THE 10 MOST (& LEAST) PRESTIGIOUS JOBS IN AMERICA

Views of Americans to various jobs in terms of prestige in a survey held in 2009

(Adapted from: http://www.bspcn.com/2009/08/03/the-10-most-least-prestigious-jobs-in-america/)

Jobs in America

Most Prestigious1. Firefighter

2. Scientist

3. Teacher

4. Doctor

5. Military officer

6. Nurse

7. Police officer

8. Minister/Priest/Clergy

9. Farmer

10. Engineer

Least Prestigious1. Athlete

2. Business executive

3. Journalist

4. Union Leader

5. Stockbroker

6. Entertainer

7. Accountant

8. Banker

9. Actor

10. Real estate agent/broker

1. Firefighter• Firefighters are viewed by 61% of the

public as having “very great prestige,” because their job puts them decisively in harm’s way in order to save lives and properties.

• Fire fighting involves hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours. Applicants for city fire fighting jobs generally must pass written, physical, and medical examinations. Heavy competition for the job is expected as being a firefighter attracts many qualified candidates.

• Most fire fighters have a high school diploma, however, the completion of community college courses, and in some cases, an associate degree in fire science may improve an applicant’s chances for a job.

• In 2006, the median annual earnings of fire fighters were $41,190.

2. Scientist• 54% of the American public viewing the job

as “very great prestige.”• Many “scientist” jobs l require at a

minimum, a Bachelor of Science in its respective field, with having a Master of Science being the industry norm. Research or applicable-based jobs will also determine the specific academic training to consider, as earning a Ph.D. has become the usual requirement for careers as a university professor or researcher in most fields.

• In 2006 medical scientist earns a median annual earnings of $82,600 if they are in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry, while medical scientist earns a median annual earnings of $71,490 in industries that research and develop in the physical, engineering, and life sciences.

3. Teacher Teachers help shape the younger generation by

imparting knowledge and practical skill sets . That’s why it is unsurprising to see them ranked highly on the list of most prestigious occupations.

Employment of school teachers are expected to grow by 12 percent between 2009 and 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects are especially favorable for high-demand fields such as math, science, and bilingual education.

The job opportunities are expected to be very good, with growth at 23 percent between 2009 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations, though many of the new openings will be for part-time

In 2006, median annual income for primary education teacher ranges from $43,580 to $48,690 (with preschool teachers earning a median annual income of $22,600). For post-secondary teacher, median annual income is at $56,120, with the highest 10 percent earning over $113,450.

4. Doctor• Doctors diagnose illnesses, prescribe and

administer treatment for people suffering from injuries or disease. This is why 52% of Americans viewing the job with “very great prestige.”

• The job outlook for doctors are expected to be growing 14 percent from 2009 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. Thus, job opportunities wil be very good, particularly in rural and low-income areas.

• A doctor’s earning is amongst the highest in all occupations. A physician specializing in anesthesiology will have a median compensation of $259,948. A family practice physician (without obstetrics) get $137,119. Experienced specialists may get a median compensation of $321,686, a family practice physician can get $156,010.

5. MILITARY OFFICER• Regardless of the specific type of officer, many job

opportunities in the armed forces cover training and duty assignments that may be hazardous, even in peacetime. The working hours and working condition can be very arduous and changes substantially based on necessity and needs of the armed forces.

• Earnings for military officer can vary greatly depending an officer’s training, years of service, and advance formal education (for example, physicians and dentists).

• A Second Lieutenant/Ensign with less than 2 years of service gets a monthly pay of $2,469 and a monthly pay of $3,106 for those with 4-8 years of service.

• For those with advance education, many will get $3,292 monthly pay for less than 2 years of service, and $4,392 for 4-8 years of service.

• Beyond receiving their basic pay, military personnel are provided with free room and board (or a tax-free housing and subsistence allowance), free medical and dental care, and 30 days of paid leave per year, amongst other benefits.

6. NURSE• Because registered nurses constitute the

largest health care occupation (with 2.5 million jobs), the growth of the occupation is expected to be 23 percent from 2009 to 2016, much faster than average for all occupations. Registered nurses are projected to generate 587,000 new jobs in the coming years, amongst the largest number of new jobs for any occupation.

• In 2006, annual earnings of registered nurses were $55,960 to $67,931

7. Police Officer• Police officers are viewed a prestigious occupation

because they put their lives in danger to ensure the public’s safety.

• Applicants for a police officer job must usually have at least a high school diploma, and some departments require 1 or 2 years of college coursework, or in some cases, a college degree.

• Median earnings for police officer will vary widely depending on region, demand, and experience levels. In 2006, police and sheriff patrol officers had a median annual earnings of $47,460. A detective and criminal investigator get $58,260.

• Generally, the pay will scale base on rank and experience too. For police corporals, the minimum median annual base salary is $44,160, with the maximum median being $55,183. For police sergeant, the pay increases to $53,734 for minimum, and $63,564 for maximum median annual base salary.

8. MINISTER / PRIEST• As the shepherd for the people to conduct

religious worship and perform other spiritual functions, a minister, priest, or those in the clergy occupation are another group of occupation that’s held in high regards by the American public.

• Because of the vast ranges of religion and denomination, qualifications and training for a minister, priest, or clergy can greatly differ, as some will emphasize natural gifts to those that also require post-secondary education such as degrees from a seminary or theological college or university.

• The median annual earnings for clergy work is at $41,730, with the top 25 percentile earning over $55,810, and the top 10 percentile earning over $74,280.

9. FARMER• 41% of American consider farming as a “very

great prestige” occupation. • many farmers may receive their training on the

job, but the completion of a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree at a college of agriculture is becoming more important for farm managers.

• Because of the nature of their work, incomes of farmer and ranchers will vary greatly from year to year, as food products and corps change prices base on weather condition and market pricing. Base on U.S. Department of Agriculture data, a full-time salaried farm manager will earn a median weekly income of $1,001; with the highest 10 percent earning more than $1,924 in weekly pay

10. Engineer• Engineers develop, implement, and create

products in a wide range of industries. Regardless of the industry, all engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems.

• Earnings for an engineer will vary significantly by industry and education. In 2007, the average starting salary of a aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineer with a bachelor’s degree is $53,408, with a master’s degree will be $62,459, and $73,814 with a Ph.D. For chemical engineers, the average starting salary will be $59,361, $68,561, and $73,667 for a bachelor, master, and Ph.D., respectively.