A professional sleeper is an individual who is paid to sleep and help researchers in their studies. Apart from this, professional sleeper also helps various other organizations like mattress makers, hoteliers, various artists, and hospitals by sleeping and sharing his/her experiences and feedback about sleeping and comfort. Know how to become a professional sleeper.

They help doctors examine the brain and additional activities of the body while the human body is numb and sleeping. As a professional sleeper, you may test the beds, mattresses, and bedding for the companies and tell them your review.

Professional Sleeper Job Description

In this occupation, you have to sleep with tapes and wires connected to your body and investigation equipment positioned on your body. You could be a part of trials that might require you to sleep for numerous hours or days at a stretch, so doctors and investigators can keep a watch on your body for changes that might take place.

These studies usually emphasize on gauging the brain waves, respiration procedure, and variations in heart rhythm programs. Professional sleepers are people who are paid to sleep. They normally do this as part of technical research to appraise the efficiency of various sleep type products.

For some studies (those that test sleeping pills), you may need to suffer from insomnia or generally be someone who has difficulty sleeping at night. Additionally, you’ll need to have a flexible working schedule as projects can take place at any time of the day. Although your daily duties might vary, you’ll be expected to act as

Scientific Research Subject
Bed and Mattress Tester
Medical Consultants Working for the NHS
Exhibitionist Sleeper
Working for Companies That Offer Nap-Time
Being hooked up to a lot of machines to check your heart rate and brain activity while you sleep.
Spending the night at a hotel and filling in a form about the experience.
Test beds, mattresses and duvets for companies.
Taking sleeping pills to be an art exhibit.
Working long hours as a Doctor and sleeping at a hospital.

Professional Sleeper Remuneration

As the duration and responsibilities of every job vary, it’s hard to set an average salary. Salary of a professional sleeper is actually not fixed as they differ in terms of their role from others. In many instances, they are hired for definite projects, so controlling the payment to a range will be problematic.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of professional sleeper was expected to grow faster than average for all other occupations in rare cases the salary for professional sleepers is $15,000 yearly however can differ because of the location, industry, company and experience.

The University of Colorado has stated in one of its papers that around $3342 can be earned by being a subject of a 15-day sleep study. The Sleep Medicine division at Harvard medical school could pay around $12,236 to qualified sleepers for 36 days of the investigation study. The New Museum in New York paid a sleeper around $11 per hour to the sleeper who decided to sleep in the Center of The museum using a sleeping pill.

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Professional Sleeper Qualification

There are no precise experience requirements needed to become a professional sleeper. However, you do need to be at least 18 years of age and will need to fit a variety of criteria for the study depending on its unique requirements. For being a specialized sleeper at investigation centers, you must have the capabilities to fit the examination standards like inducing sleeping problems etc.

Essential Skills and Qualities

In order to succeed in this exciting career path, you’ll need:

The ability to sleep in new surroundings, away from home for long periods of time
The ability to sleep with wires attached to you, knowing that people will be watching you
Good overall health and fitness
The ability to write compelling and interesting reports
Good observational skills
A strong character and not be bothered about spending a lot of time secluded from others

Working Hours and Conditions

Sleeping on the job may not be all it is over hyped up to be. In simple words, professional sleepers do not work a 9 to 5 job. A professional sleeper would be connected with loads of cords, research equipment and wires put on them while they are sleeping. Studies can last anywhere between 24 hours to 2 months. You’ll either work or sleep in hospitals, test centers or even luxury guesthouses, and there will always be a medical specialized service, if required.

Pros include:

You’ll get paid to sleep
You’ll get to learn more about your own sleeping patterns
You’ll receive medical treatment for any problems detected
Studies aren’t continuous and if you walk out midway, you still get paid for the days you participated in the study
If you’re a mattress tester, you’ll get to stay in luxury hotels and enjoy five-star treatment.

Bottom Line:

Professional sleepers are fortunate enough to get paid for sleeping when it comes to sleeping for research projects. This job requires lots of patience. The work is in demand no matter where you work. Selecting this career is very easy if you love sleeping.(1)