ARIZONA NEWS

10 best, worst jobs of 2014

Apr 19, 2014, 1:37 PM | Updated: 1:37 pm

If you want to land one of the best jobs of the year, you may need to brush up on your math skills.

The top jobs of 2014 include mathematician, statistician and actuary, according to the 26th annual Jobs Rated report released by CareerCast.com. Researchers used information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and ranked 200 jobs from best to worst based on factors including stress, work environment, hiring outlook and salary.

“There’s a huge, huge range of opportunities for mathematicians,” mathematician Jessika Sobanski said in a statement. “Some can go the education route, but there's much more.”

Professions in the health care and technology fields also did well, with audiologist, dental hygenist and software engineer ranked in the top 10 best jobs. Researchers attributed the growing demand for health care professionals to the institution of the Affordable Care Act and an aging baby boom generation.

Jobs ranked at the bottom of the list had dim hiring prospects and then low salaries combined with high levels of stress for people who do find employment, researchers said.

The report deemed lumberjack as the worst job of the year because of a dangerous work environment and minimal growth potential for employees. It was followed by newspaper reporter, which has a projected job growth of -13 percent by 2022 due to the closure and consolidation of existing publications, according to the report.

However, researchers said many of the jobs in the bottom 10 are essential to society. Firefighter, corrections officer and garbage collector were all included in the team's list of the worst jobs of the year.

The complete list of rankings can be found online.

Best Jobs of 2014

  • Mathematician: $101,360 median annual salary, 23 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Tenured university professor: $68,000 median annual salary, 19 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Statistician: $75,560 median annual salary, 27 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Actuary: $93,680 median annual salary, 26 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Audiologist: $69,720 median annual salary, 24 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Dental hygenist: $70,210 median annual salary, 33 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Software engineer: $93,350 median annual salary, 22 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Computer systems analyst: $79,680 median annual salary, 25 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Occupational therapist: $75,400 median annual salary, 29 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Speech pathologist: $69,870 median annual salary, 19 percent projected job growth by 2022

Worst Jobs of 2014

  • Lumberjack: $24,340 median annual salary, 4 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Newspaper reporter: $37,090 median annual salary, -13 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Enlisted military personnel: $28,840 median annual salary, job growth not available
  • Taxi driver: $22,820 median annual salary, 16 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Broadcaster: $55,380 median annual salary, -13 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Head cook: $42,480 median annual salary, 5 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Flight attendant: $37,240 median annual salary, -7 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Garbage collector: $22,970 median annual salary, 10 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Firefighter: $45,250 median annual salary, 7 percent projected job growth by 2022
  • Corrections officer: $38,970 median annual salary, 5 percent projected job growth by 2022

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Rabies warning issued after rabid fox bites two victims in Arizona...

Balin Overstolz McNair

Arizona wildlife agency talks rabies infection risk and prevention as temps increase

Arizona health officials are issuing a rabies warning as rising temperatures draw more animals out of hiding.

34 minutes ago

AZ Political Podcast: Garrett Archer talks election integrity...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Election analyst Garrett Archer with ABC15 talks election integrity

On this episode of the AZ Political Podcast, Garrett Archer, a data analyst with ABC15, sits down with Jim Sharpe to talk about elections.

44 minutes ago

Johnny Was, a bohemian-inspired brand developed in California, is set to open in Scottsdale Fashion...

SuElen Rivera

Johnny Was relocates to Scottsdale Fashion Square from Kierland Commons

Johnny Was, a bohemian-inspired brand developed in California, is set to open in Scottsdale Fashion Square on Friday after relocating from Kierland Commons.

53 minutes ago

The exterior of the El Dorado Tech Center in Gilbert. PipShip, an ecommerce solutions company, sign...

Kevin Stone

E-commerce solutions company PipShip moving operations from Tempe to Gilbert

PipShip is relocating its distribution and e-commerce operations from Tempe to Gilbert, a move of about 8 miles.

1 hour ago

Iram Quintana...

KTAR.com

Phoenix police make arrest in 9-year-old cold case murder

The Phoenix Police Department arrested Iram Quintana, the main suspect of a 2014 cold case murder, on Tuesday.

7 hours ago

Live music and DJ sets are one of the main attractions during the Whoopee Daze Festival this weeken...

David Veenstra

Whoopee Daze Festival arrives in Tolleson this weekend

The Whoopee Daze Festival returns to Tolleson this weekend. The three-day festival features a parade, carnival rides, food trucks and crafts.

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

Sciatica pain is treatable but surgery may be required

Sciatica pain is one of the most common ailments a person can face, and if not taken seriously, it could become one of the most harmful.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Day & Night is looking for the oldest AC in the Valley

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

10 best, worst jobs of 2014