19 Fun Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well

Work is stressful. You might think finding a well-paying career you love is impossible, but fun jobs that pay well exist. Having fun at work should be a top consideration in your career, but sadly, it's usually not always the case.

According to Gallup, work unhappiness is at an all-time high. It revealed that 63% of people are emotionally detached at work, with 19% being miserable. In the U.S., 50% of people feel stressed in their jobs.

Overall, people want to be happy in their jobs. Having fun at work can lead to job happiness. It can improve your mental health and increase productivity.

We've compiled a list of 19 fun jobs you can enjoy doing in a wide range of industries, including design, writing, fashion and style, and more.

Let's go!

19 Fun Jobs That Pay Well

Firstly, review this roundup to see which careers stand out to you. Take a poll of your personal interests, passions, and skill set. Then, determine which of these jobs, if any, would be an excellent fit for you as a fun job that pays well (and you also may be interested in our list of jobs that pay $50 an hour)!

1. Travel Blogger

Travel bloggers are writers that blog about travel-related topics like:

• How to pack, plan, and prepare for travel
• Entertainment tips
• Tour guide tips

Getting paid to travel can be a pretty cool occupation. Working as a travel agent isn't the only way to get paid to travel. Travel blogging is one way how to get paid to drive a car across the country or make money traveling.

There can be good money in travel blogging. While travel blogger Laura Peters makes $50,000/month from her travel blog business, the average is closer to $40,000/year.

But just note that it is possible to grow your income quite fast in this niche if you have a good strategy.

Salary: $42,581/year

And if you want everything you need to get started:

Check out The Authority Site System (TASS) by the SEO experts at Authority Hacker for step-by-step with video walkthroughs on how to start and grow a profitable niche site in travel or any niche that interests you!

Our list of travel blog name ideas can provide you with inspiration for choosing a name.

2. Freelance Writer

Freelance writers create content like blog posts, articles, whitepapers, resumes, and more.

Although freelancing can be challenging for some, freelance writing is pretty beginner-friendly.

This makes our list of fun jobs that pay well because freelance writing is a rewarding creative outlet and also includes perks like:

• Remote work
• High pay, and
• A flexible schedule

It's a good fit for people who are creative, enjoy writing, and are deadline-driven. Here are 25 of the best freelance writing jobs for beginners.

And it's a great option for those building their own niche sites as you'll simultaneously learn the ins-and-outs of the business.

Salary: $22.03/hour

3. Food Stylist

A food stylist makes food look visually appealing. This is one of the top jobs that pay well because you literally get to play with food for a living.

You'll create food visuals for photography or video, often used in advertising:

• Cookbooks
• Commercials
• Print photography

A food stylist (not to be confused with a food scientist) understands how light, color, texture, and food presentation play a role in a food's appearance. So, this is a great job for someone creative, a good problem-solver, and has strong attention to detail.

Salary: $71,370/year

4. Stunt Person

A stunt person is a professional performer who performs physically demanding and dangerous stunts for a living. They perform stunts for TV commercials, TV shows, movies, and live shows.

The goal is to make the stunt look realistic, so the role of the stunt person is to:

• Plan the execution and delivery of the stunt
• Train and practice
• Use safety equipment

This could be a fun career path for a personal trainer or someone with athletic ability that enjoys being challenged. Also, this is a great job to look into if you want to travel.

Salary: $35,963/year

5. Actor

Actors are professional performers appearing in TV and media like TV shows and movies, live shows, plays, and other performances.

First, if you're an actor, you audition for a role to get the part. Then, once you've secured the part, you'll be given a script you need to memorize. You may need to research the role to learn more about the kind of character you're playing.

Then, you'll attend rehearsals with the cast and perform your role in the final performance.

This is an interesting job that can be a creative outlet for you. Also, it can be very high-paying with top actors earning up to 20 million dollars per film!

Salary: $60,108/year

6. Food Critic

A food critic makes money tasting food. These food reviewers will visit restaurants and critique their food, often publishing a review in a magazine, blog, or on social media.

It requires you:

• Stay up to date with the latest food trends
• Visit many restaurants and try different dishes
• Write reviews

Overall, this job plays a major role in helping consumers know about the best and worst places to eat. It's also a fun way to get paid to travel and make money eating!

Salary: $54,423/year

7. Sommelier

A sommelier is a trained wine professional and generally works in fine-dining restaurants (check out these great wine business name ideas). They specialize in wine selection and wine pairing. They also advise guests on wine selection and ensure that wine service meets top standards.

Sommeliers have a deep understanding of wine including:

• Wine regions
• Composition and history
• Wine selection and pairings

They may have a certification like Certified Sommelier to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge.

Salary: $62,004/year

8. Voice Actor

A voice actor performs acting roles by voiceover only. They may play characters in TV commercials, cartoon TV shows, movies, audiobooks, or other audio-based roles.

They follow the same process as an actor, from auditioning to recording the final audio performance.

Salary: $80,796/year

9. Chocolatier

Chocolatiers create and taste chocolate for a living. They have advanced knowledge and expertise in the chocolate-making process.

Chocolatiers work for chocolate companies, boutiques, fine dining restaurants, or run their own business. While the average salary is around $30,000/year, top chocolatiers earn just under $75,000/year.

Salary: $26,900/year

10. Video Game Designer

Video game designers create the overall design and vision of the game.

Overall, the process can involve:

• Concept creation
• Gameplay
• Writing game scripts
• Testing and iteration

They work alongside developers, designers, and programmers to bring the idea of the game to fruition. Video game designers can work for video game companies or freelance.

Salary: $67,374/year

11. Social Media Manager

Social media managers are responsible for managing a company's social media presence. This is one of the best fun jobs that pay well for introverts.

Overall, your work duties can include:

• Creating social media content
• Scheduling social media posts
• Analyzing and reviewing social media metrics

Your job will be to ensure that your clients'/employers' social media presence is growing and remains engaging while showing the company in a positive light.

Salary: $54,765/year

12. Vet Tech

For animal lovers, working as a veterinarian tech might be a real dream job.

Overall, your job duties may involve:

• Providing nursing care
• Educating pet owners about nutrition, animal care, etc.
• Performing lab tests

Overall, vet techs have a strong understanding of animal behavior, veterinary procedures, and medical terminology. Although you will need at least an associate's degree for this role, the two-year time investment for school is worth it to work in a career you love.

Vet techs work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, or research facilities.

Salary: $38,017/year

13. Event Planner

Event planners are responsible for planning events, working for venues like conference centers, dining halls, or facilities. They can also run their own event planning business, planning events like weddings, baby showers, or conferences.

Event planners will coordinate the event, including:

• Speaking with vendors
• Ordering supplies
• Decorating the space
• Maintaining the budget

This job doesn't require a degree but, experience can be helpful.

Salary: $21.13/hour

14. Bartender

Bartenders prepare and serve alcoholic drinks. They work in bars, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments.

Their work duties include:

• Preparing and serving alcoholic beverages
• Maintaining bar inventory
• Engaging with customers, creating a comfortable atmosphere

Bartending can be a fun summer job or a career you work in the long run. You get to prepare fun-looking, tasty drinks for others and interact and chat with new people.

Bartending doesn't require a degree or experience but training may be helpful, like attending bartending school.

It's one of the easiest ways to make money without a degree.

Salary: $15.73/hour

15. Web Developer

Web developers are responsible for developing websites. They usually work in a team setting and play a major role in a website's design, functionality, and user-friendliness.

While a degree isn't required to work in web development, having experience is needed. Overall, you should be a team player, deadline-driven, and have strong problem-solving skills.

Web developers can work for companies, be freelancers, or run their own web development businesses.

Salary: $80,434/year

16. Teacher

Teachers are educators and they teach school subjects like math, science, and social studies to students. There are:

• Elementary school teachers
• Middle school teachers
• High school teachers
• College professors

Teachers usually require a bachelor's degree and teachers diploma to teach in public schools. Other school settings like charter schools and private schools may not require a degree. Also, some jobs may require teachers to hold a Master's degree like some college professors jobs.

This might not be a job you associate with good pay but some teachers can actually earn up to $100,000/year.

Salary: $61,820/year

17. Personal Stylist

A personal stylist or personal shopper is responsible for styling individuals. Additionally, this may involve styling a celebrity for a Hollywood red carpet event or styling a client for a special event.

Overall, personal styling can involve:

• A personal consultation
• Providing fashion advice
• Personal shopping
• Collaborating/styling for the final look

Personal cyclists should have a strong sense of fashion style. Additionally, they should be up to date on the latest fashion trends. You may work independently, run your own personal stylist business, or work for a company like a department store or retailer.

Salary: $55,056/year

18. Zoologist

Zoologists study animal behavior, physiology, and genetics. This is one of the best fun jobs that pay well for people who love animals.

Zoologists conduct research, study animal populations, do fieldwork, and manage wildlife. Also, zoologists may work alongside others, like wildlife management agencies. They may also teach courses about zoology or related fields.

You'll need a bachelor's degree in zoology or a related field. For more advanced opportunities in the future, obtaining a master's degree may be required.

Salary: $77,682/year

19. Fashion Designer

Fashion designers are creative professionals that design clothing, accessories, and footwear. This is one of the best jobs that pay well for creatives who love fashion and style.

Examples of fashion designs include Calvin Klein, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Marc Jacobs, to name a few.

Fashion design involves:

• Researching fashion trends
• Creating fashion sketches
• Choosing fabrics and materials
• Creating the garment
• Managing the final production

Fashion designers run their own brands as a business, or they work for manufacturers or design firms.

Salary: $20.83/hour

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional fun jobs that pay well you might want to consider:

• Graphic designer: create visual content like logos, posters, flyers, and more, using graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop and others. Similarly, jobs like interior design - see our great list of interior design company names, art design, or art director can be related.
• Toy designer: a toy creator who designs kids' toys for a living.
• Marine biologists: study oceanography, test and monitor sea creatures, take samples from the sea, and more.

Check out our list of jobs that can make you rich.

Bottom line

So, we just went over 19 fun jobs that pay well (now you be interested in checking out the easiest jobs that pay $100k). This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other fun jobs that exist that offer a well-paying salary.

To start your journey into your dream job, identify your passions and interests. This can lead you toward a path of choosing a job that will be fun for you and that you'll enjoy doing (and check out our article on jobs that don’t require a high school diploma next).

Which fun job will you be pursuing?

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