Exciting Careers: Thrilling & Unique Options That Pay Well
Exciting careers make going to work every day something to look forward to. After all, when people describe their ideal jobs, the words "boring," "mundane," and "tedious" do not usually make the list. By contrast, exciting jobs engage your passions and keep you coming back. They challenge you to fulfill your potential.
Lots of people want exciting careers, but not everyone agrees on what "exciting" actually means. Some might say the most exciting jobs provide an adrenaline rush: They're fast-paced and unpredictable, with plenty of danger and risk. Others might argue that exciting careers include becoming famous or at least being in the center of the action. Still, others might insist that exciting jobs involve working with cutting-edge technology or in extreme or exotic environments.
Everyone has different interests and passions. A job that one person finds thrilling might strike someone else as too risky or uncomfortable. It all depends on individual preferences. But while people might argue about what features an exciting job must have, most would agree that a good salary is essential. After all, poverty is certainly not exciting.
The following list of exciting jobs that pay well is divided into six different areas of interest, though some careers could easily fall into more than one category. The list includes jobs in:
- Skilled Trades
- Emergency and Safety Services
- Law and Order
- Science and Technology
- Media and Entertainment
- Travel and Adventure
Salary information is based on 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise indicated.*
Exciting Careers in Skilled Trades
1. High-performance auto technician
Fascinated by fast cars? Maximizing the performance of high-powered engines in street rods and race cars can be incredibly thrilling work. Motorsports teams are obvious potential employers, but you could also find opportunities with repair shops and aftermarket parts companies. Those who pursue a high-performance automotive education could gain hands-on experience working with high-performing engines. Learning the fundamentals of automotive technology, such as aerodynamics, welding, and fabrication, can help prepare you for this exciting career.
- Median salary: $47,770 (for automotive service technicians and mechanics)
2. Underwater welder
Working with electricity under the ocean's surface will get your heart pumping. Underwater welders are tasked with building and repairing pipelines, telecommunications equipment, oil rigs, dams, and port facilities. It's highly dangerous but very exciting work. Before jumping into the water, you must get a solid foundation and certification in welding on land. Underwater Welding requires a standardized diving physical and a commercial diver certification from an accredited commercial dive school.
- Median salary: $61,300
Exciting Careers in Emergency and Safety Services
Being directly responsible for ensuring people stay alive is pretty exciting work. Some of these careers can be kind of routine—until disaster strikes, and it's up to these workers to respond. Knowing you're in charge when people's lives hang in the balance is an adrenaline boost.
3. Emergency room nurse
You never know what you're going to get in the emergency room. You might have simple cases of ear infections or broken bones, or you might have to deal with gunshot wounds and stabbing injuries. In emergencies, the stakes are incredibly high: If you don't act quickly and make the right calls, your patients could die. If you can handle the blood and gore (not to mention the pressure of literally having lives in your hands), you might want a career as an ER nurse. On top of nursing training, critical thinking, and strong communication skills, ER nurses are required to have a nursing license issued by the state where they work.
- Median salary: $86,070 (registered nurse)
4. Air traffic controller
Controlling the movement of airplanes—both in the sky and on the ground—takes some serious mental toughness. Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safety of thousands of passengers during every single shift. It's intense, fast-paced work that leaves no room for error. The pressure gets even greater when an emergency happens, and you need to guide a pilot to the ground. Those interested in pursuing this career must first earn an associate degree through a Federal Aviation Administration approved program or a bachelor's degree from varying fields such as engineering, transportation, or business.
- Median salary: $137,380
5. Helicopter search and rescue pilot
When people get stranded or injured in the ocean or deep in the woods, a helicopter search and rescue pilot is often tasked with locating them and bringing them to safety. You might have to maneuver your chopper through wind, rain, and even lightning to reach your target, which could be anywhere from the open ocean to the side of a mountain. You may also have to provide basic medical care to people with life-threatening injuries. It's not a career for the faint-hearted. So good flight training is a must.
- Median salary: $171,210 (among all airline and commercial pilots)
6. Firefighter
When everyone else is running away from a fire, these professionals rush toward it. Firefighters risk their lives to rescue people from burning buildings and get the flames under control. Not only do they fight fires, but many of their calls are to assist with car accidents and other medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes, so EMT certification is typically required. Firefighting is physically demanding work (the protective gear alone weighs about 45 pounds, not to mention the hoses and other equipment you need to carry), but it's also very heroic.
- Median salary: $57,120
7. 911 dispatcher
Coaching people through difficult situations—like how to perform CPR or deliver a baby—is all in a day's work for a 911 dispatcher. The whole purpose of the job is to help people deal with terrible circumstances while sending assistance their way. You must keep yourself and the people on the phone calm while coordinating with police, fire, and ambulance services to make sure callers get the appropriate help they need. Some states require 911 dispatchers to be certified as emergency medical dispatchers, while others do not mandate any specific training, leaving requirements for local agencies to set. Training can cover topics such as local geography, protocols, and procedures, as well as child abductions and other life-threatening situations.
- Median salary: $48,890
8. Paramedic
Being among the first on the scene at a medical emergency requires quick thinking and a calm demeanor. At accident scenes and other emergencies, lives can depend on the knowledge and skill of a paramedic. Your role is essentially to bring the emergency room to the patient. You might have to insert breathing tubes or administer IVs before rushing the patient to a hospital, all the while keeping a clear head. State requirements for paramedics vary, but most require a National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification or equivalent through an approved paramedic program.
- Median salary: $53,180
Exciting Careers in Law and Order
Making sure criminals get caught and citizens stay safe can be exhilarating work. Danger is par for the course in these careers, all of which come with a high risk of injury or even death. These careers will get your heart pumping if you get a thrill from being on the front lines and keeping people safe.
9. SWAT team member
If you're willing to endure extreme physical challenges and stand firm in the face of immense danger, you might have what it takes to become a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member. These specialized police officers respond to high-risk, volatile situations that regular police forces are not equipped to handle, such as riots and hostage rescues. As one would expect, SWAT team members are more than your typical law enforcement officers and, besides special training, are required to pass extreme fitness and marksmanship testing to join. Crisis negotiators often work as a component of a SWAT team within a city police department and are specially selected for the job. They often have a bachelor's degree in social sciences in addition to law enforcement training.
- Median salary: $74,910 (among all police and detectives)
10. Bounty hunter
Also known as bail enforcement officers when working at the federal level and fugitive recovery agents at the state level, bounty hunters work with bail bond companies to track down fugitives who have skipped bail by failing to appear in court. The idea is to find the criminals and bring them in to face justice. You don't have to have a background in law enforcement, though many bounty hunters do. It's highly dangerous work. Most fugitives are desperate to avoid being arrested and may be armed. Previous experience in security intelligence services, fugitive recovery, and the military transfers well into the exhilarating career of bounty hunting. Each state requires different levels of certification, so be sure to check with your local authority before getting started.
- Earnings: Typically, a percentage of the total bail amount owed.
11. Correctional officer
Keeping order among hardened criminals in prisons and jails can make for an exciting workday. Checking for contraband, settling disputes between inmates, and preventing full-scale riots are all part of the job. You must be constantly alert to stay safe and keep a tense situation from spiraling out of control. Staying calm and objective in this high-stress environment can be difficult, but the adrenaline can help keep you going. Correctional officers need a high school diploma or GED to begin their careers. They must also complete training at a state or agency-run academy, where they learn security procedures, self-defense, and institutional policies. A bachelor's degree or relevant work experience may be required for federal positions, with common degree fields including security, protective service, or social science. Some states also mandate state certification.
- Median salary: $53,300
Exciting Careers in Science and Technology
Working on the cutting edge of science and technology can be a huge thrill. Pushing the boundaries of what's possible and constantly striving for new knowledge can be immensely rewarding. If you dream of creating innovations that improve the world, you might want to consider these exciting jobs for women and men who like getting their geek on.
12. Aerospace engineer
Could anything be more exciting than literally being a rocket scientist? Aerospace engineers use their knowledge of physics and other sciences to design vehicles and devices that fly—from airplanes and spacecraft to satellites and missiles. On any given day, you could be conducting wind tunnel tests on an aircraft design or modifying a computer model of a missile guidance system. Being able to shape the future of transportation can be a real high. Although a specific license is not required to get started, you typically need a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field.
- Median salary: $130,720
13. Volcanologist
If getting up close and personal with one of the most destructive forces in nature is your idea of an exciting career, consider becoming a volcanologist. These scientists travel to remote locations around the world to study active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes to figure out how and why eruptions happen. It can be dangerous work, and you sometimes must contend with hazardous weather conditions. But the ultimate goal is to find ways to predict eruptions and save lives. Becoming a volcanologist may require you to pursue a state-issued license, but a great starting point is earning a bachelor's degree in geoscience.
- Median salary: $92,580
14. Robotics engineer
Do you want to design and build robots that can go anywhere from deep space to the ocean depths? Robotics engineers draw on aspects of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and even psychology to create machines capable of performing amazingly complex tasks. You could find yourself making robots for surgery, manufacturing, or mining. This career can keep you on the cutting edge. Those getting started typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technologies.
- Median salary: $99,510 (among all mechanical engineers)
15. Forensic science technician
Collecting and analyzing evidence at crime scenes to solve crimes keeps forensic science technicians busy. In this career, you might do anything from making sketches and taking photos to analyzing things like fingerprints, DNA, or ballistics evidence. You can't be squeamish, and you must be very precise. Knowing that your conclusions could lead to a suspect's conviction can be a big adrenaline boost. A bachelor's degree in physical science, biology, or forensic science is typically required to start working as a forensic science technician.
- Median salary: $64,940
Exciting Careers in Media and Entertainment
Working right in the center of the action can come with a major adrenaline rush. Performing for an audience and feeding off the roar of a crowd can lead to a high like no other. If you long for a job that puts you in the spotlight, one of these careers could be what you're looking for.
16. Professional athlete
Professional athletes live for the thrill of competing in front of a crowd, whether in basketball, baseball, football, or soccer. Every encounter is a high-energy, fast-paced effort. Injuries are common, but many athletes would say they are just the price of doing business. If you have what it takes to make it to the top, a career as a pro athlete can be immensely rewarding. Many start this thrilling career training in lower-level athletics before playing at the college level and eventually going pro. Although college may not be a requirement, many find this experience to be beneficial for honing their skills and increasing their knowledge of the game.
- Median salary: $70,280 (but top pay can be much higher)
17. Stunt performer
Have you ever dreamed of a career as an action hero? Stunt performers are highly trained professionals who do all the death-defying feats that would be too dangerous for regular film and television actors: Dodging bullets, escaping infernos, crashing cars, and jumping off rooftops are all par for the course. All stunts are carefully planned and rehearsed to be as safe as possible, but you must still be prepared to take risks. Many stunt performers work in the movie industry, so getting on set as an extra is a great starting place for this action-packed career. While not typically required, you could attend a stunt performer course to work on skills such as stunt driving, fire burns, martial arts, and stair falling, among others.
- Median salary: $43,493 (among all entertainers and performers, sports and related workers)**
18. Sports announcer
Keeping people entertained and making your listeners or viewers feel like they're part of the game is the main focus of a sports announcer. These pros are usually sports nuts who love the excitement of following along with all the action. You need to pay close attention, think fast, and have plenty of stats and stories to share. As a bonus, you sometimes get to interview the top stars of each sport. Sports announcers typically get started by pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications. Early experience through an internship, school radio, or TV station can be especially helpful in gaining practical hands-on experience.
- Median salary: $53,165
19. War correspondent
Sometimes, being in the center of the action means working in a war zone. War correspondents routinely travel to the world's most dangerous conflict areas to report what's happening. They might find themselves dodging gunfire and avoiding insurgents, but the glory and fame of getting the big story and keeping the world informed keeps these journalists going. Reporting from the front lines can be an intensely exciting type of journalism. Setting your foundational skills through a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or English is especially important for a war correspondent because of the magnitude of their stories.
- Median salary: $57,500
20. Sports photographer
You have to be incredibly quick and extremely creative to get the shot that no one else has and everyone else wants, but seeing the photo you took appear in newspapers and on websites around the world can be a dizzying experience. Beyond natural talent and an eye for detail, attending a photography school can assist with some of the technical skills such as photo editing, framing techniques, and portfolio development.
- Median salary: $40,760
21. Adventure filmmaker
Documenting the feeding habits of humpback whales or the realities of life on the frozen northern tundra lets you live life on the edge. It's an exhilarating type of filmmaking. Adventure filmmakers tell exciting stories about nature, wildlife, extreme sports, or exotic expeditions through a camera lens. They go to incredible lengths to get the footage that grips an audience. Dangling from a helicopter above a mountain range or descending into the ocean in a shark cage could get anyone's pulse racing. Beyond the fundamentals learned in film school, adventure photographers may also benefit from physical stamina training to assist with the treacherous terrain they may be traveling with heavy and expensive camera gear.
- Median salary: $65,070
Exciting Careers in Travel and Adventure
For those with wanderlust, the greatest thrills come from seeing new places, working in exotic locales, or experiencing different cultures. The good news is that there are ways to do all those things and make a decent living at the same time. If you yearn to move from place to place, check out these exciting jobs for men and women who love traveling more than anything else.
22. Airline pilot
Getting a job as a commercial airline pilot takes a lot of flight training and experience. But there's nothing quite like seeing a sunrise at 35,000 feet or flying high above the spectacular fireworks show of a thunderstorm. Airline pilots get to combine the thrill of soaring high above the earth with the joy of traveling to destinations all around the world. A standard flight can be fairly routine, but if an engine quits or something else goes wrong, you need to be on top of your game.
- Median salary: $171,210
23. Cruise director
Have you ever dreamed of a career at sea? Cruise directors are in charge of all entertainment on board a cruise ship. They organize singers, dancers, comedians, bingo games, trivia quizzes, and more, all while sailing to various ports around the globe. As the most visible member of the ship's staff, you're constantly in the spotlight; you must be charming, energetic, and diplomatic, especially when dealing with disgruntled passengers. But the rewards can be great if you're truly a people person. A typical path toward this career consists of earning a bachelor's degree, similar work experience, and possibly a park and recreation professional certification. Degrees that equip individuals with transferable skills include park management, recreation and fitness, and leisure studies.
- Median salary: $73,460 (among all entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling)**
24. Travel nurse
If you have an adventurous spirit, enjoy providing patient care, and relish the idea of being able to choose where you live and work, you might want to go into registered nursing and become a travel nurse. Hospitals around the country hire travel nurses to work short-term temporary contracts. The job comes with some pretty cool perks: You get to see different cities, have your housing and travel expenses paid for, and receive a salary that's generally higher than that of regular staff nurses. Before hopping on a plane to work as a travel nurse, it's important to know that registered nurses must have a nursing license issued by the state they plan on working in.
- Median salary: $86,070 (among all registered nurses)
Choose Your Path
There are plenty of exciting careers to pursue in a variety of interesting areas. Think about what would make a job exciting to you. Do you have the skills you need to fulfill your ambitions? Why not explore training options in your area? Enter your zip code into the search tool below to find convenient programs to prepare you for an exciting career!
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Some careers listed may be part of a combined occupation profile (visited October 4, 2024).
** Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (visited October 4, 2024).
