10 of the Happiest Jobs in the World (2023)

What makes you happy?

Everyone has different answers to this question, but how many of us can honestly say it’s work that brings a smile to our face? Sure, there are good days and the satisfaction of getting something done right, but not many of us can say they look forward to work the next day.

If this is the case for you, don’t feel bad. You could just be in the wrong industry. As it turns out, some professions cause people to happy. You’d think it’s the best paying jobs that end up high on the happiness scale, but that’s not the case. Money can buy a lot of things, but job satisfaction is not one of them.

So do you fancy a career change? Here are the ten happiest jobs in the world, and it appears there’s no clear link between them. What you see might surprise you.

All these professions vary greatly in terms of industry, responsibilities and day-to-day activities. Some of these professions involve dynamic, fast-changing environments, while others are just about as relaxing as possible. There are also big differences in pay, as some fairly low paying jobs ended up making the list. In most cases, what these jobs do have in common is a sense of creativity and the ability to problem solve. These people aren’t just passing time and collecting a paycheck. They’re creating something that they’re passionate about.

It’s definitely an odd bunch of jobs, but multiple surveys analyzed by The Guardian and a separate survey conducted by Careerbliss confirm these are the happiest jobs on the planet:

10 Personal Assistant

When you think of a personal assistant, it’s hard not to think of a fresh-faced recent graduate being berated by an egomaniacal boss. That’s how it is in movies and TV shows, at least. Think of the perpetually mistreated Lloyd from Entourage or The Devil Wears Prada. Those poor (yet fictitious) souls.

In truth, being a personal assistant isn’t nearly that bad, and, many personal assistants reported being happier with their job than people in other industries. Take away the verbal abuse stereotypes, and you’re left with someone who has to solve problems on the fly while learning the inner structure of an organization.

9 Plumber

Plumbers have to deal with a lot of crap in their jobs, but in some ways, actual crap is better than the stuff other people have to deal with in their day-to-day work. For the most part, plumbers are their own boss and can focus on their trade with few outside distractions. That’s a lot better than being stuck in an office with annoying workplace drama and political maneuvering many of us have to deal with.

Plumbers are one of those rare blue-collar jobs that still pays well and will always be in demand, so it’s no wonder they’re happy with their jobs.

8 Scientist

One of the things many of the jobs on this list have in common is they allow people to do what they love. That’s especially true in the case of scientists. These men and women dedicate years in academia to the subject they love, and once they enter the workforce, they make a comfortable living continuing their studies.

Being a scientist relying on government funding can be stressful, as the money isn’t always there, and projects can come to a sudden halt. Fortunately, scientists are in great demand for a number of industries, both in the private and public sector.

7 Gardener

Has anyone ever looked angry while gardening? Pretty tough to find one if there ever has been, as it seems to be one of the more enjoyable forms of physical labor. Gardeners might not be swimming in money, but they’re among the happiest employees on the planet, and it’s easy to see why.

There are different types of gardeners, but for the most part, they’re blessed to spend most of their day outside during the most pleasant seasons. They also get to see the fruits of their labor come into bloom. It’s not many professions that can get their hands so dirty and create something so beautiful. Talk about job satisfaction.

6 Medical Practitioner

Medical practitioners have the power to save lives, and that importance makes them pillars of the community. It’s so difficult to become a doctor — from the years of university to the heap of student debt — that it’s one of those professions you have to truly love, or you won’t bother with the effort of making it.

The satisfaction of doing the job well is immense, and it helps that the pay and prestige are high. Few professions are as highly esteemed as doctors. Out of all the professions out there, they’re the second most trusted according to a Gallup poll. It’s certainly not a job for everyone, but it’s the perfect job for some people.

5 Marketers and PR People

When you’re in marketing or public relations, you’re placed in a competitive, high-stress environment full of strict deadlines and loads of creative thinking. For some people, this is hell. For others, it’s a dream come true.

People in marketing and PR are extremely happy with their jobs, as they love the creativity they’re encouraged to use in their day-to-day work. One part of the appeal is the variety of challenges people in the industry are faced with — nothing is static or overly monotonous. These challenges — from revitalizing a brand or dealing with a PR crisis — might not always be fun, but they are at least fulfilling. Plus, a lot of these new age digital companies are coming up with great ways to appeal to millennials and become the best places to work. Who doesn’t love the perks of a casual work environment made for millennials?

4 Nurse

Doctors might get all the credit and TV shows, but it’s nurses who are on the front lines. While nurses may not get all the accolades, their work makes them beloved by many patients. The patients sometimes see nurses on a daily basis, so those nurses can receive a lot of praise. In fact, nurses are the most trusted professionals by the general public, edging out doctors by a considerable margin.

Nurses like their work, despite all the stress and challenges of helping people in rough condition. An added bonus of the work is that nurses are in high demand, so it’s possible for them to switch workplaces until they find the perfect location. Not every industry is so fortunate.

3 Teacher

Look back to how awful you were as kid. It’s a miracle your best teachers were able to handle about 20 similarly annoying children (no offense). Not only do the best teachers tolerate their students, but they actually love working with them. For that alone, teachers are modern-day saints that get a lot of credit for their work.

Out of all the professions, few are a labor of love like teaching is. The pay starts off low. The hours are incredibly long, and the administrative red tape is a nightmare. Despite all that, teaching is one of the happiest professions on the planet. It truly is a calling.

2 Hairdresser/Barber

When you have a good hairdresser or barber, going in for a haircut is a lot of fun. The conversation is good. The environment is friendly, and you can leave all your outside problems at the door. The reason for all this, as surveys show, is that these professionals are incredibly happy with their work.

It’s not too hard to see why. The best in the business build great relationships and get to catch up with friends throughout the day while making some money. Like gardeners, barbers and hairdressers can see the fruits of their labor when they’ve done their job right. All in all, it’s not a bad gig.

1 Engineer

Out of all the jobs in the world, engineers have the happiest. Why is that? There are a couple good reasons why engineers love their jobs so much.

As with some of the other happiest jobs, engineers enjoy the challenge of coming up with solutions to difficult problems. Their industries vary — from working on luxury cars to buildings sports stadiums — but similar to scientists, they can experiment a lot with their ideas. Like gardeners, engineers see their work in action once it’s completed. To top it all off, engineers earn a decent salary for doing something they love. Plus, the jobs are in high demand.

All those factors together make engineering one of the best — or at least one of the happiest — fields to get into.

However, if you’re not an engineer, there are plenty of other jobs on this list that can suit your happiness fancy — or at least give you an idea of a profession that might. So, get out there and go find your happy workplace. You’ll be glad you did when you wake up excited to go to work each day.