15 Interesting, Unique, and Weird Jobs (2023)

Ayurveda Healer

Ayurveda is a type of traditional Indian medicine that is thousands of years old. Ayurveda practice aims for a balance of one's body system and incorporates many natural or plant-based remedies.

Ayurveda has since gained popularity in Western cultures. As a result, there has been a rise in "natural wellness" schools in the United States, such as the Kripalu School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which offer certification for Western students. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association offers alist of NAMA-recognized Ayurvedic practitioner programs.

According to Glassdoor, Ayurvedic doctors make an average annual salary of $155,512.

Bike Courier

Bike couriers, or bike messengers, provide a valuable service in cities where traffic poses a transportation hassle. Because bike couriers are not deterred by traffic jams or parking problems, they can often get across a city faster than if they were driving a car.

While the digital age has somewhat displaced the need for bike couriers to deliver paper mail and other hard-copy documents, cyclists are still used for errand-running by various industries, such as the food and fashion industries.

Body Painter

Body painters usually work at fairs, festivals, parties, or other events that draw large numbers of people. Some specialize in face painting, which is especially popular among families with children. Other body painters maywork at concerts or music festivals, offering their services to adults.

Body painters might also be employed on a photo or video shoot that requires clothing to be painted on, as part of the designers' artistic concept. Most body painters work on a freelance basis.

Color Expert

According to Colorcom, a color expert organization, a color consultant “combines color psychology, current trends, demographic statistics, and color design theories” in order to best incorporate color into a project, whether it be designing the layout of a room or the logo of a company.

The International Association of Color Consultants(IACC) offers both training and membership for color consultants.

Feng Shui Consultant

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science based on Taoist principles. Feng Shui focuses on the flow of energy, or "Chi," in order to ensure the health, wellness, and ultimate good fortune of an area's inhabitants.

Feng Shui can be used in any space—home, office, garden, store, etc. Accordingly, a Feng Shui decorator will account for color, lighting, and organization in a room. Feng Shui consultants can be self-taught but may also have formal certification or training.

According to HomeAdvisor, a typical pay range for a feng shui consultant is around $600 to $1,500 per job.

Flavorist

Flavorists arechemistswho formulate both natural and artificial flavors. Flavorists often have a Ph.D. in biochemistry or chemistry, but many take apprenticeships with flavor companies, known as "flavor houses," in addition to their formal schooling and certification.

This offbeat job can also be lucrative—some flavorist jobs pay six-figure salaries.

Fragrance Chemist

Fragrance chemists are scientists who specialize in the study of odor molecules and how such molecules can be used for perfumes. Fragrance chemists may develop and test scents for women's and men's perfume, soap, lotion, and other toiletries. They often have backgrounds in chemistry, and often have high-level degrees, such as a master's or Ph.D.

In 2021, the median annual salary for all chemists was $79,760, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hippotherapist

Originating from the Latin word "hippo," or horse, hippotherapy refers to therapy that uses the natural movement of a horse as part of a patient's treatment plan.

Because a horse's pelvis has a three-dimensional movement that mirrors the physiology of the human walk, horseback riding can be highly beneficial for patients with both physical and neurological disabilities.

Hippotherapy may be used in physical, occupational, psychological, or even speech therapy, and is becoming a popular option for children with multiple sclerosis, autism, Down syndrome, and other conditions.

The American Hippotherapy Associationprovides educational resources and certification,

Horticultural Therapist

Horticultural therapy, also called ecopsychology, is the use of plants, and the process of planting, in psychological or physical therapy.

Horticultural therapists may use the act of gardening as either a treatment strategy for patients struggling with mental health or as a physical strengthening tactic for patients in occupational therapy.

Horticultural therapy may be used in rehabilitation clinics, prisons, schools, hospitals, or psychology offices.

Nail Polish Namer

Anyone who paints their nails has probably wondered where those unique—and sometimes silly—nail polish names come from.

As it turns out, there's no one answer. Some companies leave it all up to the higher-ups—Essie Weingarten of the famous "Essie" brand once christened all of their polishes, for example—while others employ creative professionals in the advertising or marketing departments to do the job.

Personal Shopper

Do you love picking out the perfect outfits, accessories, or consumer products for other people? If you have a strong sense of personal style and a passion for helping others find what they need, you might love working as a personal shopper. There is a wide range of roles available, from in-house shoppers at department stores to personal stylists at online services to gig workers at the local grocery store.

Required skillset and salary vary too. For example, Stitch Fix stylists must be tech-savvy as well as up on current trends, while Instacart shoppers must be able to lift 40 pounds without accommodation and have a reliable car and smartphone.

Pay for these roles runs from around $15 per hour (for grocery shoppers) to $60,000-plus per year (for stylists).

Professional Ethical Hacker

When you hear the word "hacker," you probably think of a kid on a computer, cooped up in a dark room. But there are professional hackers who "test-hack" a company's software to make sure it is secure.

Also known asethical hackersor "white hat hackers," these "good guys" are paid to break into a network and then offer recommendations on how to make sure a real hacker can't access it in the future.

Veterinary Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using needles to stimulate different parts of the body. The needle placement depends on what the aim of the acupuncture is—for example, it can be used to treat chronic pain, fertility issues, allergies, and other syndromes.

Interestingly, acupuncture can also be used to treat ailments in animals. Veterinary acupuncture is most often used on dogs, cats, cows, and horses, but can also be used on smaller animals like birds, ferrets, and rabbits.

Video Game Tester

For passionate gamers who boast top communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to self-motivate, video game testing is a dream job. Just be aware that it’s not all fun stuff—you’ll need to log bugs, verify fixes, and write reports, as well as play.

Testers who are willing to learn more about the technical aspects of video game development or who want to enter management may be able to boost their salary, which averages around $43,000 per year.

Voice-Over Artist

Also known as voice actors, voice-over artists lend their talents to commercials, radio, podcasts—any medium that needs professional narration.

You don’t need a degree to get started in this field, but you may choose to train with a voice coach or take acting classes. As with all performing arts occupations, competition is fierce but successful voice actors can earn six-figure salaries.