We give characters in our stories thoughts and words and a personality, but why not give them jobs too?
The jobs you give your characters can say something about them too, but it can also open your plot up for some interesting twists and turns, and interactions with others on the work floor.
Below you will find a list with jobs for different genres, different time settings… from silversmith to pilot, from witch to pastor.
So, how does your character earn a living?
| Academic | Fletcher | Prime minister |
| Accountant | Flight attendant | Printer |
| Adventurer | Florist | Prison guard |
| Airplane mechanic | Footman | Prisoner |
| Animal trainer | Foster parent | Professor of economics |
| Apartment maintenance | Game creator | Professor of history |
| Archer | Gardener | Professor of science |
| Architect | Geologist | Proof reader |
| Armourer | Gladiator | Prophet |
| Artist | Glazier | Prostitute |
| Assassin | Goldsmith | Psychologist |
| Attorney | Graphic designer | Publisher |
| Au pair | Hairdresser | Rope maker |
| Baker | Hatter | Royal adviser |
| Ballet dancer | Healer | Royal companion |
| Banker | Historian | Saddler |
| Barber | Hitman | Sailor |
| Barkeeper | Homeopath | Salesman |
| Barista | Housekeeper | School secretary |
| Blacksmith | Interior designer | Sculptor |
| Bladesmith | Inventor | Security officer |
| Bodyguard | Jester/Fool | Servant |
| Bookbinder | Jeweler | Shipwright |
| Bounty hunter | Journalist | Shoemaker |
| Brewer | Knight | Shop owner |
| Bus driver | Lady’s maid | Silversmith |
| Butcher | Lap dancer | Slave |
| Cake decorator | Librarian | Slave trader |
| Carpenter | Life guard | Smuggler |
| Carriage driver | Locksmith | Social worker |
| Cartoonist | Logger | Songwriter |
| Chariot racer | Manager | Spy |
| Cheese maker | Mapmaker | Stable hand |
| Chemical scientist | Master of ceremonies | Stonemason |
| Chimney sweeper | Mayor | Surgeon |
| City guard | Mechanic | Sweet maker |
| Cleaner | Merchant | Tailor |
| Clerk | Microbiologist | Tanner |
| Cook | Midwife | Tattoo artist |
| Cooper | Military adviser | Taxi driver |
| Copywriter | Minstrel | Taxman |
| Dental assistent | Model | Teacher |
| Dentist | Morgue attendant | Thatcher |
| Detective | Nail stylist | Thief |
| Diplomat | Nanny | Toilet attendant |
| Disc jockey | Nun | Tour guide |
| Dishwasher | Nurse | Toy maker |
| Doctor | Painter | Train driver |
| Doctor’s assistant | Papermaker | Translator |
| Dressmaker | Pastor | Trapper |
| Driving instructor | Peasant | Truck driver |
| Dyer | Pharmacist | Tutor |
| Editor | Photographer | Undertaker |
| Electrician | Piercer | Waiter/Waitress |
| Executive secretary | Pilot | Weapons instructor |
| Explorer | Pirate | Weaver |
| Exterminator | Plumber | Wheelwright |
| Farmer | Police officer | Wise-woman |
| Firefighter | Potioneer (making potions) | Witch/Wizard |
| Fisherman | Potter | Yoga instructor |
Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay
