Business

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 2012

And it’s time for another “top whatever” list!

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 2012Woo-hoo!

This time around, let‘s take a look at CareerCast’s (a job-hunting website) 2012 list of the absolute “worst” jobs someone could have in America.

But what qualifies a job as being “the worst”?

“High stress, high physical demands, and a tough or dangerous work environment,” according to CareerCast. Most of the “worst” jobs in America involve working “in physically demanding, precarious, low-paying professions with a weak hiring outlook,” said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast’s 2012 Jobs Rated Report.

So, taken as a whole, factors such as “physically demanding” and “low paying” qualify a job as being lousy; it’s not just a list of dirty, gross jobs (that’s Mike Rowe’s gig).

“While many college graduates remain unemployed, causing many to question the value of a college degree, the value is reflected in the lists: Nearly all of the ‘best’ jobs require a college degree and many of the ‘worst’ don’t even require a high-school diploma,” CNBC points out.

Of course, it should be noted that with unemployment at “8.3 percent” (and real unemployment at 14.5 percent), lousy or not, most people with these jobs (this author included) are just thankful to have them.

Here are the worst jobs of 2012 [all block quotes via CNBC]:

10. Broadcaster

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $27,324

The news business has always been high stress for comparatively low pay, which makes it a shoe-in for the “worst” list. Add to that the changing digital times and you’ve got your No. 10 worst job — broadcaster, which refers specifically to on-air talent for radio and TV, not the production team.

The broadcast industry has gone through a lot of shrinkage as much of the news is moving to digital formats including online or mobile, which has shrunk demand for broadcasters as well as salaries and compensation

“You get new college graduates that will do anything to work in the industry,” said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast’s 2012 Jobs Rated Report. “They’re essentially working for minimum wage, replacing experienced broadcasters.”

9. Butcher

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $29,156
2011 pay: $29,150
Change in pay: flat

Independent butchers are a dying breed. What’s happening in the industry is that all of the butchering for big supermarket chains is being centralized, Lee said. That has automatically reduced the need for the number of butchers.

It’s also made meat cheaper at the grocery store than at independent butcher shops, which, during the recession, was a killer for independent butchers.

“If people can buy beef at the supermarket for less, there was no need to go visit a butcher,” Lee said. “It’s not a strong profession.”

8. Dishwasher

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $18,044
2011 pay: $18,053
Change in pay: flat

Not only were people looking for meat on the cheap during the recession but they were going out to eat a lot less, which was a killer for restaurants and anyone working in them, from the dishwashers in the back to the greeters, servers and busboys in the front.

Dishwasher was always a contender for the worst list, with low pay and tough working conditions. Add to that the fact a lot of dishwashing has become automated and the job outlook for dishwashers is bleak, as well.

7. Meter Reader

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $35,171
2011 pay: $34,171
Change in pay: +3 percent

This refers to the men and women who read the meters for utility companies including gas and electric, another dying profession as more companies move to automate meter reading. So even though the average pay for meter readers rose 3 percent in the past year, the job outlook landed it solidly on the 2012 “worst jobs” list.

“This is one of those jobs that quite possibly in five to 10 years won’t be around anymore,” Lee said. “The need for meter readers is evaporating.”

6. Waiter/Waitress

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $18,088
2011 pay: $18,100
Change in pay: flat

The pay and job security have always been bad for waiters and waitresses. Once you reach a certain pay level, restaurants don’t necessarily want to keep giving you raises. They’re rather hire someone new for a lower hourly wage.

Add to that the direct hit the food-service industry took during the recession when many people cut back on going out to eat, and waitstaff lands firmly on the “worst” list.

“The competition is terrible. The physical demands are terrible. The pay is terrible,” Lee said. Plus, the outlook is terrible. “It’s difficult for waiters and waitresses to maintain jobs for a long time,” he said.

5. Newspaper Reporter

These Are The 10 Worst Jobs For 20122012 pay: $35,275
2011 pay: $34,275
Change in pay: +3 percent

Newspaper reporter has always been a high-stress, low-pay job, but add to that the explosion of online and mobile news and newspaper reporters make a hard landing on the “worst” list.

“The newspaper industry is going through a full retrenchment. There are mergers, bankruptcies and layoffs everywhere,” Lee said. “Point to a newspaper that hasn’t had layoffs – not in this country!” he said.

With the move to digital, the pressures have mounted on newspaper reporters. “They are now required to tweet and do video as well as write articles,” Lee said. “They’re asked to do much more for less — and the pay is not good.

Click here to see the rest of the list.

Comments (76)

1 2
  • TeacherontheRight
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 9:59pm

    What about teaching/education? This system and the kids I teach, at an alternative school, are a bit unnerving. Teaching is actually a scary job, as proved by recent news reports.

    Report Post »  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:33pm

      You get a 3 month paid vaction and are nearly impossible to fire even if caught doing acts that would get anybody from any private corperation fired on the spot. Tell me again how it’s unfair?

      That said, I have several teachers in my family and I do not believe they are paid enough either.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 2:05am

      METER READER… is looking pretty Good!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Shackleford
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 2:09am

      I often hear teachers complaining that they have to work after hours to prepare for the next day. I often hear teachers describing how they sometimes even have to take extra classes so that a higher degree will give them a guaranteed raise. I find these arguments proof that teachers have it rather easy. Working off the clock well beyond 40 hours a week and having to take classes and “CE” credits is commonplace in professional jobs in the private sector and for teachers to have no clue about that shows how disconnected they are.

      Report Post » Shackleford  
    • db321
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 2:51am

      News Reporters are over paid! They should be called Ex-Patriots!

      Report Post » db321  
    • freedom_gurl35
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 7:16pm

      @SHACKLEFORD: Exactly how does working after hours to prep for tomorrow’s lessons and take extra classes in order to get a raise proof that teachers have it “easy”? I went into education with my eyes open: I knew what I was in for. Many teachers do, ya know. I find your argument poor logic, especially since many of us good, decent, hard-working teachers don’t mind working extra hours to grade, plan, attend meetings, and all the other things we must do. (Coincidentally, I haven‘t had a raise in four years since state employees’ salaries were frozen in 2008, but I don’t mind the loss of capital because I still have a job I love.)

      In one thing you are correct: teaching isn’t all different from many careers in the private sector, save one thing – a teacher worth her salt doesn’t do it for the money.

      Report Post » freedom_gurl35  
    • Centurian
      Posted on April 15, 2012 at 12:00am

      @Supermomsdad,

      1. Teachers do not get a paid three month vacation. They are paid for their work, which lasts roughly the same length of time that the school year is. They receive paychecks year round by having their pay set up so they can receive a check for the entire year. Thus, no paid three month vacation.

      2. Teachers can, and do, get fired. It is the mid to large size city schools where teachers are harder to get rid of. In smaller schools, the NEA cares little about these teachers, since they receive little dues from them. The school district where my mother used to teach fired her. The reason? She had high seniority and the district wanted her gone to save money. The union reps? Nowhere to be found.

      In hindsight, my mother was happy to leave the profession. Little respect for teachers and the students are more and more spoiled brats, with more and more parents looking at school at a 8 to 4 baby sitter.

      Report Post » Centurian  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on April 15, 2012 at 4:00pm

      Teacher in Anchorage, AK $43,000 High Confidence (more than 250 sources) from Indeed.com.
      Average Teacher salaries for job postings in Anchorage, AK are 22% lower than average Teacher salaries for job postings nationwide.
      So for 43,000 dollars in Anchorage you have one week off in March, two weeks in December, the last two weeks in May, all of June and July and one week and 3 days in August. The average employee in America gets 2-4 weeks of vacation a year. The average hospital RN makes $58,000 and works 11 full months a year. Sorry, very little empathy. Looks to be about the same hourly rate.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:15pm

    Anyone else notice a pattern in the “change in pay” between these jobs?

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • ConstLaw
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:26pm

      There is a word that describes that, it’s called hmmm, oh yea, stagflation.

      Report Post »  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:34pm

      Yeah, and you know what causes it? Income disparity–well not directly, but it indirectly disrupts the demand-supply cycle by depressing the aggregate demand. If sustained long enough, the supply side MUST either contract, or find new sources of demand to maintain its level of production (which is given by the demand-supply function, without which no economy would have any purpose and would not exist). We have largely made an attempt at the latter, but not by reversing the income disparity, but rather adapting to it–a new plutocratic economy emergent. Whatever you opinion on the desirability, justice, and stability of the various possible economic alternatives available, these are the objective facts of the state of the economy we find ourselves in (as Americans), and each of us will make of it what we will–we have no other choice it seems to me.

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • woodyb
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:57pm

      They listed the worst jobs TO HAVE –

      I nominate the WORST JOB PERFORMANCE for 20112 as none other than Barack H. Obama!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:43pm

    3. Enlisted Military Personnel
    2012 pay: $36,261
    New to the list for 2012

    Enlisted military personnel is new to the list but not because it suddenly became a tough job. It was hard to get solid data on the profession, according to CareerCast.

    “It’s incredibly dangerous. You’re on the front lines and you’re responsible for others. The stress level is extremely high,” Lee said.

    Plus, the hiring outlook is now weaker than it was at the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    “It’s dangerous and doesn’t pay well but many people thought, ‘Well, at least it’s a career where I can retire young,’” Lee said. [“Now, you can’t even guarantee that you’ll maintain your job, nevermind retire from it,” Lee said.]]
    —————————————————————————————————————————————

    [[Now, you can’t even guarantee that you’ll maintain your job, nevermind retire from it,” Lee said.]]

    As is always the case when the left is in charge of it…. or if Ron Paul were elected.

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • memphis407
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:21pm

      are you for real do you think we can even save this country with the military complex has massive as it is. its unsustainable same with the entitlements. news flash after a war a military is supposed to scale back down to a reasonable level. Ron Paul alone has vowed to cut across the board so we can actually have a country in the future.

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 7:07pm

      “…save this country with the military complex has massive as it is.

      Ooops, you almost said “Military INDUSTRIAL Complex didn’t you? That would be a nice leftist talking point. That being said, Ron Paul has the same talking points as the left (maybe worse) when it comes to our Military. Ron Paul hasn’t the slightest idea what it would take to protect our interests and security here… let alone abroad. Gutting the Military has never been the answer., and never will. Yeah might save a few bucks in the short term, but a hollow, unprepared, undermanned and ill equipped Military isn’t going to save your arse if the balloon goes up on any number of fronts. And we know how libertarians feel about the draft eh?

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 7:47pm

      Ron Paul’s Soros Defense Plan | FrontPage Magazine: http://frontpagemag.com/2012/01/02/ron-pauls-soros-defense-plan/#.T4i6l0r1KuA.twitter

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • THXll38
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:04pm

      Damn Time . . . you working for Obama? I say that because supporting Mitt is a win for Obama.

      Report Post » THXll38  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:32pm

      THC. Supporting Mitt? I am now because my man Santorum gave it up. He will be supporting the Republican party in every way he can… and so should you.

      Nevermind, what th he77 am I thinking? You’ll be the guy that is voting Obama by way of Ron Paul. But that’s what subversives DO… so you go get you’re subversive on and support the Dem Party with your Paul support.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:58pm

      There is a term the military uses: waste fraud and abuse.
      Cut that. Find it and cut it. Cut ONLY that. There are entire departments and agencies withing each branch that are duplicated by other agcienies or organizations.

      Paul’s plans to cut much of the budget for the services WILL result in a far weaker defense force. Yes, any defensive weapon can be used offensively as well, best defense is good offense. I don’t care if he was a pretend soldier. Sorry, military doc’s SUCK at soldering and most SUCK at being docs also.

      Report Post »  
    • raydg
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 8:17am

      Military has always been low pay and the risk of combat. More so this past decade. But it is wrong to be on that list as it is an honor to serve our country.

      From a retired soldier that served 23 and a half years.

      Report Post »  
  • MAMMY_NUNN
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:36pm

    Eric Holders Attorney or his cellmate who has to listen to his babbling “I’m innocent I tell you”

    Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:03pm

    any job in the ghetto if you are white…worst and most dangerous .

    Report Post »  
    • Master.Debater
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:19pm

      … or Asian, especially the business is one of those “dirty” ones.

      Report Post » Master.Debater  
  • righthanddrive
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:56pm

    PR person for the WH on woman’s affairs. The money may be good….but a brown nose thru November? Ugh!!

    Report Post »  
  • Searchingforthelight
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:44pm

    Broadcasters can become syndicated. Waiters and Waitresses get tips. Reporters travel. Oil riggers, I’ve read, make at least twice what was reported. I think this list may be skewed a bit.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:32pm

    BS Alert on the Military Enlisted Personnel……..their “description” must have been conducted by college “proffessors”….I found my 20 years of service VERY rewarding, including the many deployments into “scarey places”!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Atilla
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:17pm

    I vote for the Abortionist who’s future is going to be very hot for a very long time.

    Report Post »  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:05pm

    4. North Korean rocket designer
    3. George Zimmerman’s lawyer
    2. George Zimmerman
    1. teleprompter lubricator

    Report Post »  
    • jkjk
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:09pm

      #1 North Korean engineer. Not only did you screw up, but so did your whole family.

      Report Post » jkjk  
  • TRONRADIO
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:57pm

    I am a broadcaster and it is play, not work. If you do a good job, have a loyal audience and paying clients; you do very well. Of course if you are Keith Oaferman, Alan Combs, or any other lib that wastes air time; that could be hard work.

    Report Post »  
  • samnjoeysgrama
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:39pm

    The worst is the military:
    You risk your life everyday.
    You are required to leave your family alone while you are half way around the world.
    Your vote never counts in a blue state, because somehow the mail bag always arrives just a little bit past the cut off for absentee ballots.
    Your top boss has no clue what you do, doesn’t share your values, and treats you with the utmost disrespect. Oh, and he wants to cut your pay to pay for his pet socialist projects.
    YOU CAN’T QUIT WHEN YOU WANT TO. Not only that, but you may be required to extend your employment for 2 to 4 more years, and probably in a war zone.
    Pray for these guys every day.

    Report Post » samnjoeysgrama  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:50pm

      Well put!

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
    • kingssman
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:25pm

      While points are all valid on military being the worse job.

      I wouldn‘t include it in a list because the military serves a tremendous role to the country who’s purpose of being a soldier outweighs all the negatives when it comes down to preserving America’s freedom and making the world a safer place.

      It may be the worse job in the world, but one of the most needed and respected.

      Report Post » kingssman  
    • dumbgrunt33
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:36pm

      Yea but look who help assemble the list…. NBC… They don’t think the military actually does anything, but of course having your friends blown up is “just par for the course” if you would listen to those idiots. There is only a handful of reporters that would even join a unit overseas, let alone one that is on an offensive. Screw those people, THEY HAVEN’T BEEN THERE!!!

      Report Post »  
  • TiredofSittingontheCouch
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:37pm

    With the exception of broadcasters and news reporters the other jobs are damn good jobs for any kid out of high school or college for that matter…trouble with college kids these days, they all think they are worth $80K plus out of college, never experienced a real 60+ hr work week. They need to learn what its like to climb up the capitalism ladder, maybe then they will appreciate it when they finally make a decent wage and will look at government as the real thieves taking away their hard earned money. I started out as a newspaper boy in my early teens in the 70′s (in Hawaii the same time that Barry was supposed to be living there), worked as a dish washer, a door to door salesman, and Alaskan fishing boat, enlisted in the military in ‘82, served 20 years in the military, learned a skill, got a undergraduate degree, now I’m going back to school to earn a graduate degree. I am finally getting to a point in my second corporate career, working 2 jobs and making a decent living wage and I am being punished by the government through taxes because they say I am making too much money!

    Report Post »  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:33pm

    You need to add to the list “Maxine Watters” Gynocologist. And or Debbie Wasserman Shultz “Gynocologist”.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
    • poster
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:25pm

      Or, Debbie Wasserman’s thigh wrapper. HUGE thighs!

      Report Post »  
    • iblvingd
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:06pm

      Maxi-Pad has been drinking way too much Toilet-Water…what comes out of her mouth can only be “flushed”.

      Report Post »  
  • Grawpy
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:33pm

    Biden plug adjustor.

    Report Post » Grawpy  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:53pm

      Or, how about another article today telling about the tough job being President is, requiring a vacation every couple of months at thousands of dollars because there is just too much stress involved in it.
      Poor guy, and to think how many people he’s denigrating to keep his job. Must be tough alright. If it’s that bad, why keep running? Resign!

      Report Post »  
  • LovinUSA
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:26pm

    The worse job is the USA presidency, because, everyone else is tired of doing Obamas job while he plays golf and vacations and steals our money, and they “Aint doin good” They want more money!

    Report Post » LovinUSA  
  • MiCurmudgeon
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:11pm

    WhiteHouse Press Secretary for Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:10pm

    The worst job in the world is changing Encinom’ diapers and making ITSJUSTTIM take his medicine and turn off the computer.

    I would think the poor schmuck that has the job of wiping Obama‘s butt and changing his drool cup doesn’t rank in the top 10 either.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • thekuligs
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:06pm

    Enlisted Military Personnel is #3 but the pay they have listed is outrageous. My husband is an E-5 with 8 years in and last year he made less than what they have listed. It’s way to broad. PLEASE someone in the media tell the American public how much kids that come in after highschool make. New E-1′s make <1500 a month.

    Report Post » thekuligs  
    • zorro
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:07pm

      The pay likely takes into consideration the benefits military get as well. I was Air Force for 4 years. I have never understood why people in the military complained about pay. Get out and you’ll wish you had your military pay and benefits. It took me a long time to catch up.

      Report Post »  
    • zorro
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:13pm

      As far as E1′s making $1500 a month, they have no experience, the military has given them a trade for free, they don’t pay for housing (they live in dorms or get tax free money to cover it) and they don’t pay for food (they can eat on base or get tax free money to cover it).

      The military is a GREAT stepping stone for young people.

      Report Post »  
    • dumbgrunt33
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:40pm

      Actually many posts are now requiring you to pay for electricity, as well as increases in other normal expenditures….. Trust me, things have changed…. Because, remember, the military doesn’t really do anything except get “free lunches” according to one liberal Congressman. Things are not as rosy as they once were.

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:01pm

    #1 Worst Job

    Barry’s Propaganda Minister. Imagine trying to write a Barry speech. Trying to splain, why 16% unemployment is great for the USA. Or why it is the new norm.Why No drilling is better than Drilling. Why the Devaluation of the currency was a good thing. Or why Black Panthers like Eric Holder can consort with MSNBC hosts. Or why the Fed Gov can FORCE you to sign a contract. Or why you have to buy condoms for some one else to use .

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:50pm

    Piss Bucket Servant — Pay $1000 a year 1478 – Pay $1002 a year 1479

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:48pm

    11. President of the United States, because you’re out of a job in January.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • prov1
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:57pm

      even worse…Vice President, because your boss took you down with him and you had to support his incompetence.

      Report Post »  
    • samnjoeysgrama
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:30pm

      Nah. Biden is fully incompetent all on his own.

      Report Post » samnjoeysgrama  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:47pm

    This list is a complete joke. Clearly some on there should not be. Broadcaster????How much stress is it to lie and make a ton of money? Ask that millionaire, PC..POS…matt Lauer if he is stessed? I doubt it.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:05pm

      Yes .. I wondered about that also .. even the local little pis s ers seem to be overpaid under intelligent … Obamabots.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:46pm

    What about lying for the Obama Administration? That job has to suck…Well, unless you like lying a whole lot.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • CatB
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 2:07pm

      Beats having to work and a real job … I would think these people are qualified for little else .. Debbie Wassserman-Schultz comes to mind.

      Report Post »  
  • johnjamison
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:41pm

    Darn I would have thought Crack hoe,or crack hoe assistant would be number 1.

    Report Post »  
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