4 replies

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uncle moe

January 8, 2009 6:28 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: photographer for playboy?

/keep your money

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KyleOrton

January 8, 2009 4:37 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: I'd say being a HOF QB's backup is pretty sweet. They make more money, play fewer games, travel less and since you can assume the team is pretty good, they only have to play garbage time.

And everyone loves the spunky backup in pre-season when he always looks like a star.

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finite_elephant

January 8, 2009 5:27 PM

@KyleOrton: NFL long snapper. Six figures for a job that requires just enough talent to make you hard to replace, but doesn't come with the high pressure and higher injury risk of other positions. Plus you might get to tackle a guy a couple times a year on punt plays.

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Shadowman615

January 8, 2009 6:15 PM

@finite_elephant: Oh, there's a bit of high pressure when you have to nail the game-winning field goal snaps. Plus you need to be big and strong enough to be an NFL-sized offensive lineman.

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KyleOrton

January 8, 2009 6:48 PM

@Shadowman615: Waaay too much pressure there. You can only fail your team and never be the hero.

Backup QB is much better, the expectations are usually low when you come in and you can surprise people with a few easy completions from a a simplified offense.

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everclear75

January 8, 2009 5:37 PM

@finite_elephant:

As someone who was a deep snapper in HS, it takes alot of practice to zip that ball back to the punter/kicker..
It's harder than it sounds.. Besides that was the only way I got into the games, that and special teams..

/just sayin'

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wgrune

January 8, 2009 4:19 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected:

Agreed. $380k a year (league minimum) for about an hours worth of work 4 days a week for 6 months works out to about $3600 per hour. A little hard on the knees but I would take it. Oh, and you retire by 40!

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firestarsolo

January 8, 2009 3:51 PM

A \"great job\" is one where my interests align with my work, my abilities are not taxed by my workload, and I earn enough to pay the bills, invest, save, and spend on myself.

7 replies

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seishino

January 9, 2009 6:12 AM

@firestarsolo: Who would be the most likely to run a full statistical quantification on job quality? Mathematicians. What did they find? Mathematicians have the best job.

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KMan13 still wants a Pontiac G8

January 12, 2009 8:43 PM

@seishino:

ooooh snap.
this should be in it's own comment thread.

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ElizabethD

January 8, 2009 4:09 PM

@firestarsolo:
Couldn't have said it better. Hear, hear.

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geeky_reader

January 8, 2009 4:13 PM

@all:

LOLOLOLpfffft

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jdhuck

January 8, 2009 3:54 PM

@firestarsolo: All I look for is a place where I can shut the door and rip farts all day. It is truly the small things in life that make it worth living.

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ilovemom

January 8, 2009 3:58 PM

@jdhuck: Shutting the door takes all the fun out of it.

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jdhuck

January 8, 2009 4:00 PM

@ilovemom: Not if your office is in the elevator.

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Hank Scorpio

January 8, 2009 3:57 PM

@jdhuck: I hate the fact that I can sit alone all day without anyone bothering me, but the minute I let one go, somebody comes in needing something. It never fails!

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rpm773

January 8, 2009 3:58 PM

Mathematicians have the best job?

Not if they have to spend their days working with differential equations and linear algebra, if my hazy memory of either subject serves me well!

7 replies

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RedmondDesomma

January 8, 2009 8:02 PM

@rpm773: @rpm773: Of course the study shows Mathematicians have the best jobs. Statisticians ran the study.

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mythago

January 8, 2009 7:31 PM

@rpm773: Yeah, but mathematicians LIKE that stuff. *shudder*

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leprofie

January 8, 2009 4:21 PM

@rpm773:

They crunched the numbers for the study, why wouldn't they come out on top?

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nataku8_e30

January 8, 2009 4:05 PM

@rpm773: differential equations and linear algebra are basically parts of mathematics designed for computers to solve. they just teach you that in school so that you'll have some idea of what the computer is doing, and maybe how to set up the solver so that it doesn't give you a bad result (correct type of integrator, proper integration step, etc...)

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

January 8, 2009 4:03 PM

@rpm773: But they get to run around town in their Mathematician cars and help solve math related crimes, too. Don't forget that part!

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unobservant

January 8, 2009 4:08 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese: \"The story you're about to see is a fib, but it's short. The names are made up but the problems are real.\"

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smirkette

@Oranges w/ Cheese: Mathnet for the win!

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Kogenta

January 8, 2009 4:47 PM

@SF_iris: OMG, I'd been wondering on and off what the name of that was. Couldn't even remember what the main show was, just what happenned in it. I'll have to go find some episodes of Square One now that I know what it's called.

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

January 8, 2009 5:54 PM

@Kogenta: As far as I know, currently the only way to get Square One is VHS tapes that pop up from time to time on eBay. There are no DVD's, which is sad as I think if i ever had kids I'd want them to watch it.

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unobservant

January 8, 2009 8:03 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese: No Mathnet on DVD, you say? Check this out, biotches!

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oneandone

January 8, 2009 10:20 PM

@unobservant: Amazing!

The first time I saw Rear Window, I thought they ripped it off an episode of Mathnet. My 10-year-old self was very indignant. I am definitely getting some of these.

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KyleOrton

January 8, 2009 4:39 PM

@SF_iris: I still remember the Fibonacci sequence from that show....

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

January 8, 2009 5:49 PM

@KyleOrton: Yup, me too :D

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Jubilance22

January 8, 2009 4:00 PM

I consider myself to have a great job because I get to exercise my passions, I solve problems, and I never do the same thing twice so I don't get bored. Its not hard for me to get out of bed in the morning and I don't dread going to work.

I'm a polymer chemist.

5 replies

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polymergirl

January 8, 2009 6:02 PM

Jubilance22, I have to totally agree with you. I am also a polymer scientist (bachelors in chemistry,graduate in polymer science and engineering) and i truly love my job and my work. I get to work on really cool projects with smart, nice people and am paid a decent (though not incredible) salary. Our field is also versatile enough that I have gotten the chance to work in several different fields and pretty much learn something new every day at work.

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opsomath

January 8, 2009 10:39 PM

@JazlynDawh: wow. me too. that's...a lot of polymer scientists on here, don't you think?

What does everyone work on? I do conducting polymers grown from surfaces.

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Techguy1138

January 8, 2009 4:56 PM

@TheRedSeven:
Touche.

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INTPLibrarian

January 8, 2009 4:43 PM

@Jubilance22: Is that similar to a materials scientist? Cuz I know a few of them and they sure do love their jobs. It's kinda cute how they get all excited talking about it.

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Jubilance22

January 8, 2009 5:25 PM

@INTPLibrarian: Yes, though material scientists generally have training in all types of materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers. I just stick to the polymer side of the materials world. But its loads of fun and I have been known to get very excited over things that most people have no clue about.

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Kavatar

January 8, 2009 4:00 PM

Looking at the list, \"excitement\" was definitely not one of the criteria.

2 replies

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ajlei

January 8, 2009 8:12 PM

@Kavatar: But I love math!

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smythe

January 8, 2009 6:42 PM

@Kavatar: It depends on what excites you... Some may like the idea of solvin a problem few others in the world will be able to even understand.

With that said all the \"best\" jobs every one is talking about require a very specific skill possesed by a very small portion of the population. But.. that's why the compensation is so high.

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MaytagRepairman

January 8, 2009 4:02 PM

This seems skewed. Back when I was in college math majors were struggling to find jobs after graduating. I think there are only a handful of high-paying math major jobs out there and a bunch of math majors that found work in other areas.

2 replies

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nataku8_e30

@MaytagRepairman: just because there aren't very many jobs directly in mathematics doesn't mean that the jobs that are there aren't awesome for the people who have them.

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oneandone

January 8, 2009 10:29 PM

@nataku83: True, but then even though their training is as a mathematician, their job would be something else - analyst, programmer, etc. Odd that the WSJ chose 'mathematician' as a job title - sounds like only academics might end up being called that.

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Magspie

January 8, 2009 4:04 PM

I have a BA in math and I'm not sure how one gets a job as a mathematician. It's kind of vague. I don't think any of the jobs I applied for were titled just mathematician. Who pays people to just do math? Do they mean college professor who also does research?

8 replies

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arachnophilia

January 10, 2009 4:01 AM

@Magspie: i think they mean tenured college professor and researcher in mathematics, yes.

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knyghtryda

January 8, 2009 8:13 PM

@Magspie:
My friend is gonna be a \"Mathematician\". Actually, she's probably gonna be doing research for a half dozen years then becoming an assistant professor and finally a prof at some university. Here's a hint... if you wanna be a \"Mathematician\", expect to stay in school for the rest of your life. If that sounds appealing to you (and it definitely does for my friend) then by all means go for it.

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TheName

January 8, 2009 6:29 PM

@Magspie: Or, more realistically, the NSA which actually has \"mathematician\" as a job title. :-)

/I'm an actuary so I'm getting a kick out of these replies.

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pecan 3.14159265

January 8, 2009 5:59 PM

@Magspie: You can always work with the FBI.

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Techguy1138

January 8, 2009 4:52 PM

@Magspie: I think it's given you do not get a job as a mathematician with a BA. You would need a B.S./B.A. or Phd.

It's like that for many scientific fields.

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Colage

January 9, 2009 12:56 AM

@Techguy1138: I'm assuming that \"mathematician\" is an umbrella term, but I have a BA in History and I'm an actuary. And, at my school (and most others), Mathematics was a BA anyhow.

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YamiNoSenshi

January 8, 2009 4:17 PM

@Magspie:
Trying to get a job as a \"mathematician\" is kinda like trying to go into \"computers\". There's a ton of actual jobs that all revolve around math: actuary, statistician, analysis. The list goes on.

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LiquidGravity

January 8, 2009 5:19 PM

@YamiNoSenshi:
@Techguy1138:
I think you guys are missing his point (Or I am). How did they come up with mathematician for the job in the study. Did they just lump them all math related jobs together? Or are they using mathematician as a term for mathematics professor?

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dave23

January 8, 2009 5:56 PM

@LiquidGravity: According to the article's full list, A mathematician applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate.

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StarkRavingMan

January 8, 2009 4:04 PM

The idea that math is boring is a falsehood held only by people who don't really get math. Using math to unveil the secrets of nature or to craft new technology is the most fun one can have with one's pants on.

3 replies

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banmojo

January 8, 2009 5:57 PM

@StarkRavingMan: spoken like a man who clearly has never had a lap dance. sheesh.

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Chris Walters

@StarkRavingMan: Wow, imagine what naked math must be like.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

January 8, 2009 4:23 PM

@Chris Walters: It's probably a lot like binary: 0 1

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floraposte

January 8, 2009 4:33 PM

@Hooray4Zoidberg: Oooh. Now I want a cigarette.

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rwakelan

January 8, 2009 4:05 PM

Mathematicians may have an easy job, but the job prospects suck. My brother graduated with a Honors Degree in Math and couldn't find a job in his field for four years. He's working as a security guard while he goes back for a second degree.

2 replies

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arachnophilia

January 10, 2009 4:03 AM

@rwakelan: my father is a mathematician, and reports that those leaving his department with a master degree get tons of job offers, and generally very well paying jobs. i think he quoted a me a figure of $60,000+ for the average position. bachelors don't do quite as well, but still not bad.

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TheName

January 8, 2009 6:31 PM

@rwakelan: Sorry, but he's doing it wrong. Having a math degree opened more doors than I would've believed possible. They're just not all marked \"For Math\" on the plaque.

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Hank Scorpio

For me (and probably most people), it's a combination of things.

I left a job as a consultant/field tech to work as IT support for non-profit charter school. I took a pay-cut to do it, and was happy to. I hated my old job. Of course, if it was too much of a pay cut (which, in fact, their first offer would have been), obviously I couldn't have made that choice.

But I ended up working at a place where I enjoy where I'm at and the people I work with. And, there's a huge sense of accomplishment (something no job I've ever had gave me) in being part of a system that's giving under-privileged city kids a good education that would otherwise be unavailable to them. I've even started teaching a guitar class after school!

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Ash78 ain't got time to bleed

January 8, 2009 4:09 PM

So the best jobs are at universities where you teach a few basic classes, get job security after a few years, and play 8 rounds of golf every week? Who'da thunk it?

I have a good friend almost finished with his PhD in math and those are pretty specific to his reasons.

4 replies

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arachnophilia

January 10, 2009 4:04 AM

@Ash78: oh, man, tell THAT to my father, who's currently scrambling around even though he only has one class this semester. administrative duties and advising FTL.

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mythago

January 8, 2009 7:34 PM

@ViperBorg: No, no, that's their souls. Their hearts are removed sometime during the second year of law school.

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jusooho

January 8, 2009 6:43 PM

@Ash78: there is an enormous amount of competition for that sort of cushy tenured position. he might be working teaching at community colleges but teaching college level in that style, is very difficult to get into.

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INTPLibrarian

January 8, 2009 4:46 PM

@Ash78: He's going to be sorely disappointed then.

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unobservant

January 8, 2009 4:10 PM

I can't wait until the pendulum swings and they start rewarding those who paid attention in grammar class.

5 replies

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bluewyvern

January 9, 2009 8:41 AM

@unobservant: Well, there's legal proofreading (currently my bill-paying enterprise). Bonus points if you do it at night and get a room with a door and very little work and all night long to read Consumerist.

The downside is that most consumerists have stopped commenting and gone to bed by that point, so you will always be a thread killer. :(

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kmw2

January 8, 2009 7:09 PM

@unobservant: Nobody pays attention in grammar class.

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Techguy1138

January 8, 2009 4:50 PM

@unobservant: Good grammer is never rewarded. Poor grammar is punished.

The closest profession would be a contract lawyer.

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ViperBorg

January 8, 2009 6:55 PM

@Techguy1138: And, as we know, all Lawyers have their brains surgically removed when they pass the bar.

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ViperBorg

January 8, 2009 7:01 PM

@ViperBorg: Case in point:
--
Q: Dr. Jones isn't true that Mr. Smith was still alive when you were examining him?

A: Absolutely not.

Q: How can you be so sure?

A: Because I had his brain in a glass jar on my examination table.

Q: Nevertheless, isn't it true that he could have still been alive.

A: I suppose he could still be alive and practicing law somewhere.
--
Q: What happened then?

A: He told me, he says, \"I have to kill you because you can identify me.\"

Q: Did he kill you?
--
Q: I show you Exhibit 3 and ask you if you recognize that picture.

A: That's me.

Q: Were you present when that picture was taken?
--
Defendant: Judge, I want you to appoint me another lawyer.

Judge: And why is that?

Defendant: Because the Public Defender isn't interested in my case.

Judge (to Public Defender): Do you have any comments on the defendant's motion?

Public Defender: I'm sorry, Your Honor. I wasn't listening.
----
I rest my case.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

January 8, 2009 4:24 PM

@unobservant: They're aint profit in the grammars.

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TheRedSeven

January 8, 2009 4:11 PM

Alternate text:

\"...one occupation stood head and shoulders above the rest: mathematician. Yep, you read that correctly. Here's why it took the top spot:\"

Mathemeticians organized and performed the study.

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HIV 2 Elway

January 8, 2009 4:11 PM

I like my job, as a program manager for a defense contractor, because I work 40 hours a week and never have to take work home with me. Knowing that I never, and I mean never, have to work more than 40 hours has allowed me to pursue hobbies and a graduate degree in the evenings. Also, while the rest of the economy is sluggish, defense is doing fine and most of our contracts extend 6 years out, so the security is nice.

5 replies

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bgeek

January 8, 2009 8:19 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected:
The wife has a similar situation. However, she absolutely can't bring her work home due to it being top-secret.

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Jubilance22

January 8, 2009 5:28 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: I also work for a defense contractor, and I really love it. I never have to work overtime and my benefits/other perks far outweigh any of the benefits my friends have at other companies in the commercial sector.

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KyleOrton

January 8, 2009 4:41 PM

@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: Project manager is almost always the job that means long hours and taking work home with you. Is it a government-contract thing that allows you not to?

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HIV 2 Elway

January 8, 2009 5:29 PM

@KyleOrton: Gov contracts always give you more time than you really need to execute. It also helps to have top notch engineers working with you.

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cabjf

January 8, 2009 4:59 PM

@KyleOrton: It's the government-contract thing that means no one has to work too hard. I mean, once you get a contract, you only really have to not screw up to keep them coming. Note that I am not claiming laziness or shoddy work of the original poster, just stating what I've seen from government contracts.

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J. Gov

January 8, 2009 4:12 PM

The thing is, the lumberjack is only okay. Whereas we nerds are awesome.

I also feel something is missing, but \"excitement\" is kind of hard to quantify. Average reported job satisfaction, maybe? Are mathematicians really happy with their jobs, or am I better off sticking with the degree I've got?

...Oh, wait: I live in Michigan. I know that answer.

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KStrike155

January 8, 2009 4:19 PM

Woohoo!! Software Engineers FTW!

(note: a software engineer is very different than a software programmer...)

3 replies

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AtomicPlayboy

January 8, 2009 5:35 PM

@KStrike155: I've never understood the difference between a software engineer and a computer programmer. I'm a CS grad who has held the Software Engineer, Senior SE, Architect, etc. titles over the years, and have never seen any correlation in the field between CS and Computer Programmer and SE and Software Engineering. The only people I've ever heard make a real distinction are SE grads themselves; cabjf has it correct that businesses don't make any such distinction. Is \"Computer Programmer\" just another way of saying \"Junior Software Engineer\"? Maybe CP is used to describe Web work vs traditional software design? This seems to be a pretty nebulous area, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the WSJ use separate categories. Any thoughts?

Also, I'm surprised Sales Engineer isn't on this list alongside SE/CP/Systems Analyst. Having done the latter and then moved on to the former, I'd have to say Sales Engineering is better in every respect: pay, flexibility, demand, hours, etc. Pretty much a Goldilocks job. I've seen it listed on similar \"best jobs\" lists in recent years, but not this one.

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KStrike155

January 8, 2009 8:39 PM

@AtomicPlayboy: @cabjf: The difference is that a Software Engineer takes part in the actual design of the software. A software programmer is just given tasks to accomplish with coding and don't partake in the analysis and design phases of the software.

Because of this, a software engineer is generally required to have knowledge in the software product that they are designing. They would need to know the math and physics behind something like a rocket or radar system or something, otherwise they won't be able to design for it.

A programmer would be handed the requirements and design for a particular section of code and be told \"do this.\"

This says it best I think:
\"A common analogy is that working in construction does not make one a civil engineer, and so writing code does not make one a software engineer.\" [en.wikipedia.org]

And my employer certainly cared whether or not I had formal education/training in software analysis and design, as well as some sort of a background in what I was designing. They were very direct about that in the interview.

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cabjf

January 8, 2009 5:00 PM

@KStrike155: Only to those who have Software Engineering degrees, unfortunately. Most businesses couldn't care less.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

January 8, 2009 4:20 PM

As a successful software architect myself I'd hardly consider myself a mathematician or this a mathematical job. I'm laughably bad at math, but a rock solid engineer. There is no denying that math skills help with engineering but they are far from necessary these days. Good analytical skills are much greater assets in my opinion. But hey, call me a mathematician if you'd like, it's a title I'd be honored to have.

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BloggyMcBlogBlog

January 8, 2009 4:21 PM

And they get all the chicks!! Or dudes for all you female mathematicians out there.

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captadam

January 8, 2009 4:29 PM

My criteria for a good job? A sense of fulfillment from the work that I do, respect from colleagues, and ample time (evenings, weekends, vacations) allowed to purse outside interests.

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mergatroy6

January 8, 2009 4:35 PM

#193 Roustabout. The definition is awful, but the name sounds awesome.

\"So what do you do for a living?\"
\"I'm a Roustabout\"
\"Sounds intriguing, please tell me more.\"

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Trencher93

January 8, 2009 4:38 PM

My goodness, do you mean all those cool kids who blew off math are in jobs that aren't great while I skipped all that stuff and work with computers in \"places free of toxic fumes or noise\" -- I feel vindicated.

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chilled

January 8, 2009 4:42 PM

Mathematicians were in big demand on wall st. for many years.Their main function was to design derrivative contracts using mainly calculus.

I don't have a very good understanding of it,but I think that was the goal....nobody can figure them out.Warren Buffet called them weapons of mass financial destruction.Anyway,these guys were making big money...

1 replies

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RandomHookup

January 8, 2009 5:07 PM

@chilled: A lot of them also went into software. When I was heavy in campus recruiting, I would grab tons of them (especially the ones who were planning on teaching math -- only took a semester of practice teaching to change their minds) and put them into a training program for software developers.

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Ash78 ain't got time to bleed

January 8, 2009 4:47 PM

After almost 10 years at desk jobs, some of those \"Worst Jobs\" sound pretty awesome to me (barring any mutilation or death). Every day when I get home, I'm jumping out of my skin with restlessness. I'd love a more active job.

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RandomHookup

January 8, 2009 5:04 PM

Well, mathematicians do get all the chicks.

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Anonymous

January 8, 2009 5:10 PM

I actually am a professional mathematician and have been since getting my PhD 12 years ago. I work in industry. I work on fun, interesting, challenging problems; I earn a six figure salary; I have good job security because there aren't a lot of people who can do this kind of work; and it is very rare that I work more than 45 hours per week. I can't imagine a better job, frankly!

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Rob Weddle

January 8, 2009 5:13 PM

So basically a job that lets you sit on your tuchus and exert no physical effort all day are good, while those that do the opposite aren't? Baloney.

Of the last 10 years, I've had a desk job for 9 of them and I've been bored to tears almost the whole time. The exception is the year I worked as a line cook. That was a great, fun job. The pay sucked, but I enjoyed the work and the camaraderie couldn't be matched.

As for problem solving, I'd wager that mechanics, plumbers, and EMTs do more real problem solving than any desk jockey. So the working environment isn't posh and ideal...so what? It goes hand in hand that manual labor doesn't afford the nicest environments, but if someone gave me the choice, I'd choose outside over inside any day of the week.

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Uncanny Valley PTA

January 8, 2009 5:14 PM

I assume Assistant Crack Whore came in last again? (C)Norm McDonald

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Trai_Dep

January 8, 2009 5:20 PM

I'm disappointed that Bull Semen Collector didn't make the list. Seems like one of the few outdoor jobs that bring joy to the animals under your care, yet it doesn't even rate a mention. And, except for the need to have a quart-sized container of eye rinse handy in case of unfortunate mishap, almost completely safe. Assuming you possess warm hands, 'natch.
The Wall Street Journal are animal-haters.

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lalaland13

January 8, 2009 5:21 PM

I was a lumberjack in college. As in, that was our mascot. Hmm. Someone should tell them this.

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jchabotte

January 8, 2009 5:44 PM

What about a Mathemagician?

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banmojo

January 8, 2009 6:00 PM

a great job? one which pays well, firstly. also, one that doesn't shorten one's lifespan, health, or quality of life. one which pays a lot for a little time invested. (seriously, how could CEO not top that list?). one that is interesting, at times challenging in a not impossible kind of way, one that is low stress, one that involves interacting with scantily clad super hot ladies who are single and horny, one that exists very very close to a good surfing locale, ...

good gosh almighty, I think porn producer/director may just be the perfect job!!!

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HogwartsAlum

January 8, 2009 6:04 PM

I'm screwed. . .I suck at math.

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stanner

January 8, 2009 6:19 PM

Uh oh, I'm a mathematical lumberjack - I work a lot with logs. I guess that puts me in the middle of the pack.

1 replies

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dripdrop

January 8, 2009 7:18 PM

@stanner:

I see what you did there.

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Transuranic

January 8, 2009 6:22 PM

@unobservant: Typical linguist salary at a decently-funded state college: $75k.

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I love the Power Glove. It's so bad.

January 8, 2009 6:22 PM

Being a janitor is not so bad. Yeah the pay sucks and small children, young adults, and even the elderly laugh at you. BUT I don't have to worry about \"customer service\" since no one talks to me and I do enjoy working the graveyard shift because traffic for my commute is awesome. The people who do talk to me are very kind and polite and it's honest work for an honest day's pay.

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Transuranic

January 8, 2009 6:24 PM

@math majors who couldn't get a job: You don't become a mathematician with a BA in Math. However, you *will* get accepted to almost any PhD program in phys, chem, comp sci... and it's that route that gets you a job.

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Skybolt

January 8, 2009 6:41 PM

The study doesn't seem to take into account the cost and time required to enter a field, or the opportunity costs of same.

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shepd

January 8, 2009 6:46 PM

I'd put zero trust in these rankings.

Electricians ($43k) make less than plumbers ($46k). Computer service technicians make $33k. Telecom Installers installers make $56k.

Actual amounts generally found in Canada:

Electrician: $40 - 80k (Union factories will pay as much as $100k a year)
Plumber: $30 - 70k (Union factories again may pay as much as $100k a year)
Computer service: $18 (only because minimum wage goes no lower here) - 30k (absolute tops, and that would require some massive overtime)
Telco installers: $25 - 40k (much higher for contract workers, but I haven't seen many Bell techs making much more than 40k, of course I haven't asked in a long time)

There is no way an electrician would be paid less than a telco installer. You can legally hire a telco installer the day they quit high school (whether they finish or not) and they can do 100% of the job, assuming they have the knowledge. You cannot legally hire an electrician as a full electrician until they've completed as many as 5 years of apprenticeship. The danger aspect alone commands a higher salary.

Depending on the job, plumbing doesn't even always demand a license (many aspects of the jobs do). There are no electrician jobs that do not require a license whatsoever (anyone who tells you different either hired illegally or doesn't really have true electrician work).

Also, listing a plumber as having a nicer job that an electrician? Ask anyone who has worked in a factory which trade has the nicest job in the entire place, especially the plumbers keeping the waste extraction area running. It's always the electricians. Although they do forget who it is who has to install and repair the electrics for broken cooling fans and air conditioners... :D

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Smorgasbord

January 8, 2009 7:08 PM

If I can't spell the job's name, I don't do it.

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veronykah

January 8, 2009 7:41 PM

I am also not in agreement, one of the people in the study says he isn't surprised by the findings because his job generates little stress and he works a steady 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule. \"It's all done at the computer at my desk,\" he says. \"The main occupational hazard is carpal tunnel syndrome.\"
That doesn't sound like a great job AT ALL to me. 7:30 in the morning, day after day after day...no thanks.
Sitting at a desk all day, no thanks.
I guess perhaps I am in the minority but a steady schedule 8 hours every day for the next 40 years? No thanks, at all. I'd kill myself.
Sitting at a desk for those next 40 years, again no thanks.
Guess the freelancer is the life for me.
Either that or I think the EMT, firefighter or even mail carrier would be much more fun and interesting than \"desk job #123\".

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mythago

January 8, 2009 7:50 PM

Y'all should check out their methodology page. I mean, yay for mathematicians, but the study is so subjective as to be ridiculous. Clearly it wasn't carried out by mathematicians.

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grimdeath9740

January 8, 2009 8:09 PM

im a web designer and work as part of a local newspaper office and this is by far the BEST job I have ever had in all respects.

I have previous worked as:
-digital artist for photography studio
-meat market cleanup/grocery stocker
-fast food cook
-front desk working at boys & girls club

I would never do those bottom 3 EVER again and I loved the digital artist gig but my boss was a total .....

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P_Smith

January 8, 2009 9:01 PM

Regardles of the pay, there's one universal truth I've seen in jobs, both my own and how others feel about theirs:

Jobs with a daily focus on money suck the most (e.g. sales, debt collection, etc.). Jobs where you never think about money are the most satisfying (computer support/technician within a company, teaching).

When helping people, inventiveness and/or discovery are the focus of the job and money is only thought of on payday, there always seems to be more satisfaction when you reach small, medium sized or large goals, and less stress in reaching them.