Money is a strong motivator when choosing a career, but it’s not the only factor that decides whether people enjoy their work. In India, several professions offer excellent pay yet remain deeply disliked, either by the people working in them or by the public at large. The reasons vary: exhausting hours, constant pressure, public distrust, or a mismatch between personal values and the job’s demands.
This list looks at 20 such professions that pay well but often leave a bitter taste despite the financial rewards.
1. Corporate Lawyers
You can earn ₹12-30 lakh a year in top firms, but expect 12-14 hour workdays and late-night calls. The “always available” culture, especially in major firms in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, pushes many to burnout despite the high pay.
2. Investment Bankers
With ₹15-50 lakh plus bonuses, it’s tempting, until you face 80+ hour weeks, zero personal time, and intense client demands. Mumbai’s financial district is the hotspot for this high-reward, high-stress job.
3. Chartered Accountants During Audit Season
Outside audit season, the workload is steady. But from March to July, you may work 14-hour days under client and compliance pressure. Earnings for experienced CAs can hit ₹8-25 lakh yearly, yet many dread this period.
4. IT Project Managers in Large Outsourcing Firms
Pay can reach ₹15-35 lakh, but you’ll juggle timezone mismatches, demanding clients, and internal bottlenecks. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune see the highest concentration of such roles.
5. Surgeons
₹20-60 lakh annually is common in private practice, but the pressure of life-and-death decisions, long surgeries, and legal risks keeps the job stressful. In public hospitals, under-resourced facilities add another layer of strain.
6. Politicians
Official salaries are modest, but perks, influence, and unofficial benefits can be immense. Public mistrust, constant scrutiny, and personal risk make politics one of the most disliked yet financially rewarding professions.
7. Government Tax Officials
With ₹10-20 lakh a year plus allowances, this role carries stability, and heavy baggage. Frequent transfers, political pressure, and a public image tainted by corruption allegations make it unpopular.
8. College Professors in Private Engineering Colleges
Senior faculty may earn ₹6-15 lakh annually, but bureaucracy, outdated teaching resources, and lower respect compared to premier institutions create frustration, especially in mid-tier and small private colleges.
9. Call Centre Managers
₹8-18 lakh is achievable, but high attrition rates, night shifts, and constant crisis management drain morale. BPO hubs in Gurugram, Pune, and Bengaluru see this daily.
10. Stockbrokers
Top performers can cross ₹50 lakh a year, but market volatility makes the role mentally exhausting. Clients often blame brokers for losses, and SEBI compliance adds extra pressure.
11. TV News Anchors
Earnings range from ₹10-40 lakh, but irregular hours, political bias accusations, and relentless scrutiny can erode enthusiasm. Election periods are especially intense.
12. Event Managers
₹8-25 lakh is within reach, but high-pressure deadlines, unpredictable clients, and all-nighters during wedding season make it physically and mentally taxing.
13. Real Estate Brokers
Top city brokers can earn crores, but the profession struggles with trust issues, unpredictable income, and intense competition, especially in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru.
14. Customs Officials
With ₹10-25 lakh plus perks, the pay is attractive. But constant bribery allegations, dangerous encounters with smuggling, and irregular schedules make it less appealing.
15. Construction Contractors
Earnings can range from ₹15 lakh to several crores, but delayed payments, labour disputes, and safety risks are constant challenges. Government clearances can drag on for months.
16. HR Heads in Large Corporates
₹20-40 lakh per year comes with authority, and being seen as the enforcer during layoffs or policy disputes. In IT, handling mass layoffs has made this role increasingly unpopular.
17. Traffic Police Officers in Metro Cities
Officially earning ₹6-12 lakh plus allowances, you deal with heat, pollution, and public hostility daily. Festivals and VIP movements only make the job more exhausting.
18. Corporate Trainers
₹8-20 lakh is possible, but constant travel, repetitive sessions, and unpredictable freelance income can make the role monotonous over time.
19. Judges
₹15-30 lakh plus housing is a stable package, but overwhelming case backlogs, political interference, and public criticism make the job mentally exhausting.
20. Civil Engineers in Infrastructure Projects
₹6-18 lakh a year may seem fair, but remote postings, long site hours, and safety concerns wear many down. Relocations are frequent and often disruptive.
Closing Thoughts – Careers in India That Pay Well but Come With a Price
High earnings can make a profession attractive on paper, but lived experience tells a different story. These twenty careers show that the cost of long hours, constant stress, public perception, or ethical conflict can outweigh the financial rewards for many.
If you’re considering one of these paths, weigh the lifestyle, health, and satisfaction it offers alongside the salary. In the long run, a career that aligns with your values and well-being often proves more rewarding than the one that simply pays the most.
