Comments for 25 worst jobs to have in 2010

25 worst jobs to have in 2010

2010-01-08T17:22:39Z

At this point in the recession it's probably safe to say any job is a good job, but according to a study conducted by job search portal CareerCast, in order to identify the best, you have to also determine which are the worst. The bottom 25 are quite surprising and their methodology makes me wonder if they took into account things like pensions, vacations and benefits. How else could cops and temporary circus workers rank so closely together?

What do you think? I've had a couple of these jobs and know many folks who have them and wouldn't consider them all that bad. Interesting too that many of these jobs are unionized, what does that say?

Weird and fun stuff from all over:

Comment from Joe the Cop on 2010-01-08

2010-01-08T17:48:00Z

I have one of these jobs, and it's worked out pretty darn well for me. It is nice to know I can always fall back on a job as a "temporary circus worker" though.

Comment from Marcus Leshock on 2010-01-08

2010-01-08T19:38:14Z

I know construction workers (and especially laborers) that make much more than $54,000 a year. It takes a toll on your body, but you can make good money doing it.

Comment from EB on 2010-01-08

2010-01-08T19:52:12Z

chicago cops DO NOT top out @ 80k. plus, they get housing credits/subsidies, so, no, i don't feel bad for them. would i want that job? no way.

Comment from jennkloc on 2010-01-08

2010-01-09T02:19:12Z

hmmm, I dunno. I'm not sure if a kind of low salary top out automatically makes a job fall into the "worst" category. A lot of these jobs don't require 4 years of college or an advanced degree, so if you take that career path, you at least won't have too much debt to pay off!

Comment from Jason Ferguson on 2010-01-08

2010-01-09T05:01:52Z

I also wonder why kind of metrics were used to determine these jobs. If Discovery Channel taught us anything, it's that Mike Rowe can always find a worse job.

Comment from Yahko on 2010-01-08

2010-01-09T05:42:09Z

Many of these jobs (I would assume) have high injury rates. Working as a welder or doing roofing is dangerous. Many of these jobs are seasonal.

I think working as a photojournalist requires more than 4 years of university. But in many cases the job choses the person in this case. I would sum this list as very physical job list and now days no one want to do that.

Comment from That Dave on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T13:12:48Z

I know several people in several of these positions and the pay scale given is way out of whack (too low)....perhaps it's only accurate for some rural area, but certainly not Big Chicago.

Comment from Auntiestevi on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:09:55Z

"Interesting too that many of these jobs are unionized" THANK GOODNESS OR WE'D BE LOOKING AT HALF THE PAY AND NO BENEFITS!!

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:11:38Z

not to mention you're working outside and not stuck in an office all day.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:12:43Z

some of the metrics are a little suspect. and when you look at the larger list dishwasher is much higher up, which is just hard to imagine.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:13:28Z

agreed, i think the upper limits are a little low.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:14:08Z

no kidding. but i was thinking that should make them more desirable not less.

Comment from eks_kala on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T14:46:40Z

You forgot about Social Workers. I'm not convinced there is a less appreciated, less well compensated job on earth.

Comment from Phineas Gage on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T19:16:57Z

I agree. I think $54,000 a year would be a reasonable estimate for a seasonal construction worker. I work with construction workers who make over $100,000 a year, and some of them aren't even old enough to drink.

Comment from Bude on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T23:30:14Z

In other words, if you don't have a degree, and soft hands, like the author, you're beneath him. Diaz is a f(_)cking punk.

Comment from Message from Montie on 2010-01-09

2010-01-09T23:47:17Z

Every last one of these jobs (minus the cab driver) is a form of exercise. *shaking my head* I think these are great jobs for the sole fact that they get people off their arses (says the journalist who spends far too much time sitting in a comfy office chair hiding from the snow). I definitely know some choreographers who would disagree with this list. Dancing is one of the most beautiful artforms ever, and I'd say it's one of the best jobs.

Comment from matty goldchains on 2010-01-09

2010-01-10T02:13:36Z

It's sad that the "worst" jobs are the very ones that keep America from crumbling at the seems. Firemen, construction workers, police officers - all are extremely important jobs that for whatever reason this country no longer respects.

Why do we value bankers over paramedics? Has a banker ever saved anyone's life?

It's a shame that value system is so completely backwards.

Comment from Jade on 2010-01-09

2010-01-10T03:04:29Z

Sadly, teaching can sometimes be the worst job. Think about it. They're underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated. Not only do they deal with the students, but their parents, the administration, and much more. Just so you know, teaching is not a 9-3 job. It's almost 24/7. Teachers get to school early to do prepare for the day's classes, then stay after school or grade homework and tests throughout the weekend at home. I have much, much respect for teachers. They should be paid at least 5x for all of their hard work and dedication.

Comment from Jimmy Greenfield on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T14:02:23Z

Amen

Comment from den on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T17:15:34Z

how about fish cutters i live in Mass. agood year you make 18,000 next time you eat fish think about that long hours low pay

Comment from AnthonyC on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T19:19:27Z

Like so many "Best of" or "Worst of" lists, this one seems pretty useless. Most anything (job, community, etc.) that's "best" or "worst" won't even be on next year's list.

Comment from David on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T19:40:24Z

After reading this, I really don't feel bad for the people who have these jobs. As someone said above, most don't require a 4 year degree or anything of that nature in the first place. To add to that, these ranges are far from correct, and most are pretty well paying in the grand scheme of things. Chiefs in the Navy, for example, can make close to, if not more than, 100k per year, and frequently most of that money can sit in a bank account because they're out at sea.

On another note, it seems that the person who posted this, doesn't really understand this. He doesn't agree with/understand the metrics, but stil decided to post this article. Why? Since when has it become acceptable for someone to make statements about something without clarifying what they said or even being able to defend it.

Comment from David on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T19:42:17Z

They're called tenured professors.

Comment from tom on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T21:01:48Z

The top out amount for seaman is way off. I ship out as chief
electrician for Matson amd APL and can make over 52,000 in 4 months.
You can make more then 52,000 a year in the Navy. Plus
a seaman can live in a country where the dollar goes a long way.
Longshoremen can make more the 62,000 a year easy. Where did he
get his facts ?

Comment from Urinal Gum on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T21:27:50Z

The worst job I ever had was as a pipe fitter. I would install fire-protection sprinkler systems in buildings. I had to get up at around 5 every morning and do hard labor while freezing wet.

Now, I'm a desk jockey. I stroll into work at 9, listen to NPR all day, and sip espresso. Ahhh!

/no strippers: http://www.urinalgum.com/?p=223

Comment from Keith Wegman on 2010-01-10

2010-01-10T23:53:47Z

Machinist and machine tool operators, while well paid, are in a job with no future. USA has exported too many jobs overseas.

Comment from Chris K. on 2010-01-10

2010-01-11T02:32:56Z

what about Nursing Home workers or ANY minimum wage employment?

Comment from JamesDaniel on 2010-01-10

2010-01-11T02:42:38Z

A few years ago, I recall taking a late-night flight out of Minneapolis. It was like 11pm, snowing, windy and something like 10 below zero. The plane taxied out of the gate and went to undergo deicing. I had a window seat right right over the wing, and could see the poor guy up on the boom, spraying the liquid all over the plane. My heart sank thinking about what that poor guy had to go through to make a living. I'd take pipefitter or machine press operator any day.

Comment from asanane on 2010-01-10

2010-01-11T03:18:49Z

What about Medical Assistant? Awful hours, breakneck pace, no autonomy, no respect from doctors or nurses, exposure to all the communicable diseases patients walk in with, and job functions like venipuncture and sterilizing surgical instruments? And what is the pay range, $20-30k/ year??

Comment from Chris K. on 2010-01-10

2010-01-11T03:54:33Z

How about changing colostomy bags, cathers,and adult diapers...all while helping someone down the hall who is dying and whose family refuses to visit? Nursing homes are the 21st century leper colonies. Give these poor workers some credit.

Comment from Chris K. on 2010-01-10

2010-01-11T04:00:33Z

i meant "catheters"

Comment from ChiFacts152 on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T14:47:52Z

This list doesn't make any sense at all! Firemen? Worst jobs? If that was the case then why is the waitlist in Chicago over 10 years? The salary caps are way off and I can think of much worse jobs that those listed. Ones where the pay is lower and the jobs are grosser! How about a CNA? Or a dishwasher? This list is bad.

Comment from casey on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T16:05:40Z

this list is crap. the only thing that makes these jobs possibly undesirable is the fact that they actually require hard work, and most require dealing with in-climate weather from time to time. i know at least one person in almost every profession listed on this list and I have to say that each one of them are very proud to be doing what they do, they find it satisfying and worthwhile.
These jobs are only the worst if you are lazy.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T16:17:58Z

i routinely mash my little fists in crushed glass to keep them rough. also, i didn't make the list, just thought it would be fun to illustrate. i know a lot of folks who have these jobs and they are honest jobs.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T16:18:55Z

amen, the best job in America? actuary.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T16:21:27Z

the source is listed. i also questioned where they got their info.

Comment from Fernando Diaz on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T16:22:30Z

dishwashers were actually much higher on the list.

Comment from astcell on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T18:34:33Z

Out here in California wages are much higher. Then again so are living expenses. Best to work here then retire elsewhere.

Comment from Cooker Operator on 2010-01-11

2010-01-11T22:05:37Z

Totally missed something on the list here.

I work at a meat rendering facility. I wade through piles of animal organs, fat, tissue, and bone. Bloody feathers and bloated, grotesque, and unnatural chickens and turkeys. I make a little under 21,000 a year. The highest paid person that I've met makes a little over 43,000 a year.

My kingdom for a Welding job, perhaps.

Comment from sassi95 on 2010-01-11

2010-01-12T03:27:58Z

My husband is a journeyman welder and makes well over 100 grand a year...
Check your facts please...

Comment from cashflo on 2010-01-15

2010-01-16T01:09:39Z

These payrate pulled out of thin air?
I know that when you graduate from the job corp, that welders START at $22/hr, Thats $45760 a year. almost the maximum stated. Thats in the Kansas and Missouri area.
Trash collector start at $35k a year.
$18k a year for construction worker? Must be talkin about undocumented illegals, cause I had a job holding slow/stop sign for a road crew for $12/hr few years back.

Comment from gregling42 on 2010-01-16

2010-01-16T17:26:43Z

As a tenured professor I have to tell you we are often paid less than public school teachers. I think there was a time when it it was a more desirable job.

Many of these so-called "worst jobs" pay better than what I make. I know people who do many of these jobs and they generally make more than what is written here.

Comment from Nellie on 2010-01-16

2010-01-16T19:23:30Z

Overseas positions for Teachers and Principals. Check out www.caneducom.com and apply online.

Comment from speedyd900rr on 2010-01-16

2010-01-16T21:22:25Z

Well the list was written by a mexican who sit's at his desk all day so that would explain why they're only bad jobs in his eyes. They actually require hard work.
Just wait till he needs the cops and they tell him to call a mcdonalds employee next time he needs help.
This writer is a joke. Without any of the jobs listed here the world would fall apart.

Comment from chico on 2010-01-16

2010-01-16T23:06:12Z

I would also put Real Estate Appraiser in there. I know 7 of them that have all lost jobs and are in bankruptcy

Comment from 625fireman on 2010-01-16

2010-01-17T02:32:09Z

Who decides this crap of a list???? When did a job topping out between 50-60 K a year become a "bad" job????? I have done 7 of these "worst"jobs, and I still do 5 of them part time along with working at a wastewater treatment plant making 45k a year guess I'm one of the lowest of the low.

Comment from Cybergal on 2010-01-16

2010-01-17T02:32:42Z

Apparently you are judging the WORST jobs based on salaries, and ignoring such things as working conditions and pride and satisfaction in what they are accomplishing, so I must wonder how you missed listing TEACHERS??...or did I misinterpret what you were trying to say?

Comment from stickaren on 2010-01-16

2010-01-17T03:16:15Z

How about people who work in prisons?? Actually a more dangerous job than police.

Comment from Dogcom on 2010-01-17

2010-01-17T12:37:35Z

I think it should changed to 25 Best job for no degree. Except for the news reporter which require some degree.

Why cashier, delivery, waiter not in the list.

Comment from andrewnyc on 2010-01-17

2010-01-17T15:47:28Z

I'm a union ironworker and i have to say your data is way off. I have made well over 100k for the last four years and know of some fellow ironworker that make up to 130k. The health insurance and pension are the best with 7 hour workdays i sometime love this job. It is extremely dangerous as i know a few members that have died. I mostly work on skyscrapers in nyc.

I used to be a architectural drafter, there's a job that sucks with very low salarys.

Comment from Capri1955 on 2010-01-17

2010-01-17T22:08:04Z

I think this article is absolutely stupid & undermines the decent work ethic that Americans strive for in their chosen jobs. Since when is doing a very skilled, hard, sometimes tedious job a "worst job"?? When you do your job well, are compensated with a steady paycheck, health insurance & whatever other benfits you get, you have a feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction. This kind of attitude is what is being spread around by all the illegals who say Americans won't do these jobs, so that's why THEY should be allowed to come over the fence & be given jobs, regardless of their status & we lazy Americans should be grateful to them.
That is a lot of BS. Hard workers doing their jobs well & taking pride in the fact they actually accomplish what they need to to put food on the table & pay their bills have a better attitude than MANY, MANY big shot executives who only care about their fat paychecks & bonuses & the bottom line. And THAT is all they care about. Which is why these so called "worst jobs" often get shipped overseas & leave so many factories closed, American ingenuity faded & pride hard to come by because of this idiotic notion that Americans sure couldn't be happy doing this work.
And Unions were mentioned too, & Unions have gotten a bad rap due to bigwig greed & corruption. Unions protect workers from so many things that those rich a-holes think of to cut production costs, pay & benefits, with no thought of it affecting the very lifeblood of the American economy in the longrun, by eliminating Main Street life altogether.
To quote Joe Pesci in Easy Money when he's basically insuted by the squirly exec from the dept. store:
"Get out of here ya half a sissy before I give ya a SLAP!"

Comment from allproinstall on 2010-01-18

2010-01-18T21:16:04Z

Fernando Diaz sounds like a real pussy. I'll bet Diaz wouldnt last an hour on most of the jobs he describes as the 25 worst.
Grow yourself a set of balls and be a man, Fernando Diaz.

Comment from mondo on 2010-01-19

2010-01-19T17:05:40Z

I thought this was about the 25 worst jobs to have. Other than the taxi driver with the lowest pay and the roustabouts with constant traveling, all the others seem to be good stable jobs. And the Navy is a bad job? Lots of benifits pretty good pay and more than likely not getting shot at, I would say that ain't bad either. I guess according to the writer of the article any job that demands hard work and pays under $100,000.00 is a bad job.

Comment from Zoe on 2010-07-12

2010-07-12T14:10:08Z

So much negativity on these comments eek! But I thought it was an interesting article and I thought it might be a good thing to send out to our followers, scheduled to send it out later today. You can see it @trovit_us if you'd like...any if anyone has one of these jobs and they're not satisfied...though it looks like most are! you can search for a new job using Trovit.com :)