Yep, it’s that time of year again when the days draw in, leaves crunch under your feet, and a good chunk of your time is inevitably spent browsing the internet, ardently looking for a mind-blowing costume for the upcoming Halloween party season.
While you’re getting yourself into the spirit for trick-or-treating and apple bobbing, here at Adzuna we’ve compiled an unconventional list of careers suited for the likes of horror enthusiasts.
13. Ghost Tour Guide
Ghost tour guides are tasked with spooking thrill-seeking guests. The job requires workers to flex their acting muscles as they take their tour on a guided walk around local spooky spots. Be prepared to wrap up warm and take tour groups out and about come rain or shine. In return, guides can expect compensation of around $50 to $75 per tour, plus those all important tips.
12. Psychic
For all superstitious individuals out there, a psychic profession may seem just about spooky enough. Dabbling with the supernatural through the use of specialist tools such as ouija boards and turning tables, this vocation is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Psychic mediums continue to prosper exceptionally well as séances are invariably popular among daredevils on the hunt for a frightening supernatural adventure, as well as among those seeking a way to reconnect with their deceased loved ones. However, if speaking with souls of the dead isn’t really your cup of tea, don’t despair. You can easily take up a less hair-raising job in the field as there’s plenty to choose from. This otherworldly specialization can also involve tealeaf reading, astrology, dream analysis, palm reading, numerology, eastern philosophy, and tarot reading.
The salary expectations for this type of work are really quite spooktacular. In fact, with an average starting salary between $40,000 – $60,000, psychic jobs are the most lucrative business in the Fright Industry. Moreover, salaries are predicted to increase with experience to about $100,000+ gross annual income.
11. Gravedigger
Not all spooky jobs come with big pay packets. Gravediggers earn between $12 – $16 per hour, although workers should be prepared to work the night shift!
10. Stage Magician
If performing a stunt which involves being buried alive tickles your fancy, then look no further. A stage magician is your calling. The illusionist craft is the go-to career choice for fans of suspense with a dash of creativity.
If you’re seriously thinking of pursuing a career in this highly competitive industry, you may need to be willing to relocate as job opportunities and wages vary significantly between States. According to the BLS, as of 2021, independent artists and performers average around $27 per hour, though the most high profile gigs can be far more lucrative.
9. Crime Scene Cleaner
The clue is in the name for this spooky job. Crime scene cleaners are charged with removing the mess left by a crime after investigators have done their work, with advertised salaries averaging $35,800.
8. Hazardous Waste Manager
Those drawn to danger may be interested in getting a job as a hazardous waste manager. With thousands of open roles, those eager to apply need to be willing to clear and dispose of dangerous waste, including potentially infectious bodily fluids and radioactive materials. Workers can expect average salaries of over $60,000 in return.
7. Ventriloquist
There is something undeniably eerie about ventriloquism. In ancient times, it was popularly believed that spirits of the undead flew into stomachs of certain prophets, who then transmitted spirits’ messages without moving their lips. While ventriloquists are no longer believed to mediate communication between spirits of the dead and living human beings, for many, their strange art still sends shivers down the spine.
Those interested in pursuing ventriloquism as a viable career option should be aware that making a living in this field is remarkably difficult. Although there is no specific salary data recorded for ventriloquists, the BLS estimates that performers make an average of $27 per hour. What’s more, salary in this field is more or less dependent on skill and talent.
6. Paranormal Investigator
If you crave adrenalin and enjoy being scared out of your wits while at work, then a ghost hunting career is the perfect fit for you! Investigating haunted mansions in pursuit of paranormal activities understandably isn’t a dream job for the average layman, however, for those with a flair for capturing what’s beyond scientific understanding, it may prove a brilliant career move which may eventually lead to writing books, teaching, and even to participating in TV programs.
In terms of pay, oftentimes private investigators offer fee-based services, or have an hourly rate. According to BLS data, as of 2021, the national average salary for a private investigator is around $29 per hour, or just shy of $60,000 per year.
5. Taxidermist
Taxidermists create displays from dead animals. Their work involves preparing, stuffing and mounting animal skins to give them a life-like appearance. Practitioners can expect salaries of around $45,000 a year, though the most skilled artists may achieve even more!
4. Funeral Director/Embalmer
Funeral directors/embalmers take charge of preparing corpses for funerals. Workers in this field need to be happy getting close to cadavers – embalmers must clean and arrange corpses, removing any surface blood, injecting embalming fluid into the body and dressing the corpse with make-up. We currently have several hundred embalmer openings on our site, with advertised salaries around $38 – $40 per hour. Our funeral director vacancies are available here.
3. Clown
Undeniably Stephen King’s IT has aggravated the issue of clowns’ poor reputation. Yet, clowns have always been a source of fear for many of us. While you wouldn’t necessarily run at the sight of one in midday, you would probably feel uneasy and reluctant to approach them. This type of reaction is so common, there even is a term for it — Coulrophobia. Not knowing who’s hiding behind the painted face and a big red nose triggers a psychological response, making us naturally suspicious.
Unsurprisingly therefore, clowns are declining in demand and we’re not expecting their salaries to increase anytime soon. Latest data indicates that the average salary for a clown is at $36,000 annually.
2. Entomologist
If critters don’t give you the creeps, a role as an entomologist could be for you. These creepy-crawly experts are specialized zoologists and wildlife biologists, earning an average of $65,000 a year or $31 per hour, according to the latest BLS data.
1. Epidemiologist
Jobseekers trained in creepy subjects like disease outbreaks can expect to earn top dollar. Epidemiologists, scientists who study infectious diseases like ebola, can expect average salaries of $65,000, with thousands of jobs currently available.
We hope our list of horror-inspired careers gave you goosebumps, and perhaps even concluded your search for your next truly terrifying Halloween costume!
Read more: Top 10 most relaxing jobs in the US
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