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The Ten Best Jobs in America 2010

Paul Toscano@paul.toscano@ToscanoPaul
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The Best Jobs in America

What makes a "good" job? Salary? Physical demands? Stress level? As it turns out, numerous factors enter the good job/bad job equation.If you’re curious which job paths tend to be the most rewarding, JobsRated.com has just released a comprehensive ranking of the best and worst careers in the country. Ranking the jobs on criteria including stress, working environment, physical demands, income and hiring outlook, the JobsRated has compiled their list of the best (and worst) jobs in America. So, wh
Rankings By: CareerCast.com | Source for salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What makes a "good" job? Salary? Physical demands? Stress level? As it turns out, numerous factors enter the good job/bad job equation.

If you’re curious which job paths tend to be the most rewarding, CareerCast.com has just released a comprehensive ranking of the best and worst careers in the country. Ranking the jobs on criteria including stress, working environment, physical demands, income and hiring outlook, the CareerCast has compiled their list of the best (and worst) jobs in America.

So, what are the 10 best jobs in the country? Click ahead to find out!

By Paul Toscano
Posted 6 Jan 2010

10. Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist’s job consists of helping a dentist in their day-to-day work, including diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the practice. An assistant may also be tasked with keeping records and handling patients. Median salary (dental assistants): $32,380. 

A dental hygienist’s job consists of helping a dentist in their day-to-day work, including diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the practice. An assistant may also be tasked with keeping records and handling patients. Median salary (dental assistants): $32,380. 

9. Accountant

Accountants analyze financial information for various entities and usually work a standard 40-hour week, but many work longer hours, particularly during year-end auditing or tax seasons. Median salary: $54,630.

Accountants analyze financial information for various entities and usually work a standard 40-hour week, but many work longer hours, particularly during year-end auditing or tax seasons. Median salary: $54,630.

8. Statistician

A statistician works with statistical analysis and problem solving in both the public and private sectors. Median Salary: $65,720

A statistician works with statistical analysis and problem solving in both the public and private sectors. Median Salary: $65,720

7. Paralegal Assistant

One of the common entry-level positions in the legal field, paralegals assist attorneys in the preparation of legal documents, collect affidavits and research cases for more senior individuals in the legal profession. Median salary: $46,120.

One of the common entry-level positions in the legal field, paralegals assist attorneys in the preparation of legal documents, collect affidavits and research cases for more senior individuals in the legal profession. Median salary: $46,120.

6. Mathematician

This job is more than carrying around textbooks and drawing sine curves; mathematicians are tasked with solving problems for businesses and work on complex global issues. Although this is a highly-rated job, it is down from its #1 spot last year, according to JobsRated. Median salary: About $100,000.

This job is more than carrying around textbooks and drawing sine curves; mathematicians are tasked with solving problems for businesses and work on complex global issues. Although this is a highly-rated job, it is down from its #1 spot last year, according to CareerCast. Median salary: About $100,000.

5. Historian

Historians usually specialize in a certain area, analyzing historic information and building knowledge based upon their work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes historians as specializing in a country or region, period or field, who may also do work outside the office or classroom setting. Median annual salary: $48,520.

Historians usually specialize in a certain area, analyzing historic information and building knowledge based upon their work. The BLS describes historians as specializing in a country or region, period or field, who may also do work outside the office or classroom setting. Median annual salary: $48,520.

4. Biologist

Biological scientists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment, and often work both in the lab and in the field. Areas of study range from the small scale of microorganisms and DNA to larger-scale animal anatomy and even migration patterns. Median salary: $76,320.

Biological scientists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment, and often work both in the lab and in the field. Areas of study range from the small scale of microorganisms and DNA to larger-scale animal anatomy and even migration patterns. Median salary: $76,320.

3. Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analysts help organizations use technology effectively and incorporate rapidly changing technologies into existing systems. Median income: $69,760.

Computer systems analysts help organizations use technology effectively and incorporate rapidly changing technologies into existing systems. Median income: $69,760.

2. Software Engineer

Software engineers are one of the occupations projected to grow the fastest between 2006-2016, according to the BLS. This profession applies computer science and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test and evaluate software and systems. Median Salary: $79,780

Software engineers are one of the occupations projected to grow the fastest between 2006-2016, according to the BLS. This profession applies computer science and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test and evaluate software and systems. Median Salary: $79,780

1. Actuary

That’s right, the best job in the country today is that of an actuary. In an economy permeated by risk, the job of an actuary becomes quite relevant, as they deal with the financial impact of risk and uncertainty, calculating the likelihood of events and how companies can build strategies to avoid negative impact on the bottom line. Median salary: $82,800.

That’s right, the best job in the country today is that of an actuary. In an economy permeated by risk, the job of an actuary becomes quite relevant, as they deal with the financial impact of risk and uncertainty, calculating the likelihood of events and how companies can build strategies to avoid negative impact on the bottom line. Median salary: $82,800.