World’s Worst Jobs You’ll Be Glad You Don’t Have

There’s one thing that’s inevitable in life. Everyone has to get a job. Most people get their first job when they’re teenagers working at a local restaurant or big movie chain franchise. Everyone hopes to land that dream job as the CEO of a billion-dollar company or star in their first movie, but unfortunately, landing that dream job isn’t always possible. 

Many people end up with the worst jobs in the world. Like relationships, it’s impossible to find the right job, but easy to land the wrong one. Some jobs are dangerous and require workers to put their lives on the line for little money. Even if it pays well, it might require getting up close and personal with a smelly armpit.

Then there are the jobs that seem mundane but are actually dangerous and cause high levels of stress. Most of the worst jobs have extended hours or harsh working conditions and aren’t glamorous but necessary to keep the roads safe or provide the best products for customers. Here are some of the worst jobs in the world that aren’t worth your time or effort. 

1. Crime Scene Cleaners

Once the detectives examine a crime scene and the CSI collects all the evidence, it’s time to clean the place up. The life of a crime scene cleaner isn’t glamorous. They show up once the excitement dies down and focus on restoring the area.

Their job includes cleaning up locations after tragic accidents, suicides, and homicides. They often remove body parts, blood stains, pieces of skulls, body fluids, and other disturbing items. Depending on the level of gore and violence, it could take up to several hours to clean the location.

2. Miners

Undoubtedly miners have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The median wage for miners is $54,550 per year. However, miners risk their lives whenever they head down into those unstable, narrow tunnels lined with explosives. Despite wearing protective gear, the workers are at risk of the explosives going off or the tunnel collapsing.

With all the precautions they take, miners are still at risk of struggling with respiratory tract infections due to the dusty, hot, and humid conditions. 

3. Armpit Sniffer

Some jobs are physically demanding and take a toll on a person’s mental health. Then there are jobs like armpit sniffers. The job title is self-explanatory. An armpit sniffer spends hours sniffing armpits. Armpit sniffers make roughly $19,000 but smell all kinds of odors.

Their job requires them to sniff armpits before and after a customer puts on deodorant to check its effectiveness. Other companies require workers to sniff bad breath and feet, although they also get to sniff scented candles.

4. Animal Artificial Insemination Technician 

Animal artificial insemination technician is a prominent job in both the agriculture and scientific fields. Like other job titles on this list, the name is self-explanatory. The technician’s job is to inseminate female animals to help get them pregnant. At times it can be a very exhausting and stressful job, but the work is vital to understanding pregnancy in animals. 

5. Logger

Few jobs are as physically demanding and dangerous as a logger. Severe injuries are commonplace in the logger’s profession. In addition to low pay, loggers put their lives on the line daily. Their jobs require cutting down giant trees and loading the logs on the trailer.

From 2006 to 2015, roughly 66 loggers died every year. Nonfatal injuries occur due to falling, exhaustion, and getting hit by equipment. Loggers often don’t get enough pay for their dangerous work.

6. Animal Urine Collector 

It’s rare to hear a little child talk about growing up to become an animal urine collector. It’s usually just one of the three. While it might feel like a prank, an animal urine collector is a genuine job. They often make roughly $80,000 yearly, but it’s full of risk and animal pee.

The position requires catching the animal and waiting around for it to go number one. That’s when the hard part begins. The worker must carefully and quietly collect the animal’s urine. 

7. Server

Servers are one of the toughest and most grueling jobs out there. They work long hours on their feet and barely make minimum wage. They also have to deal with unruly customers and earn most of their pay through tips.

If they pick up a lot of shifts and rake in the tips, the median pay for a server is just $23,290. It’s one of the most stressful and thankless jobs offering little pay and no benefits. 

8. Portable Toilet Cleaner

Unsurprisingly portable toilets are a filthy mess by the end of the day. Portable toilets go anywhere from outdoor concerts to the beach and construction sites. Despite the unsanitary conditions, somebody has to clean them.

Portable toilet cleaners often use a vacuum and tank to clean up the waste and garbage in a portable toilet. At that point, they pull out the hose and clean every surface of those toilets. They often make $51,000 yearly to clean hundreds of dirty portable toilets. 

9. Taxi Drivers

Often stuck in traffic with impolite customers, taxi drivers work in terrible conditions. They work long hours with minimal downtime to rest. They’re always on call and race to pick up their next customer. In addition to rude passengers and gridlock, taxi drivers have an annual median pay of $25,980.

It’s also a high-risk job due to the possibility of hijackings or car accidents. Taxi drivers also have high levels of stress because of the low pay, unruly passengers, dangerous situations, and traffic.

10. Roadkill Collector 

Roadkill collectors spring into action when a vehicle hits an animal and its body needs removing. Roadkill collectors have the difficult job of disposing of the animals. Not only do they deal with decaying animals, but also oncoming traffic.

They’re often on call 24/7 and deal with terrible conditions, as there’s no telling how long those animal bodies have been on the side of the road.  

11. Social Worker

While being a social worker can be fulfilling, they often encounter difficult situations, including orphans, victims of abuse, people living with HIV/Aids, and cancer patients. Added to this is the fact they also face rejection from the people they’re trying to help. They move around a lot and often struggle with their own mental health.

In addition to dealing with awful situations, social workers make a median wage of $47,890. It’s easily one of the most demanding yet fulfilling professions. 

12. Manual Sewer Cleaner

Manual sewer cleaners dive deep into the dark sewer tunnels daily. The conditions are harsh, toxic, and stinky. While dealing with harmful waste, they focus on determining problems and flushing out blockages.

The workers often encounter health issues due to the environment around them and only make roughly $41,780 a year. They’re at high risk of contracting a disease while skin and respiratory problems are common. 

13. Paint Dry Watcher 

Sometimes people are so bored they’d rather watch paint dry. Those people love it so much they’ve turned it into a profession. The primary duty of a paint dry watcher is to watch the paint over time to see how it changes and its durability. It’s a tedious job for a small amount of money. The boredom’s free. 

14. Telemarketer

There’s only one thing more annoying than receiving a call from a telemarketer. That’s being a telemarketer and making those calls. Telemarketers deal with verbal abuse and hang-ups daily. They often make little money while being berated and yelled at by complete strangers. Their jobs require making random cold calls to the general public to sell services and products. 

15. Fast Food Cook 

The life of a fast food cook includes low wages, cuts, burns, and long hours. Not only are the hours long, but they work at all times of the day, especially on weekends, with fast food restaurants operating at a rapid pace in high-pressure situations.

Being a fast food cook is an excellent gig for anyone looking for a first-time job, but in the long term, it can be a grueling and thankless career. 

16. Pest Controller

Pest controllers spend their days in infested homes, offices, schools, and apartments. They hunt down annoying pests like rats, wasps, bedbugs, bees, and cockroaches. The median annual income of a pest controller is $35, 610, although they often work on contract, meaning they could be waiting for the next job for a while.

They work with various pesticides in tight spaces as they search for pests. In addition to using dangerous chemicals, they travel into dark places, including basements and sewers. The combination of poisonous chemicals and vermin makes being a pest controller a dangerous and dirty job. 

17. The King’s Guard

While being a King’s Guard comes with a certain level of prestige and honor, it’s also one of the worst jobs in Britain. The soldiers spend hours preparing, pressing, and cleaning their uniforms. Their boots and clothing must be spotless to pass kit inspection before taking command of their spot.

Despite the pressure of the job, the most challenging part is dealing with obnoxious tourists. It’s common for tourists to annoy and scream at a King’s Guard in an attempt to make them break. However, a King’s Guard will always stay strong, no matter how annoying a person might be. 

18. Retail Salesperson

Retail is often one of the first jobs a person gets. However, most people who get into retail usually want to get out as soon as possible. It all depends on the skill and talent of the salesperson. One of the most challenging aspects is working on commission.

Most salespeople are underpaid, making close to $24,200 if they have a good year. A great salesperson needs a lot of charm, good communication, and ambition. Another major drawback is having to deal with various clients who can be a pain in the ass.

19. Pet Food Taster

Ever wonder how companies know their pet food is so delicious and that every pet will come running for it? Since dogs and cats can’t communicate, there’s only one other suitable taste tester, humans. Pet food taster might seem like an easy job, but the position requires the workers to try a wide range of pet food.

Chowing down on dog food is more challenging than Santa’s Little Helper makes it seem. There’s always the danger of trying a contaminated batch leading to food poisoning. 

20. Grave Diggers

Grave Digger is another physically demanding job that’s exhausting and requires long hours. They work in harsh conditions in cemeteries, sometimes spending hours digging graves. Aside from the intense labor, spending hours in a graveyard can mess with a person’s mind. Plus, the job depends on people dying, which is a little morbid. 

21. Parking Enforcement 

Getting yelled at and flipped off is part of the job. Working as a parking enforcement officer is another thankless job. Parking enforcement services focus on making sure that everyone follows the rules and stays safe. Despite the good intentions, those breaking parking violations often threaten and scream at the officer as they try to do their job.