Jobs Rated 2011: Ranking 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

When searching for a new job, how do you decide which opportunities are worth the time it takes to complete an application? Do you only apply to jobs within a certain salary range, with a certain number of hours per week or with responsibilities you know you can handle easily? Or do you apply for every opening that seems to match your skill set? Perhaps you search for positions that "sound cool" or "feel right" or are in industries that get a lot of positive coverage in the media?

Using any of these criteria to search for a job can lead to disaster in today's employment market. Jobs that promise a 40-hour week often require 60 or more, and positions that advertise a six-figure salary may achieve that level only if unreachable conditions are met. Company recruiters say it’s a buyer’s market, and they treat desperate job seekers accordingly. After all, even if your supposed dream job turns out to be more of a nightmare, there's no shortage of job seekers who would be happy to take your place.

While the "buyer beware" atmosphere of the current job market can be challenging, you do have ways to protect yourself. Want to know if a job's work environment, hours per week and salary are really as advertised? Or whether that supposedly "hot" field actually has any available job openings? The 2011 Jobs Rated report can help you look beyond hype and uncover the facts about different professions – everything from typical salaries to average worker stress.

Each year Jobs Rated researchers survey 200 jobs – from Accountant to Zoologist – scoring them according to five key criteria: Physical Demands, Work Environment, Income, Outlook and Stress. Some factors remain relatively constant from year to year, but others fluctuate greatly due to changes in the job market, technological innovations or current events. Using data from government sources, trade groups and private organizations, every job receives a score and rank in each category, and these ratings are then combined to form a complete ranking of 200 jobs for 2011, from best to worst.

In 2011, thanks to the popularity of smartphone applications and "cloud" based software, technical positions involving computers have risen to the top of the rankings. Indeed, Software Engineer, Computer Systems Analyst, Technical Writer and Computer Programmer all rank within the top 30 this year, although the Outlook for Computer Programmer is considerably worse due to outsourcing. That said, you don’t need to go back to school for a computer science degree just yet – jobs that rank in the top 50 for 2011 cover a wide variety of disciplines, from medicine and engineering to law and the arts.

Not sure whether that opening you find online would be a great opportunity or a career killer? Check out the Top 200 Jobs of 2011 and their scores in each major category to see which professions truly live up to the hype – and which you’d be better off avoiding:

1. Software Engineer
   

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

   # Overall Score: 60.00
   # Income: $87,140.00
   Work Environment: 150.000
   Stress: 10.400
   Physical Demands: 5.00
   Hiring Outlook: 27.40

2. Mathematician
   

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

   # Overall Score: 73.00
   # Income: $94,178.00
   Work Environment: 89.720
   Stress: 12.780
   Physical Demands: 3.97
   Hiring Outlook: 19.78

3. Actuary
   

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

   # Overall Score: 123.00
   # Income: $87,204.00
   Work Environment: 179.440
   Stress: 16.040
   Physical Demands: 3.97
   Hiring Outlook: 17.04

4. Statistician
   

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

   # Overall Score: 129.00
   # Income: $73,208.00
   Work Environment: 89.520
   Stress: 14.080
   Physical Demands: 3.95
   Hiring Outlook: 11.08

5. Computer Systems Analyst
   

   Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.

   Overall Score: 147.00
   # Income: $77,153.00
   Work Environment: 90.780
   Stress: 16.530
   Physical Demands: 5.08
   Hiring Outlook: 15.53

6. Meteorologist
   

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

   # Overall Score: 175.00
   # Income: $85,210.00
   Work Environment: 179.640
   Stress: 15.100
   Physical Demands: 6.98
   Hiring Outlook: 12.10

7. Biologist
   

   Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.

   # Overall Score: 182.00
   # Income: $74,278.00
   Work Environment: 314.370
   Stress: 15.780
   Physical Demands: 4.98
   Hiring Outlook: 11.78

8. Historian
   

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

   # Overall Score: 192.00
   # Income: $74,278.00
   Work Environment: 314.370
   Stress: 15.780
   Physical Demands: 4.98
   Hiring Outlook: 11.78

9. Audiologist
   

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

   # Overall Score: 195.00
   # Income: $63,144.00
   Work Environment: 463.430
   Stress: 9.440
   Physical Demands: 7.43
   Hiring Outlook: 21.44

10. Dental Hygienist
    

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

    # Overall Score: 197.00
    # Income: $67,107.00
    Work Environment: 593.250
    Stress: 12.070
    Physical Demands: 7.00
    Hiring Outlook: 33.07

11. Sociologist
    

    Studies human behavior by examining the interaction of social groups and institutions.

    # Overall Score: 200.00
    # Income: $70,122.00
    Work Environment: 322.240
    Stress: 19.470
    Physical Demands: 5.09
    Hiring Outlook: 19.63

12. Accountant
    

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

    # Overall Score: 216.00
    # Income: $60,174.00
    Work Environment: 276.780
    Stress: 19.740
    Physical Demands: 4.23
    Hiring Outlook: 16.74

13. Paralegal Assistant
    

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

    # Overall Score: 217.00
    # Income: $47,153.00
    Work Environment: 263.820
    Stress: 16.530
    Physical Demands: 5.79
    Hiring Outlook: 23.53

14. Physicist
    

    Researches and develops theories concerning the physical forces of nature.

    # Overall Score: 217.00
    # Income: $106,196.00
    Work Environment: 269.460
    Stress: 16.960
    Physical Demands: 7.98
    Hiring Outlook: 11.96

15. 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: 223.00
    # Income: $101,164.00
    Work Environment: 225.000
    Stress: 18.640
    Physical Demands: 4.00
    Hiring Outlook: 3.64

16. 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: 225.00
    # Income: $61,221.00
    Work Environment: 361.440
    Stress: 12.560
    Physical Demands: 6.04
    Hiring Outlook: 8.56

17. Occupational Therapist
    

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

    # Overall Score: 230.00
    # Income: $70,193.00
    Work Environment: 505.560
    Stress: 13.220
    Physical Demands: 8.43
    Hiring Outlook: 24.22

18. Parole Officer
    

    Monitors, counsels, and reports on the progress of individuals who have been released from correctional institutions to serve parole.

    # Overall Score: 236.00
    # Income: $47,155.00
    Work Environment: 381.060
    Stress: 12.550
    Physical Demands: 6.47
    Hiring Outlook: 17.55

19. Aerospace Engineer
    

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

    # Overall Score: 240.00
    # Income: $95,130.00
    Work Environment: 230.300
    Stress: 20.300
    Physical Demands: 6.21
    Hiring Outlook: 8.30

20. Economist
    

    Studies and analyzes the effects of resources such as land, labor, and raw materials, on costs and their relation to industry and government.

    Work Environment: 227.350
    # Income: $87,240.00
    Work Environment: 227.350
    Stress: 17.400
    Physical Demands: 4.09
    Hiring Outlook: -0.60

21. Speech Pathologist
22. Astronomer
23. Loan Officer
24. Petroleum Engineer
25. Dietitian
26. Technical Writer
27. Optometrist
28. Computer Progammer
29. Librarian
30. Medical Technologist
31. Stenographer/Court Reporter
32. Chiropractor
33. Civil Engineer
34. Medical Secretary
35. Medical Laboratory Technician
36. Pharmacist
37. Industrial Engineer
38. Purchasing Agent
39. Bookkeeper
40. Medical Record Technician
41. School Principal
42. Dental Laboratory Technician
43. Tax Examiner/Collector
44. Web Developer
45. Physical Therapist
46. Vocational Counselor
47. Motion Picture Editor
48. Physiologist
49. Nuclear Engineer
50. Insurance Underwriter
51. Industrial Designer
52. Orthodontist
53. Museum Curator
54. Judge
55. Personnel Recruiter
56. Geologist
57. Podiatrist
58. Market Research Analyst
59. Jeweler
60. Anthropologist
61. Architectural Drafter
62. Mechanical Engineer
63. Optician
64. Archeologist
65. Veterinarian
66. Typist/Word Processor
67. Cosmetologist
68. Clergy
69. Chemist
70. Musical Instrument Repair
71. Zoologist
72. Conservationist
73. Social Worker
74. Set Designer
75. Dentist
76. Barber
77. Occupational Safety/Health Inspector
78. Electrical Engineer
79. Psychologist
80. Publication Editor
81. Author
82. Attorney
83. Physician (General Practice)
84. Engineering Technician
85. Physician Assistant
86. Bank Teller
87. Artist (Fine Art)
88. Respiratory Therapist
89. Bookbinder
90. Photographic Process Worker
91. Teacher's Aide
92. Psychiatrist
93. Heating/Refrigeration Mechanic
94. Nurse (Registered)
95. Sewage Plant Operator
96. Hotel Manager
97. Telephone Installer/Repairer
98. Industrial Machine Repairer
99. Broadcast Technician
100. Teacher
101. Surgeon
102. Electrical Equipment Repairer
103. Insurance Agent
104. Receptionist
105. Cashier
106. Advertising Account Executive
107. Vending Machine Repairer
108. Architect
109. Electrical Technician
110. Computer Service Technician
111. Stockbroker
112. Forklift Operator
113. Public Relations Executive
114. Corporate Executive (Senior)
115. Construction Foreman
116. Piano Tuner
117. Furniture Upholsterer
118. Communications Equipment Mechanic
119. Agricultural Scientist
120. Compositor/Typesetter
121. Commercial Airline Pilot
122. Appliance Repairer
123. Office Machine Repairer
124. Undertaker
125. Real Estate Agent
126. Telephone Operator
127. Nurse (Licensed Practical)
128. Newscaster
129. Surveyor
130. Shipping/Receiving Clerk
131. Dressmaker
132. Tool-And-Die Maker
133. Guard
134. Automobile Assembler
135. Precision Assembler
136. Railroad Conductor
137. Machine Tool Operator
138. Machinist
139. Waiter/Waitress
140. Bartender
141. Janitor
142. Plumber
143. Fashion Designer
144. Photographer
145. Shoe Maker/Repairer
146. Nurse's Aide
147. Recreation Worker
148. Electrician
149. Flight Attendant
150. Glazier
151. Nuclear Decontamination Technician
152. Automobile Body Repairer
153. Sale Representative (Wholesale)
154. Drill-Press Operator
155. Aircraft Mechanic
156. Buyer
157. Chauffeur
158. Farmer
159. Salesperson (Retail)
160. Corrections Officer
161. Drywall Applicator/Finisher
162. Carpet/Tile Installer
163. Actor
164. Stationary Engineer
165. Bus Driver
166. Highway Patrol Officer
167. Dishwasher
168. Bricklayer
169. Maid
170. Advertising Salesperson
171. Truck Driver
172. Travel Agent
173. Construction Machinery Operator
174. Mail Carrier
175. Carpenter
176. Firefighter
177. Disc Jockey
178. Police Officer
179. Garbage Collector
180. Choreographer
181. Plasterer
182. Butcher
183. Automobile Mechanic
184. Dairy Farmer
185. Photojournalist
186. Child Care Worker
187. Sheet Metal Worker
188. Reporter (Newspaper)
189. Sailor
190. Stevedore
191. Construction Worker
192. Meter Reader
193. Painter
194. Welder
195. Emergency Medical Technician
196. Taxi Driver
197. Roofer
198. Lumberjack
199. Ironworker
200. Roustabout

Of course, just because these jobs all score highly in the five Jobs Rated measurement criteria doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone. Some workers might find that their "dream job" actually ranks much further down the list – the old saying "one man’s trash is another man’s treasure" is especially true when it comes to employment. If you want a well-paid job with a great outlook and don’t mind intense stress and physical demands, for example, a career as a Surgeon might be perfect for you. But because of its stress and work environment negatives, the job ranks 100th for 2011, behind careers that pay less and are arguably less prestigious. On the other hand, a person who can’t handle a high-stress environment might be better off with a job like Jeweler, which boasts a serene working environment, but suffers from a poor hiring outlook.

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