Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Clergy Are the Happiest in Their Jobs

Pastors — perceived to be some of the most under-appreciated and in-demand workers in America — are actually the happiest and most satisfied in their jobs, according to results from a newly released survey by the University of Chicago as reported at www.christianpost.com.
The survey found clergy to be the top job for satisfaction among American workers; 87 percent of clergy reported being "very satisfied." Firefighters (80%) and physical therapists (78%) were also the "most satisfied" in their profession. In addition to being "the most satisfied," clergy also out-ranked other American workers as being the "happiest" (67%).

"The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching and protecting others, and creative pursuits," said Tom W. Smith, director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.

Other top jobs include education administrators, painters and sculptors, teachers, authors, psychologists, special education teachers, operating engineers, office supervisors and security and financial services salespersons, with more than 60 percent saying they are very satisfied.

"The least satisfying dozen jobs are mostly low-skill, manual and service occupations, especially involving customer service and food/beverage preparation and service," noted Smith.

Another recent study — released by the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love and conducted by such top universities as Harvard and the University of Chicago — had also found that people who give to and help others on a regular basis feel the happiest.

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