Not every job comes with a fancy office, a great salary, or an easy workload.
Some jobs are tough, dirty, stressful, or just plain unappealing, yet they still need to be done. While most people wouldn’t willingly sign up for these roles, someone has to keep society running, whether it’s dealing with waste, working in extreme conditions, or handling situations no one else wants to touch. These jobs might not be glamorous, but they’re essential. Frankly, we should be paying the people who do them a lot more — and showing them much more respect, to boot.
1. Sewage worker
Few people dream of spending their days knee-deep in human waste, but sewage workers do exactly that. They deal with blocked drains, overflowing pipes, and wastewater treatment, often in less-than-pleasant conditions. It’s a job that requires a strong stomach and an even stronger work ethic. Despite the filth, sewage workers play a crucial role in keeping cities functioning. Without them, waste would pile up, leading to serious health risks. It’s one of those jobs no one thinks about until something goes horribly wrong.
2. Crime scene cleaner
After police finish investigating a crime scene, someone has to clean up the mess — and that’s where crime scene cleaners come in. They deal with blood, bodily fluids, and sometimes even the remains of decomposed bodies. It’s physically demanding and emotionally tough. Many people assume the police handle this, but it’s private companies that step in to restore a space after trauma. The work is gruesome, but for those who do it, there’s a sense of purpose in bringing closure and helping families move forward.
3. Pest control technician
For most people, the sight of a cockroach or rat is enough to send them running. But pest control technicians don’t just face these creatures, they go looking for them. Whether it’s exterminating termites, removing wasp nests, or dealing with full-blown infestations, their job is all about handling things others can’t stomach.
The worst part? The smell, the filth, and sometimes dealing with pests in unexpected places, like inside walls or under floorboards. While it’s not the most appealing career, someone has to do it, and for those who can handle it, it’s steady work with decent pay.
4. Roadkill remover
Roadkill isn’t just unpleasant to look at — it’s a real hazard. Dead animals on roads need to be removed quickly to prevent further accidents and hygiene issues. That’s where roadkill removers come in, collecting and disposing of animal carcasses in all states of decay. It’s messy, smelly, and not for the faint-hearted, but it’s an essential job. Without it, roads would be lined with decaying remains, creating both health and safety risks. It’s definitely not a job for someone with a weak stomach.
5. Oil rig worker
Working on an oil rig means long hours, extreme conditions, and physically exhausting labour. These workers spend weeks or even months offshore, exposed to brutal weather, dangerous machinery, and the constant risk of accidents. It’s one of the toughest and riskiest jobs out there, with a high turnover due to the sheer difficulty of the work. However, for those who can endure the conditions, it comes with high pay, making it a trade-off between hardship and financial reward.
6. Morgue technician
Spending all day around dead bodies isn’t exactly most people’s idea of a dream job. Morgue technicians assist in autopsies, handle deceased individuals, and prepare bodies for funerals — work that requires both technical skill and emotional resilience. While the job is far from glamorous, it provides an important service. Without morgue workers, investigations, burials, and funeral preparations wouldn’t happen as smoothly. It’s one of those careers that few talk about, but is essential in handling the realities of death.
7. Miner
Mining jobs might not be as common as they once were, but they still exist, and they’re still as dangerous and gruelling as ever. Workers spend long hours underground, facing cramped spaces, hazardous conditions, and the constant risk of cave-ins or gas leaks. Despite advancements in safety measures, mining remains one of the riskiest jobs in the world. The pay can be decent, but the toll on health and well-being makes it a profession few would willingly choose unless they had to.
8. Slaughterhouse worker
Meat doesn’t just appear in supermarkets — someone has to do the grim work of butchering animals. Slaughterhouse workers deal with the entire process, from stunning animals to processing meat, often under harsh, high-speed production conditions. Aside from the obvious emotional and ethical challenges, the job is physically demanding and repetitive, with high injury rates. It’s the kind of work most people would never want to do, but without it, the meat industry wouldn’t exist.
9. Portable toilet cleaner
Cleaning public toilets is bad enough, but portable toilets? That’s a whole different level. Portable toilet cleaners deal with human waste in extreme conditions, often having to empty, sanitise, and deodorise dozens of units per day. The smell alone is enough to deter most people, not to mention the unexpected horrors they sometimes find inside. Yet, without them, festivals, construction sites, and outdoor events would be far less pleasant for everyone else.
10. Embalmer
Embalmers prepare bodies for funerals, preserving them with chemicals to delay decomposition. It’s a delicate and precise job, but not one that most people would ever consider. It requires a strong sense of professionalism and emotional detachment, as well as the ability to work with the deceased in a way that provides comfort to grieving families. While rewarding in its own way, it’s a job that’s rarely talked about outside the funeral industry.
11. Livestock inseminator
Artificial insemination is a common practice in farming, and someone has to do the hands-on work of collecting and transferring sperm between animals. It’s a vital role in breeding high-quality livestock, but let’s be honest, it’s not the most appealing job. The process is messy, awkward, and very physical, involving everything from handling large animals to working in unpredictable conditions. While essential in modern agriculture, it’s not exactly a career that people aspire to from a young age.
12. Skyscraper window cleaner
It might not seem too bad at first… until you realise just how high up these workers are. Suspended hundreds of feet in the air, skyscraper window cleaners deal with strong winds, extreme heights, and the constant risk of accidents. It’s a physically demanding job requiring both skill and nerves of steel. While it can be well-paid, the level of risk and exposure to the elements makes it a job that most people would rather admire from the ground.
13. Funeral director
Managing funerals means dealing with grieving families, organising logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly during one of the most emotional times in people’s lives. It’s a job that requires patience, empathy, and professionalism. While it’s an important role, the emotional toll can be exhausting. Most people wouldn’t want to face death daily, but funeral directors play a crucial part in helping families say goodbye with dignity and care.
