Jobs Rated 2010: A Ranking of 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

Jobs Rated 2010: A Ranking of 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

By: Andrew Strieber

This is our 2010 Jobs Rated report. See the 200 Best Jobs of 2011

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.

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.

Actuary
1
Overall Rating:
1/200
46
Median Salary:$85,229

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

Work Environment
Very Good
9/200
179.44
Stress
Very Low
3/200
20.190
Projected Growth
Very Good
11/200
24.79
Software Engineer
2
Overall Rating:
2/200
66
Median Salary:$85,139

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

Work Environment
Very Good
5/200
150.00
Stress
Very Low
25/200
25.000
Projected Growth
Very Good
1/200
45.39
Computer Systems Analyst
3
Overall Rating:
3/200
77
Median Salary:$76,162

Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.

Work Environment
Very Good
3/200
90.78
Stress
Very Low
24/200
24.970
Projected Growth
Very Good
4/200
29.62
Biologist
4
Overall Rating:
4/200
123
Median Salary:$71,279

Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.

Work Environment
Very Good
28/200
314.37
Stress
Very Low
36/200
26.950
Projected Growth
Very Good
11/200
24.79
Historian
5
Overall Rating:
5/200
132
Median Salary:$62,226

Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise.

Work Environment
Very Good
4/200
136.41
Stress
Low
49/200
28.420
Projected Growth
Very Good
13/200
24.26
Mathematician
6
Overall Rating:
6/200
133
Median Salary:$95,161

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

Work Environment
Very Good
2/200
89.72
Stress
Very Low
21/200
24.670
Projected Growth
Fair
91/200
11.11
Paralegal Assistant
7
Overall Rating:
7/200
179
Median Salary:$46,152

Assists attorneys in preparation of legal documents; collection of depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues.

Work Environment
Very Good
21/200
263.82
Stress
Very Low
13/200
23.080
Projected Growth
Very Good
21/200
22.52
Statistician
8
Overall Rating:
8/200
187
Median Salary:$73,193

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

Work Environment
Very Good
1/200
89.52
Stress
Low
44/200
27.980
Projected Growth
Fair
106/200
9.93
Accountant
9
Overall Rating:
9/200
190
Median Salary:$59,176

Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government.

Work Environment
Very Good
26/200
276.78
Stress
Low
69/200
31.140
Projected Growth
Very Good
28/200
18.76
Dental Hygienist
10
Overall Rating:
10/200
198
Median Salary:$67,107

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

Work Environment
Fair
84/200
593.25
Stress
Very Low
22/200
24.720
Projected Growth
Very Good
3/200
30.07
Philosopher
11
Overall Rating:
12/200
207
Median Salary:$60,218

Studies questions concerning the nature of intellectual concepts, and attempts to construct rational theories concerning our understanding of the world around us.

Work Environment
Good
43/200
361.44
Stress
Low
63/200
30.500
Projected Growth
Very Good
15/200
24.18
Meteorologist
12
Overall Rating:
13/200
210
Median Salary:$81,226

Studies the physical characteristics, motions and processes of the earth's atmosphere.

Work Environment
Very Good
10/200
179.64
Stress
Low
56/200
29.190
Projected Growth
Good
74/200
12.26
Technical Writer
13
Overall Rating:
14/200
215
Median Salary:$62,162

Transforms scientific and technical information into readily understandable language.

Work Environment
Very Good
12/200
221.25
Stress
Medium
102/200
36.510
Projected Growth
Very Good
26/200
20.12
Bank Officer
14
Overall Rating:
15/200
222
Median Salary:$88,217

Oversees the successful operations by assisting in the direction of policies and procedures for a financial institution.

Work Environment
Good
49/200
390.56
Stress
Medium
94/200
35.400
Projected Growth
Good
50/200
14.67
Web Developer
15
Overall Rating:
16/200
229
Median Salary:$60,090

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

Work Environment
Very Good
25/200
275.00
Stress
Very Low
40/200
27.000
Projected Growth
Very Good
5/200
29.40
Industrial Engineer
16
Overall Rating:
17/200
232
Median Salary:$74,123

Plans for optimum use of facilities and personnel to improve industrial efficiency.

Work Environment
Very Good
17/200
230.30
Stress
Medium
86/200
34.550
Projected Growth
Very Good
25/200
20.73
Financial Planner
17
Overall Rating:
18/200
233
Median Salary:$59,353

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
14/200
225.00
Stress
Medium
113/200
38.350
Projected Growth
Good
43/200
16.03
Aerospace Engineer
18
Overall Rating:
19/200
254
Median Salary:$93,133

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

Work Environment
Very Good
17/200
230.30
Stress
Medium
86/200
34.550
Projected Growth
Fair
99/200
10.33
Pharmacist
19
Overall Rating:
20/200
260
Median Salary:$106,070

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

Work Environment
Fair
118/200
788.64
Stress
Very Low
29/200
25.880
Projected Growth
Very Good
22/200
22.20
Medical Records Technician
20
Overall Rating:
21/200
263
Median Salary:$31,150

Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date medical records for use in treatment, billing, and statistical surveys.

Work Environment
Very Good
7/200
165.20
Stress
Very Low
2/200
19.620
Projected Growth
Very Good
38/200
17.00