National Work Life Week 2024 takes place between 7-11 October 2024. Since 2010, National Work Life Week has encouraged employers and employees to discuss wellbeing at work and the importance of work-life balance.
As flexible working practices take centre stage, studies on the happiest and unhappiest jobs reveal how work-life balance shapes job satisfaction—discover more about this in the latest study from Bubblegum Search.
The study, analysing over 2,000 Reddit comments, sheds light on the professions that bring their practitioners the most joy and fulfilment.
Top Findings: Creative Jobs Lead to Happy Lives
Car Designers, earning between £40,000 and £60,000 annually, and Animators, with salaries from £30,000 to £45,000, top the list. Both roles offer high levels of creative freedom and the opportunity to work on projects they are passionate about, resulting in outstanding job satisfaction. Game Developers, who often see their childhood dreams come to life in their work, also rank highly, earning £35,000 to £50,000 while enjoying a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Unexpected Happy Careers: From Dog Photography to Tattoo Artistry
Some of the happiest professionals are in unexpected fields. Dog Photographers, for example, cite the flexibility and joy of working with furry companions as key to their happiness, earning between £20,000 and £35,000. Tattoo Artists and Freelance Translators also report high job satisfaction, attributing their contentment to creative autonomy and flexible work schedules.
Tough Jobs: Social Workers and Electricians Report Low Satisfaction
Not all professions fare well in the happiness stakes. Social Workers and Electricians are among the least happy, citing the emotional and physical demands of their roles. Paramedics and ER Workers, despite finding their work rewarding, struggle with high stress and burnout.
Why This Matters: Creativity and Flexibility Are Key
Bubblegum Search’s findings underscore the importance of creative freedom, passion, and autonomy in achieving job satisfaction. “Our study highlights that people are happiest in roles where they have the freedom to express themselves creatively, work on projects they are passionate about, and enjoy a degree of flexibility,” says a spokesperson from Bubblegum Search.
Job Satisfaction Results Table
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary (UK) | Average Hours/Week | Satisfaction Level | Key Factors |
| 1 | Car Designer | £40,000 – £60,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Passion for automotive design, creative freedom |
| 2 | Animator | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Very Happy | Creative work, fun work environment with peers |
| 3 | Game Developer | £35,000 – £50,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Fulfilling childhood dreams, creative projects |
| 4 | IT Support Specialist | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Very Happy | Solving technical issues, autonomy, working with close friends |
| 5 | Cybersecurity Specialist | £50,000 – £70,000 | 40+ | Very Happy | Developing policy, autonomy, and problem-solving |
| 6 | Dog Photographer | £20,000 – £35,000 | Variable | Very Happy | Flexible hours, working with animals, creative freedom |
| 7 | Developmental Biologist | £35,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Passionate about research, fulfilling scientific exploration |
| 8 | Occupational Therapist | £30,000 – £40,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Helping people, fulfilling work, autonomy |
| 9 | UX Designer | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Solving user problems, creative freedom |
| 10 | System Administrator | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Happy | Problem-solving, creative technical challenges |
| 11 | Tattoo Artist | £30,000 – £50,000 | Variable | Happy | Creative work, strong client relationships |
| 12 | Music Store Owner | Variable | Variable | Happy | Entrepreneurship, passion for music |
| 13 | Librarian | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Passion for books, engaging with the community |
| 14 | UPS Driver | £25,000 – £35,000 | 50+ | Happy | Autonomy, good pay, physical activity |
| 15 | Software Engineer | £35,000 – £60,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative and problem-solving work, autonomy |
| 16 | Freelance Translator | £25,000 – £35,000 | Variable | Happy | Flexible schedule, but dependent on projects |
| 17 | Chef (Private Resort) | £30,000 – £45,000 | 40+ (Seasonal) | Happy | High job satisfaction, autonomy, good environment |
| 18 | Theatre Technician | £20,000 – £35,000 | 40+ | Happy | Passion for working behind the scenes in live events |
| 19 | Video Editor | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative work, technical challenges |
| 20 | Lifeguard | £18,000 – £25,000 | 40+ (Seasonal) | Happy | Enjoys working outdoors and physical activity |
| 21 | Massage Therapist | £25,000 – £40,000 | 37.5 | Happy | Helping people, flexibility |
| 22 | Aviation Meteorologist | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40 | Happy | Impactful work varied daily tasks |
| 23 | Freelance Import/Export | Variable | Variable | Happy | Flexibility, entrepreneurship, sourcing and selling unique items |
| 24 | Photographer (Non-dog specific) | £20,000 – £40,000 | Variable | Happy | Creative control, flexible hours, passion-driven work |
| 25 | Web Designer | £25,000 – £45,000 | 40 | Happy | Creative work, digital design |
| 26 | Engineer (General) | £35,000 – £55,000 | 40+ | Happy | Problem-solving, technical innovation, career growth |
| 27 | School Teacher (High School & Preschool) | £28,000 – £45,000 | 37.5 – 50 | Mixed | Passion for teaching, but overwork and underpayment |
| 28 | ER Worker | £30,000 – £50,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Rewarding work, but high stress and emotional challenges |
| 29 | Paramedic | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Fulfilling but physically and emotionally demanding |
| 30 | Administrative Assistant | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 – 40 | Mixed | Low stress but limited growth opportunities |
| 31 | Rideshare Driver | £25,000 – £30,000 | Variable | Mixed | Flexible hours but unpredictable income |
| 32 | Call Centre Worker | £18,000 – £22,000 | 40 | Mixed | Good benefits, but repetitive work |
| 33 | Retail Worker | £18,000 – £25,000 | 40 | Mixed | Social interaction, but high stress and challenging customer service |
| 34 | Police Officer | £25,000 – £45,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work, but high stress and danger |
| 35 | Truck Driver | £25,000 – £35,000 | 50+ | Mixed | Autonomy, but long hours and isolation |
| 36 | Air Traffic Controller | £50,000 – £75,000 | 40+ | Mixed | High responsibility, good pay, but high pressure |
| 37 | Construction Project Manager | £45,000 – £60,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Autonomy, but high stress and unpredictable hours |
| 38 | Surgical Coordinator | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Mixed | Fulfilling work, but emotionally draining |
| 39 | Hospital Security | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work, but the potential for high stress and danger |
| 40 | Video Game QA Tester | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Fun work environment, but long hours and stress |
| 41 | Night Cleaner | £18,000 – £22,000 | 37.5 | Mixed | Low-stress but repetitive and often physically demanding work |
| 42 | Warehouse Manager | £25,000 – £40,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Interesting work environment, but physically demanding |
| 43 | Construction Worker (Labourer) | £20,000 – £30,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Physically demanding, unpredictable hours |
| 44 | Social Worker | £25,000 – £35,000 | 40 | Mixed | Impactful work, but emotionally draining |
| 45 | Psych Aide (Hospital) | £20,000 – £30,000 | 37.5 | Mixed | Low-stress but emotionally draining work |
| 46 | Electrician | £25,000 – £40,000 | 40+ | Mixed | Hands-on technical work, decent pay, but physically demanding |
| 47 | Import/Export Specialist (Self-employed) | Variable | Variable | Happy | Flexible schedule, entrepreneurial spirit |
Based in southwest London, Bubblegum Search is a creative digital PR agency transforming brands with PR campaigns and powerful SEO strategies. Examples of Reddit threads analysed.