“What precisely is your occupation?” is a query that we’ve heard in diverse settings, like lengthy flights and awkward social gatherings. Frequently, the responses are lackluster and vague. However, for individuals with unique professions, the likelihood of encountering someone else in the same field is slim, leading them to become some of the sole experts worldwide in their particular niche. Picture yourself asking someone about their job, only to receive responses like, “I make a living testing waterslides,” or “I specialize in studying the peculiar contents discovered in antique clothing pockets.”
8 niche professions you had no clue about
If you’re in the market for a new career and have an extremely specific hobby, let this serve as motivation to pursue your next calling as distinct and unique as you desire. You might not be familiar with the following eight careers, but individuals are thriving while engaging in some incredibly remarkable work.
1. Archaeological curator
Are you keen on locating antiques at thrift stores? Sara Rivers Cofield, an archaeological curator at Maryland’s MAC lab, might just outdo you. She has a keen interest in historical fashion and has been amassing antique bags since the age of 12, as per Atlas Obscura. An article recounts her discovery of an 1880s bustle dress in an antique mall with a concealed pocket containing a note that revolutionized the field of meteorology.
Similar positions entail duties such as overseeing the “intellectual and physical control” of archaeological collections and conserving ancient artifacts, as indicated by a Delaware government job posting. For shoppers and historians, this is an avenue worth exploring.
2. Sorority house interior decorator
Liz Toombs, a certified interior decorator and owner of PDR Interiors in Lexington, Kentucky, isn’t your run-of-the-mill interior decorator—she specializes in designing sorority houses and similar spaces.
“With PDR’s specialization in decorating sorority interiors, I must grasp the intricacies of Greek life and what elements hold significance for them. The ‘them’ in that sentence can be perplexing, given the various layers of individuals involved in the process—from those at the headquarters level to alumni offering input to the chapter women who will utilize the space daily,” she explains.
“During installation days, I guide delivery crews on where to position furniture, hang artwork, and install window treatments. We commence the day with empty rooms, and by day’s end, we have a fully furnished sorority space. It’s immensely fulfilling.”
She honed her expertise in this sector through networking after redesigning a fraternity house. Her favorite aspect of her specialized career? “Creating secure and inviting environments for sorority women as they navigate their college years, and providing college-aged women with exposure to the design realm as a gateway to kick-start their careers.”
3. Ethical hacker
If you’ve secretly harbored thoughts of excelling as a hacker but refrain from delving into criminal activities, the realm of “ethical hacking” might pique your interest. According to the EC Council, ethical hacking entails “identifying vulnerabilities in an application, system, or organizational infrastructure that could be exploited by an attacker. Practitioners leverage this process to thwart cyberattacks and security breaches by lawfully intruding into systems and pinpointing weak spots.”
To venture into ethical hacking, most individuals hold a degree in computer science. The average salary bracket for ethical hackers falls between $95,000 and $119,000, as per Crowdstrike. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 32% growth in job opportunities for security analysts (involved in ethical hacking) by 2032.
4. Professional bridesmaid
The adage of “always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” famously depicted by Katherine Heigl in the 2008 film 27 Dresses, may be more closely aligned with reality than anticipated by rom-com aficionados. Jen Glantz shared with Today that she swiftly acclimatized to the role of a professional bridesmaid, even adhering to a one-drink cap to ensure she could care for those around her—after all, she was on the clock.
No formal education is mandated to become a professional bridesmaid, but a grasp of business practices is fundamental for self-employed individuals. Depending on the package offerings, a professional bridesmaid can earn between $2,000 and $5,000 per wedding. According to Jen Glantz, over 100,000 individuals have submitted applications to be professional bridesmaids since her company Bridesmaid for Hire was established. If you don’t require a bridesmaid, her company extends maid of honor services, as well as vow or speech writing services.
5. Cardiovascular perfusionist
Ralph Kodjovi Abalo, hailing from Togo, West Africa, and residing in Omaha, Nebraska, operates as a certified clinical perfusionist for Adjanou Perfusion Solution, Inc. “My job necessitated education from an accredited college, holding a degree in perfusion science. My routine can seamlessly transition from a calm day, with no scheduled open-heart surgery, to frenzied trauma when a heart attack victim arrives. What we do is incredibly unpredictable,” he reveals. “Everything can be smooth until the last minute or the wee hours of the night when we are required to save a life.”
He stumbled upon the profession while working as an X-ray technician. “I was in the right place at the right time since not many are familiar with my line of work. I consider myself fortunate. Open-heart surgeries aren’t commonplace where I come from, and not every hospital nationwide conducts them,” he elucidates.
“Even at the hospital where we are based, people are unaware of our duties,” he jests. According to Mayo Clinic, a cardiovascular perfusionist is tasked with “operating extracorporeal circulation equipment, like the heart-lung machine, during open-heart surgery or any medical procedure necessitating the artificial support or temporary replacement of a patient’s circulatory or respiratory function.”
“I wish there was more awareness among the populace or patients regarding what we do. The profession is perennially understaffed, so the more we educate individuals, the greater the likelihood of them pursuing studies to become perfusionists,” he voices. “My preferred aspect of my role is witnessing the smile on a patient’s face as they depart after being discharged.”
Moreover, Abolo engages in charitable endeavors to aid African children in acquiring education and healthcare through Friends of Togo.
6. Piano technician
Understanding the intricacies of a piano’s mechanisms is no small feat. A piano technician’s routine hinges on their competencies. Certain technicians concentrate solely on piano tuning, while others can refurbish or reconstruct different piano components, such as the soundboard, in their workshop or studio.
A piano technician’s responsibilities vary according to their service region. Some technicians oversee piano maintenance at schools or universities. Others furnish tuning and repair services in private residences or religious institutions. Although various programs are available to train as piano technologists or technicians, many piano technicians gain skills through apprenticeships.
The Piano Technicians Guild in Kansas City, Kansas, offers a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) program for those inclined to advance in their careers. Typically, education and training entail two to five years of study, contingent on the program or expertise.
7. Prosthetist
Possessing the aptitude to aid individuals who have suffered amputations in regaining functionality represents a fulfilling niche occupation. A prosthetist fabricates and fits prosthetic limbs for patients and commonly operates in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or private practice.
A prosthetist convenes with patients to ascertain their requirement for a prosthesis and how it should integrate into their daily life. Measurements and impressions are often taken to ensure the prosthesis fits appropriately, followed by its design in adherence to the prescription. Sustaining an ongoing rapport with patients enables prosthetists to offer continuous education on best practices, in addition to adapting and mending the prosthesis as necessary.
A master of science in prosthetics-orthotics (MPO) is frequently considered the standard education for prosthetists, complemented by internships and residency programs. The average salary for a prosthetist hovers around $77,000 annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% surge in industry growth from 2022 to 2032.
8. Airline repossession specialist
Nick Popovich has gained prominence for his highly specialized role in repossessing aircraft from defaulting owners. One headline declares, “I’ve been held at gunpoint, thrown in a Haitian prison, and have tracked down $40 billion worth of aircraft.”
Like numerous niche vocations, his career arose from networking, prompting the transition from pilot to repossession agent. The potential for substantial income in a finely tuned field—akin to a scenario for several other niche professions—caught him off guard. Naturally, not every element of being an airplane repossessor is akin to a walk in the park, as another practitioner recounted undergoing a knee replacement following a repo operation that went awry. Therefore, before you ditch your current occupation for this or any other specialized career, heed the potential risks.
