The Most Extreme Jobs?

Crocodile Psychologist

It’s not quite sofas-in-Freud’s-office, but crocodiles have psychologists, too. This job involves bringing crocs ashore to study their behaviour and results in studies such as this recent one – the first of its kind – which found that crocodiles are actually pretty playful. Still, some crocodiles species are particularly dangerous and are thought to kill hundreds, if not thousands, of people every year. Is that worth a salary of US$62,500 per year?

Storm Chaser

While most people would sprint from a storm, some people head straight for dangerous weather zones. Storm chasers tend to pursue severe weather as a hobby, but some – such as scientists, meteorologists and journalists – make a living out of it and can earn around US$61,000 a year.

Snake Venom Milker

Snake venom can be lethal, but its antidote, called antivenom, is made from venom. Antivenom can also be used in non-snake related remedies, such as for strokes and tumours. Venom milkers extract the poison by holding a snake’s head while it bites a piece of latex stretched over a cup or by stimulating the snake’s venom glands with electrodes. The job can pay around US$30,000 per year, but the venom is valuable too.

Sky Diver

You could pay a few hundred dollars for the chance to jump out a plane… or you could earn US$24,000 by doing it all the time.

Scuba Diver

Up on the shore they work all day, out in the sun they slave away… for US$58,650 per year, you could spend your time where it’s better and wetter. Cave diving can be more dangerous than ocean scuba diving because of small spaces, lack of surface and unusual water pressures.

Smoke Jumper

Smoke jumpers parachute into deserts and forests to extinguish wildfires and must be able to be self-sufficient in a burning woodland for up to 72 hours. It pays US$33,000 per year, and is apparently not as life-threatening as it sounds.

Safari Guide

Safari guides can earn more than US$70,000 per year taking tourists through the natural wildlife, but they have to contend with remote regions, unpredictable animals and tricky travellers.

Stunt Performer

Hollywood actors don’t get paid enough to do their own stunts. For US$70,000 per year, professional doubles put themselves in risky situations instead of their celebrity counterparts. Perks of the job include variety, adrenaline and famous friends.

Mountain Climbing Guide

More than 4,000 people have climbed the world’s tallest mountain, and just over half who try successfully make it to the top. But they don’t usually do it unassisted: an Everest leader can make around US$5,000 per season.

White Water Rafting Guide

For US$6,700 per season, water lovers can roam the rapids with a group of inexperienced rafters. But if none of these have taken your fancy… what about a shark aquarium cleaner?

Credit: The Telegraph