The 10 Worst Jobs of 2011
By Andrew Strieber
From bad to worse: thanks to upheaval in the oil industry, Roustabout ranks as the Worst Job of 2011 – its second straight year in last place.
Twelve-hour shifts, exposure to the elements in hostile environments, low pay, high risk of injury and isolation from loved ones for weeks at a time are just some of the factors that combine to make Roustabout the worst job of 2011.
As the key providers of maintenance for oil rigs and pipelines, Roustabouts routinely perform backbreaking labor at all hours of the day and night in conditions that can range from arctic winters to desert summers to ocean storms. They even face the threat of attack in unstable parts of the world. Braving these inhospitable surroundings, Roustabouts work on the front lines, getting hands-on with dangerous drilling equipment and risking serious injury or worse – as last year’s explosion at the Deepwater Horizon facility in the Gulf of Mexico illustrates.
Why does Roustabout rank as the worst job of 2011, as opposed to other worst jobs such as Lumberjack or Construction Worker? Surveying 200 different jobs, the Jobs Rated report ranks professions according to five core criteria: Work Environment, Physical Demands, Outlook, Income and Stress. Last year Roustabout finished in the bottom 20 for nearly every category, and now thanks to a seven year suspension of offshore drilling in America’s eastern Gulf and Atlantic coastlines, the hiring prospects for oil rig workers have gotten even worse. This decline in employment opportunities has dropped Roustabout’s Outlook ranking seven spots in 2011, to 195th overall. Despite being part of the still-booming oil business, the Outlook for Roustabouts in 2011 is similar to jobs like Photographic Process Worker,
Shoemaker and Bookbinder – all professions that are part of fading industries.
That said, Roustabout isn’t the only career on the 10 worst jobs list that is facing an employment crisis. Jobs such as Lumberjack, Roofer and Construction Worker rank poorly in part because of the recent housing bubble and economic recession, which have significantly slowed the pace of new construction. On the other hand, jobs like EMT have considerably better hiring prospects, but rank among the 10 worst jobs of 2011 due to harsh working conditions, high stress and inexcusably low pay given the extremely important nature of the work.
While working as a Roustabout may require little more than physical strength, not all of the professions that rank among the 10 worst jobs of 2011 are simple unskilled labor. Becoming a Welder or Ironworker, for example, requires extensive training and apprenticeship, and experienced workers can earn a very good salary. However, each of these professions does suffer from at least one "fatal flaw" that makes it rank lower than the rest, whether that be high stress, low pay, unpleasant working conditions, increased risk of injury, or a combination of the above:
Performs routine physical labor and maintenance on oil rigs and pipelines, both on and off shore.
- Overall Score: 892.00
- Income: $32,143.00
- Work Environment:
1731.450
- Stress:
26.430
- Physical Demands:
36.89
- Hiring Outlook:
-19.57
Raises the steel framework of buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Overall Score: 887.00
- Income: $34,127.00
- Work Environment:
1593.720
- Stress:
31.270
- Physical Demands:
36.85
- Hiring Outlook:
-12.73
Fells, cuts, and transports timber to be processed into lumber, paper, and other wood products.
- Overall Score: 868.00
- Income: $32,109.00
- Work Environment:
1817.530
- Stress:
40.090
- Physical Demands:
38.87
- Hiring Outlook:
0.09
Installs roofs on new buildings, performs repairs on old roofs, and re-roofs old buildings.
- Overall Score: 863.00
- Income: $34,168.00
- Work Environment:
1481.200
- Stress:
30.680
- Physical Demands:
33.46
- Hiring Outlook:
-9.32
Operates a taxi cab over the streets and roads of a municipality, picking up and dropping off passengers by request.
- Overall Score: 821.00
- Income: $21,127.00
- Work Environment:
2317.210
- Stress:
46.270
- Physical Demands:
14.46
- Hiring Outlook:
5.27
Attends to situations which demand immediate medical attention, such as automobile accidents, heart attacks, and gunshot wounds.
- Overall Score: 814.00
- Income: $30,168.00
- Work Environment:
1610.700
- Stress:
39.680
- Physical Demands:
21.26
- Hiring Outlook:
4.68
Joins or repairs metal surfaces through the application of heat.
- Overall Score: 811.00
- Income: $35,126.00
- Work Environment:
1180.140
- Stress:
23.260
- Physical Demands:
29.08
- Hiring Outlook:
-15.74
Prepares surfaces, and applies paints, varnishes, and finishes to the interiors and exteriors of houses and other structures.
- Overall Score: 798.00
- Income: $34,152.00
- Work Environment:
1034.020
- Stress:
31.520
- Physical Demands:
26.00
- Hiring Outlook:
-3.48
Monitors public utility meters, and records volume of consumption by customers.
- Overall Score: 798.00
- Income: $34,171.00
- Work Environment:
1127.360
- Stress:
21.710
- Physical Demands:
25.67
- Hiring Outlook:
-30.29
Assists construction trade workers by performing a wide variety of tasks requiring physical labor.
- Overall Score: 798.00
- Income: $29,211.00
- Work Environment:
1555.850
- Stress:
30.110
- Physical Demands:
36.41
- Hiring Outlook:
7.11
The annual Jobs Rated rankings seek to determine which professions provide a positive experience for a majority of workers, not just a select few. While there will always be exceptions – Roustabouts with fulfilling careers or unhappy Software Engineers (2011’s Best Job), for example – these rankings use comprehensive data to project the typical pluses and minuses that an average worker will experience day-to-day on the job.
Want to know how your job stacks up against the competition? To see comprehensive research on the best jobs and worst jobs from Agriculture to Zoology, continue to our Complete Rankings of 200 Jobs for 2011.
hahah
a construction worker making 30,000$ a year? yeah right buddy. n a welder try 45 to 70..the only thing u had right was meter reader buddy
Health care jobs
I have been an RN for 30 years now, pay is decent but working conditions leave a lot to be desired. Long hours, it is difficult to be on your feet for 12 hours at a time when you are in your 50's even if you are in decent physical shape. Also, as a nurse you catch it from everyone - the docs, the families, the administrators, etc. Everybody you deal with is in a crisis situation. Grateful to have a job in this economy. However, for all you read about how there is such a shortage of nurses, it is difficult to find a nursing job nowadays in my experience. Hospitals have no money to orient new grads, so they want experienced nurses, but want to pay them peanuts. Also there are so many new regulations and requirements as a result of health care reform, mostly just a bunch of red tape we have to implement. Seems like for every person that does something useful (like provide direct patient care), there are 3 or 4 people who make sure you have the dozens of different competencies, certifications, etc to do all the procedures we do, make sure your paperwork meets the guidelines for the hospital to be reimbursed, etc. etc. It's absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention that so many hard working honest people don't have any health coverage while any teenager that wants to can have a kid out of wedlock, have the medical bill paid for by medicaid and get foodstamps, WIC, subsidized housing, etc. Seems to me it doesn't pay to work nowdays, you sure are eligible for a lot more govt. aid by being a lazy bum that knows how to play the system. Anyway, that's my rant, I really feel for all the folks out of work nowadays.
Welder and Ironworker
I'm a Welder. I average $55,000/year. This article is entirely misleading! Welding and Ironworking are high-stress professions, on both the mind and body. But it is my passion, not just my job!
Who made these scales?
I'm going into the oilfield and starting pay out here is normally 40k. I have a family member who is a "boss man" / drill consultant and does fairly well.
I worked road construction and it sucked. Pay was determined by the county, e.g: prevailing wage. Sometimes you made $20 / hr, most times you made $14.35 /hr - freezing wind, dangerous conditions.
It was my choice to not go to school. I didn't want to end up in a office. I like to smoke when I work. I like to spit. I like to swear and tell people to fuck off - w/o losing my job. I like to make derogatory remarks about women while working. What can I say, I like the outdoors, and so far, I'm liking the oilfield. Out here in OK, if you ain't oilfield, you ain't shit. All the hot chicks go for the ones who are strapped with cash.
Cash for ass. haha
Australia
i cant believe what you get paid in the U.S. Here these jobs pay a minimum of A$40,000 per year. And a lumberjock or oil worker up to 100,000. Poor yanks.
Stress at work...
The day you take your job home is the day you need off.. JT
Teachers vs EMT's
Compared to any public safety job, a teacher works in a stable environment. Yes, stressful and challenging. Yes, important. But you don't deal with traffic or weather all day.
Most classrooms are pretty tame and stable. Almost every call isn't. In fact, on almost every call, you deal with people don't understand your job as an EMT.
Your students don't usually fight or spit.
They may share their colds, but rarely carry TB, HIV, Hepatitis, and other life changing diseases.
You may have to carry some books, but we carry people. Police and firemen often assist in doing so. Sometimes we have to pull off doors, other people, and re-arrange houses like movers to get patients out.
Do you have to report to work on snow days? Ha! We do. And do all of the above while you sip hot chocolate.
There are no holidays. Weekends are when we can get them. Schedules are often changing every few months, and of course the pay is low. No amount of overtime pay really makes up for this.
The next time a teacher wants to make a complaint about low pay, please take a look at the parking lot of an ambulance, fire or police station. You won't see many new cars by comparison.
I can go on and on, and I'm sure that firefighters and police officers can make a similar list. In fact, when was the last time you heard a teacher shot or killed on the job?
So. While I respect teachers and the job you do, any complaint you have is garbage. I've scrutinized teacher's contracts, and I've seen them fight for their pay in the name of students. Sorry, but I don't see it. Get your EMT cert then I'd like to hear if you complain.
- an EMT / paramedic
WHAT A BULLCRAP STORY AND ALL
WHAT A BULLCRAP STORY AND ALL THE DATA IS WAY WAY WAY OFF
EMT
I am an EMT. The hours are rough and the job kicks my ass sometimes, but I consider it to be the best job on earth. I have been in the back of an ambulance with a 5 week old baby in cardiac arrest and got a heartbeat back.
No amount of pay in any other field would ever make me feel like that. I am a lucky girl. Keep your 100k+, I am rich in so many other ways and I still love going to work in the morning.
I have the best coworkers I could ask for, and while I get that it is stressful at times and sometimes physically and mentally exhausted I am so grateful to love what I do.
Worst Jobs
Immigration enforcement agent. The politicians will not allow you to do your job.
Work? haha more a way of life,
Most people don't have respect for the oil and natural gas industry for those on the front lines of it, as myself its not work, its a lifestyle with how much commitment is given to this job. Like the article states we put up with a lot of bull sh*t.
I combined two
I was a paramedic working on offshore oil construction for over 15 years, so I kinda combined the roustabout and the EMT. Hard work but it paid a hell of alot more then what was said on this list. You do spend a lot of time away though...
Best Computer Job
Can anyone tell me what's best computer job to go to school for? I love computers but I don't know what I am most interested in. I'm not a math genius either.
what the hell
my bro in law makes alot of money for construction... this list is totally wrong !!!! dont believe this crap!!!
it's on average
This list is not totally wrong, it shows average salaries, etc. It's great that your brother in law makes more than the average, but there are many others who are not so lucky.
Come to Alberta
Any Oilfield job your looking at a minimum 40000 g a year
What about farmers?
They still have the lowest life expectancy of any job, at 49 years.
Farners
Because they use pesticides on our foods. That's why we all get cancer rates through the roof. No need for a roofer for that.
Car Rental Agent
Listening to irritated travelers who treat you as if you are trying to rip them off day in and day out. Worst GRIND ever! Can't wait to quit!!!!!!
Car Rental
That is because you push for every type of service and insurance coverage, insurance, etc. Car rental agents are very pushy. When I rent a car, I know what I want and book it before hand. Dont try and push other things onto me.
really?
You can't wait to quit? I'd love to have that job. I'm laid off from a job that likely paid much more, but I'll take what I can.
Natural Gas & Oilfield Pay's Great!
I only have 5 years in the oilfield and an associates degree in business, and my earnings are now from 85k locally here in Texas, or 100k to 130k if I will transfer to one of 5 northern states. Pluss they will provide company cell phone, truck, Moving package of 15k, and will buy out my home here if it doesn't sell within a year! A lot of stress at times, but there is never a dull day! Always take into consideration WHO, WHAT, and WHY when you read these so called proven polls or statistics. Looks like some is stacking the deck on this one!
If you have a degree in business, you're not a roustabout.
Not one person on my crew graduated high school, not even my driller.
Based on what you said, you're probably a Company Man, which is a well paying though demanding job. Usually two weeks on, one week off.
This means you are more than likely posting from your trailer on site with a million other things going on, so you must not have had time to read what this article was actually about.
Roustabout. Worm. My job.
That being said, the pay is a bit better than they say here ($4000 a month or so), but conditions are indeed poor and there is definitely NO company cell phone, truck, or moving package.
Roustabout
North Dakota has internet??
who made this poll
what about cops and correctional officers the stress level for them is high the pay is crap the threat is high but some don't have a choice because the bad economy I didn't see them on the list taxi drivers don't have a stressful job they get where they can get when they can get there I've never seen one pulled over and they get to meet with different people all the time
C/O
with the exception of brand new c/o's in states that dont pay overtime most peace officers would have an annual income above what was concidered for this poll
Blue collar stress
You must have read my mind why didn't they include those professions the stress level takes a toll on your health over the years the hours suck you give up lots holidays and weekends it puts a strain on your family life because your always working your life is put on the line everyday and your superiors treat you like crap you're not appreciated when your doing a job that everyone can't or would never do!
i would like to argue with a note of finality.
In conclusion, the voices of people encompassing much of the human race have been heard in this forum. The results are unfortunately inconclusive. We know work. We know anguish. We know happiness. No pain, no gain. So stop and think, because the attitude you give determines what you receive, and that's the simple truth from a simple man
panzies....
everyone of yall are bitching.. WTF... If you dont like the job than fucking quit.. stop your bitching.. you make your bed and you lay in it!!!!!!!!!!!!
umm..ook
Hold that same comment the next time you dial 911 and wonder why no one shows up or the ambulance is late.
Try this
UPS deliver driver is the worst job. 300 packages have to be delivered and 150 have to be picked up within 9.5 hours.
how is that possible?
Don't see that is being possible. That is like 31 packages an hour. Doesn't seem realistic at all.
And your employment is
And your employment is threatened every morning at the PCM.
Ironworker
These people work in harse conditions year round have no paid sick days no paid holidays. They drag around steele rods and welding leads all while balance above a river or several stories in the air usually on beams and most of the ironworkers I know have had back injuries caused by physical demands of their jobs. Job expectancy is usually to the age of 40 then your body can not usually handle the physical demands of the job. As far is the income some may make over 100,000.00 a year but that is because they are working overtime as to what is a called a turn around where they will work 10-14 hour days 7 days a week for several months at a time. Just to get them through the times when work is slow and they are not working. They also pay union fees. The government and big business is trying to get this job non-union, because is is considered an unskilled labor ha! They have to go through 5 years of schooling and on the job training before they become an Journeyman. These are the people building the bridges and skyscrapers in the country would you like some joe blow who doesn't have a clue or give a crap building the bridges you cross or the buildings you work in?
Paying your dues
Some good points. But those union dues are worth it because union Ironworkers make good money and do get sick days, holidays, health benefits, etc. They're also the most well trained.
Practice what you preach
You union Ironworkers should refuse to hang steel that isn't union fabricated and thats made in the USA. But you won't,will you?
Individual Perspectives
One man meat is another man poison. What is considered worst can be somebody's favourite. So, the argument could be subjective
TEACHER
most important job yet most underpaid. can't teach curriculum any more due to testing constraints. teaching to the test. behavior problems of students with no support from home. you are expected to be a mother, psychologist, police officer, referee..................
How can a teacher in any way
How can a teacher in any way compare themself to being a police officer? When was the last time someone threatened to kill you or your family? How many guns have you taken off the street? I am so sick of hearing teachers cry that they don't make enough money. Teachers are off every holiday and all summer
I'll Tell U How A Teacher Can Be Compared To A Cop!!
The Teachers Of Today Have One Of The Most Important Jobs In Our Country Because They Are Teaching Our Future Leaders, Lawmakers, Etc. They Have To Do This In Overcrowded Classrooms, Are Not Allowed To Disipline Any Children (Who By The Way Are Becoming More & More Violent Each Year), I Mean Who Would Expect A Teacher To Have A First Grader Stab Them In the Hand With A Pencil & Not Be Able To Spank Or Expel The Kid; It Is Like A Cop With No Guns Or Backup, The Kids Don't Fear Or Respect Them Because There Are NO Consequences For Their Bad Behavior! They Have To Deal With Parents Who Really Don't Care To Participate In THEIR Children's Education Or Expect The Teacher To Do It For Them, While More & More Special Ed Programs Are Cut So They Have To Try To Teach Crack Babies & Kids Born With Fetal Alchol Syndrome & A Lot Of Other Kids Born With Drug-Related Problems In The Same Classroom With The "Regular" (And No I Don't Think The Spec. Ed Kids Are Not Important Too) Class! It Is A Nightmare Situation That Has To Be Fixed! My Mother-In-Law Is A Teacher Of 20 Plus Years With A Masters In Early Childhood Development & As A 18 Year Old With Only A High School Education I Was Able To Go & Get A Job Making 2-3 Times What She Made Doing Service/Construction Work, Granted I Worked A HELL Of A Lot Of Overtime But So Did She Without Overtime Pay!! Something Has To Be Done To Fix Our Education System Or It Wil Be The Downfall Of Our Great Nation!!!
teacher compared to police officer
It always amazes me how people have no clue how hellish the teaching profession has become! Teachers get death treats and deal with knives and guns just like the cops but have no authority to do anything about it! We can't arrest them, or remove them from our classes. We can't tell them to act like decent responsible human beings because then we are being too mean and we get repremanded. Teaching can be the most rewarding career there is but it is also high stress and high risk in today's society that goes to great lengths to protect the young offenders..... Don't even get me started on the fact that if you show concern/compassion for a student, you are automatically "involved in an inappropriate relationship!"
Teacher
I work for an urban district and YES! your life gets threatened, YES! I have confiscated weapons from students who planned to cause teachers harm or who constantly disrespected them, or planned to harm other students and in fact, have caused them serious injuries.
YES! teachers have to take an abundant amount of roles besides trying to convey instruction.
Word of advice: Please spend a month in an inner city school and work with the students. I would love to iterview you to find out if you finally figured it out and see how you successfully dealt with all behavioral and educational issues teachers have to deal with...and NO! they do not make enough money. The time they "have off" is NOT with pay. Teachers have to SAVE their money throughout the school year to make it through the days off established by the state, not by them.
Insulting the majority of teachers who are dedicated and good teachers who have to work in eccess of 8 hours daily is unfair. Do you have to prepare lessons evey day and correct students' work every day once you get home? Do you participate in constant inservices after school, or on Saturdays?, Do you give your own hard earned money up for school supplies, feed poor children, get them even underware? (in many cases I have witnessed such generosity and care) and worse yet, have you been verbally abused by misguided students three days out of five because you have high expectations?
While I agree that there are plain lazy people in all types of work environments; I do not agree with opinions such as yours which do nothing to help solve the problem of illiteracy. Your opinion only demonizes good teachers who pay for the ineffective ones who are very few.
I have worked with a few ineffective teachers through my 30 yeas of service. Of those, 98% improved with the proper coaching and training. Districts ought to let ineffective workers go with proper due process.
I also suggest that you educate yourself first and then give a matter of fact opinion.
Teacher
Get what the teacher says about not being able to teach to other than the latest "test"; however.....once a teacher always a teacher....good bad or indifferent. If a teacher sucks; too bad for the students as you cannot get rid of a bad teacher, or an indifferent teacher or a biased / bigoted teacher. Basically ....if you want a guaranteed job.....become a teacher (one can only hope) that if you have kids in school today that you somehow are "lucky" enough to get a "good teacher" (who actually cares and likes what they do and thus should be rewarded with better pay) vs. someone who went to school to be a teacher and now hates their job or actually is not at all good at their job (but makes the same salary as a good teacher due to “time in the profession”). Just my opinion though…..
Teachers
I work in a rural very high-poverty elementary school and have seen just about everything! I think that teaching is a great job, one that is very misunderstood, however. I HAVE taken away weapons, dealt with "Kill Mr. __ Clubs," and have seen many violent acts against teachers (biting through skin, physical attacks, chairs thrown, just to name a few). Kids come to school abused and neglected. I send soap home, clean lice, buy clothes for kids, talk to parents about making their kids brush their teeth because the plaque is so thick other students are making comments. I attended sports functions, teach summer school, pay for school supplies. The list goes on. It's a great job if you love kids, but teachers are far from overpaid. I started teaching twelve years ago making 23k with a BA, a lot of college bills, and a family to feed already. I was a top student and probably could have chosen many other careers, but I followed my passion. Yes, I have vacations off with my husband and my three kids, but I don't get paid for vacations. Teaching consumes my life during the school year - it's not a job you leave when you head home.
Please visit a school for a week or two - shadow a teacher before you judge.
We all have visited a school
When we were IN school as students, or we have children who are in school. The "you can't talk bad about teachers unless you've been in their shoes" argument is garbage because we all know students and teachers and what goes on in public schools; no one understands what it takes to work in EMS or law enforcement unless they actually have. Also most teachers are terrible at what they ostensibly do (and I'm willing to bet a few teachers will need to look up 'ostensibly').
WORST JOB EVER!!!
All these jobs are great, compared to where I work! Where do I work u ask, THE AIRPORT! I work in parking.
You have people screaming, cursing and calling you names over stuff that you have no control over, like oh, say, the weather! Its not my fault you over slept & had to park in the garage (where it costs $20 a day to park), its not my fault you didn't find out ahead of time how much it cost to park there. I didn't set the prices, I don't make the signs, (which no one reads anyway!) Its not my fault your flight was delayed, especially if you were in another state, am I the pilot? If you want your stupid 30 min for free, don't go inside the airport, pick up the person you came to pick up & leave. If you think your going to miss the 30 min mark, USE THE EXPRESS LANES!! And one more thing, if you have No Money & you are in a hurry DON'T COME TO THE AIRPORT!
A F*%K UP ON YOUR PART DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY ON MINE!
Ridiculous
Are you serious, really airport person? Those jobs on the list include destroying your body for an a-hole boss who doesn't care about you, and is just thankful he has someone else to do the dirty work. Even if he's been through it, he was embittered by it and treats his workers like crap anyway; he is not about to see someone get it easier than himself. Most importantly, they are incredibly dangerous. Sorry if the angry parkers hurt your feelings...
worst jobs
Try road construction and buiding curbs and gutters and sidewalks for the city of vancouver. Pathetic pay and pathetic management. Throw in totally unprofessional/inept communication. God forbid if you take 1 extra minute for a break. Oh, and totally inept braindead superintendents walking up to you and panicking that you are not wearing your hard hat while your laying sod or grass seed. And everyone takes the job so seriously as if we're making bombs or trying to cure cancer. Hahaha! Fucking pathetic! "OMG, that sidewalk form is a 64th of an inch out! The sky is falling!" Pathetic excuse for a job. Exposure to dust, exhaust fumes and silica dust, etc.
These are stupid posts
Who cares if all you idiots disagree with this article!! Just accept it for what it is, a guide describing average job conditions. I don't care if your uncle’s friend does the same job and makes more than this article lists. Every job has tons of different pay scales and no one description will meet them all. Moreover, quit offering your job as the worst job because... NEWFLASH - everyone hates working! Just deal with it and accept that you’re much better of then a lot of other people.
I love my job
and love working. I guess I'm blessed:)
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