Are you applying for one?
By Chitwan Khosla, Features Editor
A few weeks ago, I went to a trade show with my colleagues to meet some potential clients and suppliers. I met many people from different fields and had conversations about trends in their respective industries, about political effects on the businesses, and basically everything that could be considered boring. But when I was about to leave the event, I met someone who introduced himself as a waterslide tester. I looked at him in disbelief, and finally asked him: “Do you even get paid?” He told me that not only does he get a great salary, but he also gets to travel to some of the most exciting places while doing what he loves.
I couldn’t hide that I was jealous and intrigued at the same time. After the trade show, I began to research some of the weirdest and well-paid jobs in North America and, more specifically, Canada. Most of us are working, and most of the time the jobs are very monotonous and ordinary, but there are jobs out there that are super different and sometimes don’t even require a college degree!
Water slide tester:
This job surely deserves to be talked about. It is fun, and thrilling, and most of the work is basically a vacation. You don’t need a college degree for the job, but you must be able to evaluate the entire experience on a water slide in terms that help it be improved. Payscale.com explains what exactly water slide testers do. If you were one, typically you would report if you liked the splash of the water slide, if you found it safe, and if you were able to slide smoothly. You can make about $45,000 a year, with all your travel expenses covered. You can’t complain!
Pet food taster:
I know this sounds gross, but this is actually a job that pays between $45,000 and $156,000. Most people in this line of work have a doctorate, but it’s not a prerequisite. The job involves smelling, eating, and testing pet food prepared for dogs and cats to find if the batch prepared is good enough to hit the shelves. Nobody wants their pets to eat unhealthy or tasteless food, and a pet food taster ensures the quality for pet owners.
Face feeler:
I wonder if this job makes you feel like a creep, but this, again, is a very well-paid job. Also, you don’t need to have a fancy college degree for it. Typically a part-time job, face feelers can get paid anything between $15 and $25 an hour. They work for companies that make facial products like shaving creams, face washes, and the like that claim to make your skin feel better. Face feelers or “sensory scientists” verify and support their claims. Abc.go.com reports that face feelers are hired based on their natural talent for detecting differences between products and skins. They undergo training to be able to describe the feel in clinical terms so that they can report their findings. If you love feeling, you should give this one serious thought.
Cup keeper:
Have you ever heard of Phil Pritchard? Well, he has been the keeper of the Stanley Cup for the last 27 years. He babysits the National Hockey League’s iconic trophy and makes sure it doesn’t get damaged or lost. He travels with the Cup and keeps it clean and fingerprint free. With his interesting and high profile job, whatever he makes is a bonus, because it is a hell of an experience to always be so close to the trophy that hockey players live and die for.
Snake milker:
And you thought only cows, sheep, and goats could be milked. Snake milking is a serious and a risky job. A snake milker extracts venom from venomous snakes by provoking snakes to bite in a jar with a latex lid. The venom is used to make anti-venoms, which are very expensive and rare across the world. To be a snake milker, you are required to have a science degree and extensive knowledge about reptiles and snakes. Most importantly, you need to be brave to handle snakes like vipers and cobras. A snake milker earns more with experience, but typically starts at $2,500 a month.
Chicken sexer:
Bbc.co.uk reported earlier this year that the British Poultry Council is having a hard time finding chicken sexers in the country despite offering $80,000 Canadian per annum. A chicken sexer separates male and female chicks in a chicken farm. Female chicks are looked after to grow them for egg and meat, while male chicks are generally killed soon after being sorted from the lot. In Canada, a typical chicken sexer earns about $60,000 a year.
Wine sommelier:
This is one job that will keep you close to home. Considered one of the most famous cities for wine in North America, Vancouver is a hub where wine lovers get together for numerous wine tasting events each year. A sommelier tastes wines to help customers choose, and works with restaurants and winemakers to understand consumers’ tastes. They also help in improving the quality of the wine that reaches your table. There are courses and certifications for becoming a professional wine sommelier. One incentive of this job is that you get to network at wine events. It is also a decently paid, at an average of $45,000 per annum. With experience and networking skills, you can earn as much as $75,000 a year, all while tasting wine.
Computerized college note-taker:
This job includes attending classes and taking notes for deaf students. Colleges all across Canada have professionals who get between $35 and $50 an hour for taking notes for students with disabilities. Good organizational skills, an eye for detail, and a fast typing speed are must-haves for this job. A bonus of the job is that you get to learn new things without paying any tuition fees.
Aerial applicators:
Also known as crop dust pilots, aerial applicators are some of the most adventurous job holders in the aviation industry. It is a risky job, because aerial applicators have to fly under telephone cables and at low altitudes, while sprinkling fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals for the agriculture industry. Wsj.com reports that aerial applicators make between $60,000 and $100,000 a year.
All these jobs, though not popular, pay well and could be considered if you find your current job too boring. You never know, you might end up travelling to international water parks or feeling the faces of beautiful models!
