2013's most underrated AND overrated jobs!

We bring you the most underrated and overrated jobs of 2013, as per California based jobs site CareerCast.com’s findings.

California based jobs website CareerCast.com has released its annual list of best and worst jobs for the year 2013.

The report was meant to help young aspirants know about the existing trends in the job market so that they can assess their career choices and make an informed decision.

For the annual jobs report, a rough draft was first compiled after evaluating over 200 professions in five core criteria, namely annual pay, hiring outlook, work environment, stress and physical demands.

Each of these five categories were further divided into more than 100 sub-criteria like degree of confinement in the work environment and potential income growth to arrive at the final list of the most valued and least valued jobs of 2013.

The list features two key data -- annual median salary and projected growth outlook -- both crucial factors that influence career decisions.

The annual jobs report comprised data from Bureau of Labour Statistics, the Census Bureau, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and several other private compensation surveys, trade association studies and state statistics.

In the following pages, we bring you the list of the most underrated and overrated jobs of 2013 as per CareerCast’s findings.

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12. Librarian

Average Median Salary: $55,370

Projected Growth Outlook: 7 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 89

If you thought a librarian’s job was un-cool, CareerCast’s job report will prove you wrong.

The librarian, ranked at Number 89 made it among the top 100 jobs in the list because it is less stressful and guarantees better workplace environment.

11. Electrician

Average Median Salary:$49,840

Projected Growth Outlook: 23 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 76

With a serious dearth of skilled technicians, electricians were rated at Number 76. With a projected growth outlook of about 23 per cent, there is a lot going for you if you choose the profession. 

10. Plumber

Average Median Salary: $49,140

Projected Growth Outlook: 26 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 66

With real estate booming and new buildings being constructed, there is going to be an increased demand for skilled plumbers.

That explains why the profession is expected to grow at 26 per cent in the next few years.

Low stress levels and job stability are incentives for people who choose this profession, added the CareerCast report.

9. School Principal

Average Median Salary: $87,760

Projected Growth Outlook: 10 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 90

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary of a school principal is higher than that of a civil engineer, a veterinary doctor and a computer analyst.

If money is what excites you, we’d strongly advice you to go for this vocation.

Good administrative skills combined with relevant teaching experience is a prerequisite for growth in this career.

8. Civil Engineer

Average Median Salary: $79,340

Projected Growth Outlook: 19 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 32

The boom in real estate has led to a proportional rise in demand for qualified and skilled civil engineers.

A competitive median salary combined with positive work environment makes it an exciting career choice to pursue.

7. Legal Assistant

Average Median Salary: $46,990

Projected Growth Outlook: 18 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 41

From sorting corporate issues to suggesting solutions at the personal level, a legal assistant can be of immense help in dire times.

With a projected growth of 18 per cent, the CareerCast reports that it is a viable career choice.

6. Emergency Medical Technician

Average Median Salary:$31,020

Projected Growth Outlook: 33 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank:97

The fast pace nature of work and environment conditions makes the job of an Emergency Medical Technician one of the most stressful careers to opt for.

However with a growth rate of 33 per cent, the opportunities are immense and rewarding.

5. Accountant

Average Median Salary: $63,550

Projected Growth Outlook: 16 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 47

No matter what the economic condition, accountants will always be in demand.

With high quality work environment, minimal stress and low physical exertion, the career is expected to grow at 16 per cent in the next few years.

If one were to compare the median salaries, an accountant earns more than a medical technician, legal assistant and plumber.

4. Market Research Analyst

Average Median Salary: $60,300

Projected Growth Outlook: 41 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 39

As per data provided by the bureau of Labour Statistics, there is a marked demand for Market Research Analysts.

In fact, at 41 percent, it is one of the fastest growing job profiles for 2013.

3. Biologist

Average Median Salary: $72,700

Projected Growth Outlook: 31 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 70

Much as some of you would hate the subject, fact is Biologists make more money annually than a market research analyst and legal assistant.

The favourable work conditions, minimal physical demands and low stress levels further contribute to its merits.

2. Veterinarian

Average Median Salary: $84,460

Projected Growth Outlook: 36 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 15

With an increasing number of people taking to pets, the demand for veterinarians is expected to surge by 36 per cent in the next seven years as per Bureau of Labor Statistics’ estimates.

That combined with low stress, makes veterinary science a promising career option for young graduates.

1.  Computer Systems Analyst

Average Median Salary: $79,680

Projected Growth Outlook: 22 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 10

Since it connects the management to the IT, the role of a systems analyst is crucial and demands a plump compensation.

According to CareerCast, it is rated among the top 10 jobs of 2013 and the demand is.

Moving on to the most overrated jobs of 2013 as per CareerCast’s findings:

12. Psychologist

Average Median Salary: $67,650

Projected Growth Outlook: 22 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 58

With a growth potential of 22 per cent, the job of a psychologist may seem very enticing, however, the median pay scale suggests that it is an overrated profession.

11. Economist

Average Median Salary: $91,860

Projected Growth Outlook: 6 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 119

At an average median salary of approximately $92,000, an economist is easily the highest paid in the list.

However the demand for economists is expected to grow only at 6 per cent in the next few years. 

10. Computer Programmer

Average Median Salary: $74,280

Projected Growth Outlook: 12 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 38

When it comes to computer programmers, don’t be cheated by the median salary.

If the report by Bureau of Labor Statistics is to be believed, a lot of American companies prefer outsourcing their computer programming work for lower rates, which is affecting domestic hiring.

9. Attorney

Average Median Salary: $113,530

Projected Growth Outlook: 10 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 117

While attorneys make a much better living than legal assistants do, the job profile did not feature in the top 100.

In fact a report by The Wall Street Journal suggests that hiring of recent law school graduates dwindled to 62 per cent in 2012.

8. Commercial Airline Pilot

Average Median Salary: $114,200

Projected Growth Outlook: 11 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 129

With a stagnant market demand combined with difficult work hours, commercial airline pilots feature among the top three most stressful jobs, according to the 2013 rankings.

The growth rate for commercial pilots is pegged at 11 per cent.

7. Architect

Average Median Salary: $73,090

Projected Growth Outlook: 24 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 61

The potential growth rate does paint a positive picture, but if you want to be an architect, watch out for high levels of stress and demanding work environment.

6. Event Coordinator

Average Median Salary: $45,810

Projected Growth Outlook: 44 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 62

Another stressful job is that of an event co-ordinator.

Despite the promising growth prospects, if you were to assess the median pay, you’d know why it features in the most overrated jobs’ category.

5. Senior Corporate Executive

Average Median Salary: $168,140

Projected Growth Outlook: 5 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 155

Since senior corporate executives have to deal with policy making decisions, the job demands a lot of scrutiny which adds up to the stress levels.

The average salary might look inviting, but hiring is projected to be as low as 5 per cent.

4. Public Relations Manager

Average Median Salary: $95,450

Projected Growth Outlook: 21 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 73

The growth rate is good, but the job itself is demanding. Meeting both the demands of clients and the audience makes it a difficult career to pursue.

Overrated because of the increase in demand, but the competitive nature of the job combined with stress levels may not work for everyone.

3. Stockbroker

Average Median Salary: $72,060

Projected Growth Outlook: 15 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 104

No matter what the growth prospects are, there is always a fear of making a wrong decision and disappointing clients especially when the markets are volatile.

The high stress levels and competitive nature of job makes it an overrated profession to be in.

2. Surgeon

 Average Median Salary: $>$166,400

Projected Growth Outlook: 24 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 51

After spending years into training and honing skills, the high stress levels further add to the woes of a medical surgeon.

The growth rate is promising at 24 per cent, but it is the need for exhaustive training and stress quotient that makes it an overrated vocation.

1. Advertising Account Executive

Average Median Salary: $66,913

Projected Growth Outlook: 14 per cent

2013 Jobs Rated Rank: 124

And last but not the least, the most over rated job according to CareerCast.com is that of the advertising account executive.

The surging stress levels combined with poor hiring outlook, makes it a least desirable profession.