Preppers are more self-sufficient than the average person in emergency preparedness, but what about job skills? Can your survival experience translate to a fulfilling and well-paying career? The short answer is yes — there are numerous opportunities where the prepper lifestyle can help you succeed.
These 28 positions are perfect career paths to demonstrate your hard-earned skills and positively impact your community.
[Editor’s note: I’m too darn old to start a new profession, but there are still skills listed below that any of us can learn, such as becoming a beekeeper or gunsmith. Better yet, if you’re an avid hunter or fisherman, consider becoming a guide; in so doing, you’ll be able to share your passion and pass on valuable survival skills to the next generation. It’s a win-win.]
1. Military
The military is the ideal environment for preppers to thrive in. The U.S. Armed Forces have the best survival training in the world, whether you join the Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard. Basic training will push your mind and body to the limit and make you a smarter, stronger individual.
Becoming a soldier will make you proficient with firearms, hand-to-hand combat, first aid, battle tactics and many other relevant skills. These experiences will stick with you for the rest of your life, long after your honorable discharge. If you’re committed to becoming the best prepper you can be, then you should strongly consider joining the military.
Your military service will also give you lifelong friendships and career connections. If you fall on hard times, your buddies will have your back. The companionship that develops in combat is unbreakable.
2. First Responder
If you don’t want to commit to the military, the next best career path is becoming a first responder — police, firefighter or emergency medical services. These professions will put you on the front lines in your community. Your role is to protect and serve people in need, which should be every prepper’s dream job.
Of the three options, law enforcement is the most fitting first responder job for preppers. You will have some life-threatening encounters, but that’s exactly why you should join. As the country faces a police staffing shortage, a mentally and physically capable person like yourself would be a valuable addition to your local department.
3. Doctor or Nurse
Working in a hospital as a doctor or nurse is another important profession preppers should consider. This career path exposes you to some horrific things, but medical facilities need people who can handle graphic visuals and administer effective first aid. Thanks to your prepper lifestyle, you already know how to treat all kinds of illnesses and injuries.
However, getting the education and training required for these professions will take at least a few years. Prepping might have taught you many valuable first-aid lessons, but you still need to get through formal medical school. The health care industry could use another capable set of hands, as the current workforce is depleting due to aging employees.
4. Veterinarian
Animals are important in the prepper lifestyle, especially if you live on a homestead. Dogs can assist with hunting and guard the property, while various livestock species are the main food sources. If you love animals, you can turn your passion into a profession by becoming a veterinarian.
A veterinary career can take you in many different directions. You might work at an animal hospital, zoo, aquarium, wildlife preserve or national park. All these environments are great places for preppers to use their love and knowledge of animals productively.
5. Farmer
Preppers know a thing or two about growing food, whether you live on a homestead or have a basic backyard vegetable garden in the city. Farming could be your ideal profession if you don’t mind waking up early and getting your hands dirty. Chances are good that some farmers in your area need extra hands to till the fields or tend to livestock.
After saving enough money, you can acquire more land and start your own farming business. As long as people need to eat, the agriculture industry will always have a high demand for new local food producers. Your farm will become essential to your community’s prosperity, whether you grow crops or raise livestock.
6. Trucker
Trucking is another high-demand profession that is crucial in keeping the economy moving. Current employment trends show the industry could be short by 160,000 drivers by 2030, so many job opportunities should exist. You only need a commercial driver’s license to drive a rig anywhere in the country.
This unique career perfectly complements the adventurous prepper lifestyle. The hours are long behind the wheel, but it pays well and allows you to explore the country on a flexible schedule. You can acquire valuable knowledge about relevant topics like regional geography and the national supply chain during your travels.
7. Teacher
Preppers must be well-versed in history, geography, mathematics and various scientific fields to succeed in their independent lifestyles. As a teacher, you could offer your knowledge and experience to kids in the classroom and positively impact their mental, social and physical development.
Educating the next generation is a noble profession that will make the world a better place in the long run. Imagine a society where everyone can find their own food, build shelters and protect their loved ones. You could make that a reality in your community.
8. Personal Trainer
The personal trainer scene is always welcoming new members. There might even be an open spot at your local gym. Preppers must have above-average fitness levels to maintain their independent lifestyles. You can’t hunt, farm, forage, protect your family, or practice effective self-defense without strength and athleticism.
Even if you don’t have a personal trainer certification, you still understand more about diet and exercise than most people. You could put that knowledge to good use by helping other people improve their physiques and get their health back on track. A healthier community is more resilient.
9. Carpenter
Blue-collar skilled trades have existed for thousands of years and will continue to thrive as long as human civilization exists. Carpentry is arguably the most important trade career because it specializes in woodworking — the main material used to build homes, tools, furniture and other essentials.
10. Sawyer
Sawyers are also in the business of wood processing, but they deal specifically with firewood production. They cut lumber into burnable fuel and distribute it to homes and businesses. This profession remains busy year-round, but it’s especially profitable during winter when people need more wood to stay warm.
11. Mechanic
Mechanics specialize in automotive maintenance and repairs. If you have a passion for vehicles and all their components, you can find a fulfilling career working on people’s cars in an auto body shop. The knowledge and experience you obtain will also be valuable for your prepper lifestyle because you’ll learn how to make repairs by yourself and become more self-sufficient.
12. Electrician
Electricians are more important than ever in today’s digital world. Most people’s homes wouldn’t be able to function without electricity. You would learn the ins and outs of all the wiring and lighting systems in the average house. This is the perfect job if you’re skilled in mathematics and have some handiwork experience.
13. Plumber
A plumber isn’t the most glamorous job on this list, but that’s why it’s always in high demand. Not many people are willing to work on strangers’ toilets, bathtubs, showers and sinks. You could find an apprenticeship role right away and start earning commissions on local projects. You might encounter some strange sights and smells, but the pay is good and competition is minimal.
14. Welder
Welders spend most of their time fusing metal objects to create pipes, boilers, car parts, lintels for construction and many other structures. You never know where this career path might take you, but that’s what makes it so appealing to preppers. You could learn how to make all kinds of valuable metal items and get exposed to diverse job opportunities.
15. Mason
Masonry deals with stone and brickwork, another crucial construction element. Despite technological advancements, these basic materials are still the foundations of many modern buildings. Your services as a mason will always be in high demand, especially as the construction industry transitions to more sustainable building practices.
16. Blacksmith
Blacksmithing isn’t as common as other skilled trades anymore, but it’s still a perfect profession for preppers because you can learn how to make your own weapons and tools from scratch. People are also buying more from local businesses in recent years, so you could make a comfortable living as your community’s main source of homemade metal items.
17. Gunsmith
All preppers should know the basics of gun safety and maintenance. You could find a career as a local gunsmith if you’re exceptional at these skills. Your main responsibilities will be inspecting, repairing and modifying people’s firearms. Most of your clients will be hunters and sport shooters, but some simply need repairs for their self-defense pistols.
18. Butcher
Butchery could be a great profession if you have experience with hunting and preparing your own meat. Butchers know their way around every livestock animal and master the best meat preservation techniques, which are crucial things to know for the prepper lifestyle. Your cooking skills will also come into play if you choose this career path.
19. Beekeeper
Beekeeping is another food-related career to consider. Bees pollinate a significant amount of crops to keep the agriculture industry going. Honey is also an extremely valuable resource for eating, food preservation and medicinal purposes. Beekeepers play a small part in many essential services.
20. Potter
Pottery was one of the first skilled trades that developed during prehistoric times, and it’s still a prospering profession today. You can find employment at a local pottery shop or start a business in your garage. Ceramics is expected to increase in popularity as people turn away from plastic containers for more sustainable alternatives.
21. Leathercrafter
Leather is another natural material that affords many career opportunities. Leathercrafters make various items, including clothes, shoes, belts, saddles, sheaths and furniture. They’re also experts at skinning and preserving animal hides. You could make a solid living while learning to create new essentials for your home from scratch.
22. Cobbler
Cobblers specialize in making and repairing shoes. As any prepper knows, footwear is the most important article of clothing for outdoor activities. You can learn all the intricacies of shoemaking and keep your own footwear in great condition. This profession also lends itself to preppers because it’s more common in rural areas.
23. Landscaper
Preppers are accustomed to working outdoors, so you should feel right at home in the landscaping industry. This career path is a fulfilling way to spend your days outside while tending to other people’s lawns, gardens and other spaces. You’ll also learn how to operate heavy landscaping equipment, which can translate to your life on the homestead.
24. Hunting Guide
People with a passion for hunting could become professional hunting guides. You’ll get paid to accompany amateur hunters on their trips, providing valuable insights along the way. You also enforce safety guidelines and hunting laws. You could quickly develop a solid client base if you live in a popular game area.
25. Fishing Guide
Fishing guides play the same role. They take people out on fishing trips and enhance the experience for everyone. The most successful fishing guides have their own boats and are located near large bodies of water. You could find a stable career in this role if you check both boxes.
26. Outfitter
Outfitters often work with hunting and fishing guides, but they do all the prep work. This profession helps people prepare for their outdoor excursions by providing equipment recommendations and reviewing safety protocols. They also offer transportation if people want to hunt or fish on private land.
27. Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife biology is the dream job for people who love spending time in nature more than anything else. This field of science gets down and dirty, as researchers spend most of their time in the wilderness observing animal activity. If you have a background in biology and are itching to explore new environments, then a wildlife biologist position is right up your alley.
28. Wildlife Conservationist
Wildlife conservationists often work closely with biologists and other environmental scientists. Their role is to spearhead sustainability projects that reduce humanity’s impact on nearby ecosystems and protect threatened species. This position’s popularity is at an all-time high as environmental conservation is prioritized among younger generations.
Discover Your Next Dream Profession
Prepping isn’t just a practical lifestyle for survival purposes. It can also help you find a financially and spiritually rewarding career. These 28 professions might have many responsibilities, but you have the skills and intelligence to succeed if you’re willing to do the work.
Whatever career path you choose, you need to give it 100%. Don’t hesitate or leave any effort on the table. If you want to succeed in a new profession, you must be willing to work your way up the hierarchy and slowly build a positive reputation. None of these professions are easy, but they could help you fulfill a lifelong dream.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
Leave a Reply