Life’s too short to be stuck in a boring job you hate. The University of South Carolina adds, “People who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be optimistic, motivated, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and have better business decisions.”
This is why, today, I’m going to list the 45 best paying jobs that are fun. OK, I know that what’s fun for some is not fun for others. To make sure that there’s something here for everyone, I’ll include fun jobs in all kinds of industries. Side note: All the salaries listed here are as of November 2023.
Read More: The 30 Highest Paying Jobs In The Next 10 Years.
The 45 Best Fun Jobs That Pay Well
Here is a list of the 45 high-paying jobs with the fun factor:
- Web developer
- Veterinarian
- Personal trainer
- Pilot
- Massage therapist
- Chiropractor
- Public Relations Specialist
- Elementary school teacher
- Dietician and nutritionist
- Interior designer
- Librarian
- Appraiser
- Claims adjuster
- Social media influencer
- Sales representative
- Chauffeur
- Truck Driver
- Art therapist
- Park ranger
- Author
- Freelance writer
- Research Analyst
- Graphic designer
- Animator
- Voice-over artist
- Chef
- Event coordinator/planner
- Conservationist
- Food scientist
- Buying manager
- Entertainment director
- Critic
- Restaurant owner
- Fashion Designer
- Lighting designer
- Investigations analyst
- Homicide detective
- Art director
- Sommelier
- Music teacher/therapist
- Video game designer
- Ethical hacker
- Architect
- Astronomer
- Vlogger/blogger
Read More: 20 Best Paying Jobs in Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores
1. Web developer
Average annual salary: $93,848
If you’re someone who loves tech, then a web developer is a fun career that pays well. As a web developer, you’ll often work in designing, developing, and maintaining websites and applications. As a techy, you’ll enjoy going over the technical and creative side of web development.
2. Veterinarian
Average annual salary: $165,527
If you’re an animal lover, then you’ll have lots of fun spending your days with all kinds of animals. It’s for a good cause, too, as Veterinarians help care for sick animals to improve their lives. Plus, a veterinarian is one of the fun jobs that pay 6 figures. You will need a bachelor’s degree for this, though.
Read More: The 25 Best Paying Jobs in EDP Services. Plus, Is This a Good Career Path?
3. Personal trainer
Average annual salary: $61,014
Are you a fitness guru? If so, being able to help people achieve their health and fitness goals is something you want to be part of.
In that case, a personal trainer will be a fun occupation. You get to make personalized exercise programs, give guidance on nutrition, and support your clients for their overall well-being. You’re helping others, you’re having fun, and you’re earning big.
4. Pilot
Average annual salary: $87,144 (commercial)
As a pilot, you can travel from different states or countries. This will allow you to see the world out there. And yes, the feeling of controlling such a big machine in the open sky will produce adrenaline and joy.
There isn’t just one type of pilot. You can choose to be a commercial pilot, private pilot, military pilot, and seaplane pilot, just to name a few. You can even choose to fly the aircraft you enjoy “driving” the most. Just remember that you’ll need the appropriate license.
5. Massage therapist
Average annual salary: $71,679
There are many reasons why a massage therapist is considered a fun job. For one, you’ll be meeting a variety of people (from all walks of life) and helping them cure pain and/or relax.
While you’re at it, it’s also a physical activity that can strengthen your body and mindset (it’s not a sitting at your desk all day job). Overall, a massage therapist usually has a very positive environment around it.
6. Chiropractor
Average annual salary: $85,646
Chiropractors have a different approach to massage therapists. Instead of focusing on tight muscles, chiropractors focus on the musculoskeletal system or spine. They use manual techniques (usually cracking) to adjust and manipulate the spinal cord for nervous system health and, consequently, overall body health.
If you believe that proper alignment of the spine and other joints is crucial for overall health and well-being, then you should learn the techniques of a chiropractor.
7. Public Relations Specialist
Average annual salary: $64,362
Is your forte to help people look good to the public? Then you’ll highly enjoy being a Public Relations Specialist. Your responsibility is to manage and promote the public image of a person, organization, or company. For that, you may manage the social media, plan events, make partnerships, send out press releases, and all that. It will be fun creating all this and being in charge.
8. Elementary school teacher
Average annual salary: $52,101
For those who love kids, one of the most fun jobs you can have is teaching elementary school. You’ll be the one to introduce and reinforce foundational skills, like their ABCs. What you’re teaching isn’t hard either, so you don’t have to do much studying yourself.
Just keep in mind that kids have very short attention spans. You need to keep your lessons entertaining. Overall, it’s a fun and rewarding job.
9. Dietician and nutritionist
Average annual salary: $54,137
Coming up with meal plans is always fun. Also, since everyone has different diet and nutrition needs, you’ll have to cater each plan to each individual. You also get to come up with healthy weight loss programs, provide nutritional guidance, and monitor the progress of your clients.
10. Interior designer
Average annual salary: $72,849
If you have a love for interior design, then you’ll never get bored of being an interior designer. You can work with your client to come up with the best design for a room, kitchen, dining, bathroom, patio, and anywhere else in the house. As this is a creative job, you’ll have tons of fun brainstorming ideas, drafting drawings, creating 3D designs through software, and picking out furniture, to name a few things.
11. Librarian
Average annual salary: $65,193
A librarian is one of the best jobs for people who love books. Just being surrounded by tons and tons of books brings pure joy into their hearts. But it’s not just that. Librarians get to help others discover their love for literature, whether it be crime, romance, business, history, or science.
12. Appraiser
Average annual salary: $91,772 (real estate)
As an appraiser, you’ll be estimating the fair market value of a property, asset, or item. This means that you’ll have to inspect and evaluate the value of these things. If that’s your idea of fun, then you can make a good living as an appraiser.
You can choose to be a real estate appraiser, personal property appraiser, machinery and equipment appraiser, gem and jewelry appraiser, or even an art appraiser.
13. Claims adjuster
Average annual salary: $64,609
The US insurance market is one of the largest in the world. And because of that, there are individuals that claim insurance all the time. As a claim adjuster or an insurance adjuster, you’ll be the one to investigate and assess the validity of the insurance claim. You’ll also be responsible for estimating the damage and negotiating settlements.
You will find this to be one of those fun jobs if you enjoy problem-solving, negotiating, team collaboration, helping people, and working with a variety of cases.
14. Social media influencer
Average annual salary: $65,245
Have you ever seen a successful social media influencer and said to yourself, “I want that life”? Well, if you’re determined, you can achieve it. Influencers partner with brands and promote those brands through social media platforms. If someone comes along and buys through them, they’ll earn a commission.
This is an easy and fun job. However, it will take some time to build a following, so you must be patient and persistent.
15. Sales representative
Average annual salary: $76,681
A sales representative is a fun and exciting job for those with great interpersonal and communication skills. Your mission is to sell a company’s products or services to generate revenue and meet (or go over) sales targets. It’s one of the most lucrative careers. If you’re able to sell more, you can earn more.
16. Chauffeur
Average annual salary: $52,983
The reason why lots of people get bored of their jobs is because it’s the same every single time. Day in and day out. As a chauffeur, your work environment will change a lot as you bring people to different locations, events, or on travel assignments.
You can also enjoy flexible schedules, the opportunity to drive luxury vehicles, and the chance to meet all types of people. This job is fun and pays well. It’s also one of the easy jobs.
17. Truck Driver
Average annual salary: $56,348
Enjoy driving through the interstate roads? If so, a truck driver is one of the fun high-paying jobs that you can consider. You’ll be able to travel to any state. It’s also a job that isn’t stressful at all. You can take your time seeing the beautiful views.
One thing. If you want to be a truck driver, make sure you get the appropriate commercial driver’s license. You’ll need the proper skills as well.
18. Art therapist
Average annual salary: $66,321
An art therapist is one of the more unique jobs. This is because you’ll be using art to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. You’ll use art-making as a therapeutic tool to help clients address psychological challenges, express their emotions, manage stress, and improve self-esteem. As each day brings in a new client, you will find that sessions never grow tiring and boring.
19. Park ranger
Average annual salary: $42,977
There’s nothing more enjoyable and peaceful than spending your days in the outdoors. As a park ranger, you’ll spend most of your time in national parks, state parks, wildlife reserves, or historical sites.
Plus, you’re doing good work for the environment. It’s your responsibility to manage and oversee the operation, conservation, and protection of natural or cultural resources. You’re also there to keep visitors safe and provide educational information to anyone who asks.
20. Author
Average annual salary: $73,150
If you have a knack for writing great stories, being an author is one of the more interesting jobs on this list of fun careers. And you’re not just limited to story books. An author can publish novels, articles, essays, poems, or any literary compositions. If you can earn by putting down the world in your head on paper, it will never feel like “work”.
You can choose to be an author of a famous publication or self-publish your work. If you pick the latter, it will take some time before you can see some earnings.
21. Freelance writer
Average annual salary: $85,549 (content writer)
What if you’re not into fiction writing? Well, you can choose to be a freelance writer instead. This can mean technical writing, content writing, copywriting, academic writing, or ghostwriting. Whatever type of writing you enjoy most.
The best part about freelance writers is that you can have many clients in one. This will give you greater opportunities to earn more. Yes, there are even some freelance writers who make six figures.
22. Research Analyst
Average annual salary: $73,965 (entry-level)
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for market research analysts is estimated to increase by 13% from 2022 to 2032. This means that there is a sure future in this career path. So if you have fun gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data and information, you should consider this job.
The great thing is that you can be a Research Analyst for various industries, including market research, healthcare, academia, and technology. You’ll have double fun if you do something you love in an industry you love.
23. Graphic designer
Average annual salary: $129,541
Do you want fun and cool jobs that pay well? Graphic designing is a very fun job (and cool, too). Here, you’ll use your creativity to combine art and technology. You’ll create visually aesthetic pieces to communicate messages or information.
It’s not just fun and cool. People are willing to pay BIG for graphic designs in branding, marketing, advertising, publications, and web design. It’s a fun job that also pays well. I’m talking six figures.
24. Animator
Average annual salary: $81,974
Let’s say your expertise is in moving graphics. If so, you’ll have a great time as an animator. It’ll never feel like “working” when you spend time bringing characters, objects, or scenes to life. You can also choose to be a hand-drawn, computer-generated imagery (CGI), or stop-motion animator. Whatever is most interesting to you.
25. Voice-over artist
Average annual salary: $100,198
Do you have a silky voice that people enjoy listening to? If the answer is ‘yes’, then I highly suggest you become a voice-over artist. Who knew that you could use your voice to earn big?
All you need to do is provide spoken narration or commentary for various media productions. Don’t worry, you won’t appear on screen. Plus, it will be amusing to hear your voice in radio or TV commercials, documentaries, animated films, video games, audiobooks, corporate videos, etc.
26. Chef
Average annual salary: $51,225
If you love cooking, then being a chef is a dream job. You get to spend your days in a kitchen, mixing ingredients to produce a great dish that people will enjoy. Everything you love in one.
27. Event planner
Average annual salary: $63,335
Events are always fun. But being the one who plans the event is even more fun. You get to go around looking for venues, try food samples, search for vendors, stick to a budget, pick the theme and decoration, handle the scheduling, and the list goes on and on. You’ll be busy, but you’ll be having fun.
Also, since no event is the exact same, you will be able to work in new environments every time. There’s no chance of boredom here.
28. Conservationist
Average annual salary: $42,851
Do you want to dedicate your time to the environment? As a conservationist, you’ll be advocating for the protection and preservation of wildlife, natural resources, and ecosystems. When you work on something you’re passionate about, you won’t get bored.
29. Food scientist
Average annual salary: $90,961
Love food? Who doesn’t? As a food lover, you’ll have fun studying and understanding all about it. You’ll apply scientific principles to learn more about the composition, processing, safety, and quality of the food produced in today’s markets. You’ll play a crucial role in the food industry.
30. Buying manager
Average annual salary: $84,202
Are you looking for a job that always has you up and about? Then a buying manager is YOUR fun job on this list. As a buying manager, you’ll oversee the procurement process within a company. You’ll be the one to acquire the necessary goods and services, visit the suppliers, attend industry events, go to on-site inspections, and much more.
31. Entertainment director
Average annual salary: $90,152
Events provide many fun jobs that pay good. As an entertainment director, you’re in charge of the entertainment aspect of an event. You’ll be the one in charge of planning, coordinating, and executing programs to entertain guests and audiences. You get to work in all kinds of venues, too – resorts, cruise ships, hotels casinos, company events, etc.
32. Critic
Average annual salary: $53,237 (film)
Maybe your idea of fun is criticizing. In that case, you’ll highly enjoy being a critic. Now, this can be in any field with literary or artistic work. For example, you can be a food critic, art critic, film critic, or literature critic. It goes without saying that you need to know your stuff about the industry.
Of course, a critic isn’t someone who just gives negative judgments. Instead, you’ll provide your opinions and assessments, as well as offer insights and observations, about a certain thing, whether good or bad.
33. Restaurant owner
Average annual salary: $97,173
If your dream is to own a restaurant, then fulfilling that will provide you with a fun, high-paying job. Of course, it takes a lot of time, planning, budgeting, and all that to start a restaurant business. But if you’re determined, you’ll soon be able to achieve your dream. If it becomes super successful, this will be one of the jobs that make a lot of money.
34. Fashion designer
Average annual salary: $99,230
As a fashion designer, you’ll use your creativity to introduce new pieces, statements, and trends. Since you’re designing something new every day, you won’t get pulled into the lull of repetition. You always have to brainstorm what new fashion design you come up with. There’s no time for boredom – only fun and creativity.
35. Lighting designer
Average annual salary: $99,230 (freelance)
Lighting can improve everything. If you have a knack for lighting systems and where to place them for the best results, you’ll be an exceptional lighting designer. The fun part about this job is that you can find yourself in many different venues in a single month.
Say organizers need stage-lighting experience at schools. You’ll be there creating aesthetically pleasing lighting to enhance the visual experience of the space or performance.
36. Investigations Analyst
Average annual salary: $85,141
This might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you enjoy conducting investigations to gather and analyze information, risks, and issues, you can consider an investigations analyst as one of the best paying jobs that are fun. It becomes even better if you pick an industry you’re interested in, such as law enforcement, finance, corporate security, or regulatory bodies.
37. Homicide detective
Average annual salary: $61,905
“I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession.” – Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of the Four. If you feel the same way, you’ll have lots of fun as a homicide detective.
Of course, I’m not saying that criminal cases are fun. I’m just saying that you’ll love what you do. Besides, as a homicide detective, you’ll be bringing justice to the deceased and their family.
38. Art director
Average annual salary: $121,757
Say you want to work with art but aren’t a great artist. No worries. You can choose to be an art director instead. As an art director, you’ll deal with the visual aspects of a creative project.
You need to make sure that the artists create graphics, illustrations, photography, and other designs to align with the project’s goal. You’re also the one who makes sure the art conveys the desired message or aesthetic. If you love working with art, this will be a job you’ll highly enjoy. You can earn six figures, too!
39. Sommelier
Average annual salary: $43,449
Let me tell you about a fun job offer for wine lovers. A sommelier (French for wine steward) is someone who is trained in the art of wine. As a knowledgeable wine-r, you are the person to go to for any wine service. You’ll be the one to select wines, pair wines with food, manage a wine cellar, and more. You’ll quit your whining when you grab this fun job.
40. Music teacher/therapist
Average annual salary: $54,498 (teacher)
If you want to spread the joy of music, then a music teacher or therapist is your idea of fun high paying jobs. As a teacher, you’ll be teaching your expertise in music, whether that’s vocals, guitar, piano, theory, ear training, or whatnot.
As a music therapist, you use music as a therapeutic tool to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and even social needs of people. With this profession, you’ll mostly find yourself in hospitals, rehab centers, mental health facilities, community programs, and schools.
41. Video game designer
Average annual salary: $149,118
As more and more video games are coming out, there are endless job opportunities for video game designers. You won’t only get to play video games, but you’ll also be able to create your own. How cool is that?
You get to design the gameplay, structure, player experience design, and overall development. If you have the right skills for this job, you’ll be living a gamer’s dream. While you’re at it, you’ll get paid well, too.
42. Ethical hacker
Average annual salary: $135,269
Do you want to put your hacker skills to good use while earning BIG? Consider an ethical hacker career. This job puts you at the forefront of cybersecurity. You’ll be using your skills and knowledge of computer systems and networks to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
You’ll find and fix security weaknesses before real hackers come and exploit them. If you’re a genius in this, you’ll spend your work days enjoying every minute.
43. Architect
Average annual salary: $128,756
Creating designs for buildings or landscapes is one of the fun jobs that make use of your creativity. The best part about it is that no project is the same, so you won’t run out of the joy of architecture. So go and use your creative juices to produce aesthetically pleasing buildings and landscapes.
44. Astronomer
Average annual salary: $54,791
As an astronomer, you’ll never run out of new and amazing things to discover. If you’re looking for a fun job that deals with stars, planets, galaxies, and the celestial bodies, look no further. It won’t feel like work at all when you observe, analyze, and understand the phenomena occurring in outer space.
45. Vlogger/blogger
Average annual salary: $66,452
It won’t feel like working at all if you choose to be a vlogger/blogger. Your work-life balance will be perfect as your life is your work. You just need to video or write about what you do. Of course, you have to be interesting to grab people’s attention. Also, it might take some time to build a following.
But still, a vlogger/blogger is a very fun and comfortable life. And yes, there are many super successful vloggers and bloggers today.
Final Words
What are the best paying jobs that are fun? With my list of fun jobs where you get paid very well, you’ll be able to find a job that suits your interest. If so, it will be one of the easiest jobs you can do as it will always be fun.
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