Sarah Needleman of The Wall Street Journal wrote an interesting article about a new CareerCast.com study from Les Krantz, author of Jobs Rated Almanac, about the best and worst jobs in the U.S.
The study evaluated 200 jobs according to environment, income, employment outlook, physical demand and stress. The data are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, amongst others:
According to the study, mathematicians fared best in part because they typically work in favorable conditions -- indoors and in places free of toxic fumes or noise -- unlike those toward the bottom of the list like sewage-plant operator, painter and bricklayer. They also aren't expected to do any heavy lifting, crawling or crouching -- attributes associated with occupations such as firefighter, auto mechanic and plumber.
The study also considers pay, which was determined by measuring each job's median income and growth potential. Mathematicians' annual income was pegged at $94,160, but Ms. Courter, 38, says her salary exceeds that amount.
Neatorama, of course, already know that Math rocks. Check out our I Love Math T-shirt.
I realize that some on the worst list are dirty, unskilled jobs, but the study doesn't take into account that, maybe even when given all the choices, there are some who would prefer to work on cars or be a child care worker than be a statistician.
Maybe it's because the people in the jobs at the bottom of the list know how to separate life and work.
Also: dairy farmer? Really? Legit dairy farmer? You can't get into that position if your life depends on it unless you're born into it or have obscene amounts of start-up money, but even though they work very hard, it's hard to find a more fun group. Assuming you find heifers fun.
I'm also pretty sure our society wouldn't be at a huge loss if we had a few less philosophers, historians, or MPEs, but if we had fewer mail carriers, garbage men, firefighters, construction workers...society wouldn't BE society.
I wanted to be... a lumberjack! Leaping from tree to tree as they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia.
-H
Seriously, i find these very popular in choices, but the best jobs are those the person is really enjoying his/her time doing so.
I'm as confused as you are JM! Philosophers!? what a useless job! i mean, do we really need people who ponders about weither a tree falling with no one around makes a sound or not?
"Iiii'm alumberjackandI'm O-KAY! I sleep all night and I work all day!!!"
Thanks. I'll be here all week.
I have experience both in film editing and now as a scenic painter. The job field was more open as an editer, the pay was significantly higher...and yeah, that bit about the toxic fumes and physical labor are more prevalent in painting than in computer work but... I am vastly more satisfied painting than sitting.
This is a decent list...just the wrong categories. Best and worst are adjectives too broad to be determined objectively.
School Principal is 15 spots "better" than an Optomologist?
A Ph.D. in mathematics usually is the minimum educational requirement, except in the Federal Government.
Master’s degree and Ph.D. holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related field, such as computer science or engineering, should have better employment opportunities in related occupations.
Average employment growth is expected for mathematicians.