These are the Top 5 Highest-Paying, Low-Stress Jobs in the U.S.
- Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:11pm by
Becket Adams
- Print »
- Email »
For today’s “top whatever” list, let’s focus on something a little more lighthearted than what we covered yesterday (“Here are 6 Moments Where the Media has Wrongly Blamed Conservatives (and the Tea Party) for Violence”).
Let’s take a look at the best-paying, least-stressful jobs in America. The following occupations, according to research from online salary database PayScale.com, pay above average and don’t make you go crazy from the pressure.
Sounds like a pretty good deal, right?
PayScale.com, which specializes in compiling salary and job data from employees around the U.S., reports that these gigs are “typically knowledge-based and require highly specialized training and education,” as Bridget Quigg of the Daily News puts it.
“Being smart at something really helps you feel happy,” says PayScale.com research analyst Katie Bardaro. “The more preparation you put into a career, the more you can define your career, such as being able to set your schedule and your tasks.”
One of the reasons these jobs tend to register fairly low on the Stress-O-Meter is because those who hold them don’t feel like they’re just another brick in the wall, Bardaro explains.
These are the Top 5 best-paying, low-stress jobs according to PayScale.com data [all block quotes via Daily News]:
5. User Experience Designer
Image courtesy shutterstock.com
Median Annual Salary: $79,100
User experience (UX) designers optimize any experience where humans interact with objects, such as board games, ATMs and cars. For example, in a world where nearly anyone can create a Web site in hours, leading companies often hire UX designers to make their site more attractive and easy to use. UX designers come from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, industrial design and anthropology.
“I work on projects just as they start or even initiate the project myself,” says Mike Bibik, a senior UX designer in Seattle. “This affords [me] a greater amount of influence, and I am not dealing with the stress of project decisions or directions with which I disagree.”
4. Aeronautical Engineer
Image courtesy: The Associated Press
Median Annual Salary: $82,800
Who wouldn’t feel inspired working on the wonder of flight every day? From lowering aircraft weight and fuel needs to improving safety, aeronautical engineers spend a lot of time rethinking and improving how we travel through the air. Aeronautical engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree to start, but many earn master’s degrees and pass both licensing and professional advancement exams.
3. Economist
Milton Friedman
Median Annual Salary: $85,600
Economists pay attention to the distribution of goods and resources. They may focus on money, natural resources or other valuables, and often work to predict future outcomes. Those with a PhD fare best in what can be a very competitive job market. You have to be willing to produce plenty of reports and analyses based on hours of number crunching. The government employs the majority of economists, according to the BLS.
Click here to see the top two here.
Front page photo source: shutterstock.com
Comments (33)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 587 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 375 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 378 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 414 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
abunchofbullshit
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:15amGee, I woulda guessed a Progressive douche bag or a Community Organizer would have been on the list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »hugo65hsv
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:51amYuk clicking the link took me to the New York Daily News.. It’s too early in the morning for that..
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:26amThere is a mortal circus playing inside our most sensitive offices. Our enemy has reached powerful positions within, and we are going to do what it must be done to save our country. American have been incredible gullible people, and they must confront incredible perverse threats. It smells and looks bad!
Report Post »KeenIncite
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 4:40pmWhen I saw aeronautical engineer at #4, I almost fell out of my chair! Having gone through the buzzsaw that is the Purdue University aeronautical engineering program, I guess you use up all of your stress earning your degree.
Report Post »PhineasJWhoopee
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 4:34pmWrong, the highest paying low stress job is Bundler for obama campaign.
Report Post »You are showered with hundreds of millions of tax dollars for your fake green company.
After you steal as much as possible, you go bankrupt and you are set for life.
Michael61
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 3:58pmChoose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – Confucius
Following his advice doing what I love. The best no stress job, making $200K+ designing software.
Report Post »teebubba
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 5:49pmConfucious….wasn’t he the guy Mao plagiarized for about 75 % of his “Little Red Book”.
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 2:27pm#6) Journalist for ABC News (or any other msm).
#7) any employee of the GSA.
Report Post »TimO_Florida
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 2:20pmAeronautical Engineer is low stress? Knowing that if you get anything wrong, you‘re likely to watch a news report of hundreds or thousands of deaths directly your fault because you moved a decimal point the wrong way or didn’t apply an equation properly???
Report Post »dblaess
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 2:01pmThis must be why Paul Krugman likes what he does, low stress and no need to be correct about anything.
Report Post »OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:20pmGood quote by Milton Friedman~~
If you put the Federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.”
Report Post »CrismaFire
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 12:00pmRoflmbo oh that is too funny.
Report Post »OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:18pmThe article states, “You have to be willing to produce plenty of reports and analyses based on hours of number crunching.” SOUNDS HECTIC, not low stress.
Report Post »…
Then goes on to state, “The government employs the majority of economists.” WELL THAT EXPLAINS the low stress of the employee and the high stress for the rest of us!
bobefann
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:06pmI believe most people with a background in Economics have a background in common sense. So as an economist, it really isn’t that stressful to apply common sense. The most stressful part is trying to get people to understand common sense. This is why Economics is my major.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:19pmAs an economist, I can personally attest to the saying that if you put 2 economists in a room you’ll come out with 3 opinions.
Report Post »bobefann
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:41pm@ Roth
Report Post »I have heard that quite a few times myself. Just depends on where someone’s common sense lies. I have been infatuated with economics sense I was kid. Moreso, the philosophy behind economics. I would always debate people in highschool and when I was in the military, and decided to change my major to it. It doesn‘t even feel like I’m learning, just gaining more common sense.
Individualism
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:03pmI know a way to avoid stress, work somewhere with a lack of middle management, middle management all they do is yell and stress you out while being unproductive themselves allot of the time.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:23pmOr, do what your Democrat buddies do, sit on the couch, watch Jerry Springer and wait for the government check to arrive.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 2:02pmLibertarianism and Nationalism appeal to me not the two stupid parties that are almost the same.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:50pmTo many people take on jobs in fields they don’t like just because the salary is high, this increases the stress to a point you can’t manage it.. Stress is a good thing when managed. It can bring out the best in us helping achieve.
Report Post »PROTECTNEXTGEN
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:48pmUX designer, LMAO!!! High-stress and your career will last until you are in your early thirties. That‘s when you’re considered too old to be creative. Ok, back to work.
Report Post »Matt
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:32pmThis list is retarded. These jobs are neither low stress, nor high paying.
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:28pmStress can be very motivating and it keep you awake.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:22pmIn order for Economist to be successful in their field they need to be born with 20/20 Hindsight.
Report Post »Matt
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:32pmNo. they need to be willing to lie through their teeth. Have you met Paul Krugman?
Report Post »bobefann
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:09pm@ Matt
Report Post »People like Paul Krugman do not use history or facts to back up their reasoning. They use their own agenda and false evidence to validate their theory. Facts and history are these individuals worst enemy.
Individualism
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:16pmPHD which can cost you a fortune, i know some that say many employers want them to have PHD’s.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:21pmThey left out Vice President of the United States.
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:32pmAnd POTUS…. (as of recently) since the qualifications for that job have become so lax in the last few years… Currently the only cred. you need is:
1. Past Drug experience
2. Hate for everything America stands for
3. No previous “work” (actual work) experience
4. Be cool
5. Look good on Vacation
6. Be able to tell whopper lies that have been pre-written on a teleprompter
So it looks like you only really need to be able to read to be POTUS.. I mean, you don’t even have to prove you were born in this country anymore.. They will just take it on your word…
That has to be #1… Since you make alot of money, you are set for life, and all for 4 years of “so-called work” in which you can spend 75% of your time on vacation and the other 25% taking credit for the actions of others..
Seems pretty easy…
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:39pmGonzo ..that would be filed under the ‘worthless’ category.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:41pmIt also helps if you can learn to drop the ‘G’ from words ending in ‘ING’, when you’re speaking to the right crowd. A love for golf, expensive parties and vacations is a big help too.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:49pmThey left out this (sort of) President of the United States. He plays and talks and lies.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:18pmall you need for that is connections and the meet constitutional requirements. either join one of the big movements like tea party or labor movement and play a good role in one like Obama or know some of the big corporate folks and bankers and get them to help you out probably like Romney did.
Report Post »