The Dirtiest Jobs That Pay Well

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Not afraid to get your hands dirty to make some money? How about your entire body? The following list covers great paying jobs that are a little less clean than your average white collar office gig.

Crab Fisherman
Extremely cold temperatures, massive waves, and fierce storms are just a few of the things crab fisherman deal with on a daily basis. Combine that with typical 21 hour shifts, and you have one dirty, demanding job. Albeit one that pays extremely well - for just two months of grueling work, these fishermen can take home roughly $60,000, depending on how the success of their particular boat and crew.

Coal Miner
Literally one of the dirtiest jobs known to man, coal miners spend their days deep underground and emerge at the end of the shifts covered in dark coal dust. Black lung continues to be a problem for many miners after years of breathing and ingesting coal dust, though improvements have been made in mine ventilation to reduce the epidemic. In areas where coal mining is still a major industry (such as eastern Utah or West Virginia), coal miners can earn more than $64,000 annually.

Plumbers
Huddling under sinks, inspecting pipes, fixing toilets, uncloggingwell, clogs - plumbers definitely have not only a dirty job but a demanding one as well. Many have unpredictable schedules since they are on call 24 hours a day. You can't plan burst pipes and overflowing toilets! But the inconveniences are worth it since plumbers take home a decent paycheck - even entry level plumbers can make as much as $40,000 a year.

Veterinarian
An occupation apt only for those with a strong stomach, veterinarians deal with all sorts of unpleasant bodily fluids from a wide range of (not always clean or sanitary) animals. Furthermore, many deal with seeing the cruelty and brutality that comes with animal abuse and neglect. But despite the drawbacks, veterinarians are sitting pretty, making a median annual salary of $73,000.

Waste Management Engineer
A waste management engineer is a nondescript, nice word for those who slave away disposing of our waste; otherwise known as the garbage man. Dealing with any kind of waste, whether human, food, or hazardous, is certainly an unpleasant, dirty occupation. Yet, waste management engineers enjoy great pay with an average salary of $67,000 a year.

Coroner
The king of all dirty jobs, there is perhaps nothing more dirty (or disturbing to many) as the job of a coroner. Yet, death is a fact of life and thank goodness for those that make it a part of their everyday work. The responsibilities of coroners include determining and investigating causes of death, performing autopsies, conducting pathological and toxicological tests, and possibly testifying in cases of foul play or questionable death. The average annual salary for coroners is $52,000.

Truck Driving
Bathing at rest stops, sleeping in tight quarters, and spending hours on the road qualify this as a dirty job. Truck driving jobs can also be, with long hours, days away from home, and loading and unloading cargo. Yet a first-year truck driver can make as much as $35,000 a year, a number that steadily increases with time and experience. In addition, team drivers can make more than $100,000 a year.

Gastroenterologist
Performing colonoscopies daily may not sound appealing but the income of gastroenterologist certainly will, with a median yearly salary of nearly $240,000. And it can be an interesting and challenging (albeit dirty) field since gastroenterologists help people with a wide range of digestive and intestinal problems.

Podiatrist
Dealing with foot diseases, deformities, and fungi - talk about dirty and completely unpleasant. But as long you have no problem with feet (or podophobia), you can become a podiatrist and earn approximately $118,000 a year.