Careers for Hands-On Types
Matching Personal Passions to Promising Careers -- for Hands On Workers
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." - Thomas A. Edison
People who prefer to work in hands-on jobs often would rather get their hands dirty than talk. They like to see the product of their work take shape, and find the finished product to be the greatest reward. Examples of hands-on careers include:
Toolwork / Instruments
- Trades (builder, roofer, carpenter, painter, brick layer, drywaller, paver, plasterer, carpet layer, etc.)
- Faux finisher
- Building restorer
- Electrician
- Engineer
- Telecommunications technician
- Computer / network technician
- Locksmith
- Mechanic (car, boat, small engine, aerospace)
- Dentist / dental assistant / dental hygienist
- Bicycle repair
- Craftsman / glass artist / potter
- Jeweler / gemologist
- Musician
- Music teacher
- Chemist
- Forensic scientist
- Laboratory technologist
- Boatwright
- Medical appliance fabricator
- Air conditioning / heating (HVAC) technician
- Geologist
- Driver of forklifts and other large equipment
Health / Wellness
- Nurse / doctor / surgeon
- Emergency medical technician
- Long-term care aide
- Imaging technologist
- Massage therapist
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech therapist
- Dance instructor
- Aerobics instructor
- Fitness trainer
- Veterinarian
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy technologist
Aesthetic
- Hair dresser / barber / aesthetician
- Makeup artist
- Costume designer
- Seamstress / tailor
- Fashion designer
- Interior decorator
- Artist
- Art teacher
- Art restorer
- Photographer
- Event coordinator
- Performance artist
- Tree surgeon
- Lawn care specialist / gardener
- Horticulturist
- Floral arranger
- Retail merchandiser
- Manicurist / pedicurist
- Home stager
Transportation
- Racing vehicle driver
- Bus / tram / trolley / subway driver
- Train engineer
- Airplane / helicopter pilot
- Boat pilot / captain
- Flight attendant
- Cruise ship bartender / waitperson / steward
- Taxi driver
- Courier
Other Careers for Hands On Workers
- Athlete
- Sports coach
- Jockey
- Horse trainer / animal trainer
- Marine biologist
- Police officer / firefighter / rescue worker
- Chef / baker / kitchen staff / caterer
- Botanist / environmentalist
- Farmer / rancher / fisherman
- School teacher
- Child care provider
- Camp counselor
- Actor / performer
- Medical examiner / mortician
- Receptionist / administrative assistant
- Trash collector
- Professional organizer
- Maintenance worker
- Scuba diver / underwater photographer
- Book binder