based on the text, it's not explicitly mentioned what the hitchhiker's job is. the hitchhiker initially claims to be an "odd carrier" (likely a typo for "hod carrier"), which is a person who carries cement for a bricklayer. however, the narrator later questions the hitchhiker's statement and points out the inconsistency between claiming to be an unemployed hod carrier and being involved in a highly skilled trade. the hitchhiker doesn't provide a clear answer, leaving the question of his actual occupation unanswered in the provided text.