5 Quirky Hourly Jobs You've Never Heard Of

If sitting at a desk or answering phones isn’t your jam, consider looking for a more interesting way to pay your bills. 

Every day is different with an unusual hourly job. From testing smells (yes, that’s a thing) to becoming a bridesmaid for hire, there are plenty of unusual hourly jobs out there for the taking. 

Whether you work full-time or want an hourly gig for the weekends, these five unusual jobs will keep you on your toes. 

1. Ice cream taster

Also known as “The best job EVER.” 

The American Dairy Association says Americans downed 1.4 billion gallons of ice cream in 2017. 

The $11 billion ice cream industry needs to ensure quality, and that’s why most ice cream companies hire taste testers. 

But don’t let the silly job title fool you; ice cream companies mean business. Testers not only try out new flavors, but they also test every batch of ice cream to ensure consistency and safety. 

Test ice cream, save the world!  

To succeed in this weird hourly job, you’ll need a good sense of taste and smell. A background in desserts, baking or the culinary world is also helpful. 

Just, uh, make sure you hit the gym after work. Those calories add up!

2. Professional bridesmaid

Yes, this is a real job. In the age of Instagram, picture-perfect weddings are incredibly important to people tying the knot. 

Professional bridesmaids work as independent assistants for brides preparing for the big day. 

Work on an hourly basis doing things like dress shopping, writing speeches and calming the bride's pre-wedding jitters. 

This is a great (if not weird) job if you have a background in theater. You’ll need to be okay with wearing ugly bridesmaid dresses and yes, you’ll need to pretend to know the bride (nobody wants to admit they paid for a bridesmaid, after all). 

3. Personal assistant

This is probably the most “normal” of all the jobs listed here, but personal assistants take on a variety of unusual tasks. 

Every day is different at this job. One day you’ll be taking dogs to a groomer, and the next you might be on a plane to Paris. Who knows! 

To succeed as a personal assistant, you’ll need to have a can-do attitude, impeccable communication skills and an obsession for organization. You may need to be on call during off-hours or weekends, so keep that in mind. 

4. Fortune cookie writer

Have you ever wondered who writes the fortunes inside fortune cookies? Well, we’re here to tell you that it’s a real, bona fide job that you can apply for. 

It helps to have an interest in fortunes or astrology as a fortune cookie writer. If you like doling out advice to your friends and have the gift of the gab, you’ll succeed at this unusual hourly job. 

Plus, since it’s writing, you can do this job remotely! It’s perfect as a part-time hustle or as a full-time career. 

5. Smell tester

No, we’re not pulling your leg. This is totally a real job. 

If you’re sensitive to smells, smell testing might be up your alley. This is a popular gig in the perfume industry, but food companies also need smell testers in their research department.  

Use your schnoz to pay the bills. Help companies ensure product consistency while you rake in the Benjamins. 

Normal is boring

“Normal” isn’t for everyone. Spice up your daily grind by pursuing a quirky and fun hourly job that pays the bills. 

Keep in mind that you might need to apply in...unusual ways to get an unusual job. Use these tips to directly ask business owners if they’re hiring. We know you can do it!