Jobs that Lead to High Job Satisfaction

Are you completely happy with the job you have been doing or you totally hate it but are forced to do it because of a number of reasons. At one point or the other we meet someone who is totally discontented with his job. The reasons for job dissatisfaction can be varied e.g. low salary, limited growth opportunities, irregular hours, annoying supervisor etc. Doing a job you don’t like can be tough- you have to force yourself to go to work each day. A simple work becomes burdensome and time-consuming and you look at the clock again and again until it is the time to leave. However, it is quite surprising to know that people who hate their job are in small number as compared to people who truly love their jobs and are satisfied with their careers. According to a recent study by University of Chicago, more than three-quarter of employees are happy with their present jobs.


Following are the main findings of this survey which was conducted by the University of Chicago National Opinion Research Centre (NORC).

• 88% of the employees are satisfied at work.
• 50% of those employees are very satisfied.
• Only 4% of the employees from the total workforce were found to be very dissatisfied with their jobs.

Interestingly, careers with highest number of satisfied workers were not necessarily the best-paying one. So, it is not the heavy paycheck that makes an employee happy. What actually makes an employee happy is the satisfaction he/she gets after helping others, showing his/her creativity or making the most of technical expertise.

So, if you are someone who is unhappy with the current job and looking for a career change, have a look at the top 10 most satisfying jobs as rated by NORC.

1.    Clergy
According to research, interacting with people and providing them guidance leads to higher level of job satisfaction. A clergy is said to have the highest job satisfaction rate.

2.    Fire-fighters
The most challenging of all the jobs was rated second on the list of most satisfying careers. Around 80% of the fire-fighters confirmed that they are truly satisfied with their jobs which involve protecting people, shielding them from fire and saving lives.

3.    Physical Therapists
Physical Therapists help people who have met an injury or disability due to a disease or accident by different therapies to improving mobility and easing the pain. As the job also involves people interaction and helping and supporting them, this job was rated as the third most satisfying job.

4.    Author
Most authors don’t receive heavy pay checks for their writing contributions. However, for them the satisfaction of showing their creativity, writing something from their own mind and showing the world a collection of their own ideas is beyond measure.

5.    Special Education Teachers
Special Education Teachers get the biggest reward not by earning a high income but by helping and interacting with the physically or mentally challenged students. The salaries in this profession are low but the satisfaction level is quite high.

6.    Teachers
Teaching is one of the most highly-regarded professions of all the societies.  Teachers are reported to be quite satisfied with their professions despite the problems with educational funding and classroom conditions. The reason behind this satisfaction is again the same- social interaction and helping and supporting students.

7.    Artists
Sculptors and Painters are not paid high like the authors but they achieve high satisfaction rate by displaying their creativity and creating masterpieces from their own ideas. Most of them live in poor conditions and have quite a hard time in making a living from their work.

8.    Psychologists
Listening to other people’s problems and formulating ways to solve them with counselling and therapy brings a high level of satisfaction for psychologists. Psychology was rated as the eight most satisfying career as per the survey reports.

9.    Financial Service Sales Agent
This is one of the highest paid careers with comfortable working condition and other benefits. Around 65% of financial services sales agents are reported to be quite satisfied with what they are doing.

10.    Operating Engineers
These individuals operate heavy machinery like bulldozers, shovels and loaders used in constructive or extractive work. Most operating engineers are reported to be happy with their careers.

It is interesting to compare the above list with top 10 hated jobs which are listed as under:

1. Director of Information Technology
2. Director of Sales and Marketing
3. Product Manager
4. Senior Web Developer
5. Technical Specialist
6. Electronics Technician
7. Law Clerk
8. Technical Support Analyst
9. CNC Machinist
10. Marketing Manager

As you can see, jobs listed as the most hated ones are better-paying jobs with a high social status.  People who are doing these jobs see no meaning in whatever they are doing.
The bottom line: A high pay check or social status is not a guarantee that you will be satisfied with your job. It is the level of inner satisfaction that is achieved by interacting with people, helping and supporting them and showing your creativity and talent.