If asked, most people prefer to work in high-paying jobs. While earning a higher than average salary often does not necessarily equate to happiness, if you have one of the highest paying jobs, you have the financial resources to live in a lovely home, embrace your passions, support a good cause, and provide financial stability for your spouse, children, and even your parents.
Many of the highest paying jobs require much more than a high school diploma. Many high-paying employers state that their job vacancy requires a candidate with a top-notch formal education, which might include a bachelor’s degree or professional certifications.
Of course, you may not have this level of formal education or find that the high-paying jobs you are considering applying for have hundreds of candidates with the same bachelor’s degree as yours. So, what can you do to find high-paying jobs with less stiff competition or application requirements?
One tactic is to look for high-paying jobs nobody wants. There are many reasons why people may not like the high-paying jobs we highlight in this article. However, if that reason doesn’t apply to you, or you are prepared to overlook the reason to earn a higher than median annual salary, the golden opportunity you are searching for may be highlighted below.
You may also be interested in reading our similar salary research articles:
- Highest Paying Jobs In The UK
- Ten High Paid Jobs Working From Home
- High Paid Jobs No One Wants
- High Paid Jobs In London
- High Paid Jobs In Scotland
The Reasons People May Not Want The Highest Paying Jobs
Before we explore the high-paying jobs nobody wants, it will pay dividends to consider why people don’t want them and if those reasons are something you can overlook.
TEN REASONS PEOPLE DON’T WANT JOBS THAT PAY GOOD MONEY:
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The job has long hours - Work-life balance is a serious consideration for people with families and your mental and physical health. The government has a Working Time Directive, also known as Working Time Regulations, restricting work hours to 48 hours per week, averaged over 17 weeks. However, you can opt out of the Working Time Regulations by providing written consent if you are willing to trade long hours for a higher than average annual salary.
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The job is dirty - Many high-paying jobs nobody wants are some of the dirtiest jobs. If you can tolerate dirty jobs that put you in direct contact with grease, grime, slime, and rubbish, and might require you to wear protective clothing, then in many cases, the pay reflects the dirtiness.
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The job seekers are squeamish - These jobs are far-reaching, but a lucrative career awaits those who can handle working with dead bodies or people’s health conditions.
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It’s a tough job - Some jobs that pay above the median salary are simply physical and demanding. You might be working on your feet throughout a longer than average shift, or maybe it is mentally challenging, as are stressful roles, such as working on the stock exchange.
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Poor job security - High-paying jobs nobody wants can signal that the company has problems with staff, management, or finances. The company may have no option but to pay an above-average salary to lure in workers.
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No on-the-job training - No training programs can mean onboarding is tricky, or the company offers few opportunities for career development and job growth. But, if you can hit the ground running and figure things out quickly, you may be able to secure a job with a high annual salary.
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Qualifications take too long to achieve - A few of the high-paying jobs nobody wants require more than a decade of post-sixteen formal education, such as attending a legal or medical school. Other times, companies ask for too many different qualifications that no one is likely to have. An opportunity exists here for those with ‘some’ of the required qualifications.
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The job is isolated - These jobs may isolate you entirely or take you away from your home and family for extended periods. Working a rotary drill rig on an offshore oil rig is a classic example. Another isolating career for singletons is working from home. If you can hack WFH, check out Ten Highest Paid Jobs Working From Home or make a work from home job search.
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The job is dangerous - Many jobs paying above the national average annual salary have some element of danger. It may come from working with heavy machinery, in a noisy environment that could lead to permanent hearing problems, or with life-threatening diseases or life-threatening bacteria, where one mistake could result in debilitating health problems.
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Embarrassing job titles - A high-paying job that no one wants may have an awkward job title, such as roles within the adult entertainment industry.
There are likely many other reasons for high-paying jobs nobody wants, and many workers who try out these roles will probably find they combine more than one of the reasons we have explored.
The List Of High-Paying Jobs Nobody Wants
Here is our list of the top high-paying jobs nobody wants:
1. OIL RIG WORKER
OIL RIG WORKER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £36,400
Oil rig worker jobs pay exceptionally well. Oil rig workers operate offshore on oil rigs, and such structures can be dangerous, requiring protective gear. Duties may include maintaining pipes, using drills, and working long hours outside in all weather conditions.
Search for Oil Jobs here.
2. COAL MINER
COAL MINER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £40,300
Coal miners work in dark and dirty environments underground and are at risk from lung and other health conditions caused by exposure to chemicals, gases, and explosives. Apart from the wage, the only bright side may be returning to daylight at the end of the shift.
Search for Coal Miner Jobs here.
3. EMBALMER
EMBALMER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £32,500
An embalmer or mortician prepares a dead body for viewing and funerals. Embalmers replace the body’s blood with embalming fluid, apply makeup, and glue eyelids closed, so it is not a role for the squeamish.
Search for Embalmer Jobs here.
4. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REMOVAL WORKER
HARARDOUS MATERIAL WORKER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £28,500
These jobs may involve poison and chemical administration and the removal of lead, asbestos, or radioactive materials. These dangerous jobs require a psychologically strong individual who works with exacting attention to detail, where one mistake can be deadly.
Search for Hazardous Material Jobs here.
5. ADULT ENTERTAINERS
ADULT ENTERTAINER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £28,000
Most adult entertainers work for agencies and have little choice over who they work with, putting them at risk of working in unhygienic situations, infections, and diseases. However, the adult entertainment industry is worth billions, and if you are not embarrassed easily, good money can be made by creating videos or talking to clients over the phone or via a webcam.
Search for Adult Entertainment Jobs here.
6. TRUCK DRIVER
TRUCK DRIVER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £26,100
Truck drivers are in high demand, and most young professionals may be able to find a company offering on-the-job training. Truck drivers enjoy a stable job but spend most of their day alone and potentially stuck in traffic. Driving skills and patience will be needed for this career.
Search for Truck Driver Jobs here.
7. PEST CONTROLLER
PEST CONTROLLER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £25,900
Professional pest control workers earn a high salary and may handle bug and insect infestations or deal with biting animals, such as snakes or aggressive dogs. A pest controller may also collect dead animals and roadkill, requiring a strong stomach.
Search for Pest Control Jobs here.
8. CRAB FISHER
CRAB FISHER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £25,200
Successful crab fishers can earn an above-median annual wage in exchange for working in the most dangerous storms and being away from home for weeks. Drowning and injury from heavy machinery and cages are the highest risks. Crab fishers have a high season and may fish for other species outside of this.
Search for Crab Fisher Jobs here.
9. BUTCHER
BUTCHER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £25,000
A butcher or slaughterhouse worker is a position for people with a strong stomach, probably not for vegans or vegetarians. Butchery can be an unpleasant task and may take place in a refrigerated environment, which can be challenging for those susceptible to the cold.
Search for Butcher Jobs here.
If none of these high paying jobs take your fancy, Search Available Jobs here.
10. SANITATION WORKER
SANITATION WORKER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £21,500
Most sanitation workers have far from the most glamorous work environment. Several roles fit within this business sector, including sewage inspector and portable toilet cleaners. A portable toilet cleaner may visit commercial and residential properties to clean them. A portable toilet cleaner may endure cramp, smelly, and generally unpleasant conditions through their shift and have few opportunities for job growth.
Search for Waste Operative Jobs here.
11. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £23,400
A crime scene investigator might visit crime sites where someone has been injured, killed, or abused. Work can occur at any time of the day or night, be stressful and emotionally taxing, and require years of training.
Search for Crime Scene Investigator Jobs here.
12. CRIME SCENE CLEANER
CRIME SCENE CLEANER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £20,500
Crime scene cleaners handle all kinds of crime scenes, following murders, suicides, and industrial accidents. They use strong chemicals to clean up blood and other bodily fluids.
Search for Crime Scene Cleaner Jobs here.
13. REFUSE COLLECTOR
REFUSE COLLECTOR AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £20,500
You won’t need a high school diploma to work as a refuse collector, also called rubbish or garbage collector. On-the-job training is provided in a role that is physically demanding and sometimes dirty. A refuse or garbage collector could find job growth by moving into a driving position or working as a landfill operator.
Search for Refuse Collector Jobs here.
14. ELEVATOR INSTALLER
ELEVATOR INSTALLER AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY PER YEAR: £14,500
An elevator installer can earn an excellent wage to work at height or in confined spaces. They may also be on call-out, which might involve attending sites and buildings during unsocial hours.
Search for Elevator Installer Jobs here.
High-Paying Jobs FAQs
Here we answer your questions on high-paying jobs nobody wants.
DO I NEED A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TO GET A HIGH PAYING JOB?
No, many jobs that pay above average salary require no qualifications, if you are prepared to do the work.
WHAT DIRTY JOB PAYS THE MOST?
Oil rig workers have a dirty job that pays an above median annual wage of approximately £43k.
