Warning: these careers are not for the faint-hearted. However, if you're intrigued, check out Business Insider's [1] roundup of the most frightening jobs in existence.
Does blood make you squeamish? Are you afraid of heights? Do dead bodies really freak you out?
If so, you probably wouldn't do well in the professions listed on CareerCast's [2] roundup of the spookiest jobs [3].
"For many of us, our skin crawls at the thought of handling insects and spiders as an entomologist does, or snakes as is the case for herpetologist. Swimming with sharks scares enough of us that it's the subject of an entire week of popular television — yet some marine biologists do just that," says Kyle Kensing, CareerCast.com's online content editor.
"Working hundreds of feet in the air or in a confined space underground doesn't appeal to the general population. But it's a good thing there are those with the mettle to take on these jobs. For those people, the thought of sitting at a desk all day is probably as spooky as it gets."
Continue reading to see which jobs made the cut:
1. Arachnologist/entomologist
Average annual pay: $57,710*
Spiderwebs are one of the ubiquitous signs of the Halloween [4] season for a reason: spiders scare people.
But not arachnologists, whose job is to study these eight-legged creatures. Along with entomologists, who study insects, arachnologists work in a field of zoology sure to make the hair on many people's necks stand on end.
*Since the BLS does not provide salary data for these particular job titles, the above salary is for "zoologists," the category these professions fall under.
2. Coroner
Average annual pay: $52,840
Examining the dead for a living might seem like an oxymoron, but that's what coroners do. Determining cause of death is a typical job duty.
3. Diver
Average annual pay: $45,890
More than 70 percent of the Earth is water, and the oceans account for over 96 percent of that. The oceans are one of the planet's unknown frontiers, and divers explore this world for a variety of reasons: to repair underwater equipment, take photos, or examine the wildlife. It's not the job for those who don't enjoy the feeling of being all alone — or those afraid of the ocean.
4. Forensic scientist technician
Average annual pay: $52,840
Sometimes called crime scene investigators, forensic scientist technicians collect and analyze physical evidence. The work is often gruesome, especially at accident scenes.
5. Hazardous materials technician
Average annual pay: $37,590
Removal of the most dangerous materials takes real fortitude — and special licensing for such materials as nuclear or medical waste. Hazardous material technicians also specialize in heavy-duty clean-up projects, such as the homes of hoarders.
6. Herpetologist
Average annual pay: $57,710*
Hate snakes and other scaly, cold-blooded animals? Don't get into herpetology, which is the study of reptiles and amphibians.
*Since the BLS does not provide salary data for this particular job title, the above salary is for "zoologists," the category this profession falls under.
7. Elasmobranchologist (marine biologist)
Average annual pay: $57,710*
Lurking in the ocean is one of the most feared animals in the world, the shark. Elasmobranchologists are specialized marine biologists who study these fascinating creatures. Sharks spook so many people, they've become the topic of a cottage industry in entertainment.
*Since the BLS does not provide salary data for this particular job title, the above salary is for "zoologists," the category this profession falls under.
8. Medical laboratory technologist
Average annual pay: $47,820
Plenty of people get woozy at the sight of blood, but medical laboratory technologists are exposed to it daily.
9. Miner
Average annual pay: $48,440
Miners spend long hours confined to small spaces and working in darkness. It's a dangerous job that taps into numerous common fears.
10. Transmission tower worker
Average annual pay: $47,950
Scared of heights? You would definitely not enjoy working at the altitude transmission tower workers must when operating on equipment for power lines and cellular towers.
— Jacquelyn Smith
Check out more great stories from Business Insider:
- The 10 Deadliest Jobs in America [5]
- The 25 Highest-Paying Nondesk Jobs [6]
- The 8 Smartest Things to Do With Your Money in Your 30s [7]
- 24 Highest-Paying Jobs For People Who Hate Stress [8]