The Ten Best Jobs For 2011

In response to our Ten Worst Jobs post, we figured we’d follow up on a more positive note.  While highly physical construction jobs topped the worst jobs list, positions in health and technology dominate the list of favorable professions.  As with the worst jobs list, desirability was determined using a combination of factors including pay, work environment, hiring outlook, and stress.

• Dental Hygienist – Although assisting dentists in their day to day operations can be a lot of work, the pay and low-stress job environment are good.

  

• Audiologist – Helping people diagnose and treat hearing problems in a favorable work environment puts this position on the list.  Low physical demands and good pay are added bonuses.
• Historian – Recording historical data and providing analysis in a comfortable setting help this research based career make the list.
• Biologist – High pay and low physical demands in a research-based setting create a great position.  Though highly specialized, biologists provide very important information regarding plants and their relationships to their environments.
• Meteorologist – Great pay, a fun work environment, and a decent hiring outlook.  What more could you ask for?  Meteorologists study characteristics of the earth’s atmosphere in order to make predictions about future changes in weather and climate.
• Computer Systems Analyst – Another position with great pay and a comfortable work environment.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  Systems Analysts plan and implement computer systems, and the position doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon.  Hiring outlook is good.
• Statistician – For those who love numbers, the analyzing and interpreting of numerical results from studies and surveys for great money is a dream job.  Factor in low physical demands and a calm work environment, and number crunching has never looked better!
• Actuary – Another numbers based job, actuaries interpret statistics in order to make predictions.  They look at the probabilities of everything from accidents and sicknesses to loss of property from theft and natural disasters.  These are the guys that affect how much your insurance is going to cost, and they get paid well to figure it out.
• Mathematician – Yet another job centered on numbers!  Mathematicians can be utilized to solve a variety of problems in a business setting in addition to teaching mathematical theories and formulas.  Great wages and a positive work environment come as no surprise, these guys solve problems for a living.
• Software Engineer – Main responsibilities include researching, designing, and managing software systems for a variety of purposes.  Great pay, flexible hours, and seemingly endless employment opportunities put this position at the top of Forbes’ list.

What do you think?  Did your chosen profession make the list?  Are you thinking of making a change?