Let’s All Be Data Scientists Or Substitute Teachers! The Jobs With A Good Work-Life Balance Might Surprise You

When you hear the term “work-life balance,” what do you think of? A job in data science, perhaps? No? Maybe it’s time to shift your thinking, then. According to Glassdoor.com’s recent report on the best jobs for work-life balance, data science is where it’s at.

The report, which ranks the top 25 best jobs in order of their average employee-reported work-life balance rating, is timely. Work-life balance satisfaction levels have been steadily decreasing in the past several years: In 2009, for example, the average rating was 3.5 (on a 1-5 scale). This year, it’s down to 3.2. By comparison, the No. 1 rated data scientists have an average satisfaction level of 4.2. Not bad!

In some ways, the report is surprising. Substitute teachers come in at No. 5 (even though Key & Peele make the job look like a grind), while lab assistants come in at No. 23. Neither of these positions are extremely well-paid, but that doesn’t seem to bear on these numbers. Work-life balance-wise, those surveyed seem satisfied. (Speculation: Maybe this is because neither of these jobs require work to be taken home at night?)

That said, there are some things to keep in mind: The report itself is based on Glassdoor.com user ratings from the past year, and, in order for a job to be included in the report, it had to have at least 75 work-life balance ratings from a minimum of 75 companies, and at least 200 active job openings on the website as of Oct. 1, 2015. Which means that super specialized fields like dolphin training may not have made it into the running.

Glassdoor’s self-reporting methodology is possibly also why the results seem skewed toward technology and internet-based jobs; data-heads (we say that lovingly!) are probably much more likely to submit reviews than average U.S. workers.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the report is about work-life balance, which is just one very small component of overall job satisfaction. So, maybe think long and hard before considering a career change based on these figures?

1. Data Scientist

Work-Life Balance Rating: 4.2
Salary: $114,808
Number of Job Openings: 1,315

[$114K? Okay, forget what we said before about considering all factors, let’s all go be data scientists!]

2. SEO Manager

Work-Life Balance Rating: 4.1
Salary: $45,720
Number of Job Openings: 338

3. Talent Acquisition Specialist

Work-Life Balance Rating: 4.0
Salary: $63,504
Number of Job Openings: 1,171

4. Social Media Manager

Work-Life Balance Rating: 4.0
Salary: $40,000
Number of Job Openings: 661

5. Substitute Teacher

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.9
Salary: $24,380
Number of Job Openings: 590

6. Recruiting Coordinator

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.9
Salary: $44,700
Number of Job Openings: 446

7. UX Designer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.9
Salary: $91,440
Number of Job Openings: 338

8. Digital Marketing Manager

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.9
Salary: $70,052
Number of Job Openings: 640

9. Marketing Assistant

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $32,512
Number of Job Openings: 384

10. Web Developer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $66,040
Number of Job Openings: 2,117

11. Risk Analyst

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $69,088
Number of Job Openings: 208

12. Civil Engineer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $65,532
Number of Job Openings: 809

13. Client Manager

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $71,120
Number of Job Openings: 503

14. Instructional Designer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $66,040
Number of Job Openings: 782

15. Marketing Analyst

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $60,000
Number of Job Openings: 341

16. Software QA Engineer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $91,440
Number of Job Openings: 457

17. Web Designer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $53,848
Number of Job Openings: 500

18. Research Technician

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.8
Salary: $36,525
Number of Job Openings: 299

19. Program Analyst

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $71,120
Number of Job Openings: 524

20. Data Analyst

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $58,928
Number of Job Openings: 1,954

21. Content Manager

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $60,960
Number of Job Openings: 409

22. Solutions Engineer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $92,456
Number of Job Openings: 652

23. Lab Assistant

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $27,550
Number of Job Openings: 779

24. Software Developer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $80,000
Number of Job Openings: 3,330

25. Front End Developer

Work-Life Balance Rating: 3.7
Salary: $75,000
Number of Job Openings: 1337

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