When launching their careers, many job seekers had a simple method of choosing the best job for them: They guessed. A job might "feel right" or "sound cool" or be considered successful according to the media, conventional wisdom or the advice of others. However, as many realtors and autoworkers will tell you, conventional wisdom can change. And with fierce competition for jobs making it tougher than ever to get a "do-over" if you make the wrong choice, guessing is not a smart approach to career management.
So if the lesson of the past year is that you need to determine the best career path for you the first time around, how exactly can you do that? For starters, having a few facts will help. CareerCast.com's 2010 Jobs Rated report offers a comprehensive analysis of 200 different jobs – from Accountant to Zoologist – giving each a unique ranking based on factual analysis and hard data, not guesswork. If you're entering (or re-entering) the job market and want to avoid selecting the wrong career, our rankings can help you make a stronger, more informed decision, both for today and the long-term.
How does Jobs Rated determine which professions rank better than others? Data on each job is broken down into five key categories: Physical Demands, Work Environment, Income, Stress and Hiring Outlook. Jobs receive a score in each individual category, and when these are added together, the career with the best overall score is ranked 1st, while the one with the worst overall score is ranked 200th.
Of course every employee is different, and what you consider a "dream job" might be someone else's idea of a career nightmare. Because of this, a simple ranking may not be enough – you need to know what a particular job is really like on a day-to-day basis. This is where the survey's individual scores and rankings can help. If you're the type who cares a lot about income but doesn't mind stress, for example, public relations executive might be a great career for you. While the job may seem less desirable with an overall ranking of 79, it ranks 19th for median income and 193rd for stress – perfect for the job seeker who wants good pay and can handle a high-stress environment.
1. Actuary
Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters.
- Overall Score: 46.00
- Income: $85,229.00
- Work Environment:
- 179.440
- Stress:
- 20.187
- Physical Demands:
- 3.97
- Hiring Outlook:
- 24.79
2. Software Engineer
Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes.
- Overall Score: 66.00
- Income: $85,139.00
- Work Environment:
- 150.000
- Stress:
- 25.000
- Physical Demands:
- 5.00
- Hiring Outlook:
- 45.39
3. Computer Systems Analyst
Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.
- Overall Score: 77.00
- Income: $76,162.00
- Work Environment:
- 90.780
- Stress:
- 24.965
- Physical Demands:
- 5.08
- Hiring Outlook:
- 29.62
4. Biologist
Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.
- Overall Score: 123.00
- Income: $71,279.00
- Work Environment:
- 314.370
- Stress:
- 26.946
- Physical Demands:
- 4.98
- Hiring Outlook:
- 24.79
5. Historian
Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise.
- Overall Score: 132.00
- Income: $62,226.00
- Work Environment:
- 136.410
- Stress:
- 28.419
- Physical Demands:
- 5.09
- Hiring Outlook:
- 24.26
6. Mathematician
Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate.
- Overall Score: 133.00
- Income: $95,161.00
- Work Environment:
- 89.720
- Stress:
- 24.673
- Physical Demands:
- 3.97
- Hiring Outlook:
- 11.11
7. Paralegal Assistant
Assists attorneys in preparation of legal documents; collection of depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues.
- Overall Score: 179.00
- Income: $46,152.00
- Work Environment:
- 263.820
- Stress:
- 23.084
- Physical Demands:
- 5.79
- Hiring Outlook:
- 22.52
8. Statistician
Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveys.
- Overall Score: 187.00
- Income: $73,193.00
- Work Environment:
- 89.520
- Stress:
- 27.975
- Physical Demands:
- 3.95
- Hiring Outlook:
- 9.93
9. Accountant
Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government.
- Overall Score: 190.00
- Income: $59,176.00
- Work Environment:
- 276.780
- Stress:
- 31.138
- Physical Demands:
- 4.23
- Hiring Outlook:
- 18.76
10. Dental Hygienist
Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a group or private dental practice.
- Overall Score: 198.00
- Income: $67,107.00
- Work Environment:
- 593.250
- Stress:
- 24.719
- Physical Demands:
- 7.00
- Hiring Outlook:
- 30.07
11. Philosopher
Studies questions concerning the nature of intellectual concepts, and attempts to construct rational theories concerning our understanding of the world around us.
- Overall Score: 207.00
- Income: $60,218.00
- Work Environment:
- 361.440
- Stress:
- 30.497
- Physical Demands:
- 6.04
- Hiring Outlook:
- 24.18
12. Meteorologist
Studies the physical characteristics, motions and processes of the earth's atmosphere.
- Overall Score: 210.00
- Income: $81,226.00
- Work Environment:
- 179.640
- Stress:
- 29.192
- Physical Demands:
- 6.98
- Hiring Outlook:
- 12.26
13. Technical Writer
Transforms scientific and technical information into readily understandable language.
- Overall Score: 215.00
- Income: $62,162.00
- Work Environment:
- 221.250
- Stress:
- 36.506
- Physical Demands:
- 5.85
- Hiring Outlook:
- 20.12
14. Bank Officer
Oversees the successful operations by assisting in the direction of policies and procedures for a financial institution.
- Overall Score: 222.00
- Income: $88,217.00
- Work Environment:
- 390.560
- Stress:
- 35.395
- Physical Demands:
- 4.76
- Hiring Outlook:
- 14.67
15. Web Developer
Creating and maintaining layout, navigation, and interactivity of intranet and internet websites.
- Overall Score: 229.00
- Income: $60,090.00
- Work Environment:
- 275.000
- Stress:
- 27.000
- Physical Demands:
- 10.00
- Hiring Outlook:
- 29.40
16. Industrial Engineer
Plans for optimum use of facilities and personnel to improve industrial efficiency.
- Overall Score: 232.00
- Income: $74,123.00
- Work Environment:
- 230.300
- Stress:
- 34.545
- Physical Demands:
- 8.21
- Hiring Outlook:
- 20.73
17. Financial Planner
Related to careers in portfolio management, the financial planner offers a broad range of services aimed at assisting individuals in managing and planning their financial future.
- Overall Score: 233.00
- Income: $59,353.00
- Work Environment:
- 225.000
- Stress:
- 38.350
- Physical Demands:
- 4.00
- Hiring Outlook:
- 16.03
18. Aerospace Engineer
Designs, develops, and tests new technologies concerned with the manufacture of commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft.
- Overall Score: 254.00
- Income: $93,133.00
- Work Environment:
- 230.300
- Stress:
- 34.545
- Physical Demands:
- 6.21
- Hiring Outlook:
- 10.33
19. Pharmacist
Advises physicians and patients on the affects of drugs and medications; prepares and dispenses prescriptions.
- Overall Score: 260.00
- Income: $106,070.00
- Work Environment:
- 788.640
- Stress:
- 25.877
- Physical Demands:
- 8.86
- Hiring Outlook:
- 22.20
20. Medical Records Technician
Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date medical records for use in treatment, billing, and statistical surveys.
- Overall Score: 263.00
- Income: $31,150.00
- Work Environment:
- 165.200
- Stress:
- 19.620
- Physical Demands:
- 7.26
- Hiring Outlook:
- 17.00
The 2010 Jobs Rated rankings serve as a guide for anyone trying to get a clearer picture of employment in an uncertain time. Whether you're graduating from college, have recently found yourself downsized or just can't stand the thought of going back to the grind for one more day, our rankings and individual category scores can help you take the guesswork out of your job search. And with facts on your side, you'll be starting out ahead of the game.
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By Andrew Strieber
