What Jobs Are The Happiest? » 19 Jobs With Happy Employees

Everyone wants a job that makes them happy. While a person’s interests and their coworkers help to determine whether they are in a healthy work environment or not, there are several jobs that seem to make people happy no matter what! The best careers for happiness’s sake are below.

1. Teaching Assistant
2. Pastor/Religious Authority
3. Social Worker
4. Firefighter
5. Author
6. Artist
7. Veterinarian
8. Musician
9. Psychologist
10. Website Developer
11. Quality Assurance Analyst
12. Research Assistant
13. Lead Engineer
14. Software Developer
15. Project Coordinator
16. Marketing Specialist
17. Human Resources Manager
18. Recruiter
19. IT Specialist

Teaching assistants report themselves as having the most job satisfaction of all of the jobs listed above. Of course, the other jobs on this list also come with high levels employee-satisfaction. Keep reading to learn more about the jobs included in the above list.

The 19 Jobs with the Happiest Employees

The happiest jobs vary greatly. Even though being a teaching assistant is ranked as the happiest job, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect for everyone. Below are some details about each of the professions on this list and the qualities of them that make employees enjoy their career so much.

1. Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants, also called teaching aides or teacher’s aides, work alongside teachers in the classroom. Their job does not involve teaching, unless the regular teacher is absent. For the most part, teacher’s aides work as in-class tutors. They can help students better understand the course material. Teaching assistants are known to help out in elementary, middle, and high school classes.

Depending on the area, teaching assistants usually need a minimum of a high school diploma. However, other areas may require some college credits or a bachelor’s degree, ideally in education. Having experience working with children and teens is also a plus.

2. Pastor/Religious Authority

Pastors, priests, and other religious leaders are ranked second on this list of happiest careers. Most people know that pastors give sermons at least once a week. However, there is much more to the job than that. Pastors also visit parishioners in hospitals, go to dioceses meetings, and much more. Pastors feel their career is meaningful, as they work to help others spiritually and in other areas of life.

As far as education goes, most pastors need at least a bachelor’s degree. A degree in theology is the most common. Once a student earns their degree, they may need to seek further education from a seminary to become ordained. Also, pastors are required to be a member of the religion that they preach for.

3. Social Worker

Social workers work hard to help others in times of need. What areas of life a social worker helps with can vary greatly. Some social workers help to council children and families that come from troubled homes, while others work in a clinical setting. Either way, social workers help to get people in need the resources required to live a better life.

Social workers require at least a bachelor’s degree, usually in social work or psychology. To be a clinical social worker, potential employees need to have a master’s degree and two years of on-the-job supervision. Lastly, to be a social worker, one must obtain a license.

4. Firefighter

Firefighters are best-known for putting out fires. When they’re not at the scene of a fire, they’re often waiting at the fire station. Here, they remain on-call until they are needed. An average shift for a firefighter can be as long as 24 hours or more. For this reason, firefighters often sleep and eat at the fire station.

While only a high school degree is required to be a fighter, as far as education levels are concerned, there are a few other things one needs to do. Firefighters need to be physically fit and have a working knowledge of emergency medical procedures. Often, firefighters also need to have mental and physical tests.

5. Author

The term “author” can be used loosely. Authors can be anyone from someone who works as a freelance writer to those who sell best-selling books. People who work as authors have to use both their creativity and their time wisely. Great authors will need wonderful time-management skills.

No formal education is required to become an author. However, college-educated writers have better job outlooks than those with just a high-school education. A bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, English, or a related field is beneficial to authors.

6. Artist

The term “artist” is again a vague one. Artists can describe freelance artists, graphic designers, set designers, and more. Because of this, there are more factors that separate these many careers than that bring them together. However, a love of all things creative is required for any of these jobs.

Because the term “artist” can encompass so many careers, the education requirements vary. Artists can have less than a high school education or a master’s degree in fine art. Having a bachelor’s degree in art makes for a happy medium, and great career outlooks.

7. Veterinarian

Animal lovers make the perfect veterinarians. Most vets work either in animal hospitals or clinics. However, vets who live in rural areas may often travel to farms or similar outdoor settings. Needless to say, vets need an in-depth knowledge of animal anatomy, a strong stomach, and a drive to do whatever it takes to keep an animal safe.

Certified veterinaries must graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which are most often given from a veterinary college. To practice, either through a clinic or independently, vets also need a state-issued license.

8. Musician

“Musician” is another imprecise term that can be used to describe anyone from singers in rock bands to tuba players in an orchestra. Some musicians play for small venues in their hometown and some perform in sold-out concerts in big cities. For many musicians, recording music is a part of their job description.

No formal education is required for most musicians. Knowing how to read and play music is a plus. Learning about poetry is a bonus for songwriters as well. For those who want to play in an orchestra, getting a music performance degree is a great idea.

9. Psychologist

Psychologists most often work in the field of therapy. In this career, psychologists work to help people understand their own thoughts and work through their problems. A great psychologist will care for their clients but refrain from telling them exactly what to do. Their job, above all, is to listen.

To be a psychologist, one must have a Ph.D. in psychology. Although, some careers, like a school counselor, may only require a master’s degree. They also must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology test. Every psychologist, whether working independently or through a hospital, needs a license. On-the-job training, such as being shadowed, is also required.

10. Website Developer

The term “website developer” perfectly describes the job itself. Web developers work to build websites, upkeep them, and do whatever they need to in order to ensure the website is running smoothly. Sometimes, this involves using website builders (like WordPress, Weebly, or Wix) or using coding.

For independent website developers, no formal training is required. However, workers will need to learn how to use their website platform, which can often be done through online tutorials.

However, if one wants to work for a web development company or employer, they will likely need a degree. On average, entry-level web developers have an associate degree. Job prospects may be better for those who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or graphic design.

11. Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality assurance analysts work to ensure that the products companies sell are top-notch. Sometimes, this involves testing for item defects. For luckier employees, this could require taste-testing new snacks. The work required will all depend on the product being tested and reviewed.

Most companies hiring quality assurance analysts only require that workers have a high school diploma or a GED. Some on-the-job training may also be required. Overall, it should be simple.

12. Research Assistant

Being a research assistant is a perfect job for anyone who loves learning and working in a professional setting. Research assistants can work in almost any academic field. However, the most common field is in the sciences. Most research assistants will work in labs, hospitals, or universities.

Most research assistants need a bachelor’s degree in the field they plan to work in. However, this can vary. If working at a college, most research assistants will be masters or doctoral students. In this case, the job may be a part of a work-study program.

13. Lead Engineer

The term “engineer” can apply to many career fields. These include electrical, mechanical, civic, computer, and more. What’s important to know about this career is that a lead engineer will often be the one leading projects. Without a doubt, this is a powerful leadership position. Lead engineers must be detail-oriented, organized, and a team-worker.

Lead engineers will need at least a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field, or a general engineering degree. However, a lead engineering position is not an entry-level job. It is likely that an employee will start at a lower level and eventually be promoted to lead engineer after years of hard work.

14. Software Developer

Software developers, in the simplest terms, work to make software for computers, tablets, cell phones, and websites. With the rise of new technologies every day, this job is in high demand. It is the perfect career for anyone who loves working with computers and apps.

For this job, an in-depth knowledge of programming and coding is required. Some skill in graphic design helps but may not be required by employers. Unless working as a freelancer, most software developers will have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, or a related field.

15. Project Coordinator

Depending on the employer, the duties of a project coordinator can vary greatly. For the most part, project coordinators take the lead on a project. They job is to delegate, supervise, and lead a project. Project leaders may also oversee reporting back to a superior, reviewing the project’s budget, and scheduling project milestones.

Experience is the most vital aspect employers look at when hiring a project coordinator. While having a bachelor’s degree in communication, business, or a related field is welcomed, it is not always necessary. Instead, delightful communication skills, teamwork, and motivation matter most.

16. Marketing Specialist

Marketing specialists are the virtuosos of advertising. These people work to study market conditions, patterns, and product reception in any given area. Analytical minds are best suited for this kind of career, as it involves a great deal of math, studying graphs, and surveys.

For the most part, employees should have at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertisement, business, or a related field. It is likely that an employee will work at a lower level for some time before being promoted to a marketing specialist, as it is not an entry-level career.

17. Human Resources Manager

Many people think of someone working in human resources as someone that people go to when they have problems with another employee or a company policy. However, human resources managers are a cut above the average human resources employee. Their duties include planning and overseeing the functions of a workplace. This may involve working with higher-ups.

Human resources managers should have at least a bachelor’s degree or as much as a master’s degree in communication, business, or a related field. Experience is also crucial. As this is not an entry-level career, potential employees are required to have some experience in human resources or a related career.

18. Recruiter

Recruiters can work in a variety of career fields. Some of the most common recruiters include college, military, and sports recruiter. No matter what field they work in, recruiters are often required to travel in order to recruit new members. This makes this a perfect career for anyone with great communication skills who loves to travel.

Little formal education is required to become a recruiter. Many employers want employees to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Having a bachelor’s degree in communication or a related field can better the chances of getting a job as a recruiter. Overall, charisma and timeliness are the most important traits for a recruiter to have.

19. IT Specialist

Being an IT specialist is a perfect job for computer savants everywhere. Just like with web and software developers, this is a quickly growing field. Anyone who is great at troubleshooting computer, tablet, and cell phone problems can work in this career to help those who are not as technologically literate.

IT specialists should have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. IT specialists may work in an office or from home. As most IT centers are open 24/7, work hours can vary greatly.

Average Salaries of these Happy Jobs

Below is a handy chart that shows the average salaries for each of these professions in 2019. This information was carefully collected by ZipRecruiter and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The averages are from the United States and may vary depending on the state or city you live in.

What Do These Jobs Have in Common?

While the careers on this list of jobs with happy employees vary greatly from one to the other, the jobs do have a couple of things in common. These include the following:

• Creativity
• Independence/leadership
• Communication skills
• Specific fields of interest

Whether you want to go with the happiest job on this list, the teaching assistant, or if you want to be an IT specialist, you will need to know how to communicate with others if you want to get your job done correctly.

There’s a bit of creativity in these jobs as well. Whether you want to become a musician or a software developer, you need to tap into the creative part of your brain. This will help you to stand out from the pool of potential employees.

This also leads way to either working independently or supervising others. Being your own boss is great. 

Being the boss of others can also be great. Whether you like to work alone or with others, there’s a job on this list for you.

Lastly, these careers make people so happy because many of them involve a specific field of interest. You’re not going to be a veterinarian if you dislike animals or a teaching assistant if you dislike children. For this reason, we know that the people who are in these careers are so happy because they want to be in their chosen career. It’s not just a fallback choice.

Conclusion

The 19 happiest careers mostly have to do with people doing what they love for a living. This ties in beautifully with the Confucius quote, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” In this case, find a job you love and you’re sure to be happy within your career!

Sources:

https://www.happierhuman.com/happiest-jobs-america/ 

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/56d5f31ae4b0c144a7f6952b/no-2-happiest-job-full-st/#2f3bfd9865c8 

https://content.wisestep.com/happiest-careers/ 

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries 

https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/article/education-level-and-jobs.htm 

https://quoteinvestigator.com/…

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