What makes a ‘good’ job? Is it the salary, the work-life balance, the excitement of it all? While the latest rankings from US News may seem a bit dubious and arbitrary (to me at least), there are indeed a couple teaching and education-related jobs in the list.

How did US News construct this list of jobs? They took a long-term look at where the job is projected to be by the year 2020, current employment rates in that particular industry, average salary, potential job prospects, and a look at how satisfied people are  (or have been) in the particular job.

In my opinion, ranking jobs as being the ‘best’ is a downright impossible task but I applaud US News for at least attempting it!

What do you think about the list overall? Where they ranked elementary school teachers, school counselors, and social workers? I’m genuinely curious to hear if you give any weight to these rankings or do, in fact, think they hold some water. You know my opinion. What’s yours? Weigh in on the Edudemic Facebook page!

#1 Registered Nurse
Salary:$44,190-$95,130

#2 Software Developer
Salary: $87,790-$54,360

#3 Pharmacist
Salary: $82,090-$138,620

#4 Medical Assistant
Salary: $20,810-$40,190

#5 Database Administrator
Salary: $115,660-$41,570

#6 Web Developer
Salary: $43,190-$119,940

#7 Computer Systems Analyst
Salary: $48,360-$119,070

#8 Physical Therapist
Salary: $53,620-$107,920

#9 Computer Programmer
Salary: $40,820-$114,180

#10 Occupational Therapist
Salary: $48,920-$102,520

#11 Maintenance and Repair Worker
Salary: $20,800-$56,090

#12 Elementary School Teacher
Salary: $34,390-$80,140

#13 Clinical Laboratory Technician
Salary: $24,210-$56,040

#14 Speech-Language Pathologist
Salary: $42,970-$103,630

#15 Paramedic
Salary: $19,710-$51,370

#16 Meeting, Convention & Event Planner
Salary: $27,090-$76,840

#17 School Counselor
Salary: $31,630-$86,250

#18 Social Worker
Salary: $26,170-$68,030

#19 Sports Coach
Salary: $16,380-$63,720

#20 Sales Representative
Salary: $26,970-$108,750

#21 Accountant
Salary: $38,940-$106,880

#22 Receptionist
Salary: $17,560-$36,910

#23 Financial Adviser
Salary: $32,660-$166,400

#24 Customer Service Representative
Salary: $19,550-$49,320

#25 HR Specialist
Salary: $31,110-$89,490

What do you think about the list overall? Where they ranked elementary school teachers, school counselors, and social workers? I’m genuinely curious to hear if you give any weight to these rankings or do, in fact, think they hold some water. You know my opinion. What’s yours? Weigh in on the Edudemic Facebook page!