Occupation
Occupation, previously known as profession, is the player's previous line of work prior to the beginning of the Knox Event and is chosen during character creation — choosing a name, occupation and selecting certain traits, which can be both positive and negative.
Each occupation gives different advantages to the player which will allow them to excel in certain skills more so than others. Since Build 31 this has became much more relevant as only characters who start with some previous experience in a skill will gain an experience boost, allowing them to level up that skill at a much faster rate. For example: a Carpenter will pick up carpentry much faster than a Farmer for example, unless that Farmer also had a hobby that involved carpentry.
Starting Skill Level and Experience Boost:
- Level 0 - 0.25% - Default for all skills
- Level 1 - 75%
- Level 2 - 100%
- Level 3+ - 125%
Major skill boosts can also be attained by taking certain "Hobby" traits.
Note that some Occupations put the player into negative starting points, requiring them to take negative traits, whereas others have points left to spend on positive traits.
List of Occupations
Unemployed
A blank canvas with no previous experience. Ideal starting occupation for someone wanting to create their own completely custom character.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
Starting Points: 8
Fire Officer
Fire Officers can carry more and run faster for longer periods of time.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 6
- Strength: 6
- Sprinting: 1
Starting Points: 0
Police Officer
Police Officers are very effective with firearms, as such this profession is great if you want to face the hordes of the undead Guns Blazin'.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Aiming: 3
- Reloading: 2
- Nimble: 1
Starting Points: -4
Park Ranger
Park Rangers, thanks to their skill boost are great for players who are looking to survive away from any town, deep in the wilderness. Park Rangers have a huge boost to speed while walking through forests.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Foraging: 2
- Trapping: 2
- Carpentry: 1
Starting Points: -4
Construction Worker
While Construction Worker is no longer the best choice for those who want to build their own base, this profession definitely is the one to go with if you like fighting zombies with Blunt weapons.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blunt Accuracy: 3
- Carpentry: 1
Starting Points: -2
Security Guard
Security Guard is a good choice for those who enjoy moving from place to place without clearing the entire area. Characters with this profession need less sleep and stay more alert when they do. They can also evacuate much faster should things go south.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Sprinting: 2
- Lightfooted: 1
Trait: File:TraitNightOwl.png Night Owl
Starting Points: -2
Carpenter
This occupation is great for those who are looking to build their own base. And nothing else.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Carpentry: 3
Starting Points: 2
Burglar
Burglars are the best choice for those who prefer to sneak past zombies rather than fight them.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Sneaking: 2
- Lightfooted: 2
- Nimble: 2
Starting Points: -6
Chef
Chefs are very good at handling various kitchenware and stabbing\cutting things with their kitchen knives. Choosing this profession ensures that you'll eat well even after the apocalypse.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blade Accuracy: 1
- Blade Maintenance: 1
- Cooking: 3
Trait: File:TraitCook.png Cook
Starting Points: -4
Repairman
Repairman is a profession for those who want to use their tools for a little longer without them breaking and even then be able to repair them easily, if they have the right kind of glue or some duct tape.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blunt Maintenance: 2
- Blade Maintenance: 2
- Carpentry: 1
Starting Points: -4
Farmer
Profession of choice for those who don't want to starve once the last can of tuna and pack of crisps are nothing but a memory.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Farming: 3
Starting Points: 2
Fisherman
Good starting profession for those who choose surviving in West Point as there isn't much water in Muldraugh.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Fishing: 3
- Foraging: 1
Starting Points: -2
Doctor
Doctors are much better at treating injuries than other people but are not too useful in a world where a single scratch from a zombie can mean death.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- First Aid: 3
Starting Points: 2
Veteran
Veterans never panic, no matter how bad it is they can stand their ground and deal out headshots to any zombies that made the mistake of trying to scare them.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Aiming: 2
- Reloading: 2
Trait: File:TraitDesensitized.png Desensitized
Starting Points: -8
Nurse
Like the Doctors, Nurses are good at treating injuries but that's it.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- First Aid: 2
- Lightfooted: 1
Starting Points: 2
Lumberjack
Lumberjacks are very effective with an axe. No matter if they're hacking away at a tree or a zombie. Lumberjacks have a minor boost to speed while walking through forests (Build 35.26).
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blade Accuracy: 2
- Strength: 1
Trait: File:TraitAxeman.png Axe Man
Starting Points: 0
Fitness Instructor
Fitness Instructors are very effective at running which means zombies usually aren't going to be a big problem for them.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Sprinting: 2
- Fitness: 3
Trait: File:TraitNutritionist.png Nutritionist
Starting Points: -6
Burger Flipper
Good for those who want to eat well and play with sharp objects.
Major Skills:
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blade Accuracy: 1
- Cooking: 2
Trait: File:TraitCook.png Cook
Starting Points: 2
Electrician
This profession will allow the player to use generators and maintain them by default.
Major Skills
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Electrical: 3
Starting Points: -4
Engineer
The Engineer is able to craft different kinds of traps and powerful explosives, even some that cannot be learnt through recipe magazines.
Major Skills
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Electrical: 1
- Carpentry: 1
Starting Points -4
Metalworker
The Metalworker is able to craft metal structures and furniture.
Major Skills
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Metalworking: 3
Starting Points -6
Mechanic
The Mechanic can perform maintenance and repair on all vehicle models.
Major Skills
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Mechanics: 3
Trait: File:TraitAmateurMechanic.png Amateur Mechanic
Starting Points -4
Non-Implemented Occupations
Blacksmith Removed
The Blacksmith can make a range of metallic tools.
Major Skills
- Fitness: 5
- Strength: 5
- Blacksmith: 3
Trait: File:TraitBlacksmith.png Blacksmith
Starting Points -4
Potential Occupations
There are several more occupations in the game files that are not yet implemented, however they may be occupations exclusively for the upcoming NPC. They are: Found within Professions.lua (Project Zomboid directory/media/lua/server/Professions)
- Military Soldier
- Military Officer
- Salesperson
- IT Worker
- Office Worker
- Truck Driver
- Cashier
- Shop Clerk
- Drug Dealer
- Waiter
- Customer Service
- Janitor
- Secretary
- Bookkeeper
- Accountant
- Teacher