good jobs

10 Great Jobs for People Who Hate the 9-5

Paul Michael — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:00:12 +0000

Many of us work a 9-5 (or, let's be honest, 8-6) job. We do the commute, bring work home with us, and work through lunch on occasion. It's fairly regimented. But some people just don't want that — and maybe you're one of them. For you, a 9-5 routine is not a great fit. Maybe you like to work earlier, or later, or only work specific days of the week. Well, there are many jobs available for someone with those needs. Here are 10 jobs for night owls, wanderers, and other free spirits, that don't abide by the rigid 9-5. (See also: 11 Freelance Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well)

1. Voice-Over Artist

If anyone has ever told you that your voice is wonderful, or you have "a voice made for radio," then you should seriously consider becoming a voice-over artist. The job is just as it sounds — you are literally putting your voice over something, be it a commercial, a documentary, a movie, a trailer, a cartoon, or even the end titles of infomercials.

As a voice-over artist, you will be required to read scripts and provide several different takes, doing so until the producer of the piece is completely satisfied. You may have to sound happy in one take, sad in another. You may also have to memorize dialogue. But, if you have the acting chops, aren't shy, and want a career that is constantly surprising you, voice-over work could be just the ticket.

2. Groundskeeper

Anyone with a green thumb and a love of the outdoors should consider working as a groundskeeper. Typically, the job will involve mowing grass, trimming hedges and bushes, planting flowers, pulling weeds, watering, pest control, and other general maintenance. It can be done in places like public parks, golf courses, and sporting grounds, or private institutions, businesses, and the homes of those with grounds too big to handle personally. Many wealthy actors, business owners, and athletes employ groundskeepers for their estates.

3. Massage Therapist

Let's be clear, you can't just think you're good at giving massages and become a massage therapist. You will need to complete a post-secondary massage training program, and put in over 500 hours of practical experience before you can actually start doing this professionally. You will also need a license. But once you've attained that, then you can expect to set your own hours, travel a lot if you don't have a studio, and meet a wide variety of interesting people. If you are worried about getting regular work, then you can consider working for one of the massage therapy chains, which will give you more stability. However, once you branch out on your own, you're golden.

4. Social Media Community Manager

Tweets. Facebook posts. Instagram updates. These are the kinds of things a social media community manager is responsible for. The big reason that this isn't a typical 9-5 job is that social media does not follow a 9-5 schedule. Quite the contrary, in fact, as people who do work those traditional hours are more active on social media before and after work. So, as a social media community manager, you will be working around the clock to maintain a brand's presence on many different social media platforms. Obviously, with such demanding hours, you won't be expected to work 9-5 every day, but you will sometimes be working long hours for weeks at a time — especially if you're driving people to a new product launch, or a TV series. You could also do this work as a consultant, or on a freelance basis, and set your own hours.

5. Personal Trainer

Are you fit? Like, really fit? Do you know enough about nutrition and exercise that you could get other people into great shape? If so, then you may find the job of personal trainer to be just what you need. Personal trainers, especially those that are self-employed, set their own hours and can work whenever, and often wherever, they want. You can go to a client's home or office, or they can come to you. You can choose to work weekends only, or only in the mornings. You can also choose to only work three or four days a week. Some like to work for health clubs and gyms, which will provide more stability, but in turn, more of a traditional work schedule. If you live in a place like Hollywood or Manhattan, you could eventually get some famous clients, and that can mean serious money.

6. Actuarial Consultant

That's a bit of a mouthful. An actuary is someone who manages and analyzes risk. Any company that deals with risk, such as the insurance industry, needs actuaries to protect them from loss, and manage the future. An actuarial consultant does this job on a very flexible schedule. Often travelling the country, or even the world, actuarial consultants can set their own hours, and choose whom to work with.

Plus, the salary is very good, with the median salary being over $95,000 per year. If you want to get into this field, you'll need a good head for numbers. Actuaries study calculus, statistics, and probability. They also have excellent problem-solving skills, are organized, creative, and highly motivated. It's not a career for everyone, but if you fit the bill, you can earn a great salary working the hours you want.

7. Tax Accountant

We all dread doing our taxes. So much so, that many of us pay someone to do them for us. These people are tax accountants, and many of them are self-employed. This obviously has some ups and downs. The ups, besides a great schedule, is that for around four months out of the year (January-April), tax accountants are insanely busy. The big downside is, of course, that once tax season is over, work really slows down. Tax accountants who deal only with individuals and very small businesses don't stay very busy the rest of the time. That's why most tax accountants also have a roster of business clients who file quarterly returns, and require other specialized tax services.

8. Nurse

If you have a natural inclination to care for people, and don't like traditional office hours, you should definitely look into nursing. People do not get sick at convenient times, and as such, nurses are required 24-7. As a nurse, you will not only be helping people with physical ailments, but also helping people heal emotionally, too. Nurses not only need to be there whenever there's a problem, but also must be patient, kind, empathetic, and understanding — even if it's 2:45 a.m. and it's been a 16-hour day.

However, nursing hours are flexible because of this. You may find yourself working nights only, or working long shifts for 3-4 days per week. You will need a minimum of an associate's degree in nursing (ADN, which takes about three years) and must pass an exam given by a local licensing board.

9. Truck Driver

Love the open road? Like spending time by yourself? You may want to look into a truck-driving career. When you first start out, you will more than likely be an OTR, or Over the Road driver. This means long-distance trucking, across the country, and you can expect to be gone at least two weeks at a time.

For this reason, it's not the ideal job for someone with a family, especially with younger children. But if you have no issue being away from home for long periods of time, and like time alone, truck driving could be a great career move for you. You will have an erratic sleep cycle, so get used to that idea. Also, you can expect to work 60-70 hours per week when you're working. In your first year, you will probably only make $30-$35,000, but many trucking companies will train you to do the job. Compare that to the years of college, and huge student loans that many young adults come into the business world with, only to get a small entry-level salary.

10. Photographer

If you have a great eye, and are willing to put in the work to really get to know how to operate a camera, being a photographer can be very gratifying. It's definitely not just point and shoot, and you will need to take classes in lighting, portraiture, landscapes, and many other aspects of the job. But once you have mastered the art, you can make a great living taking photos whenever you want to. Many photographers have professional studios, although this is not a requirement. You can choose exactly what type of photos you want to take, too. Maybe you want to work at weddings or other events. Perhaps an intimate studio setting is more to your liking, or you want to do boudoir shots.

Whatever you decide, you will have to get used to one thing… people will always want you to give them free shots, or pay less than you ask for, as they don't understand the training and craft that goes into taking a truly wonderful photo. If you get really good, you could end up working on movies or TV shows, becoming a unit photographer (pictures taken during shooting), or taking the shots that go into the posters themselves.

Do you have a job that defies the 9-5 routine? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

12 Gross Jobs That Pay Pretty Well

Paul Michael — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:24:15 +0000

"Where there's muck, there's brass" is an expression frequently used in Britain. I know I heard it a lot growing up, and it remains true today. Brass is a slang term for money in the UK, for obvious reasons, and muck can mean any type of dirt, or even manure. Therefore, the phrase can be simply translated as "wherever there are dirty jobs, there is money to be made." (See also: 10 Awesome Jobs You Didn't Know Existed)

How much money doesn't always depend on the amount of dirt or the severity of the job. And, of course, a lot of money is relative. If you're a CEO of a major corporation, you're not going to give it all up to become a coal miner or garbage collector. Still, if you're willing to get your hands dirty, or risk more than just a few grubby fingernails, you can make a lot more money in this line of work than you ever could working behind the cash register at McDonalds.

Here's the list, in no particular order, starting with a truly unusual way to make a living.

1. Crime Scene Cleaner: $35,000–$80,000

You've probably seen hundreds of TV shows and movies that contain crime scenes. The detectives and forensics experts come in, analyze everything, and then rush off to catch the bad guys. What they leave behind, however, doesn't go away. It has to be dealt with. Professional crews come in, and they specialize in crime scene cleaning. To be a crime scene cleaner, you have to have a strong stomach and take lots of precautions. In many cases, you're dealing with hazardous waste, harmful viruses, and deadly bacteria. It's also not a 9 to 5 job; you need to be ready to jump into action at a moment's notice, so you have to organize your social life accordingly. However, if you can handle it, you can make over $80,000 a year with just a few years' experience. Crime may not pay, but cleaning up after it certainly does!

2. Garbage Collector: $40,000–$60,000

Most of us don't even like putting out the trash, so those who deal with it for a living deserve a decent wage. Garbage collectors work in all conditions, all year round. Rain, sleet, hail, snow, and the burning sunshine. That last one may be the toughest to deal with, as hot trash is not a pleasant smell at all. Have you ever been to Manhattan on a really hot day? The smell of garbage is quite potent. It's also a dangerous job, and garbage collectors deal with angry motorists who hate being stuck behind the truck. Having all that to deal with does bring some rewards though. The average salary for a garbage collector is around $43,000, but overtime can shoot that to over $60,000 a year. (See also: Difficult Jobs That Are Worth the Effort)

3. Gastroenterologist: $100,000–$750,000

When it comes to medical professions, gastroenterology ranks highly for compensation. The average salary is $342,000, but over 19% of gastroenterologists earn more than $500,000 a year! However, there are a few drawbacks to this field. Dealing with the digestive tract, and conditions like colon polyps, colon cancer, hepatitis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and a whole host of other nasty conditions, it's not surprising this job pays well. And of course, it can cost as much as $250,000 in medical school fees and 10 years of hard studying to become a qualified gastroenterologist. (See also: Ways to Pay Back Student Loans Faster)

4. Sewer Inspector: $40,000–$55,000

We go from the digestive tract to the sewer, quite a nice segue. Working in a sewer is no one's idea of fun. Sewers smell horrendous. They're a breeding ground for all sorts of dangerous bacteria and are home to human excrement, bugs, rats, cockroaches, and sometimes, a dead body or two. Although dressed in protective clothing, sewer inspectors have to wade through rivers of the nastiest sludge imaginable. And that odor sticks, even after the most vigorous shower. Still, an average salary of $47,000 helps take the sting out of that job.

5. Portable Toilet Cleaner: $35,000–$58,000

From sewers to, well, more human excrement. Lovely! Few people, if any, would ever say they always wanted to be a portable toilet cleaner when they grew up. It's just not that kind of job. And if you've ever used one of these things, you know just how awful they can be. They can really stink on hot days, and there are nasty people out there who treat these portable toilets with no respect, leaving their business over the seat, the floor, and even the walls. Portable toilet cleaners have to deal with this, using a huge vacuum to suck out all the waste, and then cleaning down the surfaces. It's tough work, but it pays well.

6. Crab Fisherman: Up to $60,000 for 2–3 Months' Work

If you've seen TV's "Deadliest Catch," you know just how tough and grueling this job can be. Icy winds, freezing rain, stormy seas, huge waves, and massive 800-pound crab pots make this a truly tough job. Not to mention the fact that you're spending 20 hour days surrounded by crabs, fish, and foul smelling creatures — like your crewmates. The work is done for only a few months of the year, but it's lucrative. A seasoned deck hand can earn a whole year's salary in just a few months, and spend the rest of the time doing other work or just relaxing. (See also: How to Get Free Accommodations and Paid Jobs on Boats)

7. Podiatrist: $115,000–$292,000

Feet. Some people love them. Most people try to avoid them. The first issue with feet is that they can smell. And smell pretty bad, too. Being trapped in socks and shoes all day doesn't help, but then you get things like corns, bunions, athlete's foot, ingrown toenails, and nail fungus. Not the kind of thing anyone wants to see first thing in the day. However, the financial rewards are great. The average podiatrist takes home $177,000 per year. Of course, it takes time and money to become qualified, but that soon pays off.

8. Oil Rig Worker: $35,000–$236,000

It's dirty, dangerous work, and you have to spend a lot of time away from your family. But if you don't mind getting your hands dirty or risking your life from time to time, and you can handle living in middle of the ocean, you can reap the rewards. Entry-level jobs in this industry start at $35,000. The average salary of an oil rig worker is almost $100,000 per year. And if you take on a skilled role, like drilling consultant, you can take home as much as $236,000 per year.

9. Coal Miner: $50,000–$100,000

Just as dangerous and dirty as working on an oil rig is working in a coal mine. It's considered one of the most dangerous professions, with the constant risk of the mine collapsing or exploding from trapped methane gas. Coal miners also breathe in coal dust, which can turn into something very nasty called Black Lung (although the risk of that is rare these days compared to coal mining back in the day). But, if you are willing to put up with that and the claustrophobic conditions, you can take home an average of $64,000 per year.

10. Embalmer: $26,000–$62,000

Another job that's not for the squeamish. Embalmers have a long list of duties when it comes to preparing a dead body for burial. It starts by logging any bruising or discoloration on the body, and then includes such tasks as gluing the eyelids shut, tying the jaw together, gluing lips together, injecting embalming fluid, and suctioning fluids out of organs and torso. Personally, I couldn't do it. But if you can handle it, you can pick up an average salary of $40,000 per year.

11. Plumber: $20,000–$93,000

Depending on who you work for and what you do, plumbing can be a 40-hours-a-week job or something round the clock. And if you're a plumber doing late night callouts, you can earn a lot of money. Of course, plumbing is not just leaky pipes and dripping faucets. A lot of time you're dealing with raw sewage, dangerous chemicals, nasty weather conditions, and major home repairs. When water is pouring through a ceiling, people get anxious. However, if you have the training and the resolve, you can earn a very nice living indeed.

12. Landfill Gas Operator: $53,000–$148,000

Perhaps the phrase used at the beginning should be changed to "where there's gas, there's brass." Landfills contain millions of tons of garbage, and that garbage festers. It's teeming with bacteria, nature's natural process of breaking down the waste. And the byproduct of that process is methane gas; lots and lots of methane gas. It's not pleasant to smell, but as a landfill gas operator you remove this gas, which can be dangerous if left unchecked, and funnel it to pipelines, which can power homes and businesses. And the take home pay doesn't stink at all!

Any gross, but well-paying jobs I've missed? Please share them in comments!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: