February 18th, 2009
Software engineer, systems analyst 'least stressful' jobs in America
If you’re a software engineer or computer systems analyst, relax — you have one of the least stressful jobs in America.
But you were already relaxed, weren’t you?
Job search portal CareerCast today announced its list of the most and least stressful jobs in the nation, using a combination of original research, U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics and U.S. Census Bureau figures to determine who leaves work at ease — and who leaves on edge.
Their findings? Among the least stressful jobs are actuary, dietician, computer systems analyst, statistician and astronomer. The most? Well, see for yourself:
MOST STRESSFUL
1) Surgeon
2) Commercial Airline Pilot
3) Photojournalist
4) Advertising Account Executive
5) Real Estate Agent
6) General Practice Physician
7) Newspaper Reporter
8) Physician Assistant
LEAST STRESSFUL
1) Actuary
2) Dietician
3) Computer Systems Analyst
4) Statistician
5) Astronomer
6) Mathematician
7) Historian
8) Software Engineer
In other words: be nice to your ZDNet editors — we’re a stressed bunch!
The methodology is as follows:
The criteria used by CareerCast.com researchers to determine the most and least stressful jobs include 21 different job demands which can be expected to invoke stress. Each demand was assigned a range of points, and a high score was given if the demand was a major part of the job, while fewer points were given if the demand wasn’t normally required. Photojournalists, for example, who often face daily deadlines, received the maximum points in this category, while actuaries received the least since they seldom have deadlines. Each occupation is ranked using data from such sources as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as information provided by a wide range of trade associations and industry groups.
Rounding out the list of the five most stressful jobs are advertising account executives, who have to compete in this tough economy to acquire and maintain revenue-generating accounts, and real estate agents, most of whom are having difficulty earning a living given the serious downturn in the housing market.
The full list of 200 jobs is posted on JobsRated.com.
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
