Project Zomboid Occupations Ranked (Build 42)
Rancher give the best deal: 1 point per skill level against the 8-point baseline. Carpenter, Chef and Rancher grant the most levels (8 each).
- Best value1Rancher
- Most skill levels8Carpenter +2
- Biggest budget+8Custom Occupation
- Occupations2581 traits to pair
The build planner lists all 25 occupations; this guide ranks them by what they cost against what they give.
All 25 occupations
Sorted by points per skill level; the 1 that grant no skill sort last. Each name opens the planner with it chosen.
25 occupations
| # | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rancher | 0 | 8 | 1 | Animal Care +4, Butchering +3, Fitness +1 | 1 recipes |
| 2 |  Doctor | 0 | 7 | 1.1 | First Aid +6, Short Blade +1 | — |
| 3 |  Carpenter | -2 | 8 | 1.3 | Carpentry +4, Carving +1, Short Blunt +1, Masonry +1, Maintenance +1 | 19 recipes |
| 4 |  Chef | -2 | 8 | 1.3 | Cooking +4, Maintenance +1, Short Blade +1, Butchering +2 | grants 1 trait, 20 recipes |
| 5 |  Farmer | 0 | 6 | 1.3 | Agriculture +4, Animal Care +1, Strength +1 | 63 recipes |
| 6 |  Construction Worker | -2 | 7 | 1.4 | Short Blunt +2, Long Blunt +1, Masonry +2, Carpentry +1, Maintenance +1 | — |
| 7 |  Burger Flipper | +2 | 4 | 1.5 | Cooking +2, Maintenance +1, Short Blade +1 | grants 1 trait |
| 8 |  Tailor | +2 | 4 | 1.5 | Tailoring +4 | 59 recipes |
| 9 |  Nurse | 0 | 5 | 1.6 | First Aid +3, Lightfooted +1, Fitness +1 | grants 1 trait |
| 10 |  DIY Expert | -2 | 5 | 2 | Carpentry +1, Maintenance +2, Short Blunt +1, Masonry +1 | grants 1 trait, 24 recipes |
| 11 |  Electrician | -2 | 5 | 2 | Electrical +5 | 12 recipes |
| 12 |  Firefighter | 0 | 4 | 2 | Running +1, Strength +1, Fitness +1, Axe +1 | — |
| 13 |  Fishing Guide | -2 | 5 | 2 | Fishing +3, Foraging +1, Butchering +1 | 5 recipes |
| 14 |  Lumberjack | 0 | 4 | 2 | Axe +2, Strength +1, Maintenance +1 | grants 1 trait |
| 15 |  Police Officer | -4 | 6 | 2 | Aiming +4, Reloading +1, Nimble +1 | — |
| 16 |  Blacksmith | -6 | 6 | 2.3 | Blacksmithing +4, Maintenance +1, Short Blunt +1 | grants 1 trait, 81 recipes |
| 17 |  Burglar | -6 | 6 | 2.3 | Nimble +2, Sneaking +2, Lightfooted +2 | grants 1 trait, 14 recipes |
| 18 |  Fitness Instructor | -6 | 6 | 2.3 | Fitness +3, Running +2, Strength +1 | grants 1 trait |
| 19 |  Mechanic | -4 | 5 | 2.4 | Mechanics +4, Welding +1 | grants 1 trait, 3 recipes |
| 20 |  Park Ranger | -4 | 5 | 2.4 | Trapping +1, First Aid +1, Foraging +1, Knapping +1, Carving +1 | grants 1 trait, 5 recipes |
| 21 |  Security Guard | -2 | 4 | 2.5 | Running +2, Lightfooted +1, Short Blunt +1 | grants 1 trait |
| 22 |  Welder | -4 | 4 | 3 | Welding +4 | 36 recipes |
| 23 |  Engineer | -4 | 3 | 4 | Electrical +1, Carpentry +1, Masonry +1 | 13 recipes |
| 24 |  Veteran | -8 | 4 | 4 | Aiming +2, Reloading +2 | grants 1 trait, 1 recipes |
| 25 |  Custom Occupation | +8 | — | — | none | — |
The best occupation for each skill
For every skill an occupation raises, the one that raises it most. Ties are listed together.
FAQ
What is the best occupation in Project Zomboid?
By points given up per skill level, Rancher (1 per level). The most levels (8) come from Carpenter, Chef and Rancher.
How many points does an occupation give?
Its Cost field in the Build 42.21 scripts: the Custom Occupation gives 8, a skill occupation less, and some start in debt.
Does the ranking count granted traits?
No. Some occupations grant a trait or recipes as well; they are listed in the last column but not priced.
Pages to keep open
Related pages
Sources
Thanks to The Indie Stone for making Project Zomboid. This is an unofficial fan production; PinDrop is not affiliated with The Indie Stone.