data scientist
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Working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is a pretty sweet gig. In addition to job security and high pay, employees in these fields tend to experience more satisfaction at work and potential for

Graphic via CareerCast.
Graphic via CareerCast.

growth. Thanks to those factors, STEM positions dominate CareerCast’s 2016 list of the best and worst jobs in America.

Data scientist tops the list, followed by statistician and information security analyst. Software engineer came in at number seven. These industries are well-represented in the Seattle area, which is currently experiencing a population boom with transplants migrating to the region for STEM jobs.

Military and logging — two other industries with strong Seattle foundations — aren’t drawing newcomers at quite the same rate. The two professions landed on CareerCast’s list of the least desirable jobs in America. But neither holds a candle to newspaper reporter, which was named the worst occupation for the third year in a row. Broadcaster didn’t fair much better this year, signaling the disruptive effect new technologies have had on traditional media industries.

CareerCast, a Southern California-based job search portal, calculated its list based on work environment, income, growth potential, and stress factors. The full ranking of 200 professions is available here. Continue reading for the 10 best and worst jobs of 2016.

CareerCast’s Best Jobs of 2016

  1. Data Scientist (Annual Median Salary: $128,240)
  2. Statistician (Annual Median Salary: $79,990)
  3. Info. Security Analyst (Annual Median Salary: $88,890)
  4. Audiologist (Annual Median Salary: $73,060)
  5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Annual Median Salary: $62,540)
  6. Mathematician (Annual Median Salary: $103,720)
  7. Software Engineer (Annual Median Salary: $97,990)
  8. Computer Systems Analyst (Annual Median Salary: $82,710)
  9. Speech Pathologist (Annual Median Salary: $71,550)
  10. Actuary (Annual Median Salary: $96,700)

CareerCast’s Worst Jobs of 2016

200. Newspaper Reporter (Annual Median Salary: $36,390)
199. Logger (Annual Median Salary: $35,160)
198. Broadcaster (Annual Median Salary: $37,200)
197. Disc Jockey (Annual Median Salary: $29,010)
196. Enlisted Military (Annual Median Salary: $27,936)
195. Pest Control Worker (Annual Median Salary: $30,660)
194. Retail Sales Person (Annual Median Salary: $21,670)
193. Advertising Sales Person (Annual Median Salary: $47,890)
192. Taxi Driver (Annual Median Salary: $23,210)
191. Firefighter (Annual Median Salary: $45,970)

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