Jobs Rated 2011: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Jobs Rated 2011: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Drywall Applicator/Finisher
161
Overall Rating:
161/200
678
Median Salary:$37,179

Installs and prepares surfaces of drywall panels for commercial or residential interiors.

Work Environment
Poor
145/200
973.94
Stress
Medium
96/200
19.790
Projected Growth
Fair
120/200
0.79
Carpet/Tile Installer
162
Overall Rating:
162/200
679
Median Salary:$37,238

Lays tile or carpets in homes and businesses.

Work Environment
Fair
120/200
796.86
Stress
Medium
81/200
18.380
Projected Growth
Very Poor
186/200
-13.62
Actor
163
Overall Rating:
163/200
680
Median Salary:$49,116

Entertains, informs, and instructs audiences by interpreting dramatic roles on stage, film, television, or radio.

Work Environment
Very Poor
182/200
1371.75
Stress
Very High
194/200
45.160
Projected Growth
Poor
133/200
-0.84
Stationary Engineer
164
Overall Rating:
164/200
681
Median Salary:$51,139

Operates, monitors, and repairs power plants and industrial heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.

Work Environment
Poor
153/200
1055.47
Stress
High
151/200
27.390
Projected Growth
Fair
107/200
3.39
Bus Driver
165
Overall Rating:
165/200
686
Median Salary:$34,167

Transports passengers according to a specific schedule along metropolitan and community routes.

Work Environment
Very Poor
164/200
1124.48
Stress
High
139/200
25.670
Projected Growth
Poor
122/200
0.67
Highway Patrol Officer
166
Overall Rating:
166/200
692
Median Salary:$53,171

Patrols roads and highways, and enforces traffic regulations and criminal statutes.

Work Environment
Very Poor
195/200
1733.40
Stress
Very High
188/200
40.710
Projected Growth
Good
74/200
7.71
Dishwasher
167
Overall Rating:
167/200
695
Median Salary:$18,053

Cleans the plates, glasses and silverware used by patrons of an eating establishment, and the pots, pans and cooking utensils used by chefs.

Work Environment
Poor
131/200
868.32
Stress
Low
48/200
14.530
Projected Growth
Poor
141/200
-2.47
Bricklayer
168
Overall Rating:
168/200
699
Median Salary:$47,175

Erects structures such as fireplaces and walls with brick and other masonry materials.

Work Environment
Very Poor
168/200
1151.02
Stress
Medium
104/200
20.750
Projected Growth
Poor
137/200
-1.25
Maid
169
Overall Rating:
169/200
700
Median Salary:$19,093

May perform a variety of services, including cleaning and upkeep for residential and institutional employers.

Work Environment
Fair
103/200
682.02
Stress
Medium
87/200
18.930
Projected Growth
Poor
160/200
-5.07
Advertising Salesperson
170
Overall Rating:
170/200
701
Median Salary:$43,309

Negotiates contracts with clients for advertising in publications and on radio and television.

Work Environment
Very Poor
176/200
1293.57
Stress
Very High
175/200
36.090
Projected Growth
Poor
147/200
-2.91
Truck Driver
171
Overall Rating:
171/200
711
Median Salary:$38,128

Operates 16-wheeled tractor-trailer, to transport durable and perishable goods from producers to consumers.

Work Environment
Poor
143/200
968.20
Stress
High
153/200
28.280
Projected Growth
Fair
112/200
2.28
Travel Agent
172
Overall Rating:
172/200
716
Median Salary:$31,147

Makes arrangements for travel according to the specific needs of individuals and businesses.

Work Environment
Very Poor
166/200
1134.77
Stress
Very High
187/200
40.470
Projected Growth
Very Poor
172/200
-8.53
Construction Machinery Operator
173
Overall Rating:
173/200
720
Median Salary:$40,169

Operates one or more machines used in extractive or construction work.

Work Environment
Very Poor
167/200
1136.25
Stress
High
127/200
23.690
Projected Growth
Poor
121/200
0.69
Mail Carrier
174
Overall Rating:
174/200
725
Median Salary:$52,042

Delivers and collects mail along prearranged rural and urban routes.

Work Environment
Very Poor
184/200
1461.24
Stress
High
124/200
23.420
Projected Growth
Poor
152/200
-3.58
Carpenter
175
Overall Rating:
175/200
729
Median Salary:$39,184

Assists in the construction, repairing, and remodeling of buildings and other structures.

Work Environment
Poor
144/200
973.36
Stress
High
156/200
28.840
Projected Growth
Poor
127/200
-0.16
Firefighter
176
Overall Rating:
176/200
730
Median Salary:$45,222

Protects individuals and saves lives and property from the ravages of fire.

Work Environment
Very Poor
200/200
3314.03
Stress
Very High
200/200
60.220
Projected Growth
Very Good
23/200
18.22
Disc Jockey
177
Overall Rating:
176/200
730
Median Salary:$28,375

Selects and plays records or tapes; comments on areas of interest to a particular radio audience.

Work Environment
Poor
154/200
1062.00
Stress
High
160/200
29.750
Projected Growth
Very Poor
179/200
-11.25
Police Officer
178
Overall Rating:
178/200
731
Median Salary:$49,185

Provides protection against crime, investigates criminal activity, and works with the public on crime-prevention measures.

Work Environment
Very Poor
197/200
1877.85
Stress
Very High
191/200
43.850
Projected Growth
Good
73/200
7.85
Garbage Collector
179
Overall Rating:
178/200
731
Median Salary:$32,174

Collects refuse on a designated municipal route, and transports trash to disposal plants or landfill areas.

Work Environment
Very Poor
181/200
1368.32
Stress
High
128/200
23.740
Projected Growth
Good
67/200
8.74
Choreographer
180
Overall Rating:
180/200
738
Median Salary:$38,283

Instructs performers and develops and interprets routines for stage and other presentations.

Work Environment
Poor
160/200
1106.25
Stress
Very High
182/200
38.830
Projected Growth
Poor
158/200
-4.17