Top 10 Best Jobs Overall
When you think about the characteristics of “best jobs overall,” what comes to mind? Vacation days? Benefits? Work environment? These factors combined help determine which jobs are the best all around. Other factors include creativity, ease of entry into the field and advancement opportunities once you’re in.
The best jobs overall offer valuable health, savings, retirement, and vacation benefits, and a challenging but comfortable work environment. In addition, the best jobs overall usually appeal to individuals with varying education levels and skill sets.
Two major industries consistently make the grade: technology and health. But in today’s economy, finance, certain areas of real estate (yes—real estate) and human resources have quickly climbed the ladder to become some of the most sought after career fields in the working world. Besides benefits, flexibility, and a positive work environment, the best jobs overall have several additional common traits. The best jobs overall report above-average employment growth and leading salaries.
The following list represents the top ten best jobs overall. The list is the result of research conducted by Salary.com, MONEY Magazine, and JIST Publishers. Government data and private data have been collected to determine which jobs offer the most growth, compensation levels, and job satisfaction. A number of additional sources have been utilized as well such as the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) and approximately 26,000 subjects.
Top 10 Best Jobs Overall
Job Title: Computer Software Engineer
Job Growth: 44.6% Median Salary: $87,250 per year
Education required: Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics preferred; bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics is the minimum requirement for entry into this field.
Job Description: Computer software engineers (systems software) research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software. These professionals work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications.
Job Title: College Professor
Job Growth: 31.39% Median Salary: $108,749 per year
Education required: Ph.D. in education or a specific discipline
Job Description: College professors instruct in a variety of subjects beyond high school level. They form lesson plans, present material to students, evaluate students’ progress, and respond to students’ learning needs. College professors also conduct research, lecture, keep abreast of developments in their field, and consult with businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, and government departments.
Job Title: Financial Adviser
Job Growth: 25.92% Median Salary: $100,859 per year
Education Required: MBA or master’s in finance preferred; minimum requirement - bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, mathematics, or law.
Job Description: Financial advisers assess the financial needs of businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals. They assist with tax laws, investments, and insurance decisions.
Job Title: Human Resources Manager
Job Growth: 23.47% Salary: $145,600+ per year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher in human resources, human resources administration, or industrial and labor relations.
Job Description: Human resource managers recruit, hire, and retain employees for businesses, companies, and organizations. They manage benefits packages, schedule vacation time, and help enhance morale and productivity.
Job Title: Physician Assistant
Job Growth: 49.6% Median Salary: $77,395 per year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field
Job Description: Physician assistants provide health-care services, typically performed by a physician. Physician assistants work under the direct supervision of physicians. Job duties include providing complete physicals, treatment , and counseling for patients. In some cases, physician assistants prescribe medication.
Job Title: Market Research Analyst
Job Growth: 25% Salary: $58,820 per year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing research or business with a focus in marketing research.
Job Description: Research market conditions in local regional, or national areas or determine potential sales of a product or service.
Job Title: Computer/IT Analyst
Job Growth: 36.1% Median Salary: $89,070
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree computer science, information science, applied mathematics, engineering, or the physical sciences. For more complex positions, a master's degree in any the areas listed above is required. Jobs in business environments require a bachelor's degree or higher in management information systems (MIS) or preferably, a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems.
Job Description: Computer/IT analysts design and develop computer systems, coordinate and link computer systems, investigate and implement solutions to IT issues within organizations, modify and update systems, consult, communicate with clients, and supervise staff.
Job Title: Real Estate Appraiser
Job Growth: 22.78% Median Salary: $47,370 per year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, mathematics, business, or real estate law.
Job Description: Appraise real property to determine its value for purchase, sales, investment, mortgage, or loan purposes.
Job Title: Pharmacist
Job Growth: 24.57% Median Salary: $106,410 per year
Education Required: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy.
Job Description: Pharmacists compound and dispense medications based on directions issued by physicians and other authorized medical practitioners as well as dentists. They review prescriptions to assure accuracy and they provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
Job Title: Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational)
Job Growth: 26% Media Salary: $77,010 per year
Education required: Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Job Description: Apply principles of psychology to personnel, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Daily activities may include policy planning, employee screening, training, and development, and organizational development and analysis.