In this rat-race that we call life, we are constantly fighting to find time to just simply relax. We are overworked trying to make ends meet and keep our heads above water. Do you wake up dreading your morning commute and the underground battle, only to get into the office and drown in a pile of paperwork? If you are amongst the many workers that are now searching for a job that will strike a balance with your personal life, then look no further.
Here are 27 of the best professions for work-life balance, in order of the highest rated, based on employee feedback shared on Glassdoor over the past year.
1. Lab Assistant
Lab assistants are responsible for a number of tasks, including examining body fluids and cells and matching blood for transfusion. This interesting job has a low-stress level, good work-life balance and solid prospects to improve, get promoted and earn a higher salary.
Median Salary: $28,000 (£20,974)
2. Creative Manager
Creative managers typically head the creative team at advertising and marketing companies. They tend to work with artists, designers, marketers, and salespeople. This role leads to great job satisfaction; with such a sociable role, work life and personal life tends to overlap entertaining new clients and protecting vital relationships.
Median Salary: $106,825 (£80,040)
3. Research Technician
A research technician helps scientists with their study and experiments. Depending on their exact job they might have any number of duties including collecting data, ordering inventory and conducting experiments. They are happy to work in the health sector and find cures to help the general public.
Median Salary: $37,320 (£27,963)
4. Research Analyst
Depending on the industry, research analysts collect data and compile reports to better the product, service and company they are working for. Many analysts have job flexibility and enjoy being involved in a number of different projects, meaning that not every day will be the same.
Median Salary: $59,003 (£44,209)
5. Software / Web Developer
Developers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the programs designs created by software engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. As everything has moved online, programmers are highly sought after; they’re also in a field that offers a good work-life balance and a good compensation package.
Median Salary: $75,076 (£56,252)
6. Client Manager
Client managers work as part of a sales team, acting as the main point of contact for an organisation’s clients. With the option to work from home, this high-paying job is perfect for people who want a career and a great family life.
Median Salary: $67,462 (£50,547)
7. Recruiting Manager
Although, as you’d expect, recruiting managers are under a lot of pressure, the job is highly rated for its work-life balance. Recruiting managers are essentially responsible for keeping up vital relationships with clients and ensuring staff are constantly checking CVs and making arrangements for interviews for the best candidates on their shortlists.
Median Salary: $72,000 (£72,000)
8. Marketing Coordinator
Marketing coordinators have the chance to do innovative and inventive projects; their duties vary which makes their job interesting. It’s also worth noting that they have ample career advancement opportunities too.
Median Salary: $48,000 (£35,965)
9. Project Analyst
Project analysts assist project managers by providing critical data support. The position has “quite flexible working hours for senior employees and the ability to work from home,” wrote a business analyst working at Thomson Reuters.
Median Salary: $60,000 (£44,956)
10. Data Analyst
Collecting data and translating numbers into everyday English helps companies make better business decisions. If you’re a whiz with numbers and want a good balance between work and home, this position is right for you.
Median Salary: $65,694 (£49,222)
11. Technical Editor
This profession involves editing complex documents for the average person to understand. If you're a techie who likes playing the role of grammar policeman, this might be the perfect job for you. A plus is that you can work as a freelance editor and manage your own schedule.
Median Salary: $61,486 (£46,069))
12. Content Manager
If you’re a marketing geek with a flair for content then this is the ideal job for you. Your duties will involve overseeing a website's content and maintaining its freshness and readability including the responsibility for creating, editing, posting, updating, and cleaning up outdated content.
Median Salary: $73,909 (£55,377)
13. Web Designer
These tech wizzes build and redesign websites making them easy to function and ensuring they are aesthetically appealing. They have the autonomy to get contracted gigs and the flexibility to work remotely.
Median Salary: $61,198 (£45,854)
14. Social Media Manager
In today’s social media manic world, every company needs to employ their very own online manager. They are responsible for spreading the firm’s message across social media platforms while also increasing its following and establishing its brand.
Median Salary: $54,904 (£41,138)
15. Library Assistant
If you’re a bookworm that enjoys a bit of peace and quiet, this position is right up your alley. You would help librarians acquire, prepare and organize materials, as well as any library job task such as cataloguing and shelving books. This job can also be done part-time if you have family commitments.
Median Salary: $28,929 (£21,676)
16. Substitute Teacher
Although substitute teachers earn significantly less than any of the other careers listed, they have a great work-life balance due to the reduced stress of not having their personal class; if you love children this job can bring you true happiness. Responsibilities include; filling in for a student's regular teacher and making sure the lesson plans are followed.
Median Salary: $25,178 (£18,865)
17. Scrum Master
The scrum master (software development framework for managing product development) essentially leads and coaches teams to help them manage their projects and achieve the desired results. The high salary makes this important role desirable.
Median Salary: $89,428 (£67,005)
18. Marketing Analyst
This role consists of comprehensively analysing a company's key performance indicators and then transforming that into easy-to-understand reports for management.
Median Salary: $65,000 (£48,702)
19. Research Engineer
Depending on the field (mechanical, electrical or aerospace), an engineer works with other researchers and engineers, analysing, implementing and testing materials in a lab. Although this is a very important position, researchers still manage to maintain a life outside the lab.
Median Salary: $103,029 (£77,196)
20. Software Engineer
Sofware engineers are in charge of designing, developing and implementing programs. Although it’s a very technical role, if you have the acquired skills you’ll be in your element.
Median Salary: $109,087 (£82,160)
21. Technical Account Manager
This job generally consists of managing a company's various accounts and assisting partners or customers with technical help. Although this career can be stressful, working days are usually your normal 9-5.
Median Salary: $75,000 (£56,195)
22. Recruiting Coordinator
Recruiting coordinators are responsible for checking CVs and making arrangements for interviews for the best candidates on their shortlists. This job involves many different aspects and can be quite rewarding, especially with the added bonus.
Median Salary: $48,000 (£35,965)
23. UI Designer
User Interface designers lead the design of apps and online platforms helping companies understand what customers find desirable and designing the product in easy-to-use ways.
Median Salary: $84,500 (£63,313)
24. Strategy Manager
Are you a great leader with innovative ideas and a relaxed attitude? If so, this prominent role is perfect for you. You’ll be in charge of formulating and implementing goals and initiatives.
Median Salary: $110,487 (£82,784)
25. Data Scientist
Harvard Business Review has named data scientist as the sexiest job of the 21st century, and for good reason, too, considering the increasing demand for individuals qualified to do this line of work. Data scientists make discoveries in pools of data that can help a company increase its following and optimise its products or services. With such a high wage, it’s no wonder that it’s near the top of the list.
Median Salary: $112,000 (£83,918)
26. UX Designer
A user experience designer is responsible for making a customer’s experience with the company’s product positive. They’re accountable for making products more accessible, enjoyable and usable. Although the concept of a UX designer dates back to the 1940s, these positions have become increasingly popular as companies have been realising the importance of customer satisfaction.
Median Salary: $95,000 (£71,180)
27. Corporate Recruiter
Corporate recruiters work with hiring managers to help fill and develop roles at a company, particularly while it is growing. The job also typically requires making sure existing infrastructure and roles optimize the company's productivity. With the opportunity to progress to a managerial role and with the added commissions, this position is ranked as the best for work-life balance.
Median Salary: $65,000 (£48,702)
As with any of these positions, your heart needs to be in it and you must enjoy what you are doing otherwise you won’t have job satisfaction. J. P. Morgan’s CEO Jamie Dimon said: “It’s very important that people be deliberate…because they do a pretty good job sometimes of undermining their own life, their health.”