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
