Businesses come in all shapes and forms, and if you think of something, there’s a good chance a business or job is driving it. However, we don’t want to start a career in even some things in life. Most of these businesses and jobs are what we consider dirty.
However, you’ll realize that dirty is a mere perspective. There’s a lot of money to have to do dirty jobs and one that’ll undoubtedly be able to pay the bills and then some.
Septic Tank Cleaners
Septic tanks are an essential part of wastewater treatment. Essentially, these tanks are in charge of storing wastewater so any solid debris can settle at the bottom. Once the debris has settled, the water can then move through the pipes to get treated. So what happens to the waste that has settled inside the tank? First, someone has to clean it.
Septic tank cleaning is a dirty job that earns a lot of money. You’ll be surprised how much you can make from cleaning a septic tank underneath a porta potty. The market alone is worth $5 billion and is rising. The more buildings and homes are built, the bigger this market grows.
Small businesses in this market can earn upwards of a million dollars every year. That’s a pretty colossal income for a “dirty” business. But as Mike Rowe used to say, “It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.”
Garbage Collectors
This is an obvious one on the list. Garbage collecting is a dirty business that’ll net you good income for the same reason.
Not many people enjoy bad smells and trash, but maybe that’ll change your mind once you know about the market. The waste collection market in the US is worth a staggering $59 billion and is expected to grow by a humble two percent in the coming years. Moreover, experts believe it’ll continue to grow even higher by 2026, as more people will be in the world by then.
Furthermore, there is a growing need for garbage collectors to join environmental initiatives. They are at the forefront of saving our planet because they are in charge of segregating trash and recycling them, making this market an essential one in the future.
Crab Fishers
This one isn’t necessarily dirty, but rather, it’s painful and dangerous most of the time. Yes, you read that right. Crab fishing is a painful business and one that’s quite fatal if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Alaskan king crab is one of the most coveted crabs globally, costing people about $29 a pound. King crabs weigh about eight pounds on average, so a singular crab could cost around $200. Climate change is also increasing the prices of these crabs, with some prices reaching $40 a pound. Now that you know the potential profit of crab fishing, it’s time to discuss why it’s such a dangerous job.
Many crab fishers are exposed to hypothermic weather, wearing and carrying heavy equipment around a small boat that could barely fit all the crew. The pots they use to catch crabs can also be fatal if mishandled, with stories of fishermen caught in the line and swept overboard. But it’s easily one of the most profitable businesses on this list, and many would argue that the rewards outweigh the risks for this kind of work.
Gastroenterologists
A gastroenterologist is a doctor that specializes in the digestive tract, specifically your gastrointestinal tract. They are in charge of studying what comes out of you, so suffice to say, they have to handle human feces on a daily basis. They are in contact with it all the time. They touch it almost every day, studying it to earn a living. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
Thankfully, gastroenterologists get paid a handsome amount for their dirty work. On average, they earn about $120,000 because of their specialization. However, some of the best professionals in this field can earn upwards of $300,000. However, you do require over ten years of studying and academic experience before you start this job. So you better get studying!
Morticians
Lastly, we have the humble mortician. Death is part of the cycle of life, and it’s an all-too-common sight for morticians.
Handling dead bodies has been inherently a dirty job since time immemorial, with some cultures even shunning them entirely from society. However, much like every business and job on this list, it’s an important one.
Without morticians, our cities would be hubs of disease and infection. Moreover, our dead won’t be treated properly. It’s not an easy job, and it’s not a clean one either. That’s why morticians get paid the big bucks.
On average, morticians can earn around $80,000 per year, making it a high-paying job in the US. In addition to that, funeral homes can earn over a million in profit annually. It’s a good job and a better business, but one that requires an iron stomach.
So here are some jobs and businesses that earn sizable incomes despite being considered dirty. Starting a business in these markets or getting a career in one of them isn’t a bad idea. But make sure you have a stomach made of steel.