Discover 22 Unusual and Niche Jobs in the UK That Could Change Your Career Path

Given that we spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over our lifetimes, it's wise to choose a job you enjoy or one that pays well. The luckiest individuals manage both, but such careers are rare.

A discussion on the AskUK subreddit sparked this exploration, with user grumpy_groundsman posing the question: 'What is the most niche job in the UK?' They explained their curiosity stemmed from seeing expensive homes in London and wondering about the unique, high-paying roles that could afford them.

Here are some standout responses that might inspire you to reconsider your career:

1. Ecological Consultant

'In no way paying me enough to afford a house in London, but I’m an ecological consultant which is somewhat niche. I’m the person that ‘holds up’ housing developments because of one great crested newt. In reality, the developer decided to think of us last and I’m trying to keep people out of prison.' – Particular-Bid-1640

2. Antique Church Clock Maintainer

'I once met someone whose whole job was maintaining antique church clocks around the country. Super niche but surprisingly well paid because almost no one else can do it.' – InternationalYam5496

3. Personal Perfumier

'Saw an interview with a personal perfumier. Works for the ultra rich. Turns up to their house with his kit. Spends many sessions and hours to create ‘their scent’. Process can apparently take him 18 months. Charges in excess of £20,000 a bottle.' – StGuthlac2025

4. Squash Court Plasterer

'The most niche I’ve come across in construction industry was a squash court plasterer. It’s a special type of plaster and very few people are able to do it.' – Remarkable-Budget239

5. Cat Caretaker for Larry the Cat

'Someone has to check on Larry the cat. Is he fed by the PM or is that a flunky’s job?' – BuncleCar

6. Legacy Computer System Maintainer

'There are a lot of business that rely on 40-year-old computer systems that almost no-one knows how to maintain.' – BaldyBaldyBouncer

7. Tall Ship and Soundstage Rigger for Films

'My brother rigs tall ships and soundstages to look like tall ships in movies.' – Ancient-District1806

8. Heart Bypass Machine Engineer

'Heart bypass engineer, fixing and servicing heart bypass machines. Six in my company, probably two or three others in the UK.' – JohnFermwr

9. Banking System Software Maintainer

'I had a friend who maintained a banking system software that was written in the 1950s. Banks didn’t want to update the system because it still worked. He said ‘There are two of us in the world, and the other one’s about to retire’. He claimed he only worked a few days a year, always travelled first class and in his mid 30s was mortgage free and financially able to retire when the last system was finally switched off.' – jeminar

10. Hovercraft Driver

'Hovercraft driver.' – Ill_Refrigerator_593

11. Bronze Patinator

'I am a Patinator (or ‘Patineur’ according to some American bloke who wrote a book about it) of bronze. There are not many people in the world who do this and it’s a somewhat secret art. It’s basically using heat (massive blow torch) and various chemicals and oxides, to create chemical reactions, colours and patterns on bronze work. Niche and badly paid! But also kinda cool.' – OtherwiseFudge4743

12. Melting Cheese Photographer and Filmmaker

'My best example of this is a guy I met a party who specialised in photographing and filming melting cheese. And he’d made a fortune. Think about it: Dominos, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Burger King. He was the go to guy for every fast food advert: globally.' – Mammoth-Difference48