The 10 Best Jobs, and What Makes Them the Best

This week someone asked me what I think the 10 best jobs are.

  And when you think about it, 'best' could have a completely different meaning to one person than it does to another.

Best: The most fun?
Best: The easiest?
Best: The most challenging?
Best: The most variety?

I read about a man, Ben Southall who was selected as a Paradise Island Caretaker.  A 6 month job that paid $111,000.  His requirements?  Lay in the sun, explore, swim, snorkel, try out the beach-side barebeques and so on.  Basically, Ben was being paid buku bucks for having the best vacation imaginable.  Now he has to live on this tropical Australian island rent free in a 3 bedroom villa, complete with a pool.  Poor guy, huh?

And what about Roisin Madigan, age 22, who was paid over $1,500 to test out luxury beds for a month?  Can't feel too sorry for people like that.

There are all kinds of cases of people who acheived some of the 'best' jobs.  A 12 year old was appointed the Official Candy Taster for The Derby Firm, a candy production company; Quite a few people are employed as testers for video games such as World of Warcraft and Black Ops.  Oh, and it's just impossible to ignore the 29 year old Tommy Lynch who works for First Choice, testing waterslides in countries all over the world. 

You see, there are a lot of jobs that would be described as "great!" by many, but are they really the best?  These jobs are all nice, but most of them don't really last, and a few of them don't allow much time for being home with the family...but what if you don't have a family?  'Best' will always depend on your situation and lifestyle. 

However, I think there is one thing that most people can agree on: Salary is key.  I agree that doing something you can enjoy is important, but when I hear "10 Best Jobs", I automatically think of the 10 highest paying jobs.  In this economy money is, unfortunately, becoming more and more important to people all over the place.  In some cases, it's becoming much too important than it really should.  Nonetheless, in a general view; an accross-the-board perspective, I would consider best to mean the highest paying.  So here they are:

The 10 Best Jobs Out There!

#10- Psychiatrists.  Yep, that's right.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, A psychiatrist's average annual income is $163, 660.  Well...that would be nice.

#9- Chief executive officers.  These people are in charge of a company.  They run the whole business, and while their salary depends on what kind of business they take care of, they can do very well; some of their annual salaries totaling up to $167,280. 

#8- Next in line is Family and General Practitioners.  They're rolling in the dough with their average annual salary being upwards of $160,530. 

#7- Physicians and Surgeons, All Other.  What's 'All Other' mean?  That's what I asked at first, but it's simple.  It's any surgeon or physician that doesn't fall under the main category of expertise. Any non General Physicial or Surgeon.  These guys are making, on average, $173,860 per year.

#6- Internists, General.  Oh my soul!  These internists are makin' an annual average of $183,990.  And by the way, a General Internist is someone that treats people who have diseases and sicknesses that can't be fixed by surgery.

#5- Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Now we've passed the two-hundred thousand dollar mark!  Obstetricians/Gynecologists make an average of $204,470 per year.  Sheesh!

#4- Orthodontists!  Hmmm...I wouldn't consider most orthodontists to be in my good graces after my horrifying orthodontic experience, but props to them for making an annual average of $206,190 per year... just a couple thousand more than the OB/Gyn's.

#3- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.  Sounds a little scary to me, but they've got the third highest paying job in the country, making $210,710 per year on average.  That's just impressive no matter which way you look at it.

#2- We're almost at the highest paying job in the country!  Anesthesiologists have got the number 2 spot though, with a whopping salary of $211,750 per year!

And Finally: The Highest Paying Job in The United States!

#1- Can you guess??? Yes! Congratulations to General Surgeons for bringing home the most bacon!!  They bring in a mind-blowing $219,770 every year.  Amazing.

Now I don't know how much any of these people enjoy their jobs or what they do, but I do give them a pat on the back for working hard; no matter what they do now they had to go through a lot of school to get there. So, if you don't mind school or using your brain, I would suggest any one of these 10 jobs in order to bring home the most money.   For me, I don't think I would enjoy any of these things enough to through college for it, but if you do...congrats! :)