A new study on job satisfaction by Bubblegum Search ( https://www.bubblegumsearch.com/ ) has uncovered the professions with the happiest workers, highlighting where creativity, autonomy, and passion play key roles in job contentment.
In celebration of the International Week of Happiness at Work (beginning on Monday, September 23rd), Bubblegum Search analysed popular Reddit threads, examining over 2,000 comments from individuals sharing details about their jobs and whether it brings them happiness.
Topping the list: Creative freedom and passion drive job happiness
Car Designers and Animators are among the top professions for job satisfaction. Car Designers earn an average salary ranging from £40,000 to £60,000 and are driven by a passion for automotive design. They report high levels of happiness in their roles. Similarly, Animators earn between £30,000 and £45,000 annually, find satisfaction in their artistic work, and have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers.
Childhood dreams turn into fulfilling careers.
Game Developers also scored highly in job satisfaction, thanks to their ability to work on passion projects and creative collaborations. Earning £35,000 to £50,000, Game Developers often see their childhood dreams come to life through innovative and rewarding projects. Likewise, IT Support Specialists enjoy high levels of autonomy and the gratification of solving complex technical issues.
Flexibility and furry friends: A Dog Photographer’s dream.
One of the more unconventional professions on the list, Dog Photographers come in sixth place. Workers cite flexibility, working with animals, and creative freedom as the key factors in their job satisfaction. Earning between £20,000 and £35,000, these professionals enjoy the unique perks of combining creativity and animal care into a fulfilling career.
Cybersecurity Specialists excel in high-autonomy roles.
Cybersecurity Specialists earn between £50,000 and £70,000 in the growing tech sector. Despite its technical demands, the job’s independence and problem-solving nature make it a top contender for career happiness.
Other happy careers: Science, Health, and Design
Within the top 10 are professions like Developmental Biologists, Occupational Therapists, and UX Designers, who find fulfilment in research, patient care, and user experience design, respectively. Each role offers a balance of autonomy and the opportunity to impact others, driving overall job satisfaction positively.
Job satisfaction is a balancing act.
While many creative and technical professions lead the way in job happiness, some careers face challenges. Some careers in healthcare, education, and emergency services rank lower on the happiness scale due to high emotional demands and stressful work environments. For example, Paramedics and ER Workers report mixed satisfaction. Similarly, School Teachers struggle with overwork despite a deep passion for teaching.
Job Satisfaction Results Table
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary (UK) | Average Hours/Week | Satisfaction Level | Key Factors |
| 1 | Car Designer | £40,000 – £60,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Passion for automotive design, creative freedom |
| 2 | Animator | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Very Happy | Creative work, fun work environment with peers |
| 3 | Game Developer | £35,000 – £50,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Fulfilling childhood dreams, creative projects |
| 4 | IT Support Specialist | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Very Happy | Solving technical issues, autonomy, working with close friends |
| 5 | Cybersecurity Specialist | £50,000 – £70,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Developing policy, autonomy, and problem-solving |
| 6 | Dog Photographer | £20,000 – £35,000 | Variable | Very Happy | Flexible hours, working with animals, creative freedom |
| 7 | Developmental Biologist | £35,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Passionate about research, fulfilling scientific exploration |
| 8 | Occupational Therapist | £30,000 – £40,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Helping people, fulfilling work, autonomy |
| 9 | UX Designer | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Solving user problems, creative freedom |
| 10 | System Administrator | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Happy | Problem-solving, creative technical challenges |
| 11 | Tattoo Artist | £30,000 – £50,000 | Variable | Happy | Creative work, strong client relationships |
| 12 | Music Store Owner | Variable | Variable | Happy | Entrepreneurship, passion for music |
| 13 | Librarian | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Passion for books, engaging with the community |
| 14 | UPS Driver | £25,000 – £35,000 | 50+ | Happy | Autonomy, good pay, physical activity |
| 15 | Software Engineer | £35,000 – £60,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative and problem-solving work, autonomy |
| 16 | Freelance Translator | £25,000 – £35,000 | Variable | Happy | Flexible schedule, but dependent on projects |
| 17 | Chef (Private Resort) | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40+ (Seasonal) | Happy | High job satisfaction, autonomy, good environment |
| 18 | Theatre Technician | £20,000 – £35,000 | 40+ | Happy | Passion for working behind the scenes in live events |
| 19 | Video Editor | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative work, technical challenges |
| 20 | Lifeguard | £18,000 – £25,000 | 40+ (Seasonal) | Happy | Enjoys working outdoors and physical activity |
| 21 | Massage Therapist | £25,000 – £40,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Helping people, flexibility |
| 22 | Aviation Meteorologist | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Impactful work varied daily tasks |
| 23 | Freelance Import/Export | Variable | Variable | Happy | Flexibility, entrepreneurship, sourcing and selling unique items |
| 24 | Photographer (Non-dog specific) | £20,000 – £40,000 | Variable | Happy | Creative control, flexible hours, passion-driven work |
| 25 | Web Designer | £25,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative work, digital design |
| 26 | Engineer (General) | £35,000 – £55,000 | 40+ | Happy | Problem-solving, technical innovation, career growth |
| 27 | School Teacher (High School & Preschool) | £28,000 – £45,000 | 37.5 – 50 | Mixed | Passion for teaching, but overwork and underpayment |
| 28 | ER Worker | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Rewarding work, but high stress and emotional challenges |
| 29 | Paramedic | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Fulfilling but physically and emotionally demanding |
| 30 | Administrative Assistant | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 – 40 | Mixed | Low stress but limited growth opportunities |
| 31 | Rideshare Driver | £25,000 – £30,000 | Variable | Mixed | Flexible hours but unpredictable income |
| 32 | Call Centre Worker | £18,000 – £22,000 | 40 | Mixed | Good benefits, but repetitive work |
| 33 | Retail Worker | £18,000 – £25,000 | 40 | Mixed | Social interaction, but high stress and challenging customer service |
| 34 | Police Officer | £25,000 – £45,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work, but high stress and danger |
| 35 | Truck Driver | £25,000 – £35,000 | 50+ | Mixed | Autonomy, but long hours and isolation |
| 36 | Air Traffic Controller | £50,000 – £75,000 | 40+ | Mixed | High responsibility, good pay, but high pressure |
| 37 | Construction Project Manager | £45,000 – £60,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Autonomy, but high stress and unpredictable hours |
| 38 | Surgical Coordinator | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Mixed | Fulfilling work, but emotionally draining |
| 39 | Hospital Security | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work, but the potential for high stress and danger |
| 40 | Video Game QA Tester | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Fun work environment, but long hours and stress |
| 41 | Night Cleaner | £18,000 – £22,000 | 37.5 | Mixed | Low-stress but repetitive and often physically demanding work |
| 42 | Warehouse Manager | £25,000 – £40,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work environment, but physically demanding |
| 43 | Construction Worker (Labourer) | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Physically demanding, unpredictable hours |
| 44 | Social Worker | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Mixed | Impactful work, but emotionally draining |
| 45 | Psych Aide (Hospital) | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 | Mixed | Low-stress but emotionally draining work |
| 46 | Electrician | £25,000 – £40,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Hands-on technical work, decent pay, but physically demanding |
| 47 | Import/Export Specialist (Self-employed) | Variable | Variable | Happy | Flexible schedule, entrepreneurial spirit |
Credit https://www.bubblegumsearch.com/
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