Finding a job that you enjoy and can see yourself doing long-term is important; however, it’s not always easy. Many people end up in jobs that they don’t like or feel passion for just to make ends meet – this can be challenging and demanding, both mentally and physically. It’s important to find a balance between a job that you can support yourself with and one that leaves you feeling fulfilled.
With that said, here are 30 of the worst jobs in the world. From hazardous conditions to low pay and grueling hours, these jobs are definitely not for everyone. But if you’re looking for a new perspective on your current situation, they may help you appreciate what you have.
Cleaner
Working as a cleaner can often be a thankless and difficult job; unfortunately, many cleaners are taken advantage of by their employers and are not paid fairly for their work. In order to be successful in this profession, it is important to have a thick skin and be able to stand up for oneself.
Telemarketer
Though telemarketers may be seen as a necessary evil by some, their job is actually quite difficult. Not only do they have to deal with the constant abuse/hang-ups from members of the public, but they also receive relatively low pay for their efforts.
In many cases, telemarketers are actually quite skilled at sales and could potentially earn more money based on their performance. However, the abuse they receive on a daily basis can be quite demoralizing!
Soldier
The military can be a very rewarding career where you can serve your country and make a difference; however, most military personnel have to deal with mental health problems and other health-related conditions. This can be tough, especially when you’re away from your family for long periods of time and have to follow strict rules and regulations.
Trucker
Many truckers find their job to be quite boring and monotonous, especially on long trips – this is one of the main reasons why many people consider trucking to be a dead-end job with no room for advancement or development. However, despite the inherent dangers and drawbacks of the job, there are still many people who choose to become truckers.
Customer Service Representative
Are you familiar with the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger”? It is something that customer service representatives have to deal with on a regular basis – they are often the ones who have to deal with angry customers and handle their complaints. While this can be difficult, it can also be rewarding when they are able to help solve a problem; this is especially true if the company they work for has a good culture.
Social Service Worker
People working in social services often see some of the worst circumstances that humanity has to offer. While the job can be very fulfilling, it can also be extremely stressful and take a toll on mental health – this is especially true when working with vulnerable populations such as victims of abuse, orphaned children, and the homeless. Social workers must be prepared to deal with these difficult situations on a daily basis.
Slaughterhouse Worker
This career definitely isn’t for everyone. Having to kill animals to earn a living can be very depressing and difficult. In fact, this line of work has been associated with deteriorating mental health for many employees.
In an interview with the BBC, an ex-abattoir worker spoke about the tough and unsanitary conditions in these places: “They’re usually filthy, dirty environments. You see and smell animal feces everywhere, as well as guts and blood splattered on the walls.” While it sounds like a nightmare, it’s, unfortunately, a reality for many in our meat-eating society.
Miner
Coal mining is a dangerous and unhealthy profession that can take a toll on the health of workers. Miners are exposed to dusty and toxic conditions and are at risk of gas explosions or cave-ins; as a result, they have a shorter life expectancy than the average person.
Traffic Warden
A traffic warden is generally not well-liked by the public. People tend to get angry when they receive a parking ticket; as a result, traffic wardens often have to deal with verbal abuse and aggressive behavior.
Dennis Sarpong, a traffic warden in London, states that this is just part of the job and advises not to take it personally. Despite the challenges, traffic wardens play an important role in keeping cities running smoothly and enforcing parking regulations.
Promotional Mascot
Promotional mascots are often considered to have one of the world’s worst jobs – this is because they are often required to dress up in embarrassing or ridiculous costumes and attract attention, which usually leads to bullying and ridicule. Promotional mascots often have to endure long hours, hot weather, and aggressive crowds; however, some people enjoy the challenge and satisfaction that comes with the job.
Portable Toilet Cleaner
These workers are tasked with cleaning portable toilets on a daily basis. They use a tank and vacuum wand to suck up all the waste in the toilet. Portable toilet cleaners also pick up all stray toilet papers and wash down every surface that could be soiled. This requires using a high-pressure hose, which can often end up with a lot of spray backs.
Despite the challenges, most cleaners bear the job with a smile – after all, they can take home an annual salary of $51,000, according to PayScale.com.
Pet Food Taster
Working in a pet food factory is certainly not for everyone. Most people are grossed out by the thought of eating animal products that may be past their expiration date or otherwise unfit for consumption. It could even lead to food poisoning.
If you’re considering this job, you should have a strong stomach and be able to maintain your composure. You should also be prepared to put your pride aside – this job is not for the faint of heart!
Animal Masturbator
I was skeptical at first, but this is a real job. Sometimes, semen must be collected from animals for either fertilization or research purposes. This is where animal masturbators come in; they are responsible for extracting sperm from animals with an electric stimulator or even manually.
Roadkill Collector
These workers often have to deal with the unpleasant job of collecting and getting rid of animals that are hit or killed by cars on the road. This can be dangerous, as they have to be aware of oncoming traffic, and they’re also not sure how long the dead animal has been lying there. Hence, the smell can be overwhelming, making them nauseous.
Crime Scene Cleaner
This particular job is not for those with a weak stomach. A crime scene cleaner is tasked with cleaning and restoring areas where accidents, homicides, or suicides have taken place. This includes cleaning blood stains, bodily fluids, and body parts using the correct cleaning products and procedures.
Depending on the severity of the scene, this job can take several hours to complete. It requires a great deal of endurance, as well as the ability to handle unpleasant and potentially graphic material.
Sewer Cleaner
Working as a sewer inspector can be a smelly and dangerous job, but it does come with a good salary. Inspectors are responsible for checking sewers for problems and clearing them out as needed. However, because of the close contact with sewage, there is a high risk of contracting diseases, particularly respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin problems.
Broadcaster
Broadcasting is possibly known to be a tough job because of the poor work-life balance. It is a highly stressful job that consists of working largely in the limelight under tight deadlines. This job may not be as bad as it seems if you are willing to spend most of your time working and can work under pressure.
Fast Food Cook
Working as a fast food cook can be a tough and dangerous job. You have to work in hot, busy kitchens and make a few limited fast food items; you can get burned, cut, or injured while working. Fast food cooks often get paid very little and have to work long hours on evenings and weekends; they don’t usually have much time for breaks.
Queen’s Guard
In the British Army, guard duty at Buckingham Palace is considered one of the most undesirable jobs. Soldiers stationed there must spend hours every day; they have to clean and press their uniforms and polish their boots in order to pass the many kit inspections they will face.
Further, tourists often treat them rudely, as if they are animals in a zoo, and not just that, the living conditions at the palace are terrible. All of these factors make guard duty at Buckingham Palace a highly undesirable assignment!
Paint Dry Watcher
These people are paid to sit and watch paint dry. They check the color of emulsion and matt over time to ensure that they are still durable. This must be one of the most boring jobs in the world, staring at a painted wall for hours on end.
Logger
Logging can be dangerous, with serious or disastrous injuries often occurring. It is also physically demanding; loggers must cut down trees and load the logs onto trailers. Many nonfatal injuries happen when workers are struck by equipment, slip or fall, or overexert themselves, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Moreover, from 2006 to 2015, an annual average of 66 loggers lost their life from fatal injuries. Logging is not only hazardous and difficult, but it also does not pay well.
Pest Control Officer
Pest control officers play an important role in keeping our homes and businesses free of unwanted insects and rodents. These professionals are trained in the use of pesticides and other chemicals to safely and effectively eradicate pests.
In addition to using these substances, pest control officers may also need to enter into tight spaces, such as crawlspaces and attics, to locate and treat infestations. This work can be hazardous, so it is important that pest control officers take precautions to protect themselves while they are on the job.
Retail Sales Associate
Oftentimes, sales associates work long hours for low salaries. With the increasing popularity of online shopping, opportunities in the retail sector are diminishing. Therefore, it is essential for sales associates to have outstanding customer service capabilities. When interacting with rude or dissatisfied customers, sales associates must remain calm and courteous.
Furthermore, many sales positions require weekend and holiday work with no additional compensation for overtime hours. Consequently, there is often a lack of work-life balance for sales associates.
Taxi Driver
Taxi drivers often have to deal with a lot of inconvenient conditions, such as traffic jams, long hours, and low wages. They also frequently encounter unruly or rude customers, which can add to the high levels of stress linked to this job! Further, taxi drivers may be at risk for physical injuries due to sitting for long periods of time or being involved in traffic accidents.
Animal Inseminator
An animal inseminator is someone who helps female animals get pregnant by inseminating them with semen. In most cases, this job is from the agricultural sector, where it is used to assist in breeding livestock. However, it is also common in the science field. Animal insemination is a process that requires careful planning and execution in order to be successful.
Odor Tester
Being an odor tester can be a pretty tough job, especially if you’re constantly smelling bad body odor. However, it’s important to work, and someone has to do it. Most of the time, you’ll be testing different fragrances and trying to find the perfect scent for a product.
However, you may also be testing scented candles, perfumes, and packaged food. It’s a great job for someone who loves to smell things and is very detail-oriented. It might not be the best job for those with weak stomachs.
Podiatry Technician
Frankly, a podiatry technician position won’t pay poorly. However, it can be a rather disgusting job when having to work with people’s feet on a daily basis, whether it be from various blisters or foul odors.
Of course, somebody with a foot fetish might enjoy this line of work, but for the average person, this could be seen as less than ideal because of what they would have to witness (and smell).
Dead Fish Harvester
Fish harvesting is one of the most unpleasant jobs imaginable. Having to deal with the stench of rotting fish carcasses is enough to make anyone sick to their stomach. However, it is a job that somebody has to do. With a strong stomach and the proper safety gear, you can earn good money by harvesting dead fish.
Animal Urine Collector
If you think being an animal masturbator or inseminator is a joke, just wait until you hear about the job of animal urine collector. That’s right; there is actually a profession dedicated to collecting urine from animals. This may sound like a disgusting and difficult task, but it can actually be quite lucrative, with some collectors earning up to $80,000 yearly.
Of course, collecting urine from animals is not easy. Urine collectors must be able to catch the animal and then leave it overnight in a room so that they can collect the urine when the animal urinates. This can be a difficult and dangerous task, but those who are up for the challenge can earn a pretty penny.
Roofer
Most roofers are paid very well for their services – while the job can be stressful, it is also one that requires a great deal of endurance and technical skill. Roofing can be especially difficult to do in hot weather conditions, such as during summertime.
Further, there is always the potential danger of falling off of a roof, which could lead to serious injuries or even paralysis; this is why roofing is generally considered to be a high-risk occupation.
The Bottom Line
No matter how bad your job/career may seem, there are always people out there with jobs that are much worse. From having to deal with other people’s bodily fluids to being surrounded by pests, there are some seriously disgusting jobs out there!
However, even though they might not be the most pleasant occupations, they are still necessary to keep the world running smoothly – without people to do these jobs, we would be in a lot of trouble. Therefore, the next time you’re feeling down about your job, just remember that it could always be worse!
FAQs
Why are they the worst jobs?
These worst jobs are so named because they are the most dangerous, deadliest, or just plain most miserable jobs on the planet! Many of these professions involve working in hazardous/filthy conditions, and many of them have high rates of accidents and illness – therefore, if you’re looking for a career that’s sure to make you miserable, you’ve come to the right place!
How much education is required for these jobs?
There is no set amount of education required for these jobs, as each one varies; however, most of these positions require some form of specialized training and/or experience in the field. For example, a taxi driver needs to have a driver’s license, while a telemarketer needs to be able to speak clearly and confidently on the phone.
What are the risks associated with these jobs?
The risks associated with these jobs vary but can include physical danger, stress, and exposure to harmful materials. For example, a job that involves working with hazardous materials can put employees at risk for serious illness or injury. Further, jobs that are high-stress or have unpredictable hours can be risky because they can lead to long-term health problems.
Are there any benefits to these jobs?
There are several benefits to these jobs – they can be dangerous and challenging, leading to a feeling of accomplishment and a sense of reward. Further, they can be important and provide necessary services to the public. Finally, they can be lucrative and provide good pay and benefits!
What are the most common complaints about these jobs?
The most common complaints about these jobs are the long hours, low pay, and physical demands. Many of these jobs also require working in difficult or dangerous conditions, which can lead to injuries or even death.
What kind of people work in these jobs?
It’s not easy to work in some of the worst jobs in the world. People who work in these jobs are usually brave, determined, and have a strong sense of humor – they are also survivors who can handle difficult/dangerous situations. Many of these jobs are also physically demanding, so workers need to be in excellent shape.
Are there any other factors to consider when determining whether a job is “worst”?
There are other factors to consider when determining whether a job is “worst.” One important factor to consider is the work-life balance. Jobs that require long hours or have inflexible hours can be very challenging to manage. Further, jobs that are dangerous/have difficult working conditions can also be considered “worst”!
