Overview
inZOI offers two distinct non-traditional career categories that sit outside the standard office and service jobs: Freelancer careers and Criminal careers. Freelancers earn income by producing creative or technical work on their own schedule, while criminals follow structured underground career ladders with high pay but increased risk. Both career types are accessed through the Career app on the Smartphone.
Freelancer careers
Freelancer jobs were announced in May 2025 as part of Update #2. They allow Zois to earn money independently without reporting to a workplace on a fixed schedule. The initial freelancer disciplines include:
Painting: create and sell artwork. Income scales with painting skill and piece quality.
Music: compose and perform. Zois can earn tips and royalties from their compositions.
Software Development: write and sell programs. Requires a computer at home.
Writing (Author): write books and articles for publication. Completed manuscripts generate royalties over time.
Freelancers do not have a fixed workplace or shift schedule. Instead, they work from home or community lots using the appropriate equipment (easels for painters, instruments for musicians, computers for developers and authors). Income depends on skill level, output quality, and frequency.
Planned freelancer expansions (2026 Q2)
The 2026 Roadmap lists additional freelancer disciplines coming in Q2:
Game Development: a more involved programming track with its own progression.
Photography: tied to the existing Photo Mode system.
Blogging: write content online for followers and ad revenue.
Taxi Driving: pick up passengers and earn fares across the city.
Elderly-specific careers: lighter workloads designed for Senior-stage Zois.
Criminal careers
Criminal careers are standard Rabbit Hole type jobs, meaning your Zoi disappears into the workplace for the duration of the shift and you cannot directly control their actions during work hours. Random work events may pop up, offering choices that affect performance and mood.
Both criminal paths share the same schedule: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 3 days per week. They are available to Zois from Young Adult to Middle-Aged life stages.
Gangster
The Gangster career is based in Bliss Bay under the organization name Westside Hustler.
Rank | Title | Pay per Shift (Meow) |
|---|---|---|
1 | Rookie | 360 |
2 | Underboss | ~1,200 |
3 | Boss | 2,169 |
The Boss rank pays 2,169 Meow per shift, making it the highest-paying career in the entire game as of the December 2025 update.
Street Soldier
The Street Soldier career is based in Dowon under the front company Dowon Solutions.
Rank | Title | Pay per Shift (Meow) |
|---|---|---|
1 | Muscle | 360 |
2 | Crew Manager | ~1,200 |
3 | Boss | 2,169 |
The two criminal paths have identical pay structures. The main difference is location and flavor text.
December 2025 crime update
The December 2025 update significantly expanded the crime system beyond the two career paths. Key additions include:
Thief path: Zois can steal from other Zois and properties. The "Pick Door Lock" interaction lets a Zoi break into locked homes.
Scammer path: Zois can attempt scam calls via the "Attempt Voice Phishing" interaction on their smartphone. Success depends on the target's gullibility and the scammer's skill.
Crime skill: a dedicated skill that improves with criminal activity, reducing the chance of getting caught.
Wanted status: Zois who commit crimes and are detected gain a wanted level that makes authorities more likely to pursue them.
The same update also introduced two new non-criminal skills that pair well with freelancer and home-based gameplay:
Baking: prepare baked goods at home, sell at market stands or give as gifts.
Drink Mixing: craft beverages and cocktails. Useful for home entertaining and social events.
Comparison of criminal career paths
Feature | Gangster (Bliss Bay) | Street Soldier (Dowon) |
|---|---|---|
Organization | Westside Hustler | Dowon Solutions |
City | Bliss Bay | Dowon |
Type | Rabbit Hole | Rabbit Hole |
Schedule | 9AM - 6PM, 3 days/week | 9AM - 6PM, 3 days/week |
Age requirement | Young Adult to Middle-Aged | Young Adult to Middle-Aged |
Entry pay | 360 Meow | 360 Meow |
Max pay (Boss) | 2,169 Meow | 2,169 Meow |
Tips for criminal careers
Level up the Crime skill through small infractions before committing major crimes. Higher skill means lower detection rates.
Keep a legitimate career or freelancer income alongside criminal activity so your Zoi has a cover for their finances.
The Gangster and Street Soldier paths do not conflict with the new thief or scammer systems. A Zoi can hold a criminal career and also steal or scam on the side.
Watch your Zoi's emotions during criminal work. Stress and guilt can build up and affect other areas of life.