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Julia H. West's Writing Ideas and Prompts

Contemporary Character Jobs or Occupations

Most people think of themselves in terms of their jobs. "I'm a veterinarian." "I'm a writer." Your characters probably do too. This is the list of contemporary jobs. You might try the fantasy/medieval and science fiction/future job lists as well. If you want to add to this list, please e-mail me at julia at juliahwest dot com.

Accountant
Actor
Actress
Actuary
Admiral
Advertising executive
Aerobics instructor
Aircraft mechanic
Airline pilot
Ambassador
Ambulance driver
Anchorperson
Anesthetist
Animal control officer
Animal trainer
Anthropologist
Antique dealer
Appliance repairman
Archaeologist
Architect
Archivist
Artist
Astrologer
Astronaut
Astronomer
Athlete
Attorney
Attorney general
Auctioneer
Auditor
Au pair
Author
Auto mechanic
Babysitter
Bailiff
Baker
Bank president
Bank robber
Barber
Barista
Baseball player
Basketball player
Beautician
Biblical scholar
Bill collector
Biochemist
Bishop
Bodyguard
Bookkeeper
Bookseller
Border patrol agent
Boxer
Bricklayer
Bum
Bus driver
Butcher
Cab driver
Cake decorator
Calligrapher
Camp counselor
Campaign manager
Carpenter
Car salesman
Car thief
Cartographer
Cartoonist
Cashier
Cat burglar
Cattle rancher
Census enumerator
CEO
Chauffeur
Cheerleader
Chef
Chemist
Chiropractor
Circus performer
Clerk typist
Clergyman
Clown
Coach
College professor
Color commentator
Columnist
Company President
Computer hacker
Computer operator
Computer programmer
Computer repairman
Con artist
Construction worker
Cook
Correctional officer
Counselor
Counterfeiter
Courier
Court reporter
Cowboy
Crime scene investigator
Critic
Dance teacher
Dancer
Daycare operator
Day laborer
Delivery driver
Dental hygienist
Dentist
Deportation officer
Designer
Detective
Dictator
Dietitian
Diplomat
Director
Dishwasher
Disk jockey
Ditchdigger
Diver
Doctor
     General practitioner
     Gynecologist
     Oncologist
     Ophthalmologist
     Pathologist
     Pediatrician
     Podiatrist
     Proctologist
     Surgeon
Dog groomer
Dog walker
Drug dealer
Ecologist
Economist
Editor
Election worker
Electrician
Elevator operator
Engineer
     Aerospace
     Chemical
     Civil
     Electrical
     Field
     Industrial
     Mechanical
     Metallurgical
     Nuclear
Environmentalist
Exterminator
Farmer
Farrier
Fashion designer
FBI Agent
Fighter pilot
Filmmaker
Firefighter
Fisherman
Flagger
Flight attendant
Football player
Forensic scientist
Forester
Funeral Director
Game designer
Game show host
Game warden
Gangbanger
Garbage man (sanitary engineer)
Gardener
Gas station attendant
Genealogist
General
General contractor
Geneticist
Geographer
Geologist
Geophysicist
Golfer
Government Inspector
Governor
Graphic designer
Grocer
Guidance counselor
Gymnast
Hairdresser
Handyman
Health Inspector
Helicopter pilot
High school teacher
Historian
Homemaker
Horticulturist
Hotel maid
Housekeeper
House painter
Housewife/husband
Identity thief
Illustrator
Immigration enforcement officer
Infantryman
Insurance adjuster
Insurance investigator
Insurance salesman
Insurance underwriter
Interior designer
Interpreter
Inventor
Inventory auditor
Jailer
Janitor
Jeweler
Jockey
Journalist
Judge
Justice of the peace
Kindergarten teacher
King
Lab assistant
Landlord
Landscape artist
Lawyer
Lexicographer
Librarian
Linguist
Longshoreman
Magician
Mail carrier
Maitre' d
Manicurist
Marine
Marine biologist
Mathematician
Mayor
Medical technician
Meteorologist
Meter reader
Midwife
Migrant farm worker
Miner
Minister
Missionary
Model
Monk
Mortician
Motorcycle cop
Mountie
Movie star
Musician
Music teacher
Nanny
News announcer
Newspaper reporter
Night stocker
Novelist
Nun
Nurse
Oceanographer
Occupational therapist
Office manager
Office temp
Opera singer
Optician
Paper boy
Paramedic
Paratrooper
Parent
Parking attendant
Parking enforcement officer (meter maid)
Park ranger
Pawnbroker
Personal assistant
Personal trainer
Pharmacist
Photographer
Physical therapist
Physician Assistant
Physicist
Pickpocket
Pilot
Plastic surgeon
Plumber
Poet
Police officer
Porn star
Postal worker
President
Priest/ess
Prime minister
Process server
Producer
Professor
Prospector
Prostitute
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Publicist
Public Relations Specialist
Queen
Rabbi
Racecar driver
Radio announcer
Radioman
Realtor
Receptionist
Recreation director
Repo man
Research chemist
Rock star
Rocket scientist
Rodeo clown
Roofer
Sailor
Sales clerk
Scalper
Scientist
Sculptor
Seamstress
Secretary
Security Guard
Senator
Short order cook
Ski instructor
Skier
Slumlord
Social worker
Software developer
Soldier
Sportscaster
Spy
State trooper
Statistician
Steelworker
Stonemason
Store owner
Stormchaser
Street sweeper
Student
Surveyor
Swimming instructor
Tailor
Taxidermist
Taxi driver
Teacher
     Adult Education
     Elementary
     Secondary
     Special Education
Teacher's aide
Team mascot
Team owner
Telemarketer
Televangelist
Tennis player
Terrorist
Test pilot
Tour guide
Tow truck operator
Toymaker
Translator
Travel agent
Travel writer
Truck driver
TV announcer
Umpire
Unemployed
Urban planner
Used car salesman
Veterinarian
Video developer
Volcanologist
Waitress
Weatherman
Webmaster
Wedding planner
Wrestler
Writer
Zookeeper
Zoologist

Thanks to Steven Smith for corrections and additions, and to Carol Andrus for a very long list of additions!

Last updated 18 December 2011

Illustration from http://www.morguefile.com; photographer mconnors