Project Zomboid Occupations List (Build 42.19)

Build 42.19 · All 25 vanilla occupations · Current costs, starting skills, free traits, and granted recipes

Tailor (+2) Rancher (0) Blacksmith (-6)

All occupations

Sorted by points (highest free points first).

Icon	Occupation	Points	Free traits	Starting skills	Recipes	What it is good for
	Custom Occupation	+8	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5	0	Eight free trait points and no occupation skills or recipes—full custom builds.
	Burger Flipper	+2	Keen Cook	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Cooking 2 (+100% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP) Short Blade 1 (+75% XP)	0	Cheap cooking start with Keen Cook recipes and short-blade practice.
	Tailor	+2	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Tailoring 4 (+125% XP)	59 recipes Knit Open-Face Balaclava Knit Full Balaclava Knit Beanie Knit Doily Knit Legwarmers Knit Scarf Knit Socks Knit Sweater Vest Knit Wool Hat Sew Small Leather Backpack Sew Hide Boots Sew Hide Pants Sew Hide Sleeping Bag Sew Hide Coat Sew Hide Hoodie Sew Hide Jacket Sew Hide Robe Sew Hide Hat Make Tarp Chest Rig Assemble Small Simple Framepack Assemble Simple Framepack Assemble Framepack Assemble Large Framepack Make Garbage Bag Tank Top Make Tarp Tank Tops Make Garbage Bag Dress Make Tarp Dresses Weave Twine Shoes Sew Leather Codpiece Sew Leather Neck Guard Sew Holster Sew Double Holster Make Western Boots Sew Belt Sew Leather Tool Roll Sew Sandals Sew Leather Gloves Sew Leather Water Bag Sew Bandolier Sew Shells Bandolier Sew Hide Wallet Sew Furred Hide Coat Sew Furred Hide Jacket Sew Leather Gaiter Sew Leather Vambrace Sew Elbow Pads Sew Knee Pads Sew Leather Pants Sew Hide Fanny Pack Sew Cloth Satchel Sew Knee-Length Dress Sew Long Johns Sew Shirt Sew Knee-Length Skirt Sew Pants Sew Long Dress Sew Long Johns Bottom Sew Sleeveless Shirt Sew Long Skirt	Gives Tailoring 4 plus a large set of knit, sew, and framepack recipes for +2 points.
	Doctor	0	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 First Aid 6 (+125% XP) Short Blade 1 (+75% XP)	0	Highest First Aid start (level 6). Strong treatment, limited combat value on its own.
	Farmer	0	—	Fitness 5 Strength 6 Agriculture 4 (+125% XP) Animal Care 1 (+75% XP)	63 recipes Make Mildew Cure Make Flies Cure from Cigarettes Make Flies Cure from Loose Tobacco Make Flies Cure from Chewing Tobacco Make Aphids Cure Make Scarecrow Make Barbed Wire from Wire Carrot Growing Season Broccoli Growing Season Radish Growing Season Strawberry Growing Season Tomato Growing Season Potato Growing Season Cabbage Growing Season Corn Growing Season Kale Growing Season Sweet Potato Growing Season Green Pea Growing Season Onion Growing Season Garlic Growing Season Soybean Growing Season Wheat Growing Season Basil Growing Season Chives Growing Season Cilantro Growing Season Oregano Growing Season Parsley Growing Season Sage Growing Season Rosemary Growing Season Thyme Growing Season Barley Growing Season Flax Growing Season Hops Growing Season Rye Growing Season Sugar Beet Growing Season Tobacco Growing Season Bell Pepper Growing Season Cauliflower Growing Season Cucumber Growing Season Habanero Growing Season Jalapeno Growing Season Leek Growing Season Lettuce Growing Season Pumpkin Growing Season Spinach Growing Season Sunflower Growing Season Turnip Growing Season Watermelon Growing Season Zucchini Growing Season Chamomile Growing Season Lemongrass Growing Season Marigold Growing Season Mint Growing Season Rose Growing Season Poppy Growing Season Hemp Growing Season Lavender Growing Season Comfrey Growing Season Common Mallow Growing Season Broadleaf Plantain Growing Season Black Sage Growing Season Wild Garlic Growing Season Make Jar of Preserved Food	Agriculture 4, Animal Care 1, Strength 6, and almost every growing-season recipe.
	Firefighter	0	—	Fitness 6 Strength 6 Running 1 (+75% XP) Axe 1 (+75% XP)	0	Fitness 6, Strength 6, Running 1, Axe 1—mobility and axe work without costing points.
	Lumberjack	0	Ax-pert	Fitness 5 Strength 6 Axe 2 (+100% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP)	0	Ax-pert trait, Axe 2, Strength 6, Maintenance 1; forest movement bonus from the trait line.
	Nurse	0	Night Owl	Fitness 6 Strength 5 First Aid 3 (+125% XP) Lightfooted 1 (+75% XP)	0	First Aid 3, Lightfooted 1, Fitness 6, and Night Owl for free.
	Rancher	0	—	Fitness 6 Strength 5 Animal Care 4 (+125% XP) Butchering 3 (+125% XP)	1 recipe Make Barbed Wire from Wire	Animal Care 4 and Butchering 3 with Fitness 6—livestock focus for Build 42.
	Carpenter	-2	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Carpentry 4 (+125% XP) Carving 1 (+75% XP) Short Blunt 1 (+75% XP) Masonry 1 (+75% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP)	19 recipes Make Brake Disc Weapon Can-Reinforce Long Weapon Can-Reinforce Short Weapon Can-Reinforce Weapon Make Garden Fork Head Weapon Make Railspike Baseball Bat Make Railspike Cudgel Make Railspike Large Handle Make Rake-Head-Spiked Weapon Make Plank with Saw Make Sawblade Cudgel Make Sawblade Large Handle Make Sawblade Plank Make Sawblade Table Leg Make Sawblade Wooden Bat Sheet Metal-Reinforce Weapon Make Spade Head Cudgel Make Advanced Framepack Frame Make Advanced Large Framepack Frame	Carpentry 4 plus Carving, Masonry, Maintenance, and Short Blunt for base building.
	Chef	-2	Keen Cook	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Cooking 4 (+125% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP) Short Blade 1 (+75% XP) Butchering 2 (+100% XP)	20 recipes Make Cake Batter Prepare Pie Dough Prepare Bread Dough Prepare Baguette Prepare Biscuits Prepare Chocolate Cookies Prepare Chocolate Chip Cookies Prepare Oatmeal Cookies Prepare Shortbread Cookies Prepare Sugar Cookies Prepare Pizza Prepare 2 Breaded Onion Rings Prepare Breaded Shrimp Prepare Sushi Prepare Onigiri Prepare Maki Make 4 Cabbage Rolls Prepare Muffins Make Guacamole Make Jar of Preserved Food	Cooking 4, Butchering 2, Keen Cook, and a long baked/dough recipe list.
	Construction Worker	-2	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Short Blunt 2 (+100% XP) Long Blunt 1 (+75% XP) Masonry 2 (+100% XP) Carpentry 1 (+75% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP)	0	Short Blunt 2, Long Blunt 1, Masonry 2, Carpentry 1, Maintenance 1—melee and masonry.
	DIY Expert	-2	Inventive	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Carpentry 1 (+75% XP) Maintenance 2 (+100% XP) Short Blunt 1 (+75% XP) Masonry 1 (+75% XP)	24 recipes Barbed-Wire Wrap Weapon Make Bolt Metal Bat Make Brake Disc Weapon Make Bucket Maul Can-Reinforce Long Weapon Can-Reinforce Short Weapon Can-Reinforce Weapon Make Garden Fork Head Weapon Make Kettle Maul Make Railspike Baseball Bat Make Railspike Cudgel Make Railspike Iron Pipe Make Railspike Large Handle Make Railspike Weapon Make Rake-Head-Spiked Weapon Make Plank with Saw Make Sawblade Cudgel Make Sawblade Large Handle Make Sawblade Plank Make Sawblade Table Leg Make Sawblade Wooden Bat Sheet Metal-Reinforce Weapon Make Spade Head Cudgel Make Improvised Screwdriver	Maintenance 2, Inventive, and improvised weapon recipes.
	Electrician	-2	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Electrical 5 (+125% XP)	12 recipes Generator Maintenance Make Remote Controller (Short-Range) Make Remote Controller (Medium-Range) Make Remote Controller (Long-Range) Make Remote Trigger Make Timer Make Makeshift Radio Make Makeshift Ham Radio Make Makeshift Walkie Talkie Make Improvised Flashlight Make Improvised Lantern Make Improvised Lighter	Electrical 5 and generator use, plus remote/timer/radio craft recipes.
	Fishing Guide	-2	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Fishing 3 (+125% XP) Foraging 1 (+75% XP) Butchering 1 (+75% XP)	5 recipes Make Fishing Rod Fix Fishing Rod Dismantle Fishing Net Make Fishing Net Make Chum Base	Fishing 3, Foraging 1, Butchering 1, with rod, net, and chum recipes.
	Security Guard	-2	Night Owl	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Running 2 (+100% XP) Lightfooted 1 (+75% XP) Short Blunt 1 (+75% XP)	0	Running 2, Lightfooted 1, Short Blunt 1, Night Owl—less sleep, faster clearouts.
	Engineer	-4	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Electrical 1 (+75% XP) Carpentry 1 (+75% XP) Masonry 1 (+75% XP)	13 recipes Make Aerosol Bomb Make Fire Bomb Make Pipe Bomb Make Noise Maker Make Smoke Bomb Make Firecracker Make Gas Mask Filter Make Improvised Gas Mask Recharge Filters Make Improvised Flashlight Make Improvised Lantern Make Improvised Lighter Generator Maintenance	Traps/explosives and generator recipes; light Electrical, Carpentry, and Masonry.
	Mechanic	-4	Vehicle Knowledge	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Mechanics 4 (+125% XP) Welding 1 (+75% XP)	3 recipes Basic Mechanics Intermediate Mechanics Advanced Mechanics	Mechanics 4, Welding 1, full vehicle knowledge trait, and all three mechanic recipe tiers.
	Park Ranger	-4	Herbalist	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Trapping 1 (+75% XP) First Aid 1 (+75% XP) Foraging 1 (+75% XP) Knapping 1 (+75% XP) Carving 1 (+75% XP)	5 recipes Make Stick Trap Make Snare Trap Make Crate Trap Make Box Trap Make Cage Trap	Herbalist trait; Trapping, First Aid, Foraging, Knapping, Carving at 1 each; trap recipes.
	Police Officer	-4	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Aiming 4 (+125% XP) Reloading 1 (+75% XP) Nimble 1 (+75% XP)	0	Aiming 4, Reloading 1, Nimble 1—firearm-focused combat start.
	Welder	-4	—	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Welding 4 (+125% XP)	85 recipes Construct Advanced Forge Construct Blast Furnace Construct Charcoal Burner Construct Charcoal Pit Construct Dome Kiln Simple Forge Construct Makeshift Electric Blower Forge Construct Smelting Furnace Construct Primitive Forge Construct Primitive Furnace Forge Baking Pan Forge Baking Tray Forge Bucket Forge Ball-peen Hammer Head Forge Claw Hammer Head Forge Cooking Pot Forge Corkscrew Forge Crowbar Forge Simple Shortsword Blade Forge Crude Sword Blade Forge Doorknob Forge Fine Butter Knives Forge Fine Forks Forge Fine Spoons Forge 4 Fishing Hooks Forge Forceps Forge Forks Forge Frying Pan Forge Gardening Hoe Head Forge Gardening Trowel Forge Hand Scythe Head Forge Hinge Forge Hunting Knife Blade Forge Kettle Forge Kitchen Knife Blade Forge Large Knife Blade Forge Machete Blade Forge Masonry Chisel Forge Masonry Trowel Forge Meat Cleaver Blade Forge Metalworking Chisel Forge Metalworking Pliers Forge Metalworking Punch Forge File Forge Drill Forge 10 Nails Forge Needle Forge Pick Axe Head Forge Railroad Spike Knife Forge Roasting Pan Forge Saucepan Forge Saw Forge Scissors Forge Scythe Head Forge Spade Head Forge Sheep Shears Forge Sledgehammer Head Forge Small Knife Forge Small Steel Sheet Forge Smithing Hammer Head Forge 2 Spoons Forge Steel Sheet Forge Straight Razor Forge Sword Blade Forge ShortSword Blade Forge Tongs Forge Tweezers Make Metal Drum Make Improvised Whetstone Forge Heading Tool Forge Draw Plate Forge Mace Head Make Spiked Club Forge Spear Head Forge Long Spear Head Forge Wood Axe Head Forge Axe Head Forge Hatchet Head Forge Fleshing Tool Forge Goblets Forge Cup Forge Buckle Forge Lantern Forge Carpentry Chisel Forge Wrench	Welding 4 and a large forge/furnace recipe set.
	Blacksmith	-6	Blacksmith Knowledge	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Blacksmithing 4 (+125% XP) Maintenance 1 (+75% XP) Short Blunt 1 (+75% XP)	86 recipes Barbed-Wire Wrap Weapon Construct Advanced Forge Construct Blast Furnace Construct Charcoal Burner Construct Charcoal Pit Construct Dome Kiln Simple Forge Construct Makeshift Electric Blower Forge Construct Smelting Furnace Construct Primitive Forge Construct Primitive Furnace Forge Baking Pan Forge Baking Tray Forge Bucket Forge Ball-peen Hammer Head Forge Claw Hammer Head Forge Cooking Pot Forge Corkscrew Forge Crowbar Forge Simple Shortsword Blade Forge Crude Sword Blade Forge Doorknob Forge Fine Butter Knives Forge Fine Forks Forge Fine Spoons Forge 4 Fishing Hooks Forge Forceps Forge Forks Forge Frying Pan Forge Gardening Hoe Head Forge Gardening Trowel Forge Hand Scythe Head Forge Hinge Forge Hunting Knife Blade Forge Kettle Forge Kitchen Knife Blade Forge Large Knife Blade Forge Machete Blade Forge Masonry Chisel Forge Masonry Trowel Forge Meat Cleaver Blade Forge Metalworking Chisel Forge Metalworking Pliers Forge Metalworking Punch Forge File Forge Drill Forge 10 Nails Forge Needle Forge Pick Axe Head Forge Railroad Spike Knife Forge Roasting Pan Forge Saucepan Forge Saw Forge Scissors Forge Scythe Head Forge Spade Head Forge Sheep Shears Forge Sledgehammer Head Forge Small Knife Forge Small Steel Sheet Forge Smithing Hammer Head Forge 2 Spoons Forge Steel Sheet Forge Straight Razor Forge Sword Blade Forge ShortSword Blade Forge Tongs Forge Tweezers Make Metal Drum Make Improvised Whetstone Forge Heading Tool Forge Draw Plate Forge Mace Head Make Spiked Club Forge Spear Head Forge Long Spear Head Forge Wood Axe Head Forge Axe Head Forge Hatchet Head Forge Fleshing Tool Forge Goblets Forge Cup Forge Buckle Forge Lantern Forge Carpentry Chisel Forge Wrench	Blacksmithing 4, Blacksmith Knowledge, and a full forge recipe suite.
	Burglar	-6	Burglar	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Nimble 2 (+100% XP) Sneaking 2 (+100% XP) Lightfooted 2 (+100% XP)	14 recipes Make Magazine Limb Armor Make Magazine Body Armor Make Glass Shiv Make Shiv Make Toothbrush Shiv Copy Building Key Hollow Out Book Make Bulletproof Forearm Armor Make Bulletproof Shin Armor Make Bulletproof Thigh Armor Hemp Growing Season Make Improvised Screwdriver Make Blank ID Make Improvised Lighter	Hotwire and quieter lock work via Burglar trait; Nimble, Sneaking, Lightfooted at 2.
	Fitness Instructor	-6	Nutritionist	Fitness 8 Strength 6 Running 2 (+100% XP)	0	Fitness 8, Running 2, Strength 6, Nutritionist—exercise regularity and nutrition labels.
	Veteran	-8	Desensitized	Fitness 5 Strength 5 Aiming 2 (+100% XP) Reloading 2 (+100% XP)	1 recipe Make Tarp Chest Rig	Desensitized (no panic), Aiming 2, Reloading 2; costly at −8 points.

Common mistakes from older guides

• Carpenter costs −2 (not +2) and starts Carpentry 4 with Carving, Masonry, and Maintenance.
• Chef and DIY Expert cost −2; Chef also starts Butchering 2.
• Farmer, Doctor, and Nurse cost 0. Doctor starts First Aid 6; Nurse gets Night Owl.
• Electrician costs −2 with Electrical 5; Welder costs −4 with Welding 4 and forge recipes.
• Park Ranger grants Herbalist plus Trapping, First Aid, Foraging, Knapping, and Carving—not the old Axe/Carpentry package.
• Mechanic starts Mechanics 4 with Welding 1, not Short Blunt.

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