Standard 9-to-5 business hours just aren\u2019t for everyone. If you enjoy getting up early or staying up late, the good news is that there are plenty of great careers out there that encourage \u2013 or even require \u2013 you to work hours outside the 9-to-5 day shift. Some of these jobs come with high salaries, while in others, it\u2019s the work itself that\u2019s so rewarding. Whether you\u2019re a night owl or an early riser, you\u2019re bound to find a career that fits your schedule among our 20 best jobs without a 9-to-5 work schedule.<\/p>\n
If you have a knack for science and an interest in helping people as well as a preference for a nonstandard work schedule, consider becoming a doctor. Physicians and surgeons are some of the highest-payed professionals in the workforce, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS). In addition to the earning potential of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, the best doctors enjoy the fulfilling nature of helping patients get or stay well. Of course, they also make sacrifices. Physicians spend many years preparing for the career, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree, attending medical school and completing residencies and internships to gain hands-on training. This preparation requires candidates to invest a lot of time, work and money into their future career.<\/p>\n Exactly how nonstandard a doctor\u2019s work schedule is depends on his or her place of employment. Hospitals require staffing 24 hours a day, so physicians who work in these settings may be more likely to work early or late shifts (and often, long shifts). Even in private practices, though, many offices are increasingly offering evening and weekend appointments for the convenience of their patients who do work a regular schedule and can\u2019t come in during the day.<\/p>\n Salary: $241,273 to $411,852 or more<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO)<\/strong><\/p>\n Like doctors, dentists are increasingly working nonstandard hours to meet the needs of their patients. For many dentists, this means offering occasional or regular evening and weekend hours. While dentists may not have to worry about covering overnight shifts like an emergency room physician does, they may have to deal with dental emergencies that require urgent attention.<\/p>\n Of course, work schedule alone isn\u2019t reason enough to pursue a career in dentistry. However, if you\u2019re already interested in the field and you consider a nonstandard work schedule \u2013 one that you set yourself, if you own your own dental practice \u2013 to be a plus, that\u2019s a good combination. Keep in mind that you will need to do a lot of preparation for your career. In addition to earning a bachelor\u2019s degree (typically in a science-related subject of study) and getting a competitive score on the Dental Admission Test, you will need to graduate from a dental school program accredited by the American Dental Association\u2019s Commission on Dental Accreditation, the BLS <\/a>reported. Still, for the right candidate, the high earning potential, schedule and work itself are well worth the preparation.<\/p>\n Salary: $154,640<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD)<\/strong><\/p>\n While a lot of the best jobs with nonstandard schedules do happen to be in the healthcare field, not all of them are. Petroleum engineers are a great example. These engineering professionals \u2013 who have a six-figure median salary \u2013 develop new ways to extract oil and natural gas from existing wells and underground deposits, the BLS<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n What kind of work schedule can you expect as a petroleum engineer? When traveling to a dig site, it\u2019s not unusual for petroleum engineers to spend 84 hours on duty and then be off duty for another 84 hours, the BLS reported. While working for a full three and a half days might sound like a crazy schedule, the job has its perks, especially for adventure-seekers. Visiting drilling sites means that petroleum engineers have plenty of opportunity to travel the world during their careers.<\/p>\n Salary: $130,050<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Petroleum Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n At every hour of the day and night, someone somewhere is traveling by airplane. Keeping those in flight \u2013 and taking off or landing \u2013 safe means having a trained professional on the clock 24\/7. Air traffic controllers fill this role, communicating instructions, weather pattern information and emergency information to pilots in the air and on the ground. They play a crucial role in getting planes full of passengers and airline workers safely and efficiently to their destinations. Being responsible for managing the safety of multiple planes at a single time can be stressful, but for those candidates who can cope well with the demands of the job, an early retirement is a major benefit of this career, the BLS<\/a> reported. So is the six-figure salary.<\/p>\n RELATED: How to Become an Air Traffic Controller: What Degree Do I Need?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering embarking on a career as an air traffic controller, you will need to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree unless you have years of relevant experience working in the aviation industry, according to the BLS. Look for a school that offers an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program intended to meet guidelines set by the FAA. These degree programs typically cover subjects like airspace, aviation weather, reading maps, clearances and federal aviation regulations. Candidates must also pass the eight-hour Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (AT-SAT) and a personality test before then can undergo air traffic controller training through the FAA academy. If you\u2019re specifically looking for a job with a nonstandard schedule, then you will want to find employment at a large, busy airport that has flights going on all day and night, including on weekends and holidays.<\/p>\n Salary: $122,340<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Bachelor\u2019s Degree, FAA Academy Training Course and a Passing Score on the AT-SAT<\/strong><\/p>\n The last six-figure salary career on our list of the top 20 jobs without a 9-to-5 schedule is, again, in the healthcare industry. Pharmacists are the highly educated professionals who fill and dispense the medications physicians and surgeons prescribe. They not only order and administer the medications, but they also make sure there will be no negative \u2013 and potentially dangerous \u2013 drug interactions among patients who have to take multiple medications. Pharmacists instruct patients on how to take their medications, answer questions about side effects and allergic reactions and handle the paperwork necessary to bill patients\u2019 insurance companies, according to the BLS<\/a>. In some states, they even administer vaccinations.<\/p>\n Today, many pharmacies \u2013 especially those that are part of major retail stores \u2013 offer extended hours to better serve customers and patients who work a 9-to-5 schedule. This means pharmacists increasingly need to work evening and weekend hours. The 19 percent of pharmacists who find employment in hospitals may also need to work nonstandard hours to keep pharmacy departments staffed at all times.<\/p>\n Salary: $120,950<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Physical therapist is yet another healthcare job where a nonstandard work schedule is common. After earning a doctoral degree \u2013 which is no easy feat, requiring advanced studies in subjects like anatomy, physiology and biomechanics as well as months of clinical experience \u2013 physical therapists work directly with patients to help rehabilitate them after an injury or illness. Through methods such as exercises, hands-on therapy, stretching maneuvers and the use of equipment, physical therapists help patients achieve goals like pain reduction and increased mobility.<\/p>\n Many physical therapists do work during regular business hours, the BLS<\/a> reported, but there are also plenty of opportunities to work outside the 9-to-5 schedule at facilities that offer evening or weekend appointments for the convenience of their patients. Besides the possibility of a flexible work schedule, there are plenty of other benefits to a career in physical therapy. A median salary well over twice that of all occupations, an expected job growth rate nearly five times that of all occupations, and of course, the rewarding nature of the work are just a few of the advantages.<\/p>\n Salary:<\/strong> $82,390<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re more interested in developing building designs than treatment plans, architect is another great job with the potential for a flexible work schedule. Architects are the professionals who plan, design and sketch scaled drawings of indoor and outdoor building structures that range from single family homes to apartment complexes and massive office buildings. They need creative, technical, analytical and visualization skills to thoroughly plan and design a building or space that doesn\u2019t yet exist. If you\u2019re thinking about becoming an architect, expect to be in the career for the long haul. Not only does an undergraduate degree require five years of full-time study, but candidates must also spend years gaining job training through a paid internship and pass the Architect Registration Examination before they can finally attain a license.<\/p>\n Architects begin their days bright and early. In fact, more than a third of employees in the architecture industry are already at work before 7 a.m., according to the BLS<\/a>. This makes the job a good choice for candidates who are natural early risers as well as good communicators, visualizers and creators. Keep in mind, though, that architects must also work longer hours if necessary to meet deadlines. Work schedules are most flexible among the 20 percent of architects who work for themselves, according to the BLS<\/a>.<\/p>\n Salary: $74,520<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: 5-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree or Master of Architecture Degree<\/strong><\/p>\n If a career in dental health interests you but the prospect of spending years upon years earning a doctoral degree doesn\u2019t, consider a career as a dental hygienist. These professionals use hand, power and ultrasonic tools to clean patients\u2019 teeth, the BLS<\/a> reported. They take X-rays, administer treatments like sealants and fluoride and evaluate patients\u2019 oral health before they see the dentist. They earn a median salary twice as high as that of all occupations \u2013 and they do it all with an associate\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n Check out these 15 affordable degrees in dental hygiene (associate’s and beyond).<\/a><\/p>\n Dental hygienists work nonstandard schedules for the same reasons dentists do \u2013 to offer convenient appointment times to patients who need extended office hours. If you\u2019re specifically looking for the opportunity to work a flexible schedule, seek employment at a dental office that doesn\u2019t just operate 9-to-5.<\/p>\n Salary: $71,520<\/strong><\/p>\n Education:<\/strong> Associate\u2019s Degree in Dental Hygiene<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a passion for drama or filmmaking, a nonstandard work schedule is typical. Producers and directors are the professionals who create performing arts productions that range from onstage plays to movies and television shows, the BLS<\/a> reported. While directors and producers start with a written script (which they often select themselves), they choose the cast and crew, manage design decisions, make sure the production stays within budget and supervise the entire preproduction, production and\u00a0 postproduction process. Directors have a bigger role in the creative aspects of a production, while producers are more involved in the show\u2019s finances, but both are critical to the success of a performing arts venture.<\/p>\n Most producers and directors find work in either the motion picture industry or the television and radio broadcast industry, but some work in performing arts creating live productions. In either case, expect to put in odd hours during your career as a director or producer. If you create live theater performances, you\u2019re likely to find that many show times take place on evenings, weekends and even holidays. Even if you\u2019re not working on a production that is broadcasted live, you may have to work long hours to meet deadlines. Many producers and directors also travel, either to film on location or take a performance on tour.<\/p>\n Salary: $69,100<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Film<\/strong><\/p>\n The last healthcare career to make our list of the best jobs with a nonstandard work schedule also happens to be the largest career in the entire healthcare industry, according to the BLS<\/a>. Registered nurses, or RNs, care for patients under the supervision of doctors in a wide range of settings, from hospitals and doctors\u2019 offices to nursing homes, home health services and even schools. With three different education paths into the career, aspiring nurses have plenty of options to get started.<\/p>\n Nonstandard work schedules are common for many nurses. Of course, hospitals and nursing homes require nurses on staff 24\/7 to care for patients who are admitted to the facility overnight, or those who come into the hospital in need of treatment during the evening or early morning. At these facilities, it\u2019s not unusual to work fewer days than a standard workweek, but significantly longer hours than a standard workday throughout. With many private practice medical offices extending their hours to better serve patients, even nurses who intend to work in physicians\u2019 offices may need to work some night or weekend shifts.<\/p>\n Salary: $66,640<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Nursing Program Diploma, Associate\u2019s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have a drive to protect and serve your community as well as a preference for a schedule outside the typical 9-to-5, you\u2019re in luck. The most fulfilling job you could have also happens to be one where odd hours are common. Crime never sleeps, so law enforcement departments need police officers and detectives on duty round-the-clock.<\/p>\n As a member of law enforcement, you\u2019ll have many serious responsibilities. You will handle patrol and traffic stops, respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, gather evidence and make arrests, the BLS<\/a> reported. Being a police officer or a detective isn\u2019t easy. The job can be dangerous, and physically and emotionally difficult. For the right candidate, though, knowing that you are saving lives, catching criminals and making your community safer is more than rewarding enough to make up for the challenges of a life in law enforcement.<\/p>\n Salary: $58,630<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s or Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got an interest in aerospace and great mechanical skills, why not pursue a career as an avionics technician? These trained and FAA-certified technicians maintain and repair planes and other aircraft. Avionics technicians specifically are responsible for the safe functioning of a plane\u2019s electronic instruments, like radar, communication and navigation systems, the BLS<\/a> reported. To uncover any malfunctions, they review flight test data and use tools and equipment designed for testing electronic flight instruments. They work on and install instrument panels and software.<\/p>\n An associate\u2019s degree in avionics \u2013 which includes the studies of computerized flight instruments and aircraft controls \u2013 is popular among candidates pursuing the career. Avionics technicians must also earn certification from the FAA.<\/p>\n Avionics technicians need to work nonstandard shifts for the same reasons air traffic controllers do. Travel by aircraft happens at all hours of the day, and it\u2019s necessary to have a professional with the capability to find and repair problems available at all times.<\/p>\n Salary:<\/strong> $56,910<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s Degree in Avionics <\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got great mechanical and troubleshooting skills, a career as a telecom technician can offer you a nonstandard work schedule, the chance to put your skills to good use and a median salary well above that of all occupations. You don\u2019t even need to spend several years earning a degree to get there.<\/p>\n Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers \u2013 telecom technicians, for short \u2013 are the professionals who set up, maintain and fix the telecommunications lines used to transmit phone, Internet and cable signals. They work with components like wiring and phone jacks as well as computer hardware and diagnostic equipment, according to the BLS<\/a>. To develop the mechanical skills and troubleshooting knowledge necessary for success, telecom technicians need an education \u2013 but they don\u2019t necessarily need a traditional degree. Some candidates earn a certificate from a technical school, though the BLS reports that telecom technicians with associate\u2019s degrees will have the best employment prospects in this competitive job market.<\/p>\n Not every telecom technician works nonstandard hours. Your work schedule will depend on your employer. If you\u2019re looking for hours outside the 9-to-5 shift, you\u2019ll want to find work with a carrier or contractor that offers 24-hour emergency repair service. You might also find yourself on call in case of equipment malfunctions and emergencies.<\/p>\n Salary: $55,190<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s Degree in Telecommunications<\/strong><\/p>\n Early risers with skills in mathematics, problem-solving and critical thinking can find a great fit in the form of a civil engineering technician career. The job is an especially good choice for candidates who have an interest in civil engineering work but aren\u2019t willing or able to put in the time and money required to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher, complete years of training and attain a license. An associate\u2019s degree is sufficient for aspiring civil engineering technicians to get started in their careers.<\/p>\n Civil engineering technicians work with licensed engineers, and they even handle some of the same tasks, like preparing plans and drawings, estimating costs, monitoring project sites, testing construction materials, analyzing data and using computer aided design (CAD) software, the BLS<\/a> reported. The only things they specifically can\u2019t do, according to the BLS, are supervising overall engineering projects and approving designs.<\/p>\n Civil engineering technicians tend to start their workdays before 7 a.m., which makes the job ideal for early birds who like to get up with \u2013 or even before \u2013 the sun.<\/p>\n Salary: $48,340<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n If you work well with others and are good at solving problems, you could make a career out of helping people buy, sell and rent homes, business spaces and other real estate properties. Real estate agents and brokers work closely with clients to help them navigate the complex process of making real estate transactions. They show off real estate properties to potential buyers and renters and assist with setting and negotiating prices and preparing contracts, deeds and other essential real estate documents, the BLS<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re selling as large a purchase as real estate, it\u2019s essential that you\u2019re available when your clients are. For many real estate brokers, this means working hours in the early evenings and on weekends. On the bright side, you\u2019re not likely to need to work overnight shifts and will probably be done your workday by 10 p.m., if not hours earlier \u2013 which means you still have a chance to enjoy the night life or some quality time with loved ones.<\/p>\n Salary:<\/strong> $43,430<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s or Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Real Estate<\/strong><\/p>\n A preference for work hours outside the 9-to-5 schedule is ideal for aspiring chefs. After all, chefs and head cooks have to be available to work at the same times when customers are dining out \u2013 like early mornings for breakfast, into the evening and even late at night for dinners and snacks and, of course, on weekends.<\/p>\n Of course, chefs and head cooks prepare food. They create recipes, plan menus and design the presentation of a dish. Chefs also order and check ingredients for freshness and make sure equipment and workspaces are clean for food preparation. They are also often responsible for overseeing kitchen staff, from hiring them and training them to coordinating the various tasks necessary to keep a restaurant kitchen operational.<\/p>\n Some chefs attain their position \u2013 not to mention their cooking skills \u2013 purely through experience and on-the-job training. However, many aspiring chefs seek out formal training through culinary arts education programs at community colleges, technical schools and four-year colleges and universities, the BLS<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Salary:<\/strong> $41,610<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Culinary Arts Degree<\/strong><\/p>\n Modern television channels and radio stations offer round-the-clock programming. These constant entertainment options wouldn\u2019t exist without trained professionals known as broadcast and sound engineering technicians.<\/p>\n Broadcast technicians handle the audio, video and broadcasting equipment necessary for communication over TV and radio as well as maximizing the sound quality in recorded and live music, the BLS <\/a>reported. They handle everything from setting up sound and broadcasting equipment to running that equipment during a broadcast and even maintaining and repairing that equipment.<\/p>\n Depending on the medium they focus on and the station, channel, studio or company employing them, broadcast technicians can have very different job duties. Some record music in recording studios or at live performances. Others spend much of their time installing audio and visual equipment in settings like schools, offices and hotels. Those who work in television may be responsible for making sure the dialogue and sound effects used in a program match up correctly with the visual images on the screen.<\/p>\n To keep broadcasting 24\/7, radio stations and television networks need to have broadcast and sound engineering technicians on the clock even during nonstandard hours, which is why these professionals tend to work early morning, late night, weekend and even holiday shifts.<\/p>\n Salary: $41,350<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Associate\u2019s Degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n Not every job is easily quantifiable by salary or other factors. Some professional musicians become world-famous stars or celebrities, while many more pursue music as a part-time gig, often while holding other jobs. Overall, the BLS<\/a> reports that musicians earn a median wage of $24.16 per hour, but there\u2019s plenty of variation in income from one musician to the next.<\/p>\n Likewise, there is also a great degree of difference in education level among musicians. Some musicians have no formal education beyond a high school diploma, while others spend years studying music at the college level to earn a bachelor\u2019s or even a master\u2019s degree. What musicians have in common is that they have to spend a lot of time training and practicing to develop their musical talents. They also spend time creating and recording new material and rehearsing for performances.<\/p>\n Live shows are precisely the reason so many musicians work odd hours. Concerts are commonly held on weekends, in the evenings or even late at night. Successful musicians must not only put up with occasional evening work, but deliver energetic and entertaining performances consistently during these nonstandard hours. For most musicians, though, it\u2019s having a passion for their art that makes a career in music fulfilling.<\/p>\n Salary: $24.16 per Hour<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Long-Term Music Training, Often a Bachelor\u2019s Degree or Higher in Music<\/strong><\/p>\n Given the massive contracts awarded to top athletes in the big leagues, would it surprise you to learn that the median annual salary for athletes according to the BLS<\/a> is $43,350? Like musicians, professional athletes run the gamut from the rich and world-famous sports stars to more down-to-earth athletes who live normal lives and bring home more modest salaries. While a college degree isn\u2019t a requirement for the career, many professional athletes sharpened their skills playing their sport at the college level.<\/p>\n Still, professional athletes have a couple of things in common. For one, they must work hard at excelling in their sport, which means spending many hours training and practicing. They also work odd and sometimes difficult schedules, often playing on weekends, evenings and holidays. Traveling to compete is typical for professional athletes, which means they may also spend long amounts of time on buses, planes and other forms of transportation, the BLS reported. Like musicians, though, professional athletes tend to dream of their careers for a long time. The best professional athletes play as much for the love of the game as they do for the salary and reputation.<\/p>\n Salary: $43,350<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: College-Level Playing Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n Show business is certainly no 9-to-5 job. Like directors, actors and actresses often work unusual hours, whether their performance is live onstage or whether they\u2019re just working overtime to meet a filming deadline. Actors also travel frequently for work, either to take a show on tour or to film on location.<\/p>\n To develop their acting skills, many aspiring actors will take acting classes. Some take these courses as part of their college-level studies to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree, while others take acting classes separately at community colleges or private acting conservatories or film schools, the BLS<\/a> reported. Relatively few professional actors become world-renowned movie or television stars, but about two-thirds do find full-time acting work, according to the BLS. Others work part-time, often along with other jobs. As with musicians and athletes, actors often pursue the career for the love of the craft rather than an expectation of steady long-term work or consistent earning potential.<\/p>\n Salary: $19.82 per Hour<\/strong><\/p>\n Education: Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Theatre<\/strong><\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note:<\/em><\/p>\n The salary, education, work environment and career preparation information presented in this article comes from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This article is just a partial list of the many existing careers without a 9-to-5 work schedule. For more information on jobs with nonstandard hours, consult the blog post Careers for night owls and early birds<\/a> published by the BLS.<\/p>\n For Further Reading:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?<\/a><\/p>\n What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film\/TV Producer?<\/a><\/p>\n Best Major for Dentist: What Major Do You Need to Be a Dentist?<\/a><\/p>\n Do You Need College to Be a Real Estate Agent?<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree<\/a><\/p>\n2. Dentist<\/h3>\n
3. Petroleum Engineer
<\/strong><\/h3>\n4. Air Traffic Controller<\/h3>\n
5. Pharmacist<\/h3>\n
6. Physical Therapist<\/h3>\n
7. Architect<\/h3>\n
8. Dental Hygienist<\/h3>\n
9. Producer or Director<\/h3>\n
10. Nurse<\/h3>\n
11. Police Officer or Detective<\/h3>\n
12. Avionics Technician<\/h3>\n
13. Telecom Technicians<\/h3>\n
14. Civil Engineering Technician<\/h3>\n
15. Real Estate Agent or Broker<\/h3>\n
16. Chef or Head Cook<\/h3>\n
17. Broadcast Technician<\/h3>\n
18. Musician<\/h3>\n
19. Athlete<\/h3>\n
20. Actor<\/h3>\n