of the law.
Unlike regular hackers, ethical hackers use their skills to make systems more secure.
They hack into websites and systems to find vulnerabilities and security issues so they can help companies fix them before malicious hackers exploit them.
It’s like thinking like a hacker, but with the goal of protecting systems and data from cyber threats. It’s a bit like solving high-stakes puzzles!
Imagine hiring a burglar to break into your house and then asking them to point out all the weak spots so you can secure them. That’s essentially what ethical hackers do—they help block potential access points for “bad actors.”
Aside from being a super cool and interesting job, ethical hacking pays well, too. On average, you can earn between $70,000 and $120,000 per year. Not bad, right?
5. Robotics Engineer
Does the idea of just coding and clicking a mouse sound boring to you? Then why not try engineering robots! With this job, you’ll spend a good portion of your time actually building robots.
You’ll decide where the batteries should go, where to place the servos, what the robot’s purpose will be, and what its capabilities should include. The variety of things you need to plan and build keeps the work exciting—you’ll never run out of ideas or tasks to tackle!
Beyond the fun side of it, robotics engineering is truly the future. While AI is moving into office jobs to make them easier (or even obsolete), robotics focuses on improving physical work conditions.
Robots often take on backbreaking, hazardous, or highly mechanical tasks. With the right mindset, you could design robots that improve the lives of countless people.
Of course, becoming a robotics engineer usually requires a degree and some hands-on experience. But the rewards are worth it. On average, you can earn $85,000 to $130,000 a year in this field.
6. Social Media Influencer
If robotics and machinery aren’t your thing, you might consider becoming a social media influencer. Instead of relying on artistic skills or engineering expertise, you can use your personality and life story to connect with an audience.
To be honest, I think this job is both fun and interesting. In a way, having a blog like this is similar to being an influencer. The main difference, though, is that influencers put themselves out there much more than I do.
While I’m okay sharing bits and pieces of my story, I can’t imagine putting my entire life on display.
That said, being an influencer doesn’t necessarily mean sharing everything about yourself—that’s just how I imagine it sometimes. Even so, it’s a fascinating job that requires confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of personality. Personally, I don’t think I’d be cut out for it, but I admire those who are.
The earning potential as an influencer is high. When starting out, you might make around $40,000 a year, which isn’t bad for a beginner.
But once you grow your following and establish yourself in a niche, your income could easily reach $100,000 or more. Of course, this depends on the size of your audience and the type of content you create.
7. Park Ranger
Let’s step outside for a moment and talk about park rangers.
When I was a kid, being a park ranger was one of my dream jobs. They just seemed so cool, and it’s such an active job—something that really appealed to me as an active person myself.
As a park ranger, you get to work outdoors, protect natural resources, and share your love of nature with visitors. Basically, it’s like having a year-round pass to the parks you love!
Sure, this might sound a little childish, but that’s exactly what the kid in me wanted. Even now, revisiting the idea, I still find it fascinating.
While this article focuses on interesting jobs with good salaries, it’s worth noting that a park ranger’s starting pay isn’t particularly high.
Entry-level rangers typically earn around $35,000 per year. However, with experience and promotions, you could work your way up to around $55,000 annually.
It might not be the highest-paying job, but if you’re looking for something active, meaningful, and interesting, becoming a park ranger could be perfect for you!
8. Food Stylist
Next up is food styling. In an era where food selfies dominate social media, many people find food styling incredibly appealing. The job is all about making food look irresistible for photos, ads, and commercials.
It’s a blend of creativity, culinary skills, and visual artistry—basically, like being a makeup artist for food.
What makes food styling so interesting is the creativity and problem-solving it requires. In commercial photoshoots, there are countless challenges when it comes to presenting food.
For example, how do you make ice cream look perfect under the hot, bright lights of a shoot? The answer? Use mashed potatoes colored to look like ice cream! Pretty clever, right?
Learning these tricks and techniques to make food—or even non-food—look mouthwatering is both fun and fascinating.
The downside is that competition in this field is tough, and there aren’t a lot of traditional job openings. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You could even start your own food-focused YouTube channel or blog to showcase your skills and build your brand.
As for pay, food stylists typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 per year. Not a bad income for such a fun and creative job!
9. Food Critic
If making or styling food isn’t your thing, why not try becoming a food critic? It’s a tough job, but it sounds like a lot of fun, even if it can be a bit harsh.
As a food critic, you need to be witty, especially when giving negative feedback about the food you’re reviewing.
You also need a strong vocabulary and a sharp sense of taste.
If you’ve ever watched or read great food critics, you’ve probably noticed how they use descriptive language and clever phrases to help their audience “taste” the food through their words.
Their reviews make you feel like you’re right there with them, experiencing the flavors and textures.
It’s a job that’s both fun and, at times, a little mean—but hey, that’s just part of the job! And as a bonus, you get to explore a wide variety of cuisines! Plus, you get paid!
Food critics can earn between $40,000 and $80,000 a year, which definitely makes it worth the effort.
FAQs
You might still have some questions about this list of interesting jobs that pay well! So, here’s the FAQ section you may or may not have been waiting for!
What makes a job interesting?
Honestly, this is a very subjective topic. What’s interesting to me may not be interesting to you, and vice versa. However, the common traits that most people agree make a job interesting include creativity, innovation, and challenges.
These factors often make a job exciting and engaging. Of course, it becomes even more interesting if the job aligns with your passions, values, and dreams!
How can I make my current job more interesting?
It can take some effort, and it really depends on how flexible your job and your superiors are. But mainly, to make your job more interesting, you should look for new challenges, opportunities to learn, and ways to use your creativity.
You could start by proposing creative projects within your role to make the job more engaging and enjoyable. Of course, to get your higher-ups on board, your proposal needs to show how it will benefit the company.
Are there any downsides to pursuing interesting jobs that pay well?
Yes, there are several potential downsides. For one, not all interesting jobs have many openings in the job market. For example, there are only a few positions available to become an astronaut.
Sure, the pay is great, and the space is incredibly interesting, but it’s a tough field to break into.
Additionally, some interesting jobs may not pay well at first. For instance, being a voice actor as a beginner might only earn you a small fee for each project. It can take time for your career to grow, and there’s a lot of competition.
Another downside is the potential for job instability, unpredictable hours, or the pressure to constantly innovate. However, these challenges are often outweighed by the personal fulfillment that comes with doing something you love.
Conclusion
To be honest, there were so many interesting jobs that pay well that I wanted to include, but I can’t list them all here—otherwise, I’d be writing a book! That said, these are some of the most fascinating jobs I’ve come across.
Some of them may have even resonated with you and made their way onto your own list of dream jobs.
If you’re looking for a great job, these options might be a good place to start. You might even be considering one or two of them already. Either way, go for it! It’s definitely worth pursuing a career that interests you and brings you joy.
When you love what you do, earning a living doesn’t feel like such a chore, and life becomes much more enjoyable!
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