Sociology Finally Beats Economics!

7 January 2009 at 11:29 am Peter G. Klein 4 comments

| Peter Klein |

A new study by Les Krantz ranks 200 U.S. occupations by environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. Sociologist comes in at #8, while economist ranks only #11. (The top five are mathematician, actuary, statistician, biologist, and software engineer, while the five worst are lumberjack, dairy farmer, taxi driver, seaman, and EMT.) Yes, I’m sure within-job heterogeneity is an issue. My colleague Mike Cook, who sent me the link, suggests that sociology must be a low-stress profession.

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4 Comments Add your own

1. Cliff Grammich | 7 January 2009 at 3:21 pm

A sociologist quoted in the WSJ article concurs there is little stress on the job: “He says he isn’t surprised by the findings because his job generates little stress and he works a steady 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule. “It’s all done at the computer at my desk,” he says. “The main occupational hazard is carpal tunnel syndrome.”‘ (And economists differ . . . how?)

I’m sure you saw Economists beat out Philosophers at #12. I want to know where one finds “Philosopher” jobs. I figured they’d be listed somewhere after “Queen” and before “Poet,” but I somehow can’t find those ads, either . . .
2. Fabio Rojas | 7 January 2009 at 10:45 pm

Here’s a real difference between the culture of economics and sociologists. Economists tend to live in a strict academic hierarchy. Sociology also has a hierarchy, but it’s more loose and its actually possible, if difficult, to hash out some interesting careers even if you never get approved by the right people at the top of the profession.
3. Rafe Champion | 8 January 2009 at 1:31 am

It is good to see the economist ahead of the philosopher, the physicist, the parole officer and the meteorologist….and
Homer Simpson at 186.
It is easy to see the dairy farmer near the bottom, tied to the shed night and morning year round. But the lumberjack at the bottom? Sure, a dangerous job but what experience beats the satisfaction of leaning back on our axe to watch a proud forest giant crash to earth?
4. kurt | 15 January 2009 at 11:27 am

You have to wear plaid :)