A new study by researchers from the University of Tartu in Estonia has revealed which jobs make people the most and least satisfied, and the results may surprise you.The study looked at data from 59,000 people and 263 different jobs using information from the Estonian Biobank. Participants answered questions about their jobs, income, personality, and how satisfied they were with different aspects of life.
According to the results, the most fulfilling jobs include medical professionals, psychologists, special-needs teachers, sheet-metal workers, and ship engineers. These roles were linked to higher levels of overall life satisfaction.On the other hand, people working as security guards, waiters, survey interviewers, sales workers, mail carriers, carpenters, and chemical engineers reported lower job satisfaction. Many of these jobs involve routine tasks, high pressure, or limited control over work schedules.
Interestingly, the study found that earning more money or having a prestigious job title did not guarantee greater happiness. “I was expecting job prestige to be more associated with satisfaction, but there was only a slight correlation,” said study author Katlin Anni. She explained that people feel more satisfied in jobs that give them a sense of purpose and achievement.
Self-employed people also scored higher in job satisfaction, likely because they enjoy more freedom and flexibility in their workday. In contrast, roles with strict rules and heavy responsibility, such as management positions, were often seen as more stressful.While the study focused on people in Estonia, the researchers believe that the overall patterns may apply in other countries, too. However, they also cautioned that cultural factors may affect how people experience their jobs and levels of satisfaction.