Sometimes when I need to give a character a job and suddenly my mind goes blank—I mean, completely blank. It shouldn’t be that hard, right? Well, sometimes it is, especially when it’s a side character whose job doesn’t really alter the plot, but you can’t just have him/her twiddling their fingers all day. Not every one can be a millionaire, so I decided to make a list. Here’s over 700 jobs/careers for your characters. In addition to searching the internet, I asked the members of several author and reader groups on Facebook for jobs that they or any family members have had. A few of the ones I collected I had to look up because I had no clue what they were! LOL! Hope the list helps you and happy writing!
| 9-1-1 Dispatcher / Supervisor | Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker | Pharmacist |
| Accountant | Factory Janitor | Phlebotomist |
| Accounts Receivable | Factory Worker | Phone Operator |
| Acrobat | Fashion Designer | Phone Sex Operator |
| Acupuncturist | Farm Hand | Photographer |
| Admissions Director of School | Farrier | Physical Therapist |
| Adoption Agent | FEMA Worker | Physicist |
| Adult Bookstore/Toy Store Clerk | Fence Installer | Picture Framer |
| Advertiser | Feng Shui Consultant | Pilot |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Field Crew (on a farm) | Pit Stop Crew Worker |
| Air Marshal | Finacial Aid Office for College/University | Plane Repossessor |
| Air Traffic Controller | Firearms Instructor | Plant Manager |
| Aircraft Cargo Handler | Fire Investigator / Inspector | Police Chaplin |
| Airline Reservation Agent | Fireman | Police Officer |
| Allergist and Immunologist | Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineer | Police Records Clerk |
| Alumni Foundation Administrator | Firework Distributor | Police Sketch Artist |
| Anesthesiologist | Fish and Game Warden | Politician |
| Animal Behaviorist | Fisherman | Pontoon Boat Captain |
| Animal Caregiver at Zoo | Fitness Coach / Trainer | Pool Installer |
| Animal Control Officer | Floral Designer | Postal Worker |
| Animal Trainer | Food Critic | Power Washer |
| Animator | Food Preparation Worker | Preacher |
| Animatronics Maker | Food Safety Inspector | Piano Teacher |
| Anthropologist | Food Scientist | Piano Tuner |
| Antique Appraiser | Food Stylist for Magazine Photo Shoots | Printing Press Repairman |
| Antique Dealer | Food Vendor at Ballpark or Stadium | Prison Guard |
| Apartment Building Manager | Forsensic Accountant | Prison Officer Trainer |
| Arbitrator | Forensic Handwriting Analyst | Prison Warden |
| Arcade Machine Repairman/Money Collector | Forensic Psychologist | Probation Officer |
| Archeologist | Forensic Science Technician | Process Server |
| Architect | Forest Ranger | Professional Cuddler |
| Armored Vehicle Guard | Fragrance Chemist | Professional Mermaid |
| Art Gallery Owner / Manager | Freight and Cargo Inspector | Props Artist for Movies / TV / Stage |
| Artist | Fraud Investigator | Prosthetist/Orthotist |
| Artist in Residence | Fruit Sorter/Packer | Psychic Medium |
| Asset Accountant | Funeral Home Makeup/Hair Stylist | Psychologist |
| Astronomer | Furniture Assembler | Public Address System and Other Announcers |
| Athletic Trainer | Furrier | Public Relations and Fundraising Manager |
| Auctioneer | Gaming and Sports Book Writer and Runner | Quality Control Analyst |
| Auditor | Gaming Cage Worker | Quarry Worker |
| Author | Gaming Dealer | Radio Operator |
| Autobody Repair | Garage Door Repairman/Installer | Radio Station Scheduler |
| Automotive Engineer | General Manager for a Blacksmithing Company | Radiologist |
| Assembly Line Worker | General Manager for Sports Team | Rail Yard Engineer |
| Aviation Inspector | Geneticist | Railroad Conductor |
| Baggage Porter and Bellhop | Geneologist | Real Estate Assessor |
| Bakery Assistant | Geographer | Real Estate Stager |
| Bailbondsman | Geologist | Recreational Therapist |
| Bailiff | Geomatics Engineer | Recruiter |
| Balloon Bouquet/Display Designer | Ghostwriter | Reference Librarian |
| Bank Manager | Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, and Finisher | Refrigeration Technician |
| Bank Risk Manager | Glazier | Registered Nurse |
| Bank Auditor | Golf Ball Retriever (From lakes and ponds) | Rehabilitation Counselor |
| Bankruptcy Clerk / Researcher | Golf Course Designer | Rent-a-Husband or Rent-a-Handyman for Odd Jobs |
| Bank Teller | Golf Pro | Rental Car Agent |
| Barber | Government Engagement Coordinator | Rental Property Inspector |
| Barista | Grant Writer | Rental Property Manager or Cleaning Crew |
| Bartender | Graphic Arts Designer | Repossession Specialist |
| Beer Cart Server | Grave Digger | Resident Assistant for College Dorm |
| Beer Tester | Gravestone Maker | Respiratory Therapist |
| Behavioral Specialist | Grocery store cashier | Restaurant Hostessa |
| Bereavement Coordinator | Grounds Crew for Golf Course or Stadium | Retail Manager |
| Bicycle Repairer | Group Home Manager | Road Crew |
| Billing Clerk | Hair Dresser | Robotics Technician |
| Billing Specialist for Doctor’s Office | Hay Baler | Rock Climbing Instructor |
| Bike Courier | Hazardous Material Removal Worker | Roofer |
| Biochemical Engineer | Head Decorator for Wedding and Party Cakes | Sales Associate |
| Blogger | Headhunter | Sales Director |
| Blood Bank Tech | Health Inspector | Sales Representative |
| Body Double | Hearing Officer | Salesman |
| Body Painter | Helicoptor Pilot | Sawmill Worker |
| Body Part Model (for closeups of hands, feet, eyes, etc.) |
Highrise Window Washer | Scaffolding Company Administrator |
| Boilermaker | Histologist | School Bus Driver |
| Book / Art Restorer | Historian | School Cafeteria Worker |
| Book Illustrator | Holiday Decorator (Professional for businesses) | School Custodian |
| Bookkeeper | Holistic Healer | School Funding Manager |
| Bootmaker | Home Aquarium Installer or Cleaner | School Guidance Counselor |
| Border Patrol Agent | Home Health Aide | School Secretary |
| Botanist | Homeless Shelter Manager | Scientist |
| Bouncer | Home Organizer | Scout for Professional Athletes |
| Bounty Hunter | Home Party Consultant (Candles, Passion Party, etc.) | SCUBA Diving Instructor |
| Bowling Alley Worker | Hooters’ Waitress | Seamstress |
| Brew Master | Horse Rider/Exerciser | Secretary for Contracting Department |
| Brick Mason | Horse Trainer | Secretary for County Attorney |
| Bridal Consultant for Event Planning | Horticulturist | Secretary’s Assistant at an Architectural Office |
| Bridal Consultant for Store Registry | Hospice Aide | Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer |
| Broadcast News Analyst | Hospital Administrator | Senator |
| Budget Analyst | Hospital Housekeeper | Septic Tank Repair |
| Building Inspector | Host for Mystery Theater Events | Service Desk Associate |
| Bullrider | Hot Air Balloonist | Sewer Inspector |
| Bus driver | Hot Dog Cart Vendor (or any other food) | Sex Education Coordinator |
| Business Analyst | Hotel Desk Clerk | Sex Therapist |
| Butcher | Hotel Maid | Sex Toy Tester |
| Butler | Hotel Manager | Shark Tank Cleaner |
| Cabinet Maker | House Sitter | Sheet Metal Worker |
| Cable / phone repairman | Human Resources Director | Sheriff’s Deputy |
| Cable TV Reporter | Human Statue (Street or Event Performer) | Ship Captain |
| Cake Decorator | Hunting Guide | Shipping/Receiving Clerk |
| Cameraman | HVAC Technician | Short Order Cook |
| Canal Dreger | Hydrologist | Singer |
| Candle Maker | Hypnotist | Ski Instructor |
| Candy Maker | Ice Sculptor | Ski Patrol |
| Car Wash Attendant | Immigration and Customs Inspector | Skincare Specialist |
| Cardiac Rehab Tech | Insurance Salesman | Skycap |
| Cardiovascular Tech | Insurance Underwriter | Slot Machine Designer and Tester |
| Carnival Worker | Intelligence Analyst | Social Media Manager |
| Carpenter | Interior Designer | Social Worker |
| Carpet Installer | Inventory Controller | Sociologist |
| Carpet Steam Cleaner | IRS Agent | Soda Jerk at Zoo |
| Cartographer | IT Consultant | Software Developer / Engineer |
| Cartoonist | Janitor | Soil Conservationist |
| Cashier at Gas Station/Minimart | Jet Engine Inspector | Solicitor |
| Casino Pit Boss | Jewelry Maker | Sommelier |
| Casino Dealer | Journalist | Sound and Lighting Engineer |
| Casino Security Guard | Judge | Soup Kitchen Worker |
| Catering Assistant | Kennal Worker | Sous Chef |
| Caterer for Movie and TV Filming Locations | Knitting Machine Operator | Speech Pathologist |
| Cell Tower Repair Worker | Labor & Delivery Nurse | Speech Therapist |
| Ceramics Maker | Lab Tech | Sports Analyst |
| Certified Nursing Assistant at Nursing Home or Hospital |
Land Surveyor | Sports Announcer |
| Character Actor at Amusement Park | Lanscaper | Stable Hand |
| Charity Administrator | Landscaper Architect / Designer | Stage Manager |
| Chauffeur | Land Surveyor | Statistician |
| Chef | Language Practitioner | Steel Stamper |
| Chemist | Lawn Care Crew | Steward (Cruise Ship) |
| Chief of Operations for Security Company | Laundromat Attendant | Stockbroker |
| Child Protection Officer | Lease Administration Analyst | Stock Clerk |
| Childbirth Educator | Leathersmith | Storm Chaser |
| Chiropractor | Legal Secretary | Street Performer |
| Chocolatier | Librarian | Stuntman / woman |
| Choreographer | Life Coach | Submarine Engineer |
| Church Organist | Lifeguard | Substitute Teacher |
| CIA Analyst | Lighting Director | Summer Rec/Camp Counselor |
| Civil Drafter | Limousine Driver | Surgeon |
| Claims Examiner | Line Cook | Surgical Technician |
| Cleric | Lineman (cable/phone/utilities) | Sustainable Farming Tutor |
| Climate Change Analyst | Loan Compliance Specialist | Swim Instructor |
| Clinical Ethicist | Loan Processor | Switchboard Operator |
| Closet Organizer | Lobsterman | Tai Chi Instructor |
| Clothing Designer | Locksmiths and Safe Repairer | Tailor |
| Coach | Locomotive Mechanic | Talent Director |
| Coffin Maker | Loss Prevention Manager | Talent Scout |
| College Administrator | Magician | Tattoo Artist |
| College Professor | Magistrate | Tax Collector / Assessor |
| Comedian | Maid | Taxidermist |
| Comic Book Creator | Mail Room Clerk | Taxi Driver |
| Commercial Jingle Writer/Singer | Makeup Artist | Teacher for the Deaf/Hearing Impaired |
| Communications Specialist | Mammogram Tech | Telecommunications |
| Compliance Officer | Manicurist | Telemarketer |
| Composer | Marine Biologist | Temp Agency Office Worker |
| Computer, ATM, Office Machine Repairer | Marketing Assistant | Tennis Coach |
| Computer Programmer | Martial Arts Instructor | Territory Sales Manager |
| Computer Reseller | Massage Therapist | Theme Park Ride Designer and Engineer |
| Computer Security Expert | Master Distiller | Ticket Agent |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Mathematician | Title Researcher |
| Concert Road Crew | Mayor | Toll Collector |
| Concierges | Meat Packer | Tool and Die Maker |
| Congressional Aide | Mediator | Tornado Chaser |
| Construction Worker | Medical Alert Operator | Tour Guide |
| Convenience Store Manager | Medical Benefits Manager | Tour Trolley Driver |
| Copy Editor | Medical Billing Clerk | Tow Truck Driver |
| Copy Writer | Medical Examiner | Toy Creator |
| Coroner/Medical Examiner | Medical Records Coder | Traffic Analyst |
| Corporate Actions Specialist for Bank | Medical Records Fraud Reviewer | Traffic Reporter |
| Cosmetologist | Medical Researcher | Train Conductor |
| Cost Estimator | Medical Transcriptionist | Transit and Railroad Police Officer |
| Costume Designer | Medical Transport Driver | Translator |
| Counselor/Aide for Children with Special Needs | Merchant Marine | Transport Driver for Disabled |
| Court Clerk | Meteorologist | Trash/Recyclable Collector |
| Court Reporter/Stenographer | Meter Reader | Trauma Service Coordinator |
| CPR / First Aid Instructor | Microbiologist | Travel Agent |
| Crab Fisherman | Midway Games Operator | Traveling Nurse |
| Crane Operator | Midwife | Trawlerman |
| Credit Analyst | Military Family Life Counselor | Truck Driver |
| Credit Counselor | Military Recruiter | Trucking Company Dispatcher |
| Crime Scene Cleaner | Mimeograph Machine Runner | TSA Agent |
| Criminal Science Investigator | Miner | T-Shirt Vendor |
| Crisis Line/Suicide Help Line Counselor | Minister | Tub Girl/Shooter Girl (Bar Staff) |
| Crossing Guard | MRI Tech | Tug Boat Captain |
| Cruise Ship Captain | Missile Launch Officer | Tutor |
| Cruise Ship Director | Mortgage Processor | TV Presenter |
| Customer Service Officer for Airline | Mortician | Typesetter for Publishers |
| Cytotechnologist | Motivational Speaker | Ultrasound Tech |
| Dance Instructor | Motorcycle Mechanic | Umpire/Referee |
| Dancer | Movie or TV Extra | Union Steward for Car Factory |
| Data Base Administrator | Moving Company Worker | Upholsterer |
| Data Base Programmer | Museum Curator | UPS or Fed-Ex Driver |
| Data Entry Clerk | Museum Docent | Used Car Salesman |
| Data Warehousing Specialist | Musical Instrument Teacher | Usher (Broadway Show) |
| Daycare Worker | Musician | US Marshal |
| Debt Collector | Mystery Shopper | Utility Worker |
| Debt Management Officer | Nanny | Vacation Bible School Helper |
| Delivery Driver (Pizza/Furniture) | Nature Reserve Owner | Valet/Car Attendant |
| Demonstrator and Product Promoter | Network Administrator | Vehicle / Boat / Plane Repossessor |
| Dental Assistant | Notary Public | Vending Machine Engineer |
| Dental Hygienist | Nuclear Aeronautics Engineer | Veterinary Acupuncturist |
| Dentist | Nude Model for Art Classes | Veterinary Clinic Receptionist |
| Deployment/Military Family Support Worker | Nursery Worker (Plants/Trees) | Video Game Tester |
| Dermatologist | Nurse’s Aide | Vocal Trainer |
| Design Consultant | Oceanographer | Voice-Over Artist |
| Diener (Prepares a body for autopsy) | Occupational Therapist | Volcanologist |
| Diesel Backup Generator Tester | Ocularist (Paints artificial eyes) | Waitress |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist | Office Manager | Warehouse Clerk |
| Director | Oil & Gas Diver | Warehouse Forklift Driver |
| Dispatcher (Trucking Company) | Oil Rig Worker | Washing Machine Repairman |
| Dishwasher | Orchard Picker | Watch Repairman |
| Diversion Team with DEA | Orchestra Conductor | Water Safety Instructor |
| DJ | Organic Farmer | Waterslide Tester (At amusement parks) |
| DMV Clerk | Painter | Weatherman/Meteorologist |
| DNA Scientist | Paleontologist | Weaver (Factory) |
| Dog Breeder | Paralegal | Web Administrator |
| Dog Groomer | Papermill Worker | Web Developer |
| Dog Poop Removal Worker | Paramedic/EMT | Wedding Coordinator |
| Dog Trainer | Paramedic/EMT Instructor | Wedding Dress Designer |
| Dog Walker | Paranormal Investigator | Welder |
| Doula | Parliamentary Monitor | Well Driller |
| Drama Teacher | Pastor | Wholesale Buyer |
| Dressmaker | Party Planner | Wig Maker |
| Driving Instructor/Driver’s Ed Intructor | Passport Processor | Wildlife Conservationist |
| Drug Analyst | Pathologist | Wildlife Photographer |
| Dry Cleaner | Patient Representative | Wildlife Rehabilitator |
| Economist | Payroll Administrator | Wildlife Trapper and Relocator |
| Editor | Pearl Diver | Window Dresser |
| Electrician | Person who hands out pamphlets on street corner | Window Installer |
| Elevator Inspector/Repairman | Personal Care Giver | Wire Spooler |
| Embroiderer | Personal Assistant | Women’s Shelter Worker |
| Endoscopy Technician | Personal Financial Advisor | Worm Farmer |
| Engraver | Personal Shopper | X-ray Technician |
| Entertainment Lawyer | Pest Control Worker | Yoga Instructor |
| Environmental Engineer | Pet Food Tester (I’ll pass on this one.) | Youth Counselor |
| ESL Conversation Tutor | Petty Cash Administer | Youth Pastor |
| Estate Planner | Pewtersmith | Zamboni Driver |
| Event Planner | Pharmaceutical Company Representative | Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist |
| Excavator | Pharmaceutical Operator |