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. Pay from BLS OEWS, May 2024 national. Outlook from BLS employment projections, 2025-35. Qualitative scores are editorial estimates, compiled 2026. How to set these weights.

  1. 1Security Engineer

    Investigate · desk · $125k–$186k · 5y to competence

    80.0

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

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

    Build · desk · $133k–$211k · 5y to competence

    79.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 90th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 91th · 13% of score
  3. 3Statistician

    Investigate · desk · $103k–$171k · 6y to competence

    77.9

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 97th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 13% of scorePlay 61th · 11% of score
  4. 4Software Founder

    Found · desk · $103k–$164k · 6y to competence

    76.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 16% of scorePlay 79th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 96th · 14% of score
  5. 5Software Engineer

    Build · desk · $133k–$211k · 4y to competence

    76.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

    Autonomy 93th · 14% of scorePlay 68th · 12% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 10% of score
  6. 6Product Designer

    Build · desk · $98k–$192k · 5y to competence

    76.0

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 94th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 68th · 12% of scorePlay 61th · 11% of score
  7. 7Illustrator

    Perform · studio · $61k–$141k · 7y to competence

    73.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 18% of scorePlay 94th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 98th · 15% of score
  8. 8Epidemiologist

    Investigate · desk · $84k–$135k · 7y to competence

    71.3

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and specific knowledge.

    Autonomy 88th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 68th · 13% of scoreDemand 94th · 11% of score
  9. 9Data Engineer

    Build · desk · $136k–$210k · 4y to competence

    71.3

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and pay.

    Autonomy 89th · 14% of scorePay 93th · 11% of scoreBody 92th · 11% of score
  10. 10Nonfiction Writer

    Perform · desk · $72k–$134k · 8y to competence

    69.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 99th · 16% of scorePlay 79th · 16% of score
  11. 11Research Scientist

    Investigate · desk · $101k–$168k · 10y to competence

    66.5

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 83th · 17% of scorePlay 79th · 17% of scoreAutonomy 67th · 11% of score
  12. 12Literary Translator

    Craft · desk · $59k–$100k · 8y to competence

    65.8

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 19% of scorePlay 79th · 17% of scoreAutonomy 87th · 15% of score
  13. 13Patent Agent

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

    65.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 15% of scoreAutonomy 76th · 13% of scoreBody 85th · 11% of score
  14. 14University Professor

    Teach · mixed · $78k–$173k · 11y to competence

    65.2

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 89th · 19% of scorePlay 73th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 86th · 15% of score
  15. 15Working Musician

    Perform · stage · $88k–$219k · 10y to competence

    63.3

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 99th · 22% of scoreSpecific knowledge 99th · 22% of scoreAutonomy 83th · 15% of score
  16. 16Historic Restoration Contractor

    Steward · site · $79k–$127k · 8y to competence

    61.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 19% of scoreSpecific knowledge 84th · 19% of scoreAutonomy 74th · 13% of score
  17. 17Service Business Founder

    Found · mixed · $103k–$164k · 6y to competence

    60.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and autonomy.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 17% of scoreAutonomy 78th · 14% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of score
  18. 18Actuary

    Investigate · desk · $126k–$206k · 7y to competence

    60.6

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and body.

    Autonomy 73th · 13% of scoreBody 97th · 13% of scorePay 88th · 12% of score
  19. 19Supply Chain Manager

    Operate · mixed · $102k–$181k · 5y to competence

    59.1

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 81th · 15% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of scorePay 79th · 11% of score
  20. 20Landscape Architect

    Steward · mixed · $80k–$132k · 7y to competence

    59.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 61th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 62th · 12% of score
  21. 21Architect

    Build · mixed · $97k–$160k · 8y to competence

    58.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 64th · 15% of scoreAutonomy 63th · 12% of score
  22. 22Audio Engineer

    Perform · studio · $66k–$135k · 6y to competence

    58.9

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 20% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 17% of scoreAutonomy 68th · 13% of score
  23. 23Commercial Photographer

    Perform · mixed · $43k–$95k · 6y to competence

    58.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 19% of scoreSpecific knowledge 78th · 18% of scoreAutonomy 79th · 15% of score
  24. 24Home Care Operator

    Found · mixed · $118k–$219k · 4y to competence

    58.3

    Ranks here mainly on demand and autonomy.

    Demand 98th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 72th · 14% of scoreLeverage 86th · 12% of score
  25. 25Speech-Language Pathologist

    Care · clinic · $95k–$133k · 6y to competence

    57.5

    Ranks here mainly on demand and body.

    Demand 92th · 13% of scoreBody 83th · 12% of scoreAutonomy 61th · 12% of score
  26. 26Lawyer (Litigation)

    Investigate · desk · $151k–$215k · 7y to competence

    56.6

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and pay.

    Autonomy 82th · 16% of scorePay 96th · 14% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 14% of score
  27. 27Watchmaker

    Craft · studio · $61k–$93k · 5y to competence

    56.4

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 99th · 24% of scorePlay 94th · 23% of scoreBody 78th · 12% of score
  28. 28Psychotherapist

    Care · desk · $59k–$98k · 7y to competence

    56.2

    Ranks here mainly on body and autonomy.

    Body 94th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 71th · 14% of scoreDemand 93th · 14% of score
  29. 29Cinematographer

    Perform · mixed · $69k–$131k · 9y to competence

    55.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 90th · 23% of scoreSpecific knowledge 89th · 22% of scoreAutonomy 69th · 14% of score
  30. 30Certified Accountant

    Steward · desk · $82k–$141k · 5y to competence

    54.5

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 84th · 17% of scoreLeverage 86th · 13% of scoreBody 85th · 13% of score
  31. 31Archivist

    Steward · desk · $62k–$105k · 5y to competence

    54.1

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and body.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 16% of scoreBody 82th · 13% of scoreAutonomy 59th · 12% of score
  32. 32Civil Engineer

    Build · mixed · $100k–$161k · 6y to competence

    53.8

    Ranks here mainly on body and autonomy.

    Body 77th · 12% of scoreAutonomy 57th · 12% of scoreDemand 71th · 11% of score
  33. 33Goldsmith / Jeweller

    Craft · studio · $49k–$82k · 6y to competence

    51.8

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 21% of scoreSpecific knowledge 78th · 21% of scoreAutonomy 56th · 12% of score
  34. 34Field Ecologist

    Investigate · field · $68k–$108k · 6y to competence

    51.3

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 73th · 20% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 15% of scoreAutonomy 58th · 13% of score
  35. 35Museum Conservator

    Steward · studio · $47k–$83k · 8y to competence

    50.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 26% of scorePlay 86th · 24% of scoreBody 74th · 12% of score
  36. 36Luthier

    Craft · studio · $45k–$73k · 8y to competence

    50.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 98th · 27% of scoreSpecific knowledge 95th · 26% of scoreBody 57th · 9% of score
  37. 37Dentist

    Care · clinic · $173k–$220k · 8y to competence

    50.3

    Ranks here mainly on pay and autonomy.

    Pay 97th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 64th · 14% of scoreLeverage 86th · 14% of score
  38. 38Stage Actor

    Perform · stage · $49k–$202k · 9y to competence

    49.7

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 98th · 27% of scoreSpecific knowledge 89th · 25% of scoreAutonomy 51th · 11% of score
  39. 39Furniture Maker

    Craft · studio · $46k–$63k · 7y to competence

    49.4

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 94th · 26% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 23% of scoreAutonomy 54th · 12% of score
  40. 40Nurse Practitioner

    Care · clinic · $129k–$170k · 7y to competence

    48.6

    Ranks here mainly on demand and pay.

    Demand 98th · 17% of scorePay 84th · 14% of scoreAutonomy 48th · 11% of score
  41. 41Commercial Broker

    Trade · mixed · $72k–$167k · 4y to competence

    48.0

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 77th · 18% of scoreLeverage 86th · 15% of scoreBody 66th · 12% of score
  42. 42Trades Instructor

    Teach · site · $61k–$107k · 8y to competence

    47.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 56th · 16% of scorePlay 54th · 16% of scoreAutonomy 53th · 12% of score
  43. 43Veterinarian

    Care · clinic · $126k–$213k · 8y to competence

    47.2

    Ranks here mainly on pay and specific knowledge.

    Pay 89th · 16% of scoreSpecific knowledge 51th · 15% of scorePlay 47th · 14% of score
  44. 44Choreographer

    Perform · stage · $56k–$94k · 12y to competence

    46.9

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 95th · 28% of scorePlay 94th · 28% of scoreAutonomy 52th · 12% of score
  45. 45Airline Pilot

    Operate · mixed · $227k–$363k · 6y to competence

    46.8

    Ranks here mainly on pay and play.

    Pay 98th · 17% of scorePlay 54th · 16% of scoreDemand 73th · 13% of score
  46. 46Land Surveyor

    Investigate · field · $73k–$116k · 5y to competence

    46.2

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and demand.

    Autonomy 49th · 12% of scoreDemand 61th · 11% of scoreLeverage 49th · 9% of score
  47. 47Sign Language Interpreter

    Care · mixed · $59k–$100k · 5y to competence

    46.1

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 18% of scorePlay 39th · 12% of scoreBody 64th · 12% of score
  48. 48Chef de Cuisine

    Perform · kitchen · $61k–$96k · 8y to competence

    45.7

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 79th · 24% of scoreSpecific knowledge 73th · 22% of scoreDemand 71th · 13% of score
  49. 49Plant Manager

    Operate · site · $121k–$197k · 8y to competence

    44.7

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and leverage.

    Autonomy 66th · 16% of scoreLeverage 86th · 16% of scorePay 82th · 15% of score
  50. 50Market Farmer

    Steward · field · $88k–$157k · 5y to competence

    44.2

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 73th · 23% of scoreSpecific knowledge 56th · 17% of scorePay 61th · 12% of score
  51. 51Air Traffic Controller

    Operate · desk · $145k–$210k · 4y to competence

    44.1

    Ranks here mainly on pay and body.

    Pay 94th · 18% of scoreBody 74th · 14% of scorePeople fit 97th · 12% of score
  52. 52Athletic Coach

    Teach · field · $46k–$94k · 5y to competence

    44.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 68th · 21% of scoreSpecific knowledge 43th · 14% of scoreDemand 67th · 13% of score
  53. 53Occupational Therapist

    Care · clinic · $98k–$130k · 6y to competence

    44.0

    Ranks here mainly on demand and play.

    Demand 89th · 17% of scorePlay 47th · 15% of scorePay 66th · 12% of score
  54. 54Physical Therapist

    Care · clinic · $101k–$132k · 7y to competence

    43.8

    Ranks here mainly on demand and pay.

    Demand 86th · 16% of scorePay 68th · 13% of scorePlay 39th · 12% of score
  55. 55Artisan Baker

    Craft · kitchen · $37k–$48k · 4y to competence

    41.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and demand.

    Play 61th · 20% of scoreDemand 61th · 12% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 11% of score
  56. 56Tailor / Patternmaker

    Craft · studio · $41k–$62k · 6y to competence

    41.5

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 73th · 24% of scorePlay 68th · 23% of scoreBody 60th · 12% of score
  57. 57Finish Carpenter

    Craft · site · $59k–$98k · 5y to competence

    41.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 54th · 18% of scoreSpecific knowledge 38th · 13% of scoreAutonomy 39th · 11% of score
  58. 58Midwife

    Care · clinic · $129k–$177k · 6y to competence

    40.3

    Ranks here mainly on pay and demand.

    Pay 87th · 18% of scoreDemand 86th · 18% of scorePlay 47th · 16% of score
  59. 59Physician (Primary Care)

    Care · clinic · $238k–$381k · 11y to competence

    39.9

    Ranks here mainly on pay and specific knowledge.

    Pay 99th · 21% of scoreSpecific knowledge 38th · 13% of scoreAutonomy 46th · 13% of score
  60. 60Arborist

    Steward · field · $50k–$79k · 3y to competence

    39.6

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 54th · 19% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 13% of scoreLeverage 49th · 10% of score
  61. 61Barber / Stylist

    Craft · studio · $39k–$78k · 3y to competence

    39.1

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 47th · 17% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 13% of scoreLeverage 49th · 11% of score
  62. 62Massage Therapist

    Care · clinic · $58k–$97k · 2y to competence

    38.0

    Ranks here mainly on demand and play.

    Demand 91th · 20% of scorePlay 39th · 14% of scoreTime to skill 98th · 14% of score
  63. 63Boatbuilder

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

    37.7

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 86th · 32% of scoreSpecific knowledge 81th · 30% of scoreMeaning load 50th · 7% of score
  64. 64Livestock Rancher

    Steward · field · $88k–$157k · 6y to competence

    37.2

    Ranks here mainly on play and specific knowledge.

    Play 61th · 23% of scoreSpecific knowledge 47th · 18% of scorePay 61th · 14% of score
  65. 65Electrician

    Build · site · $62k–$106k · 4y to competence

    36.8

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 76th · 17% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 12% of scoreLeverage 49th · 11% of score
  66. 66CNC Machinist

    Craft · site · $56k–$79k · 4y to competence

    36.4

    Ranks here mainly on autonomy and play.

    Autonomy 42th · 13% of scorePlay 33th · 13% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 12% of score
  67. 67HVAC Technician

    Build · site · $60k–$91k · 3y to competence

    36.2

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 83th · 19% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 14% of scorePeople fit 77th · 12% of score
  68. 68Secondary Teacher

    Teach · mixed · $65k–$105k · 4y to competence

    36.0

    Ranks here mainly on body and time to skill.

    Body 55th · 13% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 12% of scoreLeverage 49th · 11% of score
  69. 69Plumber

    Build · site · $63k–$105k · 4y to competence

    35.0

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 71th · 17% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 13% of scorePeople fit 77th · 12% of score
  70. 70Aircraft Mechanic

    Operate · site · $79k–$120k · 3y to competence

    34.3

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and demand.

    Time to skill 91th · 15% of scoreDemand 61th · 15% of scorePay 52th · 13% of score
  71. 71Wind Turbine Technician

    Operate · field · $63k–$88k · 2y to competence

    33.8

    Ranks here mainly on demand and time to skill.

    Demand 98th · 24% of scoreTime to skill 98th · 16% of scorePlay 33th · 14% of score
  72. 72Clinical Social Worker

    Care · mixed · $59k–$94k · 5y to competence

    32.0

    Ranks here mainly on body and place flexibility.

    Body 68th · 18% of scorePlace flexibility 79th · 14% of scoreDownside tolerance 76th · 13% of score
  73. 73Stonemason

    Craft · site · $52k–$83k · 5y to competence

    31.7

    Ranks here mainly on specific knowledge and play.

    Specific knowledge 61th · 27% of scorePlay 61th · 27% of scoreTime to skill 63th · 11% of score
  74. 74Firefighter

    Care · field · $60k–$101k · 3y to competence

    30.7

    Ranks here mainly on play and time to skill.

    Play 54th · 25% of scoreTime to skill 91th · 16% of scoreDemand 43th · 12% of score
  75. 75Heavy Equipment Operator

    Operate · site · $59k–$101k · 3y to competence

    28.7

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and play.

    Time to skill 91th · 18% of scorePlay 33th · 16% of scoreDemand 48th · 14% of score
  76. 76Power Plant Operator

    Operate · site · $100k–$129k · 4y to competence

    28.3

    Ranks here mainly on pay and time to skill.

    Pay 67th · 20% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 15% of scoreBody 48th · 14% of score
  77. 77Paramedic

    Care · field · $58k–$82k · 2y to competence

    27.9

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and demand.

    Time to skill 98th · 20% of scoreDemand 61th · 18% of scorePlay 33th · 17% of score
  78. 78Registered Nurse

    Care · clinic · $94k–$135k · 4y to competence

    27.6

    Ranks here mainly on pay and demand.

    Pay 63th · 19% of scoreDemand 61th · 18% of scoreTime to skill 79th · 16% of score
  79. 79Water Treatment Operator

    Steward · site · $58k–$86k · 3y to competence

    25.9

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and body.

    Time to skill 91th · 20% of scoreBody 51th · 16% of scorePlace flexibility 57th · 12% of score
  80. 80Welder / Fabricator

    Craft · site · $51k–$76k · 3y to competence

    20.9

    Ranks here mainly on time to skill and meaning load.

    Time to skill 91th · 24% of scoreMeaning load 50th · 13% of scorePlay 19th · 13% of score