Jobs Rated 2012: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Jobs Rated 2012: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Aerospace Engineer
60
Overall Rating:
61/200
794
Median Salary:$97,134

Designs, develops, and tests new technologies concerned with the manufacture of commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft.

Work Environment
Very Good
21/200
50.06
Stress
Medium
96/200
20.340
Projected Growth
Very Poor
167/200
4.24
Librarian
61
Overall Rating:
62/200
804
Median Salary:$55,147

Selects and organizes materials to make information available to the public.

Work Environment
Very Good
33/200
51.80
Stress
Very Low
16/200
11.470
Projected Growth
Poor
145/200
7.37
Judge
62
Overall Rating:
63/200
811
Median Salary:$119,429

Arbitrates legal matters coming under the jurisdiction of the federal government, using a thorough knowledge of federal statutes and legal precedent.

Work Environment
Poor
123/200
63.46
Stress
Medium
105/200
21.290
Projected Growth
Poor
123/200
10.59
Heating/Refrigeration Mechanic
63
Overall Rating:
64/200
812
Median Salary:$43,158

Installs and services air-conditioning and furnace systems in businesses and residences.

Work Environment
Fair
94/200
59.25
Stress
Medium
98/200
20.580
Projected Growth
Very Good
13/200
32.28
Physiologist
64
Overall Rating:
65/200
817
Median Salary:$52,178

Studies the life functions of plants and animals, both in their natural habitats, and under experimental or abnormal conditions.

Work Environment
Good
49/200
52.91
Stress
Low
65/200
16.780
Projected Growth
Fair
102/200
14.18
Surveyor
65
Overall Rating:
66/200
819
Median Salary:$55,190

Establishes official land and aquatic boundaries, measures construction and mining sites, writes technical property descriptions for deeds and leases, and prepares maps and charts.

Work Environment
Poor
137/200
65.57
Stress
High
148/200
27.900
Projected Growth
Very Good
19/200
26.30
Mechanical Engineer
66
Overall Rating:
67/200
825
Median Salary:$78,133

Develops mechanical products and coordinates the operation and repair of power-using and power-producing machinery.

Work Environment
Good
44/200
52.41
Stress
Medium
109/200
22.330
Projected Growth
Poor
132/200
9.03
Executive Assistant
67
Overall Rating:
68/200
827
Median Salary:$44,131

Provides high-level administrative support to executives by performing functions such as preparing reports, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings.

Work Environment
Very Good
7/200
46.00
Stress
Low
48/200
15.310
Projected Growth
Fair
112/200
11.91
Insurance Agent
68
Overall Rating:
69/200
832
Median Salary:$47,342

Sells insurance and advises clients about amount and type of coverage based on needs and circumstances.

Work Environment
Poor
156/200
69.23
Stress
Very High
174/200
36.420
Projected Growth
Very Good
32/200
23.32
Industrial Machine Repairer
69
Overall Rating:
70/200
843
Median Salary:$45,127

Maintains, inspects, and repairs industrial machinery.

Work Environment
Good
73/200
55.94
Stress
Low
58/200
16.270
Projected Growth
Good
46/200
20.87
Public Relations Executive
70
Overall Rating:
71/200
855
Median Salary:$92,156

Helps governmental bodies, businesses and individuals maintain a positive image with the public.

Work Environment
Very Poor
175/200
73.19
Stress
Very High
195/200
47.560
Projected Growth
Good
79/200
16.96
Medical Laboratory Technician
71
Overall Rating:
72/200
860
Median Salary:$36,133

Conducts routine laboratory tests and analysis used in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

Work Environment
Good
43/200
52.30
Stress
Very Low
6/200
9.330
Projected Growth
Fair
97/200
15.03
Brick Mason
72
Overall Rating:
73/200
862
Median Salary:$47,172

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

Work Environment
Poor
159/200
69.27
Stress
Medium
99/200
20.720
Projected Growth
Very Good
5/200
37.22
Electrical Engineer
73
Overall Rating:
73/200
862
Median Salary:$85,139

Conducts research and plans and directs design, testing, and manufacture of electrical equipment.

Work Environment
Good
46/200
52.56
Stress
Medium
119/200
23.390
Projected Growth
Poor
144/200
7.39
School Principal
74
Overall Rating:
75/200
865
Median Salary:$87,122

Supervises the educational curricula and day-to-day activities in elementary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities.

Work Environment
Fair
85/200
57.11
Stress
Medium
106/200
21.440
Projected Growth
Poor
127/200
10.02
Plumber
75
Overall Rating:
76/200
874
Median Salary:$47,186

Builds and repairs water, waste disposal, drainage and gas delivery systems for residential, commercial and industrial structures.

Work Environment
Fair
115/200
62.02
Stress
Medium
112/200
22.860
Projected Growth
Very Good
31/200
23.46
Industrial Designer
76
Overall Rating:
77/200
877
Median Salary:$58,185

Designs and develops manufactured products.

Work Environment
Very Good
11/200
48.25
Stress
High
129/200
24.850
Projected Growth
Poor
130/200
9.35
Stockbroker
77
Overall Rating:
78/200
881
Median Salary:$70,474

Facilitates the purchase and sale of stocks, bonds, and other securities for individual and institutional clients.

Work Environment
Very Poor
167/200
71.23
Stress
Very High
181/200
39.740
Projected Growth
Good
68/200
17.94
Recruiter
78
Overall Rating:
79/200
889
Median Salary:$47,207

Interviews prospective employees, administers tests, and provides information about company policies and available jobs.

Work Environment
Poor
127/200
64.19
Stress
Medium
93/200
20.070
Projected Growth
Good
55/200
19.47
Insurance Underwriter
79
Overall Rating:
80/200
913
Median Salary:$59,178

Assesses and analyzes the risks inherent in insuring potential policy holders before making recommendations to the insurance companies that employ them.

Work Environment
Very Good
26/200
50.62
Stress
Low
65/200
16.780
Projected Growth
Poor
151/200
6.68