30 Fun Jobs That Pay Well

Your job doesn’t have to be drudgery. Plenty of occupations offer the opportunity to be creative and even have fun on the job.

Everyone’s definition of fun is personal, of course, but here are 30 jobs that we think are anything but tedious. These occupations may require hard work. They aren’t necessarily stress-free. In fact, the pandemic has added stress to many of these occupations. But you can still earn a good income while doing work you love.

These fun jobs are listed in no particular order. With each we show the median annual wage, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other information.

Recreational therapist

Median annual wage as of 2019: $48,220

Number of jobs as of 2019: 19,900

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Museum worker

Median annual wage as of 2019: $49,850

Number of jobs as of 2019: 37,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Chef or head cook

Median annual wage as of 2019: $51,530

Number of jobs as of 2019: 148,700

Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent plus work experience or specialized training program

Fine artist

Median annual wage as of 2019: $48,760

Number of jobs as of 2019: 51,900

Typical entry-level education requirement: Post-secondary education

Event planner

Median annual wage as of 2019: $50,600

Number of jobs as of 2019: 138,600

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Music directors and composers

Median annual wage as of 2019: $51,670

Number of jobs as of 2019: 58,000

Typical entry-level education requirement: Work experience plus a bachelor’s or master’s degree

Private detective or investigator

Median annual wage as of 2019: $50,510

Number of jobs as of 2019: 36,200

Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent plus work experience

Graphic designer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $52,110

Number of jobs as of 2019: 281,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Athlete or sports competitor

Median annual wage as of 2019: $51,370

Number of jobs as of 2019: 13,600

Typical entry-level education requirement: No formal education needed

Interior designer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $56,040

Number of jobs as of 2019: 77,900

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Set and exhibit designer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $54,600

Number of jobs as of 2019: 12,040

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Elementary school teacher

Median annual wage as of 2019: $59,420

Number of jobs as of 2019: 1.58 million

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree plus state certification or license

Video editor or camera operator

Median annual wage as of 2019: $59,810

Number of jobs as of 2019: 67,900

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Librarian

Median annual wage as of 2019: $59,500

Number of jobs as of 2019: 146,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Master’s degree in library science

Conservation scientist or forester

Median annual wage as of 2019: $62,410

Number of jobs as of 2019: 36,100

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree in forestry or related field

Writer or author

Median annual wage as of 2019: $63,200

Number of jobs as of 2019: 131,200

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Zoologist or wildlife biologist

Median annual wage as of 2019: $63,270

Number of jobs as of 2019: 21,000

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Landscape architect

Median annual wage as of 2019: $69,360

Number of jobs as of 2019: 24,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree plus state license

Producer or director

Median annual wage as of 2019: $74,420

Number of jobs as of 2019: 159,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Multimedia artist or animator

Median annual wage as of 2019: $75,270

Number of jobs as of 2019: 67,500

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic art or related field

Fashion designer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $73,790

Number of jobs as of 2019: 28,300

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Urban planner

Median annual wage as of 2019: $74,350

Number of jobs as of 2019: 39,700

Typical entry-level education requirement: Master’s degree in the field

College educator

Median annual wage as of 2019: $79,540

Number of jobs as of 2019: 1.33 million

Typical entry-level education requirement: Master’s or doctoral degree

Art director

Median annual wage as of 2019: $94,220

Number of jobs as of 2019: 99,100

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Veterinarian

Median annual wage as of 2019: $95,460

Number of jobs as of 2019: 89,200

Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree plus state license

Software developer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $107,510

Number of jobs as of 2019: 1.47 million

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree in computer science

Fitness trainer or instructor

Median annual wage as of 2019: $40,390

Number of jobs as of 2019: 373,700

Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Athletic trainer

Median annual wage as of 2019: $48,440

Number of jobs as of 2019: 32,100

Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Flight attendant

Median annual wage as of 2019: $56,640

Number of jobs as of 2019: 121,900

Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma plus customer service experience

Makeup artist

Median annual wage as of 2019: $75,730

Number of jobs as of 2019: 3,400

Typical entry-level education requirement: Postsecondary nondegree award