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Who says work has to be dull and boring – it doesn’t have to be! Imagine a job that keeps you excited, engaged, and pays well – sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, it’s not! There are plenty of jobs out there that offer the perfect blend of fun and financial stability. This article is your golden ticket to explore some of these exciting, high-paying careers.
So, step away from the idea that work can’t be enjoyable. Take a look at these jobs that are not only fun but also pay well.
What to Look for Before Choosing a Job?
It can be tempting to apply for the first job you see that looks fun, but don’t forget to look at the bigger picture. There are plenty of things that you should consider before locking in a job, especially if you want it to be fun and well-paying.
1. Salary
The first and obvious thing to consider is the salary. After all, you want a job that will pay your bills and have some extra cash for fun activities.
Do your research and find out if the job offers a competitive salary or has room for income growth.
2. Work-Life Balance
Having a fun job doesn’t mean working 24/7 or sacrificing your personal life. You should always prioritize your mental and physical health to perform better and enjoy your job.
Look for companies that offer flexible work hours, work-from-home options, and vacation time. These perks can make a huge difference in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
3. Growth Opportunity
There is no point in having a fun job without room for growth and development. Look for jobs that invest in their team’s professional development through training programs, mentorship opportunities, or other means.
This allows you to improve your skills and shows that the company values its employees.
4. Alignment with Personal Interests and Values
If you don’t feel safe and supported in your workplace, it can quickly turn a fun job into a stressful nightmare.
Before accepting a job offer, ensure the job values align with your own and that you feel comfortable working in their environment. This will lead to greater job satisfaction and overall happiness.
30 Fun Jobs That Pay Well
Now that you know what to look for in a job, let’s explore some fun and well-paying jobs:
1. Blogger
A blogger is an individual who creates and manages content for a blog, which is a regularly updated website or web page.
Bloggers often focus on a specific topic or niche, ranging from personal life and experiences to particular subjects like food, travel, fashion, personal finance, technology, product reviews, or parenting.
If you are interested in starting a blog, you can check our guide on how to start a profitable blog for as little as $1.95 per month and learn how to earn $10,000 a month.
Education Requirements: There are no formal education requirements for becoming a blogger. Blogging is an activity that anyone with internet access can undertake. However, successful bloggers often possess a combination of specific skills and qualities like communication and technical skills, which can be self-taught or acquired through formal education:
Certification: While not required, you can take a few courses, such as SEO courses, to help you understand the basics of search engine optimization, which can help your blog rank higher in search engine results, potentially increasing its visibility and readership or a Pinterest course to learn how to drive traffic from the platform to your blog.
Average base salary: $49,559
2. Proofreader
Proofreading is reviewing and checking written material for errors before publication or sharing. This can include checking for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, punctuation errors, and inconsistencies in style or formatting. Proofreading ensures that the text is clear, correct, and professional.
With tools like Grammarly, this can be one of the easiest and most fun jobs you can do.
In 2014, Caitlin Pyle earned over $43,000 working part-time as a freelance proofreader. She later founded “Proofread Anywhere,” an online course that educates individuals on starting their own proofreading businesses and getting work regularly.
If you want to learn more about proofreading, her workshop is free. You can sign up here Caitlin’s Free Workshop.
Education Requirements: There are no strict educational requirements for becoming a proofreader. However, proofreaders typically have a strong background in the language they are proofreading. This often includes:
- A high level of proficiency in the language.
- Excellent command of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Attention to detail and the ability to spot errors.
Certification: While certification is not mandatory for proofreaders, several courses are available online to formalize your skills or enhance your credentials.
Average base salary: $53,154
3. Voice Actor
From ads to cartoons to audiobook narration, voice actors are in high demand for their ability to bring characters and scripts to life through their voices. Those without formal training, natural talent, and a unique voice can succeed in this career.
Finding work for small projects is a breeze. You can easily set up gigs on freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com. Voice acting allows you to work remotely, adding to the perks of the fun part.
Education Requirements: While not required, taking classes or workshops in acting, voiceover techniques, and vocal performance can improve your skills and increase your chances of success as a voice actor.
Certification: Some organizations offer certification programs for voice actors, which can add credibility to your skills.
Average base salary: $99,522
4. Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers create various content for different clients. This can involve writing articles, blog posts, scripts, and more. Usually, they work from home.
They must write engaging stories, meet deadlines, and adjust their writing style for different readers or platforms.
Education: A degree in English, journalism, or similar can help, but good writing skills and a strong portfolio are more important.
Certification: No specific certificate is needed for freelance writers. But, taking courses or getting certified in creative writing, copywriting, or fields like technical writing or SEO can improve your skills and appeal to clients.
Average base salary: $48,412
5. Video Game Designer
As a videogame designer, you’ll play a central role in the game development process, shaping the overall concept, characters, plot, and skill levels of a game. You’ll also develop objectives, settings, and stories.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in video game design or computer science is common, but some designers are self-taught or enroll in specialized courses.
Certification: No specific certification is required, but a robust portfolio demonstrating your skills can be a significant advantage.
Average base salary: $84,418
6. Ethical Hacker
Ethical hackers are cybersecurity professionals who use their hacking skills to help organizations identify system vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers have various job opportunities, from investigation bureaus to cyber crime branches.
Educational Requirements: A degree in computer science, information security, or a related field is typically required. However, certification programs or practical experience can sometimes substitute for formal education.
Certification: The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is widely recognized in this field. However, there are many self-taught ethical hackers without formal certification.
Average base salary: $108,416
7. Event Planner
As an Event Planner, your role is to create memorable experiences. You’ll be responsible for coordinating various elements of an event, including venue selection, catering services, budget, and communication with clients and suppliers.
Educational Requirements: While a degree in event management or a related field is beneficial, experience and a proven track record in planning successful events are more important.
Certification: Generally, certification is not required for event planners. However, certifications such as the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) can enhance your credibility and marketability.
Average base salary: $56,829
8. Graphics Designer
Graphics designers are visual artists who create visual concepts using computer software or by hand.
They work on various projects such as logos, website designs, advertisements, brochures, magazines, corporate reports, and other branding materials.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is typically required – however, individuals with a creative portfolio demonstrating strong aesthetic skills may also qualify.
Certification: While not mandatory, certifications from software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc, can boost your portfolio.
Average base salary: $59,086
9. Fashion Designer
Fashion Designers are artists in the apparel world. They create designs for clothing and accessories, research current fashion trends, sketch designs, select fabrics, and oversee the production process.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in fashion design or a related field is common, but creativity and a knack for style can also open doors in this industry.
Certification: Although not required, certification from a professional organization like the American Design Drafting Association can enhance career prospects.
Average base salary: $61,792
10. Animator
Animators bring stories to life, creating visual effects and animations for various media, such as TV, movies, video games, and social media. They sketch storyboards, develop models, and use computer programs to animate scenes.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field is typically needed. However, self-taught animators with a strong portfolio can also find success in this field.
Certification: While not mandatory, certifications in specific animation software can boost job opportunities.
Average base salary: $47,900
11. Video Editor
Video Editors are responsible for editing raw film footage and transforming it into a finished product. They use software to edit the footage, adding effects to enhance the video’s visuals.
These edits are used for films, ads, social media posts, YouTube videos, and more.
Educational Requirements: A degree in film or a related field can be beneficial, but real-life editing experience is often more important.
Certification: No specific certification is required, but having a good command of video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro can be an advantage.
Average base salary: $54,810
12. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers oversee a brand’s social media presence. They create engaging content, respond to comments, analyze engagement data, and develop social media marketing strategies.
Educational Requirements: You don’t need a specific degree to become a Social Media Manager. However, a marketing or communications background can be beneficial.
Certification: While not necessary, digital marketing or social media management certifications can be a plus point.
Average base salary: $57,155
13. Web Developer
Web Developers are the architects of the online world, designing and building websites from scratch. They make sure these sites are visually appealing, user-friendly, and efficient.
Their responsibilities include writing well-designed, testable, efficient code so the websites run smoothly. They also fix bugs or issues and regularly update and maintain the site to ensure optimal performance.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field can be beneficial. However, there are a lot of self-taught developers out there who are very successful in this field.
Certification: While not needed for a job, having certificates in programming languages (like JavaScript or Python) or mobile app development can improve your chances of getting hired and make you more trusted in this field.
Average base salary: $79,761
14. Make-up Artist
As a make-up artist, your job is to make people look their best. From fashion shows to weddings to film sets, make-up artists are always in demand.
Depending on your skills and experience, you can make a fortune out of it. Plus, this job has a huge growth potential, as you can expand your business and teach others.
Education Requirements: Make-up artists mostly learn from hands-on experience. However, taking a cosmetology or make-up artistry course can improve your skills and help you keep up with the latest trends.
Certification: Many make-up artist certification programs are available to enhance your credibility and help you stand out.
Average base salary: $65,457
15. Photographer
Photography might be your perfect job if you are passionate about capturing moments and telling stories through your camera lens.
As a photographer, you can specialize in various fields, such as wedding photography, landscape photography, event photography, and more. Plus, there are websites like Shutterstock and iStock where you can sell your photos and earn extra income.
Education Requirements: While formal education is not necessary, taking courses or getting a degree in photography can help you learn techniques and develop your skills.
Certification: If you want to be a professional photographer, like for models or products, getting certified can increase your credibility and attract clients.
Average base salary: $49,367
16. Chef
Do you love cooking and want a career that allows you to explore different cuisines and experiment with flavors? Consider becoming a chef.
Chefs work in restaurants, hotels, and catering companies or even start their own businesses.
Education Requirements: Some chefs attend culinary school to learn the techniques and skills needed for the job – however, hands-on experience is more important.
Certification: While not required, there are certifications available for chefs that can improve your job prospects and salary potential.
Average base salary: $53,603
17. Architect
Architects are the brilliant minds behind designing and planning buildings, from homes to skyscrapers. If you have a passion for design, creativity, and attention to detail, this might be your perfect job.
Education Requirements: To become an architect, you need a degree in architecture and pass licensure exams.
Certification: Besides a degree and license, architects can obtain certifications demonstrating expertise in specialized areas such as sustainable design or healthcare architecture.
Average base salary: $107,783
18. Personal Trainer
The demand for personal trainers is at an all-time high – because people are becoming more health-conscious and want to achieve their fitness goals. If you’re passionate about fitness and love helping others, this may be your career.
Education Requirements: Most employers require personal trainers to have a certification from an accredited organization and some experience in the field.
Certification: There are plenty of certifications available, like nutrition, strength and conditioning, group exercise, etc., to specialize in specific areas and attract more clients.
Average base salary: $45,362
19. Travel Agent
If you love traveling and are passionate about helping people explore new places, a career as a travel agent might be perfect for you.
With the rise of DIY online booking, travel agents are now focusing on creating unique and personalized experiences for their clients.
Education Requirements: A high school diploma is typically required to become a travel agent, but a hospitality or tourism degree can give you an edge in the job market.
Certification: Certifications from local or national organizations can also help you stand out and demonstrate your knowledge of the travel industry.
Average base salary: $54,906
20. DJ
Everyone knows what a DJ does – they play music at parties and events, right? While that may be the basic job description, professional DJs are also responsible for creating a fun and energetic atmosphere and keeping the crowd engaged.
Education Requirements: No formal education is required to become a DJ. Taking classes or courses in music production, audio engineering, or music theory can help you improve your skills.
Certification: There is no specific certification for DJs, but getting experience and building a strong portfolio can help set you apart from other applicants.
Average base salary: $43,875
21. Toy Designer
Are you good at creating fun and imaginative new worlds? Then toy designing might be the perfect career for you. Toy designers come up with concepts and designs for new toys, games, and other playthings that bring joy to children and adults alike.
Education Requirements: This job has different aspects – some create the concept, some design the toy, and some engineer the toy.
Therefore, education requirements vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree in subjects like industrial design, engineering, or fine arts.
Certification: Some organizations offer certification programs for toy designers to enhance their skills and credibility in this competitive industry.
Average base salary: $59,080
22. Food Critic
This one can be a fun and delicious job for food lovers. Food critics visit restaurants and try different dishes, evaluating the taste, presentation, and overall dining experience. They then write reviews or recommendations for publications or websites.
Education Requirements: Having a degree in culinary arts, journalism, or communications can be beneficial. Having a strong knowledge of different cuisines and cooking techniques is also important.
Certification: There are no specific certifications for food critics, but having experience in the culinary industry or writing reviews can help establish credibility.
Average base salary: $64,820
23. Movie Critic
Like a food critic, your job will be to watch and analyze movies and then write reviews or critiques for publications or websites. Movie critics are very knowledgeable about different genres, storytelling techniques, and film history.
Education Requirements: A degree in film studies, journalism, or communications can be helpful. Having a strong understanding of film theory and analysis is also important.
Certification: There are no specific certifications for film critics, but having experience in the film industry or writing reviews can enhance your skills.
Average base salary: $42,198
24. Interior Designer
Next up, we have interior designers who are responsible for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces for clients. They work on projects ranging from homes to offices to hotels. There is a high demand for interior designers, especially in urban areas.
Education Requirements: Most employers prefer candidates with a degree in interior design or a related field. Knowing design software and building codes is also important.
Certification: By pursuing courses on interior design, you can become a certified interior designer.
Average base salary: $69,008
25. Pet Groomer
If you love animals and love to spend time with them, then pet grooming could be the perfect career for you. You will cut, style, and groom pets to keep them clean and healthy.
Pet owners are willing to pay a lot for their beloved furry companions, so this can be a lucrative career option.
Education Requirements: There are no formal education requirements to become a pet groomer, but completing a grooming program or apprenticeship can help develop your skills and knowledge.
Certification: Once you do any grooming program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Average base salary: $53,649
26. App Developer
Another high-in-demand job is app developer, as mobile apps continue to dominate the digital landscape. App developers create, maintain, and update mobile applications for various platforms, such as iOS and Android.
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is usually required for this role. However, self-taught developers can also be successful with a strong portfolio of their work.
Certification: While only sometimes required, certifications in specific programming languages or platforms can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers.
Average base salary: $89,910
27. Videographer
Weddings, birthdays, ads, YouTube videos, social media videos, corporate events, and other special occasions require a skilled videographer to capture the moment on film.
Your job is to film events and edit the footage into a final product that tells a story.
Nowadays, drones and other advanced equipment are also commonly used in event videography. So you can make a solid impression if you know how to use them.
Education Requirements: A degree in film, media production, or a related field is preferred but not always necessary. Real-life experience and a strong portfolio can be equally valuable.
Certification: Even though certification is not required for this role, taking courses in video editing software and techniques can improve your skills and make you more marketable.
Average base salary: $128,841
28. Hair Stylist
Cutting hair will always be an in-demand job, and you can take it to the next level by becoming a hairstylist. This role involves creating hairstyles and providing hair care services for clients, including cutting, coloring, and styling hair.
Hairstylists can work in salons and spas or even open their own businesses. You can also increase your earnings by learning additional skills such as makeup application or wig styling.
Education Requirements: Many barber’s colleges and beauty schools offer hairstyling programs. These range from short courses to full-fledged degree programs.
Certification: You will need a state-issued cosmetology license to work as a hairstylist, which typically involves completing a certain number of training hours and passing an exam.
Average base salary: $97,504
29. Real Estate Agent
Realtors or real estate agents are well known for their ability to sell properties and help clients find their dream homes. This role involves networking, marketing, and negotiating on behalf of clients.
Real estate agents typically work on a commission basis, meaning they earn a percentage of the property’s sale price – the more properties you sell, the more money you can make, so the opportunities are limitless.
Education Requirements: Most states require real estate agents to complete a certain number of courses. Knowing properties and their values is a big part of the job.
Certification: After completing the required education, you must pass a state-issued licensing exam – some states may also require additional exams or background checks.
Average base salary: $97,504
30. AI/Robotics Engineer
One of the most high-demanding and popular jobs of the 21st century is AI/Robotics Engineer. With the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics, this field offers many exciting opportunities for professionals.
AI/Robotics engineers work with machines that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. This includes designing, programming, and testing robots and other intelligent systems.
Education Requirements: Most AI/Robotics engineers have a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. It’s important to have a strong foundation in programming skills.
Certification: Having a certificate always helps you land a job in this field.
Average base salary: $110,890
31. Digital Marketing
As social media and the internet continue to dominate our lives, digital marketing has become crucial for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience.
As a digital marketer, you will have many jobs, such as building websites, growing online traffic, managing social media accounts, creating email campaigns, and more.
Education Requirements: A degree in marketing or business is helpful but optional. The most important skills are creativity, critical thinking, and being tech-savvy.
Certification: Many offline and online courses offer digital marketing certification.
Average base salary: $63,941
32. Data Scientist
Data scientists are highly sought-after professionals in today’s data-driven world. They are responsible for analyzing and calculating large data sets to extract valuable insights and help businesses make informed decisions.
Education Requirements: Most data scientists have computer science, statistics, or mathematics degrees. Knowing programming languages like Python, R, or SQL is also important.
But if you are self-taught, having a solid portfolio and practical experience is just as important.
Certification: Data science has both third-party and vendor-specific certifications.
Average base salary: $123,659
Conclusion
So there you have it! These are some of the best fun and well-paid jobs you can apply for. Each job has pros and cons, so research and then pick one. It might take time to see some serious success, but with hard work and dedication, you can see yourself making over $100,000 a year in no time!