While most people strive to minimize time spent sleeping to maximize productivity, professional sleepers do exactly the opposite—they get paid to sleep, often in unusual circumstances or for extended periods, as part of scientific research, product development, or marketing campaigns.
The most common form of professional sleeping occurs in sleep research laboratories at universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. These facilities recruit paid participants for studies investigating sleep disorders, brain activity during different sleep phases, the effects of sleep deprivation, and the efficacy of sleep-related treatments or medications.
Research participants may spend anywhere from a single night to several weeks living in a sleep lab, where their brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, and other physiological metrics are continuously monitored through electrodes and sensors. Depending on the study design, they might sleep on experimental mattresses, test new sleep-tracking technologies, or follow specific pre-sleep protocols to assess how various factors affect sleep quality.
Compensation for sleep study participants varies widely. Standard overnight studies typically pay $100-$200 per night, while more invasive or longer-term studies can offer $1,000-$10,000. NASA's bed rest studies—which examine the physiological effects of weightlessness by having participants remain in bed at a slight decline for weeks or months—represent some of the highest-paying sleeping jobs, offering up to $19,000 for a 70-day period.
Beyond medical research, various industries employ professional sleepers for product development and testing. Mattress companies like Casper and Purple have hired "sleep testers" to evaluate prototype models and provide feedback on comfort, temperature regulation, and support. Hotels and resorts occasionally employ "sleep inspectors" who stay overnight in various rooms to assess bed quality, noise levels, and overall sleep environment.
The most publicized professional sleeping opportunities tend to be marketing stunts by brands seeking publicity. In 2021, mattress company Craft recruited a "Sleeping Beauty" with a $3,000 stipend to test mattresses and create social media content about the experience. Similarly, eachnight.com offered $1,500 for someone to take naps every day for 30 days while documenting how different napping styles affected mood and energy.
Finland's Hotel Finn in Helsinki gained international attention with its "professional sleeper" position, hiring a person to stay in each of its 35 rooms over 35 nights and blog about the experience—a creative marketing campaign that generated global publicity far exceeding its cost.
While most professional sleeping opportunities are temporary projects or research studies, a few individuals have built careers around sleep-related work. Professionally trained sleep coaches combine elements of sleep science and behavioral therapy to help clients improve their sleep habits. Sleep consultants advise hotels and mattress manufacturers on improving their sleep-related offerings, sometimes leveraging their experience as former professional sleepers.
Though it might sound like the ultimate dream job, professional sleeping comes with challenges. Research participants face disrupted sleep from monitoring equipment, strictly controlled environments, and sometimes intentionally uncomfortable conditions. Marketing-focused positions typically require extensive social media work alongside the actual sleeping. And NASA's bed rest participants report significant boredom and physical discomfort despite the premium compensation.
Nevertheless, for those with flexible schedules and an interest in sleep science, these unusual opportunities provide a rare chance to earn money while literally resting on the job.