The happiest and unhappiest jobs
Why does database administrator rank as the No. 1 happiest job, and what exactly does the work entail? Here’s the Bureau of Labor Statistics description of the job: “Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.” That may not sound too exciting, but according to the BLS, the job is reasonably well-compensated with a mean annual wage of $79,000 and the demand for DBAs is on the rise. The BLS predicts the field will grow by 15% between 2012 and 2022. Golledge says the job has become more popular as DBAs’ roles have changed, with technology moving to the center of what many businesses do. “Because of their importance inside organizations, they can be the key driver of success,” she says. In the survey, DBAs gave especially high marks for the quality of their daily tasks and for job control.
People in the No. 2 job, quality assurance engineer, work on testing and monitoring software. The job entails policing bugs and maintaining databases. Like DBAs, these professionals are increasingly central to what companies do. Quality assurance managers gave especially high ratings for their work environment. CareerBliss lists a salary range of $41,000-$71,000 and up to $91,000 for senior QA engineers. This job didn’t make the top ten happiest list last year.
Executive recruiters come in at No. 3. Also known as headhunters, these professionals seek out and hire candidates for high-level jobs. With the economy picking up and the demand for talent surging, especially in the tech industry, Golledge says people who hold this job are becoming much happier. According to CareerBliss’ data, they earn an average of $51,000, topping out at $104,000.
On the unhappiest list, it’s no surprise that security officers rank as the least happy job. They patrol company property, looking out for vandals and monitoring employees’ comings and goings. The job can be boring, there is rarely room for advancement and the mean annual pay is a low $27,240, according to the BLS.
The second-most-unhappy job is bank branch manager. Golledge points out that this is a job with a lot of stress, not much support, and demands that include making every account balance to the penny. With cell phone apps now able to handle most basic banking chores, branches are less and less relevant and the employment picture for managers precarious. Also once you’re a manager, it’s tough to advance further in your career. At least the salary is decent. CareerBliss pegs the average at $59,000.
Accountants clock in at No. 3 on the most-unhappy list. Golledge says that this is because they don’t have much room for growth in their jobs. The work can be both tedious and pressurized, especially this time of year. Even though accountants tend to earn well, with a median income of $71,000 according to the BLS, they are not a happy bunch.
For the complete list of the happiest and unhappiest jobs, see our slideshow above.
Susan Adams