8 jobs that pay really well because no one wants to do them

The jobs that nobody wants to do but absolutely need to get done? It turns out they can pay pretty well. In a thread on r/NoStupidQuestions, redditors discuss the reality behind careers that are notoriously difficult to staff. While the financial payoff can be life-changing, the physical and mental demands of these roles show exactly why so few are willing to take them on.

1. New York City bridge painter

Maintaining the structures connecting the five boroughs requires an iron stomach for extreme heights. Those brave enough to dangle hundreds of feet above the water are rewarded with a highly competitive hourly wage, according to redditors.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Dont know if its the case anymore but I had a neighbor back in the day that was a Bridge painter in NYC. Made giant money. 

Apparently you have to be cool with crazy heights and not everyone is cut out for it

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That whole hanging off the side of a bridge 300ft over water and ships kinda gets to a lot of people.

2. Kitchen exhaust cleaner

Commercial kitchens produce an unbelievable amount of grease over time. Removing this buildup is dirty, grueling work that often falls to specialized technicians willing to get covered in grime for a solid paycheck.

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Kitchen exhaust cleaner. Have cleaned full on globs of grease and vacuumed very disgusting looking water. Great pay gross work

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A big part of my job is servicing fire suppression systems in kitchens. The other thing about hood/exhaust cleaners is that it’s really hard to find a good one. Most of them don’t really do a good job and the ones that do work their asses off.

3. Wastewater maintenance mechanic

Keeping municipal plumbing systems functional is a vital public service that most people prefer not to think about. Those who specialize in wastewater treatment facilities reportedly often enjoy robust union benefits and generous compensation.

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It’s very area specific. I’m a maintenance foreman in a wastewater treatment plant (SE PA) and make just about six figures (base pay- we are a union shop and benefits are killer). I make double what plant superintendent’s make in other states and there’s 3 more “rungs” above me until superintendent at my plant.

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Can confirm. I'm not a wastewater mechanic but I come across a lot of those guys as I do my work in wastewater plants. My work isn't as hard as theirs but also pays pretty well just because there aren't many people doing it. Anyway, those mechanic guys make good jack.

4. Saturation diver

Underwater construction and repair require highly specialized skills in extremely isolated environments. Spending extended periods of time living under intense oceanic pressure earns these divers substantial hazard pay.

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Saturation diving. Spend weeks at the bottom of the ocean and then swim out into the pitch black water to go fix or build something.

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there's an incredible film called "Last Breath" about saturation diving

5. Alaskan commercial fisher

Operating fishing vessels in freezing, turbulent waters is notorious for taking a heavy physical toll. The short seasons offer intense bursts of income matched only by the sheer exhaustion of the crew.

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Alaskan fishermen. It’s lonely from what I hear

Cool fact about it is that the founder of raising cane’s worked on them so he can start his own company because no investor liked his idea. Which is pretty insane

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I’ve commercial fished in Bristol Bay for salmon for 24 years. Our season is only 1.5-2 months long. Loneliness isn’t the most prominent negative for me, it’s probably the sleep deprivation combined with the stress of safety and the general aggression of the competition. I’m always super worn out when I come home.

6. Air traffic controller

Managing the complex logistics of thousands of daily flights requires precision and unwavering focus. The constant pressure of keeping millions of travelers safe translates to excellent federal salaries and mandatory early retirement, redditors explain.

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Air Traffic Controllers in the USA make a ton of money. They'll also take basically anyone, without any previous qualifications. They will FULLY train you, for free.

Why?

Because its one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. Hundreds of flights a day, tens of thousands of vital communications. Millions of lives that can be impacted by your mistakes. You barely get any breaks, have truly zero free time on the job. Not enough to do anything more than check the time on your phone.

You're a federal employee, meaning you're subject to bizarre restrictions and policies, like the fact you cannot legally go on strike.

The job is so pressuring you are required by law to retire at 56 due to the strain it puts on your body and mind.

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Really? Where I’m from, becoming an air traffic controller is no easy task. It’s Uni and then a couple of years of being like an understudy. Like becoming a doctor.

7. Offshore oil platform worker

Living and working on remote rigs means enduring harsh weather conditions and long stints away from civilization. The difficulty of the ocean environment alone drives up the wages for these extended offshore rotations.

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oil platform workers. while the work (in itself) is difficult, the circumstances in which the work is done amplify the difficulty substantially.

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They can be on the rig or vessel for months. I keep reading the avg career of any mariner is 5 years. Pretty crazy considering it takes at least 4 years to get the license.

8. Commercial drain cleaner

Residential and industrial plumbing emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Professionals who specialize in tackling severe sewage blockages and deep-drain issues can build lucrative businesses by taking on the messes others refuse to touch.

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Drain cleaners make good money n I say this as a plumber

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Brother in-law does it. I don’t even know how many trucks he has now and the last figure I heard was he was pulling 450k.

These careers show that stepping out of a traditional comfort zone can yield serious financial rewards, provided you are prepared for the intense conditions. If you have the guts, but don't have the credentials and academic certifications to apply for other high-paying jobs, going for these may be a smart option.

Would you be willing to do any of these jobs? Read the full discussion in the original thread, and find more conversations like this in r/careerguidance, r/jobs, and r/Workspaces.