Some jobs are essential, but also dirty and disgusting.
From dealing with waste to managing unpleasant odors, there are tasks most of us would avoid. However, these essential workers keep things running smoothly, even in the dirtiest of environments.
While many careers offer clean, warm offices and smart workspaces, others require dealing with filth,horrible smells, and less-than-pleasant materials.
Here are ten of the most disgusting jobs that are vital to society but are not for the faint-hearted.
Sewer Worker
Sewer workers deal with human waste, rats, toxic gases, and filthy conditions daily. Their primary job is to maintain the complex underground systems that remove waste from cities and towns.
Working in these environments means constant exposure to bad smells and potential health hazards, yet without them, cities would grind to a halt.
Why it’s tough:
- Constant exposure to foul smells
- Risk of disease from bacteria
- Working in confined, dark spaces
Crime Scene Cleaner
After police finish their investigation, crime scene cleaners step in. These people clean blood, bodily fluids, and other hazardous materials from crime scenes, accidents, or unattended deaths. It’s emotionally taxing and physically demanding, but critical to public safety and hygiene.
Why it’s tough:
- Exposure to human remains
- Emotional toll of dealing with violent or traumatic scenes
- Handling hazardous waste materials
Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors are essential to keeping our streets clean, but they deal with the stench and mess of household waste daily. This job often requires early mornings and handling rotting food, hazardous materials, and the occasional dangerous object in the trash.
Why it’s tough:
- Bad smells and exposure to bacteria
- Physical demands of lifting heavy loads
- Harsh weather conditions
Pest Control Specialist
Pest control workers deal with infestations of rats, roaches, and other vermin in homes and businesses. Crawling into tight spaces full of pests is part of the job, and it often involves handling harmful chemicals to eliminate these unwanted guests.
Why it’s tough:
- Exposure to dangerous pests and bites
- Crawling into small, dirty spaces
- Use of toxic chemicals
Portable Toilet Cleaner
Portable toilets at music festivals, construction sites, and outdoor events don’t clean themselves. The job of maintaining and cleaning these facilities requires handling human waste, unpleasant smells, and ensuring these temporary restrooms remain usable.
Why it’s tough:
- Constant exposure to human waste
- High-pressure cleaning in unsanitary conditions
- Dealing with strong, lingering odors
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Animal Carcass Remover
Animal carcass removal specialists are tasked with clearing dead animals from roads, homes, and other public spaces. These workers handle decomposing bodies and must be cautious of the health hazards involved.
Why it’s tough:
- Handling decaying animals and foul smells
- Risk of diseases from carcasses
- Physically demanding work
Oil Rig Worker
While not always disgusting, oil rig workers often face messy tasks, from cleaning up oil spills to maintaining heavy machinery coated in grease and oil. The harsh offshore environment, combined with long hours, makes this one of the tougher jobs on the list.
Why it’s tough:
- Long hours in harsh environments
- Constant exposure to grease and oil
- Physically demanding and risky
Plumber
Plumbers fix everything from leaky pipes to clogged drains.
This can mean dealing with sewage, grease, and other unpleasant substances that cause blockages in homes and businesses.
Why it’s tough:
- Exposure to raw sewage
- Unblocking pipes filled with waste
- Working in cramped, dirty spaces
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Zoo Keeper (for Carnivores)
Taking care of large carnivores like lions and bears involves cleaning up after them, including removing feces and leftover food. While working with animals can be rewarding, cleaning carnivore enclosures is definitely on the disgusting side of things.
Why it’s tough:
- Cleaning up after large, messy animals
- Dealing with strong odors from waste and old meat
- Physical risk from working near dangerous animals
Gastroenterologist
Doctors specializing in digestive issues deal with some of the body’s least pleasant functions. From colonoscopies to handling bodily waste during procedures, gastroenterologists must navigate unpleasant sights and smells as part of their daily routine.
Why it’s tough:
- Dealing with waste during procedures
- Exposure to strong, unpleasant odors
- Emotionally and physically demanding work
Essential but Unseen Heroes
While these jobs might turn most people’s stomachs, they are critical to keeping society functioning. From sewer systems to pest control, these workers handle the tasks that no one else wants to do—but someone’s got to.
These tough jobs often go unnoticed, but without them, daily life would be far less pleasant. So, next time you throw out the trash or walk through a clean street, remember the people doing the dirty work.
