ODD JOBS

White makes a surprising amount of sense for a painter.

Why Do Professional Painters Wear White?

Here’s why the seemingly worst color to use for a messy job is actually the best.

Maine Fisherman Pampers the Protected Lobsters He Catches With Claw Manicures

One Maine lobster fisherman goes the extra mile by taking care of the protected crustaceans he catches before returning them to the water.

King Henry with Cardinal Wolsey, circa 1528.

A 16th-Century Guide to Pooping at King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace

Discover how King Henry VIII and other members of the Tudor nobility handled going to the bathroom in the mid-1500s. (Spoiler: There was velvet involved, but it still wasn’t pretty.)

Being an astronaut isn’t as glamorous as you were led to believe.

10 Surprising Facts About Your Childhood Dream Jobs

In the latest episode of The List Show, we’re tackling some fun facts—and the occasional harsh truth—about the careers you imagined for yourself as a kid.

Kay Powell has written some stunning obituaries.

America’s Greatest Obituary Writer

Forget about the funny pages. If Kay Powell wrote for your paper, you dove straight into the death notices.

Aldi Is Hiring a Professional Beer Taster

Aldi’s official UK beer taster will get to sample drinks for the grocery chain that will be sent directly to their home.

That feeling when you're about to get paid $10,000 for walking around.

GymBird Is Hiring a “Chief Step Officer” to Walk 10,000 Steps for $10,000

Walking 10,000 steps a day can be tough to find the time or motivation for—but you’d probably do it for $10,000.

A black bear cub stunting for the camera.

Dream Job Alert: New Mexico Is Looking for “Professional Bear Huggers”

Conservation officers for New Mexico’s Department of Game and Fish may get to cuddle a bear cub every once in a while.

11 Illuminating Secrets of Paleographers

Paleographers know exactly why your dog might get weirdly excited if you whip out a medieval manuscript.

Employee of Grand Teton National Park seated on a truck.

20 Odd Jobs With America's National Parks

Park rangers make up just a fraction of the 22,000 people employed by U.S. National Parks. Here are some unexpected jobs offered by the service.

Lost Your Wedding Ring? A Global Network of Metal Detectorists Can Help You Find It

If you lost your wedding ring, a metal detectorist in The Ring Finders's vast, global network might be able to help.

Meet the Two Women Who Give Prescription Drugs Their Generic Names

The Chicago-based women name about 200 generic drugs per year, and the naming process is very scientific … sometimes.

A Luxury Resort in the Maldives Needs an Intern to Look After Its Sea Turtles This Summer

When the new intern at the Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu isn't caring for the resort's turtles, they'll be dining and snorkeling for free.

You Could Live Like Royalty on an English Island as St. Michael's Mount's New Gardener

The island's new head horticulturalist will receive lodging in a Victorian terraced house with views of the famous castle.

Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina

Behr Will Pay Someone $10,000 to Travel the U.S. and Canada in Search of New Paint Colors

The "Color Explorer" will attend a music festival, go kayaking in Canada, and take a stroll down Charleston's Rainbow Row.

The Isle of Sark Needs a New Dairy Farmer, But You'll Have to Bring Your Own Cows

Do you have dairy farming experience and 25 to 35 cows ready to travel? You may be the perfect candidate for this job.

F Ceragioli, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

Locana, Italy Is Paying Families $10,000 to Move There

New residents can work remotely, or take over one of the closed businesses in town.

Here's How Many People Grow Up to Hold Their Childhood Dream Job

And the ones that do get their dream jobs aren't always happy about it.

Frank Schulenburg, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

Dream Job Alert: Get Paid $130,000 as a Lighthouse Caretaker in San Francisco Bay

You must be willing to keep operating the East Brother Light Station as a bed and breakfast.

13 Things to Know About The World’s Oldest Santa School

Every year, the world's best Santas visit Michigan's to attend the "Harvard of Santa schools."

Attention Remote Workers: Tulsa Will Pay You $10,000 to Move There

Plus, discounted rent, a membership at a coworking space, and other perks.

A Dog-Friendly Restaurant in Texas Will Pay You $100 an Hour to Pet Puppies

These doggos aren't going to pet themselves.

Robert Englund Got Paid to Throw Dead Leaves Around the Original Halloween Set

Talk about working your way up.

Arizona Animal Sanctuary Needs Volunteers to Cuddle Rescued Wolfdog Puppies

Sign us up.