HR Strange But True, Uncategorized

The Most Underrated and Overrated Jobs of 2016

When you think of something as being underrated, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Most will think of movies, some will think of food, but has a job or career ever crossed your mind as being underrated, or even overrated? CareerCast has recently released its list of the most underrated jobs in 2016. Does the Human Resources (HR) profession make the cut? Let’s find out!

Jobs

According to CareerCast—a job search website—here are the most underrated jobs of 2016:

  • Computer Systems Analyst
    • Annual median salary: $85,800
    • Growth outlook: 21%
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
    • Annual median salary: $63,630
    • Growth outlook: 24%
  • Dietitian
    • Annual median salary: $57,910
    • Growth outlook: 16%
  • Environmental Engineer
    • Annual median salary: $84,560
    • Growth outlook: 12%
  • Financial Analyst
    • Annual median salary: $80,310
    • Growth outlook: 12%
  • HR Manager
    • Annual median salary: $104,440
    • Growth outlook: 9%
  • Medical Technologist
    • Annual median salary: $50,550
    • Growth outlook: 16%
  • Physical Therapist
    • Annual median salary: $84,020
    • Growth outlook: 34%

CareerCast interviewed Tom Duffy, director of HR for Blue Fountain Media. According to CareerCast, “Duffy is motivated by the ability HR provides to benefit his organization and candidates. For an underrated career like Environmental Engineer, they can impact entire communities.” Since many of the jobs on this list focus on helping people and making a change for the better, it makes you wonder what the most overrated jobs were in 2016.

Fortunately, CareerCast compiled a list of the most overrated jobs in 2016, which include:

  • Advertising Account Manager
    • Annual median salary: $124,850
    • Growth outlook: 9%
  • Author
    • Annual median salary: $60,520
    • Growth outlook: 2%
  • Broadcaster
    • Annual median salary: $37,720
    • Growth outlook: -9%
  • Corporate Executive
    • Annual median salary: $102,690
    • Growth outlook: 6%
  • Event Coordinator
    • Annual median salary: $46,840
    • Growth outlook: 10%
  • Photographer
    • Annual median salary: $31,170
    • Growth outlook: 3%
  • Public Relations Executive
    • Annual median salary: $104,140
    • Growth outlook: 7%
  • Stockbroker
    • Annual median salary: $71,550
    • Growth outlook: 10%

Having been a freelance wedding photographer for almost 10 years, I can certainly attest to how overrated being a photographer actually is. Especially with social media, like Instagram, everyone these days is a photographer.  However, 2017 is still in its prime, so who knows what will be overrated or underrated, in terms of careers, this year. If you’d like to make a prediction, leave it in the comments section below.

Melissa BlazejakMelissa Blazejak is a Senior Web Content Editor at BLR. She has written articles for HR.BLR.com and the HR Daily Advisor websites and is responsible for the day-to-day management of HR.BLR.com and HRLaws.com. She has been at BLR since 2014. She graduated with a BA of Science, specializing in Communication, from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2008. Most recently, she graduated in 2014 with a MS of Educational Technology.

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