Ashlee Polarek | Contributing Writer
Whether you’re looking for that cool summer job to tell all your friends about next year or you want to make money doing something unusual or fun, this list of seven unusual jobs (in no particular order) may lead you in the right direction. From live mannequins to body-part models, this list might have something for everyone.
1. Live Mannequin
Nothing’s more attention-grabbing than a live model in a store window showing off the newest and hottest line of clothing. That’s why companies are beginning to hire live models to replace creepy, unrealistic mannequins in storefronts. If you have a knack for looking flawless and standing for a few hours a day, or you just want to surprise your friends next time they walk by Urban Outfitters, this job may be for you. Live mannequins can make about $50 an hour.
2. Hot Dog Vendor
If you can imagine yourself pushing a large cart laden with hot dogs, bags of chips and ketchup and mustard dispensers down the streets of New York or Los Angeles, look no further. Hot dog vendors can make anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 a year just for tossing a hot dog in a bun and applying a stingy amount of ketchup. Better start learning how to make hot dogs in case that barista job doesn’t work out.
3. Food Scientist
If you like nutrition and making and tasting food, you can be like NASA employee Michele Perchonok, who creates nutritious and delicious menus for astronauts’ space journeys. Food scientists work for an array of companies to help create new tasty products like ice cream, cheese, wine and astronaut goodies. When you’re developing and tasting new products all the time, what can be better? Food scientists can make around $60,000 a year. Here’s looking at you, biology majors.
4. Cruise Ship Entertainer
If you desire to see the world and get paid to do it, then perhaps cruise ship entertainer is the job for you. Anyone from a comedian to a dancer, actor or singer can get a job aboard a cruise ship and make $3,000-$5,000 a month, plus room and board. Or if entertainment isn’t your thing, you can get paid to be an onboard babysitter. Bring out the flaming juggling set and karaoke machine and get practicing on your entertainment skills in the meantime.
5. Body-part Model
Have you ever looked down at your hands and thought, “Wow, these hands need to be seen by the world”? Has someone told you that your back is beyond amazing? If you said “yes” to either of these questions, then run out and apply to be a body-part model. Agencies are always looking for the next person with wonderful feet, hands, abs, hair or other body parts to model for companies designing advertisements. Body part models can make anywhere from $20-$100 per sitting.
6. Furniture Tester
Lounging in La-Z-Boy recliners and studying coffee tables for their style and durability can make some pretty sweet side cash if you’re looking for a job that pays you to sit around all day. Furniture testers rate and review products based on comfortability, style, durability and ease of use. Serious furniture testers can make about $31,000 a year.
7. Christmas Tree Decorator
Get paid to set up decorations for people’s parties at stores like Nordstrom’s. For those who consider themselves Santa’s Little Helper or kings/queens of Christmas decorating, you can take that talent and turn it into profit by becoming a professional holiday decorator.