Vocationistics

Vocationistics: the analysis of work as a life decision.

Work you can practise until it becomes specific knowledge.

Set the weights. The set re-ranks. The arithmetic stays visible, and no verdict is issued.

80 of 80 vocations shown. Estimates compiled 2026. Pay bands are US mid-career.

  1. 1Security Engineer

    Investigate · desk · $125k–$230k · 5y to competence

    79.4

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

    Autonomy 92th · 13% of scorePlay 68th · 12% of scoreSpecific knowledge 66th · 11% of score
  2. 2Statistician

    Investigate · desk · $95k–$165k · 6y to competence

    77.5

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 97th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 13% of scorePlay 61th · 11% of score
  3. 3Software Engineer

    Build · desk · $110k–$220k · 4y to competence

    73.7

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

    Autonomy 93th · 14% of scorePlay 68th · 13% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 10% of score
  4. 4Product Designer

    Build · desk · $100k–$185k · 5y to competence

    73.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 94th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 68th · 13% of scorePlay 61th · 11% of score
  5. 5Game Developer

    Build · desk · $85k–$165k · 5y to competence

    71.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 90th · 17% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 91th · 14% of score
  6. 6Data Engineer

    Build · desk · $115k–$200k · 4y to competence

    70.3

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and pay.

    Autonomy 89th · 14% of scorePay 93th · 11% of scoreBody 92th · 11% of score
  7. 7Software Founder

    Found · desk · no floor–$300k · 6y to competence

    69.1

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 18% of scorePlay 79th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 96th · 15% of score
  8. 8Epidemiologist

    Investigate · desk · $82k–$135k · 7y to competence

    68.3

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 88th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 68th · 14% of scoreBody 88th · 11% of score
  9. 9Illustrator

    Perform · studio · $35k–$90k · 7y to competence

    66.8

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 20% of scorePlay 94th · 19% of scoreAutonomy 98th · 16% of score
  10. 10University Professor

    Teach · mixed · $75k–$160k · 11y to competence

    63.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 19% of scorePlay 73th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 86th · 15% of score
  11. 11Nonfiction Writer

    Perform · desk · $32k–$110k · 8y to competence

    62.5

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 20% of scoreAutonomy 99th · 18% of scorePlay 79th · 18% of score
  12. 12Historic Restoration Contractor

    Steward · site · $62k–$160k · 8y to competence

    61.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 19% of scoreSpecific knowledge 84th · 19% of scoreAutonomy 74th · 13% of score
  13. 13Patent Agent

    Investigate · desk · $105k–$185k · 6y to competence

    61.4

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 76th · 14% of scorePay 86th · 12% of score
  14. 14Literary Translator

    Craft · desk · $32k–$75k · 8y to competence

    60.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 20% of scorePlay 79th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 87th · 16% of score
  15. 15Watchmaker

    Craft · studio · $55k–$110k · 5y to competence

    60.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 99th · 23% of scorePlay 94th · 21% of scoreBody 78th · 11% of score
  16. 16Research Scientist

    Investigate · desk · $85k–$160k · 10y to competence

    60.1

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 83th · 19% of scorePlay 79th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 67th · 12% of score
  17. 17Landscape Architect

    Steward · mixed · $70k–$120k · 7y to competence

    59.7

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 61th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 62th · 12% of score
  18. 18Psychotherapist

    Care · desk · $65k–$130k · 7y to competence

    59.6

    Ranks here mainly on body and autonomy.

    Body 94th · 13% of scoreAutonomy 71th · 13% of scoreDemand 86th · 12% of score
  19. 19Certified Accountant

    Steward · desk · $78k–$150k · 5y to competence

    59.6

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 84th · 16% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of scoreBody 85th · 12% of score
  20. 20Speech-Language Pathologist

    Care · clinic · $78k–$110k · 6y to competence

    59.6

    Ranks here mainly on demand and body.

    Demand 92th · 13% of scoreBody 83th · 12% of scoreAutonomy 61th · 11% of score
  21. 21Actuary

    Investigate · desk · $110k–$190k · 7y to competence

    58.5

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and body.

    Autonomy 73th · 14% of scoreBody 97th · 14% of scorePay 89th · 13% of score
  22. 22Service Business Founder

    Found · mixed · $60k–$250k · 6y to competence

    57.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 17% of scoreAutonomy 78th · 15% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of score
  23. 23Supply Chain Manager

    Operate · mixed · $90k–$165k · 5y to competence

    57.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 81th · 16% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of scorePay 81th · 12% of score
  24. 24Architect

    Build · mixed · $78k–$140k · 8y to competence

    56.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 17% of scoreSpecific knowledge 64th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 63th · 12% of score
  25. 25Commercial Photographer

    Perform · mixed · $38k–$100k · 6y to competence

    55.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 20% of scoreSpecific knowledge 78th · 19% of scoreAutonomy 79th · 16% of score
  26. 26Audio Engineer

    Perform · studio · $42k–$95k · 6y to competence

    54.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 22% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 68th · 14% of score
  27. 27Working Musician

    Perform · stage · $28k–$85k · 10y to competence

    54.4

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 99th · 25% of scoreSpecific knowledge 99th · 25% of scoreAutonomy 83th · 17% of score
  28. 28Lawyer (Litigation)

    Investigate · desk · $100k–$250k · 7y to competence

    54.1

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 82th · 17% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 14% of scorePay 91th · 14% of score
  29. 29Civil Engineer

    Build · mixed · $85k–$145k · 6y to competence

    53.5

    Ranks here mainly on body and autonomy.

    Body 77th · 12% of scoreAutonomy 57th · 12% of scorePay 74th · 12% of score
  30. 30Goldsmith / Jeweller

    Craft · studio · $40k–$95k · 6y to competence

    53.5

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 21% of scoreSpecific knowledge 78th · 20% of scoreAutonomy 56th · 12% of score
  31. 31Trades Instructor

    Teach · site · $58k–$95k · 8y to competence

    53.4

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 56th · 14% of scorePlay 54th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 53th · 11% of score
  32. 32Archivist

    Steward · desk · $55k–$85k · 5y to competence

    53.4

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and body.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 16% of scoreBody 82th · 13% of scoreAutonomy 59th · 12% of score
  33. 33Dentist

    Care · clinic · $160k–$260k · 8y to competence

    53.3

    Ranks here mainly on pay and autonomy.

    Pay 98th · 15% of scoreAutonomy 64th · 13% of scoreLeverage 86th · 13% of score
  34. 34Sign Language Interpreter

    Care · mixed · $58k–$95k · 5y to competence

    53.2

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and demand.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 16% of scoreDemand 66th · 10% of scorePlay 39th · 10% of score
  35. 35Home Care Operator

    Found · mixed · $60k–$180k · 4y to competence

    53.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and demand.

    Autonomy 72th · 15% of scoreDemand 95th · 15% of scoreLeverage 86th · 13% of score
  36. 36Cinematographer

    Perform · mixed · $55k–$160k · 9y to competence

    52.0

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 90th · 24% of scoreSpecific knowledge 89th · 24% of scoreAutonomy 69th · 15% of score
  37. 37Nurse Practitioner

    Care · clinic · $110k–$165k · 7y to competence

    51.1

    Ranks here mainly on demand and pay.

    Demand 99th · 16% of scorePay 86th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 48th · 10% of score
  38. 38Museum Conservator

    Steward · studio · $55k–$90k · 8y to competence

    50.6

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 26% of scorePlay 86th · 24% of scoreBody 74th · 12% of score
  39. 39Furniture Maker

    Craft · studio · $38k–$95k · 7y to competence

    50.3

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 94th · 26% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 22% of scoreAutonomy 54th · 12% of score
  40. 40Veterinarian

    Care · clinic · $110k–$175k · 8y to competence

    50.2

    Ranks here mainly on pay and specific knowledge.

    Pay 88th · 15% of scoreSpecific knowledge 51th · 14% of scoreDemand 79th · 13% of score
  41. 41Air Traffic Controller

    Operate · desk · $120k–$185k · 4y to competence

    48.2

    Ranks here mainly on pay and demand.

    Pay 94th · 16% of scoreDemand 79th · 14% of scoreBody 74th · 13% of score
  42. 42Luthier

    Craft · studio · $34k–$85k · 8y to competence

    47.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 98th · 28% of scoreSpecific knowledge 95th · 28% of scoreBody 57th · 10% of score
  43. 43Physician (Primary Care)

    Care · clinic · $210k–$300k · 11y to competence

    47.4

    Ranks here mainly on pay and demand.

    Pay 99th · 17% of scoreDemand 95th · 17% of scoreSpecific knowledge 38th · 11% of score
  44. 44Commercial Broker

    Trade · mixed · $55k–$250k · 4y to competence

    47.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 77th · 18% of scoreLeverage 86th · 15% of scorePay 73th · 13% of score
  45. 45Field Ecologist

    Investigate · field · $52k–$92k · 6y to competence

    47.2

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 73th · 22% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 58th · 14% of score
  46. 46Physical Therapist

    Care · clinic · $88k–$115k · 7y to competence

    47.0

    Ranks here mainly on demand and pay.

    Demand 88th · 16% of scorePay 71th · 13% of scorePlay 39th · 12% of score
  47. 47Land Surveyor

    Investigate · field · $68k–$115k · 5y to competence

    46.8

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and demand.

    Autonomy 49th · 12% of scoreDemand 61th · 11% of scorePay 56th · 10% of score
  48. 48Airline Pilot

    Operate · mixed · $110k–$300k · 6y to competence

    46.3

    Ranks here mainly on pay and play.

    Pay 97th · 17% of scorePlay 54th · 16% of scoreDemand 73th · 13% of score
  49. 49Occupational Therapist

    Care · clinic · $82k–$108k · 6y to competence

    46.2

    Ranks here mainly on demand and play.

    Demand 84th · 15% of scorePlay 47th · 14% of scoreMeaning load 98th · 12% of score
  50. 50Plant Manager

    Operate · site · $100k–$180k · 8y to competence

    44.8

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 66th · 16% of scoreLeverage 86th · 16% of scorePay 83th · 15% of score
  51. 51Tailor / Patternmaker

    Craft · studio · $36k–$85k · 6y to competence

    43.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 23% of scorePlay 68th · 21% of scoreBody 60th · 11% of score
  52. 52Athletic Coach

    Teach · field · $42k–$95k · 5y to competence

    43.4

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 22% of scoreSpecific knowledge 43th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 41th · 10% of score
  53. 53Arborist

    Steward · field · $45k–$90k · 3y to competence

    42.5

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 54th · 18% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 12% of scoreDemand 53th · 10% of score
  54. 54Finish Carpenter

    Craft · site · $48k–$105k · 5y to competence

    42.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 54th · 18% of scoreSpecific knowledge 38th · 12% of scoreAutonomy 39th · 10% of score
  55. 55Stage Actor

    Perform · stage · $26k–$70k · 9y to competence

    42.0

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 98th · 32% of scoreSpecific knowledge 89th · 29% of scoreAutonomy 51th · 13% of score
  56. 56Barber / Stylist

    Craft · studio · $40k–$90k · 3y to competence

    42.0

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 47th · 16% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 12% of scoreLeverage 49th · 10% of score
  57. 57Secondary Teacher

    Teach · mixed · $52k–$85k · 4y to competence

    41.4

    Ranks here mainly on demand and body.

    Demand 66th · 13% of scoreBody 55th · 11% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 11% of score
  58. 58Market Farmer

    Steward · field · $30k–$75k · 5y to competence

    41.4

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 73th · 25% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 19% of scorePeople fit 77th · 10% of score
  59. 59Midwife

    Care · clinic · $95k–$135k · 6y to competence

    41.1

    Ranks here mainly on pay and play.

    Pay 79th · 16% of scorePlay 47th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 47th · 16% of score
  60. 60CNC Machinist

    Craft · site · $50k–$95k · 4y to competence

    41.0

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

    Autonomy 42th · 11% of scorePlay 33th · 11% of scoreDemand 53th · 11% of score
  61. 61Chef de Cuisine

    Perform · kitchen · $52k–$100k · 8y to competence

    40.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 27% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 25% of scoreAutonomy 38th · 10% of score
  62. 62Choreographer

    Perform · stage · $30k–$80k · 12y to competence

    40.4

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 33% of scorePlay 94th · 32% of scoreAutonomy 52th · 14% of score
  63. 63Boatbuilder

    Craft · site · $42k–$85k · 6y to competence

    40.3

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 30% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 28% of scoreMeaning load 64th · 9% of score
  64. 64Artisan Baker

    Craft · kitchen · $38k–$72k · 4y to competence

    39.5

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 61th · 21% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 11% of scorePeople fit 77th · 11% of score
  65. 65Electrician

    Build · site · $62k–$115k · 4y to competence

    39.4

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 92th · 19% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 11% of scorePay 52th · 11% of score
  66. 66Clinical Social Worker

    Care · mixed · $55k–$85k · 5y to competence

    39.2

    Ranks here mainly on demand and body.

    Demand 79th · 17% of scoreBody 68th · 14% of scoreMeaning load 99th · 14% of score
  67. 67HVAC Technician

    Build · site · $55k–$100k · 3y to competence

    38.3

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 86th · 19% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 13% of scorePeople fit 77th · 11% of score
  68. 68Plumber

    Build · site · $60k–$120k · 4y to competence

    37.4

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 89th · 20% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 12% of scorePeople fit 77th · 11% of score
  69. 69Water Treatment Operator

    Steward · site · $55k–$90k · 3y to competence

    37.2

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 73th · 16% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 14% of scoreMeaning load 81th · 12% of score
  70. 70Massage Therapist

    Care · clinic · $45k–$80k · 2y to competence

    36.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 39th · 15% of scoreTime to skill 98th · 15% of scoreDemand 61th · 14% of score
  71. 71Aircraft Mechanic

    Operate · site · $68k–$110k · 3y to competence

    35.3

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 84th · 20% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 14% of scorePay 54th · 13% of score
  72. 72Stonemason

    Craft · site · $45k–$85k · 5y to competence

    35.0

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 24% of scorePlay 61th · 24% of scoreMeaning load 64th · 10% of score
  73. 73Livestock Rancher

    Steward · field · $35k–$90k · 6y to competence

    34.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 61th · 24% of scoreSpecific knowledge 47th · 19% of scoreLeverage 49th · 12% of score
  74. 74Firefighter

    Care · field · $58k–$105k · 3y to competence

    34.0

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 54th · 22% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 15% of scoreMeaning load 84th · 14% of score
  75. 75Registered Nurse

    Care · clinic · $78k–$125k · 4y to competence

    33.5

    Ranks here mainly on demand and pay.

    Demand 98th · 24% of scorePay 64th · 16% of scoreMeaning load 89th · 15% of score
  76. 76Power Plant Operator

    Operate · site · $85k–$130k · 4y to competence

    32.8

    Ranks here mainly on pay and demand.

    Pay 73th · 18% of scoreDemand 53th · 13% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 13% of score
  77. 77Wind Turbine Technician

    Operate · field · $58k–$95k · 2y to competence

    32.8

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 98th · 25% of scoreTime to skill 98th · 17% of scorePlay 33th · 14% of score
  78. 78Paramedic

    Care · field · $48k–$78k · 2y to competence

    31.2

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 66th · 18% of scoreTime to skill 98th · 17% of scoreMeaning load 84th · 15% of score
  79. 79Heavy Equipment Operator

    Operate · site · $58k–$105k · 3y to competence

    29.5

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and demand.

    Time to skill 91th · 17% of scoreDemand 57th · 16% of scorePlay 33th · 16% of score
  80. 80Welder / Fabricator

    Craft · site · $48k–$95k · 3y to competence

    24.7

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and demand.

    Time to skill 91th · 21% of scoreDemand 57th · 19% of scoreMeaning load 57th · 13% of score