Jobs Rated 2012: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Jobs Rated 2012: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

By: Victoria Brienza

This is the 2012 version of the top 200 Jobs Rated report. Read the Top 200 Jobs of 2013 here.

Finding your dream job requires more than just hoping the stars will align in your favor. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than having the job fairy deliver you the perfect job just when you need one. In fact, you likely ended up in your current career because you followed in your parent’s footsteps (or heeded their advice), or you took a job because it was something you thought might be “cool” to do. Perhaps a teacher suggested your current career path, or maybe a job simply “opened up” just when you needed one.

Landing the job that’s right for you – that’s a good match for your skills and interests - requires soul-searching, some trial and error and lots of research. And we’re here to help! Our 2012 Jobs Rated report helps job seekers sort through the clutter with a comprehensive analysis of 200 different jobs – from Accountant to Zoologist – ranking each profession based on factual analysis and hard data instead of guesswork.

How do our Jobs Rated researchers determine which professions rank better than others?

Our team gathers mounds of data and sorts through all of the factors to break each element 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. By sorting the data of the 200 jobs into one central list, our Jobs Rated report serves as a valuable resource for anyone trying to research their career options, get an understanding of what a job entails and see a clearer picture of the job market potential. (For complete details on how we score, visit the JobsRated.com Methodology Page)

Although each individual’s experience with a position can vary greatly, our Jobs Rated report is here to help you make a more qualified career decision based on data rather than subjective surveys. Take a look and a first step towards a possible new career.

Software Engineer
1
Overall Rating:
1/200
176
Median Salary:$88,142

Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes.

Work Environment
Very Good
1/200
41.00
Stress
Very Low
12/200
10.420
Projected Growth
Very Good
23/200
25.02
Actuary
2
Overall Rating:
2/200
226
Median Salary:$88,202

Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters.

Work Environment
Very Good
4/200
44.86
Stress
Low
56/200
16.020
Projected Growth
Very Good
17/200
27.72
Human Resources Manager
3
Overall Rating:
3/200
281
Median Salary:$99,102

Plans, directs, and/or coordinates all human resource activities and staff of an organization.

Work Environment
Very Good
2/200
44.00
Stress
Very Low
36/200
14.020
Projected Growth
Good
53/200
19.52
Dental Hygienist
4
Overall Rating:
4/200
289
Median Salary:$68,109

Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a group or private dental practice.

Work Environment
Good
60/200
54.55
Stress
Very Low
20/200
12.090
Projected Growth
Very Good
8/200
35.79
Optometrist
5
Overall Rating:
12/200
421
Median Salary:$95,152

The aging Baby Boomers should contribute to the growth of optometrists. “Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, more optometrists will be needed to meet the health needs of an aging population,” reports the BLS. However, the field is small, which means the 33% growth is expected to only result in 11,300 more positions nationwide.

Work Environment
Fair
96/200
59.94
Stress
Low
62/200
16.520
Projected Growth
Very Good
11/200
33.62
Financial Planner
5
Overall Rating:
5/200
300
Median Salary:$104,161

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.

Work Environment
Very Good
20/200
50.00
Stress
Low
79/200
18.610
Projected Growth
Very Good
35/200
22.81
Audiologist
6
Overall Rating:
6/200
311
Median Salary:$67,137

Diagnoses and treats hearing problems by attempting to discover the range, nature, and degree of hearing function.

Work Environment
Good
50/200
53.13
Stress
Very Low
7/200
9.370
Projected Growth
Very Good
6/200
37.17
Occupational Therapist
7
Overall Rating:
7/200
318
Median Salary:$72,110

Develops individualized programs of activity for mentally, physically, developmentally and emotionally impaired persons, to aid them in achieving self-reliance.

Work Environment
Good
58/200
54.13
Stress
Very Low
31/200
13.100
Projected Growth
Very Good
12/200
33.60
Online Advertising Manager
8
Overall Rating:
8/200
343
Median Salary:$87,255

Plans, directs, or coordinates advertising policies, campaigns and programs online.

Work Environment
Good
55/200
54.00
Stress
Medium
107/200
21.550
Projected Growth
Very Good
22/200
25.55
Computer Systems Analyst
9
Overall Rating:
9/200
370
Median Salary:$78,148

Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.

Work Environment
Very Good
9/200
47.39
Stress
Low
61/200
16.480
Projected Growth
Very Good
36/200
22.58
Mathematician
10
Overall Rating:
10/200
392
Median Salary:$99,191

Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate.

Work Environment
Very Good
8/200
46.86
Stress
Very Low
28/200
12.910
Projected Growth
Fair
81/200
16.61
Speech Pathologist
11
Overall Rating:
11/200
397
Median Salary:$67,142

Assesses hearing, speech, and language disabilities and provides treatment. Assists individuals with communication disorders through diagnostic techniques.

Work Environment
Good
50/200
53.13
Stress
Very Low
21/200
12.420
Projected Growth
Very Good
29/200
23.82
Optometrist
12
Overall Rating:
12/200
421
Median Salary:$95,152

Diagnoses visual disorders and prescribes and administers corrective and rehabilitative treatments.

Work Environment
Fair
96/200
59.94
Stress
Low
62/200
16.520
Projected Growth
Very Good
11/200
33.62
Physical Therapist
13
Overall Rating:
14/200
438
Median Salary:$76,100

Plans and directs treatment to improve mobility and alleviate pain in persons disabled by injury or disease.

Work Environment
Fair
93/200
59.13
Stress
Very Low
35/200
14.000
Projected Growth
Very Good
4/200
39.00
Pharmacist
14
Overall Rating:
15/200
476
Median Salary:$112,070

Advises physicians and patients on the affects of drugs and medications; prepares and dispenses prescriptions.

Work Environment
Poor
136/200
65.29
Stress
Low
52/200
15.700
Projected Growth
Very Good
28/200
24.10
Web Developer
15
Overall Rating:
16/200
484
Median Salary:$76,179

Creating and maintaining layout, navigation, and interactivity of intranet and internet websites.

Work Environment
Very Good
28/200
51.00
Stress
Medium
111/200
22.790
Projected Growth
Very Good
40/200
21.49
Petroleum Engineer
16
Overall Rating:
17/200
506
Median Salary:$114,148

Plans drilling locations and effective production methods for optimal access to oil and natural gas.

Work Environment
Very Good
37/200
52.06
Stress
Medium
86/200
19.480
Projected Growth
Good
76/200
17.48
Dietitian
17
Overall Rating:
18/200
510
Median Salary:$53,127

Assesses patients' dietary needs, plans menus, and instructs patients and their families about proper nutritional care.

Work Environment
Very Good
18/200
49.80
Stress
Very Low
9/200
10.270
Projected Growth
Good
58/200
18.97
Statistician
18
Overall Rating:
19/200
517
Median Salary:$73,205

Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveys.

Work Environment
Very Good
3/200
44.76
Stress
Very Low
37/200
14.050
Projected Growth
Fair
94/200
15.15
Chiropractor
19
Overall Rating:
20/200
518
Median Salary:$67,350

Treats physical problems by manipulating various parts of the body, especially the spinal column.

Work Environment
Fair
106/200
60.94
Stress
Very Low
33/200
13.500
Projected Growth
Very Good
14/200
30.80