Six Creepy Jobs and What They Pay

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Six Creepy Jobs and What They Pay

By Alida Moore, PayScale.com

In the spirit of Halloween, we’ve compiled a list of some of the spookiest jobs around. The workers in these careers deal with things that would make the typical office worker shudder, from corpses to dead animals and all the darkness in between.

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“The jobs on this list are not for the faint of heart, but if you find one that aligns with your personality and skill set, you can be successful and earn pay that is relatively high compared to other jobs with similar educational requirements,” says Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at online salary database PayScale.com.

So as you consider the frightening things these workers deal with on a daily basis, be thankful that the scariest thing you may face in the course of your workday may be whatever’s fermenting in the office fridge.

Miner
Median Annual Salary: $53,900

Given that mining worksites are deep and dark, a job in mining won’t suit you if you’re claustrophobic. No degree is required to get a mining job, but physical strength and bravery are a must. Just be sure to keep one eye on the canary at all times.

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Coroner
Median Annual Salary: $49,800

While the typical office worker’s desk might look like a crime scene, it’s unlikely that a murder victim will be lurking under that pile of old memos. Not so in this profession. Many coroners determine time and cause of death, assess crime scenes, and provide evidence and testimony in murder cases. A bachelor’s degree with a focus on biology and forensics is required for this thriller of a job.

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Mortician/Funeral Director
Median Annual Salary: $43,100

Many people shiver at the idea of working with the dead, which is why morticians sometimes have a reputation for being strange. In reality, the best funeral directors are kind and empathetic, helping the grief-stricken navigate the arrangements that must be made when a loved one dies. “I saw how my father was instrumental in counseling grieving families,” says Robert Michelotti, who interned at his father’s mortuary when he was younger. “Often, the relationships he formed didn’t end after the service -- they continued with family members over the years.” An associate’s degree in mortuary sciences can help you get started helping people through the grieving process.

Find funeral director jobs.

Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
Median Annual Salary: $42,400

These workers deal with the truly terrifying, from removing asbestos to disposing of radioactive and nuclear waste. They spend hours -- nights and weekends included -- cleaning toxic materials and making our world safer. Plus, they do it all while looking like a space invader in a hazmat suit. If you have a high school diploma or GED and aren’t afraid of corrosive waste, this job might be right up your alley.

Find hazardous materials remover jobs.

Slaughterer or Meat Packer
Median Annual Salary: $27,200

Ever wonder how your farm-raised, grass-fed beef hamburger got to the table? Thank a slaughterer. These brave workers kill the animals, clean the carcasses, and pack the meat for shipping and distribution. Because the training for this profession is strictly on-the-job, there are no educational requirements -- just a steady hand and a strong stomach.

Find meat packer jobs.

Gravedigger
Median Annual Salary: $26,400

The only certainties in life are death and taxes. If accounting doesn’t appeal to you, why not grab a shovel? Or, more accurately, jump on a backhoe because modern technology has advanced this profession beyond picks and shovels. This job has no educational requirements and, with the country’s population aging, could be considered a growth industry of sorts.

Find cemetery jobs.

Source: Salary data provided by online salary database PayScale.com. Median annual pay is for full-time workers with five to 10 years of experience. Salaries include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing. Education information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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