CareerCast.com released a list of 200 jobs ranked by such factors as stress level, pay, work environment, and hiring outlook. Read their methodology here. The WSJ made it into a sortable multipage list but I took the liberty of making a single-page version with bar graphs showing the starting, mid, and top salaries.

At first glance…seems like it’s great to be a geek, with the top 6 jobs steeped in the mathematics and science (exception being historian…which is a geekiness of its own sort).

But going down the list…say, all the way to position #11, and your BS meter should be going off. Apparently, philosopher is the 11th best job, with very low physical demands and stress, a “very good” hiring outlook, and a median income of $60,000.

Really? A comment on this physicsforums thread sums up my a priori assumption: “I have no factual information but I guess your career choices would be either getting a faculty position at some university or flipping burgers.“

Visit CareerCast’s site to see the other stats, such as the stress level and hiring-outlook.

Rank	Job	Starting Salary	Midlevel Salary	Top Level Salary
1	ACTUARY	$49,000	$85,000	$161,000
2	SOFTWARE ENGINEER	$54,000	$85,000	$129,000
3	COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST	$45,000	$76,000	$118,000
4	BIOLOGIST	$39,000	$71,000	$148,000
5	HISTORIAN	$34,000	$62,000	$111,000
6	MATHEMATICIAN	$54,000	$95,000	$141,000
7	PARALEGAL ASSISTANT	$29,000	$46,000	$73,000
8	STATISTICIAN	$40,000	$73,000	$117,000
9	ACCOUNTANT	$37,000	$59,000	$102,000
10	DENTAL HYGIENIST	$44,000	$67,000	$91,000
11	PHILOSOPHER	$33,000	$60,000	$105,000
12	METEOROLOGIST	$39,000	$81,000	$127,000
13	TECHNICAL WRITER	$37,000	$62,000	$97,000
14	BANK OFFICER	$54,000	$88,000	$171,000
15	WEB DEVELOPER	$48,000	$60,000	$91,000
16	INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER	$48,000	$74,000	$107,000
17	FINANCIAL PLANNER	$32,000	$59,000	$145,000
18	AEROSPACE ENGINEER	$58,000	$93,000	$135,000
19	PHARMACIST	$77,000	$106,000	$131,000
20	MEDICAL RECORDS TECHNICIAN	$20,000	$31,000	$50,000
21	SOCIOLOGIST	$41,000	$69,000	$122,000
22	STENOGRAPHER/COURT REPORTER	$25,000	$50,000	$84,000
23	MEDICAL SECRETARY	$21,000	$30,000	$43,000
24	BOOKKEEPER	$21,000	$33,000	$49,000
25	ASTRONOMER	$45,000	$101,000	$157,000
26	ECONOMIST	$44,000	$84,000	$149,000
27	PHYSICIST	$57,000	$103,000	$159,000
28	DIETICIAN	$31,000	$51,000	$73,000
29	PAROLE OFFICER	$29,000	$46,000	$78,000
30	MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST	$36,000	$54,000	$75,000
31	MOTION PICTURE EDITOR	$25,000	$51,000	$112,000
32	GEOLOGIST	$42,000	$79,000	$155,000
33	CIVIL ENGINEER	$48,000	$75,000	$116,000
34	COMPUTER PROGRAMMER	$40,000	$70,000	$111,000
35	INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER	$31,000	$57,000	$98,000
36	PETROLEUM ENGINEER	$58,000	$108,000	$146,000
37	MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN	$23,000	$35,000	$54,000
38	OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	$43,000	$67,000	$98,000
39	INSURANCE UNDERWRITER	$35,000	$57,000	$100,000
40	PURCHASING AGENT	$34,000	$54,000	$89,000
41	PHYSIOLOGIST	$36,000	$65,000	$101,000
42	NUCLEAR ENGINEER	$68,000	$97,000	$137,000
43	AUDIOLOGIST	$40,000	$62,000	$99,000
44	BROADCAST TECHNICIAN	$18,000	$33,000	$67,000
45	MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST	$34,000	$61,000	$112,000
46	LIBRARIAN	$33,000	$53,000	$81,000
47	ANTHROPOLOGIST	$32,000	$54,000	$89,000
48	ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTER	$28,000	$45,000	$67,000
49	VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR	$29,000	$51,000	$82,000
50	ARCHEOLOGIST	$32,000	$54,000	$89,000
51	MUSEUM CURATOR	$27,000	$47,000	$83,000
52	SOCIAL WORKER	$27,000	$46,000	$74,000
53	SPEECH PATHOLOGIST	$41,000	$63,000	$99,000
54	CHEMIST	$38,000	$66,000	$113,000
55	PERSONNEL RECRUITER	$28,000	$46,000	$86,000
56	CHIROPRACTOR	$32,000	$67,000	$160,000
57	SCHOOL PRINCIPAL	$56,000	$84,000	$124,000
58	RECEPTIONIST	$17,000	$25,000	$36,000
59	OPTOMETRIST	$47,000	$96,000	$126,000
60	TYPIST/WORD PROCESSOR	$22,000	$31,000	$46,000
61	JEWELER	$19,000	$33,000	$55,000
62	MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIRER	$19,000	$33,000	$57,000
63	JUDGE (FEDERAL)	$140,000	$152,000	$178,000
64	ELECTRICAL ENGINEER	$53,000	$82,000	$126,000
65	PUBLICATION EDITOR	$28,000	$50,000	$95,000
66	ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN	$31,000	$52,000	$76,000
67	FORKLIFT OPERATOR	$20,000	$29,000	$45,000
68	BANK TELLER	$18,000	$24,000	$32,000
69	PSYCHOLOGIST	$39,000	$86,000	$146,000
70	PHYSICAL THERAPIST	$50,000	$73,000	$104,000
71	MECHANICAL ENGINEER	$48,000	$75,000	$115,000
72	DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN	$21,000	$34,000	$58,000
73	SET DESIGNER	$25,000	$45,000	$79,000
74	AUTHOR (BOOKS)	$28,000	$53,000	$107,000
75	HOTEL MANAGER	$28,000	$46,000	$84,000
76	ZOOLOGIST	$34,000	$55,000	$91,000
77	STOCKBROKER	$31,000	$69,000	$171,000
78	COSMETOLOGIST	$16,000	$23,000	$42,000
79	PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVE	$47,000	$89,000	$125,000
80	ATTORNEY	$54,000	$111,000	$171,000
81	TEACHER’S AIDE	$15,000	$22,000	$34,000
82	TAX EXAMINER/COLLECTOR	$28,000	$48,000	$89,000
83	JANITOR	$15,000	$22,000	$36,000
84	RESPIRATORY THERAPIST	$38,000	$52,000	$70,000
85	PODIATRIST	$48,000	$114,000	$171,000
86	ARCHITECT	$41,000	$70,000	$119,000
87	INDUSTRIAL MACHINE REPAIRER	$28,000	$44,000	$65,000
88	OPTICIAN	$21,000	$33,000	$51,000
89	PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT	$51,000	$81,000	$110,000
90	VETERINARIAN	$47,000	$79,000	$144,000
91	BOOKBINDER	$17,000	$31,000	$58,000
92	ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN	$30,000	$57,000	$83,000
93	PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS WORKER	$17,000	$26,000	$49,000
94	ORTHODONTIST	$79,000	$121,000	$168,000
95	NEWSCASTER	$23,000	$51,000	$156,000
96	PROTESTANT MINISTER	$21,000	$42,000	$74,000
97	DENTIST	$72,000	$143,000	$171,000
98	PSYCHIATRIST	$60,000	$154,000	$226,000
99	CONSERVATIONIST	$35,000	$54,000	$78,000
100	NURSE (REGISTERED)	$43,000	$63,000	$92,000
101	COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT MECHANIC	$31,000	$56,000	$69,000
102	TELEPHONE INSTALLER/REPAIRER	$31,000	$56,000	$69,000
103	INSURANCE AGENT	$26,000	$45,000	$114,000
104	ARTIST (FINE ART)	$21,000	$43,000	$83,000
105	ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE	$42,000	$62,000	$86,000
106	OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY/HEALTH INSPECTOR	$36,000	$62,000	$94,000
107	COMPUTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN	$23,000	$38,000	$59,000
108	GUARD	$17,000	$24,000	$39,000
109	PIANO TUNER	$18,000	$32,000	$54,000
110	CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN	$47,000	$80,000	$146,000
111	AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIST	$22,000	$34,000	$54,000
112	CASHIER	$14,000	$18,000	$25,000
113	BARBER	$16,000	$24,000	$41,000
114	APPLIANCE REPAIRER	$21,000	$34,000	$54,000
115	OFFICE MACHINE REPAIRER	$23,000	$38,000	$59,000
116	TEACHER	$33,000	$49,000	$78,000
117	SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR	$24,000	$38,000	$60,000
118	NURSE’S AIDE	$17,000	$24,000	$33,000
119	HEATING/REFRIGERATION MECHANIC	$25,000	$40,000	$64,000
120	SURVEYOR	$30,000	$53,000	$86,000
121	ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRER	$27,000	$44,000	$63,000
122	VENDING MACHINE REPAIRER	$18,000	$30,000	$46,000
123	RAILROAD CONDUCTOR	$33,000	$53,000	$80,000
124	SHIPPING/RECEIVING CLERK	$18,000	$28,000	$43,000
125	WAITER/WAITRESS	$14,000	$17,000	$30,000
126	PHOTOGRAPHER	$17,000	$29,000	$62,000
127	ADVERTISING SALESPERSON	$23,000	$44,000	$94,000
128	PHYSICIAN (GENERAL PRACTICE)	$122,000	$162,000	$209,000
129	AIRPLANE PILOT	$85,000	$115,000	$144,000
130	AUTOMOBILE BODY REPAIRER	$22,000	$37,000	$63,000
131	MAID	$15,000	$19,000	$29,000
132	TELEPHONE OPERATOR	$18,000	$32,000	$51,000
133	CORPORATE EXECUTIVE (SENIOR)	$69,000	$159,000	$171,000
134	UNDERTAKER	$30,000	$52,000	$93,000
135	FLIGHT ATTENDANT	$20,000	$36,000	$65,000
136	SURGEON	$196,000	$300,000	$428,000
137	BUS DRIVER	$20,000	$34,000	$56,000
138	BARTENDER	$15,000	$18,000	$31,000
139	FASHION DESIGNER	$32,000	$61,000	$125,000
140	FURNITURE UPHOLSTERER	$19,000	$29,000	$46,000
141	GLAZIER	$22,000	$36,000	$63,000
142	SALESPERSON (RETAIL)	$15,000	$21,000	$40,000
143	CHILD CARE WORKER	$15,000	$19,000	$29,000
144	RECREATION WORKER	$16,000	$22,000	$38,000
145	REAL ESTATE AGENT	$21,000	$40,000	$102,000
146	COMPOSITOR/TYPESETTER	$19,000	$32,000	$52,000
148	AIRCRAFT MECHANIC	$33,000	$51,000	$69,000
149	SALES REPRESENTATIVE (WHOLESALE)	$27,000	$51,000	$106,000
150	PLUMBER	$28,000	$46,000	$49,000
151	NURSE (LICENSED PRACTICAL)	$28,000	$39,000	$54,000
152	DRESSMAKER	$15,000	$19,000	$30,000
153	ELECTRICIAN	$28,000	$46,000	$79,000
154	TRUCK DRIVER	$24,000	$37,000	$56,000
155	PRECISION ASSEMBLER	$18,000	$29,000	$48,000
156	DISHWASHER	$14,000	$17,000	$22,000
157	CORRECTION OFFICER	$25,000	$38,000	$64,000
158	BUYER	$29,000	$49,000	$90,000
159	PAINTER	$22,000	$33,000	$56,000
160	CHAUFFEUR	$16,000	$22,000	$34,000
161	FARMER	$31,000	$56,000	$104,000
162	AUTOMOBILE ASSEMBLER	$17,000	$28,000	$60,000
163	ACTOR	$32,000	$49,000	$69,000
164	DRYWALL APPLICATOR/FINISHER	$21,000	$35,000	$58,000
165	NUCLEAR PLANT DECONTAMINATION TECHNICIAN	$24,000	$37,000	$63,000
166	TOOL-AND-DIE MAKER	$31,000	$46,000	$72,000
167	CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY OPERATOR	$26,000	$39,000	$69,000
168	AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC	$20,000	$35,000	$60,000
169	CARPET INSTALLER	$21,000	$37,000	$71,000
170	PLASTERER	$25,000	$38,000	$62,000
171	CARPENTER	$24,000	$39,000	$69,000
172	TRAVEL AGENT	$19,000	$31,000	$48,000
173	BRICKLAYER	$28,000	$46,000	$74,000
174	DISK JOCKEY	$16,000	$27,000	$76,000
174	SHOE MAKER/REPAIRER	$17,000	$23,000	$34,000
175	HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER	$30,000	$51,000	$80,000
176	STATIONARY ENGINEER	$31,000	$50,000	$75,000
177	MACHINE TOOL OPERATOR	$22,000	$33,000	$50,000
178	DRILL-PRESS OPERATOR	$21,000	$31,000	$48,000
179	ROOFER	$22,000	$34,000	$59,000
180	POLICE OFFICER	$30,000	$51,000	$80,000
181	CHOREOGRAPHER	$18,000	$39,000	$67,000
182	MACHINIST	$22,000	$36,000	$55,000
183	SEAMAN	$21,000	$34,000	$52,000
184	REPORTER (NEWSPAPER)	$20,000	$35,000	$77,000
185	STEVEDORE	$22,000	$38,000	$62,000
186	EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN	$19,000	$29,000	$49,000
187	SHEET METAL WORKER	$24,000	$40,000	$74,000
188	FIREFIGHTER	$22,000	$44,000	$72,000
189	PHOTOJOURNALIST	$16,000	$28,000	$60,000
190	BUTCHER	$18,000	$28,000	$45,000
191	MAIL CARRIER	$37,000	$50,000	$52,000
192	METER READER	$20,000	$33,000	$54,000
193	CONSTRUCTION WORKER (LABORER)	$18,000	$29,000	$54,000
194	TAXI DRIVER	$16,000	$22,000	$34,000
195	GARBAGE COLLECTOR	$18,000	$31,000	$51,000
196	WELDER	$23,000	$34,000	$51,000
197	DAIRY FARMER	$21,000	$32,000	$45,000
198	IRONWORKER	$22,000	$32,000	$49,000
199	LUMBERJACK	$22,000	$32,000	$47,000
200	ROUSTABOUT	$21,000	$31,000	$49,000

Visit CareerCast’s site to see the other stats, such as the stress level and hiring-outlook.