Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

The worst jobs in history

From leech gatherer to factory worker, breaking down some of history's worst jobs.

A few weeks ago, career guidance website CareerCast.com revealed its list of the worst jobs of 2013, based on pay, outlook, work environment and stress. At the top: newspaper reporter — thanks to shrinking newsrooms and budget cutbacks. It was closely followed by lumberjacks and enlisted military personnel.

But those professions will simply join a long list of lousy jobs people have endured over history. Lapham’s Quarterly put out this handy chart for what they consider the worst jobs in the world:

Wool fuller? Leech gatherer? Now reporting doesn’t seem so bad, does it?

Got any more to add? Comment below or tweet us @MarketplaceAPM.

Related Topics

Collections:

Tagged as:

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Make Me Smart
    3 hours ago
    52:42
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    7 hours ago
    6:38
  • Marketplace Tech
    12 hours ago
    4:27
  • Marketplace
    3 days ago
    25:48
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    8 days ago
    4:41
  • Million Bazillion
    a month ago
    32:45