We often search out the best-paid jobs, but what about the ones that generate the least stress? In our culture which puts an emphasis on productivity above all else (although fortunately, we are gradually moving beyond that thinking), we value money—the salary—above all else and we don't think about the emotional costs that come with it. Is it possible to find a career that offers both a generous salary in line with one's training and experience and at the same time one that allows us to live without high levels of anxiety?
The website Business Insider, using data from the U.S. Department of Labor, published a list that balances both factors. Although it is based on U.S. and not Indian data, the list can lead us to some possible careers to consider. We ranked the best-paid jobs that cause less stress in ascending order of salary while also discussing the possible emotional toll caused by the work environment and the tasks involved.
10. Materials scientist
Annual salary: Rs 7.4 million
It is perhaps one of the least known scientific careers. Materials scientists are dedicated to studying the structures and chemical properties of substances. The stress level is 62, one of the lowest you'll find on this list.
9. Geoscientist
Annual salary: Rs 8.0 million
It sounds like the job that the protagonist of a sci-fi or post-apocalyptic movie would have. If a geoscientist starred in a disaster movie, they might find it duller than their day jobs. They study the Earth's composition, structure, and other phenomena—and it comes with a stress level of 68.
8. Mathematician
Annual salary: Rs 8 million
We have ordered this list according to salary, but if instead, we ranked these jobs according to the level of stress indicated by the U.S. Department of Labor, mathematicians would be in the number 1 spot. It is the least anxiety-inducing profession here, with a stress level of 57.
7. Art director
Annual salary: Rs 8.1 million
Not all the professions here are STEM-related. Art direction also makes the list. If designing and bringing to life the spaces used in films and television series, creating the look of advertising campaigns, and bringing an artistic vision to publications sounds appealing, you may want to consider art direction as a career. Note, however, that it is the most stressful job you'll find here, with a score of 69.
6. Chemical engineer
Annual salary: Rs 8.1 million
It is a popular engineering field, although it is a little difficult for many, even science nerds, to understand exactly what it is all about. In short, chemical engineers design and supervise the equipment used in the manufacture of chemicals and a range of other products. It has a stress level of 61.
5. Economist
Annual salary: Rs 8.5 million
Perhaps surprisingly, according to Business Insider's list, economics professors are paid more than economists, and they also have less stressful jobs, with a stress level score of 63 (as opposed to 64 for economists).
4. Political scientist
Annual salary: Rs 8.8 million
The popular profession is increasingly in demand in this era of ideological polarisation and culture wars. These scientists study the origins and operations of political systems. And they don't seem to be too stressed with a score of 61.
3. Computer hardware engineer
Annual salary: Rs 9 million
It is clear that technology-related jobs will continue to be among the highest-paid and most in-demand, and that includes those that are responsible for the hardware. Electronics equipment engineers have a stress index of 67, however.
2. Computer and information research scientists
Annual salary: Rs 9.3 million
Computer and information research scientists are related to hardware engineers, but the job is better paid and less stressful (with a score of 66). They are the step before engineers: they research the fundamental issues in order to solve problems between hardware and software.
1. Physicist
Annual salary: Rs 9.8 million
Physicist is number 1 among our best-paid jobs with relatively low-stress scores (at 62, it is more than acceptable). Does it appeal to you? Were you good at physics in high school? It's all about investigating the laws and phenomena of physics, following the principles of scientific research by centering experiments and observation.
via revistagq.com
