Dairy farmer, reporter among worst jobs of 2012

In a list reported by the Wall St Journal and elsewhere, CareerCast.com has come up with a list of the Top 200 jobs of 2012.

CareerCast is based in the US - where some of the jobs will generate more or less income than elsewhere, but the site ranked roles by the more universal criteria of:

• Work Environment;
• Stress;
• Physical Demands; and
• Hiring Outlook

Dairy Farmer came in at 199 as the second worst job, certainly not in keeping with the New Zealand dream (though maybe a little if you look at the number of dariy farmers' children heading for the big smoke rather than choosing to work the land).

Newspaper Reporter comes in at 196 (disturbingly, online reporter is not even mentioned).

The profession does, of course, face transitional issues.

But from the life-enriching NBR newsroom, we would have hoped it would at least have beaten Vending Machine Repairer (88). Thoug we note it did come in ahead of Enlisted Military Soldier (198). People shooting at you can add to workplace stress.

The very worst job (see below) may amuse Monty Python fans.

The top 20 jobs (listed below) are dominated by people helping to bring about change, including Software Engineer, Web Developer and Online Advertising Manager (I didn't know Google Ad Words bots had titles - Editor) ... and the likes of Dental Hygienist, Chiropractor and Sociologist. NBR is sure Douglas Adams would have had something to say about that. 

The bottom 20

181. Dressmaker/tailor

182. Maid

183. Mail Carrier

184. Shipping/Receiving Clerk

185. Firefighter

186. Automobile Assembler

187. Taxi Driver

188. Conservationist

189. Drill-Press Operator

190. Shoe Maker/Repairer

191. Broadcaster (TV and radio on-air)

192. Butcher

193. Dishwasher

194. Meter Reader

195. Waiter/Waitress

196. Reporter (Newspaper)

197. Oil Rig Worker

198. Enlisted Military Soldier

199. Dairy Farmer

200. Lumberjack

The top 20

1. Software Engineer

2. Actuary

3. Human Resources Manager

4. Dental Hygienist

5. Financial Planner

6. Audiologist

7. Occupational Therapist

8. Online Advertising Manager

9. Computer Systems Analyst

10. Mathematician

11. Speech Pathologist

12. Optometrist

13. Physical Therapist

14. Pharmacist

15. Web Developer

16. Petroleum Engineer

17. Dietitian

18. Statistician

19. Chiropractor

20. Sociologist

See CareerCast's full list here.