Occupation

Occupations

Before starting Project Zomboid, a character will need to be created for the player to use; giving them a name, choosing an occupation, as well as selecting certain traits (both positive and negative).

Each occupation gives different advantages to your character which will allow them to excel in certain fields more so than other characters. Since Build 31 this has became much more relevant as only characters who start with some experience in certain skills are going to be able to level them up at a much fast 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.

It should be noted that certain Occupations require the player to take one or more Negative Traits while others leave points to spend on Positive Traits.

Current 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

File:Fire Officer.png

The Fire Officer icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Police Officer.png

The Police Officer icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Park Ranger.png

The Park Ranger icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Construction Worker.png

The Construction Worker icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Security Guard.png

The Security Guard icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Carpenter.png

The Carpenter icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Burglar.png

The Burglar icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Chef.png

The Chef icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Repairman.png

The Repairman icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Farmer.png

The Farmer icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Fisherman.png

The Fisherman icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Doctor.png

The Doctor icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Veteran.png

The Veteran icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Nurse.png

The Nurse icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Lumberjack.png

The Fitness Lumberjack icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:FitnessInstructor.png

The Fitness Instructor icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:BurgerFlipper.png

The Burger Flipper icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Electrician.png

The Electrician icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Engineer.png

The Engineer icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

File:Metalworker.png

The Metalworker icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

The Metalworker is able to craft metal structures and furniture.

Major Skills

Fitness: 5

Strength: 5

Metalworking: 3

Starting Points -6

Mechanic ^{IWBUMS Build Only}

File:Mechanic.png

The Mechanic icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

Blacksmith ^{Unreleased Build}

File:Blacksmith.png

The Blacksmith icon, as it appears on the character creation menu.

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

Non-Implemented Occupations

This is a future feature.

This article is about an item or mechanic that is currently unimplemented and planned for a future version.

It has either been previewed or found in the game files and does not exist yet.

There are several more occupations in the game files that are not yet implemented, however they may be occupations for the upcoming NPC. They are:

Military Soldier
Military Officer
Salesperson
IT Worker
Office Worker
Truck Driver
Cashier
Shop Clerk
Drug Dealer
Waiter
Customer Service
Janitor
Secretary
Bookkeeper
Accountant
Teacher

Current List of Occupations

Unemployed

Fire Officer

Police Officer

Park Ranger

Construction Worker

Security Guard

Carpenter

Burglar

Chef

Repairman

Farmer

Fisherman

Doctor

Veteran

Nurse

Lumberjack

Fitness Instructor

Burger Flipper

Electrician

Engineer

Metalworker

Mechanic IWBUMS Build Only

Blacksmith Unreleased Build

Non-Implemented Occupations

See Also

Mechanic ^{IWBUMS Build Only}

Blacksmith ^{Unreleased Build}